Rachel Molenaar

eBooks available as Ravelry Downloads

eBook : 3 patterns

Each of three shawls in this collection can be made with two 100-gram skeins of fingering weight yarn.

eBook : 4 patterns

This collection is inspired by Oz, or rather a dirtied-up and mechanical Steampunk-ish Oz. Think Tik-Tok and the Glass Cat …

eBook : 4 patterns

This collection will include updated and revised versions of my designs from The Fiber Factor. Evolution is available now; Hillcrest, Carillon Cloche, and Winter Beach should be re-published shortly. See my forum for more information.

Patterns available as Ravelry Downloads

Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This design was inspired by a gorgeous colorway dyed by A Hundred Ravens and named for a certain Game of Thrones character. Like her, mini skeins are small but mighty! Unlike a gradient skein, minis allow the knitter to control when and where the color changes. This design makes full use of this ability to create a stepped pattern that evokes s...
Knitting: Cowl
Become a knitting mixologist! Choose from a variety of lace patterns and stripes to create a unique cocktail of color and fiber that pleases you.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Become a knitting mixologist! Choose from a variety of lace patterns and stripes to create a unique cocktail of color and fiber that pleases you.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
In a letter I received from you two weeks ago
Knitting: Hanging Ornament
Create a clutch of colorful dragon eggs with your favorite DK-weight yarn and a small wooden egg. Who knows what might hatch from the beaded egg? Perhaps a wee fire lizard with gemstone eyes? Is it Draco, Puff, or Spyro in the spiral egg?
Knitting: Pullover
This textured pullover uses a combination of twisted stitches and faux cables to achieve the look of a heavily cabled sweater without the usual bulk. The main “threadle” cable undulates over the front and back, while twisted-stitch ribbing on the sides gives the sweater a flattering shape. Designed to be worn with 2-3 inches of positive ease, t...
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This striking shawl evokes the step pyramids of Chichen Itza, which served as a temple to Kukulkan. Little is known about the original mythology of this “feathered serpent” deity from Mesoamerica. In modern folklore, one story tells that Kukulkan flew to the sun to try and speak to it. The sun, too proud to speak to a plumed snake, burnt Kukulk...
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Lose yourself in the labyrinthine turns of Mini Mazy! Show off a favorite mini set in the gradient version, or tame a wild colorway with the two-color version. Garter stitch and a simple overall shape let color and pattern shine.
Knitting: Cowl
Colors melt into each other, draping beautifully around the neck in a mix of lace and simple stockinette stitch. Mini Meltdown was designed especially for gradient mini skein sets from A Hundred Ravens; the design would also work well with single-skein gradient yarn, as well as many tonal and mildly-variegated colorways.
Knitting: Beret, Tam
Martello towers defended British coastlines during the 19th century. Each small, round tower supported a single cannon, set on a rotating platform that allowed 360 degrees of artillery fire.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Graphium weiskei lives only in the highlands of New Guinea. Like many of the butterflies in the Graphium genus, the purple spotted swallowtail has intense pastel patterning outlined in black.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
The Wheelers first appear in Ozma of Oz. Their arms are the same length as their legs, and all four limbs end in wheels made of fingernails. Their clothing is colorful and heavily embroidered. As a child, they terrified me! But, now I admire their attitude and steampunky outfits.
Knitting: Cowl
Buy both of my Necco patterns, and get half off the second one -- no coupon code needed!
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
The Winged Monkeys were once a free people, living in the forests of Oz. They were carefree, but regrettably rather mischievous. They lost their freedom when the King of the Winged Monkeys, as a prank, tossed Quelala into a river, ruining his silk and velvet outfit. Gayelette (his fiancée) was furious and enslaved them to the Golden Cap, which ...
Knitting: Poncho
The Capelet has a little sibling: the Necco Cowl! Buy both of my Necco patterns, and get half off the second one -- no coupon code needed!
