Black Leaf

Ok....so a lovely lace wrap in alpaca...yes, gorgeous soft alpaca....   And...black.  You got it...knitting lace in black...love it.

Knitting Double

Ok.....so it's been a long time since I've done any double knitting and the skill was just gone.  This is my first attempt back...love it and looking forward to much more.

And the class photo....Wayne is modeling mine.  Loads of fun.

Windowpane Throw Pattern

Ok...new pattern up.

http://olivemermaids.blogspot.com/2010/03/windowpane-throw.html

Running Diamonds Throw

Ok....new pattern available.  Check it out.

Twinleaf

Ok....so I brought three knitting projects with me to the island...three projects I specifically didn't work while home because I was saving them to knit here...three projects which I've done very little on because I bought a pattern and yarn here. Really? Yes, really.

I fell in love with the Twinleaf pattern as soon as I saw it and am now knitting the first of two I purchased yarn for...crazy I know, but it had to be done.  Lovely pattern and beautiful meadow yarn by The Fiber Company.  Supporting local shops don't you know...again.

Deco Columns Throw

Ok....new knitting pattern up.  Loved working on this.  It's huge but knitting very quickly. Check it out!!

Infinite Circles

Ok....you asked for it and here it is....the Reversible Circles of Lace Pattern has been reconfigured to be an infinity scarf....Reversible Circles of Infinity....Enjoy!

Chevron Stripes

Ok, new pattern...check it out.

New Pattern

Ok....third throw of the year complete.  This one is for Sarah in a simple panel lace...pattern is here.  Enjoy!

 

PS....also did this pattern with a silk hankie for a scarf.

 

 

 

Reversible Circles of Russian

Ok....I'm so excited about this and yes you heard it right....my Reversible Circles of Lace pattern has been translated to Russian...thanks to Kate.  You can find the pattern here.  Thanks, Kate for helping out the Russian gals.

Pattern Blogging

Ok....for some reason, the Reversible Circles of Lace pattern has been a big hit and I even saw a blog post about it.  The versions she's made have been lovely.   http://katerynag.blogspot.com/2013/03/reversible-circles-of-lace.html

Also check out Ravelry for all the beautiful shawls made with the pattern.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversible-circles-of-lace/people

 

 

 

 

Contest

Ok....Hey everyone...allfreeknitting.com is having a contest to name this pattern....jump on over to get your title in...they're choosing a winner on May 20th to get some yarn....

Cozy

Ok....so I'm on the throw/afghan/blanket making kick.  At first I thought, "I think I'll make one a month".....well, you know what happened to that idea.  I'm now going to make 6 or 7 this year.  I still think it's pushing it because there are so many other things I want to work on, but there you have it. 

Here is the first....a graduation present for Meghan.  You can find the pattern here from my pattern page.  Was fun to knit and came out beautiful, soft and cozy.  Knit with James C Brett Marble Chunky.  I first saw Reyna using this yarn for charity projects and since I needed to use acrylic for this project, I thought I'd give it a go.  I will be using it for most of this year's throws since they also have to be acrylic.  Also got to shoot it in front of Mum's blooming magnolia...

 

Grading

Ok....so Jan (of Daily Fibers...beautiful hand painted fibers)...has dyed up some gradients, which are so pretty.  I have spun the gray and knitted into a simple repeat lace pattern.  I think it came out lovely. You can get the pattern from this blog (click here or the pattern page link in the upper left corner of the page) or Ravelry enjoy!!

Newest Pattern

Ok.....so I've finally finished the wrap pattern I've been working on.  Hope everyone enjoys it.  Let me know.  I knit my version with gorgeous Icelandic wool from Blackberry Farm (no longer here) that I picked up from last year's Middle Tennessee Fibre Festival.  It's 27" wide x 80" long and perfect for the cool nights coming.  Love it!!!

Michigan Baby Blanket

Ok.....just finished this for a friend.  It turned out ok, not 100% happy, but not completely horrified as I thought I would be.  It's 33" x 35", a pretty good size and the little bear is a Berroco pattern that I love.  You can get the pattern and chart for there Michigan M here.

Arctic Meadow Stole

The stole is worked horizontally to be 22" wide, however  the pattern can also be worked lengthwise with more stitches if you’d like. This version finished a 72" long. The yarn used for this model was a handspun BFL/silk blend....so lovely...very soft and comfortable.  This particular yarn produced a beautiful stripe, but a solid colour would be equally pretty.

Experience Level: Intermediate 

Materials:  

-1000 yds Fingering Weight Yarn - Handspun yarn was used for model 
- US 5 (3.75 mm needles)

 5.75 sts = 1” blocked

Abbreviations: 
K: knit 
P: purl
K2tog: knit 2 sts together 
RS: right side (only to keep track of your rows)
SK2P: slip 1 st knitwise to the right-hand needle, k2tog, pass the slipped st over the knit sts. 

SSK: slip two stitches, then knit together
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side (only to keep track of your rows)

WYIB: with yarn in back

WYIF: with yarn in front
YO: yarn over (note: there are 3 yarn overs in a row to create the circle)

Pattern Stitch: (multiple of 8 + 3)

NOTE: slip first st of each row wyif purlwise on RS and wyib knitwise on WS

Row 1 (WS) and all odd numbered rows: slip one st knitwise wyib, purl across

Row 2 (RS): sl1, K1 *YO, SSK, K3, K2tog, YO, K1; repeat from * to one st from end, K1
Row 4:  sl1, K1 *K1, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K2; repeat from * to one st from end, K1
Row 6:  sl1, P1, *K2, YO, SK2P, YO, K2, P1; repeat from * to one st from end, K1
Row 8, 10, 12, 14, 16:  sl1, P1, *SSK, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, K2tog, P1; repeat from * to one st from end, K1

Instructions: 

Cast on 83 sts
Work in pattern stitch to desired length (or width if making lengthwise).

