Thursday, June 01, 2023

Wonky Blocks Blanket to Knit or Crochet

The Wonky Blocks Blanket patterns are now live on Ravelry (knit and crochet) and Payhip (knit and crochet)!


Inspired by English paper pieced quilts, this blanket combines squares and diamonds in a playful, off-kilter grid. Knitters will enjoy the meditative garter stitch with simple increases and decreases, constructed in columns using a join-as-you-go technique. Crocheters can whip up stacks and stacks of center-out shapes in basic double and treble crochet to be quickly assembled a few at a time or all at once. Work one up in whatever size you need using any weight of yarn. Make yours a scrappy stash-buster or a precisely planned showpiece!


This pattern was designed in conjunction with the 2023 Fiberside Summer Yarn Crawl, a virtual event throughout July and August featuring tours of dozens of yarn shops across North America. Your purchase of a $10 All Access Pass to the crawl includes a code to download both the knit and crochet versions of this pattern for FREE! Visit FibersideChats.com for more details.

YARN
This pattern was designed to look good with any weight of yarn. If you’re worried you may not have enough of that weight in your stash, try holding multiple strands of a lighter yarn together to achieve the same weight. For example, by holding two strands of fingering weight yarn together to approximate DK, you can use up some of your sock yarn leftovers and your sweater leftovers at the same time!

COLORS
Whether you choose a small, curated palette or go wild and scrappy, your blanket is sure to dazzle! If you’re struggling with choice paralysis, here are few strategies I would recommend:
  • Focus on one side of the color wheel. Maybe grab all the blues and greens from your stash, or all the pinks and purples. Using a range of hues that have a common primary color can create a cohesive look, even in a scrappy project.
  • Stock up on neutrals for something a bit more subdued. If you get bored, you can always throw in a pop of neon for funsies!
  • Take inspiration from your favorite work of art. Give it a good stare, allowing your eyes to blur, and jot down what colors jump out at you first.
  • Use the diagram at the end of this pattern as a coloring page and have fun!

Buy the knit pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!!

Buy the crochet pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!!

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Jiggle & Joggle

Jiggle and Joggle are now live on Ravelry (knit and crochet) and Payhip (knit and crochet)!


This pair of sister shawls each sport a striking sideways chevron design. These shawls were designed in collaboration with my newest local yarn shop, Knit Dallas, using their exclusive colorway "East Dallas" from Neighborhood Fiber Co. Each design takes 2 skeins of the Rustic Fingering base, but the shop also stocks the Studio Sock base if single ply isn't your thing.


The knit version, Jiggle, uses intermittent i-cord cast ons to gradually add more chevrons and build depth, followed by i-cord bind offs in the latter half to create that triangular shape. The crocheted Joggle shawl is formed in much the same way, using chains to sporadically extend the lower edge at first. Then, beyond the midpoint, blocks of stitches will be left unworked at the beginning of each decreasing section to bring the shawl back down to a point at the other end.


Jiggle Knitted Shawl
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 60 inches / 150 cm
Height at center: 24 inches / 60 cm

GAUGE (after blocking)
24 sts / 42 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in garter stitch

MATERIALS
Fingering weight yarn: 820 yds / 750 m
Shown in: Neighborhood Fiber Co Rustic Fingering [100% merino; 475yds/434m per 114g skein]; 2 skeins in East Dallas
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 24 inches
Tapestry needle
8 stitch markers, possibly 4 each of 2 different kinds to distinguish increases from decreases

Buy the knit pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!!


Joggle Crocheted Shawl
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 62 inches / 155 cm
Height at center: 25 inches / 62.5 cm

GAUGE (after blocking)
20 sts / 14 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet

MATERIALS
Fingering weight yarn: 900 yds / 823 m
Shown in: Neighborhood Fiber Co Rustic Fingering [100% merino; 475yds/434m per 114g skein]; 2 skeins in East Dallas
US E or 3.5mm hook
Tapestry needle
6 stitch markers, possibly 3 each of 2 different kinds to distinguish increases from decreases

Buy the crochet pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!!

