Sandy is a dear friend, that I see at almost every Thursday Knit Nite. She brought me a “store bought shawl” and asked if I would create a pattern for her.

The shawl fit her perfectly, but… yarn was icky and she had other colors in mind.

So I created this pattern especially for her!

The shawl is simple to knit using stockinette/reverse stockinette to create a horizontal ribbing pattern. There are decrease that shape the shawl so it sits comfortably on your shoulders.

The front has picked up edge stitches for the buckle band. The buckle band is a really fun element that is different from most shawl closures. Carrying the yarn “Party Angel” with the Encore adds just that extra touch of sparkle and softness.

Special and fun with just a bit of sparkle……like my dear friend Sandy!!!

Some Details: Yarn requirements 2 skeins Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun Worsted and 2 skeins Debbie Bliss Party Angel

Needles US 11 and US 10

Notions Belt Buckle with 1″ opening

You can buy the pattern thru the Ravelry Store here : buy now

All of a sudden it feels like spring. Winter coats get tucked away and spring jackets get pulled from the back of the closet. Mornings can be a little cool so I find that a cowl with my spring jacket is a perfect balance. In honor of spring, and the opening of our farmers market this weekend I have created the perfect cowl for you “Market Day Cowl”.

Market Day is done in a beautiful dipped yarn called Half and Half.

It is produced by one of my favorite farms, Catskill Merino Sheep Farm, http://catskill-merino.com/store/896 . If you are one of the lucky one’s, you can find Catskill at the Union Square Farmers Market every Saturday. Lamb sausage, Lamb bacon, garlic and beautiful yarn!!!! His yarns are soft, light as a feather, the ultimate bit of luxury for a cowl.

The half and half on its own create’s a beautiful self striping design. I mixed it up by using an elongated slip stitch which created a fun “tie dye” effect. It takes just 2 skeins to knit up. You get a really large 44″ cowl that can be worn long or doubled for a little additional warmth.

The pattern is a fast fun knit. Click here to buy now. I chose the red color which is a rosy berry red. So fresh, so fun, just like a spring day at your favorite Farmer’s Market.

Out of the Closet

For those of you that have been following me, you know I was “busted” a few weeks ago. Himself found my stash.

It took a few weeks of recovery around here for the shock of the stash to settle. Not only did it settle, but a new stash solution has been designed.

Out of the small cabinet that was under the window seat and into the guest bedroom closet. I now have cubby’s and baskets to hold yarn. More baskets to hold needles and accessory items. For the first time everything is in one place and easy to get to!

How could this happen? A few measurements and a trip to Target. The shelving is Closetmaid including the matching baskets. Of course, some assembly was required. And……. just to get access back to his sound system, himself assembled it for me!

Another plus, the guest bedroom closet got a full clean-up in the process.

For you, in honor of my new stash management system, a little pattern………Melted Crayon’s

It is a very simple, fun knit. One of those one skein wonders, in Berroco Boboli.

It started as gift for a friend, then my dear friend’s at Churchmouse’s Thursday Knit Nite started asking for the pattern notes. It became very popular around the table, multiples being knitted by some. I thought it was time share it with you all as well and officially write a pattern.

So pull some fun yarn “out of your closet” and knit up a little Melted Crayon’s in honor of our stash.

Run, run, run … I took a leap of faith this week. I published a new pattern Coffee Run… A yummy poncho.

I made it because it was something that I wanted to wear.  And there wasn’t a pattern like it, no biggy.  Then.. I started wearing it, and posted some photos of it in my projects on Ravelry, and the requests for the pattern started happening on Ravelry, at my LYS, and even at the grocery store. So…….I wrote the pattern and put a price tag on the pattern.  The first time I ever put a price on one of my patterns.

Why not free you ask…..It takes time and effort to create a well written pattern.  I took the time, tons of review, calculations, checking and double checking. I believe I created a well written pattern.  You can tell me if I am wrong….I know you will.

I also respect all others that are selling patterns and decided this pattern should earn it’s keep against other like patterns and not take away from my friends that sell patterns by being “free”.

Enough of the soapbox, now for the fun! I love Coffee Run, I love the yarn, I love the style and I hope you do as well.

More details

Finished Measurements      One Size 24″ from shoulder to bottom and 45″ elbow to elbow

Yarn     10 Skeins Rowan Alpaca Cotton , this is an Aran weight yarn that I knit one needle size up.  Total 1480 yards.

Needle Size  US 9

Poncho is worked sideways, knitting from sleeve edge to sleeve edge.

It is also posted on Ravely, and you can purchase here…. buy now.

And yes, I made himself help me with photos. It was a beautiful sun filled day in the Pacific Northwest, cool, fresh air, perfect day to be wearing my new fav….Coffee Run

Knitting Memories…

It all started with a little book. A book with a copyright of 1953 and a cost of 40 cents. It had been lost but was recently found by my daughter in her stack of knitting.

So why is this book so special… it was my first book of knitting.

My Aunt Bert taught me how to knit when I was the ripe old age of 8. My mom did not knit, she crochet and my other aunt did cross-stitch, and one other did tatting. It seemed liked they all had their specialties and I just happened to like Aunt Bert’s.

Aunt Bert was born in 1900 and was married to my father’s oldest brother so lots of age difference between us. But because both my parents worked, I often went to Aunt Bert’s house after school and knitting is how she kept me busy. Aunt Bert knew all her patterns by heart and could make herself a beautiful sweater and fancy gloves. Did I mention that Aunt Bert was 5′ 8′ and over 200 lbs. What she could not do is size down the patterns in her head to fit me.

So one day when I came over after school, this book was waiting on the table for me, with my own wooden needles, and that fancy Red Heart Yarn. The making of my first mittens came from this book and many more after that. Gifts of scarf and mitten sets, fancy gloves for my mother.

Then life moved on, I moved on to high school, college, traveling the world. Sometime in the 80’s Aunt Bert passed away, not certain exactly when as I was miles from home by then.

But holiday’s bring back memories of family, food, stories, and yes even knitting. This year in honor of my Aunt Bert, I pulled out the book and knit a pair of mittens just for me.

Then created a new design,  just for you….”Frosty” I think Aunt Bert would have liked them!

Click the link to download the free pattern Frosty Fingerless Gloves

Sometimes you just cannot find that perfect pattern. I wanted a cowl that had some texture, no lace, and could still be feminine. This is a perfect last minute gift.

Hint: I found that by placing markers at each set of cables I could watch TV and knit at a really fast pace.

Download Pattern Here