Welcome to my pattern store. You will find all of my patterns, both freebies and those that are for sale, on this page. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a note at throughtheloops at gmail dot com.
My patterns are available as PDFs you will be given a download link after payment.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Kirsten
My apologies for taking so long to get this pattern published. Life has been pretty hectic since school ended for the year. Three kids with jobs, two kids with band rehearsals in NYC, golf with DH (hey it's practically the only time we get together these days) & other summer activities keep me running in a million directions. Another reason for the delay is explained below, please read on.
The Problem
Just as I was getting final revisions from my trusty test knitters a comment on Ravelry alerted me to another, very similar shawl - the Show Your Colors Shawl by the talented Amy King of Spunky Eclectic fame. When designing I try my best to avoid creating projects that are too close to those that are already out there. I check the Ravelry pattern databases, but with close to 4,000 shawl patterns listed on Ravelry it is difficult to check every one. Somehow I missed Show Your Colors.
By this time a lot of work had already gone into creating the pattern for Lavalette and a number of you were asking when it would be ready. After a few days of angst and emails to trusted friends I came up with what I thought was a good solution. I felt there were enough differences between the two patterns that there is room for both Show Your Colors and Lavalette, but wanted to make sure Amy agreed. So I wrote to Amy explaining the situtation and proposing my solution. Amy was very gracious in her repy and agreed to my idea.
The Solution
As you may know from my efforts with Dr. G's Memory Vest, raising money for Alzheimer's and dementia research is a cause I really believe in. I am very proud of the amount we have raised so far - a little over $4000. My father would have been 80 years old on July 22 and I would very much like to hit $5000 by that date.
I will offer Lavalette for free but would like to suggest that you make a voluntary donation to Alzheimer's and dementia research. You can make your donation by clicking the "donate" button in the donation badge at the bottom of this post. The download link is also at the bottom of this post, no need to email me to get the pattern. If you make a donation and want Dr. G's too you'll need to send me an email - go to the Dr. G's Memory Vest post for details.
Heartfelt Thank Yous
A huge thank you to Amy King for her understanding and kindness.
Thank you also to my test knitters - Melissa, Andrea, Mai, Elizabeth and Julia for being thorough, patient and most of all volunteering their time and energy to help me make my patterns the best they can be.
Lavalette
Sizes: One size
Finished Measurements: 64” across top edge, 28” from center back to bottom point, blocked.
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 14 stitches and 26 rows = 4”(10cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked.
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Cashmere-Silk; 45% Mongolian Cashmere, 55% Silk; 400 yards per 55g. Skein; Colorway #19 Robin’s Egg, 1 skein. (The coral shawl in the photo above is Lacey Lamb in colorway NY214.)
Additional Materials:
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers
This beret has been on one or the other of my girls heads since I bound off. It went to New England with us on the "Great College Hunt of '09" last week. DD#1 models it here as she excitedly discovers that Tealuxe sells "Bubble Tea".
DD#2 wore Narragansett as she read "Great Expectations". She loves to wear her berets all day long, indoors and out.
Narragansett Beret
Yarn: Any light worsted weight - I used handspun
Needles: US 5 & 8 (or size to obtain gauge)
Size: Will fit any head 20-22" or you may work it at a tighter gauge for a smaller head
See the pattern on Ravelry.
Price: $6.00 US
Summertime finds me thinking of light, portable projects that are easily tucked into a travel bag. Finished shawls are perfect to keep the chill off on a cool summer evening. This explains the number of new shawl designs here at TTL.
Named for my mom, who taught me to value handwork of all kinds, "Jeanne" is worked with an easily remembered stitch pattern throughout the body and is finished with bold leaves along the bottom edge. Thanks to the efforts of my test knitters, Amy, Caryl, Christine and Christine, the pattern for is now ready.
Sizes: S, M, L
Finished Measurements: 52 [59, 66]” across top edge, 26[29.5, 33]” from center back to bottom point, blocked.
Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 34 rows = 4”(10cm) in stitch pattern
Yarn: Schaefer Yarns Anne; 60% Superwash Merino, 25% Mohair, 15% Nylon; 560 yards per 4 oz. Skein; Bluebell, 1 skein.
Approximate Yardage: 400[475, 550] yards
Additional Materials:
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers
Find it here on Ravelry.
Price: $6.00 US
My new shawl pattern "Ulmus" is now available.
