Through the Loops!

In the Works

My newest design, "Katinka" is currently being test knit. I hope to get the pattern out by the end of November - just in time for last minute holiday knits.

The pattern uses about 200 yards of sport weight yarn. More photos & details on Ravelry.

The final clue is up!

You will find it here.

Miller's Hat

Thank you all for your kind comments on Sofie's newest project. The best part of her musical endeavors is the amount of fun she has pursuing them. 

 

Miller's hat is now available. Scroll down for details or to purchase. You will also find it here on Ravelry.

About a year ago, my son's friend "Miller" started pestering me to make a hat for him. Initially I offered to teach him to knit so that he could make his own hat. A creative, artistic person he was enthusiastic about the idea. As the months went by we never quite got around to our knitting lesson. Miller's requests to learn to knit turned back to requests for me to do the knitting. On one visit he showed me a blurry YouTube music video in which the singer was wearing the type of hat he had in mind. From what I could see of the hat it had lush cables, was a little slouchy and swooped down in the back to cover the ears and neck. The concept of this hat floated around at the back of my mind. I liked the challenge of how to combine all of those elements into one pattern while keeping the hat balanced. I also like the puzzle of working out the best way to construct the hat. Eventually Miller and his family moved out of town, but he continued to send my son text messages asking when his hat would be ready, with pleas of "you promised". Miller's persistence paid off and I finally cast on and made his hat. It may be quite different from that original inspiration, I haven't looked at that video since the day he showed it to me. But I hope he likes it anyway. You can see this first version modeled so enthusiastically by my son, "the lad" below.

I really liked the first version of this hat, but I wasn't happy with the yarn I chose. While it is a wonderful yarn, the Spud and Chloe Sweater with it's high cotton content just wasn't right for the pattern. It was painful to work all of those cables with this yarn and the top of the hat didn't have the amount of drape I had in mind for the slouch.

When I posted photos of this hat and mentioned that I'd be making it again with a more appropriate yarn the very talented Sarah of Plucky Knitter fame offered to send a skein of her new Superwash Merino Worsted Weight yarn to work with. What a wonderful yarn this is. It has the fabulous tight twist and subtle sheen of many of her other yarns in a worsted weight. It shows patterning and cables beautifully and gave my hat the slouch I was looking for while keeping the brim sturdy and firm the way I'd envisioned. As always, the color of Sarah's yarn was rich and gorgeous and had just the amount of semi solid beauty to be a designer's dream.

For this version of the hat I used a contrasting yarn on the edging.  Sometimes I just can't resist adding an extra bit of color.

Miller still doesn't have his hat. The Lad will eventually give the first version of the hat to him. Since they no longer go to the same school they don't see each other very often. I hope it lives up to his expectations. Especially after such a long wait. Thank you Miller for the inspiration and for your persistence!

 

Miller's Hat

Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: 19”(48cm) Circumference at brim, will stretch to accommodate up to a 22" head, adjust gauge to further adjust the size.
Gauge: 20 sts = 4” (10cm) in slipped stitch herringbone pattern on smaller needles
Needles: US 6(4mm) & US 7(4.5mm) or size to obtain gauge
Yarn: MC: The Plucky Knitter Merino Superwash Worsted, 100% Superwash Merino, 205 yds   per 100g skein, Husker Red, 1 skein   
CC: Dream in Color Classy, 100% Superwash Merino, November Muse, about 20 yards   
Additional Materials:   
Stitch Markers   
Cable Needle   
Tapestry Needle

This pattern has charts.

Skills needed: Slipped Stitches, Cables, Chart Reading

A special thanks to Heather, Yahaira (be sure to scroll down on her website and check out the photos from her beautiful new book), Dorre, Maryse, Claudia, Andrea, Stacey & Megan.

Price: $6.00 US   

When I Was Her Age I Earned My Money Babysitting

A number of months ago we were approached to have Sofie work on a soundtrack that will accompany a book to be released next June. This project has been an amazing experience for her. Through it she has worked as a professional with experienced sound engineers, music directors and a number of talented musicians. The kids' band, Blame the Patient was also asked to write a few original songs for the soundtrack, the first of which is featured in the video. The promotional video below gives a glimpse of the project.

Pumpkins and Mittens

The sun finally came out today, so my girls and I headed out for the annual visit to our favorite pumpkin patch. (DH and the lad have long since lost interest in these excursions.) Set high on a hill, overlooking spectacular fall foliage, the farm is located in one of the most beautiful spots in our very scenic little town. Those of you who believe the myth that NJ is nothing but highways and oil refineries really should see this part of the state.

We like our pumpkins a little on the not-so-perfect side and we like them big, so the visit always involves a lot of hunting and discussion. 

 

We finally found one that was suitably warty and massive so IJK threw it on her shoulders and trotted down the hill with it. I am so glad that I am no longer the chief pumpkin hauler in the family.

 

We also purchased two large Hubbard squash which we will cook and use for making pumpkin bread. Every year we take the excess pulp that these huge squash produce and freeze it carefully measured into two cup portions in ziplock baggies. Throughout the year we pull out those baggies and make a few loaves. If you have never used fresh pumpkin for baking before, trust me, it is worth the little bit of extra effort. The taste is much, much better than canned. I just cut the squash in half and put it face down in a pan with a bit of water. I cook it in a 350 oven until it pierces easily with a fork.

