Mystery Cowl Knit-along!

Yes, yes, yes! This is going to be so great!

Tina's Silver Lining

I have teamed up with the talented Tina at Blue Moon Fiber Arts to bring you a fast and fabulous knit-along.

I can't actually show you anything but I am telling you this pattern is cool. It works with variegated yarns. You read that right. I have knit three of them so far and I am going to make more. Perhaps you don't know me very well but this never ever happens. Ever.

Tina took this picture, obviously

Details:

The pattern is divided into three clues to be released on three consecutive Tuesdays:

Clue 1: November 13

Clue 2: November 20

Clue 3: November 27

Materials:

Yarn: Bulky-weight yarn. Suggested yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts De-Vine [100% Wool; 225yd per 200 gram skein]; 1 skein for small or medium size, 2 skeins for large size.

Edited to add: The large will wrap around the neck twice easily, the medium will do so snugly, and the small not at all.

Needles: 1 set US #10/6mm, 1 set US #13/9mm, AND 1 set US #15/10 mm 24” or longer circular needles, or size to get gauge.

Notions: tapestry needle, five 3/4”/2cm or 1”/2.5cm buttons

Gauge: 14 sts/20 rows = 4" in stockinette st using smallest needles. NOTE: Gauge is not critical.

De-Vine is luxuriously squishy in the best way

GOOD NEWS:
You get a discount code to use to purchase the suggested yarn at a 10% discount. De-Vine has already been discounted online around 10% which gives you nearly 20% off of the original price. 

MORE GOOD NEWS: 

Tina and I have picked out ten great colors that we know will look beautiful in this pattern. They are being dyed up right now, so that when you order them, they will ship FAST. You are free to use any yarn you like, just keep your eye on the calendar and secure yours soon.

COLORS:

Tina's Silver Lining
Currier and Ives
Frosty
Hawthorne
Just Jack
A Very Scummy Christmas
Dreidel
Winterberries
Hobbit Garden
Carbon
The Kracken

Only $4.99 to join!

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Want more? Join my Ravelry group for the chatter and knit-a-longs here.

October the what?

Hi friends,

Where have I been all summer? I have no idea. But here it is, drizzling, snappy October once more.

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause
between the opposing miseries of summer and winter. - Carol Bishop Hipps
I always reflect when the seasons change and especially so when the chill hits. I am watching the birds in their V-formations leave the Pacific Northwest. I am drinking hot tea just about every day now. There is no denying it. It's knitting weather, people.

I have a few exciting knitting things to share with you soon (Mystery Knit-along!) But first, may I tell you about a pair of socks that are associated with this season of change?

Día de los Muertos

These socks here are in honor of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). It's a holiday to be spent gathered with family and friends to remember loved ones who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).

We can gather online if we can't gather in person. This year I am remembering some people who have come and gone in my life. I am struck by the fact that if I loved you once, I love you still.

Also, life goes on.

Traditions connected with the Day of the Dead include building altars honoring the deceased using decorated sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. The Day of the Dead is not necessarily a time for mourning, so knit and decorate these socks using bright, festive colors and wear them to party!

This here pattern is written for multiple gauges and you can knit the sock as they are, or add embroidery when done! What a great use for bright scraps of sock yarn leftover from other projects.



At the end of the pattern you will find a sugar skull paper craft pattern. Decorate that too! These socks give the knitter options. A simple sock can be decorated by embroidering marigolds along the eyelets. A skeleton can be embroidered along the side if desired.

Sizes: This pattern is written for four sizes: (See foot circumference chart to determine appropriate size) 1. Women’s Small (2. Women’s Medium/Men’s Small, 3. Women’s Large/Men’s Medium, 4. Women’s X-L/Men’s Large)

Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9, 10) inches 17.5 (20, 23, 25.5 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10, 11) inches 20 (23, 25.5, 28 cm).

Yarn: This pattern is written for four gauges: (See yardage requirement chart to determine yarn selection) Sample shown: sport-weight: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight [100% SUPERWASH Wool; 380yd per 155 gram skein]; color: Pallas Athena: 1 skein.


Needles: 1 set of 32” circular needles (magic loop), 2 sets of 24” circulars or double pointed needles in size to get gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, scrap yarn or embroidery floss, tapestry needle.

Because of the large file size, this time the "extra" is in a separate pdf file. Both the pattern and paper craft are available to you through the link.


The pattern is $4.99
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Happy Hobbit Day!

Welcome to second annual Hobbit Day sale! In honor of Frodo's birthday and Bilbo's birthday, I've got a one-day only sale happening...

