Molly- A Grown Up Version

Here is my Molly hat all completed. I'm very glad I chose to make the solid color version for myself.

I am in love with this yarn Artesano Alpaca 4-ply, and this color Fern is gorgeous. I love the heathery flecks of blue and yellow tones.. but then again I have not yet met a shade of green that I didn't like.

Click here for the pattern. Click here for the yarn.

The patterned brim doesn't stand out nearly as much as it does on the striped version, but I think it's pretty just the same.

Just a nice subtle detail to add interest.

I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of use out of it this Fall.

NeverNotKnitting Event

Tomorrow, September 27th I will be meeting with the local knitting group at Woodstone Market in Avila Beach 2:30pm. Ill be there with all of my design samples answering questions and talking about the process of designing your own handknits.

Join us if you can!

Haltermelon Is Back!

Haltermelon is back and now available in new extended sizes! (Now all the way up to size 6!)

Here is the pattern information for those of you who are interested in knitting one up:

SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (shown in size 2)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 15.5 [16.5, 17.25, 18.5, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24] inches (One inch of negative ease allowed for a fitted bodice)
Length: approx 6.5 [7, 7.5, 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11] inches after blocking
MATERIALS
[MC] Manos Cotton Stria [100% Peruvian Cotton; 116 yd/106m per 50g skein; color: #204;

2 [2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins[CC] color: #205; 1 skein, split into 2 balls
Scraps of black yarn (I used Panda Silk sock yarn doubled up in Black.)

1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle
And
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle (for larger body sizes only)
Stitch holderOne medium button
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

Check out all of the great Haltermelon projects posted on Ravelry by clicking here.

(This pattern has been updated into a beautiful new pattern layout June 2010.)

Molly

My new pattern "Molly" is now available!

This little beret is simple and classic with a few unique details thrown in. The lace pattern brim adds a feminine touch and I think that the swirled top looks really interesting paired with the stripes.

...And don't be fooled by my little hat model. This beret pattern is written for all different sizes, ranging from baby to large adult. You can make a striped version like this one, or in a solid colorway for a more conservative style. I'm in the process of making myself a solid colored Molly right now.

I used the yarn Artesano 100% Alpaca 4-ply for this hat, which is soft and warm. I think that the slightly fuzzy texture looked really pretty in the stripes. This pattern would also look great in

a plain sock yarn though, and be a perfect way to use up some mis-matched leftover balls.

Here is some pattern information for those who might be interested in knitting it:

SIZE
Extra Small [Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large] (shown in size Medium)(Baby [Toddler, Child, Small Adult, Large Adult])

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Brim Circumference approx: 14[16, 18, 20, 22] inches unstretched and after blocking.
Length: approx 5.5 [6, 7, 8.5, 9] inches from cast on edge to top of hat.

(6 [7, 8, 9.5, 10] for a slouchier version)

Note: Brim will stretch a bit with wear. So if you are in between sizes, go down one size smaller to ensure proper fit.

MATERIALS
Solid Version: Artesano 100% Alpaca 4 PLY [100% Alpaca; 200 yd/184m per 50g skein; color: Fern; 1 [1, 1, 2, 2] skein(s) or approx 145 [165, 185, 215, 245] yds.

Striped Version: [MC] Artesano 100% Alpaca 4 PLY [100% Wool; 200 yd/184m per 50g skein; color: #0785 (Bolivia); 1 [1, 1, 1, 1] skein or approx 85 [95, 105, 125, 145] yds.

[CC] color: #2318 (Anemone); 1[1, 1, 1, 1] skein or approx 60 [70, 80, 90, 100] yds.

1# 16” US #1/2.25mm circular needle for brim
1# 16” US #3/3.25mm circular needle for body of hat
1# set of US #3/3.25mm double pointed needles for top of hat and I-cord
Stitch markers in 2 different colors
Tapestry needle
Measuring tape

GAUGE
32 sts/38 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on US size 3 needles

Kits for Molly are available here through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click HERE to see an adult version of Molly in a solid color.

I hope that you enjoy the pattern!

(This pattern has been updated into a beautiful new pattern layout July 2010.)

Some New Projects For ME

I have been knitting mostly for my daughter lately and really wanted to make a few things for myself again. Recently I got this beautiful skein of Handmaiden SeaSilk in the Ireland colorway.

Yarn found here.

I started knitting the shawl pattern Gail. (Pattern here.)

I promise that it will look so much better when its done and all laid out and blocked!

Its going through its crumply messy stage at the moment.

I I love the purl side!

I also started the Vine Yoke Cardigan pattern that was featured in the new issue of Twist Collective.

This is SO fun to knit. Its knit from side to side! Ive never knit a sweater in this style before!