We thought the pumpkin patch would make a good FO photo shoot location. So despite the fact that it was a bit warm today for alpaca mittens, DD#2 bravely modeled.

 

I knit this pair of Reykjavik mittens as a sample for a class I'll be teaching at Modern Yarn in Montclair, NJ. The yarn is Frog Tree Alpaca Sport. It makes a very yummy pair of mittens. The class will be held the first three Mondays of November at 7 pm. You may call the store for more information or to sign up. The class will cover colorwork technique, so if you've always wanted to try stranded colorwork, but have been a little intimidated sign up and we'll show you that it's really quite a lot of fun.

 

If you look closely you'll see that this pair is not identical. I thought it would be fun to reverse the color positions on the second mitten. It's pretty subtle in this colorway, but I'd love to try it in a more bold combo.

You'll find more details on the mittens on Ravelry.

For those who have asked, I'll be releasing my new pattern, Miller's Hat on Wednesday.

Laurie's Beret and Mittens

With their simple honeycomb stitch pattern Laurie's Beret and Mittens are a wonderful way to showcase beautiful yarn. I've worked them in Knit Picks City Tweed HW as you see in the photo above, or as seen below in the subtle semi solid shades of Farmhouse Yarns Andy's Merino.

 

Using Aran weight yarn they knit up quickly and are perfect for holiday gifts, or a treat for yourself to wear with your new winter coat.

 

The patterns are sold individually or as a set.

 

LAURIE'S BERET

Size: One size
Finished Measurement: 19” circumference at brim, relaxed
Yarn: Knit Picks City Tweed HW, 55% Merino/25% Superfine Alpaca/20% Donegal Tweed, 164 yards per 100g skein, 1.25 skeins (Aprox 205 yards)
Needles: 1 set US 7/5mm DPNs & 1 set US 9/5.5mm DPNs (or size to obtain gauge)
Gauge:  20 sts=4” in honeycomb pattern on larger needles 16 sts=4” in stockinette on larger needles

Additional materials: 4 stitch markers Cable needle (CN) Tapestry needle

On Ravelry

LAURIE'S MITTENS

Size: Small (will fit a child or small adult), M/L

Finished Measurements:  6.75 [9]” finished circumference at palm, 8.5 [10]” long overall, 6.5 [8]” from top of ribbing to fingertip.
Yarn: Size S: Knit Picks Gloss DK, 70 % Merino Wool, 30% Silk, 123 yards per 50 gram skein, 1 skein Size M/L:  Knit Picks City Tweed HW, 55% Merino/25% Superfine Alpaca/20% Donegal Tweed, 164 yards per 100g skein, 1 skein
Needles: Size S 1 set of 5 US 5/3.75mm DPN’s  & 1 set of 5 US 7/5mm DPN’s (or size to obtain gauge) Size M/L 1 set of 5 US 7/5mm DPN’s & 1 set of 5 US 9/5.5mm DPN’s (or size to obtain gauge)
Gauge: Size S 25 sts=4” in honeycomb pattern on larger needles & 21 sts=4” in stockinette Size M/L 20 sts=4” in honeycomb pattern on larger needles & 16 sts=4” in stockinette on larger needles
Additional materials:4 stitch markers, 2 each of two colors “A&B” Cable needle (CN) Tapestry needle

On Ravelry

Laurie's Beret Price $6.00

Laurie's Mittens Price $6.00

Laurie's Beret & Mittens Set Price $9.00

Thank you so much to my test knitters Bev, Cristi & Julie!

Clue # 4 is up!

Go here for clue #4, the foot, of the TTL Socktoberfest 09 Mystery Sock!

Enjoy.

Socktoberfest Week 3 - The Heel

The pattern's up!

You'll find it here.

The Week 2 Clue is Up!

You'll find the second clue for the Socktoberfest Mystery Sock KAL here.  Please take the time to read the entire post.  You will find some important information there.

Thanks!

More Hats and Mittens

Minutes after returning from a 5k run this morning, IJK found herself donning a wool hat and mittens.  Such a good sport she is.

This is the same hat design that I showed you earlier this week.  I wasn't happy with the crown decreases on that one so I reworked it.  This time I used Knit Picks City Tweed DK in the Jacquard colorway.  This is pretty yarn, so soft and cozy in an alpaca/merino/donegal blend.  I've got two skeins left so there may be a cowl or short scarf on its way too.

I decided to make mittens to go with the beret.  Mittens are such a satisfyingly quick project and hat/mitten sets make nice gifts.  My plan is to do this with most of my hat and mitten designs from now on. I will give this set away to a good friend who has a big birthday coming up.

 

The patterns are written and I've got some test knitters lined up, so look for the patterns in a few weeks.

You'll find more details about the hat and mittens on their project pages on Raverly.

Laura, the designer for Schaefer Yarns sent some gorgeous Miss Priss to use for a sweater design.  My mind has been swimming with ideas ever since it arrived on Thursday.  I plan to cast on today.  My goal is to have the sweater done by Rhinebeck.  Too ambitious?  We'll see.