About 3 years ago, I began to experiment with a little motif. A leaf, then a vine, then a flower emerged. They multiplied and marched in ranks. At last, I coaxed the little flowers into the circular yoke formation that has grown into a pullover, a cardigan and eventually, a wrap. Like the vine for which it is named, Moonflower has grown! Since the original short-sleeved pullover, new variants with sleeve and shaping options have taken root.

It can seem a little counter-intuitive to knit where it’s hot, and sometimes Southern folk need a little nudge. With this collection, I want to address the unique aspects of warm weather knitting with garments specially designed for warmer climates. I’ve drawn inspiration from the bayous, rivers and waterways of South Louisiana where I live.

Just about a year ago, I introduced a fast & easy hat pattern called Jingle. It’s the perfect last-minute hand-knitted gift idea! What could be better than this festive topper? How about matching mittens?!? This year, I’ve added spritely mittens to the Jingle Family!

About 3 years ago, I began to experiment with a little motif. A leaf, then a vine, then a flower emerged. They multiplied and marched in ranks. At last, I coaxed the little flowers into a circular yoke formation that I’ve adapted for this pretty wrap.

About 3 years ago, I began to experiment with a little motif. A leaf, then a vine, then a flower emerged. They multiplied and marched in ranks. At last, I coaxed the little flowers into the circular yoke formation that has grown into this lovely, feminine sweater.

About 3 years ago, I began to experiment with a little motif. A leaf, then a vine, then a flower emerged. They multiplied and marched in ranks. At last, I coaxed the little flowers into the circular yoke formation that has grown into this lovely, feminine sweater.

The throwback sweater we all need, Elise by Cheryl Toy marries collegiate jersey style with a heritage colorwork motif for a retro-inspired sweater that is at home in any decade. This cozy design features a v-neck and ribbing with color pops and a graphic band motif that runs across the body and upper arms.

If ever you saw a Tarpon, you’d know it! They’re the big, silvery, leaping marine creatures we associate with game fishing. In fact, Tarpon are considered some of the greatest saltwater game fishes in the South because of their large size, acrobatic leaping ability and tenacious fight. Tarpon also breathe! They’ll die if not given sufficient ac...

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Skim with an SQ of Forge on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern. No code needed!

I really enjoy the juxtaposition of the femininity of lace elements with the strong, classic lines of traditional cables. In the Brisbane Hat, we see a loose trellis grid of interlocking cables containing ranks of eyelet trimmed leaves, all set on a background of reverse stockinette. This hat begins at the brim with a narrow band of 1x1 ribbing...

Looking for the perfect last-minute hand-knitted gift idea?? You’ve found it…the JINGLE HAT! Jingle is a quick and easy scrappy hat pattern with some super fun options. Personalize Jingle with holiday colors as I’ve done or just use what you have on hand. Choose your crown style, shaped or flat, then opt for a little decor. Partial to bobbles? ...

What could be more fun to knit than simple mittens with a color-block twist? Work them as opposites, complements or in crazy contrast blocks. Dig deep into stash and enjoy combining fields of color. Any way you choose, they’re a great stash-buster and seriously fun to wear! These playful mittens are worked in worsted weight yarn, so they’re don...

The Bonnet Carré Spillway is a nearly 6-mile long ditch that serves as a flood release valve for the mighty Mississippi. There are 350 bays that can be opened to release river water into the spillway and onto Lake Pontchartrain. The Spillway has only been opened 15 times in 90 years but it’s a spectacular event when it happens.

Ghostly mist is a near constant state-of-being in the wetlands. It creeps into the marshy landscape morning and evening creating a deep quiet. This fog is thick and enveloping, yet light as air.

Ghostly mist is a near constant state-of-being in the wetlands. It creeps into the marshy landscape morning and evening creating a deep quiet. This fog is thick and enveloping, yet light as air.

The Honey Island Swamp is one of the most pristine swampland habitats in the US. Rimmed by ancient cypress and peppered with wildlife, Honey Island breathes mist and swamp gases during the eerie autumn months.

Named for “the most handsomely endowed of the bayous”, (Harnett Kane, “The Bayous of Louisiana”), the Teche pullover is just that - handsome. Spare of form and composed of a simple, meditative stitch pattern, Teche embodies the misty stillness of the autumn bayou.

A grand wrap for fall (and every season to come) — Lochlann by our pal Cheryl Toy is one big, squishy, cozy shawl covered in leaf lace, slip stitch stripes, garter stitch, ribbing, and bound off with a contrasting I-cord for a spectacular finish.

Marzen, by New Orleans-based designer Cheryl Toy, is a lightweight cable + lace wrap made in our springy Weld. Ideal to wear over the shoulders on chilly days or wrapped like a scarf, this versatile accessory pairs beautifully with dresses or with a light spring jacket.

