Happy Valentine’s Day 2012 from Mary Keenan Knits!

Really masculine scarves pose a challenge: any pattern interesting enough for a knitter (yet mindless enough to get through the necessary mileage in a timely fashion) is often too interesting for the wearer. And if you want your hands passing over a luxury yarn with a little halo, how many stitches can stand out enough for that? Here’s your solu...

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? This stranded hat with easy-to-follow charts doubles the insulation so you’re toasty all the way to your next hot drink; three of the mugs that surround your head are even steaming!

Looking for something more interesting than straight stripes for your socks, but not so interesting as to demand attention?

This little hat makes practical use of a single ball of Noro Silk Garden, using up most of the yardage with enough leeway to cut out one of the colour shifts if you really don’t like it (ask me how I know.)

The Sundae hat was the Biscotte & Cie club pattern for November 2010, designed for the most gorgeously lush cashmere blend yarn you can imagine!

Wear your cake and eat it too! A special ribbing, a luxurious lattice, and two scrumptious colours turn this hat into an oversized petit-four. To minimize any pattern jogging on either side of the start-of-row marker, a little duplicate stitch finishes off the trimming at the back.

A hidden button allows you to wear this versatile scarflet snug or open, under a coat, or over a top for a little extra glamour (and, incidentally, warmth!) It’s a quick knit and a perfect gift for women of all ages.