Chunky Lacy Cowl Pattern ~ Free!

Chunky Lace Cowl
Yarn: 1 skein Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
Difficulty Level: Easy!
Needle Size: Size US 13 / 9.0 mm circular

This is a fun quick knit, perfect for a smooshy warm gift for someone special (like yourself!). Yes, it’s Lion Brand, not the most luxurious yarn in the world, but oh the colours!!!! You can’t beat them for a punch of pizazz. It’s also nice and soft.

Here’s the link (which hopefully works!). This should bring you to the pdf file:

Chunky Lace Cowl.pdf

You can find the pattern page for this cowl at Ravelry here: Chunky Lace Cowl @ Ravelry

The Ashling Tote Pattern…for Cascade 220 Wool!

Yesterday I said I’d have the pattern for the Cascade 220 Wool version of The Ashling Tote available in the near future. Sometimes things take much longer than you anticipated. This is not one of those times!

I have about 5 prototypes for the Cascade 220 version. Let’s just say that being a perfectionist is a curse.

I had this perfectly adorable pale green sample and I have chosen it as “the one”. I think I might even steal the sample and use it for myself.

The Ashling Tote Pattern for Cascade 220 at Etsy

Ravelry members can purchase it immediately for $7.00 USD here:

Or check it out at Ravelry here: The Ashling Tote Pattern for Cascade 220 at Ravelry

Happy knitting!!

The Ashling Tote Pattern

This is a pattern I’ve been working on for months.  Not straight mind you, but as I could, and as my sanity permitted.

I’m releasing the first version which is specifically for using a very lovely Canadian wool in Briggs & Little Heritage.  This is hands down my most favourite wool for making bags. And it’s incredibly affordable!

I do hope to get the Cascade 200 Wool version ready in the near future.

So here she is, the beloved Canadian version of The Ashling Tote:

This pattern can be purchased as a pdf file in my Etsy shop: The Ashling Tote Pattern at Etsy.

If you are a member at Ravelry, you can check out the pattern page for The Ashling Tote to see more details.

The Ashling Tote at Ravelry
$7.00 USD

quick knits be cowls!

Cowls and scarves are flying off the needles/hooks. All you knitters, I highly recommend whipping these up for presents as they are scrumptious and quick knits. It’s easy to take any interesting stitch, knit in the round, and turn out a mighty fine winter accessory.

These below are for my Etsy shop. I see that green ALWAYS gets the most attention. Well, that and orange. I love them both, but I love green the best!

Cowls and Scarves

Blogging has taken a back seat to working on making things to list on Etsy.  I’ve had to put all personal knitting aside, which was hard at first, but now I’m in my groove.  I’m still knitting and that’s ALL that matters isn’t it? Truth is, I’m loving making these things!

A diamond neckwarmer without the diamonds

This weekend I made this neckwarmer/choker to match a new blouse. I’m amazed at how such a little thing can make you feel a little warmer. I used the Diamond Stitch, which was a bit tricky what with “yfrn”, and yarn forwards with SKP right after (do I slip the yo or the slipped stitch?). After I few false starts, I got it figured out.

It’s a cute little accessory. I admit I haven’t attached buttons yet (don’t have appropriate ones). I sewed it onto me with matching yarn. It’ll fit that much better when it’s overlapped a little with proper little buttons through their little yarn-over holes.

In case anyone is interested in trying the pattern out for yourself, or you’re in the mood to practice your eyelet skills, I’ve posted the pattern at the link below.

Tiffany Choker

Crocheted Mesh Scarf

Update: I’ve added a free pattern for this scarf/wrap here:
Crocheted Mesh Scarf
For Ravelites:

In my travels at Ravelry (which are embarrassingly frequent) I stumbled upon a very chic looking Crocheted Mesh Scarf made by Jen. I had to have one of my very own!! I used her notes as a springboard, and figured it out along the way.