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Enamored Cowl

The Enamored cowl is now live on Ravelry and Payhip! This chunky cowl has a whole lotta love in every stitch!


Large colorwork chevrons on the bottom half and small chevrons on the top meet in the middle to form a series of sweet little hearts that hug the neck. Two-color corrugated ribbing finishes off each edge. If either of these techniques is new to you, don't fret! The pattern includes links to video tutorials on my YouTube channel in case you need a helping hand.

It works up super fast too, using a full skein of Jems Luxe Fibers Monstrous bulky, paired with a set of 5 Monster bulky minis (or you can use two full skeins instead if you like).


SIZES
1 [2]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 24 [27] inches / 60 [67.5] cm
Height: 9 inches / 22.5 cm

GAUGE (after blocking)
16 sts/18 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in stranded colorwork

MATERIALS
Bulky weight yarn:
95 [106] yds / 87 [97] m in color A
16 [18] yds / 15 [17] m each in colors B, C, D, E, F
(You can also substitute minis with 80 [90] yds / 75 [106] m of a single contrasting color)
Size 1 shown in: Jems Luxe Fibers Monstrous
[100% merino; 106 yds / 97 m per 100 g]
1 Monstrous full skein in Pezzottaite (A)
5 Monster bulky minis in Apollo Collection (B, C, D, E, F)
US #10/6mm circular needle, 16 in / 40 cm long
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!

Sunday, November 06, 2022

Pibling

The Pibling cowl is now live on Ravelry and Payhip! Get 25% OFF* when you purchase both the Pibling cowl and the coordinating Niefling hat, no coupon necessary!

*Discount only works on Ravelry. If that site is not accessible to you, I'm happy to work something out with you via email. If you've already bought the Nielfing hat through your Ravelry account, you'll get an even deeper discount on the Pibling cowl to sum up to $9US for both patterns.


Plain double knitting transitions effortlessly into basic brioche ribbing and back to double knitting again in this versatile, reversible cowl design. There are so many ways to style this cowl and hat set!

Pibling (noun): a gender neutral term for the sibling or sibling-in-law of one’s parent, such as an aunt, uncle, or non-binary equivalent


Video tutorials are included for the two-color Italian cast on, double knitting, brioche, and the tubular bind off, making this an excellent skill building project for the adventurous beginner!

SIZES
1 [2]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference, unstretched:
24 [30] inches / 60 [75] cm
Height:
9.5 inches / 24 cm
You are welcome to adjust the height and circumference to suit your preferences, but keep in mind that will alter the amount of yarn required.

GAUGE (after blocking)
16 sts/24 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in brioche rib
16 sts/29 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in double knitting
Each pair of double-knitted stitches counts as a single stitch.

MATERIALS
DK weight yarn in two contrasting colors:
160 [200] yds of each color, or
147 [183] m of each color
Shown in: Bashful Armadillo Fibers Merino DK [100% merino; 218 yds/200 m per 100g skein] in Jamaican Me Crazy (A) and We Got the Beet (B)
Since this cowl is reversible, it does not matter which color you call A and which you call B.

US #5/3.75mm needles, in a length slightly shorter than your cowl circumference
US #4/3.5mm needles (optional, for cast on)
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!


Thursday, April 21, 2022

Lady Bird

Lady Bird is now live on Ravelry and Payhip!


This shawl begins at one tip and is worked side-to-side. German short-row wedges along the top edge of the shawl cause the direction of the knitting to shift from perfectly horizontal at first to ever increasing biased angles. I-cord edging and an i-cord bind off lend a smooth finish to the garter stitch fabric. This shawl was designed in collaboration with JuJu Knits in Fort Worth, Texas, using their shop exclusive colorway, Lady Bird, from MadelineTosh. Both the colorway and shawl were inspired by the former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and her Texas wildflower legacy.


SIZE
1 [2]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 60 [85] inches / 152 [216] cm
Depth: 20 [28] inches / 51 [71] cm

GAUGE (after blocking)
20 sts/40 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in garter stitch

MATERIALS
Fingering weight yarn:
420 [840] yds / 384 [768] m of color A (multi)
210 [420] yds / 192 [384] m of color B (solid)
Shown in: MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light [100% merino; 420yds/384m per 100g skein]; 1 [2] skeins in Lady Bird (A) and 1 [1] skein in Arctic (B)
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 24in/60cm long
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers for counting stitches, if desired

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!

