New Pattern: Rowhouse Socks

New in my Ravelry pattern store: Rowhouse Socks, a sweet colorwork design to brighten your winter knitting.

A pretty row of houses circles the calf in these top-down socks knit in three colors of fingering weight/sock yarn. If you've never done colorwork before, the Rowhouse Socks are a great project for getting your feet wet (sorry about the pun — I couldn't resist!). The colorwork pattern is an easy 8-stitch repeat, and you never use more than two colors in any round.

I knit them with yarns hand-dyed by Krista McCurdy of Pigeonroof Studios. The main color is her High Twist Sock (100% superwash merino) in the Picholine colorway. The two contrast colors are her American Sock (also 100% superwash merino), chosen from a mini skein set of six one-of-a-kind naturally dyed colors. Krista's colors are rich and vibrant, really perfect for colorwork knitting.

The pattern's now in my Ravelry pattern store. As always, you can save 20% with my Create Your Own Collection promotion: purchase four individual Blue Peninsula patterns at the same time to automatically receive a 20% discount on all four patterns (no coupon code required).

Thanks very much for reading, and happy sock knitting!

Sneak Peek: Rowhouse Socks

Kitchener stitch — do you love it, or hate it? When I first learned to knit socks, grafting the toes with kitchener stitch made me nervous. Incredibly nervous. I'm not sure why, because if you take your time and follow the steps, it's not difficult. Maybe it was just a big fear of "messing up." 

Anyway, I grafted the toe of a sock yesterday — and it went without a hitch. I have no nervousness whatsoever about kitchener anymore. So if it makes you feel queasy, hang in there! As with many things in life, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

The sock in question is my next pattern, the Rowhouse Socks. They're knit in hand-dyed superwash merino by Pigeonroof Studios (the same indie dyer whose gradient set I used for my Purlish Mitts). For this design, I tweaked the little houses from my Rowhouse Hat so they'd work top-down, and jazzed it up a little by using three colors instead of two.

These socks require focused attention at the beginning, but once you're past the colorwork, the knitting is easy. That makes them a great travel project and perfect for taking to knit night or work. They also make good walk-and-knit projects, if you're so inclined. As you can guess from these photos, I love to walk and knit — as long as it's not freezing cold. 

The pattern's written and edited, and the socks are blocked. All that's left is a photo shoot. So they'll be ready for release soon — probably next week!

Indie Design Gift-a-Long: From Neck to Toe

Cowls and socks — it's hard for me to imagine getting through winter without them. I wear both around the house — as well as out and about — nearly every day in cold weather. They're fun to knit, they're warm, and they help me keep my heating bills in check.

Cowls and socks also make thoughtful gifts! So on this last day of the Indie Design Gift-a-Long Sale, I thought I'd highlight some of the cowl and sock designs you can find among my sale patterns. The sale ends at midnight tonight — use the coupon code giftalong2017 for a 25% discount on these and other patterns.

Clockwise from top left: Cordulia, knit in Foxhill Farm Cormo DK; Calliopsis, knit in two colors of The Fibre Co. Meadow; and Singing Beach, knit in Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors II.

Clockwise from top left: Tortoise Shells, knit in Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere; Couplet, knit in Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors Sock 75/25; and Plumtree, knit in Luna Grey Fiber Arts Altair.

Are you making any projects for the Gift-a-Long? I've cast on the Hermia Hat by Sarah Jordan (see my last post). I'm not sure if it's a gift or for me, though — that's TBD! 

I'd love to know what you're making — please leave a comment, with a link to your project(s) or the pattern(s). It's always nice to be introduced to new designers and patterns.

Though the Gift-a-Long Sale ends at midnight tonight, the GAL continues through December 31. There are threads in the forum for every category, with lots of chatting and, of course, games and prizes. Hope to see you there!

Indie Design Gift-a-Long: Hats

A five-day weekend means I have plenty of time to browse the patterns in the Indie Design Gift-a-Long on Ravelry. So much to ooh and aah over! So many great choices! I find I'm especially drawn to hats — they make great gifts for kids, women, and men, and they're quick and easy to knit. 

Here are a few that have caught my eye so far:

Hermia, by Sarah Jordan. This one has already landed in my Ravelry library — I purchased it as soon as the sale began. I love the simplicity of the design and how it makes such elegant use of twisted stitches. It's perfect for those special skeins of sock yarn in my stash. (And if you like fingerless mitts, check out the matching Hermia Mitts, also on sale!)

Leah B. Thibault's Woodland Hat would be a thoughtful gift for nature lovers or hikers on your gift list. It's knit in two colors of sportweight yarn, with several sizes ranging from child to adult large. Even better — there are matching mittens (also on sale)! 

Another great colorwork hat is Jennifer Dassau's Bubble Tea. Isn't it fun? Such an original design, and one that will look good in pretty much any color combination. Plus, it's worked in worsted weight yarn, so the knitting will go fast.