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Oscar Zoroaster was an ordinary ventriloquist and balloonist in Barnum & Bailey’s Great Consolidated Shows, until his balloon ropes twisted and he floated away to the land of Oz.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This crescent shawl is worked from the top down. Glinda begins with a garter-stitch tab and progresses through all stitch patterns with regular increases at both edges. The shawl is designed to be made with two 100-gram skeins of fingering-weight yarn in (choose semi-solid or tonal colorways for best results). Some clues have more texture; othe...
Knitting: Cowl
From now until 11:59 pm on Nov 28th, use coupon code “giftalong2017” for a 25% discount on this pattern and many others.
Knitting: Cowl, Scarf
When I was little, my dad took me on hikes on his parents’ farm in Minnesota. We rambled through woodsy bits, up the hill, across the rockslide, and through tall grassy meadows. I remember him handing me stalks of snakegrass (aka horsetail, aka puzzlegrass, aka Equisetum) and showing me how the segments can be taken apart and put back together.
Knitting: Pullover
Crosswind is a waist-length sweater that features dramatic flared cuffs, a scoop neck, and a deep ribbed body. The cuffs fold back over ¾-length sleeves and are sewn in place: use your favorite buttons for a decorative accent. Crosswind borrows its silhouette from the sweaters of the 50’s, with steampunk details to delight and inspire.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap, Scarf
Imagine a silvan vinyard tended by elves. Would they wear the grapevines draped sweetly ‘round their necks? I think they might.
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
These mitts were designed to show off a great skein of worsted-weight yarn. They make great gifts, but you might have a hard time giving them up.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Designed for two contrasting colorways, Altitude is a crescent-shaped shawl with an extravagant lace border. The shawl begins at the back neck with just three stitches. The body features a simple lace pattern flanked by garter-stitch wings, and is suitable for both tonal and moderately variegated colorways. The all-lace border is worked along t...
Knitting: Vest
This slouchy vest features an asymmetric flare of color over the left shoulder – show off your gradient mini set from A Hundred Ravens! Also perfect for hoarded sock-yarn leftovers … go subtle or bold, the choice is up to you.
Knitting: Cowl
This shape of this design is inspired by the rhythms of dreaming. Sleepers alternate between periods of deep sleep and periods of lighter Rapid Eye Movement sleep. REM sleep is associated with creativity, learning, memory, and dreams. Coincidentally, my initials growing up were REM. I shared this monogram with my Grandpa, who is a philosopher, ...
Knitting: Cowl
Things to ponder… Who blew the great horn of Helm Hammerhand? Was Saruman experimenting with explosives? Whatever shall I do with this high-contrast variegated colorway?
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Miss Elinor Dashwood was the sensible sister, or so we are meant to believe. She holds the family together, keeping calm while her sisters and mother and all their neighbors and friends express their emotions rather freely. But still waters run deep, and by the end of Sense and Sensibility, we know Elinor has loved and suffered as much as Maria...
Knitting: Scarf
Mini skeins are so cute, you just have to have them. But after you’re done squashing them, what to make?
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Boing! Mainsprings provide the principal impulse that drives motion and activity. This shawl is inspired by the clockwork rhythm and bounce of mainsprings.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Pendula is fully charted; no written translation of the charts is provided.
Knitting: Cowl
This was an exclusive pattern for the “Silk, Spice, and Steam” Club (A Hundred Ravens). It is now available to the general public. Enjoy!
Knitting: Animal Toy
This quick one-skein project makes a great baby shower gift! It makes the most of hand-painted yarn like Seedling.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Click! Clack! Kerchunk! Cogwheels mesh to transmit torque. Rotational simple machines inspire this design.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This triangular shawl is worked from the top down. Flywheel begins with a garter-stitch tab and progresses through all stitch patterns with regular increases at the spine and both edges. The shawl is designed to be made with two skeins of fingering-weight yarn in complementary colorways (choose semi-solid or tonal colorways for best results). C...
