Category Archives: Patterns

What?! More Patterns?

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That’s right, knitters!  I’ve got another brand-spanking-new pattern, just for you!

(Actually it’s kind of 4 patterns in one!  I know!  Crazy!)

Last week, Knit Picks published another great collection, Knits for Everybody.  It’s such a smart book- I know I’ll be keeping my copy close at hand.330131Knits for Everybody is a collection of four super simple patterns (hats, sweaters, socks and mittens), useful staples that everyone can use (and make customize, if that’s how you roll).  But here’s the awesome part:  They are literally for everybody.  The sweater sizes go from a 3-month-old baby all the way up to a Men’s XXL.  The hats fit everyone from a preemie to a big-headed adult (like me).  And, my socks go from a 4″ foot circumference all the way up to a 10.5″ circumference.330131071My sock pattern is a super simple knitted sock with a heel flap in literally every size.  But here’s the cool part:  You can follow the directions to knit from the top down (my favorite), or from the toe up (my second favorite), and end up with virtually the same sock.  That way you can use whichever method feels right for you.330131081And, I’ve provided two slightly different variations: Socks (knit in sock weight, with a long ribbed cuff) and Slippers (knit in super-squishy worsted with a shorter cuff).

Of course, you can jazz up these socks and slippers whatever way you like.  Add stripes? Yes.  Change the ribbing? Why not!  Work some cables? Sure!  You can customize these socks (or any other pattern in the book) with no problem for socks that are truly your own!330131091Want to win a copy of Knits for Everybody?  Tell me which pattern you would make, and who it would be for. Socks for your auntie?  A hat for your nephew? A sweater just for you?

Patterns: Hats!

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Guys!  I’ve got two (count ’em, two!) new patterns in Knit Picks’ new pattern book, On the Go Knits.  It’s a collection of projects perfect for running/hiking/working in the garden.  Everything is worked in high-contrast colors of machine-washable yarn.  This book is full of some really pretty (and practical) patterns, and I know I’ll be knitting up a few of them.330141The best part? I’ve got two hats in this collection!

The Collapsible Cap is a super comfy beanie, worked with wide ribbing all the way up to the crown.  It’s worked in super-soft Swish Worsted, which might be my favorite kind of yarn for hats.  And, because of all the ribbing, it fits just about anyone.  And, when you take it off it collapses in on itself, making it perfect for stashing in your pocket when it gets too warm. (My husband and I fight over the Collapsible Cap I made him.  It’s really great.)330141011My other pattern is one I’m really proud of-  It’s the Pocket Hat.  (OK, I didn’t do a great job naming this one, but the hat itself is great.)

From the outside, the hat is a cute two-tone cap knit in sock-weight yarn with a wide ribbed band and a little section of color work around the middle.  Cute, right?330141031But, look inside, and you’ll find a secret pocket!  Fastened with a button, it’s the perfect hiding spot for a few bucks (so you can stop by the coffee shop on your way back from your run), your drivers license (just in case), or your a key (so you can get back into your house).330141041I’m so happy with these patterns, and I know you will be, too!

Want to win a copy of On the Go Knits? Comment below with the activity you’d do while wearing something from this collection!  Would you go running with the In Motion Vest?  Take a hike with the Arrow Gloves?  Practice yoga with the Yogini Socks?  Inquiring minds need to know!

(Also- More exciting news is on its way!  So come back on Monday!)

Pattern: Bitterlake Cardigan

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I’ve got a new pattern!

And I’m so happy with this one.  (Sure, I’m happy with all of my patterns, otherwise I wouldn’t  publish them, but still.)  I’m so proud of how it turned out!

My pattern is in Knit Pick’s new collection, Creative Color: 2016 Fair Isle Collection.33010This collection is so pretty- I can’t stand it.

Happily Sweater by Katy Banks

33010106Summer Wanes Cowl and Hat by Heather Storta

33010114And in among all the gorgeous patters, I’d like to introduce you to my sweater, the Bitterlake Cardigan!52092220_23 copyIt’s a zip-up cardigan, knit back and forth in a single piece (no seaming!), with a little bit of shaping at the sides for a nice fit.  But the best part (so excited about this bit!) is the Fair Isle button band/neckband/hem combo.  It’s worked in the round using 5 colors (4 shades of brown, and a contrasting saffron orange), then backed  with a facing to cover all the floats for a really professional finish.52092220_12 copyI love how the designs on the bands match up, and I love the practicality of a zippered cardigan.52092220_2 copyHead on over to Knit Picks if you want a copy of this collection!  It’s so good!