Thataway

Thataway is now live on Ravelry and Payhip!


This new 2-color, sock weight, triangular shawl pattern was a collaboration with Amy at West 7th Wool, using their Hunter's Sock base in Matcha Latte and Arsenic. The design features 4 size options, simple stripes, and an unusual (but easy) construction. There are even accompanying video tutorials on my YouTube channel to help you along the way.


SIZE
1 [2, 3, 4]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 59 [73, 87, 101] inches or 150 [185, 221, 257] cm
Depth: 25 [31, 37, 42] inches or 64 [79, 94, 107] cm

GAUGE (after blocking)
18 hdc/12 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm

MATERIALS
Fingering weight yarn: 360 [545, 775, 1030] yds or 329 [498, 709, 942] m each in two contrasting colors
Yardage estimates do not include tassels. Add 25-50 yds/m per tassel, if desired
Size 1 shown in: West 7th Wool Hunter’s Sock [70% merino, 30% nylon; 437yds/400m per 100g skein] 1 [1, 2, 2] skeins each in Matcha Latte (A) and Arsenic (B)

US G or 4mm hook
Tapestry needle
2 locking stitch markers

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Niefling

The Niefling hat is now live on Ravelry and Payhip!


Plain double knitting transitions effortlessly into basic brioche ribbing in this versatile, reversible hat design. How will you style yours? Light side or dark side? Slouchy or cuffed?

As the name may imply, this design was inspired by my own niece and nephews. It was born of a desire to cater to the whims of a fickle 5-year-old, a sullen 17-year-old, and all tastes in between. With 4 different ways to wear the same hat, everyone should be able to find a style that suits. Plus it’s sized for the entire family!


Video tutorials are included for the two-color Italian cast on, double knitting, and brioche, making this an excellent skill building project for the adventurous beginner!

The original samples were made with Merinolux DK from Barker Wool (formerly Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co.) in the Austin and Empower colorways, but if purple's not your thing, I have it on good authority that Austin's vibrant streaks of color would also pair well with other tonal colorways, such as Velvet, Clara, Crabapple, Tiger Lily, Staghorn, Olivine, Indigo, Gentle...


SIZES
1 [2, 3, 4, 5]
To fit, approximately:
preemie [baby, toddler, child, teen/adult]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference, unstretched:
10 [12, 14, 16, 18] inches
25 [30, 36, 41, 46] cm
To fit head circumference:
11-13 [13-16, 15-19, 17-21, 19-24] inches
28-33 [33-41, 38-48, 43-53, 48-61] cm
Shown in:
Size 5 on a 23 in/58 cm wooden hat form
Size 4 on an 18 in/46 cm upturned yarn bowl

Height, uncuffed:
5 [6.5, 8.25, 9.25, 10.5] inches
13 [17, 21, 23, 27] cm
You are welcome to adjust the height to suit your preferences, but keep in mind that may alter the amount of yarn required.

GAUGE (after blocking)
16 sts/24 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in brioche rib
16 sts/29 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in double knitting
Each pair of double-knitted stitches counts as a single stitch.

MATERIALS
DK weight yarn in two contrasting colors:
35 [55, 80, 100, 125] yds of each color, or
32 [50, 73, 91, 115] m of each color
Shown in: Barker Wool (formerly Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co) Merinolux DK [100% merino; 219 yds/200 m per 100g skein] in Austin (A) and Empower (B)
Since this hat is reversible, it does not matter which color you call A and which you call B.

US #5/3.75mm needles (your choice of short circular, two circulars, long circular for magic loop, and/or double-pointed needles)
US #4/3.5mm needles (optional, for cast on)
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!

Saturday, October 09, 2021

SideStep

The Sidestep shawl is now live on Ravelry and Payhip!



Basic brioche ribbing alternates with asymmetrical sections of striped garter stitch to give this shawl a striking, graphic look that’s sure to please.