What could be more fun than a cable with eyelets and bobbles? How ‘bout a cable that reminds you of a bumble bee in flight? Enter BUMBLE, the best fun you can have with under 60 g of worsted weight yarn. These engaging fingerless mitts work up in a trice and make a great stashbuster. BUMBLE features a fully fashioned thumb gusset, stockinette p...

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Olympia with an SQ of Forge on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern.

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Ari with an SQ of Weld on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern.

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Rhys with an SQ of Forge on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern.

Designed specifically for the warm yet airy qualities of woolen spun yarn, this generously sized cold weather wrap integrates four fun-to-knit stitch patterns in one traditional triangle. With all stitch patterns based on the number eight, the Octavia Wrap begins with simple punch work, transitions into eyelet diamonds and ends with an intrigui...

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Brewster with an SQ of Forge on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern.

The flowing lines and repeated dots of Middle Eastern henna painting inspire these super feminine socks. Imitating the elaborate border prints of Indian saris, the Siddal Socks have bands of staggered lace patterning at the cuff that gradually ease into simple eyelet columns.

Just one step beyond plain vanilla, the Barrett Socks are essential, authentic and everyday wearable for men, women and teens. With a central panel of textured stitches running from top to toe, Barrett keeps things interesting while showcasing a hand-dyed, variegated or marled yarn. Sock solids also get a lift from this sassy combination of kni...

Each year while unpacking at the Sterling Renaissance Festival, I encounter an old, hand knitted shawl. (I’m sure it was already old when it was purchased, probably from some nearby thrift store.) Although it is severely felted and shrunken to a fraction of its original size, I always admire it and feel a particular love for the old-fashioned s...

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Glenwood with an SQ of Weld on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern.

Bundle Alert! When you bundle Craghill with Weld on the Hudson + West Co. site, you’ll get a discount off the pattern.

Sweetly simple in form but with a hip, modern vibe, the Poincaré Poncho begs to be curled up in. A ribbed, foldover collar and hand slits make this poncho a cozy choice. Worked in the round from the top down, this poncho features a standout front cable panel with diamond-shaped twists that devolve into simple ropes and ribbing.

Any time is the perfect time to knit weightless woolen spun accessories, warm as toast yet delicate and airy.

Simple and homey, this generous wrap is a dream to wrap up in. Worked as a classic triangle, the pairing of Stockinette stitch, slipped stitches, and garter-rich openwork has a wonderfully geometric firmness that is as super fun to knit.

The Ebb Tide Mitts feature bobbles, cables, and a gradient yarn in gorgeous ocean colors. These mitts are worked in the round from the bottom up, and the thumb is shaped using an arched gusset.

Straight, structured columns guide regiments of tiny triangles in RIPRAP, whose square-box construction echoes its geometric patterning. Roomy and drapey, this oversized lacy slipover is the perfect layering piece for year round wear!

The repeated lines and graded shadows in this modern drop-shoulder pullover take their inspiration from twentieth-century French painter Sonia Delaunay. Combining geometric forms with pure color, she and her husband worked in a style that they called the Orphism movement. Her groundbreaking textile designs have impacted art and fashion for more...

Inspired by the Cajun parties of the Deep South, the Fais Do-Do Hat is intended to be a shape-shifting safe-guard against the strong Southern sun. Soft and resilient palm fiber keeps the Fais Do-Do light and cool to wear while its wired brim is sculpted just the way you like. From a funky crumpled cowboy hat to a neat-as-a-pin wide brimmed stra...

Sinuous strands of hanging vines inspired these unique socks that feature an easy-to-work slip stitch and cable pattern. Stitches are slipped for two rows, then cleverly cabled together in a leafy bow-like shape. Color variations in hand-painted yarn are drawn across the surface of this engaging stitch pattern making for a fabric that is energe...

This lacy pullover was inspired, believe it or not, by the cornerstone of all Southern food: humble grits! More subtle and delicate than the name implies, this simple corn staple comes from hominy which is related yet distinct from the common yellow corn used to make corn bread or polenta. At its best, hominy is scented with herbs like rosemary...

Off to the pool or the farmer’s market? Take along a plant based tote! Horizontal open work lends a “deconstructed” air to this functional market bag that combines a boho vibe with city chic. It’s big enough to hold all your essentials but works up in heartbeat using DK weight yarn. The Fused Market Tote has a fun-to-knit construction that begi...

The Mended Heart Hat and Socks Set features embroidered hearts that showcase the resilience and passion of the heart. The hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, and the socks are worked from the cuff down with a short-row heel.

