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?!

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?!

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

buy now

add to cart

show cart

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?!

Mt. Hood Snow Cap

Welcome to February! I hope you are all well and managing your winter with good cheer. I am excited because today marks the release of my first (but not last!) hat pattern: Mt. Hood Snow Cap.

Marcia Sanders-Guard braves the blustery snow on Mt. Hood

Inspiration: Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon and can be seen from almost any location in Portland. On the southern flank sits Timberline Lodge, built in the 1930’s as part of the WPA.

Marcia shows off the snowflake crown while warming up inside Timberline Lodge

The exterior was made famous as the Overlook Hotel, where all work and no play made Jack lose his mind in The Shining. Most people, however, associate the lodge with playing in the snow and drinking hot cocoa by the fire. The Mt. Hood Snow Cap was inspired by this sort of experience. Wear it frolicking outside on a cold day or maybe just inside on a hot cocoa day instead!

Anatole cuddles up to Marcia

This advanced-beginner pattern is knit in the round. The mountain flap is knit first, then additional sts are added for the ribbing. The crown shaping mimics a snowflake, with optional bobbles. You’ll need to know how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, and follow written instructions.

Child's Fitted Hat with Bobbles

Yarn: DK-weight yarn. Samples shown: Madeline Tosh DK [100% Merino superwash wool; 225yd per 100gr ball]; color: Chambray (small fitted hat), Burnished (large slouchy hat) Cove (child fitted hat): 1 skein. Hat uses approx 160, [170, 180] yards.

Gauge: 22 sts/30 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch

Needles: 1 set US #4/3.5mm 16” circular needle and double pointed needles OR size needed to obtain gauge.

Left: Chambray; Center: Cove; Right: Burnished

Hat Sizes: Child [Adult Small, Large]

Hat Circumference: 18” [20,” 22”] OR 46 [51, 56] cm

Notions: Tapestry needle. Optional: Contrast yarn or thread for embroidery.

Simple snowflake embroidered over mountain flap

This pattern was test knitted by Roxanne Powell and cthulhulovesme. Child hat knitted by Roxanne Powell. Hats modeled by Marcia Sanders-Guard, Gabe Sanders-Guard and Anatole. Photography by Vivian Aubrey and Gabe Sanders-Guard. Many, many thanks!

Large Adult Slouchy Hat without Bobbles

This pattern is available for download $4.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

Marcia... you cutie!

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

Snowflake crown and bobble detail

Before you go, I want to remind you that we have knit-a-longs going on Ravelry. Just be sure to stop by the group here. The January prizes included a pouch from Namaste and lip balm from Bar Maids. February prizes will be announced in the Ravelry group!

If you want to knit along with us but can’t finish your project before the end of the month, don’t worry. There will be a prize thread at the end of the club for any finished pieces done after the deadline... still more chances to win something!

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

Willamette Scarf

Happy New Year, Friends! I hope this year has started off in the very best of ways. If this isn't the case for you, allow me to point out that there is plenty of time to course-correct.

Today is exciting for me because I get to release the first pattern in the Stumptown Knits pattern club! The Willamette Scarf is inspired by the flow of water that runs right through the center of Portland.

A cold day along the banks of the Willamette river in Portland

The Willamette river is a vital, multi-functioning tributary of the Columbia, rich with life, commerce, and recreation. It runs like an artery up the middle of Portland, crossed often by distinctive bridges and the occasional beaver. The linen stitch and herringbone stitch in the Willamette scarf mimic the ripples, waves and stones of the water.

Color: Star

The yarn is dyed by the talented Melanie at Black Trillium. There are two colors pictured here: Star and Columbia. I've been eager to work with the Star color which was named after me. (How cool is that!?) I like how the variegation plays with the textured stitches.

Color: Columbia

The Columbia color was a natural choice here. Since Black Trillium is based in the Pacific Northwest it makes perfect sense she would have locally inspired colors. I like how the watery blue is integrated with salmon. Quite accurate!

Under the Burnside Bridge, with orange gloves

Scarf Size: Adjustable. Sample is 80” long. 6” deep at widest part. 