The GAL definitely includes more knitting than crochet patterns, but crocheters are by no means left out. Crochet queen Sara Delaney's slouchy Sweet Clementine beret features spiraling bobbles and crisp ribbing on the brim. It's a great stash-busting project because you can make it in fingering, sport, or DK weight yarn.

Another design with great texture is Amy van de Laar's Beeswax Hat. I love everything about this close-fitting toque, from the color to the clever mini cables. Another plus — the pattern gives instructions for working them without a cable needle. If you like the hat, you might fall equally hard for the matching cowl, mitts, and scarf.

Lastly, for the men on your gift-knitting list: I Can't Control My Brain, by the endlessly inventive Barbara Benson. Knit in sport weight Stitch Sprouts Yellowstone, this unisex hat has a super deep brim to keep ears toasty warm. Best of all, it's perfect for all of us Ramones fans.

These and other gift-worthy designs by independent designers are on sale for 25% off through November 28 with the coupon code giftalong 2017. After the sale ends, the GAL continues through December 31 with lots of games, prizes, and general knit and crochet merriment.

Are you making any hats for holiday gifts? Please share your favorite patterns in the comments!

LINKS
Indie Design Gift-a-Long
My GAL Sale Patterns

New Pattern: Mount Pollux Pullover

Sweater weather is finally here! There's been a delicious crispness in the air in recent days, and I'm so excited to finally break out my hand-knit cowls, fingerless mitts, hats, shawls, and sweaters. As I type this, I'm wearing a brand-new sweater design, just released on Ravelry: the Mount Pollux pullover.

This roomy tunic-length pullover is named after the Mount Pollux Conservation Area in Amherst, Massachusetts, where the photos were taken. It's designed with a comfy, relaxed fit (shown here modeled with about 10 inches/25 cm positive ease).

To celebrate its release, I'm having an introductory sale: through Sunday, November 19, save 25% on Mount Pollux in my Ravelry store with the coupon code MTPOLLUX25.

Mount Pollux is worked mostly seamlessly. After the split hems are worked flat and joined on a circular needle, the body is worked in the round to the armholes. The upper front and back are worked separately and the shoulders are seamed. Stitches for the sleeves are picked up around the armholes and the sleeves are worked from the top down in the round. I love this method of knitting sleeves because you can try them on as you go to get exactly the length you prefer.

Knit in worsted weight yarn, Mount Pollux features a satisfying mix of knit-purl textures, garter stitch, and lace. For the sample, I used Quince & Co. Owl, a wool/alpaca blend. This was my first time knitting with Owl, and I fell in love with its softness and lovely halo. It knitted up effortlessly into a sweater that's incredibly warm — perfect for chilly winter days ahead.

I loved knitting this sweater — it was one of my favorite projects of 2017. And I love wearing it even more. I hope you enjoy it, too. Thanks very much for reading!

Sneak Peek: Mount Pollux Pullover

I'm excited to be putting finishing touches on the pattern for my Rhinebeck sweater! Just a few more photos to edit and final tweaks to the text and it will be ready. It's called Mount Pollux, after the conservation area in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I shot the photos.

With this design, I'm bucking the "rule" that lace is for spring and summer. The sweater combines a lace stitch that's dense rather than open and airy with contrasting knit-purl textures and garter stitch accents. Worked in wool/alpaca worsted weight yarn (I used Quince & Co. Owl), Mount Pollux will keep you warm and cozy all winter.

This sweater is meant to be worn with a good amount of positive ease, for a relaxed, oversized fit. On my sister Betsey, who modeled, the sweater had a lot of ease (about 10 inches). On me, it's more fitted yet still relaxed, with about 6 inches of ease — just the look I was hoping for.

I look forward to releasing the pattern next week. If you don't already subscribe to my email list, now's a good time to sign up — there will be a special coupon code in the next one.

New Pattern: Ischnura Shawl

Ischnura, a lace-and-garter stitch crescent shawl, is now available on Ravelry. Knit in bulky weight wool, it's a warm and cozy accessory for the winter months ahead. Now through Sunday, it's 25% off with the coupon code SHAWL25.

Named after a genus of damselflies, Ischnura is the third and final lace accessory in my Dragonfly Days collection (the others are the Enallagma shawl and Cordulia cowl). The three patterns may be purchased individually, or in a combined ebook for just $12.

Ischnura is knit with three skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Quarry, a bulky weight wool with beautiful stitch definition and a very high "squish" factor. The blocked shawl has a wingspan of 72 inches, so it's long enough to wrap around your shoulders and stay warm on even the coldest winter day. 

The knitting begins with a pretty lace-and-cable stitch pattern that produces a gently scalloped edge. Following the lace, short rows are worked in garter stitch to shape the shawl. The pattern provides full, step-by-step instructions for the short rows. And the lace stitch is provided in both a chart and written, line-by-line instructions — so whichever you prefer, you're covered.

Ischnura would be a great pattern to make for the Free Fall KAL in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group (and a beautiful holiday gift, also!). The KAL continues through November 15, so there's still plenty of time to cast on. One of the prizes is a shawl pin from Ideas in Wood, like the one shown in the photo below. Join the KAL and see what everyone's making here.

