Free pattern - Neck Cowl

Anyone out there still trying to knit up quick Christmas gifts?! Here's one that will take you less than 3 hours to knit.... the Neck Cuff!

Perfect for a guy or a girl...




Stats:
Pattern - Neck Cuff by Jody Scofield
Yarn - any worsted weight - I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
Needles - Size 7

The pattern couldn't be easier:

1. Cast on 96 stitches. (or any multiple of 4)
2. Join in the round on a size 7 US 16 inch circular needle.
3. Knit 2, Purl 2, around.
4. Repeat K2, P2 rounds until the cuff is 6 inches.
5. Bind off.

I bound off in K2, P2 so the pattern wouldn't be interrupted.

You can wear it as a neck cuff of course...




But it works great as a headband too!



I hope you enjoy this little pattern - and make one for yourself too!

Free Pattern - Cha Cha Cowl

As you read in yesterday's post - I recently took part in a Handmade Holiday Swap with some friends. My person to knit for was my friend Jen - AKA ChaCha. I knew I wanted to knit her a cowl and decided to try designing my own. I found this cool barred knitting technique in a Barbara Walker book and took it from there.

I used the barred technique to create a kind of swirl pattern. The name was obvious - I had to name it after the recipient - and it became the Cha Cha Cowl.

I hope you enjoy knitting it as much as I did - I have already knit three of them!




Stats:
Pattern: Cha Cha Cowl by Jody Scofield
Yarn: Valley Yarns Coltrain - about 100 yards
Needles: Size 7 Addi Turbos

Ravelry users - download pattern here

Non Ravelry Users - download pattern here



My lovely friend Coleen is modeling the cowl here - isn't she cute :)






Sarah's sister Jen is modeling yet another version of the Cha Cha cowl. This time it was knit with a bulky weight yarn. I cast on only 84 stitches for this one instead of 102 for the worsted weight cowl. As long as you use a multiple of 6 - you can adjust the size as needed.



This cowl is knit using Wool in the Woods Sophie - unfortunatley this yarn is discontinued, but it's very similar in weight to Malabrigo or Manos. I knit it on size 9's instead of 7's






I also knit one with sock yarn held double. It's going to be a Christmas gift though - so no pictures yet! But I can say it looks really cool! I used a skein of Socks that Rock Lightweight and had just enough in one skein to knit the cowl.

I hope you like the new pattern!

Free Pattern - Vineland Mittens

I have an early holiday gift for you! A new free pattern!

May I present my Vineland Mittens:



Stats:
Pattern: Vineland Mittens by Jody Scofield

Free downloads:
Ravelry users: click here
Non Ravelry users: click here

Yarn: Orange and blue = Berocco Ultra Alpaca
Pink and brown = Cascade 220
Needles: Both samples were knit using size 5 needles - gauge is important!!
Notes: Special thanks to Sarah for test knitting this pattern - she knit the pink and brown one!!


This pattern was inspired by a visit to Shenandoah valley. You may remember my weekend at Bryce Mountain blogged here.

We visited several vineyards while there and I just couldn't get those curling whirling grapevines out my head.









I hope you enjoy the new pattern!

Stitch and Pitch!

Better late than never for this post!

Last Friday - I went to the Stitch and Pitch game at the Nationals stadium in DC. It my was first time at that stadium and I have to say I had a blast!

Hollyanne and her son joined me at the game.




The boy and I had fun mimicking the announcer's voice as he called the names of the Nat's players.... Looooooooooopez! Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuzman! Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuukes! He was also trying to get a photo of each player hitting the ball. It was very challenging actually because his camera took about 2 seconds from the time you push the button to the time his camera actually took the photo. So I was helping him out. I must have said "ready... set... take it!" about 500 times!! I got really good at analyzing the pitcher's wind up! ha!

He did get some good shots though and that's all that matters!

The game went into extra innings and would you believe it took 14 innings for the Nats to finally win!? But win they did! Here they are celebrating their LOOONG awaited victory.



The "official" mascot of the team is Screech the bald eagle - but my personal favorites were the Presidents!



Here they are on the big screen racing around the stadium. Lincoln won both times :)

There was of course - lots of knitting!


And knitters! I didn't know who would be there - but I hit the knitter jackpot - I saw all my DC and VA friends! (MD friends too!)

Before we even sat down - we saw Ms Bonnie!



And the awesome sisters Cici and Chelette.


It was so great to see my pal Amy O!



Boo hoo - she is leaving for Alaska soon!


I managed to spy Ann in the front row when she got up for the 7th inning stretch and then imagine my surprise when I sit down next to Erin! It was so great to run into you ladies!


And I also finally got to meet the fabulous Karida of Neighborhood Fibers. We had communicated through email when I was helping out with the Cloverhill Booth at MD Sheep and Wool. She is just as nice in person as she is online.



This girl is way talented too. She dyes up the most gorgeous yarn! I was lucky enough to snag two mini skeins of Neighborhood fibers in my Stitch and Pitch goodie bag! Woohoo!

I later heard Isel was waving at me all night and I never even saw her! Sorry! I told her she has to throw some yarn at me next time :)

It was a fun night! Can't wait for the next Stich and Pitches - first at the Bowie Baysocks and then the Orioles!

Free Pattern - Merletto Mitts!

At long last I can now finally present (in proper fashion) my latest design.

I give you the Merletto mitts!




Stats:
Pattern: Merletto Mitts
Designer: Me!
Yarn: Any sock yarn (I used less than one ball of Knit Picks Gloss)
Needles: US 2/2.75mm

These fingerless mitts were initially a gift for my friend Jolene last Christmas. I made up the pattern by combining a simple cable with some lace details. Put it all together and the Merletto Mitts were born.

This was such a fun pattern to design! I also had lots of great help too! I have to thank Sarah, and Stacey for test knitting and Jolene for helping edit the pattern.




Those of you on Ravelry - you can download the pattern for free with this link:

Ravelry Download


Those of you not on Ravelry - (what are you waiting for!) you can use this link to download this free pattern:
Click here



Don't forgot - if you're going to MD Sheep and Wool this year, there will be tons of gorgeous hand painted and kettle dyed yarn for you to make this pattern at the Cloverhill booth!

Enjoy!