What to Knit Holiday 2012 - 3 Hats

ABC Hat

This holiday comes on the heels of the worst natural disaster in US history, leaving more people homeless than hurricanes Irene and Katrina combined.  Our focus on the warm and cozy things wonderful under the tree is ongoing; but if you don't normally knit for loved ones at the holidays, consider knitting this season and donating.  Donate to the needy in your community, or knit for those in the Northeast who are survivors of this historic storm and are left with little or nothing.  Many communities are arranging donation drives through TV and radio stations, religious groups and churches, and local charity networks.  Just a thought.


Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap

The ABC Hat comes from The Blue Blog Patterns, by Allison Hansel.  She asks that her patterns are used only for non-commercial uses.  It's an easy hat, a fast knit, and more importantly, really cute!  If you're knitting for charity, please tag the finished object identifying the fibers involved to help those who may be living with allergies.

The Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap is adorable!  It's a pattern coming from Head Huggers, which is a charity network donating hats to cancer patients.  It's definitely girlie, and has a retro vibe that still works well with today's pared-down fashion with clean lines and a close fit.


Beehive Hat

From the Unfurled blog comes the Beehive Hat.  Designer Holly Klein has created this adorable confection which works equally well for children and adults.  Again, it's a quick and easy knit, and it has a joyful personality that's hard to resist. 



Wolf Pack Hat

If you're a fan of colorwork, the outdoorsy types in your life might fall in love with the Wolf Pack Hat.  Originally published in Canadian Living, Thirteen Mile Farm is credited as the designer of the pattern.  Colorwork hats are much warmer than hats in single colors as a rule, because the fabrics are twice as thick due to the second color of yarn being carried behind the first.  If you live somewhere really cold, consider making this hat in an alpaca or camel blend, which add significant warmth!



We Call Them Pirates

From the incomparable Adrian Bizilla comes the We Call Them Pirates Hat.  It's more colorwork, and for those on your list who love pirates, skeletons and skulls, and things slightly counter-culture, it's a sure-fire hit.  It's one of the most popular hats on Ravelry, and it's adorable. 

Topographie

The last hat I have to offer this year is extremely fun to work.  Originally published in Knitty, Alexandra Tinsley has created a pattern that is dictated by the color changes in a variegated yarn.  Knit in stockinette until the designated color(s) come along, and then purl.  The result is a uniquely textured piece with great style, and appropriate for every member of the family.  It's called Topographie. 

Internet Knitting Info - Where to Look

A while back I wrote a post called "Pattern Hunger" listing where I like to prowl for new patterns when the seasons change.  I listed some of my favorite Internet outlets, and the response was huge.  Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge fan of the LYS, and try to do most of my shopping there.  If I stop, I'm afraid my only local options will become Michael's, and JoAnn Fabrics.  At the LYS I have a community, experts, lessons, and more variety that I can possibly ever knit my way through.  But I can't prowl patterns as quickly as I can on line, and so I prowl on the Internet. 

The Internet can also be lifesaver for techniques and general information.  I assume by now everyone knows I'm a huge fan of Ravelry, so I'll leave that one alone.  Nearly every major manufacturer has a website full of info, patterns, a newsletter, an advice blog, or all of the above.  (Classic Elite, Cascade, Mountain Colors, Holiday Yarns, Kraemer, Berroco, Rowan, are all faves) - if you've heard of them, they have an Internet presence.  The sites usually have a variety of free and paid patterns, an opportunity to sign up for the newsletter (more patterns and info), detailed information about every yarn in the line, and tales of knitting seen through the eyes of the manufacturer and distributor.  This quick reading is great if you don't have a knitting community nearby, or it's 11:20 pm and if you call your friends to talk about yarn, they may stop being your friends. 