Mithril Cowl

Hobbit Cakes

I've got two patterns that are nerdy enough to honor hobbit-y things so I think they should go on sale today. That's right, better hurry!

The Hobbit Cakes Sock pattern is usually $4.99 - Today only it's $2.50

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Mithril Cowl is usually $4.99 - Today only it's $2.50

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Tumblr

Hi there,

I thought I should let you know I also have a tumblr blog where I post pictures and words that inspire me. It's not strictly knitting related, just so you know. If you're curious about that sort of thing, check it out!

Little Tiny Things by Star Athena

Ravelry and the Olympics and the Tour de Fleece

Greetings fiber people! Do you have a minute to look at a post without pictures? I decided to share a little bit about the cease and desist letter that spawned a huge explosion of hurt feelings in the fiber community.

Most of you reading this are fiber people, meaning you know all about it already. Most likely you know more about than I do. What excites me is that this is my blog and I get to write my opinions in it freely.

So, there's this worldwide sporting event called the Olympics, perhaps you've heard of it. A few years ago knitters and crocheters wanted to watch the Olympics while challenging themselves to create something during the span of the games. There are several variations on this, but the one I am going to mention is the event that happened on Ravelry, called the Ravelympics.

[unlicensed image of Olympic Rings not available]

Ravelry received a C&D letter. There are trademark issues. There are also judgements, the highlight being this passage: "We believe using the name “Ravelympics” for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work."

Okay, I think most people are okay with the idea that trademark infringement is serious and changing the name of Ravelympics isn't really a big deal. The problem lies in saying what we do denigrates the Olympics. Maybe it's because I've been knitting longer than many of the athletes have been alive, or maybe it's because I think fast food and soda companies sponsoring the Olympics is denigrating, but that part of the letter ruffled my feathers.

I know what I do is not the same thing as what they do. It does not follow that what I do denigrates what they do.

It turns out thousands of people feel this way too. The USOC (United States Olympic Committee) was bombarded with tweets, letters, calls, emails, and more. Gawker picked up an the story, as did the Oregonian. It's still expanding and the ripples are headed to who-knows-where.

There has since been an apology, though it hasn't been well-received.

I am talking about this today because I keep getting asked about the Tour de Fleece. I started the Tour de Fleece in 2006 in the spirit of spinning yarn along with the Tour de France. It's a crazy concept and with extremely limited appeal (people who spin their own yarn AND like cycling?)

I have not been contacted by anyone associated with the Tour de France to cease and desist the Tour de Fleece. I will let you know if that changes. So far, we are safe. I don't think anyone would accidentally confuse us with the Tour de France, but to be very clear... the Tour de France and the Tour de Fleece are two different events. One does not denigrate the other, except for performance-enhancing doping, which denigrates us all. Maybe it is I who should send the cease and desist letter?

The Tour de Fleece starts on June 30th. It's not too late to join!

Thanks for reading this. I like you.

Powell's City of Books Shawl

City of Books Shawl

Welcome to June! This is the very last pattern in the Stumptown collection. Of course, I’m already hatching ideas for my next club, and I’ll let you know about it as soon as I can. Also, I really appreciate your support this year. It means a lot to me that you took a leap of faith and I am grateful for that! Now, let’s talk about the pattern...

Madeline Tosh Merino Light in Earl Grey

 

Inspiration: Powell’s is a Portland institution. From humble storefront beginnings in 1971, Powell's Books has grown into one of the world's great bookstores, with five locations in the Portland metropolitan area. This shawlette pattern pays tribute to the “world’s biggest bookstore” with textures resembling stacks and aisles. It’s the perfect project to wear on your next book browsing outing.

Malabrigo Sock in Turner

 

There are two samples this month. The bright lime colored yarn is Malabrigo Sock in Turner. The brown version is made out of Merino Light from Madleine Tosh. Bother are soft and fun to work with.

Try it with a shawl pin

 

stacks and aisles

Photography as usual by the oh-so-talented and beautiful Vivian Aubrey. Many thanks!

Dearest knitters, thank you so much for joining me on this tour of the places I love. I hope you are enjoying the patterns, and even perhaps finding your own renewed interest in your places too.

Powell's City of Books shawl pattern is $4.99

Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon. This is the final pattern in the collection, but it's not too late to join!

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join. I'm working on this now.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99

buy now

What are you waiting for?!

Pix

Dearest Blog Readers,

It's new pattern time! Welcome to May, welcome to Pix! This is the penultimate pattern in the Stumptown collection. Next month we have a shawlette and then we are done on our journey around Portland... for now.

Lee Meredith and a rose scented macaron

I have been busy on other sorts of patterns as well and will share them with you soon enough. For today, I hope you'll check out these here Pix Armwarmers.


