new pattern - Hipster Cred

Godawful weather got you down? How about a superwarm, superfun colorwork hat for everyone in the family? (You might enjoy it even if your view of the road, unlike ours, isn't currently obscured by snow.)

We managed some more pro photos, with open eyes and everything, but I think this one's the most fun.

Here are the particulars:

Hipster Cred is an easy stranded colorwork hat sized from newborn to extra large adult. Every size includes beanie instructions; adult sizes include a slouch option as well. Samples shown are the Adult Med/Lg slouch, and the Toddler beanie. The sample yarns make for a dense and warm hat; consider using a lighter weight dk if you’d like a bit more drape in your finished product. As with any stranded colorwork project, be sure to keep your floats relaxed!

The stranded colorwork pattern is given in charted format only.

Gauge 
Colorwork pattern, larger needles: 22 sts and 23 rnds = 4˝/10cm

Sizes 
Newborn, (Baby, Toddler, Kid Sm/Med, Kid Lg/Adult Sm, Adult Med/Lg, Adult XL): 12.75 (14.5, 16.25, 18.25, 20, 21.75, 23.75)˝/32.5 (37, 41.5, 46.5, 51, 55, 60.5)cm circumference at brim, unstretched. Baby/kids’ sizes are for beanie only; largest 3 sizes include instructions for beanie and slouch.

Yarn 
Beanie: 40 (60, 70, 80, 95, 105, 115)yd/37 (55, 64, 73, 87, 96, 105)m MC; 25 (40, 45, 55, 70, 85, 95)yd/23 (37, 41, 50, 64, 78, 87)m CC. 
Slouch: - (-, -, -, 105, 115, 120)yd/- (-, -, -, 96, 105, 110)m MC; - (-, -, -, 85, 95, 100)yd/- (-, -, -, 78, 87, 91)m CC. 
Sample yarns: 
MC: O-Wool Legacy DK - 100% Organic Merino Wool - 130yd/119m/50g skein; Colors - Clay (Toddler), Charcoal (Adult Lg). 
CC: Cascade Yarns Casablanca - 59% Wool, 24% Silk, 17% Mohair - 220yd/201m/100g skein; Colors - 15/Southwest Desert (Toddler), 6/Teals (Adult Lg).

Additional Materials 
- Set of US 4/3.5mm DPNs or circ (your preferred length for given circumference) 
- Set of US 7/4.5mm DPNs and/or circ (your preferred length for given circumference) or size needed to obtain gauge 
- Stitch marker 
- Darning needle

Available as a Ravelry download for $4.90

sort-of-new pattern: Crystallize

I actually released this last week, right before Ike came down with a stomach flu that steamrolled its way through the rest of the family. We're all back to eating food now, and he's attempting an actual nap in his actual crib at the moment (rather than fussing himself into few a minutes of fitful sleep in my arms), so without further ado:

Crystallize is a lovely use for a single small skein of lace or light fingering weight yarn. Choose a base with elasticity to ensure a lasting fit. This slouchy beret is worked from the crown down to the brim. It features fun and unusual start that looks clean and professional. A counterpane lace motif grows outward from the cast on, and is given in charted format.

Gauge 
St st, larger needles: 31 sts and 50 rnds = 4˝/10cm 

1x1 Rib, smaller needles: 40 sts and 60 rnds = 4˝/10cm 

Sizes 

Adult Small (Large): 23.25 (25)˝/59 (63.5)cm circumference at widest point; 16.5 (18)˝/42 (45.5)cm circumference at brim, unstretched; 9 (10)˝/23 (25.5)cm deep. 

Yarn 

Isager Strik Alpaka 2 - 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool - 270yd/244m/50g skein, 1 skein, or about 230yd/210m (270yd/247m) of another lace to light fingering weight yarn. 

Additional Materials 

- Set of 5 US 2/2.75mm* DPNs and circ (your preferred length for given circumference); 

- US 0/2.0mm* circ (your preferred length for given circumference), 

or size needed to obtain gauge 

- 4 Stitch markers; 3 of one color and 1 of another; 

- Darning needle

The original version of this pattern appeared as the “Flyaway Beret” in Knitscene’s Winter 2012 issue. Crystallize includes updated charts, extended sizing, and an adjusted gauge.

