Dandelion Meadow

I have a new pattern out this weekend: Dandelion Meadow. 

This is definitely my new favorite cardigan.It is a top down raglan knit to just after the sleeve separation. The body is knit sideways then seamed to the fronts and back. A garter stitch border is worked along the hem and around the fronts and collar. 

Knit in the amazing Anzula Squishy (color Dusty Rose) this cardigan has some serious drape! It comes in 8 sizes and is available for purchase on Ravelry.

Middlebury Cardigan

I have a new design available through Knit Now Magazine. It's the Middlebury Cardigan!

I really love how this design turned out. The cardigan is a simple shape with waist shaping to give it a more structured fit, and a textured plaid design to keep your knitting interesting. Knit in a rustic Aran weight wool (Jamieson's Shetland Heather Aran), it works up quickly and makes a thick and cozy sweater.

Currently the pattern is only available through Knit Now Magazine but will be an individual pattern later in the fall. For now, check it out on Ravelry!

Sunshine and Honey Cowl

If you are a newsletter subscriber, you may already know this, but I have a new pattern in the April issue of the new magazine I Like Knitting, Sunshine and Honey Cowl!

This cowl is knit in the round in a tube, then seamed to the cast on edge. This is not a provisional cast on. This is seaming live stitches to a cast on edge (don't worry, a tutorial for this is coming soon). The colorwork is broken up with blocks of solid color. It's a fun and quick knit, great for using up a couple skeins of special yarn. 

Speaking of special yarn, I used Sunshine Yarns Merino Sport in the colorways Hive and Natural for this project. I used a bit more than one skein of the Natural colorway (about 1.2 skeins) which is a little inconvenient. However, Dani from Sunshine Yarns will be offering kits for this project in the fall when the pattern is re-released for individual sale. That's right, a pattern of mine will be in a kit! I feel so fancy just typing that :)

Anyway, until then you can check out I Like Knitting (they have subscriptions starting at under $20 for 6 issues) or you can just hang on until September and queue it up on Ravelry in the meantime!

Timetable Pullover

It happens without fail. The middle of January rolls around and I have a hard time imagining ever being warm again. Then, the Spring issue of Interweave Knits comes out and tah-dah! There might actually be a season after this one! 

Even better, this year I have a design in the Spring 2015 issue:

   

All photos courtesy of Harper Point for Interweave

This is the Timetable Pullover. It's knit in one of my favorite lightweight yarns, Manos del Uruguay Serena (I also used it to knit Mustill last winter)

This pullover is a top down raglan that uses increases and decreases to make a simple geometric pattern. The pattern runs down the raglan lines to the hem, where it turns and runs along the back before being grafted together. 

I am really excited to have the sample come back home and get a chance to wear this myself! 

Check out the pattern on Ravelry or take a look at the whole issue on the Knitting Daily.

Chuckery

This little gem was released a few weeks ago but I didn't get a chance to celebrate it properly. Chuckery is not only my newest children's pattern, it's also my kiddo's 2014 Christmas sweater.  

This pullover is knit from the bottom up using Blue Sky Alpacas Sport. With a lighter weight yarn it makes for a great layering piece. The neckline does feature a folded hem. However, sewing down live stitches keeps the neck stretchy.

In the month and a half since it's been finished it's gotten a lot of wear. While I really loved the original Christmas Sweater, this may be a new favorite! 

This pattern is available in sizes 6 months to 12 years. It includes colowork charts, schematics, and my new and improved layout!

Christmas Sweater 2014

Last week we met up with my friend Marianne to take our yearly family photo. I managed to finish D's Christmas Sweater just in time (like, that morning). While he won't wear it again "officially" until Christmas, I like him to be able to wear in for the photo as that's what I use for Christmas cards. 

Photo copyright Marianne Barta

This year's sweater (you can see the first two sweaters here) is knit in a sport weight alpaca. The color work  is relatively simple with only a couple rows that use 3 colors. I'm super excited about this design and think he looks just so handsome in it :) The pattern is off with the tech editor and will be available soon!

There's also still time to enter the Eucalan giveaway!

Holla Knits Fall/Winter 2014 Blog Tour

I'm back today with a giveaway of the Beech Street Vest pattern from the Fall 2014 issue of Holla Knits!