The body of Ulmus is created with a simple two row slipped stitch pattern, alternating two colors of Malabrigo Sock, or any fingering weight yarn.
The shawl is edged with a delicate lace pattern, worked entirely in one of the two colors used for the body.
This is a great stash busting project for those of us who have overindulged in sock yarn. If you can't find just the right combo in your stash, treat yourself and buy new yarn. If you haven't tried it yet, Malabrigo Sock is a pleasure to knit with. As we have come to expect from Malabrigo it is oh so soft.
A huge thank you to my skilled test knitters Caryl, Mai & Julia.
ULMUS
Sizes: S, M, L
Finished Measurements: [33, 46] 68” across top edge, 14.5[19.5, 31]” from center back to bottom point, blocked.
Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 20 stitches = 4”(10cm) in slipped stitch pattern
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock Yarn, 100% Superwash Merino, 440 yards per 4 oz. Skein.
Color A: Abril 1 skein.
Color B: Indiecita 1 skein (Possibly 2, I had only a few yards left.)
Additional Materials:
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers
Price $6.00 US
Through the Loops turns three this month. It is so hard for me to believe it's been that long! I've met so many amazing, inspiring, brilliant, generous, beautiful people through this blog. It's impossible to imagine my life without it. Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments. I wish I had the time to reply to each of them. Know that I read and cherish every one.
To celebrate and say "thank you", I have designed a new beret pattern. Narragansett is free with the purchase of any of my other patterns from now until May 15th. When you purchase a pattern you will receive two downloads, the pattern you bought and Narragansett.
This beret has been on one or the other of my girls heads since I bound off. It went to New England with us on the "Great College Hunt of '09" last week. DD#1 models it here as she excitedly discovers that Tealuxe sells "Bubble Tea".
DD#2 wore Narragansett as she read "Great Expectations". She loves to wear her berets all day long, indoors and out.
Narragansett Beret
Yarn: Any light worsted weight - I used handspun
Needles: US 5 & 8 (or size to obtain gauge)
Size: Will fit any head 20-22" or you may work it at a tighter gauge for a smaller head
Purchase any pattern and get the download for the Narragansett pattern along with the purchase.
See the pattern on Ravelry.
Thank you again for all of your support & kind comments!
I designed this sock for the Plucky Knitter Classics sock club. I'm now able to make it available to the public.
Named for sports legend Althea Gibson. These socks are worked from the toe up on two circular needles with a short row heel. Twisting cables become the stems of jaunty leaves that border the top of the sock, giving the sock a classic, feminine look.
ALTHEA
Finished Measurements
Heel to toe: customizable
Circumference at leg and foot: 7”/ (19)cm (relaxed) will stretch to fit up to a 9.5" foot & leg.
Yarn: Plucky Knitter MCN FingeringWeight 80/10/10 Merino Cashmere Nylon - 385 yards/352m per100g Skein. Colorway: Damsel. 1 skein.
Needles: U.S. size 2.5/3mm - 2 sets of 24” circular needles or size to obtain gauge
Stitch marker
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
Gauge: 34 sts and 43 rows = 4"/10cm in Stitch Pattern
Price: $6.00 US
Introducing the Dorothea Beanie. Embellished with leaves and twisted stitches it is named jointly in honor of one of my favorite Aunts, and Dorothea Lange.
My Aunt Dorothy was the youngest of 8 children, born in 1916 to my great grandparents, successful Austrian immigrants. She was a woman who was unafraid to try new things and challenge convention. Defying her father, a man of his era who believed that women didn't need a college education, she left home and enrolled in Wellsley. (Her older sister Mary managed the family finances in those days and quietly paid for her tuition.) Later Dorothy tried to enlist as a nurse during World War Two, this time her defiance of her father's wishes were thwarted by the family doctor who declared her to have heart issues that would prevent her from serving. It was years later that she discovered the lie.
Aunt Dorothy was only 12 years older than my mom and more like an older sister to her than an Aunt. My mother spent as much time as she could with Dorothy and her sisters. Their home was filled with creativity. They were skilled weavers, knitters, crocheters, seamstresses, gardeners and flower arrangers. My childhood memories of going to "the farm", the antique filled home of Dorothy and her two sisters, are full of joy and excitement. There was always something interesting to explore and the conversation was never dull.
Dorothea Lange was an inspiring photographer whose moving photos from the American West during the depression are as relevant today as they were 75 years ago. She is probably best known for her photograph "Migrant Mother". Durring WW2 she cronicled the plight of Japanese Americans and their relocation to interment camps. The faces of her subjects help us to understand the human side of these very difficult times.
