Bless Me For I Have Sinned

Today I made a huge mistake.  I have no idea what I was thinking.  Today I went out to get my car fixed without my knitting bag.  (I offer the pathetic defense that I had no idea I would be there for more than 20-30 minutes.)

I know.  I was in the waiting room all of about 30 seconds before I realized my mistake.  I knit my Mr. Mittens thumbs in my head, and prayed that elves were hard at work at home.  Alas, no.

So, $1200 and 2 hours later, my car runs fine and my knitting is no further along.  (That's the thing about car maintenance: it costs a fortune to get your car running the same way it did just a few days before.)  So while I paid $10 per minute for my car to run the way it did last Thursday, I managed to NOT knit two thumbs and a cast-on of the tam I'm teaching in class next week. 

I will do better.  I have learned from my mistake.  I promise.

Behind Schedule

I'm in a cold sweat.  I have a lot of winter knitting I've committed to, and winter is winding down faster than I'm knitting. (Didn't I just say last weekend that I wasn't letting the backlog scare me? WRONG!)

The Mr. Mittens are mostly finished.  The Two Color Brioche rib scarf took a back seat to mittens and schoolwork.  My brioche vest is visible as a tiny speck on the horizon, and seems to be getting farther away.

My best friend from childhood is owed gloves.  My daughter helped me design No H8 mittens for herself, and I haven't made them.  I have a class to teach on a sweet, slouchy tam, and haven't chosen yarn or started the project.  (I've made this pattern before, but not for years.) My socks are waiting in my "go" bag, and I treat them like a mistress, a guilty pleasure.

I need to stop committing to projects.  I think I need to write this stuff down, and make much more vague agreements as to when things will be finished.  Of course, then I wouldn't have these adrenalin-creating panic attacks.  Where's the fun in that?

No H8 and Peace Mittens

This is a free pattern that I've been working on for my daughter, Analisa.  She's facinated by the No H8 movement.  No H8 is the left mitten, and Peace is the right.  If you want to make them both the same, use the chart for the back twice, and use the chart for the right palm and left palm.  (This way the thumbs will be in the right places!) I'm really happy with how the motif knits up! If you make these, please send me a pic, or post it on Ravlery.  Thanks!

Materials: Size 5 needles
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport

White - Main Color
Black - Contrast Color

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


The cast on for the mock-rib wrist  (52 sts) is fewer than the stitches for the mitten body (60).  In the solid color row before the main mitten pattern, increase on stitch every 8 stitches to achieve the 60 sts needed.

This pattern is designed in the round, with a mitered top and a mitered afterthought thumb.  It can be worked flat, using the edges of the pattern for seaming.  Enjoy it!  And I'm always happy to see pics.  Thanks!

Creating a Giveaway, Freebie Friday

I've been thinking for weeks about doing a giveaway on the blog.  The question is, what to give?  Yarn?  Patterns?  A book?

I have loved meeting knitters from around the world through this blog, and appreciate the feedback, both to my email and in the "comments" sections.  It would be nice to find a way to say "thanks for your support".  Currently I'm thinking either yarn or a book.  Mystery yarn or book?  Or should I publish a picture and write-up?  Which yarn?  Which book?  (I have a few ideas...)  This is a good one for feedback, folks.  Let me know what you think.

On this Friday, the freebies are happy ones.  Both of today's patterns are in worsted weight yarn, which makes them pretty quick knits.  The first one is this fabulous Hostess Cupcake Hat, which cracks me up just thinking about it.  I plan to make it for my 5 year old nephew, and I know he'll love it.  It's a super simple hat pattern with an I-cord for the loopy icing.  Winter is only two more months long, so I'll have to get right on it!

The second is the Taos Crossover Vest.  It's beautifully simple in its construction, and with the selection of so may variegated yarns out there, you can make this as funky or subtle as you like.  Something wild in parrot colors or a vivid solid would make a fun statement, don't you think?  In cottons it's a good spring wardrobe builder.  In wool or cashmere it's a great winter layer.  I love when a pattern is versatile!

So many patterns - so little time.

Building Character

I'm trying to be more Zen in my knitting.  Balance and completion...  I've been prone to ridiculous bouts of Startitis, casting on everything in sight.  I've finished knitting a project, and left the finish work for weeks or months.  I've modified a pattern, not made notes, put it down for months, and gone back completely perplexed as to what the heck I was doing.

I'm still prone to all this, but I'm doing better.  I'm not a Zen Monk, though.  I haven't gotten my knitting journal anywhere near up to date, but I make notes of my modifications on post-its attached to the pattern.  I do my finish work.  I never have more than three things on the needles at a time, one portable, one for home, and one for a class or testing out one of my new designs.  Usually. 

Recently I didn't buy any yarn for a whole year, committing to working through my stash.  Why did I do this?  Was my stash threatening to overtake the oven, kitchen cupboards, and shower?  (Only a little.)  Was I cutting back on my knitting? (Perish the thought.)

