YellowBlueDesign by Olya Mikesh

Patterns available as Ravelry Downloads

Knitting: Pullover
Rustic, durable, and hard wearing Homestead yarn was the inspiration for this design. Simple raglan pullover with just enough texture and interest keeps the pattern enjoyable without being too intricate. Latvian Braids and Tubular Bind Off add a polished finishing to the ribbing. At an Aran weight gauge this sweater practically knits itself. Ne...
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Aragon wrap is an adventure in knitting that will take you through several techniques, build your skills, and reward you with a beautiful heirloom piece. Each technique used in this project is fairly simple in itself, giving a perfect opportunity for practicing and mastering it over the course of working on this project. Unusual construction an...
Knitting: Pullover
Rosemaaling is a decorative folk hand painting technique that is practiced in Scandinavian countries, but also has similar characteristics to other folk painting techniques from around the world. Characterized by floral designs (especially Roses), this painting technique was an inspiration for this pattern. Twisted rib Cuffs and Hem feature a f...
Knitting: Decorative - Other
This Christmas Tree Skirt features a Fair Isle colorwork pattern knitted in worsted weight yarn. Using various amounts of six colors of yarn this is a great stash-busting project that can be easily customized by changing colors. Knitted seamlessly, in the round, this pattern uses a Steek to create an opening at the back of the skirt. This heirl...
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
These Christmas Stockings feature a traditional Fair Isle colorwork pattern knitted in worsted weight yarn. Using between 20 - 75 g of six colors of yarn this is a great stash-busting project, that can be easily customized by changing colors, or adjusting the Colorwork chart. Make them for your family or friends and they will be treasured for m...
Crochet: Coat / Jacket, Cardigan
My Granny Cotigan is another take on a popular coat/cardigan construction that is made-up of Granny Squares. The squares joined in panels to create the entire body and sleeves of the cardigan utilizing a continuous Join-As-You-Go method, with no additional ends to weave in. Knitted ribbed cuffs, hem, and shawl collar add a nice finish to this p...
Crochet: Cardigan
Viola Cardi is another take on a popular hexagon cardigan construction. It is made-up in two hexagons that are folded and seamed to create the entire body and sleeves of the cardigan. Floral motifs reminded me of Viola flowers (commonly called Pansies), inspiring the name for the pattern. Scalloped border adds a clean finish and a feminine touc...
Knitting: Tee
Simple boxy tee with Twisted Rib details provides a blank canvas for experimenting with different yarn choices, stripes, color blocking, or just a solid neutral for everyday wear. Top-down, seamless construction makes this a very easy and intuitive knit. Summer blend yarns in heavy fingering to sport weight categories will create fabric that is...
Knitting: Pullover
Inspired by the flowers of Dogwood tree, this pullover has a simple, slightly oversized silhouette that is highlighted by balloon style sleeves featuring leaf-like lace, and flower embroidery on the shoulders. Light and airy alpaca yarn knitted at an Aran weight gauge gives this garment drape, without adding any bulk. A fingering or sport weigh...
Knitting: Wall Hanging
If you enjoy celebrating the Advent season, you might want to make an Advent Calendar wall hanging that can be filled with your favorite treats, and used for many years to come. After knitting the panel flat, the after-thought pockets worked from the back of the panel, and top and bottom edges sewn to create a casing for wooden dowels. Finally,...
Knitting: Pullover
Festive Woodland Pullover is inspired by traditional Scandinavian circular yoke sweaters and timeless colorwork motifs with a modern color palette. Another inspiration was Woodlands and mountains, as well as geometric patterns. Unisex in style, this pullover is perfect for men and women.
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
To celebrate one of my favorite holidays, I have designed a pair of socks that are inspired by this season. Each detail in the pattern draws on the elements of the holiday: Colorwork pattern features pumpkins and acorns, bobbles represent walnuts, textured lace is reminiscent of the turkey feathers. Corrugated Ribbing adds another beautiful det...
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Hoarfrost Hat is a perfect hat to wear when temperatures drop. Double-folded brim hugs the ears and keeps the chilling winds out. It is knitted inside-out, with two different styles of Ribbing. The main body of the hat worked in a simple cable pattern, gradually transitioning into crown shaping. The style of the hat is a fitted beanie. If you w...
Knitting: Dress
Ruffles, bobbles, lace - this dress has it all! A companion pattern to my adult Fiesta Top, Little Fiesta is just as charming and fun to knit. Simple top-down construction allows you to customize this pattern to be a top, tunic, or a dress. Options for omitting lace and bobbles, or adding long sleeves is also included. Perfect for long-gradient...