Bands of puffy Garter Stitch flanked by smooth valleys of Stockinette Stitch energize the fabric’s surface using only the most basic stitches.

Lined with rows of delicate eyelet flowers, this simple triangular shawl is an easy accessory and a beautiful transitional knit. A border of drop stitch ribbing topped with a few rows of simple garter traces its way around the V-shaped edge, promising a delightfully meditative knit. Early Crocus is a pleasant knit aimed at those who are new to ...

Wrap up in it, snuggle under it, dry off with it. Cabana is a shape shifting modified triangle, absorbent and cozy, that looks as good on you as it does poolside thrown over a chaise. Cabana is worked from the wide edge starting with a deep border of vertical open work. Add a cool blue accent and move into some mesmerizing mosaic color work. Ga...

Super warm and roomy, the Slade Pullover features clean lines, a sophisticated saddle shoulder, and a minimalist panel of seeded rib pattern. Its deep funnel neck can be drawn up close around the neck for extra warmth, while a kangaroo pocket with slanted inserts waits ready to warm chilled hands.

Snowflakes falling on piney woods, pick-up hockey on frozen ponds, hot chocolate and crackling fires are all recalled in TRUE NORTH. Whimsical and retro with a distinctly Canadian vibe, True North combines simple stranded knitting with smooth fields of stockinette and easy shaping to create a perfect first fair isle project. And the silky-soft ...

A delicate combination of cables and eyelets wend their way gently across the surface of this softly unstructured set. Stockinette panels are punctuated with simple rhythmic double cables and pierced with rick rack openwork columns. Whisper soft with a delicate halo, pure alpaca brings these pretty details to light while its two-ply character a...

Snowflakes falling on piney woods, pick-up hockey on frozen ponds, hot chocolate and crackling fires are all recalled in the new True North Hat. Whimsical and retro with a distinctly Canadian vibe, True North combines simple stranded knitting with smooth fields of stockinette and easy shaping to create a perfect first fair isle project. And the...

Boysenberry Hat: a sweet way to keep warm! Isn’t it great to see the return of bobbles to knitted work? They make such a clever and exuberant contribution to fabric texture and are great fun for the knitter. This bell-shaped hat with a tassel on top features a puffy berry motif on a background of directional stitches. An I-cord bind off from a ...

The lace patterning of the Gardenia Stole was inspired by angel wings and peacock feathers. The stole is worked fl at in two pieces, starting with the lace edges, and then grafted in the center using Kitchener stitch. The merino-silk laceweight yarn creates an elegant drape, even while held double throughout the project.

The First Class Hoodie is an everyday piece that layers nicely over a T-shirt, jeans, or even leggings. An elegantly simple eyelet rib pattern features prominently and provides some knitting intrigue, and the hood, a beautiful and practical addition, is attached with a three-needle bind-off.

There is something impossibly sweet about lacy knitted accessories. I’m always amazed by how warm they remain despite being created from groups of little holes and I love how eyelets fill up with halo.

Lucca is inspired by the cerebral aspects of Florence that make the city sublime. Lucca’s subtle form is enhanced with panels of directional texture that are measured and mathematical. The result is an airy, rather delicate fabric, clean, quiet and cultivated. Classic herringbone is suggested in this rhythmic twisted stitch pattern. It is grace...

This classic pullover is topped with a wide, flattering neck and an interesting hem, both trimmed with I-cord. Garter-stitch columns create depth of texture and achieve a strong vertical dynamic without sacrificing drape. The garter stitch behaves beautifully with a bateau neckline because it is not inclined to curl. Made with simple knits and ...

During my summer sojourns, Sacket’s Harbor is the first signpost once I’ve left the interstate. It’s a quiet gem, the first leg of the Seaway Trail, and offers gorgeous, cool Lake Ontario vistas. It has a slightly retro vibe with roadside bars and cafes closed years ago by the building of I-81. I love it, and I often fantasize about how it must...

Lacy crystal structures take shape from garter stitch layers in this re-imagined seamless yoke pullover. A graphic, crystalline motif creates an eye-catching yoke atop a simple field of Stockinette, while deep garter bands edge the cuff and hem. Combining traditional Icelandic method with a modern, unexpected yoke, the Crystal Pullover is worke...

There’s a lot that’s modern and a lot that’s retro in this oversized neo-Icelandic pullover. Its ample size and shaped hem are set firmly in the now, but its unisex shape and graphic color play has roots deep in the 70’s. Pepper & Snow represents years of knitting history, from the original Icelandic techniques to the pattern flyers familia...

A modern twist on traditional seamless yoke provides a sassy backdrop for some fun details in this feminine sweater. Juniper is a great transitional knit and what a fun and easy way to get the most from stripes! While the lightest shade frames the face, multiple shades in kicky stripes curve upward around the yoke, creating a long, slow gradien...

