Denise Balvanz

eBooks available as Ravelry Downloads

eBook : 4 patterns

Stay cozy with this textured cowl-collared capelet, hat and mittens or fingerless mitts. This capelet is great for those times when you need just a bit of something over your shoulders to keep warm. Or put it over your coat to keep the chill from going down your neck. Matching hat and mitts add warmth and fun.

eBook : 2 patterns

A mix of cable and lace motifs bordered by a garter stitch edging give interesting movement to this scarf and wrap, like fish swimming in the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean. Knit it in colors inspired by the waters of the Caribbean and feel yourself being carried to the warm sand beaches as you knit. Make them to wear with a pretty dress or over a simple summer tee.

eBook : 3 patterns

Divided Highway hat, mitts or mittens and cowl. Simple stranding accented by ribbing or hems make a beautiful set that knits up quickly.

eBook : 2 patterns

When the wind is howling and the snow and cold are blowing in from the Arctic you need a hat and mittens that will keep your ears and fingers from freezing. This hat and mittens set is made in a thick bulky weight that will do just that.

eBook : 3 patterns

In Iowa we have many bicycle trails which used to be railroads. This garter rib in these easy to knit accessories reminds me of the rails that are no longer there.

eBook : 3 patterns

As the result of a trip to Norway, I was inspired by the beautiful designs that were used in the knitting from Selbu, the home of the now famous “Selbu Mittens”. The museum in Selbu, Norway has some wonderful pieces of knitting history. These Christmas stockings have borders of “endless roses”, a typical Norwegian motif used in hats, mittens, socks and sweaters. I saw many examples of these roses in the Selbu museum.

