I finished this pattern this weekend after a long break. Not too much has changed, but I cleaned up the type, added some additional measurement information and included a chart for the crown decreases in addition to the written instructions. This hat is really simple, but looks great and works for a wide range of head sizes without modifications because it is so stretchy.
Category Archives: Knits
Knits: April Showers Edition 2013
This last weekend of April is a rainy one, but I have a quick round-up of my knitting progress for the month. My day job is still keeping me very busy, so knitting has been taking a back burner. I made the most progress on the Cuffed Zigzag Mitts revisions. The pattern was in good shape, so all I had to do was just add some charts and tweak the layout a bit. I also got to use my skein of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Mansfield Garden Party – a one-of-a-kind skein I picked up last year. It seemed like a good time to use it with all of the beautiful spring colors. It was so large that I was able to use it to make a final test pair of the gloves, a matching hat and another pair of gloves to send to my niece.
I also started working on the revision to the reversible rib hat pattern, but then got distracted by making a final piece to donate to the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art Yarn installation project. At the last free workshop there was a mountain of donated yarn to choose from. I found a huge hand-dyed skein that I couldn’t resist, so I am making a fan lace piece that works well with the nubby texture and shows off the color variations in an interesting way. It took me a few tries to land on the right pattern, but I’m pleased with how its turning out. I’m giving myself until the end of the week to get as far as I can and then I’ll bind it off and donate it even if I haven’t gotten through all the yarn. (It took me 2 hours to hand-wind a center-pull ball that felt like a bowling ball when I was done!)
I have also been enjoying a beautiful spring here. We’ve gotten a good amount of rain this year and it has yielded one of the more beautiful blooming seasons in recent memory. Here are a few pictures – the cherry tree is in my front yard and never lasts long enough!
Updated Knit Pattern: Cuffed ZigZag Fingerless Mitts
The pattern for the cuffed ZigZag fingerless mitts was in pretty good shape since it is one of my later patterns, but I still tweaked it a bit by reducing the number of cuffs rows by a few and adding in pattern charts so you can easily see the difference between the two. I left the original photography because it turned out so well. Enjoy!
Pattern is now available as an immediate download on Etsy and Craftsy!
Updated Knit Pattern: ZigZag Swirl Hat
Its been a long time coming, but I am finally finished updating the ZigZag Swirl hat pattern. The zigzag pattern has been revised from the original with the addition of a pattern chart as well as more detailed measurement information and yarn yardage.
I’ve also knit the sample up with my recommended yarn – Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Oak. The yarn has a wonderful feel, the right amount of bulk and a beautiful depth of color. I hope you enjoy!
Knit Progress: Brioche Baby Blanket!
Its been a while since I’ve posted on knitting, but for good reason. I took most of last month to create a baby blanket. I attended the shower, so now I can post the pictures without ruining the surprise!
I recently got a book on brioche knitting techniques titled Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch by Nancy Marchant. It is filled with an amazing array of brioche knitting techniques and I found it almost overwhelming with possibilities. Its a great resource that is well written with good photography of the technique. I was able to figure it out from the book without jumping on youtube for instructional videos 
. I really love the look of the two color brioche stitch, and the blanket was the perfect opportunity to try it out. I added columns of cable stitches to give it a little more punch. I really like the way it turned out using a solid cream for one side and a multi-color yarn for the other. It makes the white raised rib side look like piped icing, which I think any little girl would like.
As it turns out, my little kitty Ginger thought I had made this blanket for her. I had to shoo her off it it more than once to a disgruntled meow. The brioche technique makes such a thick and warm fabric, its perfect for a blanket or throw.
If you haven’t tried the technique, I highly recommend it. It does take longer to build progress since you are essentially knitting each row twice, but it makes such a beautiful double-sided fabric. Once you get the trick of it, it is fairly easy to do.
Knit Lab: Marietta Cobb Museum of Art Yarn Installation Pieces
In January a neighbor of mine told me about a yarn installation project that will be happening at my local art museum and suggested that I should volunteer to help out. I was excited to have an opportunity to work with other local knitters, so I went to the first free workshop last week to help teach. I had a really fun time – its great to see people picking it up so quickly! There were three of us there to help with knitting and we all had different techniques for casting on. We each took a few people and showed them our technique.
The long orange and burgundy piece above the was sampler that I started that night and ended up finishing a few days later. It was fun to just knit and not worry about a pattern. I also decided to dig out my pinwheel project from last year and sew them together into a piece to donate to the installation. I had used various weights of yarn, so it has a more organic feel. It was fun to see how the colors all work together.
I’ll be digging out some more partial skeins and scraps to knit a few more samplers before they’re due in June. Its fun to see all the talent and energy that will come together to make this happen.
Updated Knit Pattern: Gingerbread Icing Ear Flap Hat
I got on a roll and reworked the Gingerbread Icing Ear Flap Hat pattern. I’ve made some modifications to the original pattern to make the crown decreases smoother and have adjusted the ear flap size and placement slightly. I’ve also added a number of charts that makes it easier for the chart-reading knitter, and flat measurements for many parts of the hat. Have fun!
Get it on Etsy for $3.50:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/97754843/knit-hat-pattern-gingerbread-icing-ear
Get it on Craftsy for $3.50:
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/gingerbread-icing-ear-flap-hat/12825
Updated Knit Pattern: Two Color Gloves
I’ve finished up the free patterns and have finally started working on updating my patterns that are for sale. I have also decided to increase the price of the patterns based on all the work that goes into revamping them and all the great new charts and images that I’ve added. I think they are worth it and hopefully you will too!
The first pattern I’ve tackled is the Two Color Fingerless gloves pattern. This pattern, like the Gingerbread Icing Hat, has two versions that are included in the pattern. I’ve also added a pattern chart, finished measurements for each size, yarn yardage information for each size, and pictures of my new samples to show you how they should look.
I think I’m most excited about a quick reference color chart that I made so you can easily reference what pattern row and color you should be working on without having to read back through the written instructions. Enjoy!
Two Color Gloves on Etsy: $3.50
https://www.etsy.com/listing/96149050/knit-fingerless-gloves-pattern-two-color
Two Color Gloves on Craftsy: $3.50
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/two-color-fingerless-gloves/12914
Updated Knit Pattern: Interweave Hat
This one was a quick update since the pattern is fairly simple. I really like this hat because it knits up quickly and is warm for winter. Looks good on men or women too! This update includes new pattern charts for the body pattern and the crown decrease. I’ve also written out the crown decrease rows in their entirety based on a specific row count, which makes it (hopefully) easier to follow.
Enjoy!
Updated Knit Pattern: Trellis Fingerless Gloves
The latest pattern to get a make-over is the Trellis fingerless gloves pattern. Its been a while since I created this pattern and I enjoyed reviewing and refining some of the details. I decided to alternate some of the cable sections and I’ve added a pattern chart for the “trellis” section of the gloves to make it easier to visualize.
I especially like how these knit up with Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted weight yarn. Its less dense than some of the full acrylic worsted yarns I’ve used recently, which makes it a bit more elastic for the twisted knit stitches.
I hope you enjoy the new and improved instructions.
