Monday, December 12, 2016

Asymmetric Stripes

My uniform of late has consisted primarily of over-sized sweaters, fleece leggings, and boots (and typically my faux shearling vest too). I'm all about comfy-cozy as it gets chillier. I found this stripey sweater in the men's section of the thrift shop a few months back and have been eagerly awaiting sweater weather to show it off in its new form.

Asymmetric Striped Sweater - Before

Friday, November 25, 2016

DINO knits: Tyrannosaurus

No collection of dinosaurs would be complete without the awe-inspiring Tyrannosaurus, am I right? This "tyrant lizard" terrorized its Cretaceous comrades and outlasted most of them, being among the last dinosaurs living before that fateful day when an enormous asteroid came catapulting toward Earth and wiped out three-quarters of the planet's plant and animal life. Poor Rexy.

Tyrannosaurus Shawl
Tyrannosaurus Shawl

Arguably the most famous dinosaur of all, Tyrannosaurus Rex may have been a little lacking in the arm department, but he compensated with a big toothy grin that would win your heart (and then devour it).

Tyrannosaurus Shawl
Tyrannosaurus Shawl

A simple center-out, crescent-shaped shawl of seed stitch mimics the rough hide and is finished off with short-rows and a pattern of eyelets that form that brilliant smile.

Tyrannosaurus Shawl
Tyrannosaurus Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 57 inches
Height at center: 14 inches

MATERIALS
The Fiber Seed Sprout [90% merino, 10% nylon; 439m/480yd per 135g skein]; color: Midsummer Night; 1 skein
17 stitch markers
US #6/4mm circular needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
16 sts/42 rows = 4 inches in seed stitch

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

And that completes our Parade of Dinosaurs! Do you have a favorite? I know, who could choose! It'd probably be best to just go ahead and get all eight patterns, right? Pick up the individual dinoshawl patterns or all of them in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry.

DINO knits

Friday, November 18, 2016

DINO knits: Ankylosaurus

Number 7 in our dino line-up is the amazing Ankylosaurus, another armored dinosaur like Stegosaurus before him (like, almost 100 million years before him).

Ankylosaurus Shawl
Ankylosaurus Shawl

Heavy armor plating, or osteoderms, lined Ankylosaurus' back, protecting him from attack in much the same way that the columns of lacy “spikes” on this shawl will fend off the chill.

Ankylosaurus Shawl
Ankylosaurus Shawl

Worked end-to-end with increases and decreases incorporated into the lace charts, this shawl makes an ideal project for a beginning lace knitter. And if you want a longer scarf, you can simply work more repeats of the center section. After all, Ankylosaurus measured up to 20.5 feet. I don't see why your new neck-cessory couldn't be equally lavish.

Ankylosaurus Shawl
Ankylosaurus Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 42 inches
Height at center: 13 inches

MATERIALS
Sun Valley Fibers MCN Fingering [80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 366m/400yd per 100g skein]; color: Cheeky; 1 skein
US #6/4mm circular needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
19 sts/31 rows = 4 inches in lace pattern (chart included in pattern)

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

We're in the home stretch now! Just one more dinoshawl left! But remember, you can get all eight patterns right now in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry, for half the total cost of all of the individual dinoshawl patterns.

DINO knits

Friday, November 11, 2016

DINO knits: Dimetrodon

It's time for another dinosaur! Well, another creature who is often mistaken for a dinosaur. Dimetrodon was actually a "mammal-like reptile" that became extinct about 40 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth.

Dimetrodon Shawl
Dimetrodon Shawl

As with Stegosaurus' spikes, the purpose of the huge sail protruding from Dimetrodon’s spine is still a point of contention amongst paleontologists. But one thing is for certain - it practically begged to become a knitted shawl. I mean look at it! It's the perfect shape!

Dimetrodon Shawl
Dimetrodon Shawl

Ribbed “bones” extend vertically from the long cast on edge, while a lacy “skin” fills in the gaps. Stepped decreases give the shawl its bell shape, and like its namesake’s sail, this shawl is completely reversible!

Dimetrodon Shawl
Dimetrodon Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 56 inches
Height at center: 17 inches

MATERIALS
Cascade Heritage Silk [85% merino, 15% silk; 400m/437yd per 100g skein]; color: #5658; 1 skein
US #6/4mm circular needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
17 sts/26 rows = 4 inches in Rib & Lace Stitch (instructions included in pattern)

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

That's one more dinoshawl down and only two more to go! But remember, you can get all eight patterns right now in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry, for half the total cost of all of the individual dinoshawl patterns.

DINO knits

Friday, November 04, 2016

DINO knits: Apatosaurus

Next up in our Parade of Dinosaurs is Apatosaurus, or perhaps Brachiosaurus or the controversial Brontosaurus, if that's your preference. They're similarly shaped enough you could say they all inspired this dinoshawl.