The lighthearted Egret Hat and Mitts Set combines classic stranded colorwork with traditional Sanquhar two-color patterning. The hat is a classic ski-slope shape from the 1950s, and the mitts feature time-honored colorwork in a modern design. Both include lined edges in holiday red, and the hat sports a whimsical tassel to match. This set cries...

Jumbo diamonds etched in double moss stitch emboss the surface of this generously-sized scarf. The reversible pattern, worked entirely in knits and purls, is echoed in double-knotted fringe, perfect for every level of knitter.

This chic pullover, begun with unexpected openwork, features a shirt-tail shape that swings just perfectly. With a seamless fit and wide, rounded neckline trimmed in garter stitch, it’s a sweater you’ll want to wear all season.

The Garnet Wrap was inspired by the Celtic moorland, where moist turf and leaden skies brew dense, earthy fog. This lush rectangular wrap juxtaposes a deeply etched Celtic braid with simple fields of stockinette stitch. Classic ribbing touched with eyelets provides a strong yet elegant edge. This wrap is generously sized for maximum coziness an...

In the Wendell Street Pullover, the tradition of a classic fisherman’s knit meets clean American elegance in a modern, reimagined maritime pullover. Lush, rope-like cable motifs ripple through its yoke, slipping like water into ribbing as they move toward the hem. From a trendy funnel neck flow featured cables along the saddle shoulder devolvin...

MAIZIE is a sweet, simple lightweight sweater designed to be knit in easy wearing linen. Linen yarn is crisp and cool in the hand and creates garments that are dry and comfortable to wear while providing excellent drape. The boho paisley-inspired lace motif is a pleasure to knit in linen. Its stiffness imparts a very rustic and natural quality ...

What a statement a big, bold cable can make! In the Olivia Sweater, a jumbo triple ribbed cable is deeply etched into a field of stockinette tracing a serpentine path from neck to hem. This strong central motif plays off against a completely clean backdrop of flat stitches where seamless yoke shaping is worked silently in.

A youthful, modern shape and a bold yarn characterize the Marion Tee. With a lilting, slightly swingy silhouette and inset lace panels, Marion makes a great go-to top for everything from jeans to shorts to casual skirts. It is sleeveless with sweet picot edging and features a wide bateau neck. Upper and lower edges end in a crisp picot hem that...

The Maypole Shawl is an easy, semi-circular shawl that begins with a gentle stockinette body. Increases worked every other right side row at 8 points across the shawl produce an almost half-moon shape that is deep and snugly at the center and gently tapered at the points. Evenly spaced increases create very pretty directional shaping lines that...

For the bohemian chic dwelling, a cotton blanket fills a niche all its own. Combining the casually exotic qualities of simple plant fibers with more complicated and formal cable motifs, this timeless afghan is sure to become your favorite couch companion, with a soft and comforting drape and the rustic boho look of macrame.

Long and ribbed and highlighted with a delightful cable, these over-the-knee socks make a perfect showcase for your favorite yarn, from gorgeous solids, playful kettle-dyed and tonal, or a subtle and trendy gradient. With a leg-sized canvases to work with, you can indulge in your wildest color fantasies, and give even more of your body the cozy...

The geometric rhythm of trees in leaf, of vines and even, moving grasses inspire SPANISH MOSS. It is minimal and restrained while highlighting the crisp, reedy qualities of natural linen. This rectangular wrap begins with a leaf-like pattern that devolves into simple faggoting and finally to an I-cord bind off.

Fractures in stone, dislocation and shifting plates inspire the Fractal Shawl with directional stitch movement echoing fault lines and the subtle displacement of rock under pressure. A classic ripple pattern is re-imagined in three interpretations evolving from a chevron styled solid to the openness of Arrowhead Lace.

Gentle movement and intriguing lace edging are the hallmarks of this whimsical swing top. Palouse is trim and fitted at the top, then flares to a wonderful trapeze shape at the hem. Airiness is achieved with easy butterfly lace at the edges. Fun to knit and flattering to wear, Palouse is worked from the bottom up and features a modified drop sh...

Described by the designer as “grunge meets Clueless,” the Heckerling Pullover combines an allover waffle-stitch pattern with a crop-top style you’d find in the iconic movie. Heckerling is worked in the round from the top down and is great for layering.

Highlighted with graceful, open cables, this delicate garment brings out the feminine side of cables. Whether your style tends chic or bohemian, a modern sillhouette and lyrical drape make Sestina a versatile layering piece or a great stand-alone wardrobe staple. The Sestina Pullover is a worked from the top down, with raglan sleeves and a wide...

