There's Still Time

As much as I love Thanksgiving, when it comes so very late in the month as it did this year, it can really put a crimp in the holiday season. One day, you're completely focused on family, friends and food (I'm a total turkey addict), and the next you realize Christmas is just a few weeks away. 

The only solution is to take deep breaths and remind myself (over and over again) there's still time to whip up some knitted gifts. Just in case you're in the same boat, I'm here to share some quick and easy gift-giving possibilities.


ORNAMENTS
Christmas Trees
Worked from the top down, these classic reversible Christmas Trees are ideal as ornaments, mug mats, hotpads, table accents and more. As an added plus, they can be knit in any gauge, any yarn weight, and a wide range of sizes from extra small to extra large. 

To buy the Christmas Tree pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


ACCESSORIES
Dojeling Shawl
This is a bit more ambitious, but if you choose to use large-ish needles, you could easily create a triangular shawl or bandana scarf in time for gift-giving or holiday wear. Dojeling is reversible, readily adapts to any gauge and yarn weight from fingering to bulky, and features innovative construction to keep work in progress manageable for knitting on the go.

To buy the Dojeling pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Kintra Cowl-Scarf
The Kintra cowl-scarf features a unisex design that's quick, easy and suited to anyone you deem knitworthy. Use shrine of precious yarn for something truly delectable, or opt for sturdy workhorse yarn for durable daily wear. The pattern is written for sport weight but readily adapts to multi-stranding and heavier yarn weights that work up quickly. (For a superfast knit, check out the short version, which takes about 165-200 yards.)

To buy the Kintra Cowl-Scarf pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Kintra Mitts
The Kintra Mitts are not only fast and easy, they feature a versatile unisex design. Choose soft and sumptuous yarn for a woman, or something sturdy and tweedy for a man. As an added plus, the pattern is written for sport weight but readily adapts to any yarn weight, so opt for heavier weights and you can quickly work up several pairs.

To buy the Kintra Mitts pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Wyndfael Mitts
A combination of classic two-stitch mock cables and ribs make Wyndfael fast, easy and versatile. Because the pattern is written for worsted weight yarn, these mitts work up very quickly. Simply follow the pattern as written, or use the tips, tricks and easy modifications to tailor each pair to a range of recipients.

To buy the Wyndfael Mitt pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


HOME DECOR
Graefen Cloth & Towel Set
This fast and easy pattern produces a set of reversible cloths and towels. They work up quickly in DK weight, but you could speed things along even more by using worsted, aran or bulky weight yarn for a single towel, set of cloths, or both.

To buy the Graefen pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.

Sweet Hearts & Soft Spots
Designed to function as coasters, hotpads, placemats and decorative accents for your table or tree, Sweet Hearts & Soft Spots are ideal for gifts. Celebrate the season by working them in holiday colors, use rainbow hues for a range of recipients, or get a jumpstart on Valentine's Day using rose, pink and red.

To buy the Sweet Hearts & Soft Spots pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Whimsy Owls
Know someone who loves owls? This design works up quickly, and the pattern includes instructions for three different sizes, so you can create an entire owl family if you wish.

To buy the Whimsy Owl Family pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


From afghans and accessories to holiday and home accents, there's something for everyone. Each pattern includes a range of sizes, detailed yardage breakouts, and handy tips, tricks and easy modifications. For many of you, this means you can dip into stash to make the most of yarn on hand, to save time, money and shopping hassles.

It's crunch time, fellow knitters, so let's get busy. Christmas is coming!

Want to acquire several patterns? Click here to go straight to my Ravelry pattern store.

Santa Delivered

This year, Santa delivered precisely what I wanted most — a sweater quantity of yarn in a lovely shade of charcoal.

It's Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% merino wool in worsted weight. This is the same yarn I used for Tikkyn Flagstone, so I know for a fact it's not only soft and light but very warm. It's also quite affordable, which is important since this will be a casual, everyday cardigan that's likely to see heavy wear.

I already have several projects on the needles, but as you can see, I couldn't resist swatching. Right now, I'm leaning toward the slipped rib stitch shown, because it's easy to work, produces a moderately stretchy fabric, and has an interesting texture. I'm also experimenting with different needle sizes to determine which one produces the right mix of drape and density.

I'm a slow knitter, so it's a toss up whether this will be finished in time for wear this winter, but it really doesn't matter. Sooner or later, I'll have a cozy, warm sweater that suits my style, goes with everything in my closet and fills a very real need.

And that's the best gift of all.