Available as a PDF Ravelry download for $5.50
(no account required)

new pattern: Jasmine Tea

This poor pattern's been shoved aside over and over again, but here it finally is. And it's not even Labor Day yet!

Jasmine Tea on Ravelry

Notes 

Sizing and construction: This top is worked bottom-up in the round to the armholes, then front and back are divided and worked flat. The lower body is knit in light fingering weight yarn and the lace portion is worked in lace weight for a diaphanous effect. It is intended to be worn with generous amount of positive ease at the bust and waist for a blouson fit; the high hip measurement should have zero or some negative ease. Armhole depths appear short relative to the offered sizes - the lace section will stretch vertically when worn. Choose a yarn with structure and memory (wool content!) for the lace portion to keep it fitting nicely. The top is written to be quite long, but can be easily shortened by simply starting the body increases and armhole instructions earlier. Try measuring a favorite, similarly shaped shirt for an idea of your preferred length.  

Finishing details: Instructions are included for finishing the shoulders either with or without a decorative button detail. The sample shows both options - buttons at one shoulder and a plain 3-needle bind-off at the other. I used one button between each repeat of lace at the shoulder (where the pattern naturally scallops) plus one at each edge, i.e. six buttons for five repeats of lace. This part is up to you - make it your own!

Yarns: Yarns used for the sample have since been discontinued, but appropriate substitutions for the solid portion include DyeforYarn Fingering Mulberry Silk, Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino and madelintosh tosh merino light; for the lace portion: DyeforYarn Lace Merino/Silk/Cashmere, Sundara Yarn Lace Silky Merino and madelinetosh tosh lace.

Sizes A (B, C, D, E, F) = 33.75 (36.75, 41.5, 44.5, 49.25, 53.75)"/85.5 (93.5, 105.5, 113, 125, 136.5)cm bust, designed to be worn with 3-5"/7.5-12.5cm positive ease. Sample shown in size C, modeled with about 5"/12.5cm positive ease.

Gauge 28 sts and 38 rnds = 4"/10cm in St st and heavier yarn on medium needles, washed and blocked.

33 sts and 44 rnds = 4"/10cm in TSSR and heavier yarn on smallest needles, washed and blocked.

30 sts and 36 rows = 4"/10cm in Jasmine Lace pattern and lighter yarn on largest needles, washed and blocked.

Materials 690 (750, 840, 910, 1010, 1090)yds/ 630 (690, 770, 830, 920, 1000)m heavy lace to light fingering weight yarn; 230 (250, 310, 350, 400, 460)yds/210 (230, 280, 320, 370, 420)m lace weight yarn (see Notes for yarn recommendations);

US 2 (2.75mm), US 3 (3.25mm) and US 4 (3.5mm) circular needles or sizes to obtain gauge; 2 stitch holders/waste yarn; darning needle; 2 stitch markers; extra needle for 3-needle bind-off and/or 5-16 small, lightweight buttons.

$5.90

new pattern, again

Just self-published a new pattern: the Alternating Current Slouch, available now for Ravelry download. It's written for two yarn weights:

fingering...

...and light worsted.

It's available in adult Small and Large sizes, each with options for more-or-less slouch. Further notes from the pattern page:

Gauge
Worsted 17 sts and 28 rnds = 4″/10cm Airy Cable pattern on larger needles
Fingering 32 sts and 36 rnds = 4″/10cm in Airy Cable pattern on larger needles

Sizing
Band Circumference S (L): 16 (18)″/40.5 (46)cm, unstretched; 22 (24)″/56 (61)cm, stretched
Depth (Less slouch, slouchier): 8 (9)″/20 (23)cm

