Baby Iselle's Blanket

My friend Jenny had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago and when I got the message about Iselle's arrival this sinking feeling came over me. I didn't make anything for her!
Jenny is part of a group of moms I teach crochet to every week while our kids are having their art class so I can't just run out to the Gap, I have to produce! It wasn't a surprise announcement, I had plenty of time and why it didn't hit me until I got the news I have no idea. But I had a few days before I saw her so I thought a small blanket would be perfect. And here it is, Baby Iselle's Blanket.

Yarn used: 2 Nature's Choice organic cotton by Lion Brand in Strawberry; 1 ball in Pistachio for the crochet border. I love this super soft yarn! I think I need a simple jacket out of it.
Needle & hook used: #10.5 24" and a J hook for the border.
Gauge: 3sts & 4 rows = 1" in Chain stitch pattern.
Finished measurements: 20.5" x 22"

Chain stitch pattern
Mulitple of 4
Row 1:  Sl 1 * k2, p2 * k3
Row 2:  Sl 1 * p1, yo, p1, k2 * p1, yo, p2
Row 3:  Sl 1 * k3, p2 * k4
Row 4: Sl 1 * p3, k2 * p4
Row 5: Sl 1 * k1, k2tog, p2 * k1, k2tog, k1
Row 6: Sl 1 * p2, k1, yo, k1 * p3
Row 7: Sl 1 * k2, p3 * k3
Row 8: Sl 1 * p2, k3 * p3
Row 9: Sl 1 * k2, p1, p2tog * k3
Row 10: Repeat from row 2

Cast on 56 stitches and work the Chain stitch pattern until the piece measures 20.5". Bind off.

With a J hook and the 2nd color, single crochet around the blanket twice. Border should measure .75".

Weave in the ends, block blanket and enjoy!

A little disclaimer about the blanket:

Updated 6/1: If you received my original post you know I didn't make the blanket with a balanced stitch repeat. It started with K2 & ended with P2 (the selvage stitches not counting). The original disclaimer said if you wanted it balanced by starting with K2 & ending with K2 you would have to figure it out yourself. Well, I couldn't leave it alone it was still bothering me that I made what for me felt like a mistake (though Baby Iselle hardly minds!) so this morning I did a small swatch and adjusted the pattern above so it will in fact start & end with K2. See photo at right. Enjoy!

Sweet Baby Iselle.

summertime knits

the Bayside, a summertime pullover

Available as a PDF download $6.50

These 2 pieces were knit using a new Trendsetter cotton yarn "Rosita" sent to me by The BagSmith.

Knit using #19 needles for the pullover and #17 & #19 needles for the vest they obviously work up quickly. Both pieces are knit as one big piece then folded and joined. I obviously still have the openwork bug but it's hard to resist an open stitch pattern for summer or for hand dyed yarn.

I enjoyed working with this yarn and wish they made it in solid colors as well. I would love to have a few T-shirts made with this super soft 100% cotton. And did I mention it's not a weighty cotton? It's another yarn that is made using a woven tubular structure, but this one is loosely woven giving it a more casual look which fits in perfectly with the well washed feel of it.

I would rate these as patterns for an intermediate knitter.

 

the Lakeside, a summertime vest

Available as a PDF download. $6.50

LA yarn crawl, a trunk show & 2 new designs

I just shipped 2 new designs today to The BagSmith for Stitches South. Both pieces were knit using a new yarn by Trendsetter that The BagSmith is currently offering called "Rosita". This hand dyed bulky weight cotton is surprisingly light weight due to it's loosely woven tubular structure. It was easy to work with and it's super soft. Imagine your favorite T shirt that's been washed hundreds of times and that's what this feels like.

I'll post more details and the patterns in the next couple of days.

This weekend LA area yarn shops are sponsoring the 1st annual LA yarn crawl. I'll be at The Little Knittery Thursday the 12th & Friday the 13th from noon-8pm.

From 6-8 on Thursday (that's tonight!)we're having a trunk show of some of my more popular designs for those who missed it in December and on Friday we're having a trunk show for Kat Coyle.