Wishing you and yours a bright and happy New Year!

A Few of My Favorite Things

For the first time in many, many years, there's no last-minute Christmas knitting on my needles or to-do list. This is not just a relief, it's a gift — one that came early.

Real life has been so demanding and hectic, instead of striving to whip out a few final items, I decided to relax, enjoy knit decorations created for Christmases past, and put a moratorium on stress-inducing deadlines.

Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of projects in progress and more in the planning pipeline, but choosing to not go nuts trying to finish them in time for Christmas has been freeing.



Today, I have to visit the grocery store one last time, and finish decorating the house and tree. Once these tasks are completed, I plan to spend some time with a few of my favorite things: a relaxing knit worked in soft, luscious yarn, a glass of wine, and a full-blown marathon of Christmas films old and new. Doesn't that sound indulgent!?


To those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas! And happy holidays to all! 

Merry & Bright

This has been one of those years where work and life demands have filled every waking moment. Nonetheless over the course of the past week, I've gradually begun pulling out decorations and hand knit items from seasons past, so it's beginning to look a lot more like Christmas around here.

Meanwhile, in spite of every promise I made to NOT get sucked into a flurry of last-minute knits, I finally succumbed to temptation, and cast on a fresh crop of Christmas trees.

Destined for my exceptionally knitworthy godkids (ages 14 to 24), they have a decidedly contemporary flair. Between the simple, streamlined design, vivid colors and super-soft bulky merino yarn, these fast, easy last-minute knits have grown from one lonely tree-to-be into a small cluster of WIPs.

To add a bit of holiday dash, I've made plush pompoms to attach as fuzzy, festive tree toppers. 

Who knew pompoms could create so many tiny little snippets?!

As you can see, some assembly is still required. There are ends to weave and pompoms to attach ...

but with a bit of luck, they'll be ready in time for our family celebration tomorrow. With that in mind, I'd better get cracking!

UPDATE
I managed to finish them with a bit of time to spare, and they were a big hit. Here they are in their final state, minus the hanging loops, so they can be dangled on hooks, knobs or the Christmas tree, or used as a mug mat.

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays and a Christmas that's merry and bright!

Crunch Time: Last-Minute Knits

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but all of a sudden, Christmas is just a little more than a week away. If you're at all like me, your to-do list is way too long, so you're scrambling to find fast and easy last-minute gift solutions.

With that in mind, I'm highlighting a handful of patterns that are quick, compact and easy, and am running a holiday sale.*

I'm a slow knitter as you well know, but even I could complete several of the following projects in time for gift-giving. Let's take a look.


Christmas Trees
Worked from the top down, these classic reversible Christmas Trees are ideal as ornaments, mug mats, hotpads, table accents and more. As an added plus, they can be knit in any gauge, any yarn weight, and a wide range of sizes from extra small to extra large. 

To buy the Christmas Tree pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Graefen Cloth & Towel Set
This fast and easy pattern produces a set of reversible cloths and towels. They work up quickly in DK weight, but you could speed things along even more by using worsted, aran or bulky weight yarn for a single towel, set of cloths, or both.

To buy the Graefen pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.

Sweet Hearts & Soft Spots
Designed to function as coasters, hotpads, placemats and decorative accents for your table or tree, Sweet Hearts & Soft Spots are ideal for gifts. Celebrate the season by working them in holiday colors, use rainbow hues for a range of recipients, or get a jumpstart on Valentine's Day using rose, pink and red.

To buy the Sweet Hearts & Soft Spots pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Whimsy Owls
Know someone who loves owls? This design works up quickly, and the pattern includes instructions for three different sizes, so you can create an entire owl family if you wish.

To buy the Whimsy Owl Family pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Kintra Mitts
Kintra is not only fast and easy, it features a versatile unisex design. Choose soft and sumptuous yarn for a woman, or something sturdy and tweedy for a man. As an added plus, the pattern is written for sport weight but readily adapts to any yarn weight, so opt for heavier weight yarns to quickly work up several pairs. 

To buy the Kintra Mitt pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Wyndfael Mitts
A combination of classic two-stitch mock cables and ribs make Wyndfael fast, easy and versatile. Because the pattern is written for worsted weight yarn, these mitts work up very quickly. Simply follow the pattern as written, or use the tips, tricks and easy modifications to tailor each pair to suit its recipient.

To buy the Wyndfael Mitt pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


Dojeling Shawl
This is a bit more ambitious, but if you choose to use large-ish needles, you could easily create this reversible triangular shawl or scarf in time for gift-giving or holiday wear. The pattern readily adapts to any gauge and yarn weight from fingering to bulky, while the innovative construction keeps work in progress manageable for knitting on the go.

