Tag Archives: knit picks

Road Tripping

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As I write this, my family and I are about to head out on a big family road trip down to California to visit friends that we haven’t seen in waaaay too long. (If everything goes as planned, we’ll be home by the time you read this. Fingers crossed.)

My husband is being very responsible and making sure that we have the packing list squared away, hotel reservations for the nights we’re traveling, and a map of all the parks and kid-friendly restaurants between here and northern California. (Basically, a list of all the “Old McDonalds” as our 5 year-old still calls them. Nobody correct them!)

I, on the other hand, am making sure that I have the right kind of knitting project for the trip. It’s going to be a good 20+ hours in the car, and hopefully, I’ll be able to spend at least some of that time knitting (between handing out snacks, manning the audiobooks, and trying desperately to facilitate naps).

I had planned, at first, on bringing my new crochet project to work on, but honestly that project is way too much of a wildcard. I’d hate to get three hours into our drive, rage quit, and have nothing to do the rest of the trip. Plus, I really have to concentrate on the pattern, counting, and making the actual stitches. None of which are super compatible with driving with preschoolers.

So, I’m going back to my comfort zone. Because it’s comfortable there!

I found an unlabeled skein of sock yarn (I’m 80% sure it’s KnitPicks Hawthorn of some sort) and got to work. I’ve got a nice, simple ribbed cuff all done and a couple inches of stockinette started.

I figure I’ll work the leg until we’re about halfway through Oregon, then it should be time to turn the heel.

And maybe by the time we get back, I’ll have a new pair of socks to show you!

What’s your go-to road trip project?

Loose Ends

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I’m feeling indecisive, or at least indecisive enough that I don’t want to commit to a whole sweater right now. So, I took a dive into my stash and found a project that should be pretty doable. It’s nearly finished, at least, so I should be able to give myself that finished-project-serotonin-boost that I love.

You might remember that I published this pattern a few months ago- super cute Rainbow Socks.

Well, it turns out that I never actually finished the prototype. I got 80% of the way through the socks, wrote up the pattern and decided to go do something else. Typical Allison.

Eagle-eyed readers will notice that I changed the design a bit to add more rainbows at the heel and toe. I definitely like the more-is-more aspect of the final pattern, but I’m not unraveling anything right now, so I’ll keep these guys as they are, with their boring toes.

I’m determined to finish these socks! Will it take a day? A week? A month? All summer? only time will tell.

What’s the last project that you pulled out of hibernation?

New Pattern: Rainbow Socks

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It’s been a while since I was able to show you guys a new pattern, so today’s definitely a special day!

I’d like to introduce you to the happiest socks on the block: the Rainbow Socks!

These guys are in the new super-cheerful sock collection from Knit Picks (Pop Socks), which I definitely recommend you check out.

These adorable little guys are a super simple, top-down sock with an afterthought heel. The only tricky part about them is that they’re absolutely COVERED in bright, stripey rainbows! (Which isn’t really tricky, it just involves a lot of end-weaving.)

I’m so pleased with how these turned out, and even more tickled because the Knit Picks team put together a pack of rainbow-colored minis specifically for this project! You can grab the pack here!

I can’t wait to see folks start knitting up these little guys- nothing says “Spring” like hand-knits covered in rainbows!

Grab the pattern here, the book here, and the yarn here!

New Pattern: Nordic Forest Stocking

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I guess I’m keeping the Christmas in July theme going, even though it’s August, with a brand new stocking pattern from Knit Picks!

It’s the Nordic Forest Stocking!

It’s a super simple stocking, knit in the round, with a short-row heel and an all-over knit-and-purl texture. I really like this stocking- it’s classic, simple, and would be beautiful in just about any color and would compliment just about any Christmas décor theme.

The Nordic Forest Stocking is one of a dozen (!) stocking patterns in the new collection from Knit Picks, and they’re a delight as always. Go grab yourself a copy and make one for everyone on your Nice List!

New Pattern: Blueberry Buckle

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It’s a new pattern day! And, it’s a cute one.

Look at this cute little baby pullover that I designed for Knit Picks! It’s the Blueberry Buckle!

It’s worked flat in pieces from the bottom up, then seamed, so it’s super easy (it would be a great first sweater for a new knitter). It’s got the cutest sewn-on patch pocket and a collar that’s picked up and knit after assembly is finished.

I love the new self-striping Brava yarn- it makes this sweater beyond easy to work up. But, it would be totally easy to substitute any of your favorite worsted-weight yarn (self-striping or solid).

Oh, and did I mention it’s a free pattern? C’mon. Can’t get better than that.

New Pattern: Broadview Pullovers

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It’s time for something that I haven’t done in a minute- a new pattern release!

And this one is a doozy. One sweater, 17 sizes, infinite options.

OK, maybe not infinite, but pretty close.

Let me introduce you to the Broadview Pullover:

It’s a simple raglan pullover worked in the round from the bottom up, and it’s designed for everybody in your family. Sizes range from itty-bitty-babies up to a 65″ chest. Sleeves can be worked long or short. The neckline can be a crew-neck or a V-neck. There are two options for stripe patterns, AND instructions for designing your own stripe pattern!

