Knitting

Just in time for some last minute holiday knitting.  A deeply ribbed slouchy hat with a snappy fair isle pattern, topped with a dashing dotted pom-pom.  Available now in my Ravelry Shop.

The first half is quick and mindless knitting, a perfect take along project. The colorwork requires a little more attention but by then you’ll welcome the challenge.

My dear darlings Sophie and  Leelee modeled for the photoshoot. Here they are on the ice at the pond.

Inspired by the classic toques of Quebec, Muckle Toque is worked in the round from the bottom up beginning with a deep 1×1 rib for a folded brim followed by a bit of stockinette stitch and a stranded colorwork pattern.

The sizing is very forgiving and will fit many different heads. You’ll notice that I’ve made it in different weights of yarn, Dale of Norway Heilo (pictured), which some say is sport weight but in my opinion it’s more of a DK…and a worsted weight Stonehedge Shepard’s Worsted. Both are lovely hats. The one made with DK is a little…ummm…squishier…the worsted weight one a little …denser… but they share the same gauge. The wonder and mystery of knitting! What it means: you can attack that stash!

 

In the pattern I’ve included photos of how I make a Giant Spotty Dotty Pom pom.

More information and pictures of the light blue worsted weight sample on Ravelry.

In the middle of the holiday season I’m often compelled to make new things. It will be 9 at night and I’ll think…I just need to knit a little gift. I usually rely on old favorites this time of year, my wee stable of quick knits.

Here’s a list of 5 of my favorite tried and true things.

 

The quickest cutest hat of all! Susan B Anderson’s Acorn Hat.

Made with super bulky yarn, you’ll only need an evening to whip one up.

Sized for newborns all the way up to adults.

 

 

Melyinda Bernardi’s French Press Felted Slippers. I just had to include these, they aren’t just my favorites, there are over  6  1/2  THOUSAND of them on Ravelry. My daughter loves to make them and can complete the knitting in about two hours. Admittedly the sewing can be a little fussy, so set aside more time for that, but isn’t sewing near the top of our wanna-do crafty pursuits?

 

How about a last minute gift for yourself… got a few yards of some luxury yarn lying around that you never knew what to do with? Knit it into jewelry that you can wear to the holiday parties! Try design genius Olga Buraya-Kefelian’s Cable Braided Necklace.

 

My own Instant Mittens. Stash busters! Made with bulky yarn or two strands of random yarn that add up to bulky, or close to it – I really like to add a strand of mohair.  I decorate these all kinds of different ways, but the plain ones are pleasing too  AND SO FAST AND EASY TO KNIT!

 

Ok we don’t have to make ALL our gifts. Take a peek at  Fringe Supply Co.’s carefully curated selection of “nice things for makers”.

I saw the Bento Bag in person when proprietress Karen was in my class, it is irresistible so I’m ordering several so you better get cracking because things sell out fast here folks!

What about you? What are your go-to gifts for the holidays?

In French, bucheron means “wood cutter” or “lumberjack”.  My Bucheron Mitts are in the Winter 2014  issue of Interweave Knits which should be on the newsstands now.

I was delighted to find they are the lead project for the “Out by the Woodpile” story with a stunning double page spread…where the model is actually handling wood. Yay! The colors were inspired by the brown of Carharts and the red of old barns accented with the ocher of winter-faded grass.

I designed the mitts to be sturdy enough to really use while stacking wood, thick enough to repel splinters, but with fingers free. Let me tell you, I wish I had them now because it is wood stacking time again here in Maine. The yarn is Harrisville’s new Watershed line which is heathery, beautiful and strong – perfect. Yet Bucheron are pretty enough for a weekend in the city. Again, I wish I had them so I could wear them to A Gathering of Stitches in Portland Maine, where I’m teaching this coming Saturday November 23rd. I will bring the magazine along though!

Those of you who know me know that there is a lot of time and talk devoted to wood around my house. We cut it, split it, stack it and burn it for winter fuel. Each one of us has our own idea about the proper way of doing things. We are not alone in this obsession – last year Norway broadcast a 12 hour long television show devoted to burning wood. Four hours dedicated to chopping, splitting and stacking offering many differing opinions. The final 8 hours are left for live action wood burning. EXCITING! (link: Norway’s National Firewood Night)

Here’s Sophie in front of one of our woodpiles, wearing a family favorite – Cabled Chullo.

What about your family – any wood obsessions?

A Gathering of Stitches
54 Cove Street
East Bayside
Portland, Maine 04101
207 747 5015

Two Color Knitting – Let’s Begin 9:30 – 12:30
Scandinavian Colorwork 2:00 – 5:00