Spring Knitting - Free Pattern

It's coming up on one of my favorite holidays here, St. Patrick's Day.  There's a long darn time between Valentine's Day and Easter, and I appreciate any excuse for folks to get together and smile.  And that this year it's only 9 days after Mardi Gras?  Well, that's outstanding!  (Of course, there are still 30 days until Easter after St. Pat's, but I'm sure we'll come up with something to do!)

Scanning through some favorite patterns, I came across this one from Knitty 2006.   It's the Cambio Sweater by Libby Baker, and I think it's cute as a button.  I'm thinking of knitting it in a soft green, or an acidic lime green, as a fun addition to the spring wardrobe. 

Other quick knits for the spring include wraps, tanks and tees, and of course my St. Paddy's Mittens (in the menu at right) from last month.  Buffalo is fickle in spring.  I've sunbathed on Easter, and shoveled on Mother's Day, so  tank tops and mittens really are both part of the spring wardrobe here.  It's a little schizophrenic, but it's a knitter's paradise!  (There's no place like home.)

You Should Write a Book, St. Paddy's Mitts

A reader sent me an email: "You should write a book. I'd love a book of yours on my shelf for mittens and blankets.  Are you writing one?"  I get that a lot.  So first off, Thank You!  Because I design so much for customers at the shop, for myself, and for my friends and kids, I have designed and test-knit hundreds of things.  I love seeing other knitter's interpretations of my designs!  Customers come in with their RFO's (recently finished objects) and I can't stop grinning about them expressing themselves with their work. 

So why not?  Trust me, I'm all for it.  I have no idea how to go about it, but since I can't stop designing (I've tried, believe me, but to no avail) it just might happen.  If you're looking for me on the bookshelf now, however, I'm afraid you'll need to wait a while. Visit me here, and I'll visit you back.

St. Paddy's Mitts

The idea was something Irish-looking enough to be great for the parade, but not so cutesy that you can't wear them on all the other cold days.  If you start them now, they can easily be finished by St. Patrick's Day!

Materials: Size 5 needles
Cascade Yarns 220 Worsted Wool, one skein each green, and white

Makes women's size large mittens. For smaller or larger size, decrease or increase needle size respectively.  Finished size 4.25 inches across, 8.5 inches long.

Cast on 60 sts needed. There is no separate cuff on these!  The pattern above makes a whole mitten.  Please note - there is a white stripe up each edge of the mitten, so make sure to count those on the above chart.  I admit, they are not super clearly marked.

This pattern is designed in the round, with an afterthought thumb.  The front and back of each thumb are the same.  The light green lines on the palm of the mitten body represent where to knit with scrap yarn for thumb placement.

Happy knitting!