These sweet little Santa hats could be tree ornaments, wine bottle toppers or soft boiled egg warmers. Use them to embellish a little gift if you like! They use just a teeny bit of yarn (with the exception of the pompoms which always use more yarn than I think). You can knock a mini hat out in about an hour. I’ve made mine from sock weight yarn...

The Ibex Valley Mittens honor the prairies of northern Canada with pictorial stranded motifs that show tiny plants under the snow that then “grow” above ground toward the sun. Worked in rustic yarn, these toasty woolen mittens are as practical as they are charming. They’re lined in a rich red that calls to mind cozy flannel, ripe apples, fallin...

The Yukon River Stockings are inspired by winter snowstorms that close down northern cities and towns. Thick, deeply sculpted cables adorn these striking stockings and trap warm air close to the leg for maximum coziness. The well-shaped foot will fit comfortably inside a snow boot (or keep you warm while lounging at home on a snow day). A wide ...

Bobbles and branches decorate these bright mittens with motifs resembling bilberry bushes. Bilberries, known as jagody in Poland, fraughan in Ireland, and whortleberries or blueberries in the United Kingdom, grow wild across northern Europe, where they’re used in summer desserts, folk remedies, and natural dyeing.

A skiff of snow on furrowed ground, a brook frozen in its tracks, the tracks of skaters gliding over ice, the silence and cleanliness that a fall of snow imparts to the world: these are the inspirations for Lundbye.

Here’s a nifty, natty cardigan! The Olwen Cardigan came about as a response to the theme of Hygge, the Danish art of coziness. White chocolate, candles, blankets that are warm and handsome, hot drinks with foamy froth on top, vanilla marshmallows, cakes and tea…like that!

Boysenberry Mittens: a sweet way to keep hands warm! Isn’t it great to see the return of bobbles to knitted work? They make such a clever and exuberant contribution to fabric texture and are great fun for the knitter. A simply shaped mitten with a rounded top features a puffy berry motif on a background of directional stitches. An afterthought ...

Truly, there is nothing cozier than the warm embrace of a big, fluffy, oversized, sweater, any time of year. With fields of plain stockinette trimmed with simple twists, Lykke represents a just-right combination of Scandinavian simplicity and understated detail. Tunic length and with generous proportions, Lykke is certainly built for comfort. I...

Tradition, adventure, and practicality have inspired the Astral Road Ruana. Drawing on the cultural influences of Native American, Mexican and Central American peoples, Astral Road represents the ingenuity, versatility and horse sense of early American settlers. Throw in a generous measure of the cultural heritage of Scandinavia and the British...

Echo is a soft, swingy triangle, easy to knit, with two reverberating lace patterns. It is cast on at the open, lacy border and worked upward to a point. Echo was composed in New Orleans during Jazz Fest where, from the patio could be heard the sounds of joyful music made delicate by distance. Echo is large enough to wrap up in on chilly evenin...

With the Caroline cardigan, I’ve aimed for a feminine feel with modern versatility. A slightly slouchy shape and low V-neck gives it a vintage vibe that is easy to style with well-laundered retro dresses and blouses. Its simple eyelet stitch pattern creates an airy quality that’s perfect between seasons. Transitional knits have always been fasc...

The Jupiter Wrap was inspired by mid-century ceramics which exude confidence, a simplicity of form and a uniquely stylized perspective of nature. Struck by repeated circular forms and perplexed with how they might be manifest in knitting, I’ve chosen a classic garter stitch rib to create strong vertical movement, and a fat Scandinavian-inspired...

Once that nip creeps into the air, I get the urge to do stranded color work. There’s something about having both hands buried in fluffy softness and watching the pattern magically emerge that is so very satisfying.

I love a slouchy hat, slightly oversized, that generously covers my ears, especially if the brim is deep and worked in thick, spongy garter stitch. It’s guaranteed to provide extra warmth and is extra pretty when paired with a simple flowing lace motif of V’s and eyelets etched with garter stitch. Soft, worsted weight yarn makes the Mercury Hat...

There is something so elegant about classic aran knitting. Strong, raised lines criss-cross to create surface movement while deep textures, like timeless moss stitch, add warmth and richness. The Fresh Snow Hat features a striking diamond, a moss filled cable and whimsical bobbles to create a bold traditional motif. This hat is worked upward fr...

Introducing Mercury, simple mittens that feature a flowing lace motif of V’s and eyelets etched with garter stitch. A slightly denser gauge compensates for the pretty openwork, so Mercury will still manage wind and wet snow with ease. A deep band of garter stitch forms a thick, squishy cuff. The best part is the unusual gusset! I’ve chosen the ...