It’s truly the most customizable pattern I’ve ever created, and that’s saying something. I love a choose-your-own adventure pattern. This was definitely a labor of love, and I can’t wait to see what people do with it!

The Broadview Pullover pattern is published in the newest Knit Picks collection, Generations, which is just packed to the brim with super cute sweaters that are perfect for everyone in your family.

Grab a copy of my pattern here, or the book here!

Oh, hi socks!

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Y’all. I realize this is kind of a dumb thing for me to say. After all, I literally wrote the book on it. But…

Socks are fun?!

Like, I don’t know what I’ve been doing. I just 100% forgot that I can knit socks. I’ve been so sweater-focused for so long, that I totally forgot that socks were even a thing. What’s with that? Is it mom-brain? Is it quarantine brain? Am I jus a ding-a-ling?

But anyway. Turns out that socks are fun. Even super vanilla ones like these. Who knew?

I’m really enjoying this project. It feels so satisfying to zip down a sock, especially with the self-striping yarn. I enjoyed the fiddly heel, and don’t even get me started about how the stripes lined up with kitchener-ing up the toe. So satisfying.

Now I’m itching to get the second one going! Can’t wait to see my new socks all finished.

Have you ever forgotten that you enjoy a certain project?

New Pattern(s): Stitch Your State!

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It’s new pattern day, but this time it’s a little different.

A few months ago I was approached by Knit Picks to help them with a collaboration with the Craft Yarn Council’s “Great Yarn Challenge” and Warm Up America. They had written the instructions on how to make a “state blanket”, but they needed someone to actually write out the charts.

And you know me. I love a good challenge, so I said “Sure!”

The idea is that you can use the charts to make your favorite states in your favorite style- filled in with intarsia, outlined with stranded knitting, or even embroidered! They’re easily adaptable to knitting or crochet, being a little more/less elaborate.

You’re more than welcome to keep your squares and make your own special blanket (maybe featuring all the places you’ve visited, or where all your cousins are living, or who knows!) But, if you want to participate in the Warm Up America part of the challenge, you can mail your finished squares in, and volunteers will assemble them with squares from all over the country to donate to people in need. What a fantastic idea!

This was a super fun project to help with, and I’m super excited to see what everyone comes up with!

Grab the pattern here!

New Pattern: Riverbed Hat

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This one’s been cooking for a while, and I’m so excited to share it with you! I just love how it turned out!

Introducing: the Riverbed Hat!

It’s a slightly-slouchy, super-cabled, extra-cozy hat, perfect for sipping hot cocoa after a day of apple-picking. The Riverbed Hat is just fancy enough to be a great gift, and gender-neutral enough to be appreciated by everybody in your family. This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up and the cable pattern is fully- charted.

The Riverbed Hat is part of the newest Knit Picks collection, Bakeoven Knits, which features beautiful textural patterns and lots of cables worked in their new High Desert yarn. This yarn is 100% American-grown and spun and really just lovely. I was lucky enough to get a couple skeins to try out a while ago, and it’s really become one of my favorite yarns. It’s squishy and springy and has just enough variation in width to give real depth and character to even the simplest knits.

So head over to Knit Picks and grab yourself a copy of my pattern, or the whole book, or you could really treat yourself and pick out some yarn, too!

Something New!

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I’ve been on a real “knitting from my stash” kick over the last year. According to my notes in Ravelry, I’ve knit about 20 projects from stashed yarn since quarantine began. I’ve really made the best of a bad situation, and I’ve made some things that I’m really proud of. (Also some things that I’m not proud of, but at least I used up yarn.)

Which is all well and good.

But there’s nothing like getting a big order of brand new yarn in the mail.

And, y’all. What an order!

First, I ordered a big (big!) pile of Simply Wool Bulky in Wilbur. (It’s called Bulky, but really it’s more of a generous worsted or Aran.) It’s a lovely undyed old-school wool, in a nice grayish-tan color that goes with just about anything. This is going to be a big throw blanket with an all-over lace pattern for one of my oldest friends’ wedding this summer. (I don’t think she reads the blog, but if you’re reading this and you’re an old friend of mine and you’re getting married this summer… forget what you just read!) It doesn’t look like we’ll be able to get out there for the wedding, between the baby and the whole “flying on planes during a pandemic” thing, but I want to be there in spirit, so a big blanket it is! (Stay tuned for more details/progress reports. Hopefully.)

And the rest of the yarn is my favorite Provinical Tweed in Salsa Verde and Caramel to make a pair of Weasley-inspired sweaters for a friend’s two little boys. I love this yarn for kids’ clothes. It’s super soft and washes like a dream. They’re going to be so cute!

I’m glad I got the materials for two different projects- it’ll be nice to have a big, satisfying project as well as a couple quick little knits to switch between.

I’ve gotta say, it’s exciting to have a pile of brand new yarn waiting for me!