OR! If you want to try your luck, comment below with your favorite pattern for a chance to win your very own copy of Creative Color!  

Pattern: Snoqualmie Cowl

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New pattern day!  I’m excited about this one. (Though, I suppose I’m always excited about a new pattern.)

It’s a super simple cabled cowl in the most luxurious yarn have left in your stash.  (I don’t know about you, but I have a bunch of little balls of bulky wool and alpaca that I can’t bring myself to throw away.)OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACovered in tons of simple cables, the Snoqualmie Cowl looks way more complicated than it is.  It’s a great way to practice cable knitting and play with colors.  And because it’s knit in super-thick yarn on great big needles, it works up in about fifteen minutes (OK, that’s an exaggeration, but it does go really fast)!OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIf you want to give this cowl a shot, grab a copy of the free pattern here:

Snoqualmie Cowl

Pattern: Magnolia Sweater

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What’s that?  A new pattern?  In a new KnitPicks collection?  Ooh boy!

This collection is just in time for spring! And it might be my most favorite collection ever!  It’s dreamy, light, and feminine but somehow not too”girly.”  The sky outside my studio window is blue and I can see tulips blooming in my yard.  It’s all too perfect.

These 16 gorgeous garments is collected in KnitPick’s newest book, Aura!

75230DI’m loving the openwork cardigan, Solana, from the cover.

75230D113And I’ve never been tempted to make a knitted t-shirt, but this Rippling Top is to die for.75230D128And I am just in love with this light-as-a-feather Muse Top.  Sigh.75230D119Oh!  I almost forgot to show you the pattern that I made, I’m so enchanted by the other patterns!

It’s the Magnolia Pullover!75230D101It’s a slightly over-sized sweater, meant to be loose at the bust and upper arms, but well-fitted at the waist and cuffs.  Knit in super-soft Stroll Sock and Stroll Glimmer (The back is glittery!  I know! Exciting!), this sweater is super comfy, but light enough for sunny spring days.  (I made mine in black, and it looks super cute with a bright colored shirt underneath.  Just sayin’.)

75230D102Do you want this collection?  (Yes, you do.)  Comment below with your favorite Aura pattern, or your favorite springtime activity for a chance to win a copy!  I’ll be holding the drawing next week!

Pattern: Split Back Tank

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As promised!  Another brand new free pattern!  This one’s a little different than my usual knits.  You know I love bulky yarn, and anything with wool.  I love big winter sweaters, cozy socks and fluffy blankets.  Basically, I like anything that you would hibernate in.

This pattern, on the other hand, is a definite departure.  It is light and summery, drapey and girly.

It’s the Split Back Tank!55759220_mediumKnit in a lovely washable cotton-linen blend at a nice big gauge, this tank top is both fast-knitting and lightweight.  The Split Back Tank is worked from the bottom up in a single piece with literally no sewing-up!  (A three-needle bind-off finishes the straps and a row of single crochet closes up the neckline and arm holes.)  And, the A-line shape and open back makes it flattering on just about everyone, yet incredibly comfortable.  I like to wear mine with jeans and sandals for a cute-yet-put-together look!55759220_5_medium2Get the free pattern here!

What’s Old is New Again

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We’re going back. Waaay back. Way back to a month after I started the blog, and the first pattern I self-published.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It’s the Lace-Edged Shawl! (I was pretty literal with my pattern names back then… I’m still not great at naming things, but I like to think I’ve improved a bit.)OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This bad boy was my first attempt at writing out a pattern… and holy cow, did that show. So many typos! So many poorly worded sentences! So much incorrect terminology!OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

So, I’ve rewritten this and fixed a bunch of formatting stuff. It’s amazing how much my pattern-writing has improved over the last three years (if I say so myself)!

You can get the *New and Improved* pattern Lace Edged Shawl-Updated!