Pix Patisserie is a beloved little spot to enjoy hot tea and sweet treats. I like to gather here with friends and knit, play cards, and indulge. I designed these mitts to wear while enjoying a fleur de sel macaron, thick hot chocolate, and good company at Pix in Portland. Join me, won’t you?

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Sweet Pea

This advanced beginner level pattern includes instructions to make a pair of lace wrist warmers. You’ll need to know how to read a pattern, cast on, knit, purl, slip stitches, increase, decrease, pick up stitches, read a chart, and work in the round.

Yarn: Hazel Knits Entice MCN in Chocoberry

There are two samples this month. The berry colored yarn is Hazel Knits Entice in Chocoberry - a lovely cashmere blend that is so incredibly luscious. The white pair is made out of Socks that Rock Sweet Pea from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Bother are springy and cheerful!

I will share some macarons with you

Modeled by Star Athena (who else?) and Lee Meredith. Photography by Vivian Aubrey. Many thanks!

They call one that the Royale

As usual, thank you so much for joining me on this tour of the places I love. I hope you are enjoying the patterns, and even perhaps finding your own renewed interest in your places too.

Warm Regards,
Star

Pix Armwarmers pattern is $4.99

Pretty lanterns hang above the outside seating at Pix

Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon.

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99

buy now

What are you waiting for?!

The Waste Land

Lilac | Matthias Rhomberg I. THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain. T.S. Eliot (1888–1965).  The Waste Land.  1922. It's been a while since I shared a poem here. The turning of the seasons seems to inspire something I suppose. Today I bring you a wee tiny taste of the Waste Land by T. S. Eliot. I hope you liked it.

Pendleton Cowl

Good Day to you!

Welcome to April! This month brings us to a pattern that is perhaps a bit controversial. Let me start by saying that I love it. I especially love wearing it. That said, you should probably sit down and pour yourself a drink before reading the next part.

The Pendleton Cowl is a fair isle style stranded knitted cowl worked in laceweight yarn. Now just breathe... It is actually not hard at all to do. I found it pretty fun even!

Admiring the lovely blankets at Pendleton Woolen Mills

Inspiration: An Oregon institution since 1863, Pendleton Woolen Mills sets THE standard for fine wool blankets and clothing. This cowl is a tribute to the designs and patterns found in classic Pendleton blankets. Make it traditional and knit it in vintage-inspired colors as I did, or make it modern with a contemporary palette. The Pendleton style is timeless!

Motifs in the cowl mimic Pendleton blankets

This medium-level pattern is worked in the round with four colors. It includes stripes and charted stranded Fair Isle-style colorwork. The cowl starts with a provisional cast on, is a knit in the round as a tube, then grafted together at the end.

The yarn in the sample is Malabrigo Lace - a lovely baby merino wool that is so incredibly soft. You’ll need four different colors to follow the pattern as written. I chose a light, a dark, a bright and a neutral. Feel free to play with your own ideas!

Cozy and soft!

Photography by Vivian Aubrey. (Thank you Vivian!) We had so much fun when we went to the Pendleton shop to take these pictures. Vivian even picked up 8 pounds of fine wool scraps in a lovely soft blue and tan plaid pattern to make a braided rug. I can't wait to see that! 

I hope you like the cowl - I am really happy with the design and feel. Thanks for spending some time with me today.

Pendleton Cowl Pattern is $4.99



Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon.

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99

buy now

What are you waiting for?!

Hiya friends! Have a quick sec for a little story involving knitting and chocolate?

chocolate photo by John Loo via Flickr

About a week ago I was busy working on the final touches for next month's Stumptown pattern and needed a break. I went to the website of one of my favorite chocolate makers (Vosges) aaaand five hours later had designed a truffle and entered a contest with it.

Now my truffle is in the running to actually get made!

It's down to voting now. I wish they would just pick the one they like but alas, I get to beg ask everyone to vote for me instead. It's obnoxious, I know, but I really want to win this thing!

Photo by Windell Oskay via Flickr

Ratcha Anachak Thai

by Star Athena | 

Vote here

Truffle Ingredients & Inspiration:
I often find myself gathered with friends… talking, eating, playing, knitting, sharing, dreaming. We talk of travel, love, ideas, and chocolate.

I recently dreamed of a milk chocolate truffle while eating noodles with friends at a local food cart. The spicy peanut sauce kept us warm in the Portland rain.

ingredients:
+ Peanut Butter
+ Galangal/Ginger
+ Brown Sugar
+ Coconut Milk
+ Lime
+ Cayenne
+ Finished with a dusting of toasted sesame seeds

I long to share these truffles with friends at our next gathering as we knit and daydream together. I expect they would disappear quickly!

