Pattern Release: Nightbloom Cowl

Textures and lace combine in my newest pattern, the Nightbloom Cowl. It’s now available on Ravelry and Etsy. Take 20% off the pattern in both shops with the coupon code COWL20.

This cozy cowl can go casual or dressy and offers multiple styling options—wear it long, for dramatic effect, wear it doubled around the neck for extra warmth. Nightbloom’s knit-purl textures and easy lace make for an engaging knitting experience—not as simple as garter stitch but not complicated, either.

Nightbloom is worked flat in fingering weight yarn; after blocking the two ends are joined using the three-needle bind-off to create a continuous loop. Instructions for the provisional crochet cast on and the three-needle bind-off are provided. The stitch patterns are provided both in written, line-by-line, format and in a chart.

The pattern provides two size options, 8.75 (13.75) inches/22 (35) cm wide by 59 (64) inches/150 (163) cm circumference. The photos show the wider/longer size. You can modify the size by working more or fewer repeats of the Lace Pattern, but keep in mind that if you make it wider or longer, you’ll need more yarn.

I used ElsaWool Cormo woolenspun fingering in Silver for the sample. It was perfect in every way—light and lofty, with a lovely drape and soft texture. I highly recommend a woolenspun yarn for this design—but of course, you can substitute any fingering weight you like or already have in your stash.

The introductory sale ends Friday, April 5—just use the code COWL20 to take 20% off. Happy spring!

Pattern Release: Arquerite Scarf

Happy New Year, everyone! I’m excited to share that my Arquerite Scarf pattern is now available in my Ravelry and Etsy pattern stores. And it’s on sale: take 25% off through Sunday, January 7. The discount is automatic—no coupon code is needed.

Arquerite Scarf by Bonnie Sennott

Knit in worsted weight yarn, Arquerite will keep you cozy and warm all winter. Knits, purls, and yarn overs team up to create a striking geometric design in this big rectangular scarf. The pattern provides two size options, 9 inches/23 cm wide or 13 inches/33 cm wide. Either one makes a thoughtful gift or a warm accessory just for you!

To knit Arquerite, you’ll need 525 (750)yds/(480) 685m worsted weight yarn and US #6/4.00mm needles (or size needed to get gauge). The stitch patterns aren’t difficult—just knits, purls, and yarn overs—so the knitting goes quickly. They are provided in both a chart and in written, line-by-line format, so whichever you prefer, the pattern’s got you covered.

I hope 2024 brings you lots of time for knitting and much joy in all of your creative endeavors. As always, thanks so much for reading my blog and knitting my designs. I love to see your finished projects on Ravelry and Instagram! Best wishes for a safe, warm, and wooly New Year.

2023: Year of the Next in Line Blanket

The Next in Line Blanket KAL has launched on Instagram! For this yearlong KAL, we’re knitting up Next in Line throws or blankets at a leisurely pace. Worked entirely in garter stitch, Next in Line is a fun and easy project, perfect for cozy evenings catching up on your favorite movies or shows.

Along with the KAL, there’s a yearlong sale! Save 25% on Next in Line through December 31, 2023 at Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip. The discount is automatic - no coupon code needed.

Next in Line uses four colors of worsted weight yarn. The pattern offers instructions for two sizes—a throw and a blanket. But you can choose to stop whenever your blanket is a size you like. (Of course, if you add logs, you’ll need more yarn.) It’s knit from the center outward, by picking up stitches for each new log along an edge of the previous log. This means there’s no seaming or joining at the end!

For my Next in Line, I’m using DK weight yarn and a US5 needle. The yarn is Purl Soho Good Wool in Winter Grass, Wild Mustard, Blue Moon, and Wild Heath. So far, so good—I’m on Log 5 and very happy with the color combinations. I’m using an interchangeable needle, so I can switch the tips to longer cords as the blanket grows.

I’ve been weaving in ends as I finish each log. Of course, you can leave them all to the end if you like! But I know I’d simply procrastinate about weaving in a gazillion ends, so for me it’s best to bite the bullet and weave in as I go.

If you’ve cast on—or plan to—be sure to share your yarn and/or progress pics over on Instagram. I plan to have some giveaways during the year, and will pick winners at random from photos posted with the hashtag #nextinlinekal.

I can’t believe January is nearly over, can you? I hope your 2023 knitting projects are off to a great start, and would love to see you in the KAL—join anytime!

Bonnie

LINKS

Next in Line - Ravelry
Next in Line - Payhip
Next in Line - Etsy
@bluepeninsula (Instagram)

A Wee Spring Sale

It might not be obvious from the weather, but spring is finally here! I find my knitting inspiration is shifting from warm winter shawls and cowls to lighter knitting projects, like scarves and socks. How about you?

A year ago, my Winter’s End Scarf was released as part of the “My Place” competition sponsored by Kate Davies Designs. To celebrate its anniversary, I’m having a wee sale: Save 25% on the Winter’s End pattern with the coupon code SPRING25 at Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip.

I knit Winter’s End with Milarrochy Tweed, a fingering weight blend of wool and mohair that produces a light, airy fabric when worked in lace. But you can substitute any fingering weight yarn—you’ll need 650 yds/595 m (which includes the amount needed for the fringe).

The pattern gives step-by-step instructions for cutting and attaching the fringe. It’s added after you’ve finished the knitting, using a crochet hook.

Ready to cast on a new lace scarf for spring? The Winter’s End sale ends on March 31.

Happy spring—and happy knitting!

New Year, New Pattern: Leucania Shawl

Happy New Year, friends! I’m excited to begin 2022 on a positive note—with a new pattern added to my Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip shops: an all-season textured shawl called Leucania.

Save 20 percent on the Leucania Shawl pattern at either Ravelry or Payhip with the coupon code NEWYEAR. You can also save 20 percent at Etsy, where no code is needed. The sale continues through January 9 in all three shops.

Knit in fingering weight yarn, Leucania is an all-season piece—it’s perfect for casual wear (wrapped around your neck, it will keep you warm on winter hikes!) but equally suited for weddings and other special occasions that call for a light and elegant accessory.

Named after the Obscure Wainscot Moth (Leucania obsoleta), this triangular shawl is worked top-down from a garter stitch tab cast-on (instructions provided). The upper part of the Leucania Shawl is worked in a wide rib pattern, creating a light but warm fabric. The knitting goes quickly, and before you know it, you’re at the ornate stitchwork border. The design ends with an easy-to-knit scalloped edging.

Do you recognize the edging? I used it on a much earlier shawl design—the Peppernut Shawl that I published back in 2013, using the same yarn (the beautiful Stone Soup Fingering by Bare Naked Wools). An an extra bonus, I’ve set up a sale for Peppernut as well—save 20% at Ravelry or Payhip with the coupon code NEWYEAR (or, at Etsy, with no code), also through January 9.

We’re having a rather gloomy New Year’s Day here in western Massachusetts—foggy and rainy. I like to take a long walk on New Year’s Day and I think I’ll continue the tradition today in spite of the poor weather. After all, that’s what umbrellas are for! The weather was much more amenable a couple of days ago, when I went on a rambling walk on trails around the Mill River and Puffer’s Pond (below).

Do you have a New Year’s Day tradition (other than sleeping late)? However you are spending the day, I hope your 2022 is off to a peaceful start.

Puffer’s Pond, Amherst, Massachusetts