Taken by the Wind -- New Fringe Shawl pattern!

It's finally here! I have been so excited to share this one with you. My new shawl pattern is inspired by springtime magic and... Stevie Nicks!

Taken by the Wind is a lightweight shawl knit in a loose gauge (for the body) with a lovely lace border and miles of loooong fringe. The fringe part is optional, but really, why wouldn't you want to fringe the heck out of it?

(By the way, don't miss my upcoming post on fringe techniques on Wednesday, part of the Holla Knits Blog Tour!)

No fringe... still adorable!

Feelin' like a superhero

A little short-row shaping, a little lace, a lot of fringe... this one is a lot of fun! Perfect for throwing around your shoulders on a blustery spring day or chilly evening. Witchy magic for any time, any place.

About to jump on my broomstick in 3... 2... 1...

I hope you enjoy this flight of fancy!

The pattern can be found here, click the pic and then scroll down to purchase for $4:

 

Seraphim Cardigan knitting pattern

Heavenly and light, with the softness of angora. Seraphim has three-quarter sleeves, elegant pleated details... it's the perfect layer for spring!

Seraphim is worked top-down with raglan shaping, with stitches picked up around neckline to work large, soft pleated collar. Collar is shaped with short rows and pleated at intervals for a lovely, increasingly rippled texture. Slightly fitted waist, long tunic length, cozy yet refined.

I am absolutely in love with this one. The yarn was pure joy to work with and I am wild about how the design came together!

Seraphim Cardigan knitting pattern PDF

$7

In the works

Got some fun fun fiber creations happening over here... can't wait to share these with you!

Instagram

California makes my instagrams all pretty.

Rainbows and Unicorns time

Pure knitting joy. Rainbows and Unicorns!

Every color in Ewe Ewe's line (that's 20 colors!) in glorious rainbow alignment. You can also use 

 scrap yarn, there is a yardage breakdown on the Ravelry pattern page.

This was so much fun to create. If you like knitting garter stitch and working the occasional short row, this will be your jam.

There are so many color overlap possibilities. How you wrap it makes it look so different each time. I'd love to see this in a gradient yarn, color-changing like Noro or an ombre...

Rainbows and Unicorns wrap

knitting pattern pdf

$5.99

Styling Cape Vertigo

Have you been tempted by all the amazing cape styles out there this season? I know I have. Capes are a warm, stylish, practical way to stay warm when dressing up or down. They are very versatile and it can be a little intimidating to know how to wear them. 

In honor of the Holla Knits Selfish Knitting pattern sale, let's take a look at three different ways of wearing my Cape Vertigo pattern, shall we?

The first thing you should know is that Boots are a Cape's best friend. Got some boots? You're more than halfway there to creating an awesome #capelyfe look.

   

Look 1 - Like a Boss: Cape + Jeans, Jacket, Boots

Can't touch this.

  

Wear your bad-assest boots, leather jacket and snug jeans. Wrap the cape loosely around your neck starting with one end and fling the other end over your shoulder.

...Or center the cape on your neck, gathering the length into some cozy ripples. Let it hang.

Look 2 - Sweet n Cozy: Cape + Dress or Skirt, Boots, Legwarmers or Tights

Wear a sweet skirt or dress, legwarmers or tights, and your favorite boots. Wrap the cape flat and tight around your neck, keeping the rolled collar exposed, for a smooth shoulder warmer.

  

Look 3 - 70s Office Glam (just go with me here): Cape + Dress Pants, Blouse, Gold Belt, Gold Bracelet, Gold hoop earrings, Attitude

Just drape it on top, casual-like. Yeeaaah girl. Now swagger.

Let's continue to pretend I've photoshopped the remote shutter out of my hand.

Look 4 - On Your Lap: Cape + Sitting Down

The coziest lap blanket of all time.

Get in there.

Cape Vertigo is on sale for $4 this week! Head over to the Holla Knits site to get the pattern at a discount this week only.

Hat patterns on sale!

Hey fiber friends, don't miss my 30% off pattern sale on all the hats in my Ravelry shop!

Use coupon code HATSHATSHATS at checkout to apply the discount, or click here to start shopping.

Get your holiday gifts done with these sweet, quick hat and headband patterns. Pictured L to R, top to bottom: Stegosaurus Cap (baby version), Melt Slouch, Gitana, Quick Fancy Headbands, Urchin Shell, and Pincushion.