Like it? Please vote for me here. Tell your friends too, if you're feeling extra kind! Thank you all!

The Ides of March

Greetings knitpeople! It's mid-March again. In Portland, that means rain, rosemary shoestrings at Burgerville, and, naturally, a sock pattern. This one is even featured in Knitting Socks from Around the World: 25 Patterns in a Variety of Styles and Techniques!

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

ACT 1, Scene 2:

CAESAR: Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.

SOOTHSAYER: Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: What man is that?

BRUTUS: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: Set him before me; let me see his face.

CASSIUS: Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.

CAESAR: What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.

SOOTHSAYER: Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.

Ides of March

The Ides of March was once a festive day dedicated to the Roman god Mars. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. This sock design was inspired by ancient Roman tile. Just go ahead and jump in - there is nothing to beware of here!

Sizes available: Women’s Small, Medium, Large

Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9) inches 17.5 (20, 23 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10) inches 20 (23, 25.5 cm).

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4" in st st

Needles: 1 set US #1/2.25mm 32” circular needles (magic loop) OR 2 sets of 24” circulars (two circulars) OR double pointed needles, or size to get gauge.

Cabled Cuff

Yarn: Two contrasting colors of fingering-weight yarn that gives you proper gauge. You’ll need approx 50 (70, 90) grams of the Main Color and 30 (35, 40) grams of a Contrasting Color. Sample shown is knit with Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock (100% SUPERWASH Merino wool; 450 yd per 4 oz skein), color: cayenne; 1 skein and Dream in Color Smooshy (100% SUPERWASH Merino wool; 450yd per 4oz skein), color: purple rain; 1 skein.

Notions: Cable needle, Tapestry needle, and (optional) a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Slipping stitches under the foot

NOTES: This advanced sock pattern is worked from the cuff down with two colors. It includes a sideways cabled cuff, mosaic knitting, a heel flap, and a grafted toe. The slipped stitches create a fabric that is slightly less stretchy than standard stockinette stitch. Keep this in mind when choosing yarn and sock size.

What are you waiting for?

Oh yeah, the pattern comes with a word seek puzzle at the end, just for fun!

Buy this pattern now here: $4.99

Laurelhurst Socks

Greetings friends and welcome to March!

I can’t believe we are already halfway through the Stumptown Knits club patterns! After a scarf and hat, it seemed like it was time for a sock pattern. Socks are my comfort zone, and this time stripes are involved! There is only one sock pattern in this collection and I’m really happy with it:

Hello Laurelhurst Socks!

Laurelhurst Socks

Inspiration

Laurelhurst Park is a beautiful patch of nature in the center of a busy neighborhood in Southeast Portland. It’s been named “the most beautiful park” on the west coast by the Pacific Coast Parks Association and was the first park to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

To me, Laurelhurst Park is a fine place to read under the shade of the conifers on a sunny summer day. (One can dream, right?) 

I designed these socks with conifers in mind for the lace cuff. The detail is inspired by the Douglas Fir, a local tree with a distinctive cone. Can you tell?

Douglas Fir cone (center)

Douglas Fir Cone Lace Cuff

Details:

Sizes: Women’s Medium (Large)

Foot circumference: (2 sizes)
7.5 (8.75) inches (19, 22 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8.5 (9.75) inches (21.5, 25 cm).

Two colors

This pattern is worked from the cuff down with two colors. It includes lace, stripes, slipped stitches, a stranded heel flap, and a grafted toe. There are two different striping options: Wide Stripes (Grey and blue sample) and Skinny Stripes (Grey and red sample). The lace is charted.

Red: Skinny Stripes. Blue: Wide Stripes

Yarn: Fingering-weight sock yarn in two colors that gives you proper gauge. Sample shown: Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering [75% Merino Wool, 20% Cashmere, 5% Nylon; 385yd per 100 gram skein]; colors: Wide stripes: (MC) Elegant Elephant, (CC) Bohemian Blue. Skinny stripes: (MC) Flannel, (CC) Peep Toes.

Bohemian Blue with Elegant Elephant

Needles: 1 set US #1/2.25mm 32” circular needles or double pointed needles, or size to get gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4" in st st

This pattern was tested by Basaltimum and teilzeitheldin. Basaltimum knitted the red pair. Socks were modeled by Star Athena and Lee Meredith. All photography by Vivian Aubrey.

Lee pretending it isn't so terribly cold out

Hand knit socks are just the thing!

Laurelhurst Sock Pattern is $4.99

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Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon.

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info in January.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

What are you waiting for?!