WHAT!? MORE PATTERNS?

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Yes, my friends, it’s true!  More Patterns!  Beautiful ones (if I say so myself)!  And, better than that, free ones!

These patterns are Ultimate.  The Ultimate Knit and Crochet Palette Blankets!

The whole idea was to make two blankets that:

  1. Looked similar, even though one is knit and one is crocheted.
  2. Use every single color of Palette yarn.
  3. Are awesome.

I think I’ve delivered (if I say so myself).

The Ultimate Crochet Palette Blanket is based on a blanket my Great-Grandmother Anna left to one of my various second-cousins, but this one has more colors.  I think she would approve.

55756220_11Cats like it.55756220_16It’s pretty close up.55757220_2And it’s pretty from far away.55757220_23The Ultimate Knit Palette Blanket is perfect for those early-morning strolls in the greenhouse.55757220_7It’s a fun experiment with an insane number of nupps and bobbles.55756220_3But it’s also is a fantastically beautiful finished product.55756220_22Of course, you don’t have to get the whole 150 colors of Palette Yarn to make a beautiful blanket.  You could split the collection with a few friends and have enough for everyone to knit up a blanket of their own.  Or, since the pattern is essentially for one square, you’ve got lots of room for creativity.  You could pick your favorite jewel tones, or just use shades of gray.  You could make an afghan with your school colors, or just use the colors you’ve got laying around in your stash.  Or, of course, you could make the pattern as it’s photographed- it is really pretty.

Get the Crochet pattern here!

And get the Knit Pattern here!

(And don’t forget to sign up for the giveaways!  Petite Patterns!  Calendar Tea Towel!)

New Pattern! And a Giveaway!

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Hey, guys!  Remember when I kept complaining about not being able to share all my secret projects with you before Chritstmas?  Well, it’s about time that I start telling you what’s going on.

A brand-new pattern that I designed was just published in the newest KnitPicks collection, Petite Presents!  This collection is all about small projects that you can make with less then 150 grams of yarn (often much less).

32768Exciting!

My pattern is the tiny (and cheerful) Juliet Bag, named after one of my sewing students, who is also tiny (and very cheerful).51989220_3[1]The Juliet Bag is knit in the round, from the top down, and uses only a few yards of each color- so it’s a perfect project for using up leftover scraps of sock yarn.  And, the simple colorwork is a great way to get your Fair Isle toes wet without jumping straight into the deep end of a big sweater or something.

51989220_2[1]But, I think my favorite part of the Juliet Bag is the drawstring.  It’s a continuous I-cord that is threaded through a series of eyelets at the top of the bag.  I don’t know why, but I think it’s really cute (and it’s quite functional).

Speaking of really cute, look at these other adorable projects that are also included in the collection:

These Mini Kitty Poufs are not-so-mini (They’re just the right size to be utterly huggable).

32768124[1]And the beautiful Merrifield Hat plays with color and texture in a gorgeous way.32768104[1]Want to win your own copy of Petite Presents?  Just comment below with your favorite pattern from the collection, and I’ll do a drawing on January 18th!

A New Year, A New Pattern!

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Happy New Year!  Yay!  *Noisemaker sound* *Glasses clink*

What’s that?  After all that holiday knitting (and maybe one too many glasses of champagne last night), don’t you want something fun, quick and easy?  Don’t you want a brand-new pattern, hot off the presses?  Don’t you want something impressive-looking, yet dead simple?

Well, I’ve got the washcloth for you!

It’s the Snowbank Spa Cloth!  (It’s a “Spa Cloth” because it’s fancy.  It’s knit in silky smooth Comfy Sport, but you could make it in whatever cotton yarn you’ve got laying around.  Because who has time to go to the yarn store today?  I’ve got leftover cookies to eat and new books to read.)

55831220[1]It’s all knit in a single piece (so only two ends to weave in!).  It’s a lovely square of slipped stitches and rows of purls, that, if you look at them the right way, look a little like snowflakes (hence the name).  The whole thing is enclosed in a thin border of garter stitch that’s knit as you go for a super-easy, yet classy-looking washcloth.

And the best part?  It’s free!  And available on the Knit Picks website!