This mitten pattern features mosaic knitting, possibly the easiest way to do color work. With no floats and no second yarn to carry, mosaic color work is as easy as knitting stripes! AND, it remains stretchy, making it ideal for small fitted projects like mittens and socks. Mosaic knitting creates strong, graphic color blocks using slipped stit...

There is something so elegant about classic aran knitting. Strong, raised lines criss-cross to create surface movement while deep textures, like timeless moss stitch, add warmth and richness. The Fresh Snow Mittens feature a striking diamond, a moss filled cable and whimsical bobbles to create a bold traditional motif. These mittens are worked ...

Once that nip creeps into the air, I get the urge to do stranded color work. There’s something about having both hands buried in fluffy softness and watching the pattern magically emerge that is so very satisfying. The Hay Bay patterns feature a classic diamond and chevron motif with delicate falling snow.

The Annapolis Wrap…it’s jaunty and a little bit nautical. It’s a long triangle with easy-to-memorize shaping worked in 2-row stripes. It provides the knitter with a good long stretch of fairly mindless “boat knitting” (for in between sailing tasks), followed by an engaging lace border which is knitted on as the shawl is bound off. A fairly larg...

Thick, soft and ripply, just like the waters of Lake Dalrymple, is this easy cowl. It’s a great introduction to the mosaic technique with easy, rhythmic slip stitch movements. I’ve chosen cool, watery colors, but I believe it would be just as pretty in neutrals or in warm autumnal shades. Choosing colors is half the fun! Any worsted weight yarn...

During my summer sojourns, Sacket’s Harbor is the first signpost once I’ve left the interstate. It’s a quiet gem, the first leg of the Seaway Trail, and offers gorgeous, cool Lake Ontario vistas. It has a slightly retro vibe with roadside bars and cafes closed years ago by the building of I-81. I love it, and I often fantasize about how it must...

The Colony Cowl is a real go-to! The stitch pattern is super simple yet fun to knit and produces an attractive, open fabric. “All the warmth without the weight” describes Colony perfectly. It is long enough to loop once loosely around the neck or twice snugly for those unexpectedly cool days. Worked in worsted weight yarn, Colony knits up quick...

I like something cozy around my neck, something I can wear with a blouse or a t-shirt for a little extra warmth, something homey and simple, squishy and soft. I want something, but not a whole lot of something. Enter The Big Skinny, a very narrow, shallow shawl.

Yew Tree Cowl is a lacy ring worked in the round. It features a simple lace pattern, a pretty tree motif surrounded by a delicate diamond. This intuitive lace pattern is simple enough to knit while bingeing your favorite show, yet challenging enough to feel you’re engaged with the pattern. This soft circle is 40” in circumference which means it...

Little Birches is narrow rectangular shawl with lacy edges worked in two colors. This soft yet crisp wrap is easy to wear across your shoulders all year round. It looks equally pretty looped loosely around the neck with its lacy ends in two different colors draping softly toward the front. At 10″ wide, Little Birches is wide enough to be a wrap...

My mother was a Wilson. They were stout-hearted Scotch-Irish United Empire Loyalists who trekked northward to remain loyal to the British crown just prior to the American Revolution. As a child, I loved hearing the wooly tales of their survival in Upper Canada; they’ve inspired the Wilson Wrap.

Brightly colored and quick to knit, these nifty mitts feature an easy mesh stitch back and sweet button closure. They’re ribbed top and bottom and have a fully fashioned thumb gusset. Worked in plump and vibrant Koigu KPM, they’re as satisfying to make as they are to wear and they use just one skein of your favorite color.

During one glorious summer, I crossed the bridge at Hill Island, the one that sails over the Thousand Islands, about 8 times. The thrill of looking over the side at the gorgeous islands below inspired this simple wrap designed for cool evenings on the water. Worked primarily in garter stitch, Hill Island resembles map-like topographical lines. ...

The soft, subtle, shifting shades of chromatic sock yarn are perfect for knitting DECO, a long, light, flapper-inspired scarf. Architectural arches are echoed on each end, while simple drop stitch columns run along its length. To ensure matching scalloped edges, DECO is worked in two pieces from the border inward. Pieces are joined using the Ki...

Worked in a brilliant gradient with lacy little buildings knit right in, the Little Churches Cowl is an easy but engaging knit. Its airy lightness is breezy enough to knit right now, yet warm enough to be your first fall accessory. A single skein of self-striping or gradient sock yarn plus small amounts of solid shades makes this cowl a great s...

What better way to celebrate a long weekend than with a picnic? And what better way to picnic than to spread this simple, bright, pretty blanket under the trees? This little blanket could also be used to snuggle under the stars, to wrap up baby or throw over your favorite outdoor chair against an evening chill. It’s so much fun to knit, I didn’...