To buy the Dojeling pattern now, click here.
To read more about it, click here.


From afghans and accessories to holiday and home accents, the sale applies to every pattern in the lineup. Each pattern includes a range of sizes, detailed yardage breakouts, and handy tips, tricks and easy modifications. For many of you, this means you can dip into stash to make the most of yarn in hand, which will save you time, money and headaches.

It's crunch time, fellow knitters, so let's get busy. Christmas is coming!

Want to buy several patterns? Click here to go straight to my Ravelry pattern store.



*Thank you, all! The sale has ended.
Crunch Time! Flash Sale 
Save 30% on every pattern through midnight Tuesday, December 19 EST.

Hover Craft

I've begun describing my growing pile of WIPs as hover craft, because frankly, they've hovered way too long in that twilight zone known as almost-but-not-quite-done.

Several were started in spring, but now Thanksgiving is just a few days away, winter and Christmas are right around the corner, and the end of the year is in sight. Just the prospect of this rapid march of events means I'm torn between the desire to cast on all the things, finish all the things, or tackle some combination of both.

One way or another, it's clearly time to come up with a plan.



Colsie Mitts
I kid you not, these supremely simple tone-on-tone mitts have been on the needles since March. Initially, I planned to do a three-stage gradient using two shades (lake and teal), but then I got distracted. First I added turquoise but the effect wasn't quite right, so I shifted to jade green. This worked a bit better, but in the end, I frogged the experiments and returned to my original plan. With both mitts now off the needles, I could have the ends woven and mitts seamed in one evening if I just buckled down, so that's my top priority.

Colsie Cowl

This project stalled while I indulged in a long bout of dithering. The original plan was to echo the colors and design in the mirror gradient mitts, but I found the subtle tone-on-tone look equally appealing, so I've been back and forth more times than I can count. Finally, I decided to stick with the original plan, and now with that decision in place, I can quit fussing about colors and get on with the knitting.

Kintra Cowl
I'd hoped to have this ready to share today, but time was not on my side. The last section is nearly finished, so I just need to work a few buttonholes, bind off, weave ends and attach some buttons. With luck and a little attention, it might be ready to wear along with my Kintra mitts on Thanksgiving Day. (My goddaughters, who are learning to knit, love it when I wear hand knits.)

Herlacyn Afghan
This blanket has been patiently waiting for time and attention. It's soooo close to completion, all it needs is a border, a few ends woven and a good blocking. Now, I just need to capture a block of time to finish the finishing, if you know what I mean.

Gradient Shawl-Wrap
Working this swatch helped me realize I need to move up one needle size and recalculate gauge before I cast on. The yarn is light, soft and warm, so the end result should be ideal as an extra layer when deep winter arrives. That means I'm eager to get this project underway, but am valiantly waiting until I knit another swatch and turn a few of the WIPs above into true FOs.

Yet Another Gradient Shawl-Wrap
In spring, I cast on and worked a few rows of this gradient shawl, but knitting time has been so scarce since, it's barely progressed past the skimpy start shown. For now it's on hold, while I focus on other things.

Christmas
In recent years, I've knit a ton of Christmas trees and holiday items, but this year may be a different story. I have something fun, fast and easy on the needles, but it's not a gift, so if it's finished in time for the holidays, great! If not, it just means I've gotten a head start on next year's holiday knitting, right? 

There may be a few more projects skulking around in the background, but for now, these hover craft projects are my top priorities. In a perfect world, all of them would either be finished, solidly underway or frogged before the end of the year, so I can start 2018 with a clean slate and fresh focus.

For now, anyway, that's my plan, but whether it works or not remains to be seen.

Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Going Green

The Pantone Color Institute has declared Greenery (15-0343) the color of the year. It's a lovely, fresh shade that looks a bit like this:

I'm not much of a trend-watcher, but the current focus on green prompted me to wonder why I don't use it more often. The truth, of course, is it appears on a regular basis, but because I tend to favor clear, deep or blue-green shades that better suit my coloring and home decor, it's not always obvious.

That said, once I started hunting for examples, I was amazed at just how often varied shades of green surface in projects. Here's a quick roundup:

ACCESSORIES

These super-simple gradient mitts represent a knitting trifecta: They're fast and easy, designed to use up small balls of leftover yarn, and serve as an example for a new make-your-own ombres and gradients post.