Purl one row.

Bind off loosely. 

Block and enjoy!

Windowpane Throw

This throw is large, bulky and soft and can be made any size. The model is 50" x 60" knit with Juniper Moon Farm Yearling…big, fluffy and soft. This yarn is now discontinued, but there are many lovely bulky yarns out there to knit this with.  The pattern has a small garter end and maintains a 3 stitch garter edge throughout.

Experience Level: Easy
Materials: - 1200 yds Bulky Weight Yarn (You can vary this based on the size you want to make.
- US 11 Needle

Abbreviations:

BO: bind off
CO: cast on
k: knit
LT: left twist - place one stitch on cable needle and hold in front of work.  Knit one stitch from left hand needle, then knit the stitch from your cable needle.
p: purl
RS: right side
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side

Pattern Stitch:
Row 1 (RS): K3, LT, k28, LT, (k30, LT) twice, k28, LT, k3
Row 2 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 sts, K3.
Repeat rows 1 and 2, 19 times more.
Row 3: Repeat row 1
Row 4: K3, p2, k28, (p2, k30) twice, p2, k28, p2, k3.  
Row 5: Repeat row 1
Row 6:   Repeat row 4
Repeat rows 1 and 2, 9 more times
Repeat rows 3 - 6.

Instructions:
CO 132 sts. Knit 4 rows. Work in pattern stitch to desired length ending with row 3. Knit 3 rows. Bind off loosely.

Running Diamonds Throw

The next throw for 2014 is a pretty good size at 64" x 70".  Very soft with James Brett Chunky yarn (once again I'm using this yarn because I need washable for a gift and this is perfect.)  The pattern is made with a 16 stitch ( plus 1) and 18 row repeats so can be adjusted to a larger or smaller size.  All my patterns work well for baby blankets as well.  Make a swatch to see what the pattern looks like with the yarn and needles you've decided on.  This, as well as any of the other throws can be easily adjusted.

Experience Level:  Intermediate
Materials:  -1365 yds Bulky Weight Yarn (you can very this based on the size you want to make.  This will also change if you're using a different weight of yarn with the pattern stitch.)
                    -US 10 1/2 (will very if different weight yarn is used.)

Abbreviations:
k: knit
p: purl
RS: right side
SSK:  slip one stitch knitwise, slip a second stitch knitwise, pass slipped stitches back to left needle, knit through the back loops.  Single decrease.
SK2P: slip 1 stitch from left needle to right, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch back over knitted stitches.  Double decrease.
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
yo: yarn over

Pattern Stitch:
Row 1(RS): K3, *p1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, ssk*; repeat to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Row 2 (WS) and all even numbered rows:  K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 3: K3, *p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, ssk*; repeat to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Row 5: K3, *p1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k7, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk*; repeat to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Row 7: K3, (k2tog, yo) twice, *k9, yo, k2tog, yo, sk2p, yo,k2tog,yo*; repeat to last 16 sts then k9, (yo, k2tog)twice, k3.

Row 9: K3, *k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, ssk, p1, k2tog, k3, yo,k2tog, yo*: repeat to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 11: K3, *k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, ssk, p1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k1*; repeat to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 13: K3, *k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, ssk, p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2*; repeat to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 15: K3, *k4, (yo, ssk) twice, p1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k3*; repeat to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 17: K3, *k5, yo,k2tog, yo, sk2p, yo,k2tog, yo, k4*; repeat to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 18: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Pattern:

Cast on 183 stitches.

Knit 4 rows.

Repeat pattern stitch to desired length ending with row 17.  Knit 3 rows then bind off.

Enjoy!!!

Deco Columns Thow

This throw is large and soft and can be made any size to suit with a flexible 6 row repeat. The model is 50" x 62" knit with James Brett Marble Chunky…big, fluffy and soft..

Experience Level: Easy
Materials: - 1500 - 1700 yds Bulky Weight Yarn (You can vary this based on the size you want to make.
- US 10 1/2 (11 can be used for a bit loser knit)

Abbreviations:

BO: bind off

CO: cast on

k: knit 

M1: make one.  Knit one stitch from the row below to increase.
p: purl

RS: right side

sp2p: slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in back to the right-hand needle; bring yarn forward to purl 2 together; pass slipped stitch over 2 stitches purled together. 
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
 

Pattern Stitch: (multiple of 15+ 8)

Row 1 (RS): K3, p2 *m1, k3, p2, sp2p, p2, k3, m1, p2*; repeat between ** to last three sts, k3.

Row 2 (WS): (k5, p4)2x, *k2, p4, k5, p4*; repeat between ** to last 5 sts, k5.

Row 3:  K3, p2, *m1, k4, p1, sp2p, p1, k4, m1, p2*; repeat between** to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 4: K5, p5, k3, p5 *k2, p5, k3, p5*; repeat between ** to last 5 sts, k5.

Row 5:  K3, p2, *m1, k5, sp2p, k5, m1, p2*; repeat between ** to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 6:  K5, p6, k1, p6, *k2, p6, k1, p6*; repeat between ** to last 5 sts, k5.

Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern.

Instructions:

CO 188 sts. Knit 4 rows. Work in pattern stitch to desired length ending with row 5. Knit 3 rows. Bind off loosely (RS).