"I HEART U" Mini-sweaters

I Heart Valentine's Day.

It's a nice, warm spark mid-way through New York's cold, gray month of February.  

In celebration of the day, I knitted these mini-sweaters for my mom.  She decorates her and my dad's home for pretty much every holiday, so I knew she would love them.  And I will always remember just how excited I was to give her this gift!

I followed the Sweater and Stocking Minis pattern in Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.  (The sweaters are truly miniature; each fits in my palm.)   You can see them here on Ravelry.  If you can't get your hands on a copy of the book -  but I hope you can - have a look at this collection of *free* mini-sweater patterns by Berroco.  You will find them here on Berroco's website.

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day!

xo - k.

Featured here on CRAFTgawker on January 29, 2013.

Introducing baby Charlie!

Introducing our new baby boy!

Charles William Preston
Born on Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2012

We love him to pieces.  Expect to see more of him, because as you know, I love to work up baby knits.

Here he is at three weeks old, modeling his Puerperium Sweater which was knitted with love by his Gram.
Go here for the *free* pattern.

FO: Puerperium Baby Cardigan

The Puerperium sweater is finished-off, and here is my adorable niece Charlotte modeling it.

Go here for more about the project and a link to the *free* pattern.

On my needles: The Puerperium Baby Cardigan

I can't help myself.  I love to knit baby sweaters and have a long list of patterns I want to work.  This one by Kelly Brooker of Knit So Quaint has been on my mind for a while.  It's designed for the newest of newborns - hence the name puerperium.  (The six weeks post birth)

It's a tiny little thing, so it may not be worn a ton.  I view it as more of an heirloom - and something made with love that can be worn home from the hospital!

Free pattern available here.

Introducing the Freedom Blanket

I am thrilled to share my new patriotic pattern for the Freedom Blanket.

Knit one up and donate it to a WOUNDED WARRIOR or a VETERAN in need.

See below for the pattern, or email me if you would like a printable (and pretty) PDF.

Thanks, and please share it with your knitting group!
-Katie
 katie@learntoknitwithkatie.com







FREEDOM BLANKET
Copyright: Katie Preston 2012

Supplies
Size US 17 circular needle in 24" length or longer
3* skeins of Lion Brand Thick n Quick in color Denim, or similar
(*Please note, I used almost every bit of the three skeins.  If your gauge is off, you may require a fourth skein.)
4 extra-large stitch makers
Tapestry needle

Gauge
8 sts and 12 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Please check your gauge, and adjust your needle size if necessary.

Finished Size
24 x 42 inches

Abbreviations
PM = Place marker

Begin
CO 50 sts
Work 5 rows in garter stitch. (knit every stitch)

Setup row:  K4, PM, k12, PM, k18, PM, k12, PM, k4.

Row 1:  (RS) K entire row, slipping markers as you reach them.
Row 2: (WS) K4, p42, k4.

Rep Rows 1 and 2 for 7 inches, ending with a WS row.  (Tip: you just completed a WS row, a row 2.)

Refer to USA chart below, and note instructions for working RS versus WS rows.

Chart Row 1: (RS) K to second maker, work Chart Row 1 over the next 18 sts, k to end.
(Tip: the chart is worked on the 18 sts between the markers in the center.  To work Chart Row 1, you will k15, p3, reading from right to left.)

Chart Row 2: (WS) K4, p12, work Chart Row 2 over the next 18 sts, p12, k4.
(Tip: To work Chart Row 2, you will k3, p15, reading from left to the right.)

Continue in this manner, working Chart Rows 3 through 70 over the 18 sts between the center markers, ending with a WS row.

Work Rows 1 and 2 and rep until this section of the piece measures approximately 7 inches.  (Tip: you are working Rows 1 and 2,  not Chart Rows 1 and 2.)  End with a RS row.  (Tip: you just completed a RS row, a row 1.)

Work 6 rows in garter stitch, removing the markers as you reach them.

BO loosely knitwise.  Weave in ends.  Give yourself a pat on the back, and ship to Care to Knit!

Copyright: Katie Preston 2012

For a printable (and pretty) PDF
version of the pattern, please send a request by email to
katie@learntoknitwithkatie.com

Donations are gladly accepted by:
Care to Knit, Inc.
1940 Deer Park Avenue,  Suite 155
Deer Park, NY  11729
http://www.caretoknit.org/

Your Freedom Blanket will be donated to a veteran in need.  THANK YOU for your effort!

Care to Knit, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in New York.  Its mission is to provide hand-knitted and crocheted items to those in need in hospices, shelters, nursing homes and hospitals.

Pinterest members,
pin it here.

Featured by Lion Brand Yarns on
July 2,  2012

Featured by CRAFTgawker.com on
July 2, 2012

Kate's Braided Cable Cowl

After knitting the Sunnyside Baby Cardigan for my sister-in-law with sock yarn, and the Bella Shrug with DK weight yarn for Martha Stewart's granddaughter, I needed a QUICK project. 

My dear friend Surya of Sew Knit Click and I have been drooling over a few chunky cowls on Etsy, so I figured I'd work up a pattern and give one a shot.  Besides, Spring's nearly here, and I still have four skeins of Cascade Yarns' Magnum staring at me.  I chose the soft Doeskin Heather colorway to really show-off the cabling.  You'll notice that I switched from cables to 1x1 ribbing.  The cabling cinches the stitches so much that the width of that section is a few inches less than that of the ribbed section.

I am really pleased with this one.  I also plan to use this pattern for my beginner knitters to teach them ribbing and basic cables. 

For those interested, the pattern is available for purchase here in my Etsy shop.  Use the coupon code LOVEIT for a discount.    

(This pattern was featured by Cascade Yarns on its Facebook page in March 2012.)

The Sunnyside Baby Cardigan

I was SO thrilled when I found Tanis Fiber Arts' pattern and beautiful hand-dyed sock yarn at the 2012 Vogue Knitting convention in NYC.  Hand-dyed yarns with a bunch of wild colors are not my thing these days, but I go crazy over hand-dyeds that are sort of monochromatic.  I love subtle color changes and how they vary from slightly to very saturated in color.  Tanis really nails it.  And her free pattern for the Sunnyside Cardigan is exactly what I was looking for.  A simple cardigan with some cabling.  I needed something that is unisex since this one is for a "mystery baby" as I like to call them - my new niece or nephew who is due at the end of April!  As you may have noticed from the placement of the buttonholes, I am guessing it will be a BOY.

Visit Tanis Fiber Arts for your copy of the free pattern, and treat yourself to one of her incredible skeins.  I chose the Purple Label Cashmere blend sock yarn in color Dove.  See Tanis' amazing palette of colors here.

xo -k.

(Featured on CRAFTgawker.com in March 2012.)