Digging around some old balls of wool, I found a ball of Paton’s Classic Merino in Dark Grey Mix. I wasn’t sure it was a full ball, but I figured there was plenty enough. I crocheted until I ran out of yarn, and at one point I was tempted to unravel it all because it seemed smaller than it should be. Thankfully I didn’t because it turned out to be the perfect size, especially after blocking.

I have now posted the pattern under my Free Patterns tab at the top of this page.

A couple of neck thingys

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their over-the-top kind words about my Drops Asymmetrical Jacket.  You were all so sweet!

I’m sooooo behind on catching up on all your blogs, it’s on my to-do list. I will check out what you’ve all been up to! I’ve been busy enjoying alone time with my hubby while he was on vacation from work.

In our evenings when we watched a show or a movie, I made a lace cowl and scarf.  Crispy fall air was all it took for me to cast on. Another source of inspiration was Jon buying me some nice new fall clothes that I wanted to accessorize. That’s my kind of vacation!

(my “stunned” look!!)

Pattern:  Ridged Lace Cowl
Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Merino DK
Needle:  US 8/5mm
Thoughts:  If I were to make another, I’d cast on less than the 95 sts. Even so, I love it!! I should also note that it’s probably obvious I didn’t block it. I’m too afraid it’ll grow. I know I’ll have to wash it at some point though.

Pattern: Half-Hour Skinny Suede Scarf
Yarn: Lion Brand Lion Suede
Needle: US 15/10mm (pattern calls for 25mm, which I didn’t have)

Drops Design Asymmetrical Jacket

Not a jacket really, more like a sweater. This is the third sweater I ever started. I was neglecting seaming it up until Kelly nudged me to finish it already (she knows I need the prodding), and so I did, and subsequently had it confirmed to me that I indeed have a problem I have never faced before. Hold on.

It’s a known fact that many many women blossom at 40. A year ago this past June I found that to be true. I felt empowered. I felt liberated. I felt more like a woman. I was WOMAN!!

What I didn’t know is that some women blossom at 40….physically!! “The boys” must have had a committee meeting and decided to jump up a cup size. Ya I could probably stand to lose 5lbs, but the weight’s never benefited me there, ever! I don’t mind, and my hubby certainly doesn’t mind, but I DO mind when I make a size small sweater and it won’t close properly.

I remember many years ago I saw Loni Anderson (remember her?) being interviewed and she said that when the women in her family turned 40, they inevitably had to have a breast reduction. I don’t know why, but her words seared themselves into my brain. And here we are.

After fiddling around with the positioning of the buttons, which exaggerated the A-line and made me come close to reseaming and CUTTING the inside seams, I found a solution that worked. I placed the buttons a little further from the edge of where the double moss stitch and stockinette meet, put a very tight t-shirt on as a minimizer, and it helped, at least enough to satisfy me.

Pattern: DROPS Asymmetrical Jacket (worsted weight version)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, colour #2452
Needles: US 8 / 5.0 mm
Minor Modifications: Buttonholes spaced 6cm apart instead of 7cm, and used the one row reinforced method (3 stitches)

the huntress hat or “please don’t shoot me!”

Jon, my hubby, loves to go hunting in the fall. His prey: partridge, or “forest chickens” as I like to call them. This year he wants me to tag along with him. He’s got a little shotgun for me to carry, should I find myself inclined to shoot one them thar critters. I’m not sure how I’d feel about doing that, but I’d like to try it once. I may like it. I may not. I’m just glad he’s not a deer hunter. Most of all, he’s content just to be walking in the woods on a crisp fall day.

So, according to regulations, I must be wearing a neon orange hat. Great. I look like a dork in hats. A little search on Ravelry and I found something that I could try, something that might make me look as dorkyless as possible.

The Huntress Hat
Pattern: Star Crossed Slouchy Beret
Yarn: Briggs & Little Heritage in Hunter Orange
Needles: Size US 10 1/2 / 6.5mm

What a great pattern! It’s very easy and the cable design is very cool. I did it all in one evening, and blocked it the next morning. I love it. I think I could actually wear one of these out in public, but not in this colour of course. I will most definitely be making more of these babies.