Finishing up the KAL

My Knit Along with Ewe Ewe (and you?) is wrapping up! Today is the final official day of the Double Deco KAL and I posted about it over here.

I am in love with my new Double Deco wrap!

I knit really loose and it is HUGE.

It's officially cold in Chicago, so I have been using it constantly. Stay warm, fiber friends!

Double Deco Madness

We're into Week 5 of the Double Deco Knit-Along! So many great projects.

I love seeing what colors people chose. Some bold, some subtle, all awesome. These photos are a little old at this point, but you can see the color choices at least. I'll post another update once I have some more current pictures.

Keep it up, knitters!

Great TV Knitting

I don't think it's a secret that many designers watch things while knitting. I can only do this when the work is not very "think-y" and doesn't require many visual check-ins... so, garter stitch is the absolute perfect thing to knit knit knit while my attention is elsewhere.

Before you get too jealous of all the lazy, wonderful times I am having watching television, I'd estimate this is probably 10-15% of my worktime... and I usually do it at night after dinner.

While knitting my new Double Deco for the Knit-Along, I have been watching Hannibal and just started Outlander. These are verrry different shows (note to self/everyone: don't watch Hannibal before bed!) and shouldn't be watched back-to-back or whiplash may occur. I MEAN:

"I have feelings for you maybe" 

"I consider you my only friend and maybe also want to kill you and maybe you also want to kill me and maybe we just ate someone together and hey are you hungry cuz I got some nice flank steak in the freezer..."

So.

But hey! Back to the knitting. This is the tops when it comes to letting those stitches fly.

If you still want to join the Double Deco KAL, it's not too late! Check out the Ravelry thread, pick out your colors, download the pattern, and get started. 

If you're already knitting along (or crafting something else) while you watch something, leave a comment and let me know what you consider the perfect TV/movie/knitting combination!

Dolman Tunic Pullover

Somehow, last year in the midst of finishing up my Married to the Sea ebook, I never posted about this sweater. Which I love and wear all the time. It's comfy, sassy, and versatile (all my favorite things), and deserves its day in the sun!

Two versions in the pattern: The "sailor" Breton-inspired version and the three-color ombre version.

 

It's quick, simple, knit with worsted yarn on size 10 (6mm) needles. One piece, very little sewing. Great for a first time sweater knitter!

Dolman Tunic Pullover knitting pattern PDF

$7

Double Deco KAL begins!

Hey there! Are you knitting along with us yet?

 

Check out my Week 1 techniques post over at Ewe Ewe. We're casting on and getting started. Next week we will finish the first section of Wing 1 and Wing 2.

Make sure to label your posts with #DoubleDecoKAL so we can find each other! I can't wait to see what you're up to. So far the colors people have chosen have been super fun.

Octo Shawl all purty and finished

The colors, they are strange.

It's no secret at this point that I am a big fan of all things Grellow (grey + yellow). This color combination was what inspired my Kitefish Shawlette, and as soon as I designed the Octo Shawl I knew I'd make a grellow version at some point. 

With my grellow Malabrigo Lace in hand, and the addition of a purpley deep mauve, I got started on this version for the Octo Shawl KAL last fall. Deviating a little from the stripes in the pattern turned out to be very fun (whew!) and I adore how it turned out.

Blocking this shawl is really satisfying. Is it weird that blocking is my favorite part of the process?

Eight pins, that's it!

Floaty mohair perfection - Parfait Scarf(ait) pattern

I am an intermittent blogger. What we have here is an overdue post on Parfait Scarf(ait), a "new" pattern (shhh let's pretend it's not almost a year old) that I adore. It has come in really handy during this Chicago-Winter-From-The-Frozen-Depths-Of-Hell.

Los Angeles flashback photos! This is NOT my Chicago winter wardrobe.

Parfait has 3 keyholes, so there are many ways to wear it. I like options, what can I say!

About the yarn: how good is Shibui silk cloud?

So good.

It's the finest, silkiest silk/mohair blend I've encountered. Gorgeous sheen, super soft mohair (not too fuzzy and not itchy), I am a serious convert after years of using another hazy silk/mohair blend that shall remain nameless for now. It's the one from the British company named after a tree.

Parfait Scarf(ait) pattern PDF

$5