New Knit Picks patterns and a giveaway!

Still catching up on recent publications. Last week, Knit Picks published two of my patterns. First is the Bridgehampton Pullover, part of the Shoreline collection:

It's knitted from the top down in Comfy Sport, a super soft cotton blend. The neck has a simple rolled edge, and some short rows raise the back neck. The circular yoke has a few stripes for a fun pop of color. The hem is also shaped with short rows to curve it a bit. Here's my version:

I can't wait until the weather is cool enough to wear this one! Granted... that will likely be December, but what can I do. The yarn is sooo soft, and I really like the way this looks on me. It's cute. :)

Knit Picks sent me an extra book of this collection; want to win it?? Just leave a comment here and I'll pick a winner on Saturday, July 2nd. US only please!

Second pattern: this is a free one on the Knit Picks website. Subtle Stripes Cowl is just like what it sounds. It's, well, a cowl, and it's knitted in two similar colors to create subtle stripes. There's a small 3-stripe section called out in a contrast color, just for fun. This was great mellow knitting- round and round, then round some more. It's worked in a new Knit Picks yarn, Paragon, which has a lovely sheen and drape to it. This is the long version:

And here's my version; I made the shorter cowl for myself, because we live at the gates of Hell, it's hot, blahblah you've heard it all before and I don't need a long cowl. 

That's my "I might be planning something evil face"

Don't forget to enter to win the book! Also, I made a Ravelry group for myself today. I need a place to ask for test knitters, post promotions, that kind of thing. I'd be so, so happy if you'd join! 

Knitscene Handmade

I'm so far behind... eesh. A new Knitscene was published um... a month ago, and I have two patterns in it!

 This is the yearly "special" issue of Knitscene. I think that it's usually an accessories issue, but this year, it's a bit random. There are patterns for men, a bunch of patterns for neckwear, and a section of patterns for babies. I've got a scarf pattern and a baby blanket pattern in this issue.

This is the Dillon Scarf:

photo copyright: Knitscene

It's a simple lace scarf (or since it's on a man I guess we should call it "openwork"), worked in two pieces from the bottom up, with a garter stitch "bridge" in the middle. And it has fringe. Fringe is fun. I knitted the sample in an amazing, super soft, incredibly light weight yarn- Amano Yarns Puyo. It seriously weighs nothing. I really loved knitting with it. 

This is the Silverthorne Baby Blanket: 

photo copyright: Knitscene

Two textures/two colors. This one is an easy knit- it uses the intarsia method to switch colors. I knitted this sample in Ewe Ewe Yarns Wooly Worsted- another great yarn. Very soft, great colors, not splitty at all. It's machine washable, which is by far the most important thing in a baby knit. 

You can see all the patterns here, and buy the magazine here. 

Review: Charm City Knits

Over the past six-ish weeks, my designer friend Kristen (Mediaperuana on Ravelry) has been releasing one pattern a week from her new collection Charm City Knits, which are all inspired by her home town of Baltimore. The six patterns that make up the collection are a hat, a pair of fingerless mitts, a shawl, a pair of knee-high socks, a short-sleeved cardigan, and a long-sleeved pullover. The collection is an excellent variety of both items and techniques- it's got cables, lace, and knit-purl combos- so there really is something for everyone. Here are my favorites:

Annabel Lee Cardigan

This sweet cardigan has so many thoughtful details. From the pattern description: "Paying homage to the fashions of Poe’s day, the cabled fronts of this cardigan mimic the ruffles and pleats that adorned the bodices of women’s dresses. The cable design is repeated on the back, expanding at the small of the back, as a bow would." How cute is that?!? I love it. This cardigan is more practical for me personally, living in the South- short sleeves are something I could actually wear. 

Eutaw Street Socks

In 2015 I made myself a pair of Patriots socks just before the Superbowl, so I totally get wanting to make socks in team colors. These Orioles-inspired socks are extra fun because they're calf-length and they've got a fun garter stitch "boot strap" down the sides (meaning, they're not just plain stockinette so you're not going to get bored because of the length.)

The best part of this collection is that the ebook is more than just the six patterns. There are little snippets on What To Do In Baltimore, like where to eat, what to do with kids, that kind of thing. Each pattern has a substantial description, and I admit to learning quite a few things about Baltimore while reading the ebook. Also, at just $12.99, this thing is a steal. If you think you'd like to knit even two of these patterns, buying the whole ebook is the way to go.

If you're interested in knitting up one (or more) of these great pieces, Kristen is hosting a knit-along (KAL) starting May 27th in this group.

I would totally recommend this collection- it's so well done. It's got me thinking about designing my own collections based on Louisiana, or maybe my home state of South Dakota. Those would be pretty wildly different collections, now that I think about it, right? So many ideas, not enough time.

New Pattern: Maine Harbor Bag

We all know how much I love nautical stuff. New pattern, no surprise, it's nautical. I am nothing if not predictable.

In my wonderfully nautical guest room, I have a print of all the different maritime flags, what letter each one stands for (should one need to spell something to other boats), and what they mean if used alone, in various nautical situations. For example, a flag that's blue on top and red on bottom is "E", and means "I'm directing my course starboard." For whatever reason I really get a kick out of maritime flags. Naturally- I designed a knitting pattern using them. That's what I do.