Should be a fun weekend long event, hope to see you there!

the Openwork Kimono

Finally! Do I seem to say that every other post? It feels like it! I first showed the Openwork Kimono at my Little Knittery trunk show way back in December. It took me awhile to get it together for this piece but happily here it is!

This, like the Openwork Bolero was inspired by this stitch pattern's swatch I had draped on my dress form. Also on my mind was the Misti Brioche Honeycomb Sweater. I've wanted to make that into a cardigan/kimono for some time but really wanted something new for the show.

It's a one size fits most with easy adjustments noted in the pattern for petite and large. I used #19 needles (24"-32") with 2.5(3) skeins of Magnum (123yds each) by Cascade in the main color and for the contrasting waistband @60yds or half a skein of Magnum. If making it one color 3(3.5) skeins are needed.

I would rate this as a quick and easy pattern for an intermediate knitter but more of a challenge for a beginning knitter since I've manipulated this particular openwork pattern a bit to where I think it might throw off someone not solid in their skills.

Pattern available as a PDF download. $6.50

Next I wanted to share a couple of pieces I made a few years back when I had my yarn shop in Chicago. 

These were made with Eden by Madil a beautiful bamboo yarn and #5 needles. Yes, I know hard to believe with all my chunky knits! 

I do love the way a fine gauge knit looks and I would love to be able to say I have a couple of these as my next patterns but who has the time?! Look how long it took me to get the Kimono pattern posted!

I will have a few spring/summer patterns I'll post soon (2 I'm hoping within the next month) but nothing with smaller than a #15 needle. Maybe if I start now I'll have it together by next year!

the modified Modernist

I was getting ready to ship the Modernist to Becca of The BagSmith for Stitches West when I started thinking about a scaled down version, one that would use only 1 skein (300yds) of Blissa Bling and here it is.

This version has a slightly smaller neck opening, the shorter sleeves and is a bit more fitted.

I used the whole skein with very little left and in keeping it a one skein piece the size is a S/M.

This version has been added to the original pattern and is available as a PDF for $6.50

the Modernist

This is one of those pieces that I'm sorry to see go, but it's packed up and ready to ship to The BagSmith who's taking it to Stitches West the weekend of 2/24.

This is a super simple pattern and a quick knit using #15 (10mm) needles and 2 skeins of The BagSmith's Blissa Bling. A wonderfully lightweight alpaca/merino/metallic yarn that is so lofty I have a hard time believing it's rated as a bulky! It certainly doesn't feel like one when you're wearing it. It has a beautiful drape and the metallic gives it a nice flair. I'm definitely making one for myself!

Available as a PDF download. $6.50

the Grandpa Sweater

Finally! I started this for myself in the summer, a slightly over sized belted sweater to throw on for fall. You know how it is though you get side tracked with other projects, but I did finish and have been happily wearing it nonstop since.

My sister Peggy lovingly calls this my "Grandpa Sweater" a bit big & a bit masculine yet with a nice femininity about it. 

The "Grandpa" is knit from the top down with set in sleeves. The body & sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch for the collar, front facings & belt.

 The yarn I used (Cascade's Pastaza, a 50/50 blend of wool & llama) holds up well when worn a lot, with little pilling making it one of my favorites for outer wear. It's a heavier worsted that calls for a #9 though I used a #10.5

 

A lot of people have asked me why I slip my edge stitches. My patterns almost always call for slipping the first stitch of every row and the 2 photos above show why. I'm wearing the sweater inside out and if you look at where I picked up stitches from the slipped stitch edge (around the armhole & for the front facing) it's very clean; it gives it such a polished finish. Even if you don't pick up stitches your edges look good.

Here you can see the sewn hem & the underside of the collar. I like the challenge of getting a garment to look as good on the wrong side as it does on the right side.

I wasn't planning on writing a pattern for this. Peggy told me I should... I don't know maybe in time for fall? Add it to the ever growing list of things to do!