Happy Spring!

In honor of “International Cat Day” on August 8th, here’s a little something for the cat (or dog) in your life. A simple “TV knit” project that will be appreciated for years. Enjoy!

I’ve figured out how to knit a blanket during the warm summer months: by knitting in columns, you never have a whole blanket in your lap while working on the project. Then, with a super easy alternative to mattress stitching even the seaming was fun. I used 5 different colors, staggered and balanced the color scheme, but you could alter it with...

A simple knit that I provide alternative weight yarns/cast on options so you can use what yarn you have. A good stash buster and you’ll see there are some samples knit in combinations of wool yarn.

The Hygge Rug is a comforting, easy knit. Find a soft bulky yarn, or combine several strands of worsted and make your own bulky yarn. It’s easily adaptable to other sizes but you’ll always get a useful, easy-to-wash rug.

I designed this pattern for the project in a knitting class that used tee shirts for yarn.

I recently read a great book, Hygge – A guide to happy living with recipes and tips. To provide an excerpt, “being happy is good for you and those around you. Hygge isn’t so much a way of life that can be adopted, but a way of looking at life to recognize the best bits…Take a tip from the Danes and spend more time outdoors. If there were a top ...

Ponds on our property are not only peaceful spots to relax but bring all kinds of wildlife. Everything from frogs to deer show up. Last year, we added goldfish to one of the larger ponds and watching them feed on the floating food made me think of this shawl project.

A easy lace pattern that can be used with any weight yarn. Just use a needle size that will give you a soft drape with the yarn you choose. Written and chart directions are included.

Happy Autumn!

Happy Autumn!

Happy Spring!

Okay, so we may not all have the figure to wear this in public. But it is a great top

If you know how to knit in the round and have been looking for an easy sock pattern to start your first pair of socks, this pattern is for you.

Here’s a lovely variation to ribbing that will give you hours of tranquility and zen knitting. Pick a comfy yarn that you want passing through your hands and start knitting. I used a cotton/silk/viscose fiber that is wearable for many of the Southern months, but anything will do. Enjoy!

I really love the simple shape of rectangular shawls that are big enough to cover the shoulders for warmth but are short enough not to get in the way when leaning over, especially outdoors. The lace pattern is very dimensional and beautiful even unblocked. It never seemed repetitious since the increases and decreases changed order, and because ...

“A toast, Skol (written “skål” in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish and “skál” in Faroese and Icelandic or “skaal” in transliteration of any of those languages) is the Danish/Norwegian/Swedish word for “cheers,” or “good health,” a salute or a toast, as to an admired person or group.” (Source: Wikipedia)

The beret is a style that is timeless. I designed the Gable Beret after a small diameter beret that my husband bought decades ago and still looks spectacular. An easy-peasy in-the-round knit with simple, low-tech blocking instructions included.

Wasabi is an easy in-the-round project with a chunky yarn that are roomy enough for men. These can be knit up in an evening and be in use the next morning. Wasabi gloves are sans a thumb gusset for the simplest of fingerless glove construction. No chunky yarn? Try double-stranding worsted weight for this pattern or check out the Mulberry Hat &a...

Happy Autumn!

Reminiscent of exposed pebbles and rivulets of a low tide, this beautiful blanket can be knitted as a lap throw or baby blanket. A thin, simple border - much like the binding of a quilt – frames the heirloom cable and lace design. The “Notes” section lists several traditional & non-traditional colorways for baby gifts. Both written and char...

Bring out the hippie in your cat with these magic mushrooms stuffed with catnip. The are big enough to cuddle with and easy enough to make.

Available for free until 7/1/20. Enjoy!

Reversible with a nice texture, these washcloths knit up quickly and make great gifts. Add them to bath products for a nice personal touch. Great for beginner knitters.

Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy and throughout history has been influenced by its location at the crossroads of Latin, Slavic, and Germanic cultures. The birthplace of my mother and where she lived as a child until the family was re-located in World War II. She swam in the sea and this pattern ripples like the waters.

An easy pattern that can be knit either in the round or flat. Both directions are given. This is beautiful in any baby yarn (size 3 yarn), simply choose the yarn you want to showcase and let the Stockinette stitch do the rest. (Machine knitters can easily convert the flat knitting directions.)

