For my youngest daughter’s 14th birthday 🙂
Sweet Sounds Bias Wrap
This yarn came to me all the way from Poland – it is created in small batches by a talented dyer named Marzena Kolaczek. Her saturated tonal colors are stunning, and I love how they look so beautiful together, they almost glow! This yarn base is a blend of merino, cashmere, and silk – the result is the perfect drape and incredible softness. This piece has become my new favorite go-to shawl, just because it feels so good around my neck and it was so much fun to knit up all of the different colors.
Sweet Sounds Bias Wrap
Finished Measurements
Width: 18”
Length: 74”
Materials
Chmurka Goat on the Boat (70% superwash merino/20% silk/10% cashmere, 437 yds per 100 g) 1 skein each of five colors (I used Sunny Honey, Valadilene, Cogs, Patina, and Foggy Night)
US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, tapestry needle
Gauge
18 sts and 25 rows = 4” in Stockinette stitch, blocked
Notes
Hold yarn double-stranded throughout. Scarf is knit on the bias from one short end to the other, with large stripes separated by one garter stitch ridge. Scarf begins and ends with K3, P2 ribbing.
Directions
Using C1, CO 108 sts.
Ribbing:
Row 1 (RS): (K3, p2) to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2 (WS): K3, (k2, p3) to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 3: K3, kfb, cont ribbing pattern as established to last 5 its, k2tog, k3.
Row 4: K3, cont ribbing pattern to last 3 sts, k3.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until scarf measures 2” from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
Body:
Row 1 (RS): K3, kfb, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3.
Row 2 (WS): K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Rep rows 1 and 2 for a total of 30 rows.
Garter Rows:
Next knit two rows in garter stitch, continuing the increases and decreases:
Row 1 (RS): K3, kfb, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3.
Row 2 (WS): K3, k to last 3 sts, k3.
Cut C1 and change to C2.
Rep Body section in C2, work Garter rows, then change to C3.
Rep Body section in C3, work Garter rows, then change to C4.
Rep Body section in C4, work Garter rows, then change to C5.
Rep Body section in C5, work Garter rows, then change to C1.
Rep the same sequence with all 5 colors.
After completing the second C5 section, continue with C5 and rep Ribbing section.
BO all sts in pattern.
Finishing
Block scarf to measurements.
Abbreviations
BO bind off
CC contrast color
CO cast on
k knit
kfb knit into the front and back of the same stitch
p purl
rep repeat
RS right side
St st stockinette stitch
st(s) stitch(es)
WS wrong side
In The Gloaming wrap
Pattern: Coming soon! This sample knit is a variation of a pattern in the soon-to-be released Issue #9 of By Hand Serial.
Yarn: Hinterland Dusk woolen spun fingering weight (70% Rambouillet / 30% alpaca) – 2 skeins (395 yds/ea) in color Ash
Needles: US 5s
Kapsel Cardigan
I love how this one came out – so soft and snuggly, what a warm and wonderful cardigan! I think it’s likely that the yarn is going to pill – it’s not spun very tightly – but I’m going to enjoy it as long as it lasts 🙂
Pattern: Kapsel Cardigan by Shannon Cook
Yarn: La Bien Aimee Merino Aran (100% superwash merino) – 8 skeins (181 yds/ea) in color Yellow Brick Road
Needles: US 6s
Size: 38″
This was definitely not a quick knit – the all-over textured pattern takes more time, but it’s not a difficult stitch, and it’s fun to see how it develops.
Blush cabled socks
Yarn: bleu poussière Aries in color Blush – fingering weight (80% merino / 10% cashmere / 10% nylon) – 350m
Needles: US 3s
Pattern: Irish Oats
Notes:
* I had plenty left over, so I should have made the leg several inches longer – I see the appeal of toe-up socks, you can just knit until you’ve used up half of the skein! These are too short for my liking (as it is, I did two extra 4-stitch repeats on the left, but it is still too short).