No.  I enjoy my knitting more when I savor the current project. As much as I hate to admit it, I can't knit as fast as I can find beautiful fibers to buy.  (Dammit.)  I still feel some backlog pressure, but it's more vague: I look forward to working on that brioche rib vest,  I want to get those mittens done for my husband, and I can't wait to test out this punk sweater for my daughter.  Someday I will either covet less or knit faster.  For now, unrequited yarn lust is building character.  At least, that's what I tell myself.

Treble Music Mittens

This is a pattern I designed that I've been working on for a couple of weeks now.  It's finally done!  The mittens above were knitted by "PaiviH" in Finland.  It's a charted pattern with some written support.  I'm really happy with how the motif knits up! If you make these, please send me a pic, or post it on Ravlery.  Thanks!

Treble Music Mittens Pattern - $6, available on Ravelry.com

Mission Falls, We Barely Knew Ye



Mission Falls Pattern and Yarn



As of January 1, 2011, Mission Falls yarns is no longer produced.  It was a small Canadian yarn company that produced yarns, patterns and buttons, all of distinctly high quality.  It was widely distributed for only 5 years, but the company has been in existence for over 18 years. 

I found and fell in love with Mission Falls yarns about three years back.  I love the textures and colors of their products. (1824 cotton and wool, for example.)  The original yarn was licensed to CNS yarns 5 years ago, which seemed to have some quality and consistency problems, earning the beautiful colorways a reputation for pilling and knots among some knitters.  For those who got the good stuff, though, it was addictive.

Most LYS and online knitting outlets have their products on sale now, and I would encourage you to look at both the yarns and the pattern books.  The patterns are filled with colors and whimsy, well outside the usual knitting fare.  

This is not the first time that Mission Falls has declared they were ceasing production, but with a farewell letter on founder Mags Kandis' blog, I think it's permanent this time.  Grab the yarns and patterns while you can.  Sadly, Mission Falls will soon just be a fond memory.

Free Patterns for Frigid Monday

It's -7 in Buffalo today, and even the best built houses have a draft here and there on days like this.  Just the thought of going outside makes my teeth chatter!  What better to add to your outfit than a cozy wrap?  Bigger than a scarf, they're the versatile layer that can go with just about any ensemble from suits to jeans.  (Sorry guys, this is a girl thing.)  Here are some patterns I know you'll enjoy:

From Classic Elite Yarns is this beautiful La Gran Stole.  Pick a color, pick a yarn, and knit this up quickly.  The pattern is easy, and the look is elegant in mohair, casual in cotton, and versatile in wool.  Don't let the lacy look fool you; lace can be very warm in mohair or alpaca!

From Naturally Caron is the Santiago Entrelac Shawl.  Thick and cozy, this is a basic entrelac pattern with a beautiful effect.  Make it in the staple colors of your wardrobe for a go-to garment to moderate those drafts.  Make it in a slightly shimmery fabric for a unique evening wrap.  Make it in white mohair or alpaca and it's perfect for a winter bride!

I hear the coffee pot beeping. (Thank you inventors of Mr. Coffee!) Keep busy and stay warm!

Punk Knits

I've discovered that I prefer to knit in proximity to chocolate, coffee, and wine, depending on the time of day and the mood I'm in.  I'm sure I could be convinced that all of them should be nearby if I tried.  Today it's an odd combination...

Knitting calms me, concentrating on the work and the pattern.  The rhythm of the needles, the softness of the yarn, they become entrancing.  Sometimes it's just a way to keep my hands busy so I won't throttle anyone. 

I've cranked the TV while watching the Matrix (killer soundtrack, lots of explosions), chowed dark chocolate peanut M&M's and red wine, and wouldn't talk to anyone.  I don't want to be angry.  I'm a Buddhist, for heaven's sake.  But sometimes I am.  I just need to let it wash over me like a storm cloud.  Sometimes I need a little thunder and lightning with my storm cloud. Hence, blasting the Matrix.  The M&M's and wine are just recreational.

This puts me in a great mindset to design for my kids.  They don't want my Country Club chic stuff, and they don't want anything Normann Rockwell. Revolutionary leather-clad rebels and loud music set a different tone.  The designs came easily today, but it makes me curious where I'll find the kinds of color palate I want.  I'd like a blend of traditional and acid colors.  Any ideas?  It would be great if I could find all the colors in one yarn that's either superwash or not wool, as I have an allergy.  Tell me what you think!

Friday Freebies

I'm feeling like a homebody lately, so I've decided to offer free patterns for home use this week.  Today we have a beautiful Felted Bowl from Knitvana. Made with a 100% wool yarn (not superwash!) this bowl will be easy to knit up, and it's a super first-felting project.  You can choose a variegated yarn, self striping, solid, or create your own striping pattern with yarns in a couple of different colors.  Make it to hold your pocket change and keys, or recently collected pine cones, or anything you can think of!

This eponymous Tea Cozy has admirable spunk, and the added benefit of colorwork!  For all of us who like our tea hot, tea cozies are a winter necessity. This one covers the pot from handle to spout, keeping your favorite infusion piping hot!  Those knitted treats don't look half bad either.  No calories!