Knitting: Onesies
Not long ago, my dear friend had her first baby. For Susan’s first summer on the planet, I designed this lacy sunsuit, knit in lightweight yarn at a comfortably loose gauge. The bottom is knit flat, then joined and knit in the round following a simple diamond eyelet pattern. Diamond slip-stitch smocking cinches the top. Girly ruffles finish the...
Knitting: Cowl, Cardigan
Now through the end of January, take half off Winter Beach with coupon code BeachLove.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
What to make with a single skein of super-gorgeous silk-blend yarn?
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Flock is a crescent-shaped shawl worked from the bottom edge up. The main lace pattern features nupps. The curved stockinette body is achieved with short rows (no wraps, just decreases). The top edge is finished with an echo of the main lace pattern that transitions to purls to help fight curling.
Knitting: Pullover
Hillcrest was one of two winners of Challenge #2 of The Fiber Factor 2013!
Knitting: Cowl
A French translation is now available, created by momotte and posted at her blog, K’fé tricot des Hauts.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Prior to July 2015, this pattern was available as a free download from The Fiber Factor. Skacel is no longer offering this pattern, or any of the other patterns from The Fiber Factor contestants, on Ravelry.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Levade is a heart-shaped shawl worked from the bottom edge up. Beginning with a very long cast-on edge, the lace swoops through alternating waves, leaves, and medallion motifs. The faster-than-usual decreases creates a beautiful shape that clings well to shoulders.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Beads: 224 size 6/0 seed beads; you will also need a dental floss threader or bead needle to string the beads onto the yarn before you start knitting.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This semi-circular shawlette is worked from the top down. With a wide cast-on edge and curved shape, Capriole hugs the shoulders for easy wearing. The simple, bold lace pattern allows variegated yarn to shine; Capriole is equally beautiful in solid or semi-solid colorways.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This crescent-shaped shawlette is worked in four sections, each a different color. A combination of faggoting, cable, and points adorn the lower edge of each section; simple garter stitch speeds the knitting and highlights gorgeous yarns. Each subsequent section is connected to the previous section as you go – no sewing!
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This semi-circular shawlette is worked top-down. Four textured panels extend like spokes of a wheel, interrupted by broken-mesh wedges. The broad cast-on edge curves around your neck, and the full shape hugs shoulders like a shrug.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This crescent shawlette begins with a narrow lace border. The heart motif is set off by a looped edge and an open-work net pattern. Stitches picked up from the border form the body of the shawlette, which is worked with short rows and finished with a decorative row of eyelets.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
This heart-shaped shawlette is worked top-down. The graceful wings hug your shoulders – this is a shawl that doesn’t slip off easily. The lace pattern of the body evolves into a nupp-enhanced lower border.
Knitting: Scarf
Curious about the technique for creating this scarf? Check out the video tutorial and a photo tutorial at my blog.
Knitting: Tote
This cute little bag packs a lot of knitting technique into a single project: stranded colorwork, steeking, and applied i-cord work together to create a colorful bag inspired by old-fashioned wallpaper.
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
The sinuous twisted-stitch cables that undulate around the leg and instep of these socks evoke the roller coasters at my favorite family amusement park: Canobie Lake Park. They are top-down socks with a traditional heel-flap and gusset. The cable pattern is unbroken around the leg and continues seamlessly into a ribbed heel and twines over the ...
Knitting: Cardigan
This airy cardi is a feminine and elegant layering piece, perfect for cheering up a cool day in the spring or autumn. Zigzag eyelets rise in narrow columns over the skirt, body, and sleeves, like bunches of ripe elderberries.
Knitting: Baby Blanket, Throw
This fully reversible baby blanket is worked on the bias in garter stitch. Step-wise increases and decreases are embellished as you go with crocheted waves.
