autumn animals

Another preview of my new design, this time showing all the little friends. The pattern includes instructions for 6 animals: mouse, squirrel, fox, hare, hedgehog, and otter. They all have the same body, but different heads/ears/tails to make each animal. The pattern also includes instructions for the hat and scarf. I'm hoping we can get it ready by the end of the week, so you haven't long to wait!

For photos of each animal, you can check my Flickr page.

lev's hat pattern

Here is a new free pattern for you! A simple hat for the Autumn, which you can knit up in a day, or a couple of evenings. I made this to fit Lev, who is almost 2, but because of the shape it should fit ages 1-3 (more or less, depending on the child's head circumference). 

I knit Lev's from Knitpick's Simply Cotton worsted, in Marshmallow and Ginger. This hat used exactly 50 g* or about 80 yards. Whichever yarn you use, you will want at least 100 yards total. Please let me know in the comments if you want any more details.

Now, here are the instructions:

Lev’s hat

Materials
50 g of worsted weight yarn in colour A, 50 g of worsted weight yarn in colour B*, 4.5 mm (US size 7) dpns or circular needle, 5 mm (US size 8) dpns or circular needle, row counter, tapestry needle

*The hat uses slightly less than 25 g of A, and slightly more than 25 g of B.

Gauge
4.5 sts per inch

Size
To fit head 17-19” in circumference.

CO 72 sts with A, distributing sts evenly depending on needles you are using.
Join in the round.
Row 1-6: work in st st.
Row 7: [k9, m1] x 8. (80 sts)
Change to 5 mm needles.
Continue in st st, following stripe pattern:

Row 8-10: A
Row 11: B
Row 12-14: A
Row 15: B
Row 16-17: A
Row 18: B
Row 19: A
Row 20-21: B
Row 22: A
Row 23-25: B
Row 26: A
Row 27-30: B
Row 31: A
Row 32-36: B
Row 37: A
Finish hat in B. Work in st st until hat measures 6 1/2” from CO edge.
Shape Crown
Row 1: [k3, k2tog] x 16. (64 sts)
Row 2: K 1 row.
Row 3: [k2, k2tog] x 16. (48 sts)
Row 4: K 1 row.
Row 5: [k1, k2tog] x 16. (32 sts)
Row 6: K 1 row.
Row 7: [k2tog] x 16. (16 sts)
Row 8: K 1 row.
Row 9: [k2tog] x 8. (8 sts)
Cut yarn, thread end through sts, and pull tight to gather. You may want to run the yarn end through these sts a second time to make it more secure. Weave in yarn ends. Embellish with buttons, pom-pom, or tassel if you like.

Abbreviations
[ ] x N = repeat sequence in brackets N times
CO = cast on
K or k = knit
k2tog = decrease 1 by knitting 2 together
m1 = increase 1 by picking up loop between stitch just worked and next stitch, and knit into the back of this loop
st st = stockinette stitch

recent fo's

Some recent, and not so recent, finished knits (a bunch of these links are to my Ravelry projects, so you can read the details there. If you don't have a Ravelry account, why not?)

This modification of Citron was finished a few weeks ago, but I haven't found time to block it yet. Once I find something to actually wear it with, perhaps I'll finally do that step and get some better photos.

This lacy scarf is knit from some Noro Sekku yarn I picked up on an impulse during my vacation to BC. I love the summery colours of it. I'm glad it's cooling off here so I can wear this now.

This little vest I knit for my newest nephew. It's in Knitpicks Simply Cotton Worsted, and I had no trouble getting gauge with this yarn. It's my second time knitting this pattern, and I really like it.

If you follow me on Facebook, this is the hat I was talking about knitting for Lev. I have the instructions finished, but I need help getting photos of it on him for the published pattern. The longest he's left it on his head is about 10 seconds.

