Category Archives: Knitting Patterns

June 9, 2013 · 12:27 pm

Old Shale ….

Last weekend Kelly over at the Celtic Cast On posted her finished project, a lovely shawl call Old Shale Shawl by Amanda Clark.   Kelly knitted her particular shawl as a prayer shawl, which inspired me to do the same thing.

Old Shale

Old Shale Side View

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna Choice

2 skeins each of Linen and Silver Gray

Needles:  U.S. #10 / 6mm circular knitting needle

My Rav Project Page

First, this pattern is super quick and super easy!  I casted on last Saturday, June 2nd and finished yesterday.  Yes, it only took a week to knit and I love how it turned out.  This shawl was made for my husband’s aunt as a prayer shawl and since she once told me that she is allergic to wool, I decided to use acrylic.

I did not want a solid color and opted to use the color Linen for the main part of the shawl and the Silver Gray for the lace stitch.  I also did only three full repeats of the pattern and ended with four garter stitch rows instead of six.   I really like how this shawl turned out and the stretchy acrylic will be perfect for my aunt to wrap around her shoulders to stay warm.  And since it is acrylic, it will be an easy care garment!

If you are looking for a new design for a giving as a prayer, I really suggest keeping this pattern in mind.  The pattern is very well-written, offers step-by-step instructions and charts for the lace stitch pattern.

Amanda has another design that would also be good as a prayer shawl called Skoosh.  This triangular-shaped shawl is worked in one piece from the top down using Aran weight yarn and an US size 8/5.00mm needle.  I think this would be another quick and speedy knit project too.

Do you knit or crochet prayer shawls?  

If yes, what is your most favorite pattern to use?

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and knitting!

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May 12, 2013 · 6:35 pm

Fine Art, Rowan Style.

I’ve just received my skein of Rowan Fine Art sock yarn in color#304, Raven, along with the Fine Art Collection booklet  to review for Rowan Yarns.  My very first impression, gorgeous yarn, my second impression, oh my, it’s so soft!DSCF4055

Measuring at 437 yards (400m), one skein of  Rowan Fine Art is perfect for a pair of socks, a scarf, an infinity cowl, a shawlette and more.  Now to decide what my skein will become, such a challenge for a knitter!

Do you have a favorite so far from the  Fine Art Collection ?  If yes, which pattern do you love the most?

Here’s your chance to give Rowan’s Fine Art yarn a try with this FREE pattern for a stunning lace scarf, designed exclusively for the Rowan website by Lisa Richardson. This stylish scarf shows off the beauty of this yarn perfectly and the pattern is suitable for beginners.

Courtesy of Rowan Yarn

Courtesy of Rowan Yarn

Be sure to login, then just click the link to download your FREE pattern:
http://www.knitrowan.com/designs-and-patterns/patterns/robin-scarf

You can pre-order Fine Art online at Webs and  Jimmy Beans Wool.  Better yet, you can pre-order  the entire eight color collection at Simply Socks Yarn Company.  Be sure to ask your local shop if they will be carrying Rowan Fine Art too, I know mine will be!

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April 29, 2013 · 5:14 am

Change of Heart

It’s often said it’s a woman’s prerogative  to change her mind but in my husband’s words it’s called being fickle.   I don’t think I’m fickle to often, but like any knitter or crocheter, if the project is not working or I’m just not happy with it, why continue.

This past Friday, I was excited to cast on Cheyenne using my lovely Rowan Savannah in the color of Arizona.  I started, I ripped out twice and came to the conclusion, I just did not like the look of the lace stitch pattern.  For some reason my double yarn overs were leaving huge holes and that was simply unacceptable in my book.  So, I ripped it all out and let it sit in my basket the remainder of the day and did not touch it or my copy of  Summer Textures until Sunday morning.

DSCF4022I love the Savannah yarn  and decided to use it for a different project, Cabazon by Sarah Hatton.  Cabazon is a quick and easy crochet project that  uses Rowan All Season’s Cotton.  After doing the math and a swatch, my 9 skeins of Savannah was going to work and I promptly started but only to realize after four inches of work that something wasn’t quite right.  Sigh … yes, I had to rip it back out.

Note to oneself: Before starting a project, be sure to check the terms used for instructions. I did not think to check to see if UK crochet terms were used or US crochet terms. Needless to say, I had to start over after I realized UK terms were used throughout the book.

Yes, the crochet terms are written for UK standards and it didn’t even dawn on me to check this out before starting.  So, I once again started over but have to say it was well worth it!  The crochet pattern looks fantastic in the  Rowan Savannah and I’ve noticed the more I work the yarn, the softer it is becoming.  I do believe this crocheted pullover will be perfect for the summer here in Arizona and I can’t wait to wear it!

Have you ever had a project that was just not working?

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April 26, 2013 · 7:29 am

Friday Work in Progress!

