sunny start to spring

It’s the equinox, so spring is just around the corner! This being Canada though, I hear we might get some more snow before it’s truly warm. But the sun’s been out, and I got some seeds from West Coast Seeds, so things are moving in the right direction. I’d better get some seedlings going – we’re going to be changing up the back garden this year based on what we learned last year.

tomato and vegetable seeds

New Pattern: Leuty Hat

It’s still chilly and windy on our beach walks, so I worked up a new hat pattern to keep my ears warm – Leuty Hat.

Leuty is a quick worsted weight hat, shown in Malabrigo Rios “Teal Feather”. I love this yarn so, so much. It’s one of my desert island yarns, for sure. The ribbed brim is knit nice and long so it can be folded up, but of course you can shorten the brim to an inch or so if you’d prefer more of a beanie. It would also be great in a cotton blend for a lighter fabric!

The main pattern is an easy knit and purl pattern that creates a pretty diamond effect. Leuty is a great hat project for beginning knitters! The crown decreases are worked over just a few rounds for a gathered top.

The pompom is my favourite part – it’s made out of Drops Air, a very lightweight alpaca blend. I was a bit worried it would come apart when trimmed, but I used sewing thread to tie it up and it seems secure. It’s so soft and light, and doesn’t drag down the top of the hat.

Queue, fave, and buy Leuty Hat on Ravelry!

New Pattern: Lock & Key Cardigan

On the springier side of things, I have a new pattern out with Miss Babs, worked in a beautiful wool/silk blend called Woodbury.

lock and key cardigan knitting pattern

This fingering weight cardigan is worked from the bottom up in one piece, with the body worked flat and the sleeves in the round to the underarms. The yoke is joined for the seamless raglan, and then the button bands are worked vertically. I really like the look of the garter stitch bands, and you only have to pick up one stitch from the body at a time.

lock and key cardigan knitting pattern

The body is hip length, with a larger hip circumference and lots of decreases to the waist.

lock and key cardigan knitting pattern

Queue, fave, and buy Lock & Key Cardigan on Ravelry!


New Pattern: Brooksby

The March issue of Twist Collective is live, and I have a new pullover pattern in it. As always, the magazine is free to read and you definitely should – there are some great articles as well!

brooksby-sweater-pattern-knit

Brooksby is a scoop neck pullover worked in Classic Elite Seedling, a textured cotton that’s perfect for spring. The zigzag pattern is created with one-over-one cables, and the three-quarter length stockinette sleeves feature a bit of a flare!

brooksby-sweater-pattern-knit

The body and sleeves are worked in the round to the underarms then back and forth, so the only seams are from setting in the sleeve caps. The neckband is picked up and worked in the round at the end.

You can buy a Brooksby yarn kit from WEBS, with or without the pattern.
Queue and fave Brooksby on Ravelry!

brooksby-sweater-pattern-knit

 

A few of my other favourites from this issue:

rainier-sweater-pattern-knit

Rainier by Linden Down – an easygoing pullover with mirrored back lace panel and split hems.

 

coppice-sweater-pattern-knit

Coppice by the inimitable Fiona Ellis – look at those gorgeous shaping lines!

 

gramercypark-sweater-pattern-knit

Gramercy Park by Patty Lyons – an all-over lace pullover I would wear the heck out of.

 

If you’re interested in purchasing a few patterns from this issue of Twist, consider the March 2018 ebook – all 20 patterns from the issue at a great discount!

All photos by Crissy Jarvis for Twist Collective.

Extreme Cold

Okay it’s not THAT cold compared to basically anywhere else in Canada, but it’s cold for us! And it’s certainly colder and snowier than it was last winter. I’ve been hibernating as usual, and knitting loads of things I can’t share here! But I do want to share a few newer patterns that might help you through this darkest season.

I had a new hat and mitten set published in Knitty – and even made the cover! We took these photos on the beach in the fall and it was COLD. The hot pink yarn from Mrs Crosby really pops against all the grey.

I also released a new version of the Snooker Mitts. Originally worked in worsted weight, the pattern now also includes instructions for fingering weight mitts in 3 sizes. They’re great for indoors in the winter, and under your gloves so you don’t get chilly wrists!

snooker knit mitts

snooker knit mitts

For a bit of colour, I cast on a bulky sweater out of handspun. I don’t have much of a plan but we’ll see how it goes. I have 2 skeins of this colour way from Hello Yarn, and it should get me through the yoke as well as some sleeve/body.

blue green handspun sweater

At the grocery the other day I saw a bouquet marked 50% off that still looked great, so I brought it home and split it into three vases for around the house. I don’t usually buy cut flowers but looking at them makes me happy!

pink yellow green flowers

Stay warm.