* The fit is a little small overall, as well (I swatched for gauge, but it’s always possible that I ended up a little off!) The yarn is fingering weight and the pattern calls for sport weight, but it seemed like a very plump, round and relatively heavy fingering weight, and I was able to get gauge when swatching, so I hoped that it would work. I wouldn’t advise going up a needle size, because it would make the stitches too loose – probably just not the best match of yarn and pattern.
* I love this yarn and would definitely knit with it again – the structure is wonderful, and the botanical dye creates such a soft, beautiful hue. However, the yarn dyer doesn’t sell directly – only through yarn stores – and almost all of her retailers are in Canada and difficult to order online. I was lucky to find a few skeins of the fingering weight Aires at Starlight Knitting Society.
Burnish Shawl
Yarn: Six and Seven Fiber Alfalfa (80% SW merino / 10% cashmere / 10% nylon) – fingering weight
1 skein (382 yds/ea) in colors Au Lait (C1), Lichen (C2), and Lava (C3)
Needles: US 6s
Wingspan: 76″
Width at spine (deepest point of shawl): 26″
Gauge: 20 sts x 29 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch
PATTERN:
C/O with C1 – work 11-st garter tab
Set-up (WS): K3, pm, p2, pm, k1, pm, p2, pm, k3
Pattern 1:
R1 (RS): K3, sm, m1L, k to m, m1R, sm, k1, sm, m1L, k to m, m1R, sm, k3
R2 (WS): K3, sm, m1L, p to m, sm, k1, sm, p to m, m1R, sm, k3
Rep Pattern 1 until work measures 8”
Pattern 2:
R1 (RS): K3, sm, m1L, k to m, m1R, sm, k1, sm, m1L, k to m, m1R, sm, k3
R2 (WS): K3, sm, m1L, k to m, sm, k1, sm, k to m, m1R, sm, k3
Work Pattern 2 for a total of 10 rows
Cut C1 and join C2
Work Patttern 1 in C2 for 7”
Work Pattern 2 for a total of 10 rows
Cut C2 and join C3
Work Pattern 1 in C3 for 4”
Work Pattern 2 for a total of 10 rows
Knit one more row
Cast off loosely knitwise
Crossback Apron for my wool& dress
I sewed this up to wear over my new wool& dress (which I love and wear almost every day!)
Pattern: Crossback Apron by Purl Soho
Fabric: Purl Soho Watercolor Linen – 1 3/4 yards in Faded Indigo
The pattern was free, and while simple and easy to sew, it had some nice details – for instance, french seams make the interior of the apron as neat and clean as the exterior. I love the deep, angled pockets!
If it was a little less apron-like, I could wear it as a pinafore over the dress – that’s what I was hoping for. But unfortunately, I think if I wore it out in public, people would say, why is she wearing an apron? It is, indisputably, an apron 🙂 So I guess I’ll keep it to wear around the house to protect the dress.
Pin ItOctober Skies wrap
I improvised this simple pattern to take full advantage of the beautiful yarns I had to work with 🙂
Yarn: Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co Fern (4-ply fingering) (85% SW merino / 15% nylon) – 1 skein (437yds) in colors Ring, Bittersweet Vine, Octobers, and Harbor
Needles: US 8s
Size: 70” x 10 ½”
Gauge: 18 sts x 28 rows = 4” in Pattern 1
Notes: Yarn held doubled throughout. Rectangular wrap is knit lengthwise. Always slip the first stitch of each row.
Cast on 50 sts in Color A. Knit 4 rows.
Switch to Color B. Begin pattern.
Pattern 1:
R 1-10 – Knit
R 11 – Sl 1, K2, *YO, K2tog; rep until last 3 sts, K3
R 12-22 – Knit
Change to Color A.
R 23-26 – Knit to end
Change to Color C
Continue Pattern 1, changing between Colors B, C, and D after the completion of each set of 26 rows.
At approx. 55”, after completion of R 26, begin Pattern 2:
Color B: Knit 12 rows
Color A: Knit 12 rows
Color D: Knit 12 rows
Color A: Knit 12 rows
Repeat Pattern 2 twice.