I had a lovely day yesterday, especially at Jessica Knits in Scottsdale.  It was nice just to go in and visit a bit, check out all the latest yarns, get ideas and of course bring home a few new lovelies!  I really was excited to see hard copy patterns for two of my favorite designers, Romi Hill and Stephen West.  Needless to say, three patterns found their way into my shopping bag!

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I picked up two skeins of Rowan Fine Lace at Jessica Knits and a skein of Rowan Kidsilk Haze at Bonnie’s Yarn Crafts in Carefree. These lovely skeins will be turning into scarves!

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After visiting Jessica Knits and seeing the knitted sample of Cheyenne, I decided it was time to cast on this project, as summer is just around the corner and it will be perfect to wear in Phoenix!

In my basket is 9 skeins of Rowan Savannah in the color of Arizona.  This is a very textured yarn and it is really showing the stitch definition of this pattern.  As far as the design, this is going to be super quick and easy.  The body is knitted in two pieces, side to side, with the ribbing and yoke then added at each edge of the lace portion.  After reading the pattern, it could be adapted to knitting in the round.  As many of you know, I do not care for seaming, but this really won’t be that bad.

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I also made decent progress on my Angel and Pearls beaded scarf last night.  I’ve finished the first chart and getting ready to start the main portion of the design.  This is quite a challenge for me, but oh my do I love the result!

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My vacation time is drawing to a close and to celebrate, my hubby took the day off to be with me today.  We are heading off for breakfast, then a movie, so not too much time to knit this morning.  It’s going to be quite a gorgeous day here today, and I hope it’s gorgeous where you are too!

Make it a beautiful day!

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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April 20, 2013 · 5:46 am

And the winner is ….

Thank you all for entering my recent giveaway featuring Ferry Beach and On Stranger Tides and by knitwear designer, Lara Smoot.  As a reminder, you can find her designs online at Ravelry and online at Etsy.  To stay informed of new design releases and more, join her FaceBook page and follow her on Twitter.

And the winner is, entry#6 Elizabeth, a.k.a. Lizella of Knits and Prints

“Both are beautiful, but I really like On Stranger Tides.”

On Stranger Tides by Lara Smoot

Random

Congratulations Liz, Lara will be sending your pattern to you soon!

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April 19, 2013 · 5:49 am

For the Little One in Your Life!

Folk influences were to be found for both adult and child’s wear this season and Rowan Studio 30 offers a capsule wardrobe of knits for every little fashionista! From a cosy ‘grandad’ cardigan for boys to a pretty cape for girls. Hopefully this collection will have everyone wishing they were young again.

Do you knit for baby?

Knitting for little ones can be quite fun and  Rowan Studio Issue 30:  Folk, a collection designed by Sarah Hatton,  features ten adorable new designs in classic styles using Rowan’s squishy soft Baby Merino Silk DK.

Each design offers sizes 0 to 5 years of age,  well written easy to follow instructions with charts where needed, and diagrams of the garment.  This booklet of designs is perfect for intermediate  knitters, or knitters with and understanding of cable-work and color-work.

This collection also features two free designs that are exclusive to Rowan members only.  I do encourage you to create a “free” account with Rowan to access these designs and more.  To register, just click here

Free Download for Members Only

Hazel – Knit this childrens hooded stocking stitch and rib cardigan, a free pattern download as part of the Rowan Studio issue 30 collection, a design by Sarah Hatton using the gorgeous yarn Baby Merino Silk DK (merino super wash wool and tussah silk). With raglan sleeves that have a central rib pattern and central rib panel at back of design, cute hood and pocket detail with raglan full length sleeves, this knitting pattern is for the intermediate knitter. ~ Rowan Yarns

Free Download to Members Only

Jiminy – Knit this childrens cable panelled sweater, a free pattern download as part of the Rowan Studio issue 30 collection, a design by Sarah Hatton using the beautiful yarn Baby Merino Silk DK (merino super wash wool and tussah silk).With a lovely cable panel detail, cute button fastenings at the shoulders and a ribbed detail across the chest of the design, this knitting pattern is for the intermediate knitter. ~ Rowan Yarns

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To view the all of the designs inside this booklet, simply click the following links or visit Ravelry.

  • Brigitta - A sweater featuring a round neckline, striped sleeves and an  intarsia bird on the front.
  • Fievel - A simple Fair Isle V-neck cardigan with set in sleeves.
  • Friedrich - A shawl collar cardigan with an adorable  band of fox motifs on the body and the sleeves.
  • Gretel - A cabled yoke cardigan in two colors.
  • Hansel - A raglan style sweater with  a contrasting color pattern around the neck and shoulders.
  • Hazel - Free Download – A hooded cardigan featuring raglan sleeves with a ribbed stitching.
    Jiminy - Free Download - A cabled pull-over sweater.
  • Kurt - A shawl collar cabled cardigan that could be worn by boys or girls.
  • Liesl - A bolero sweater with a bobble edge and lots of texture.
  • Louisa - An easy cabled cape that can be completed in a day.
  • Marta - A cute Fair Isle sleeveless dress.
  • Rapenzel - A short sleeve cardigan featuring simple lace and a moss stitch band.
Rowan 30

Screen shot via Ravelry.