So sweet for your feet at any time of year, Picnic Socks are perfect for your spring knitting bag! Worked from the top down, they begin with a pretty picot cast on that resembles a little row of strawberries. Then you’ll work a tiny garden of eyelets and continue with dropped stitch stripes. Another eyelet garden completes the toe. This is an e...

Now, here’s a way to have some fun and bust that stash at the same time. This sweet and colorful tea cozy pattern uses small amounts of left over worsted weight yarn to create a charming, lined topper that really keeps tea hot. And what fun to knit! Stripes, dots and cheerful fields of bright shiny shades make for a joyful summer knit you can e...

I’m always wondering what socks to knit with self-striping or variegated yarns. You know, the yarn we all love because we can let it do all the work while we knit vanilla socks. Except vanilla socks get boring. So! I thought I’d add a little action down each side while maintaining those flat plains of color where variegated yarns really shine. ...

These little sachet bags are simple, sweet and very quick to knit. Sweet Sally Sachets can be made in two sizes with a variety of surface treatments. The larger bag features a moss stitch heart motif, while the smaller bags can be made with your choice of Dot Stitch, beads or sequins. They’re worked in silky soft Baby Bamboo, a blend of bamboo ...

Welcome back to Free Pattern Friday! This is the DOWNLOADABLE version of the Dauphine Street Cowl.

While I sit outdoors on Saturday mornings, I love having something fun to knit that requires a little attention, but doesn’t interrupt my enjoyment of a lovely morning. I want something light and pretty with an easy-to-memorize stitch pattern that will yield stunning results. Worked from the top down and featuring the quick and easy Shadow Wrap...

Welcome back to “Free Pattern Friday”, a fresh new free pattern every week! This is the Ravelry Download version

These pretty socks with an easy-to-memorize stitch pattern and simple Fleegle heel make perfect commute or travel knitting. Sugar Cubes are a delightfully knit from the toe up in sleek superwash merino that’s as feathery-light as a cloud. I promise you won’t want to stop at a single pair! Sugar Cubes socks can be made with any fingering weight ...

DIAMONDS for LISA is a semi-circular shawl with a deep, romantic, diamond patterned border. A luscious and drapey shawl, Diamonds for Lisa is perfect over your shoulders in a chilly restaurant or on an evening walk. Luxury is everything with this shawl, so definitely indulge in a special yarn like Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20. You’ll be glad you...

This is no shrinking violet! The Big Island Wrapper is a triangular wrap in thick absorbent pima cotton. Snug and deeply textured, Big Island is perfect for cool evenings at the beach or by the campfire and has a towel-like coziness when you’re fresh from the lake. Big Island is fun to knit; it uses a bias shaping strategy which means that it g...

Looking for an amusing way to use a single skein of hand-painted, tonal or kettle dyed yarn? PEEK-A-BOO BAY is a simple, semi-circular shawl that provides the perfect canvas for those intriguing variegated skeins. Fields of gentle stockinette are punctuated with an easy yet engaging eyelet pattern that alternates your multi-colored yarn with a ...

Lightweight and relaxed, the Martha Cardigan makes the perfect go-to spring sweater. A classic straight shape and cropped length makes layering over blouses, T-shirts and dresses easy and stylish while a touch of patterning at the hem (including some whimsical bobbles!) makes her a dream to knit.

A wrap is a mighty handy thing to have these days, especially if it’s light, soft and airy and worked in pale and promising colors. It’s perfect for tossing around shoulders in a chilly restaurant or outdoors inside or outside of your jacket. I’ve had a thing for chevrons recently. I love their fluid movement and the energy they produce in fabr...

Everybody needs socks! Especially socks that are fast to knit, durable, comfortable and great looking. With easy-to-memorize pattern detail and a simple, comfy shape, Poppa makes the perfect quick project for the car, commute or movie night; and, in DK weight, they knit up so fast you can make a pair for everyone! Poppa Socks are knit from the ...

These soft, fluffy open work socks are the fastest socks on planet earth! Worked in a luxurious worsted weight yarn, Maypole makes a perfect quick project for the car, commute or movie night; they’re super portable and have an interesting little stitch pattern that’s easy to memorize. When they’re done, you’ll have something very cozy and prett...

Want to have a whole lotta fun with pure cotton yarn? Check out the adorable (and very useful!) Bean Sprout Bag. At about 5-1/2″ x 6 1/2″, this handy little cross body bag is perfect for hands free shopping, browsing or strolling. It’s big enough to hold keys, cards and phone without being cumbersome. I’ve used Rowan Handknit Cotton, but you co...

Slip on these soft and cozy half-socks under flip flops before your manicurist applies polish so you can duck out of the spa and into the sunshine without waiting for your toes to dry. Isn’t that clever? They’re perfect for yoga too, or for under flip flops on those early spring or autumn days. This is a great beach or cottage knitting project,...