I'm also a huge fan of YouTube for knitting lessons.  I know, I never would have thought of it either, but my intrepid assistant, Colleen, filled me in years ago.  (Thanks as always, Coll!) I still peak at videos of techniques I haven't used in a while, whether it's making bobbles, Kitchener stitch, or (gasp!) brioche.  (No, I haven't finished it.  You want to make something of it?)  I also love to see the excerpts of knitting art installations, knits and knitting featured in movies, and interviews with famous designers.

There are also several good online magazines out there for knitting info.  Knitter's Review is authored by knitting expert and book author Clara Parkes, and she reviews everything to do with knitting.  With 11 years of archives, you'll likely find a review of anything you need.

Knitty is an online only magazine, with an entire community associated with it.  Beautiful patterns (free), great articles, and a helpful community are just a click away.

Twist Collective has articles about knitting history, current knitting issues, an advice column, and of course, patterns.  (These patterns are not free - you click on the title and the pricing info comes up in a separate window.)

The Daily Knitter has daily free patterns (yep, daily), articles, help articles, help videos, and a very thorough list of LYS throughout the country.  If you're travelling, it's a great resource to make sure you can get a knitting fix where ever you go!

Going Nuts

Well, I submitted a pattern to Knitty on March 30th for the "Early Fall" "Deep Fall" dates, and I still haven't heard a thing.  I've checked the forums, and lots of folks have received their rejections.  A couple have received acceptances.  I haven't gotten even a maybe.  Is it worse to receive your rejection late?  Yes, it is.  If I'm going to be disappointed, I'd like to do it before spending weeks ripping my hair out.  Just saying.  Bald isn't my best look.

A big chunk of the book went off to the publisher 10 days ago, and I'm waiting to hear what they think.  More stress!  This pattern writing gig is a strange job.  Lots of work.  Lots of meetings and negotiations, lots of math, lots of swatches.  And after all the work, I sit around waiting for news and approval from the publishers.

I like my work.  Creating patterns and sharing them with my students and readers is very fulfilling.  This sitting by the phone/email is not so fulfilling.  Until the day the phone rings, and they say they've accepted a submission.  Then it's like winning the lottery!  If I win, I'll let you know.  And it's addictive.  One acceptance leads to the desire to have two.  Habit forming.  I need a twelve step program.  Soon.

Freebie Friday Yosemite Pullover

Here in Buffalo it's been in the 50's for days.  The thaw even caused a flood in my basement!  (Don't worry - the stash is safe!)  The birds are busy nest building and singing up a storm.  It's time to throw a winter's worth of biodegradable yarn scraps on the yard and let the birds decorate with it.  I love seeing little flashes of color on the edges of a  nest!  And I like to think the chicks are just a little cozier with my alpaca scraps around them.

On these in between days with the funny almost-a-coat-but-not-quite weather, I'm always looking for the right sweater.  Cotton sweaters are great over a tee or a tank, or under a jacket or windbreaker.  This one from Knitty.com is a perfect fit for today. 

Yosemite Pullover

Take a look.  It's available in sizes XS to 2x.  Though the original yarn is discontinued, Cascade Pima Silk is an ideal substitute.  Enjoy!~

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.)

Holiday Knitting

If you haven't discovered it yet, you really should look at Knitty, an online knitting magazine with free patterns and articles for knitters of most levels. This season, as with most, they have fabulous patterns and articles. The Queen City Mitts are a good example. They are an excellent first or second cable pattern for the new cable knitter. There are only a few cable crosses (5 I think), and the finished garment is beautiful and unusual. For more experienced knitters, it's a great pattern to add to your holiday gift pattern list.

Speaking of holiday knitting, I'm behind. Yes, I have been studying too much and knitting too little (depending on your priorities) and the socks for the Mr. are still not done. I'm also working on a Christmas stocking pattern to teach for a class at Karma. It's a modification of one I've made before, and I want it to be fast and painless for the students, while still creating an attractive product.

What are you working on for your holiday projects? Is this your first year making knitted gifts, or are you an old hand? Do you have any favorite holiday patterns? Share them! Thanks.