Switch to Color B and knit 12 rows, then bind off knitwise.
Weave in ends or tie together and cut even for fringe. Block if desired.
Sierra Trapeze Coat
This coat is my newest sewing pattern, designed for Lookbook No. 8 of By Hand Serial. Believe it or not, it’s incredibly easy! There’s only a few pattern pieces, no fiddly or difficult parts to be sewn, and you don’t even have to finish off the seams, thanks to the miracle of Pendleton fabric and blanket binding.
Best of all, this coat is a perfect excuse to use beautiful Pendleton fabric! Or, if you prefer, it would be beautiful sewn up in boiled wool or any other heavy coating material.
I love the big hood – perfect for keeping my ears warm and the rain out of my eyes – and the toggle buttons, which leave the rest of the front open for that flattering, swingy A-line shape to the body of the coat.
I’d love to see photos of anyone’s finished Sierra, and I’m always happy to answer any questions you run into while you’re sewing it up!
Double Layer cowl
This was a project to use up some Plucky leftovers – I love the concept of knitting a cowl double-layered, because it makes it so much thicker and it bunches nicely around my neck.
Pattern: Double Layer Cowl by Purl Soho
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Beauregard DK (60% yak / 40% cashmere) in colors Powdered Sugar, Dreamy, and Cheeky – 1 skein/ea (300 yds) held double throughout
Needles: 24″ circular US 10s
Mods: CO 92 sts, joined in the round. Knit until total length was 27″ (2.75″ per segment). Turned so that the “wrong” (purl) side was showing and seamed together.
Boysenberry mohair wrap
This one was a labor of love – miles of stockinette stitching, but so worth it in the end!
Yarn: Purl Soho Tussock (60% superfine kid mohair / 40% silk) – 3 skeins (328 yds/ea) in Ripe Boysenberry and 3 skeins in Bright Thistle, held double
Pattern: Elementary Wrap by Purl Soho
Needles: US 6s
I think this is absolutely beautiful – warm but light as air, it could be worn in any season. It’s wide enough to wear as a shawl or wrap, but it easily compresses around my neck as a scarf. If only I had a patience, I’d knit more of these in a range of colors 🙂
Working with Pendleton fabrics
Still on my Pendleton kick . . .
I made several quick and easy dopp kits from Pendleton fabrics at a great Klumhouse class right before Christmas – we even had a chance to do a little leather stamping. I love the leather and metal rivet details on these kits – it adds a little zing to them, and makes them seem more durable and professional.
Inspired by all things Pendleton, I took a trip to our local Pendleton fabric store and bought some yardage off the bolt. I reupholstered our living room pillow, but I left it up to the professionals to create a cover for our leather chair. I really love the look of the Pendleton fabric with the time-worn leather!
Winter in Big Sky, Montana
A beautiful, snowy week in Montana with my oldest daughter – finally, a little cold and a lot of snow! We toured Yellowstone by snow coach, hiked the geysers on snowshoe, spotted bison, trumpeter swans, and coyotes, did a lot of nordic skiing, and spent even more time in our cozy cabin in front of the wood stove. We stayed at Lone Mountain Ranch and had a fabulous time, thanks to their friendly staff and wonderful meals. Hopefully, we’ll make this an annual trip!
Montana slouch
I knit this hat up for my daughter to wear on our trip to snowy Montana this winter 🙂
Yarn: Woolfolk Flette – 2 skeins (131 yds/ea) in color #27
Needles: US 6s and 4s (for ribbing) – 16″ circulars and dpns
Pattern: I improvised this pattern:
Cast on 102 sts (however, the hat was way too loose at the brim – next time, I would cast on only 92 sts)
Knit in twisted rib for 1″ (I’d like a wider brim, so next time, I’d knit 1 3/4-2″)
Stockinette stitch until hat is 8.5″, then decrease as follows:
R1: *K5, K2tog; rep from * to end
R2 and all even rnds: K to end
R3: *K4, K2tog; rep from * to end
R5: *K3, K2tog; rep from * to end
R7: *K2, K2tog; rep from * to end
R9: *K1, K2tog; rep from * to end
R11: *K2tog; rep from * to end
Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, cinch yarn to close top of hat, weave in ends.