And finally, here is a little preview of the new pattern I'm releasing soon!

fun for Autumn

Hello to all my dedicated readers out there. I'm so sorry for the long absence. I've been under the weather for a while (why do so many people get sick at the end of summer?) and it hasn't been helped by a heat wave in Montreal this week. Let's all hope that both will pass very soon!

I have got a bit of knitting done, which might lead to a fun new pattern for Autumn. I'm hoping to get it ready just when knitters (in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway) are starting to think about getting out the wool, and making a start on holiday gifts. No more hints for now, though, as it still needs some work before I can show it to you.

I've also been thinking of another Knit-along on Ravlery, with some sort of Autumn or Halloween theme. The summer KAL was fun, but most people were too busy to participate. Maybe cooler weather and a more specific goal will help?

There have been a couple of other exciting developments, which I've been itching to share. Let's all hope I can do that soon!

To end on a cute note, here's some evidence that our little Baby Mitten is not a baby any more! He's grown and changed a lot over the summer - we really need to get more videos of him!


20100821: Big Boy Bed from Konstantin Ryabitsev on Vimeo.

alpaca pattern winner

Thanks so much to everyone who left a comment for the giveaway! It was rather fun reading how much everyone loves alpacas. I haven't had much real-life exposure to them, but my friend's enthusiasm was enough to inspire me to design one.

The winner, chosen by a random number generator, is Melerie:

I love these photos. Love Angela Alpaca's hair - her most endearing feature. I just started to work with Alpaca wool and I love it. I'm a big softie so of course all wool I choose has to be soft, and this was surprisingly easy to work with. I think I would make it for my friend Angela. I know you named her after your friend so it seems fitting I would make one for mine...

Congratulations! I think I even still have your email, so I'll be sending a copy of the pattern to you as soon as I'm done here.

For those of you who might still like the pattern, it is available on Etsy and Ravelry. I can't wait to see other knitter's alpacas turning up on Ravelry!

test-knit alpaca

Thank you so much for all your kind comments about the new pattern! I hope all of you who bought a pattern already enjoy knitting your own alpacas.

I thought I would share with you the alpaca made by my test-knitter, ilovewool. You can see here she's wearing a lovely lacy dress while enjoying the summer flowers. While the dress can be knit in one colour, Maria chose to knit it in two (the pattern has instructions for both).

Here she is hanging out by a pool in her tankini. While Maria did knit a bikini top following the pattern, she also tried out her own version by adding some length to the bikini top. Perhaps if you ask her nicely on Ravelry, she will share how she modified the pattern.

And as a treat for all of you who continue to read my blog, even when I'm so busy, I'm giving away a free copy of the Alpaca pattern. Please leave a comment here (not on Facebook) telling me why you think alpacas are cute, or who you would knit one for. I'll choose a winner on Monday morning (Aug 9). As usual, please leave an email address, or check back here to see if you've won.

Happy weekend, everyone!

alpaca pattern is ready!

Finally! Finally the Alpaca pattern is done and ready for you. We're very sorry for the delay, but there is still a little bit of summer left for your alpaca toys to enjoy (if you get knitting right fast)! Although, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, I guess you have plenty of time.

So here are a few details about the pattern. Like most of my toy patterns, this one is knit flat and seamed (although you could try to knit it in the round). The knitting techniques include knit, purl, several increases and decreases, and simple lace. You also need to make the hair, but that's pretty easy (there are diagrams in the pattern). The toy is made from worsted weight yarn, and the clothes from fingering weight. Because of the long neck, this toy is 9" tall, a bit bigger than my usual toys (but the other small clothes will still fit her).

You can find the pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, and Lulu*. If it's sold out on Etsy, I'll try to add more copies as soon as I can. Thanks so much for all your patience, and I hope you enjoy this new toy!

* The pattern costs more on Lulu because their fees are much higher than the other two sites. I will soon change all the pattern prices there, although the books will remain the same price at all my shops.  My hope is that Ravelry will make my shop public, so I can stop using Lulu for PDF sales.