This bag uses the intarsia method. Those maritime flags spell out "KNIT" on one side of the bag, and "PURL" on the other side. The bag is lined ( I used fabric with ships on it because duh) and has a zipper, so whatever treasures you put inside won't fall out and get lost. Keep a small knitting project in the bag, or your notions, or even- gasp- something entirely unrelated to knitting, like cosmetics. Use it as a whimsical clutch when you go out one night. Explain about maritime flags and impress people with your random knowledge.

If you've never lined a bag before, the pattern has a few photos and instructions on how to do so. The intarsia flags are charted.

Skills Needed: Long tail cast on, working from a colorwork chart, intarsia, casting on to the end of a row with either backwards loop or cable cast on, applied i-cord bind off (instructions are given), seaming, sewing a straight seam with a sewing machine, sewing in a zipper (instructions are given in the pattern), hand stitching with needle and thread.

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sportweight: one skein (you won't need the whole thing) in Dove Heather, and very small amounts of Semolina, Coal, White, Red, and Winter Night. This project is a great use of leftovers, so long as they're all the same weight.

Get the pattern for $5 on Ravelry- no account needed.

How I made my shorts

Welcome back to Fair Isle PANTS week. Today is Fair Isle SHORTS day. Don't forget to get the pattern for half off (just $3) all week long.

Here are my shorts version of the pants:

You want some too? That's great! I'm all about knitted bottoms. I have two pairs of knitted shorts now and I seriously love them. I wear them to bed all the time. So comfy. Here's how I modified this pattern into shorts: 

First, yarn. My main color is Knit Picks Swish in Squirrel Heather, and I used just about 3 skeins. My colors are all Cascade 220 Superwash. The pinks are something I had leftover from a long ago project. Love it when leftover yarn is exactly what you need. And really, the great thing about shorts is how little yarn you need total, and how quickly they come together. 

I made the size M, which is the same as my pants. I wanted my shorts to sit a little lower on my hips than my pants do, so I worked one fewer round between each hip increase. Otherwise I knitted them to the pattern up until the leg divide.

Once I got to the leg divide, I measured a pair of lounging shorts that I like to determine how long of an inseam I wanted. It was 1.5" (which sounds totally scandalous, but is definitely not). That meant that I needed to work just one more motif. After that motif, I worked some short rows across the back of the legs, to be sure that my booty was completely covered. I started the short rows at the middle of the crotch, and worked the first short row all the way to the side of the shorts. I did three sets of short rows, each set with one unworked stitch between wrapped stitches. In hindsight, I wish I would have done only two sets of short rows. The legs dip just a bit lower than I would have liked, but really, no big deal. I'm wearing these to bed. After the last short row, I knitted 6 rounds in stockinette, then did 5 rounds in garter. On the first purl round of the garter section, I purled 10 stitches, then purled two stitches together, all the way around the leg. I've found that garter stitch flares out on the bottom of shorts, so I figured that fewer stitches = less flare. Then I just bound off fairly loosely and ta da! Shorts.

I hope all you warm-weather dwellers make some shorts so that I can see them and get all excited! 

Fair Isle PANTS Week!

This week is the best week, because it's Fair Isle PANTS week on the Holla Knits blog! That means you can get the pattern for just $3 all week long. That's a steal.

My original PANTS from the Winter 2015 Issue

On Thursday, I'll be talking about how to modify these pants into shorts. Shorts are far, far more practical for me, living down here in the Deep South. I admit that I haven't had a chance yet to wear my pants sample, because we had a really mild "winter", and it just wasn't ever full-on knitted pants weather. Shorts, though- I can wear those!

In the meantime, don't forget to get the pattern for half off!

New Pattern: Kimberlite

Oh hi! It's been awhile. Life, man. It's busy.

I don't know if you noticed, but last night, the Spring/Summer issue of Twist Collective was published, and I have a pattern in it! This is Kimberlite:

Photo courtesy of Twist Collective/Chrissy Jarvis

Kimberlite is great spring/summer tee with a repeated motif of diamonds: the front features an off-center diamond panel made up of smaller twist stitch diamond panels, and the back has a super fun diamond-shaped keyhole. This tee is worked from the bottom up in one piece with no sewing! The shoulders are shaped with a few short rows and joined with a three-needle bind off for stability. Twisted rib finishes all the edges. 

Photo courtesy of Twist Collective/Chrissy Jarvis

Details!

Finished measurements: 

Bust: 30 ¾ (34, 37 ¼, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56)" / 78 (86.5, 94.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142) cm
Length 23 ¼ (23 ½, 24 ¾, 25 ¼, 25 ¾, 26 ¼, 27 ½, 28)" / 59 (59.5, 63, 64, 65.5, 66.5, 70, 71) cm
Shown in size 34" / 86.5 cm
Intended to be worn with -2 to +2" / -5 to +5 cm ease.

Yarn: 
6 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) balls Dale Garn Lerke (125 yd / 115 m per 1 ¾ oz / 50 g ball; 52% Merino Wool; 48% Cotton) in #3217

Needles: 
Size 5 US / 3.75 mm:
• circular needle, 24–48" / 60–120 cm long, depending on bust size
• needles in preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round
• circular needle, 16" / 40 cm for neck edging

Notions: 
Four stitch markers (two removable markers of one color or type and two of a different color or type), tapestry needle, stitch holders

Gauge: 
28 sts and 32 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Chart pattern
24 sts and 32 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch

The pattern is available through the Twist Collective website and Ravelry for $6. 

Ravelry Page | Twist Collective Spring/Summer 2016 | Buy Now

Photo courtesy of Twist Collective/Chrissy Jarvis