Winterfell Cardigan
Pattern: Winterfell Cardigan Aran
Yarn: La Bien Aimee Merino Aran – 6 skeins (181 yds/ea) in color Caramel
Size: M2
Needles: US 7s and 6s (ribbing)
I’m so glad I went with what I thought would be a larger size – M2 is supposed to be a finished bust measurement of 42.75″. However, I ended up with only a slight bit of positive ease, and I have a 37″ bust – this definitely didn’t give me almost 6″ of ease! I also knit it several inches longer – around 16″ from armhole to hem. I was hoping for a bit of an oversized cardigan, but I ended up with a nice (but close) fit.
Winter Shades Shawl
Pattern: Kelderhouse Shawl by The Plucky Knitter
Yarn: Six and Seven Fiber Sunflower (100% non-SW merino in worsted weight) – 1 skein (220 yds/ea) in colors Penelope, Lucia, Gray Lady, and Hermitage
Needles: US 8s
I’m usually not a big fan of fringe or triangular shaped wraps, but I love it on this shawl! Gorgeous colors, perfect for this textured pattern.
Esther Clark botanical calendar
Each Christmas, one of the requests at the top of my “wishing for” list is an Esther Clark calendar for the upcoming year. Esther’s botanical art is beautiful and delicate – to me, it captures the essence of the plants and flowers she is sketching, and I look forward to the turning of the calendar’s pages to reveal each month’s artwork.
At the end of the year, I can’t bear to recycle such wonderful art, but I don’t want it to just gather dust in a drawer, either, so what to do with it? I decided to create a rustic leather portfolio that keeps the art clean and safe, but allows me to flip through the pages. And, with the leather ties as binding, I can add calendar pages from subsequent years until I have an entire book of botanical art.
Winter solstice hats
Every once in a while, I love a little colorwork 🙂
Pattern: Owen Hat by Knitterella
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Beauregard DK – one skein each of colors Sockeye, Urban, Powdered Sugar, Grumpy Old Sailor, Dreamy, and Cheeky
Needles: US 5s and 3s (ribbing)
Size: I tried both small and medium adult – I really needed something in between, but I think I’d stick with small adult, because medium is just a little too loose-fitting (or maybe go with size small for the brim ribbing, then increase to size medium for the colorwork)
Weathervane wrap
This is a wonderful, plush and generous wrap for wintertime! Nicely sized and shaped, it knits up quickly and the texture adds interest and a “squish” factor.
Pattern: Weathervane by The Plucky Knitter
Yarn: Plucky Yakpaca (worsted weight 50% yak / 50% alpaca) – 3 skeins (250 yds/ea) in color Pinstripe
Needles: US 9s
Elusive Sun Wrap
I knit this wrap on commission as a Christmas gift, and it also gave me a chance to test knit a beautiful new pattern debuting in By Hand Serial Lookbook No. 8. I made slight modifications to the pattern and colorwork, demonstrating how easy it is to customize this stunning shawl!
Pattern: Elusive Sun Wrap by Hilary Engebretson
Yarns (I found both of these beautiful fingering weight yarns from indie dyers at Starlight Knitting Society):
* Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co. Fer (4-ply fingering, 85% merino / 15% nylon) – one skein (437 yds) each of colors Frolic and Jubilee
* Olann (80% SW merino / 20% nylon) – one skein (425m) in color Darwin
Modifications:
* Changed needle size to US 7s
* Cast on only 83 sts (which resulted in a wrap not quite as wide as provided for in the pattern)
* I used only three colors instead of four as called for in the pattern
As requested by the recipient, I knit the wrap extra long, so that it could be wrapped around your neck several times. It is so soft, silky, and lightweight, and I love the color play between the three yarns!
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