This is the original sample that I knit for Holla Knits. For this amazing piece I had the ultimate pleasure of using Azula's For Better or Worsted. I am not kidding when I say this is my all time favorite worsted weight yarn. All. Time. It's an 80/10/10 (Merino/cashmere/nylon) blend that is lustrous, smooth, and feels amazing to work with. 

I'll admit, there is a lot of yarn involved in this project. For the smallest size (32" bust) I used about 1500 yards of yarn (between two colors). The brioche takes a minute to get going, but it's amazing in the end. 

This is the second sample knit by Allyson using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. I love the green with the gray!

I am giving away a copy of the pattern to one lucky commenter! Just leave a comment here and I will randomly choose a winner on September 22nd. I'd love it even more if you help spread the word about this pattern. So if you share on Instagram, Facebook, or tweet about this pattern giveaway, come back and leave a comment telling me and you'll earn extra entries into the giveaway. 

Follow the rest of the blog tour:

Sept 8: Launch
Sept 9: The Sweatshop of Love – pattern giveaway, SEG: 6 skeins KP WotA Tweed in Brass Heather
Sept 10: Klever Knits – pattern and skein of Rowan Kid Classic giveaway, SEG: 6 skeins KP City Tweed Aran in Jacquard
Sept 11: Berroco – review and pattern giveaway
Sept 12: Canary Knits – pattern giveaway, SEG: 1 500 yard skein of Mountain Colors 4/8’s Wool in Harmony Ice

Sept 15: Mountain Colors Facebook Page – SEG: Mountain Colors Perspectives Twizzle in Blue/Turq
Sept 16: Life on Laffer – review and pattern giveaway
Sept 17: Knits in Class – SEG: 1 skein of Knit in Class
Sept 18: Makewise Designs – review and pattern giveaway
Sept 19: Anzula – SEG all the Anzula yarn needed for the Beech Street Vest

Sept 22: Ruby Submarine – SEG: 3 skeins KP WofA Tweed in Thirst Heather
Sept 23: BoKnits – SEG: 8 skeins KP Swish DK in Indigo Heather
Sept 24: Under the Red Umbrella – review and pattern giveaway
Sept 25: DoogKnits – review and pattern giveaway
Sept 26: Cosmos and Cashmere – review and pattern giveaway

Beech Street

I am so over-the-moon excited to be sharing this new design with you. Today is the official launch date of the Holla Knits Fall 2014 design collection and I have a design in it!

As a newer designer, I still have a lot of moments when I'm in the middle of knitting and design writing and begin to doubt that the finished piece will turn out like I hope. I tend to have a really strong mental image of what I'm aiming for but worry that I can't execute it. This was one of those pieces. At one point, I felt like the big brioche rectangle was going to end up just that. But it didn't! 

This was the sketch that I submitted to Allyson with my submission. And I have to say, I think the finished vest looks pretty much spot on. 

This vest is now available for purchase as a digital download from the Holla Knits site. Today is the beginning of a fantastic blog tour full of pattern and yarn giveaways. I'll be back on the 16th talking more about he design. 

Click the button to get the pattern!

Firefly July

I am so excited to be sharing this design with everyone! Firefly July is a mesh pullover that features three quarter sleeves, a scoop neck, and a lot of ease.

I spent a few weeks knitting this while we were on vacation at the beach in Rhode Island. All I could think was how much I wished it were finished as it would be perfect for those chilly summer evening when you need an extra layer. 

This sweater is intended to be worn with a lot of ease (about 4" or so). I knit the size 40" and it gives me a very roomy fit. With the amazing drape of this yarn (Sunshine Yarns UltraLuxe Light), you have a gorgeous sweater you can wear in the summer and into the fall season.

This pattern is now available for sale in my Ravelry store and on Craftsy.

Wintry Mix Hat and a Giveaway

I know it's starting to warm up in other parts of the country but 'round these parts, we are still in desperate need of hats and other winter accessories (today's high: 27 degrees F). Just in time is my Wintry Mix Hat.

This hat is a part of the new Basic Knitting and Projects from Stackpole Books (you can also get the book from Amazon here) Right now it's only available online or from retailers in print. The first part of this book is full of techniques all illustrated with color photos. The last part of the book has a variety of patterns that use the techniques listed in the book. The patterns range from felted purses, pullovers with lace detail, cowls, hats and more. 

