Behold...her beautiful geometric cowl!

This rainbow version is making me smile! And that braid looks fantabulous :)

Image Credit: starsoup via Ravelry

Cerulean

Emerald

Images via Jenny Durham on Pinterest

This year's YarnCon event is a little different. A new venue, a new time-of-year (spring instead of fall), and it's also now a 2-day event instead of one.

via The Wool DispensaryYarnCon kicks off tomorrow at 11am.

YarnCon 2013 Details:

April 6 & 7, 2013

Saturday 11-7, Sunday 11-4

Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Hall

1340 W Washington St., Chicago, Illinois 60607

Oh, and the first several attendees are getting a lovely goody bag, so make sure you show up early!

It's only March 4th and people have already finished some of their projects! So fast!

Join in on the KAL fun!

The border is constructed with an open texture that resembles a diagonal basket weave while the interior of the piece is stockinette.

The Juliette Scarf is one of my most recent patterns available through yarn shops, published by Swans Island.

One skein of Swans Island Lace yarn and a bit of easy-peasy lace gets the job done!

Here are a few of my favorite combinations.

Ahoy! - Natural, Rain & Autumn Rust

Earthy colors inspired by this knitted pillow: Chocolate, Sweet Plum & Natural

Source: etsy.com via Alex on Pinterest

 

High contrast is found in Chocolate, Autumn Rust & Natural

 

Source: net-a-porter.com via Breean on Pinterest

 

 

Simple and lovely, using pastels: Rain, Wild Rye and Natural

 

Source: ravelry.com via Breean on Pinterest

 

 

Preppy with Punch: Autumn Rust, Denim Dusk & Rain

 

Source: classachusetts.tumblr.com via Chrissy on Pinterest

 

Classic- wear with everything: Natural, Chocolate, Black

Source: lorilynn15.tumblr.com via Breean on Pinterest

 

Which is your favorite?

Sometimes you just want to snuggle up in a big blanket.

On a blustery day. At the office. In a chilly cafe or movie theatre.

Unless you tote a snuggy around with you at all times (and I hope you don't) then you're left with the normal scarf or jacket to keep you warm.

Here's my solution: the Scalar Shawl

It's fashionable and functional. It looks great with a sweater, a jacket or a winter coat. And it can be worn in multiple ways (see photos).

The best thing about this shawl? It could not be simpler to knit. Garter stitch. Big needles. It's quick and satisfying!

And, like most of my patterns, there are a few variations to appeal to a wide array of knitters.

Depending on color choices, the piece takes on a very different vibe.

Using 3 similar colors - check out the brown example - the piece has a gradient effect.

Using 3 contrasting colors, the piece ends up with solid color blocks and marled color blocks.

The Scalar Shawl is currently available for purchase ($5) via Doodlebug Yarn.

Yes, I totally did it again. I wrote the pattern for another one of those irresistably slouchy, squishy hats that you'll want to knit 20 of and wear all winter long.

Enter: GRASSHOPPER HAT

Ribbed brim + slouchy garter stitch + pretty, pretty decreases = Grasshopper Hat.

Knit one for yourself. Now. It's selfish knitting month, afterall.

Just one skein of Anzula's Cricket and a few hours of luscious, selfish knitting time, and...

Well, you get the point.

Join the party for $5.

Also available at Knit 1!

When hats are shaped like long tubes, it is sometimes difficult to block the hat decreases so they don't pucker at the top of the hat.

My favorite way to block hats like this is by using a tub of protein whey, like the one pictured below. I borrow one of these tubs (barrels?) from my boyfriend whenever I need to block hat decreases! I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy - but it works!

The key is to block the hat flat until it is about halfway dry. You just want it damp, not wet. That way, it won't stretch the hat out of shape while the decreases relax.

When the hat is halfway dry, place it gently over the inverted tub. Smooth the crown decreases flat and make sure the sides are even across the brim. Make sure you haven't stretched or pulled the hat during this process.

The crown decreases should look like this:

A lot less puckering, right? And the finished product looks like this:

I really like it when knitting patterns are written as recipes, allowing the knitter to easily adapt and change the item as it suits them.

My most recent design is a recipe of sorts. The Geometric Cowl Recipe has several components that you can combine in order to create a unique piece every time you use the pattern.

The possibilities are endless - yarn choice (color-changing, solids, heathers) and color contrast, multicolored or solid ribbing, to braid or no braid, mirrored or continuous colorwork triangles…

I knit the two samples featured above, using the recipe as my guide. The difference is drastic!

Example 1: High Contrast Version

Main Color: Noro Taiyo Sock (color 3 shown)

Contrast Color: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (Antler shown)

Recipe Used:

• 1 Solid Yarn & 1 Color-Changing Yarn
• 2 Color Ribbing
• Double Braid
• Mirrored Colorwork
• Double Braid
• 2 Color Ribbing

Example 2: Subtle Version

Main Color: Brooklyn Tweed LOFT (Truffle Hunt shown)

Contrast Color: Brooklyn Tweed LOFT (Old World shown)

Recipe Used:

• 2 Solid Tweed/Heathered Yarns
• Solid Color Ribbing (MC)
• Garter Ridge (MC)
• Continuous Colorwork
• Garter Ridge (CC)
• Solid Color Ribbing (CC)

Enjoy customizing your own Geometric Cowls – I can’t wait to see the results!

$6.50