Apatosaurus Shawl
Apatosaurus Shawl

Known for its long neck and tail, the Apatosaurus’ silhouette lends itself nicely to a sort of scarf-shawl hybrid design. This is probably the most dinosaur-y of the DINO knits patterns. Subtle, it is not, but hey, that's what makes it so awesome, am I right?

Apatosaurus Shawl

The stitch pattern is simple garter stitch, but there are plenty of short-rows, increases, and decreases to hold your interest. And I can totally see this stitcheded up in bright, fun colors for some fantastic scarves for the kiddies.

Apatosaurus Shawl
Apatosaurus Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 57 inches
Height at center: 10 inches

MATERIALS
Twisted Owl Fiber Studios Super Sock [75% merino, 25% nylon; 423m/463yd per 100g skein]; color: Teal; 1 skein
US #6/4mm circular needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
23 sts/43 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

There are still three more dinosaurs to go, but remember, you can get all eight patterns right now in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry, for half the total cost of all of the individual dinoshawl patterns.

DINO knits

Friday, October 28, 2016

DINO knits: Stegosaurus

In honor of next week's haunted holiday, I thought we might talk about this bright orange shawl next! Stegosaurus is my favorite of the dinoshawls, and not just because she's my favorite color.

Stegosaurus Shawl
Stegosaurus Shawl

The most recognizable characteristic of Stegosaurus is certainly the large hexagonal plates jutting out of its spine. While their purpose is still debated, they do make excellent inspiration for a charming knitted-on border.

Stegosaurus Shawl
Stegosaurus Shawl

This crescent-shaped shawl begins at the top center and grows quickly with double increases at the beginning and end of each row. The scale-like lace pattern is more easily achieved than you might think, with only 6 pattern rows per repeat. And when you reach the end, all those stitches are bound off as you work the spikey border.

Stegosaurus Shawl
Stegosaurus Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 50 inches
Height at center: 14 inches

MATERIALS
Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply [100% merino; 366m/400yd per 113g skein]; color: French Marigold; 1 skein
US #6/4mm circular needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/27 rows = 4 inches in Spade Lace Stitch (chart included in pattern)

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

We're half way through the parade of dinosaurs now, but remember, you can get all eight patterns right now in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry, for half the total cost of all of the individual dinoshawl patterns.

DINO knits

Friday, October 21, 2016

DINO knits: Pterodactyl

Though not technically a dinosaur, the inspiration for this next shawl design is often lumped in with them. Pterodactyl was, in fact, a flying reptile.

Pterodactyl Shawl
Pterodactyl Shawl

Soaring through the air with the greatest of ease, its adult wingspan topped out at only about three feet, so you’ll have him bested with this shawl, which reaches over five feet!

Pterodactyl Shawl
Pterodactyl Shawl

This shawl's large swathes of stockinette stitch with simple shaping are easily memorized to keep you aloft for quite some time before having to refer to the pattern again.

Pterodactyl Shawl
Pterodactyl Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 63 inches
Height at center: 14 inches

MATERIALS
Frabjous Fibers Cheshire Cat [100% merino; 468m/512yd per 110g skein]; color: Tea Tray; 1 skein
US #6/4mm circular needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
19 sts/37 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

And as always, if you just can't wait five more weeks to collect the whole set of dinoshawls, you can get all eight patterns immediately in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry.

DINO knits

Friday, October 14, 2016

DINO knits: Triceratops

Hooray, it's Friday! That means it's time for another dinosaur shawl! This week, I'm highlighting Triceratops.

Triceratops Shawl
Triceratops Shawl

A huge crest and three large horns made Triceratops one of the most recognizable dinosaurs. So too is this shawl distinctive with its six-pointed silhouette and stockinette stitch horns on an expanding mesh background.

Triceratops Shawl
Triceratops Shawl

Worked primarily from charts, the pattern begins at the center, first forming the middle horn as the simple mesh emanates from its sides. Once that horn is complete, the easily memorized mesh will give your brain a break for a bit before beginning the upper horns and progressing into the garter stitch diamonds along the edge of the crest.

Triceratops Shawl
Triceratops Shawl
Triceratops Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 40 inches
Height at center: 20 inches

MATERIALS
Cascade Heritage [75% merino, 25% nylon; 400m/437yd per 100g skein]; color: #5617; 1 skein
US #6/4mm circular needle
11 removable stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
21 sts/33 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

BUY IT NOW on Ravelry!

And don't forget! If you just can't wait six more weeks to get your hands on the full set, you can get all eight dinoshawl patterns right now in one e-book, also available for purchase through Ravelry.

DINO knits