***Originally published on April 24, 2015***Remember this one?  She was the star of our Fall Knit-Along, and has been proudly displayed in our front window, inspiring dozens of asymmetrical shawls and scarves ever since.In my version, I mimicked the colors shown in the printed pattern, using a solid fingering weight wool/merino blend, in contrasting red and grey. This wrap is all garter stitch, but the part that keeps it interesting is the short rows, which are what give it this asymmetrical look, with the stripes on one side gathering more closely together than on the other....

***Originally published on July 17th, 2015***I’m loving this (free!) pattern from Purl Soho, the Cap Sleeve Lattice Top.  You see it worked up here in merino wool, but try it in cotton for a warm weather alternative!  The contrast of both the colors, and the stitch pattern right around the bust line makes for a fun project that will keep your attention the whole way through. Here, you can see how the simple K2tog / YO stitch pattern can yield a beautifully delicate lace fabric, if it’s done in the right color. Cap Sleeve Lattice TopCost of Materials:...

***Originally published on July 31, 2015***This is a pattern that had been in my queue for a looooong time before I finally cast on for it last year.  In fact, I wound up the yarn for this one back in 2013, and had been sitting on a fat cone of it for years until the time was finally right.And, while many parts of the project are relatively mindless — easy stockinette knitting at a fairly small gauge — there are other parts that do require some serious concentration.  The radial yarn-overs, which give this pattern its distinctive eyelet holes, force you to kee...

***Originally published September 21st, 2012***Did you know the new Deep Fall issue of Knitty is out?  I’m super excited about this one for two reasons: one is, the Deep Fall issue is always my favorite, with tons of cold-weather projects like sweaters, scarves, hats — fun creative takes on old classic projects.But secondarily, Yarnia has an ad in this issue’s pattern pages!  It’s always the luck of the draw, which pattern your ad will get placed with, and once it’s there, they’re partnered forever.  Which is why I’m totally ecstatic that we are headlining for the ...

*** Originally published January 8th, 2013 ***Yep, I’m designing a dress!  This was one of those ideas that popped into my head so forcefully while I was at work one day that, feeling a little bit possessed, I had no option but to grab a piece of paper and start sketching out my idea. I’ve designed dresses before, but in the past these have essentially been my favorite knitted skirt pattern, and my favorite camisole pattern, merged.  I did get some extra attention for throwing a knitted belt into the mix, but really, I’m up for more of a challenge this time.  I wa...

***Originally Published September 23, 2011***A couple weeks ago, I arrived at work, delighted to find this email from my friend Dory in my inbox: Hollis responded by saying that in our sample size (of two) she threw things off, because while preferring mapped directions to get around town, she likes written instructions better in her knitting patterns. I thought about this, and realized, I’m equally incongruous, but in the opposite way!  Here’s my response: Ha! That’s so funny, because I balance out the F-ed up sample size of two.  I prefer charted lace directions, bu...