If you are interested in purchasing this booklet, or even the yarns, visit Jimmy Beans Wool,  Yarn Market, Laughing Hens and  Stash Fine Yarns (Celtic Cove).  Last but not least, remember to visit your local shop or Rowan stockist.   Here in Arizona, visit Jessica Knits .

Disclaimer: This copy has been sent to me by Rowan Yarns for review. Please note that the above opinions are my own.

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April 13, 2013 · 6:36 am

A Path to Recovery

When I received this single skein of Rowan Softknit Cotton  in a beautiful shade of Indigo Blue  to review, I simply had no idea what to do with it.   A single skein of just 115 yards isn’t much to work with until you are inspired.

My inspiration came from a friend who recently was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and asked me if I would knit a few hats for her as she was getting ready to under massive doses of chemotherapy.

After finishing three knitted hats in various weights of  easy to care for yarns and I kept looking at this cheery little skein of yarn and decided it need to be a hat.  To me cotton is soft, soothing and tender to the head, especially for those in need of warmth after loosing their hair.

Today I’m introducing you to a free pattern that  is in honor of my friend who is getting ready to take a journey that will lead her down a Path of Recovery.

This project requires a single skein of Rowan Softknit Cotton, or any worsted weight to match gauge, a 16″ circular needle in a size US 6 (4.0mm),  a set of DPNs, size US 6 (4.0mm) and a size G (4.0mm) crochet hook.    The brim includes a simple crochet edging to add a touch of femininity and the eyelet ladder represents a stage of recovery, with the idea of placing a small ribbon for each stage or step along the journey a person is taking against their battle with cancer.  This is a quick knit pattern for all levels of knitters.

If you would like this pattern, please click  here to  download now

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Rowan Softknit Cotton is perfect for any type of garments.  During the creation of my design, I found it to be easy to knit with, it shows stitch definition well and after handwashing, it retained it’s shape without growing.   This new line of cotton yarn is available in 14 vibrant colors, perfect for your summer knitting!

Close Up View of the Yarn

Close Up View of the Yarn

Here’s a few patterns to inspire you that use this wonderful cotton yarn from the Softknit Collection designed by Martin Storey:

This particular yarn would also be perfect for baby items, such as sweaters, blankets and more.
Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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March 28, 2013 · 5:21 am

It’s time for summer knitting !

Courtesy of Rowan Yarns

I just had the pleasure of receiving a copy of Rowan’s Summer Textures Booklet featuring sixteen new designs by Lisa Richardson and Sarah Hatton using Summer Tweed, All Seasons Cotton,  and  Savannah.

I have to tell you that I’m in LOVE and can see myself knitting, and even crocheting, the majority of these patterns.  This new collection offers feminine  textured designs created in yarns with very soft southwestern colors, all of which remind me of the desert of Arizona.

The cover captured my heart at the very beginning with the lovely Hoopa cardigan by Sarah Hatton.  This feminine design has texture, interest and a gorgeous beaded front band.  Created in All Seasons Cotton, this is perfect not only for summer, but even spring or early fall.

I was also instantly drawn to one particular design called  Cheyenne. I love the yoke, the lace stitch and the simplicity of this design.  Knitted in Savannah, a scrumptiously soft blend of 94% cotton and 6% silk, this design truly echos summer and I’ve already chosen my yarn color, Arizona, which is quite fitting, don’t you think!

Cheyenne by Sarah Hatton Courtesy of Rowan Yarns

If you love lace, I think you might really like Cherokee by Lisa Richardson.  Knitted in All Seasons Cotton, a blend of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic, this  lace tunic with capped sleeves is perfect to wear all summer long.

Cherokee by Lisa Richardson Courtesy of Rowan Yarns

I can’t forget about crochet and want to tell you that Havasupai by Sarah Hatton is a beautiful  crocheted sweater created using Summer Tweed, a blend of 70% silk and 30% cotton that gives a gorgeous drape to finished garments.  This design features 3/4″ sleeves, slash neck detail and a textured stitch pattern. I can see this being crocheted in the color of Rafia or Reed.

Havasupai by Sarah Hutton Courtesy of Rowan Yarns

I have to say living in the southwest desert area of Arizona, it is hard to find just the right weight of yarn that keeps you cool during the scorching heat of the summer yet warm enough to keep the chill off while in the confines of air conditioned offices or homes.  You all know that I love wool and that I knit with wool year around, but I have to say I really like the look, texture and feel of the Summer Tweed and  Savannah, so much so, I know that I will be purchasing enough to knit or even crochet the designs featured in this latest collection.