My Wintry Mix Hat comes in two sizes. The yarn and needles you use will depend on what size you are making. The adult sized hat is knit in worsted weight yarn (The Fibre Company's Organik) on size 8 needles (5mm) while the smaller child sized hat is knit in fingering weight yarn (The Fibre Company's Canopy Fingering) on size 4 (3.5mm) needles. The pattern uses colorwork charts and a nice stretchy cast on. I'm so excited to have these sample back because I think they turned out great!

And guess what? I have a copy of this book to give away to a reader! Leave a comment below to be entered to win. I'll choose a winner using the Random Number Generator sometime next Sunday, March 30th. Good luck!

The giveaway is now closed! Debbie (comment #16) is the winner and has been contacted. Thanks for entering!

Where Does the Time Go?

Working full time this year has really made me reevaluate my priorities. It's also made me realize I can no longer be a doer of all things. I love my blog. When I started this 4 years ago (eek!) I had just started knitting and had finally found a creative outlet that fit. My knitting has come a long way in this time. I even have a new pattern out:

Welcome Weekender! A simple pullover with a few pops of garter stitch detail on the sides and back neckline. Around the beginning of December I was looking for a pullover to make D that would be casual but still interesting. I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I designed it. 

After we got these pics done last weekend, I was looking back at the first sweater I designed, Little Fisher, and I am amazed at how quickly this little boy is growing. Time is flying and now that he's a toddler, walking, running, jumping, and talking, I'm so excited for him but also missing that baby time. 

As always, this pattern is available in sizes 6 months to 12 years for all the little and bigger kiddos in your life. 

I'm going to keep blogging, because I do love sharing my knitting with you, but if I'm not around as much know it's because being with this kid as he grows up is so important to me. 

Happy knitting!

(I also wanted to mention this sweater is knit in Malabrigo Rios. I used less than 2 skeins for the 2 year size.)

Mustill

I've been meaning to share this new pattern with you but things have just been getting away from me lately. Allow me to introduce a new children's pullover, Mustill. 

I designed this sweater to be D's Christmas Sweater this year. It a couple extra inches of positive ease built in for a relaxed fit that is easy to wear. D is modeling the size 2 which has a finished chest circumference of 24" (61 cm). 

The yarn used was Manos del Uruguay Serena. At my LYS it was listed as a dk weight, which it definitely is not. The gauge on this project is 28 sts = 4" on size 3 (3.25mm) needles. I'd call that more of a fingering weight. But I still love it. It's an alpaca/cotton blend which make the yarn smoother, less alpaca-y tidbits floating up to itch your nose. And the alpaca keeps the yarn soft and easy to work with. 

If you're worried about a crew neck with little ones, fear not. There's a button flap worked into the the last third of the yoke to make getting this gem on and off a breeze. 

The pattern is written for sizes 6 months to 12 so make one for every kiddo in your family! 

 You can get this pattern in my Ravelry store for $5.00.

Happy knitting!

Indie Designer Gift-Along Sale

In case you haven't noticed, it's holiday crafting time. And what better time than now for a pattern sale? 

Little Fisher

In case you haven't heard of the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long then check out their group on Ravelry. There are a TON of designers participating in this gift along and offering 25% off their indie patterns.

Lighthouse Keeper

Which means... I'm currently offering 25% off all my self-published patterns and ebook from now until November 15. You can get this great deal by using the code giftalong when you check out on Ravelry.  Once you've purchased a pattern, be sure to enter one of the KALs in the group for a chance to win some pretty awesome prizes.

Towpath Henley

I hope you get a chance to use this great discount code on something fun. Even if you've decided not to do any gift knitting this year (me neither), then maybe something fun for yourself?  I have already snapped up a couple ebooks I've had my eye on for a while. Who knows when I'll get the chance to do some selfish knitting, but one can always dream, right? 

Mariposa Tee

Cynthia's Cardigan

I'm so excited to finally be sharing this pattern with you! I have a new cardigan pattern, available in the Winter 2013 issue of Interweave Knits, Cynthia's Cardigan.

I finished this sample way back in April and have been sitting on this secret for some time. This cardigan is knit in the luscious Madelinetosh Pashmina Worsted in the colorway Amber Trinket. It features a deep funnel collar that folds into a cowl and a double-knit button band. I really love the button band on this piece because I think it adds a nice, tailored detail to the cardigan. 