Patterns available as Ravelry Downloads

Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
When I saw this lace pattern I fell in love with it and knew that it had to be part of a shawl “fit for a Queen”.
Knitting: Mittens, Fingerless Gloves
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Knitting: Coaster
Need a really quick gift? Octagon shaped coasters!
Knitting: Cozy - Other
Do you have special platters or glass or ceramic bakeware that you don’t want to have scratched or chipped? These quick to make Platter Protectors will fit those more oval or rectangular pieces to protect them during storage or when being transported. They also work well as hot pads to protect a table or counter.
Knitting: Mittens, Fingerless Gloves
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Whether you make it for Evan and Rose, Mom and Dad, friend or neighbor, this hat will make someone smile. We need more smiles in our lives, don’t we?
Knitting: Cozy - Other
Do you have special pans that you don’t want to have scratched? Perfectly seasoned cast iron or a beautiful non-stick surface?
Knitting: Scarf, Shawl / Wrap
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Norway Spruce is a beautiful tree at any time of the year but especially so at Christmas.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Try your hand at this stocking for a taste of traditional Norwegian motifs. The timeless design will look perfect wherever you hang your stockings.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
As I knit hat after hat for a charity project I like to try different things. Much like walking down a broken trail. Which way shall I go this time? From one of those trails came these hats. I offer them to you to knit and wear as you wander your favorite broken trail.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Diamonds are a very popular motif in Norwegian knitting. In this stocking, I have combined a variety diamonds which cover the leg and foot. Even the guys will like these diamonds! If you look at it from the side you will also see hearts.
Knitting: Cowl
Take the bandanna one step further!
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Beaded or Stranded? Which will you knit?
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
The lace on this shawl was inspired by the Spanish Peaks, a pair of prominent mountains near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. They were the first mountains I saw on the way to visit my daughter’s family in Southern Colorado. Coming from the flat lands of Iowa, these mountains are very impressive.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
One of my favorite Christmas treats has always been ribbon candies. In this stocking, they frame the edges of a garland.
Knitting: Cowl
Clarion – an underwater fracture zone. Long, narrow and mountainous it creates huge ridges and troughs in the Pacific Ocean floor.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
In Iowa we have many bicycle trails which used to be railroads. This garter rib reminds me of the rails that are no longer there.
Knitting: Mittens, Fingerless Gloves
In Iowa we have many bicycle trails that used to be railroads. This garter rib reminds me of the rails that are no longer there.
Knitting: Cowl
In Iowa we have many bicycle trails that used to be railroads. This garter rib reminds me of the rails that are no longer there.
Knitting: Cowl
An easy-to-knit texture pattern creates puffs which make these cowls squeeze-ably soft and warm. Interlocking diamonds are created in wide stripes of color with a Tuck Stitch knit into the stitch several rounds below the needle while releasing the stitches above. A reverse-stockinette edge rolls to the wrong side for a nice finished edge.
Knitting: Mittens, Fingerless Gloves
When I was a child, I had a pair of favorite mittens and matching hat that were thick and warm and had these cute little puffs in the stitch pattern. I have always wanted to duplicate those mittens. Here is my interpretation of them in a grown-up version.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
When I was a child, I had a pair of favorite mittens and matching hat that were thick and warm and had cute little puffs in the stitch pattern. I have always wanted to duplicate those pieces. Here is my interpretation of them in grown-up versions.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Christmas is a time of bright lights, fun decorations and trees topped with stars. In this Christmas stocking, traditional designs are knitted in bright colors for a rather non-traditional stocking. Brighten up your holiday decorations with the colors of your choice.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Traditional designs knitted in the traditional two colors or multiple bright colors for a rather non-traditional Christmas stocking remind us of the wonder children show over all things Christmas. They ooh and aah over the tree, the lights and the ornaments. Their excitement at opening gifts is contagious. They are thrilled to ride around town ...
Knitting: Scarf, Shawl / Wrap
Everyone needs a soft, textured scarf or wrap to keep off the chill indoors when you are snuggled in your favorite chair reading or knitting, or outdoors with the wind blowing all around you. These easy, yet elegant pieces can be knit up quickly in a soft cotton, wool blend yarn for just such occasions.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Snowflakes are a very popular motif in northern Europe, where the snow falls for much of the winter and there is snow high in the mountains year round. Inspired by the knitting traditions in Norway, this intricate pattern will bring a little Norwegian style into your home. This Christmas stocking features one of the elaborate snowflake patterns.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
While traveling from the US to Norway, I stopped over at the airport in Reykjavik. Iceland is a beautiful, rugged country with strong knitting traditions. I only had time for a quick look out the windows, a nod so to speak. Later, as the result of a workshop, I fell in love with the Icelandic designs of the lopapeysa (Icelandic sweater). This s...
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
A mix of cables and lace motifs bordered by a garter stitch edging give interesting movement to this wrap, like fish swimming in the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean. Knit it in colors inspired by the waters of the Caribbean and feel yourself being carried to the warm sand beaches as you knit.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Years ago, my kids fell in love with a dessert made from strawberries blended with whipped cream. The offset cables in this pink remind me of that dessert. They are so soft and squishy you will just want to squeeze them. This slightly slouchy hat is knit from the bottom up starting with a double garter rib. It is so comfortable and warm it will...
Knitting: Mittens, Fingerless Gloves
Years ago, my kids fell in love with a dessert made from strawberries blended with whipped cream. The offset cables in this pink remind me of that dessert. They are so soft and squishy you will just want to squeeze them. The thick cable puffs create air pockets that will be sure to keep your hands warm. Instructions are included to make either ...
Knitting: Boot Cuffs / Toppers
Years ago, my kids fell in love with a dessert made from strawberries blended with whipped cream. The offset cables in the pink remind me of that dessert. They are so soft and squishy you will just want to squeeze them. These boot cuffs can be worn either folded down over the top or standing up above the edge of short or knee length boots. They...
Knitting: Cowl
Years ago, my kids fell in love with a dessert made from strawberries blended with whipped cream. The offset cables in this pink remind me of that dessert. They are so soft and squishy you will just want to squeeze them. This cowl is wider at the bottom so it will relax over your shoulders. The cable puffs will keep the breezes out so you neck ...
Knitting: Cape
A little feminine, a little sexy, just enough flirt. Button it and wear over one shoulder or both or just wrap it around your neck to keep the chill out.
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
I love the colors and sounds of fall. The leaves on the trees go from green to yellows, reds and orange and they make a satisfying crunch under your feet. The weather begins to cool and we start thinking of snuggly woolens, warm fires and hot drinks. Celebrate fall with these beautiful Leaf Cuff Mitts.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