DOROTHEA
Finished Measurements:
Circumference 17” relaxed, will stretch to accommodate up to a 23” head. For a larger hat adjust the gauge.
Brim to the top of the crown 7.5”. Instructions are given for making a longer hat.
Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) or size to obtain gauge. You may use DPN’s or Circulars whichever is your preference for working in the round.
Gauge: 26 stitches and 38 rounds = 4”/10cm
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino, 100% Superwash Merino, 104 yds/95m per 50 gram skein. Color # 234 – 2 skeins. (I used about 1/4 of the second skein.)
Additional Materials:
Cable Needle
Tapestry needle
9 Place markers
Price: $6.00 US
With rich colors and explosions of blooms there is nothing timid about Clematis. Worked in the intense colors of the Indie Dyer's subtly variegated "Sock-it-to-Me" yarn these mittens are reminiscent of the lovingly worked tapestries and carpets from another time and place.
Deep textured cuffs keep wrists warm.
Bright colors spice up dark or neutral winter coats.
CLEMATIS
Sizes: One Size
Finished Measurements:
7” (18cm) at cuff
8” (20cm) at palm
11.5” (29cm) overall length
5” (13cm)from inside thumb to fingertips
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm) and US 2.5 (3mm) or size to obtain gauge. You may use DPN’s or Circulars whichever is your preference for working in the round.
Gauge: 34 stitches and 34 rows = 4”(10cm) in stranded pattern on larger needles, blocked
Yarn: Indie Dyer “Sock-it-to-me” 80% Superwash/20% Nylon 450 yard (411m) per 100 gram skein. Color “A”: 1 skein “Ice Blue”, Color “B”: 1skein “Warm Heart Red”. (I used about half of each skein for my mittens.)
Additional Materials:
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers
Price: $6.00 US
Thank you to Kelly, Mai, Leslie and Charlie for test knitting.
Staccato is designed with the color lover in mind. I have given the stripe sequence for this pattern, but please feel free to stray from it and design your own stripes. Choose fewer colors, or more. Make your strips of equal width or more randomly sized than in mine. The possibilities are limitless.
STACCATO
Sizes: 32(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54)"
81(86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127, 132, 137) cm
Materials: Dream in Color Classy, 100% Superfine Australian Merino Superwash, Approximately 250 yd/228m per 100g /4oz.ball]
Color “A” - In Vino Veritas 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
Color “B” - Flamingo Pie 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
Color “C” - Spring Tickle 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
Color “D” - Gothic Rose 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
Color “E” - Beach Fog 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
Color “F” - November Muse 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
Color “G” - Blue Lagoon 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
US #8 / 5mm 32” circular needles (or size to get gauge)
US #8 / 5mm DPNs (or size to get gauge) or the 32” circular from above may be used with the magic loop method
Scrap Yarn
4 Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
22[22, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 27, 27, 27]” separating zipper
Gauge: 18 sts / 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Price: $6.00 US
The designing frenzy continues here at TTL. I have been lucky enough to have some beautiful yarns sent my way. It's pretty hard to keep my hands off these temping hanks. When Laura from Schaefer sent me a package that included the decadent Helene (50/50 Merino/Silk) I knew it had to be made into something meant to be worn close to the head, neck or face. I considered scarves, cowls, berets & shawls, but nothing seemed right. I finally decided it was time for a little whimsy in the form of a hat and so Empire was born.
Empire is a little bit fun and a little bit fancy. Swing your head and the tassel makes you want to dance. The lusturousness of the Helene gives the hat subtle sophisitcation and adds definition to the herringbone stitch pattern.
Thanks to Mai and Julia for volunteering to test knit. They both look adorable in their Empires.
Empire
Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: 16” around at brim and 14.5” long, blocked to slightly open pattern. The hat will stretch to fit a 21” head. Adjust gauge to fit a larger head.
Materials
Yarn: Schaefer Yarns Helene; 50% Merino/ 50% Cultivated Silk; 218 yards per 3.5 oz. skein. 1 Skein.
Needles: US 7/4.5mm you may use DPN’s or magic looped circulars depending on your preference.
Tapestry Needle
5 Place Markers
A piece of cardboard or small notebook 3.5”x 5.5”
Gauge: 22.5 sts=4”(10cm) in Empire pattern, blocked to slightly open pattern.
Price: $6.00 US
