tiger lily

Quite unexpectedly, I received a book in the mail last week - Stitch n' Bitch: Superstar Knitting by Debbie Stoller. Inside this book is a secret I've been keeping for about 3 years, and much of that time, I wasn't sure if I would ever get to share it with you. You see, at the very end, on page 344, you will find a pattern by me. Crazy, eh?

You will notice that this is my original Tiger pattern. I was actually asked to submit this pattern for the book (even more crazy). Afterwards, I decided to change the one I sell, so it wouldn't compete with Debbie Stoller's book. I really love the new design, and asked if they would rather have that one, but I guess they decided to stick with the original. It's in good company, for sure, as the whole book is one beautiful pattern after another (I may need another break from knitting toys, after I have a good look at everything in there).

I'm not sure if this is going to change things for me. It still feels a bit unreal, as I did the work so long ago, and the book was released just last week. I suppose I will have to wait and see how many people make it to the very last pattern, and come looking to see what else I've done.

happy halloween!

Brindle Bat wanted to stop by quickly to say, "Happy Halloween!" (she's knit from my Bat pattern - Rav link). I hope you all have a fun and spooky weekend!

Things have been a little quiet around here lately for a few reasons, but I should very soon have more time for thinking up fun and cute ideas for you! Lev is starting preschool next week - 2 days a week at a Montessori school. We hope this will give him the opportunity to socialize with other kids and adults, and learn a little too. It will also give me some much needed time to spend on Fuzzymitten stuff, which has been sadly neglected for too long.

I've missed blogging about knitting and all the other things I do (which you seem to enjoy reading about). I'm going to concentrate on thinking up some fun and useful items to post here leading up to the holiday season. There's at least one tutorial I've been meaning to get to for months...

One thing I can tell you about is a new hat pattern for kids and adults. I've been updating about that over on Facebook and Twitter. I have no photos yet, but it's a fairly simple and cute pattern that works for girls and boys of many ages. It should be ready sometime in November (I just need to get off the computer and actually knit the other 2 sizes).

That's all for now. Thanks for hanging out!

wee woodland wuzzies

The new pattern is now available! In the end, we have called it "Wee Woodland Wuzzies" which is a combination of your suggestions, Mr. Mitten's, and a slip of the tongue by me (I had meant to say "Fuzzies" but the alliteration was just too good). You can purchase it on Ravelry and Etsy, and I will add it to Lulu later today (we're on our way to a birthday party, and I've run out of time this morning).

The pattern includes instructions for 6 woodland animals: a squirrel, a mouse, a hare, a hedgehog, an otter, and a fox. The finished toys are about 3" tall, so they're great for little hands, or as decorations. They are all based on the same body pattern, with different heads/ears/tails. Each toy uses small amounts of worsted weight yarn*, so they are great for any scraps you have left from other projects. The patterns for the hat and scarf are also included, and they use fingering or sport weight yarn (if you don't knit socks, hit up one of your knitting buddies for a bit of left-over yarn).

I hope you enjoy this addition to the Fuzzy Mitten family!

As with any new pattern, there may be a few mistakes I've overlooked. Please let me know if you find anything, so I can make corrections to the pattern. 

*I’ve used worsted yarn for the toys because it is common in Canada and the US. The toys could easily be knit from DK, but you would need to go down a needle size for both the toys and the accessories

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.