Notions: Tapestry needle.

Gauge: Gauge is not critical.

Needles: US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needles.

Skill level: This advanced-beginner pattern is knit flat using some unusual stitches. You’ll need to know how to cast on, knit, purl, slip stitches, increase, decrease, bind off and follow written instructions.

A detail of the Herringbone and Linen stitches (waves and pebbles)

This pattern was tested by Bev Love and Minttu. Columbia Scarf sample knitted by Bev Love. Photography by Vivian Aubrey. Many thanks!

Willamette Scarf Pattern is $4.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

Hey, wait! Did you know that this pattern is part of a larger collection?

Stumptown Knits: An accessories collection designed to honor the place you live and the place you love. For me, it’s inspired by Portland, OR. What will it be for you?

This pattern-only club runs for 6 months and features 6 patterns. 

Club costs $15.99 to join.

Patterns: 
Sock yarn scarf (shown)
DK-weight hat 
Sock yarn shawl 
Socks 
Armwarmers 
Cowl

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!
• 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!
  
  I hope you will join me in my exploration of this beautiful place through knitting. Have questions? Just ask! On Ravelry? Join the group and join the discussions here.
  
  Yes, join now!

$15.99

buy now

add to cart
show cart

Willamette Scarf Tease #2

January 1st is a time for a great many things! I am sure to ramble a bit here quite soon about the upcoming transition to 2012. Also, a new pattern will be released...

A cold day along the banks of the Willamette river in Portland

A detail of the herringbone and linen stitch (waves and pebbles)

Under the Burnside Bridge, with orange gloves

Stay tuned for more details. For now, I should tell you that the lovely yarn is Black Trillium Lilt in colorways "Star" and "Columbia"

Thanks to Vivian Aubrey for the lovely photos (We had way too much fun that afternoon)! See more pictures in the Stumptown Knits collection just hatched on Flickr, if you wanna.

Stumptown Knits

Okay party people! It's ON!!!

Willamette Scarf

Stumptown Knits: An accessories collection designed to honor the place you live and the place you love. For me, it’s inspired by Portland, OR. What will it be for you?

This pattern-only club will run for 6 months and will feature 6 patterns. The first pattern will be released on January 1st, 2012.

Anyone who was a Socks For All Seasons club member will get a $1 off discount code to join Stumptown Knits if they want to.

Anyone who buys/bought the Socks For All Seasons ebook (Before Dec 1st) will also get a $1 off coupon code.


I have emailed out the coupon codes already - if you didn't get yours and you are eligible, let me know!

Club costs $15.99 to join.

Patterns: 
Sock yarn scarf (shown)
DK-weight hat (shown, sort-of)
Sock yarn shawl 
Socks 
Armwarmers 
Cowl

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!
• 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!

Mt. Hood Snow Cap

That’s it for now. Sign-ups start NOW! I hope you will join me in my exploration of this beautiful place in a non-sock way. Have questions? Just ask! On Ravelry? Join my group and join the discussions here.

Join now!
$15.99

buy now

Stumptown Knits - coming soon

I am excited to announce the details of my new club now! I've got two pictures to share as a tease as well. 

Willamette Scarf

Stumptown Knits: An accessories collection designed to honor the place you live and the place you love. For me, it’s inspired by Portland, OR. What will it be for you?

This pattern-only club will run for 6 months and will feature 6 patterns. The first pattern will be released on January 1st, 2012.

Anyone who was a Socks For All Seasons club member will get a $1 off discount code to join Stumptown Knits if they want to.

Anyone who buys/bought the Socks For All Seasons ebook (Before Dec 1st) will also get a $1 off coupon code.

Club costs $15.99 to join.

Patterns: 
Sock yarn scarf (shown)
DK-weight hat (shown, sort-of)
Sock yarn shawl 
Socks 
Armwarmers 
Cowl

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!
• 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!

Mt. Hood Snow Cap

That’s it for now. Sign-ups will start on November 15th. I hope you will join me in my exploration of this beautiful place in a non-sock way. Have questions? Just ask! On Ravelry? Join my group and join the discussions here.