Video tutorials are included for brioche and picking up stitches.

This design was a collaboration with Rachelle of Moondrake Co. The sample was made with the Tweedy DK base, which was an absolutely delight to knit!



FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 67 inches
Height at center: 27 inches

GAUGE (after blocking)
16 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in brioche rib
16 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

MATERIALS
Moondrake Co Tweedy DK (75% superwash merino, 25% mulberry silk; 230yds/210m per 100g skein); 1 skein each in Deep Violet (A), Pink Salt (B), and Beni (C)
NOTE: For the sample, A was the darkest color and B was the lightest, but this is not crucial.
US #6/4mm circular needle, 24+ inches
Tapestry needle
Locking stitch marker

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!


Sunday, May 16, 2021

Breezeway

Breezeway is now live on Ravelry & Payhip!


Simple stripes and a bit of intarsia, paired with varying fibers and weights in the same colorway, make this shawl a tone-on-tone textural delight that is relaxing to knit and easy to wear.


SIZE
Small [Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 86 [111] inches
Depth: 20 [26] inches

GAUGE (after blocking)
16 sts/40 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

MATERIALS
Yarn A: Smooth or slub sock yarn - 385 (635) yds
Yarn B: Mohair/silk laceweight - 325 (545) yds
Pink sample, size Small:
A = Suburban Stitcher Sock (75% merino, 25% nylon; 460yds/421m per 100g skein); 1 skein in Rosedal
B = Suburban Stitcher Silky Mohair Lace (72% mohair, 28% silk; 459yds/420m per 50g skein); 1 skein in Rosedal
Cream sample, size Small:
A = Suburban Stitcher Slub Sock (90% merino, 10% nylon; 438yds/401m per 100g skein); 1 skein in Sugar
B = Suburban Stitcher Silky Mohair Lace (72% mohair, 28% silk; 459yds/420m per 50g skein); 1 skein in Sugar

US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 24 inches
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

NOTE ON COLOR CHOICES
Although you could make this pattern using two different colors, please be aware the color changes for the stripes happen on both right side and wrong side rows. Using two bases in the same colorway ensures those little dotted lines you get on the “wrong side” when striping are virtually invisible, making the shawl reversible. If you were to use two contrasting colors, the stripes on one side of the center diagonal would look like the RS and those on the other side of the center diagonal would look like the WS.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
Video tutorial (link also included in pattern PDF) Intarsia is a method of colorwork where each section of color has its own ball of yarn attached. The unused color is not strung across behind the work, but rather left hanging at the end of its color section to be picked up and used again on the next row.

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry or Payhip!



Saturday, April 10, 2021

Thisaway

Thisaway is now live on Ravelry, Payhip, and LoveCrafts!


This new 2-color, sock weight, triangular shawl pattern was a collaboration with Amy at West 7th Wool, using their Hunter's Sock base in Dorian and Shade Shifter. The design features 4 size options, garter stitch stripes, i-cord edging, and an unusual construction based on a variation on an afterthought/peasant heel adapted from sock knitting to shawl knitting! There's even an accompanying video tutorial on my YouTube channel for this technique.


SIZE
1 [2, 3, 4]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 62 [74, 86, 98] inches
Depth: 28 [33, 39, 44] inches

GAUGE (after blocking)
24 sts/36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

MATERIALS
Fingering weight yarn: 315 [437, 590, 762] yds each in two contrasting colors
Size 1 shown in: West 7th Wool Hunter’s Sock [70% merino, 30% nylon; 437yds/400m per 100g skein] 1 [1, 2, 2] skeins each in Dorian (A) and Shade Shifter (B)
NOTE: For sizes 1 & 3, the upside-down Y in the center of the shawl will be color B; for sizes 2 & 4, it will be color A.
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 24 inches long
Circular needle 1-2 sizes smaller than main needle (optional, for picking up stitches)
Tapestry needle
1 locking stitch marker
Waste yarn – approx. 3 yds, smooth, plied, fingering weight

Buy the pattern now on Ravelry, Payhip, or LoveCrafts!