Materials - S/less slouch (S/slouchier, L/less slouch, L/slouchier):
Worsted 160 (175, 175, 190)yd/146 (160, 160, 174)m light worsted weight yarn; US 6/4mm circular needle; US 7/4.5mm circular needle (and DPNs if desired for working crown) or size needed to obtain gauge; stitch marker; darning needle
Fingering 225 (250, 250, 275)yd/206 (229, 229, 252)m fingering weight yarn; US 2/2.75mm circular needle; US 4/3.5mm circular needle (and DPNs if desired for working crown) or size needed to obtain gauge; stitch marker; darning needle

The Alternating Current Slouch is an all-seasons hat written for two weights of yarn in two sizes with two “slouch levels” each, for a total of eight options. Sample photos both show size L, slouchier, on a 22-23” head.

Mini-cables and simple lace are combined for an engaging, but not taxing, allover stitch pattern. Both written and charted instructions are provided.

Please note: the worsted weight sample is knit in a slinky bamboo blend; a similar yarn is recommended for substitutions. Try a DK weight at yarn the same gauge if you’d like to use 100% wool or another more substantial base.

4,00€

Crosshatch: hot tip

So I actually shot, did some perfunctory editing of, and uploaded a video to the youtubes. I feel so technologically... semi-competent. 

This goes along with the Crosshatch pattern that just came out. It's how I ended up wrangling all those wiggly elongated drop-stitches a bit more efficiently. While this works great for me as a thrower, continental people might not find it quite as convenient (but possibly still better than keeping it on the needles). This only deals with the second "special" pattern row - after the wraps are all lined up. It also doesn't address the beginning and end of round special stuff - just all the many stitches in between.

If I sound allergic and self-conscious, that's because I am. At least one of those things may improve in the future; guess we'll just have to wait and see. 

oh snap.

That's me (well, this) in the Ravelry top 20 patterns yesterday! Top 10, even! What?? Thank you, wonderful Ravelers - this totally made my day.

New pattern - Crosshatch

Happy 4th to those of you back in the States! I know today might not be the best for a new pattern release, since lots of my target audience is probably more concerned with tending the barbecue than trawling Ravelry. It's just that it's been ready to go since last night, when Chrome hiccuped and ate my mostly completed pattern page. After saying to hell with it and going to bed, I got up today and couldn't wait another 24 hours.


The pattern is the product of a collaboration with Universal Yarn/Fibra Natura. There's a little print booklet floating around LYSs right now with the original pattern, plus three others. This is an electronic, self-published re-release with an additional yarn weight and extended directions.


So... here it is!

Crosshatch Infinity Scarf

This fully reversible infinity scarf is easy to knit and easy to wear. The addictive crossed drop stitch pattern shows off semisolid and variegated yarns beautifully. Written for two weights of yarn with a customizable finished size, it’s also all about options.

Finished Size  

About 42″/106.5cm circumference; about 8″/20.5cm tall, relaxed

Gauge 
Worsted weight: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4″/10cm in garter st 
Lace/fingering weight: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4″/10cm in garter st

Materials 
Worsted weight: 240yd/220m light worsted weight yarn; US8/5mm circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge; stitch marker; darning needle 
Lace/fingering weight: 375yd/343m heavy lace to light fingering weight yarn; US4/3.5mm circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge; stitch marker; darning needle

Yarn Used

Worsted weight (blue): Fibra Natura Exquisite Bamboo: 77% Bamboo; 23% Superwash Merino; 50g and 109yd/100m per hank; colorway 40158 Niagara

Lace/fingering weight (teal): Wollmeise Lace-Garn: 100% Superwash Merino; 300g and 1740yd/1591m per skein; colorway Neptun

Notes

• Gauge isn’t critically important in this project, except as predictor of yardage.
• Yarn used for the lace/fingering sample is a heavy lace weight. Heavier fingering or lighter lace will yield different results.
• Yarn used in the worsted weight sample is a light, drapey worsted. Heavier yarns will require more yardage or yield fewer repeats.

It's available as a Ravelry download (no account required) for €3,50.

something new...

is coming.

Lots of work left to get it ready, but the sample is done!

Sneak preview