I'm still experimenting, but one way or another the lovely teal and lake yarn below will find a home in a stole, shawl or wrap. In this photo, the colors appear a bit bluer than they are in real life.

AFGHANS

This version of Valere has flashes of mint green and deep teal ...

while this one incorporates shades of jade and mint.

Angletyn Rainbow features a soft shade of teal.

Breidan Baby incorporates a light, minty green.

Color Check Meadow features six shades of green ranging from soft sage to rich teal.

In Drumlin Gemtones, the color appears aqua here, but in reality the strip at the upper right is a rich, saturated teal.

In Drumlin Bright, two shades of green were worked in two-row stripes, which made both colors pop.

In Lucben Tidepool, a mix of purpose-bought yarn was combined with leftovers to create a simple custom gradient.

In this shot of Tikkyn Rainbow, you can see a few of the teal color blocks that stairstep across the front.

HOLIDAY

When I'm making Christmas Trees for the holidays, yarns in shades of pine, balsam and spruce climb out of the cupboards, scamper around the studio, clamber onto the needles, and eventually turn into WIP piles like this:

SWEATERS

In Moore Colors, the mint green stripes peeking out at the right lead into various shades of green, teal and blue that occupy the back.

Last but not least, 20 years ago, I made a lovely teal sweater-jacket in soft, tweedy wool. It's held up beautifully, so I still wear it fall through early spring. Unfortunately, I don't have photos, but I'll try to get some soon.

Meanwhile, daylight savings time has arrived, St. Patrick's Day is a few days away, and snow may be on the ground, but spring with its fresh young shoots and leaves is on the horizon. If you're choosing yarn for a new project, try going green. Not only is it right on trend, it's the ideal way to celebrate the bright promise of this lovely season.

Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

FOs | 2016 in Review

As the new year dawns, it's time to review what's been accomplished and create a plan for this bright and promising year.

I won't bore you with the backstory, but for numerous reasons, the past 24 months have been a mad scramble. Work and life have been so challenging, knitting and designing have routinely taken a back seat. Many weeks, I knit nary a stitch (a rarity for me), so I was pleasantly surprised to find I'd completed a fairly respectable list of projects this year.

Let's take a quick look. (Click the link to see the project post.)

Accessories

Alaris Wrap

Kintra Oyster Bay

Kintra Nearly Neutral

Wyndfael Mitts

Afghans

Angletyn Vivid

    
Angletyn Rainbow

Lucben Rose

Lucben Tidepool

Tikkyn Rainbow

Tikkyn Flagstone - Almost but not quite finished!

Small Things

Christmas Trees - Multiple sizes and configurations. Here are just a few:

Patterns
On the pattern front, I fell short of my ideal goal, but managed to release eight new ones for an average of one every six weeks or so. (To see the pattern release post, just click the link.)

Accessories

• Alaris Wrap
• Kintra Mitts
• Wyndfael Mitts

Afghans

• Angletyn Afghan
• Lucben Afghan
• Tikkyn Afghan

Home & Holidays

• Christmas Tree Ornaments & More
• Graefen Cloth & Towel Set

NextGen Knitters
The opportunity to begin teaching my god-daughters how to knit was one of the supreme pleasures of 2016. Whether they recognize it or not, they seem to have an innate talent for this craft, so the lessons have progressed well. The combination of distance and busy schedules makes it difficult to get everyone together for family knitting sessions, but when winter eases up a bit, we might manage to do so more often.

Planning Ahead
My plans for this promising new year are still evolving, but a few things are certain. It's more important than ever to keep things simple and straightforward (KISS), so my primary goal is to knit what I want in whatever order suits my fancy, with an emphasis on focusing and finishing.

With that in mind, here's where things stand:

• 1 new shawl ready to cast on (hopefully today)
• 2 new afghans in progress
• 3 small things waiting in the wings
• 9 new designs in the pipeline
• Too many test swatches to count

On the good news front, the yarn cupboards are relatively well organized and pleasantly full but not overflowing. The studio, on the other hand, is awash in yarn, swatches, pattern notes and WIPs, so it needs some serious attention.

To start the new year on a positive foot, I'm going to spend some time tidying the studio (and kitchen and office), finish edging Tikkyn to bring it one step closer to completion, and cast on the shawl I've been itching to make.

As we wrap up the old year and welcome the new one, feel free to share your 2016 accomplishments, your plans for 2017, or both.

Meanwhile, let me wish you and yours a bright and happy New Year filled with the joys of family, friends and fiber!