Knitting: Shrug / Bolero
Lilium (Lat.: Lily) Shrug is inspired by the simple two-directional lace pattern that is reminiscent of its namesake flower. The lace is very intuitive and meditative to knit, and construction starts with a simple knitted rectangle, making this a beginner-friendly project. The Shrug has a generous oversized fit, and drapes beautifully over the ...
Knitting: Brimmed Hat, Pants
This Nautically-inspired set is perfect for summer adventures on the beach, to the park, or just for a cute photo shoot. Pair it with a white tee and your little guy or gal will be ready for any occasion. Made in Aran or worsted weight yarn, this fun and quick project can be done in a weekend. I recommend using a cotton/acrylic blend yarn that ...
Knitting: Towel
These towels are inspired by the juicy, fresh colors of citrus fruits, and will give a timeless vintage vibe to your kitchen decor. Simple lace border and Garter stitch stripes give a nice accent to an otherwise very simple project. The lace is worked in combination of reversed stockinette and stockinette stitches, making it lay flat even witho...
Knitting: Dress
Cresslyn is a beginner-friendly pattern that utilizes a simple drop-stitch technique to create an open, lace-like fabric. The cover-up is knitted sideways, in two rectangles, and seamed at the center back and front to create a V-neck opening. Sides are also seamed, leaving an exposed, side ruffle. A crocheted drawstring belt and a fringed hem m...
Knitting: Tee
Fiesta Top is an a-line warm-weather garment full of beautiful details: lace yoke, bobbles, ruffle, eyelet side increases. It is enjoyable to make, and will be a perfect top to wear for a party, or whenever you need a touch of famine flair. Top-down, seamless construction, allows you to try the garment as you go, and adjust the length to fit yo...
Knitting: Tee
Pops of texture and color, plus clean finishing, enrich this flowy, boatneck tee. This is a great opportunity to learn the useful technique of knitted tucks, as well as to make a summer tee with lovely drape and ombré stripes.
Knitting: Beret, Tam, Mittens
If you love the squishy texture of Brioche, but intimidated by the technique, or just love the simplicity of knit and purl stitches, this pattern is for you. This set is knit in a simple 1x1 Rib pattern that seamlessly transitions into Fisherman’s Rib (or faux Brioche) stitch that is worked the same as 1x1 Rib, with a small modification. The to...
Crochet: Table Runner
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Knitting: Decorative - Other
Inspired by the textured border pattern that resembles Christmas Trees, this skirt is a perfect addition to any Christmas decor. Made in Aran weight yarn, it’s a fast and enjoyable knit, and you will be able to make your skirt in a week’s time. Lighter colors of yarn will showcase the border pattern, and will create the illusion of the snow cov...
Knitting: Vest
Shatar (Mongolian - “chess”) Vest is a modern take on a classic fair-isle vests, design to be unisex in fit and style. Traditional geometric Colorwork pattern, reminiscent of a grid or chess board, is knit in two high-contrasting colors of Fingering weight yarn. Close-fitting design can be worn with 0 up to 4 inches of negative ease, proving th...
Knitting: Earflap Hat, Mittens
Doolan (Mongolian - “warm”) Hat & Mittens feature a double layer of knitted fabric in combination with Stranded Colorwork body. Double Knitting technique is used to create the two layers of knitted fabric in the earflaps, brim and crown of the hat, as well as the cuffs, tops, and thumbs of the mittens. The air trapped between two layers of ...
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Mini Me Hats are designed to fit an average Toddler or Child’s head, and an 18” doll. These hats are perfect for Birthday or Christmas gifts, and are really quick to make. You will be tempted to make them in multiple colors and look for any potential doll-loving recipients (as happened to me when I was designing these hats.) Using any Aran or B...
Knitting: Cowl
This cowl is inspired by the lace motif of blooming clusters, and the beautiful colors of hand dyed yarns. I wanted to showcase both of these elements, making sure to use up every last bit of the yarn (who likes leftovers, right?), and make a cowl that is enjoyable to make, as well as beautiful to wear.
Knitting: Pullover
30% off first week of pattern release with coupon code Succulent (expires 10/22/21)
Knitting: Pullover
This pullover is a summer staple, made with blocks of neutral colors that pair beautifully with just the right amount of lace. Knit with 100 percent pima cotton yarn, this loose-fitting, textured top offers an effortless drape for easy wear on a warm day.
Knitting: Skirt
Mariza is a playful skirt inspired by vintage summers with a bohemian flair. Knit with six different colors and grounded with a neutral Ecru color, small amounts of yarn are used for each stripe. Easily adjustable to your own color palette, this skirt can also be a great scrap-busting project.