To view all sixteen designs, please visit Rowan online or view online at Ravelry.  If you are interested in purchasing this booklet, or even the yarns,  you can find it online at Webs, Jimmy Beans Wool, Laughing Hens, Royal Yarns and Amazon.com.  Last but not least, visit your local shop to touch and feel these lovely yarns, I think you will really like them!  Here in Arizona, visitJessica Knits and Knit 1 Bead 2.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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March 3, 2013 · 3:26 pm

Casting On and Casting Off: A Quick and Easy Wrap, a Low Tide and a Scarf!

As I mentioned about  week ago,  I’ve been working on the  Weekend Wrap, a pattern designed by Julie Weisenberger of Coco Knits,  and I’m happy to report that I finished it yesterday!

I truly love the simplicity of this pattern, as well as the “funky” yarn I used.  This pattern is very easy to follow, super quick and a piece of cake to knit.  I would make this one again and would say it’s perfect for knitters at all levels of knitting.

Yarn:   Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints - 2 skeins in the colorway Nagano

Needles:  Size US 17 circular needle in a 24″ length

Pattern Modifications:  I added 1″ extra between the armholes to make sure that I had plenty of room and that it didn’t look too “stretched” across the back.

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I was inspired by a fellow blogger, Janet of Pixel Knits, to knit a Low Tide Cardigan ,  a lovely  by tincanknits, using my stash of fingering weight yarn in Springtree Road Muscadine Sock yarn, Antique Rose.  I think I’m must be rather zaney to knit a cardigan in fingering weight yarn but I decided if Janet and all the other knitters out there could, so could I.

Antique Rose

Have you knitted a garment using fingering weight yarn?  If so, what is your favorite pattern?

A very strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme, to make him wish to know it better. ” ~ Jane Austen, Persuasion

I just received my Spring 2013 issue of Spin Off and fell in love with the handspun scarf on the cover. The amazing thing, it is almost the same colors as my River’s Edge handspun in the color of Black Ice.   I had planned to knit a handspun hat, but after seeing the Lyme Regis Scarf by Kirsti Johanson, I decided it was destiny and that I must knit this scarf!

On a last note, I was rummaging around my bin that holds all my prized  vintage crochet and came across a lovely pineapple doily that I forgot about.  It looks quite lovely on my lampshade and it just proves that you can use vintage crochet in a variety of ways.

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Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning, and crafting!

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September 14, 2012 · 6:15 am

Fall knitting … it’s in the news!

With the cooler weather hitting many areas across the US, Canada and even Europe, followed by the crispness of the sky, the buzz on Ravelry seems to be fall knitting. 

Items on many knitting lists for fall include hats, mittens, scarves and even a few cardigans. I have to say I’m getting anxious for fall weather here in Phoenix, which typically doesn’t hit until late October but that just means I have time to get prepared with a few accessories and maybe even another cardigan!

This past week on Ravelry, a few new designs have caught my eye that are perfect for a bit of fall knitting.  Here’s what I found and what  instantly went into my forever growing Ravelry queue:

Rocky Road by Heidi Kirrmaier is a highly texture seamlessly top -down cardigan that provides a very cozy fall feel.   This design offers knitters three length options, with the short giving a gentle waist shaping and no pockets,  and the medium and long options giving a slight A-line shape  with pockets.  I love this design and plan to knit it up as soon as I’m finished with my project for my Mom.

Photo courtesy of Heidi Kirrmaier (PiPiBird on Ravelry)

Twisted Flax by Mimi Hill of Eskimimi Makes has just published a lovely cable and lace hat that offers a bit of texture as well.  This design provides knitters  with  fully written and fully charted instructions,  provides details on how to lengthen or shorten the design and is available in two sizes. This project requires under 200 yards of yarn, perfect for stash busting!

Photo courtesy of Mimi Hill of Eskimimi Makes

A fun diagonal knit is the Diagon Alley Mittens designed by Louise Robert, who also created a matching hat.  Both of these projects call for worsted weight yarn and would be another perfect project for stash busting.

Photo courtesy of Louise Robert

The Dolphin Cowl designed by kniTTina is quite a  lovely lace and cable creation.   This pattern is not available in English, but the designer does provide a chart for the lace pattern.

Photo courtesy of kniTTina

A versatile piece that can be used as a scarf or a cowl is Tallin designed by Kate Gagnon Osborn.  This is a quick knit design that calls for bulky weight yarn and a size US 10 1/2 needle.  I love the diamond moss cable design that Kate chose for her latest creation and the i-cord edging gives a nice finished look.

Photo courtesy of Kelbourne Woolens

 

There are so many more wonderful designs to choose from but maybe these few have inspired you to start a bit of fall knitting!

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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