Kate's Seed and Braided Cable Cowl

The Braided Cable Cowl pattern was a great success in 2012.  So, I developed a similar pattern for 2013, but this one incorporates a band of beloved seed stitch.  The cowl sold before it had ever made it to my Etsy shop, but I'll be selling the pattern.  Be sure to use the coupon code HELLO for a discount.

The original Kate's Braided Cable Cowl is posted here.

Made the baby and the sweater

My baby Charlie at 10 months old, modeling his Owlet Sweater.  More about the pattern here.

On my needles: Owlet Baby Sweater

I'm thrilled to begin the Owlet Baby Sweater by Kate Davies.  As you can see from Kate's photo below, it's pretty sweet.  I put it on my Knit List for 2012, and here we are in August.  It will be perfect for a little one to wear this Fall. Can't imagine whooooo. ;-)

It's my first time knitting with Madeline Tosh. This superwash hand-dyed 100% merino wool is gorgeous. Worth every penny to make this handknit sweater extra special. 

Blocking Motif 9

The motif turned out beautifully.  We addressed cables again and how to work cables without a cable needle.  Once your brain clicks, the technique becomes second-nature, and it is actually quite freeing to work cables without the fuss of a third needle.  I never touched a cable needle for this entire piece.

When it came time to block my work, the reverse stockinette required lots of pins to get a nice flat border.  Don't be shy when you block yours; I promise it won't feel the pricks.

Update: Monthly Motifs

It's now July, and our Monthly Motif knitting is well underway.  

This week, the ladies will join me for lesson #9.   We will knit more cables and learn the technique to work cables without a cable needle.  

Are the patterns getting harder?  Yes.  Are the knitters becoming more proficient?  Yes!

After all, the goal is to become a GREAT knitter.

Read more about the Monthly Motif project here.

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.)

Christmas Knits 2011

JADE SAPPHIRE CASHMERE SCARF

Made especially for my husband Ryan. 

Ever since I saw these scarves hanging in Purl SOHO, I've wanted one of these kits.  It includes 4 hanks of 100% Indian cashmere and a pattern booklet with seven "manly" scarf patterns.  I chose the Zach motif.  

ASYMMETRICAL CABLE CAP 

Made especially for my dad in Cascade Yarns' Superwash 128 in Charcoal.  

He can wear it for his walks this winter with the three consecutive cables in the front or in the back.  Whatever he likes best.  

LATTICE LACE COWLS 

Made especially for Jack's teachers, my dear friend Katy, and my sister-in-law Sarah.  

Knitted up in (left to right) Cascade Yarns' Magnum in Doeskin Heather, Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky in Seaweed, and Cascade Yarns' Magnum in Rainier Heather.  Click here for my pattern.

On My Needles: Cabled Baby Booties

Straight needles and mock cables make these little guys so much easier than they may appear!

On My Needles: Cabled Drop-stitch Mobius Scarf

After spending four sessions in July teaching my knitters to fix their knitting mistakes, they may think I'm completely nuts when they work this project.  Just before binding-off, we'll drop a few stitches all the way down to the cast-on edge.  Yikes!

When it's finished, it can be worn as a mobius scarf (think: long, twisted loop),  as a cowl when looped twice around the neck, as a scarf, or around the shoulders as a shawl.  Talk about a multi-purpose accessory!  

Update: Lattice Stitch Cowl

You're sure to be a master of cables and knitting in-the-round after completing this beautiful pattern.

1 1/2 skeins of Cascade Yarns' Eco Duo, a baby alpaca and merino wool blend
Size US 10 or 10.5  circular needle, 16" length. Any longer will not work!
1 or 2 classes, dependent upon experience = $25 or $50 (+supplies)

On My Needles: Lattice Stitch Cowl

This one is knitted with a 16" circular needle and a cable needle.  It's my first time knitting with Cascade Yarns' Eco Duo, a baby alpaca and merino wool blend - SUPER soft.  Both fibers are undyed, so the colors come straight from the animals!

I have about 6 of the suggested 27 inches complete.  I'll be sure to show you when it's finished.

(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)

Bella Baby Shrug

Knitted in Anzula Luxury Fiber's For Better or Worsted. 
Hand-dyed in color Mulberry.
Made with love for baby girl Kaplan, due in April 2011.

Want to learn-to-knit this shrug?  Baby and child sizes
2 or 3 classes, dependent upon experience = $50 or $75 + supplies

(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)

Caper Cable Cap

Photo credit: Jack Preston.  Yes, 5-year-old Jack. 



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Lately...

The Chirp Baby Sweater, 

Circles and Stripes Slip Scarf

On My Needles: Circles and Stripes Slip Scarf

One of three projects I'm working on...

THE CIRCLE AND STRIPE CRAVAT
in Malabrigo Yarn, Worsted-weight, 100% Merino in Damask Rose



The pattern specifies size US 10 needles and includes a chart to work-up the circles. I love size 10. I love charts. And I LOVE this yarn. So I bet this one will be finished first.

cra·vat  [kruh-VAT]
–noun
1. necktie.
2. a cloth, often made of or trimmed with lace, worn about the neck by men esp. in the 17th century.