This was my first time designing with Quarry — and now that I've seen how well it works for cables and lace, it may not be my last. I enjoyed every moment of knitting this shawl, and I hope you like it as much as I do.

Thank you very much for reading!

Sneak Peek: Ischnura Shawl

We're finally getting some fall color here in western Massachusetts. What a warm and late fall it's been! I got some lovely shots of Ischnura, my upcoming shawl, along the Norwottuck bike trail this morning. It brought back memories of the day last summer when I took photos of the Enallagma Shawl, the first design in my Dragonfly Days collection.

Then, it was warm and humid, and there was lots of Queen Anne's Lace and purple loosestrife by the fences on the trail. Today — red, yellow, and orange leaves, and cattails bursting. A completely different, but equally beautiful scene.

The pattern will be ready to publish just as soon as I edit all the photos and finalize the layout — probably later this week. 

In the meantime, here's just one of my Rhinebeck photos. It was bright and very warm at Rhinebeck on Saturday. I managed to wear my wool/alpaca sweater until lunch — then off it came. Because of the heat, there weren't nearly as many gorgeous knits to see, but still — better sunshine than rain, right? Once again, being there reminded me what a friendly and inspiring community the fiber world is. It was so much fun seeing all the beautiful sheep, goats, and alpacas, perusing yarns and spinning fiber (many from small farms), and meeting knitters and other designers. Can't wait till next year!

Countdown to Rhinebeck

The recent warm weather here in New England has been nice, but it also makes me a little nervous — is it global warming, or just an unusually warm fall? I hope these unseasonably high temperatures don't continue through the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, coming up October 21-22. If it's hot, no one will want to wear their Rhinebeck sweaters or shawls!

I'm so looking forward to Rhinebeck — seeing (and petting and hearing) lots of pretty sheep and goats. And — of course — checking out everybody's gorgeous knitwear. Maybe if all of us knitters wish for crisp, cool, and bright weather, we can make it happen. Let's try!

I'm working like mad on my Rhinebeck sweater and am optimistic it will be finished in time. The pattern won't be published until November, but I can share a few details now: it's a casual women's pullover, with modified drop shoulders, knit in worsted weight yarn (I'm using Quince & Co. Owl, a wool/alpaca blend). It's worked in the round from the bottom up and the only seaming is at the shoulders (or, if you hate seaming, use a three-needle bind-off instead). More details soon!

The other new design I'm working on is the third and final accessory for my Dragonfly Days collection (the first two were the Enallagma Shawl and the Cordulia Cowl). This time around, I've mixed in some cables with the dragonfly lace, to create a crescent-shaped shawl. Worked in bulky weight yarn — Brooklyn Tweed's Quarry — it will be super warm and cozy, perfect for chilly winter days.

In other news: My Chili Pepper Cardigan from the fall 2017 Knitscene is now available as an instant download from Interweave. Did you know my patterns in the Interweave family of publications are available as digital downloads? I participate in the Designer's Choice program, which means my patterns appear both in the magazines and in the Interweave online store. It's a nice program both for knitters and designers — knitters can purchase individual patterns long after the print magazine is no longer on store shelves, and designers receive royalties for those digital sales.

To find my patterns at Interweave, just type the pattern name in the search box. Or, use these direct links:

Chili Pepper Cardigan
Mathews Street Vest
Firehouse Alley Cowl
Drafter's Cardigan
Nested Knots Hat
Stagger Cowl
Morgantown Hat

Are you going to Rhinebeck this year? If you're working on a Rhinebeck sweater, I hope it's going well and you finish with plenty of time to spare!

Throwback Thursday: Meadow Road Pullover

For those of us working on Rhinebeck sweaters, the recent heat wave here in Massachusetts seemed just a little cruel. But — hurray — it's over and more typical New England fall weather is at hand! So I thought this month's Throwback Thursday post really ought to be about a sweater — because what is fall for us knitters if not sweater season?

First published in fall 2014, Meadow Road is one of my most popular sweater designs. Knit in the round from the bottom up, it features a crisp lace-and-twisted-stitch motif on front and back. With a comfortable A-line shape, it can be worn with lots of positive ease or just a little — whichever you prefer. On the model, the sample was worn with about 4.5 inches of positive ease, but many knitters have opted for a more fitted look with great success.

Meadow Road's wide neckline is finished off with a simple edging of reversed stockinette; the long gathered sleeves, which are knit top down, in the round, have the same edging. The sleeves, by the way, are easily modified. Several knitters have opted instead for ribbing or for 3/4-length sleeves. See the project pages for finished Meadow Roads on Ravelry to get some great ideas!

I knit up the sample in Stitch Sprouts Yellowstone, a smooth, very soft sportweight wool/silk blend. Its crisp stitch definition and lovely drape made it the ideal choice for this pattern.

Now through Sunday, October 1, you can save $1.50 off Meadow Road with the coupon code MEADOW in my Ravelry pattern store. Visit the pattern page or use this link to purchase the pattern with the discount already in your cart. Thanks very much for reading!