Ideal for beginners, the MAGNOLIA MARKET TOTE shows off your fancy new stitch combinations and makes a perfect portable spring knitting project. Great for groceries and great for the beach, too! Magnolia is worked in the round from the top down in soft, silky Butterfly cotton which is available everywhere and comes in millions of wonderful colo...

Isn’t it amazing what can be done with one little skein of sock yarn? Light, gentle and easy on the hands, sock yarn works for everything from sweaters to gossamer shawls. And let’s face it…there are those skeins that are too pretty to bury beneath pants and shoes. They need to be seen, front and center. If you’ve got an interesting skein kicki...

Here’s a fast, fun and easy way to work stripes without the pesky jog! Mrs Pickles Practically Jogless Hat, Cowl & Mitts are just the thing to keep you cozy during fall and winter while you bust your stash.

Flowing, aqueous cables travel the length of the Bay of Quinte Socks. Delighting the eye and challenging the knitter, they create movement that mimics the melting snow as it makes its way to the bay. Fun to wear and fun to knit in any color! The Bay of Quinte Socks have the Fleegle heel and are worked using the Magic Loop method from the toe up.

What could be more fun to knit than simple, classic mittens with a color-block twist? Work them as opposites, complements or in crazy contrast blocks. Dig deep into stash and enjoy combining fields of color. Any way you choose, they’re a great stash-buster and seriously fun to wear! These playful mittens are worked in worsted weight yarn, so th...

Soft, worn and shaped just right, the JEANNE BEANIE is just like jeans for your head. In fact, it’s worked in Berroco Indigo made from recycled jeans! A touch of simple lace patterning and an easy, close fit makes the Jeanne Beanie the perfect summer cap. This hat adapts to a wide range of yarn substitutions; any worsted weight cotton or linen ...

Windowpane is a long, soft, textured scarf, a real winter wardrobe staple for guys and girls. Designed for the absolute beginner, the Windowpane Scarf shows off your knit and purl combinations like a champ. You’ll want to knit it in lots of yarns and colors. Happy Knitting!

There’s nothing like being wreathed in a snuggly soft hat and cowl once snowy winter sets in! Cockleshells is a relaxed and slouchy hat that covers your ears and sits low on your brow. No hat head here! The matching cowl winds twice around your neck and shoulders, keeping you cozy all winter long. The Cockleshells stitch pattern is fun to knit ...

How about a touch of ‘really pretty’ peeking out from your coat sleeve? BARN SWALLOW feminine fingerless mitts are just the thing! They’re quick to knit with just enough excitement to keep a knitter from getting bored, yet much easier than they look. They’re a great stashbuster and they make great gifts, too! You’ll want to make them in every c...

Here’s the perfect transitional hat for summer into autumn! It’s an introductory lace project worked in cool natural cotton (a southern counterpart to its winter cousins, the Cockleshells Hat & Cowl). The Cockleshells Hat is light, cool and easy to wear, a real life saver for keeping beach blown tresses in line while on the boat or at the b...

Here is a collection of soft, luxurious spa cloths, each featuring a different stitch combination. You’ll enrich your stitch vocabulary while knitting these giftable cotton cloths. You’ll want to knit all four! Any worsted weight craft cotton will do, and bamboo works beautifully too!

Diana is a soft and comfortable slouchy hat that features pretty cables along the brim. These interesting details give Diana an elegant, pulled together look that makes for a fun and challenging knit. Shown here in Quince & Co Chickadee, a puffy, fluffy 100% wool, the Diana hat provides warmth as well as charm.

Inspired by early American quilts, Barn Swallow Socks reflect a vintage, heirloom look. The simple moss diamonds are reminiscent of antique patchwork while the swallow-tail lace side panels mimic the intricate embroidery of many log cabin quilts. These elegantly rustic socks are worked in Qunice & Co. Tern, a gentle blend of tussah silk an...

This simple raglan cardigan features a deep v-neck and is worked seamlessly from the top down. Its light shaping and button-free design makes it as easy to wear as it is to knit. Though this sweater is not designed to close in front, the natural stretch of the ribbed fabric permits the use of your favorite shawl pin to close the cardigan sligh...

Knit up some toasty socks the fast & fun way! Super Socks are worked from the top down and feature the lightning fast shadow wrap short row heel. They can be worked singly or two-at-a-time on double-points, circulars or magic loop. Make ‘em in any size from infant’s to men’s large.

This is a fun, quick-to-knit tea cozy that adapts readily to just about any quirky color combination, motif or embellishment you’d like to try. It’s begun in the round, but the sides are worked flat, making it a great background for intarsia. It’s also super portable so it makes a great summer knitting project.