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.)

(Still) On my needles: Cashmere Scarf

Remember this one?

Fifty-seven inches down, and that final skein is slowly shrinking.  Even though the pattern is very easy, I don't mind working on this one.   It is a treat to work with cashmere (a first for me) and the 8-row repeat is keeping me interested.  I have it memorized at this point, so it's a great, portable project.  I can sneak in a row or two when I'm waiting to pick up the boys, etc.

(February 11, 2012 - finished, thank goodness!)

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.

Kate's Lattice Cowl

Cowls are all-the-rage right now, and this spectacular one can be worked-up in just 3 hours.
Everyone loves a luxurious accessory that won't break the bank.  Create the look shown here - or knit a longer, extra squishy cowl that can loop twice around the neck - or a shorter one that is a bit more snug like a turtleneck. 


Not a knitter?  Coax that aunt who knits to work one up for you - after all, it's only 3 hours!


I get a TON of compliments each time I wear this cowl, and I bet you will too!


Visit my Etsy shop to purchase a pretty PDF version of my pattern for just $4.  Be sure to enter coupon code LOVEIT to receive the discount.  Click here.


Knit one up tonight (and send me a photo of yours in the morning)!
I would LOVE to hear how you do.
xo -k.

Update: Child's Hooded Cardigan Sweater

I worked this one in Berroco's Peruvia Quick - 100% Peruvian Highland Wool in color Olive.
Sizes 2T, 4T and 5-6T.

On My Needles: Child's Hooded Cardigan Sweater

On My Needles while on vacation...

Aaaaahhh...a week on Fire Island with my family.  I was even able to sneak in some knitting on the beach and knitted this cowl - start to finish.  I'm not lying when I say it's a quick knit!

I could have worked on one of my other projects, but this one's perfect for the beach.  I have the pattern memorized, and it's easy to put down and pick up when I need to refill a sand pail with water or rescue a sand crab.  :)

Class resumes next week.  Hope to see you ladies!


Tuesday, August 16th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 17th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Please RSVP a day or two prior if you would like to join me.  Thanks!

On My Needles: Rosette Lace Scarf

I'm calling this one the "Ultimate Lace Challenge" for my knitters.  

So, which of you ladies will be first?!

Welcome *new* knitters!

A warm welcome to my *new* knitters from Spring and Summer 2011:

Jane
Joanne

Katherine

Lynn

Margaret

Maureen B.

Maureen Q.

Mary
Meghan

A couple of them came to me already knowing the basic stitches.  A few had never held a set of needles.  Nonetheless, they are all doing fabulous with their projects.

At Tuesday evening's class, three were working hats in-the-round and on double pointed needles for the first time, one was working the Lattice Stitch Cowl, one was working the One-piece Baby Cardigan for her first grandchild-to-be, and one was learning the purl stitch.   I am so proud of these women and their dedication to their craft!

Thank you, and welcome to the club!  -k.

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!  

Learn-to-Fix your knitting mistakes

Empower yourself and join me for a special session!  
All my knitters are encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, July 5 at 7:30pm 

or

Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30pm 

or

Saturday, July 9 at 10:00am 

or

Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30pm 

$25 + your supplies

Some techniques you will learn-to-fix are dropped stitches, running stitches, to turn a knit stitch into a purl stitch and vice versa, to un-knit, and when all else fails, how to frog! 

You will need to knit a small swatch* before class that will be used in the lesson. 

Please reserve your seat asap!  (Class size: limit 5)

*Swatch instructions:  

CO 12 sts.   Work in 2x2 rib (*k2, p2; rep from *) for 8 rows.  Switch to St st (Stockinette stitch) and work for 8 rows.   Please bring a crochet hook if you have one.  The bigger the better.   If you purchase one, metal is preferred.  To make the lesson easiest on yourself, I suggest knitting the swatch with chunky yarn and large needles (size 11, 13 or 15).  If you need some chunky yarn to work this swatch, please let me know.  I have some extra. 

    

Another Bella Shrug

Since the Baby Janes don't require a ton of yarn, I knitted this shrug with the remainder of the Manos de Uruguay silk blend yarn.  My brother and sister-in-law picked it out for me while they were in Marfa, a wonderfully quirky town in Texas.  If you love the silk/merino blend as much as I do, I bet you can find some at a LYS (local yarn shop) or order some here from PURL in NYC.

The pattern is sized for 3 months all the way up to child size 12(!) and is one of the most well-written patterns I have worked.  I get a ton of compliments on this shrug.  I bet you will too.  The pattern is available here on Ravelry and is WELL WORTH the $5 bucks for the download.

Let me know how it goes!  (Not a knitter, coax that aunt who knits to work one up for you!)

And here is baby Bella herself modeling the original Bella Shrug.  She's just the cutest thing!!  Thanks to her mommy for sharing this photo.


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

Meet the Mariner

The Mariner Pullover from Interweave Knits magazine, Weekend 2010 issue.
Sizes 6-12 months...all the way up to women's extra-large!

I knitted this one in Kraemer's Perfection Worsted yarn in color Fauna, a pale grayish-pink.  It's adorned it with mother-of-pearl buttons.  Perfection is a superwash merino and acrylic blend.  Machine wash, tumble dry.  That's perfection in my book!

The stitch pattern running down the front is Half Linen Stitch and requires a technique called "short rows" - something that is common is when knitting socks.  The sleeves are worked as cast-on extensions of the body, so when you bind-off, there's very little sewing to be done.  For those of you who have knitted the One-piece Baby Cardigan, this will sound very familiar.

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

More Baby Janes

I can't resist.  I love these Baby Janes for their instant, adorable satisfaction.
This pair, my favorite to-date, are knitted in Manos del Uruguay's silk and merino wool blend, kettle dyed in color #3113.

At about three hours, they are my go-to knitted gift for a friend's baby shower or that special new baby down the block.

The pattern can be found in one of my favorite knitting books - Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger.  There are some intermediate techniques necessary to knit these booties, so it keeps things interesting.  Ms. Fierlinger has a similar pattern available for FREE download on her blog.  You can grab it here.

Also adorable in Rowan's Pure Wool DK.  These were knitted with love for baby Emma B.

(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!)

One-piece Baby Cardigan

Knitting a sweater in one piece means that once you bind-off your last stitch, it's just about ready to wear.

Baby sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-9 months.
2 or 3 classes, dependent upon experience = $50 or $75 + supplies

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

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.

On My Needles: Mittens for Beginners

(**If you are a complete beginner...never held a set of needles before in your life...there are just THREE classes (and some practice on your own) between where you are now and being ready to knit this project! Seriously.**)


I am referencing a bunch of books and patterns and am writing my first real knitting pattern. I am really loving how it is coming together!

Mittens for beginners knitted on straight needles.

Anyone who has knitted mittens understands that they are normally done on double-pointed needles. Well, this pattern allows them to be knitted on straight needles (easier for beginners) and then sewn up the side when they're finished. So, they will have a seam, but how proud will my beginners be when they learn-to-knit a pair of mittens? In their fourth-ever knitting session no less! They will learn to read and follow a more detailed pattern, and how to increase and decrease stitches. All great skills they will apply countless times in the future.

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