Here’s an easy garter stitch cowl that highlights self-striping yarn with its multi-directional design. Even scraps of multiple colors will achieve a unique project. Can be left in scarf form, or seamed at the end for a cowl, as pictured. Easy enough for beginners.

To celebrate the holidays coming up, here’s a free pattern to enjoy.

The Yummy Christmas Pudding holds a Ferrero Rocher Hazelnut candy (or similar size treat). It is knitted in the round which saves having to seam which I find a BIG plus for a SMALL project.

A simple yet elegant scarf with an easy-to-memorize pattern.

Here’s a pattern to celebrate Autumn. You can change size by using larger or smaller yarns/needles. Remember to use a smaller size needle for tight knitting so the stuffing won’t show through the stitches. Happy Knitting!

To celebrate The First Day of Summer this month, this shawl pattern is free until the July 9th.

These cozies fit a small to medium egg, hence the name. I made them to fit over the 1.2 oz (34 g) size Cadbury Crème Egg chocolate.

As a follow up to my Needle Jackets for straight needles, I realized my dpns needed a place to camp out as well.

There are certain things in life that are fall into the comfort category, whether food, a favorite shirt, a blanket – and winter evenings are like that for me. What is better than a homemade felted coaster, a hot beverage and a knitting project? Great gifts for others that will be used and are quick to make.

These bowls make wonderful gifts for housewarming and general presents. I use them all the time as yarn bowls since they are flexible and light enough to throw in a knitting bag, unlike ceramic or wood bowls. They are perfect to felt, although you’ll see that double-stranded, they have enough body to stand if you choose not to. You get the adva...

A simple assymetrical cable scarf that pops on a see of Reverse Stockinette. Easy eanough for a beginner to try cables. Works with any worsted weight (size 4) yarn.

Comfortable, looks fabulous on a multitude of body types and with no sleeves, shaping or neckline, this is the easiest top to knit. If you can knit two rectangles, you can knit this garment. It’s got positive ease, a boatneck & simple edging. I’ve included notes if you want to machine knit. A simple approach to seam for a custom fit is prov...

Named after my Balinese cat for the colors that bring her to mind. This mobius-style cowl is an easy enough knit for tv watching or knitting in public. An added bonus is that it’s perfect for using up single skeins of stashed yarn! Ample length lets you wear it doubled or tripled and it’s still lightweight enough for summer.

A beauty of a scarf that even men will wear. Pattern uses only one skein and optional buttons to secure closed but you have the option to make it longer for multiple neck wraps. The pattern is framed in on all edges and there is a simpler version included if you don’t want to work it that way. Very versatile and as with cables, stunning work wi...

Available free through November 30, 2016. To celebrate Fall, knit a pair of these fingerless gloves in an easy pattern with a simple thumb gusset. And you can eat trail mix with your Trail Mitts. (Yes, I had to.)

A 4 row stitch pattern that turns out to be easy to memorize after you learn it. Also, you will be able to find what row you are on easily with practice. The wrong side rows turn out to be simply knitting the knits and purling the purls which leaves you with only 2 action rows. Size can be easily changed if you want a larger washcloth.

This is a free pattern.

Available as a free pattern for a limited time.

These bowls don’t take long to knit and felting forgives mistakes like missing an increase or uneven knitting. It’s a great project to try out double pointed needles.

This year, there have been more rabbits than usual on the property. Dense expanses of ferns in several locations have provided additional refuge. Hence the name for this scarf with lots of texture that’s still an easy knit. It has crisp edges without having to slip the edge stitch. The diagonal pattern is a startling simple 2 row pattern. Becau...

This is a good beginner’s hat to try out both circular and dpns. Comfortable men’s size but works for women. Makes an excellent comfort hat for men (think comfort shawl for women). If you want a firmer edge, cast on and knit the first few rows on a size smaller needle. I knit the entire hat in US 8 for a relaxed fitting edge.