Knitting: Cup / Mug
This cabled pattern wraps your coffee mug in warmth and style. This pattern was designed with intermediate cable knitters in mind. The chart uses three simple cable stitches, and full written directions are provided as well.
Knitting: Cup / Mug
This cabled pattern wraps your coffee mug in warmth and style. This pattern was designed with beginner cable knitters in mind. The chart uses two simple cable stitches, and full written directions are provided as well.
Knitting: Pullover
This pullover features graceful flared sleeves and a tunic-length flared skirt that will flatter a range of body types. Set-in sleeves provide a great fit. The sweater changes color at the waist and elbow with a band of stranded-colorwork snowflakes to soften the line and draw interest.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Please note: larger-than-normal STR skein
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Pattern includes some charts; however, all charts are also completely written-out, for knitters who prefer to work from written directions.
Knitting: Cup / Mug
Steeking is technique used to safely and securely cut your knitting to create holes where you want them. It is frequently used with complex colorwork sweaters, because it is easier and faster to knit colorwork in the round. It can be scary to steek a big sweater, so I created this scaled-down steeking project to help knitters try out the techni...
Knitting: Dress
This sleeveless baby dress with optional built-in nappy cover has a decorative hem and collar and a button-up back. Short-row scalloped edges and knit-as-you-go flower stitches lend this pattern especially well to hand-painted yarn for the main color of the dress.
Knitting: Electronics Cozy
Knitting: Cowl
This cowl begins with a narrow strip, which is given a half-twist and then joined. Once joined, it becomes a möbius strip and forms the base for this cowl. Stitches are picked up along the single continuous edge and are then worked in the round, following the reversible Minotaur’s Horns pattern.
Knitting: Cowl
This cowl is knit from a true möbius cast-on. The two-sided staggered rib pattern is comprised of simple knit and purl stitches. Made with chunky yarn on large needles, this is a fast and easy knit, once the cast-on has been conquered.
Knitting: Sleeveless Top
This sleeveless top is worked top-down, beginning with a large cabled bandeau that is worked sideways and then joined in a circle. The rest of the body is worked in the round, primarily in stockinette, with a small version of the cable descending like Rapunzel’s braid. The bottom edge is finished with a simple ruffle. The straps are also mini v...
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
These fingerless, palmless mitts were designed to maximize warmth while leaving the hand as free as possible for work. Regular fingerless mitts cover the palm in fabric, which bunches up and slips while trying to hold a camera, for example. The Photog Mitts have an open palm that allows a secure grip.
Knitting: Scarf
Pattern is fully charted and has complete written instructions.
Knitting: Scarf
Pattern is fully charted and has complete written instructions.
Knitting: Mittens
Every year for Christmas I give my mom a gift card for “anything knit.” I’ve made her lots of socks and a sweater too; this year she wanted mittens. She loaned me her Celtic ring as inspiration and chose some beautiful Alpaca yarn. The main cable pattern is based on the ring, with interlocking hearts that also remind me of flowers. My mom says ...
Knitting: Cowl
Although I love the mathematical beauty of the mobius cast-on, many find it too fiddly and mind-bending and miss out of the loveliness of knitting a mobius cowl. This cowl begins as a narrow strip that is twisted and joined for work in the round. Stitches picked up along the edge provide a sturdier start for mobius knitting. The cowl is finishe...
Knitting: Cowl
As an avid “Doctor Who” fan, I just had to have the new “Time Traveler” colorway in Knit Picks Felici. But what to make with it? After several failed attempts I was drawn to Grumperina’s famous “Jaywalker” pattern and adapted it to make this cowl. Show off your own favorite self-striping yarn with this deceptively simple cowl. Knit flat, with a...
Knitting: Legwarmers
These adorable ankle-warmers are just a little bit bohemian—perfect for wearing over your sandals in summertime. The lower edge is knit sideways, then grafted together. Picked-up stitches are worked in the round with a lace panel and tiers of ruched lace set off by a horizontal chain stitch. Embellish with bells and beads for a personalized gyp...