I love the thick hems of twisted ribbing on this design and while that many inches of 1x1 twisted rib may seem daunting, keep in mind it's knit on size 7 needles!

I'm still kicking myself that I didn't keep the sample but I guess this just means I'll have to knit another! 

If you have a minute, go check out this pattern on Ravelry. 

Adult Navajo Pullover

For all those who have asked, I'm excited to share with you the 

Adult Navajo Pullover!

This sweater is knit in the round from the bottom up, with sleeves joined at the yoke.  I used Spud and Chloe Sweater for this design, one of my favorite worsted weight yearns. The Fair Isle design has been modified from the children's version to be a bit wider. I really like this version and since it's also  a 16 stitch repeat it can be used on most of the smaller sizes as well (the 12 month and 2 are done on a 17 stitch repeat).

This is a free design on Petite Purls available in sizes 32" to 54 1/2" chest circumference. So now you can make one for your whole family! 

Thanks again to my friend Marianne for the amazing photos and to her husband for modeling!

Saltwater Knits: Pacific Grove and Whale Watcher

The final two patterns in my new collection are now available for preorder.

Pacific Grove is a lightweight vest knit in Quince and Co. Chickadee. This easy to knit vest is knit flat and seamed. Along with banded detail, this features an shawl-style collar that stands upright to keep little necks warm. It's the perfect layering piece to throw on when headed out for a day at the beach.

Pacific Grove is available for preorder for only $3.50. The price will go up to $5 after it's release on Thursday.

The last pattern from Saltwater Knits is Whale Watcher. This textured pullover features color blocking and is knit in the lovely Cascade Venezia Sport. The body is knit in the round to the yoke, sleeves are set in and the collar is neatly finished with I-cord.

Whale Watcher is also on preorder sale through tomorrow and will go to full price on Friday.

A big thank you to Meg for loaning me her darling children for this collection. 

Saltwater Knits: Tide Pools

The third design in my new collection, Saltwater Knits, is Tide Pools.

Knit using Spud and Chloe Fine, this lightweight sweater is perfect for a kids to play and explore in. Three quarter length sleeves keep sleeves dry when investigating tide pools and sea shells and a buttoned yoke makes this piece easy on/off for the younger kiddos. 

I tend to design with boys in mind but for the pieces in Saltwater Knits, I really wanted them to be accessible to knitters of both boys and girls. My friend Meg let her daughter model this sample and I think it shows how wearable this is for either gender.

Right now, Tide Pools is on preorder sale for only $3.50 until Wednesday, then the price will increase to $5. Remember, the entire collection will be only $12 until the final piece is released at the end of the week. It's quite a steal for 5 patterns! 

Saltwater Knits: Sardines and Lighthouse Keeper

I am so excited (and relieved) to finally be releasing this collection of patterns! It has been in the making for most of the summer and now that it's starting to feel like fall I have this great group of children's knits to get you knitting and reminiscing of your summer on the shore. 

Saltwater Knits is an ebook collection of 5 children's items. It includes a jacket, two pullover sweaters, a vest, and a hat. All garments are sized for 6 months to 12 years. The hat is available in four sizes from baby to adult. 

The first pattern available is Sardines. This hat is inspired by the sardine exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There the sardines swim in endless circles in a domed tank. It has been one of my favorite exhibits to visit since I was a child. Similarly, this had is knit in the round with a garter brim. Fair Isle knitting is used to create your own sardines. The yarn used is Road to China Light from the Fibre Company. 

Sardines is part of the ebook collection and also as an individual PDF download for $5. 

The next pattern is Lighthouse Keeper. It is inspired by the classic yellow fisherman's jacket. Here I've modernized the color a bit but kept the classic pockets, hood, and toggle buttons. I am in LOVE with this pattern. It was the first design in the collection and I'm so excited to finally share it. It is knit in Dream in Color Groovy, a bulky weight wool. You will be amazed at how fast this jacket knits up.

Lighthouse Keeper is part of the ebook collection and currently on preorder sale as an individual pattern for only $3.50! When the pattern goes live later tonight the price for the individual pattern will go up to $5.



Right now the ebook is on preorder sale for only $12. When the final pattern is released at the end of this week the ebook price will increase to $15. So get it at this great price while you can!

Stay tuned over the next few days as I share the remaining 3 patterns.