Palace Steps is designed in a simple stitch on large needles, using a method that carries the contrasting yarn: no yarn-twisting or ends to weave in. No special color work skills are needed since only one strand is knitted across each row. The contrasting yarn is knitted horizontally and vertically for a classic fret design resembling stair ste...

Made in absorbent cotton, this project is both quick and useful. Knit them up in school colors for high school athletes, your tennis friends or make them a little larger for men’s wrists. Great project for beginners on dpns.

Use a soft yarn and be creative with your embellishments –this is a perfect project to try out knitted or crocheted flowers, make fork pompoms, bows, etc.

A simply sweet little gift for the newborn – you can have this ready at birth while you are finishing that baby blanket project you want to give. Add it to a basket of gifts or use at a present topper for the baby shower gift. Use a soft yarn (cotton works well) and be creative with your embellishments –this is a perfect project to try out knit...

Reminiscent of the fruit from the Mulberry Tree, this project’s simple classic design will look good in any color. The bulky yarn is quick to knit up and makes knitting the set for a gift a short order. Both patterns are provided.

This cozy works either on beer bottles or soda cans – depending on what kind of day you’ve had. Cotton yarn makes them an easy wash when you need to. The 5 o’clock cozy is knit in the round on double-pointed needles in a spiraling rib pattern.

The Seafarer’s Cowl is a one skein, bulky cowl that can be worn cuffed turtleneck-style or up for more coverage. The adult “Captain’s” version fits both men and women while the “First Mate’s” version fits your feline or small canine. Both versions are provided. Knit in the round on double-pointed needles, this is a wonderful beginner’s project ...

Knit from corner to corner in Stockinette stitch with a lovely built in edging, this baby blanket is diamond shaped, making long corners that are perfect to wrap up your bundle of joy. You decide how wide to make it when you are increasing and then the decreasing makes the second half. Because of its square shape, it’s easy to plan your yardage...

This makes an easy cowl, using only one skein. It’s a wonderful project for any beginner who is tired of scarves or a great stash buster for those who have had time to collect an odd ball stash. It’s a great portable project.

This makes a small scarf, using only one skein. It’s a wonderfully easy project for any beginner or a great stash buster for those who have had time to collect an odd ball stash. Instructions even include a narrow version for warmer weather climates and novelty yarn.

Based on Grandma’s dishcloth but in Stockinette stitch, this washcloth is knit from corner to corner. Knit one half in one color and the second half in another for an interesting diagonal element. Use team colors for a sports theme. Skill level: Beginner

This little washcloth was named after the bustling market in Nassau, where Bahamian women create straw souvenirs sought after by visitors from dried palm and sisal plant leaves. Keep your hands busy with this easy pattern and make a stack. Give them away with a pretty bar of soap for an easy gift. Size is easily adjustable.

Named because the openwork resembles the hugs & kisses symbols – XOXO – it’s an easy pattern that has more knitting than purling and great for beginners.

With its pleasing linear design and a thick texture, the Archer Scarf is masculine enough for a man and classic enough for a woman. I’ve included both versions in the pattern below for this warm unisex accessory.

I didn’t come up with the idea, but this is my version of it. It’s a quick knit, uses up leftover yarns and makes a nice card for the mail or on top of a present.

Even in Florida, gloves are practical winter wear for walking on the beach and great to knit during the hot summers since they are small projects that don’t sit in the lap and warm you up. The pattern is Barbara Walker’s “Single Eyelet Rib” (A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, pg. 46) It has both stretchiness that is perfect for gloves and eye app...

Convert your own organdy ribbon to knittable ribbon yarn for a gift bow or ribbon scarf.

Small like the “P.S.” on a letter, this shawlette has a blunt triangular design that just covers the shoulders and easily converts to a scarf. With just one skein and large needles, it makes super fast gifts with a reversible, nubby testure.

A reversible rectangular stole with two slightly different sides. Tonal stripes allow two looks in one - horizontal or vertical.

These versatile blanket pads can be used for pet pads, security blankets, changing pads.

This fair isle project is created using only two yarns, one solid and one striping.

Under Blog Archives: July 2009

A sweet and simple project to dress up a pair of needles for a gift or keeping your pair together and warm.

Made from one recycled tee shirt.