Crochet: Containers
Up-cycling an old tee-shirt into a function and trendy storage can be a fun and satisfying project that you can tackle in a weekend. There are plenty of tutorials on how to cut a tee-shirt to make the tee-shirt yarn, or you can use a store-bought jersey yarn for this project. You can also easily adjust the pattern to make a bigger, or a smaller...
Knitting: Vest
Venam (Lat: veins) Vest is a seamless, top-down Sweater Vest knitted in Fisherman’s Rib (English Rib) stitch. The produced fabric is identical to Brioche, but is knitted differently, and in my opinion, a lot easier than Brioche. The vest is completely reversible, allowing for 2 different color-ways in one garment.
Knitting: Cardigan
Colossal Cables Cardigan is inspired by a ready-made cardigan spotted on Pinterest. I was immediately drawn to the rich texture of the oversized cables on a garter striped background. The open-front style with a generous amount of positive ease has a relaxed and cozy feel. It’s a perfect cardigan to snuggle up on a weekend, or to wear with a pa...
Knitting: Christmas Stocking
These Christmas Stockings are a quick project to make to decorate your home, or as a gift for a loved one. Aran weight yarn works up quickly, and simple Colorwork Chart adds just enough interest to the Stocking, without being too complicated or time consuming. It also has a minimalistic and rustic feel, that can match any decor.
Knitting: Pullover
Far East Pullover is inspired by the beautiful colors and motifs of the Far East region of the World. Warm colors are reminiscent of the spice markets, lotus flowers and floral motives represent the vegetation of the region, and lace adds an embellishment similar to the decorative borders of the eastern garments.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
3+1 Shawl is designed for using up all those half skeins of yarn left over from making socks. I have used 3 balls of leftover sock yarns (approximately 50g each) + 1 full skein to make this shawl.
Knitting: Cardigan
Vinea (Latin): Vine, is inspired by an overall lace pattern that is reminiscent of vines running along the length of the garment.
Crochet: Skirt
Meadowsweet Skirt is inspired by the vintage doily motive, resembling Meadowsweet flower stems, that decorate the hem of the skirt. Drawstring belt is made using a crochet cord technique and features large tassels. Optional lining can be added to give this garment a professional finish.
Knitting: Bonnet, Baby Blanket
C+K is when Crochet meets Knitting in a project that combines the beauty and simplicity of both crafts. Knitted garter stitch blanket and bonnet are finished with crochet edgings to make a lovely baby set.
Knitting: Pullover
Boxy Brocade Pullover is a raglan pullover with textured Diamond Brocade stitch body, deep fold-over cuffs, and turtleneck. This cozy pullover would be a perfect everyday garment to wear on a chilly fall day, or layered under a jacket in the winter. I have aimed to make this design unisex, easy to customize for a perfect fit, and enjoyable to k...
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
These socks are inspired by the color changes of aged patina, and the intricate beauty of ironwork. I thought this would be a fun sock design that can combine the beauty of hand dyed yarns with the colorwork design, in a simple, yet engaging pattern.
Knitting: Tee
Milkweed Tee is a perfect summer top with plenty of ease, reversed Stockinette body, and nice lace detail. The pattern was inspired by the Japanese lace that reminded me of the Milkweed flower clusters.
Knitting: Tee
Simple top-down tee with small details: mini cable raglan, split hem, and split cuffs. This is a perfect project to try different colors and summer yarns. You can Ombre, Marl, Color Block, or simply knit with one color.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This shawl is perfect for using one of those beautiful hand dyed skeins of sock yarn that you loved, and purchased without a project in mind. Just pair it with a solid color that complements some of the colors in the multi-colored yarn, or use a contrasting color that creates a vibrant “happy” effect (as I did in the sample.) The striping effec...
Knitting: Pullover
Peonies Pullover is a boxy V neck cotton pullover with simple lace panel on the sleeves, and embroidered detail. It’s a perfect spring and summer garment, that can be worn with dresses, skirts, shorts, and jeans.
Crochet: Costume
This is a beaded crochet patterns, using 51 pearl beads that are crochet into the fabric of the cocoon.
Knitting: Ankle Sock
Have you even wondered how to make a perfect pair of matching socks from a self-striping sock yarn? This patterns not only teaches that, but also shows you how to knit a pair of socks with virtually no row counting. This makes the sock knitting not only easy and fast, but also very addicting. You’ll be knitting socks from all the self-striping ...
Knitting: Baby Blanket
Quick and easy blanket that can be made in one evening!
Knitting: Costume
The pattern provides instructions for making ether boy or girl style outfit. The boy style has a knitted bow tie, and girl style has crochet flowers on the hat.
Crochet: Dress
Gauge is done with crochet hook H and cotton yarn.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Pattern can be used for both - girl hat with the large bow, or boy hat with button.