I love the colors and sounds of fall. The leaves on the trees go from green to yellows, reds and orange and they make a satisfying crunch under your feet. The weather begins to cool and we start thinking of snuggly woolens, warm fires and hot drinks. Celebrate fall with this beautiful Leaf Cuff Hat.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Originating near Bergen, Norway, the blue and white Fana Sweater, with its 8-pointed stars, checkerboard pattern, and stripes with knitted “lice” has become very well known worldwide. This stocking borrows from those traditions to bring that traditional look to your home for Christmas. It has just a bit of ribbing at the top followed by the che...
Knitting: Coat / Jacket, Sleepwear
This comfy little bunting has a button-front closure and a lapped back opening to allow for seatbelts in car seats or strollers. Perfect for an advanced beginner, this baby bunting is the best way to keep your little one cozy and secure during trips and doubles as a wrap for chilly nights.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
I have made hundreds of hats over the years for my family and charity projects. This pattern is based on my basic recipe for hats. The nice, thick garter stitch band helps to block the wind and keep your ears snug in the coldest of weather. The top is shaped to make a smooth fitting beanie. This is a quick knit so you can knit up several for yo...
Knitting: Mittens
This pattern is based on my basic recipe for mittens. Knit snugly, they have a nice thick garter stitch cuff to keep the cold and snow out. Sized for children through adults.
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
This fingerless mitts pattern is based on my basic recipe
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Lilies play a big role in many traditional Norwegian designs. We see a variety of lily designs in Selbu mittens and sweaters. They are often placed with four lilies on the diagonal in a rosette like the center of this stocking but can also be seen in pairs on a border. The stylized lilies in this stocking may also appear to be carousel horses o...
Knitting: Mittens
Keeping your hands warm can be a challenge during a polar vortex!
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Keeping your ears warm can be a challenge during a polar vortex! This bulky knit hat has a garter stitch band to block the wind and keep your ears warm in the coldest of weather. The matching mittens in the companion pattern will keep your fingers toasty as well. Better knit up several sets for the next blast of cold!
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
As the result of a trip to Norway, I was inspired by the beautiful designs that were used in the knitting from Selbu, the home of the now famous “Selbu Mittens”. This Christmas stocking incorporates one of the larger star/rose style motifs with borders of “endless roses” both at the top of the stocking and the toe.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
When the wind is howling and the snow and cold are blowing in from the Arctic you need a hat that will keep your ears from freezing. This hat is a thick bulky weight that will do just that.
Knitting: Mittens
When the wind is howling and the snow and cold are blowing in from the Arctic you need mittens that will keep your fingers from freezing. These mittens are a thick bulky weight that will do just that.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
As the result of a trip to Norway, I was inspired by the beautiful designs that were used in the knitting from Selbu, the home of the now famous “Selbu Mittens”. The museum in Selbu, Norway has some wonderful pieces of knitting history. This Christmas stocking has borders of “endless roses”, a typical Norwegian motif used in hats, mittens, sock...
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
As the result of a trip to Norway, I was inspired by the beautiful designs that were used in the knitting from Selbu, the home of the now famous “Selbu Mittens”. The museum in Selbu has some wonderful pieces of knitting history. This Christmas stocking has borders of diamonds and “endless roses” both at the top of the stocking and the toe. I sa...
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
As the result of a trip to Norway, I was inspired by the beautiful designs that were used in the knitting from Selbu, the home of the now famous “Selbu Mittens”. The museum in Selbu has some wonderful pieces of knitting history. This Christmas stocking incorporates a variation of “spider in the bough” with scroll work both at the top of the sto...
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
You too can make dozens of hats for babies newborn to 1 year old. This pattern is written for knitting hats in the round on a small circular needle without making a seam. There is a companion pattern that is written for knitting flat. Dozen Baby Hats (knit flat)
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
You too can make dozens of hats for babies newborn to 1 year old. This pattern is written for knitting back-and-forth as a flat piece and sewing a seam up the back of the hat. There is a companion pattern that is written for knitting in the round. Dozen Baby Hats (in the round)
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
This is a special Christmas Stocking perfect for a little girl or boy. Or make it for your sweetheart. Use different colors to make one for each member of your family.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
I knit a lot of hats for charities which are looking for a hat that will really keep the ears warm. I have tried a lot of patterns but just hadn’t found one that met this criteria AND was easy to memorize but could be varied for interest and best use of scrap yarn. Oh, and I also didn’t want to have to keep track of how many stitches to cast on...
Crochet: Beanie, Toque, Pixie Hat, Costume, Hats - Other
A very special hat for all the special little “deers” in your life this time of year! Great for photos!
Knitting: Mittens
Stay cozy with these textured mittens. The honeycomb pattern makes pockets to hold the warmth next to your fingers.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Looking for a fun hat to knit? This pattern makes a cute textured hat that will keep your ears warm next winter.
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
Stay cozy with these textured fingerless mitts.
Knitting: Poncho
Stay cozy with this textured cowl-collared capelet. Great for those times when you need just a bit of something over your shoulders to keep warm. Or put it over your coat to keep the chill from going down your neck.
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
The weave stitch pattern in these socks interrupts the usual spiraling stripe that some yarns make. It brings out the individual colors iinstead of having them blend together. Knit from the top down, the pattern continues down the top of the foot to the toe shaping. A slipped-stitch heel hugs nicely and wears well.
Knitting: Throw, Baby Blanket
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
I came up with this simple pattern for my college age
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This knitting pattern makes a beautiful, lacy, rectangular shawl with a crocheted loop fringe. I used just over 2 skeins of yarn for the shawl and needed most of a third one for the fringe. You could make it smaller for a scarf or larger for a blanket.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
Treat your family to hand-knit Christmas Stockings! These knit up fast with bulky weight yarn on large needles. Make yours one-of-a-kind with your own color combinations. How about team colors for your sports fans?
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This is a fun little shawlette. It can be made with ladder yarns, furry yarns, mohair or any other yarn or combination of yarns you would like to try. It can add warmth or just a little bit of flash to your outfit.
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
This stocking will hold lots of goodies! Quick to knit in a bulky weight yarn with simple motifs and a snowflake pattern. Use 3 colors as shown or add more for a unique stocking. Knitting is done primarily on a 16 inch circular.
Knitting: Mittens, Beanie, Toque
Mittens are a great one ball project and these mittens and hat are warm and fuzzy. Just what you need on a cold day to keep you feeling cozy! Make the mittens with or without the mohair yarn. Do your own stripes or let the sport weight sock yarn do the striping for you. Then use up the left-overs in a fun striped hat.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
This easy to knit, unique, top-down hat uses only one 120 yard skein of worsted weight yarn. I designed it as the result of a challenge to “make a sample” from the touch-ably, soft new Silk & Merino yarn at my LYS. It has a beautiful spiral at the top and easy, double cable twists that look like candy wrappers.