I am using Malabrigo Worsted in Polar Moon.

(The tag actually says that the color is Polar Morn, but Im convinced thats a typo... What is a "Morn" anyways?)

I am supposed to be doing this sweater as a knit-a-long with Hannah Fettig of Knitbot.

She is totally way ahead of me! I need to catch up! :)

NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 24: The Perfect Socks

Episode 24

Shownotes:




One Planet Yarn and Fibers

The Naming of Molly

Artesano Alpaca 4-ply

Elijah

Sublime Organic Merino

Sheepish

Cafe Au Lait Mitts

Handmaiden SeaSilk

Laminaria

Gail

Helpful Chart For Gail

Montego Bay

Lace Ribbon Scarf

Swallowtail Shawl

One Planet Designer Kits

One Planet Customer Bonus Programs

The Perfect Sock

The Perfect Sock Colorway

Tabby on Ravelry

Tabby's Knitting Blog

The NeverNotKnitting Listeners Group on Ravelry

*Dont forget to enter this episode's drawing!

The drawing winner for Episode 23 is "D"!

The winner of the signed copy of Fairy Tale knits is KnittyBarb!

Congratulations!

One Planet Yarn and Fibers has kindly offered 10% off the entire shop to the NeverNotKnitting listeners and blog readers.

Just enter the code "NNK" in the checkout process!

Offer is valid until October 15th.

Click here to download the MP3 of Episode 24.

New (Deformed) Elephant Friend

A week or so ago, my daughter asked me if I would make her an Elephant. Have no clue why. But that's what she asked. I love to knit toys so I happily obliged!

This most adorable knitting pattern "Elijah" immediately came to mind. Ive decided to use up my scraps of the super soft Sublime Organic Merino leftover from my Sheepish sweater to work on this cute little guy.

Isn't this the most perfect Elephant color?

(Pattern available here. Yarn available here.)

So.. not to worry! He isn't finished yet!

I hate knitting things twice, so I had to move onto a leg after I finished one ear. At least I did it on the opposite side so he looks more "balanced". :)

I just thought he looked kind of funny and cute at this stage of the process... in a pathetic/deformed sort of way. I just had to share these pictures. Its cruel, I know.

...I think he's embarrassed...

A New Hat With a Familiar Name

My three year old daughter used to never be one to name things. She always is carrying around some sort of little stuffed animal or doll wherever she goes. Whenever a polite person in the grocery store stops and asks, "Well hello there, whats your Bear's name?" She would always look at them perplexed and answer "Bear" in a matter of fact 'of-course-his-name-is-Bear' type of way.

This all changed recently when my husband brought home two fish. And of course these new pets needed a name. I picked out the first name, and told her to name the other fish. (which she determined was a girl since it was the smaller one) Of course I wasn't expecting much. I thought for sure she was going to be naming the fish, "Fish". But she really surprised me. As soon as I asked her she immediately turned to me and answered "Molly". She was as definite as I had ever seen her.

I think she was so proud of herself for coming up with this name all by herself, that pretty soon everything and everybody in her pretend world was named "Molly". Every stuffed animal and figurine and pretend playmate. When tragedy struck a few days later.. when.. Molly 'the fish' ... um...well... died, my husband immediately set out to get a new fish. A um... sturdier one... When he returned, I again asked my daughter what its name should be. And she replied with "Molly" of course! And for the record Molly #2 is doing just fine.

So last week when I started designing this cute stripey beret and couldn't think of any good name for it, my daughter came to my rescue and named it for me. Im sure you can guess what name she came up with.

The "Molly" beret is a simple beret with a pretty lace brim and a fun swirled top. The pattern and kit will be available for purchase soon. This hat will also be available in all sorts of sizes ranging from baby to adult. Im going to be starting a solid color Molly for myself shortly.

Aside from the hat, I've started 3 other new knitting projects! Another one for my daughter and two for me! Check back soon to see all the new pictures!

Fairy Tale Knits Giveaway

This is a signed copy of Fairy Tale Knits, the book that was mentioned in Episode 23! You can enter to win this copy by leaving a comment under this post. I will be announcing the winner on my podcast and blog September 15th!

That is... If I can pry it away from a certain "princess" that I know...

Drawing now closed! Winner is KnittyBarb! Congratulations!

NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 23 : Interview With Alison Stewart-Guinee

Episode 23



Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Praying Mantis

Knit Picks Zephyr Needles

Sublime Organic Merino Dk

Malabrigo Worsted

Sheepish

Kits for Sheepish

Fairy Tale Knits: 32 Projects to Knit Happily Ever AfterFairy Tale Knits

Fairy Tale Knits Pattern Pictures

Allison's Blog

Allison's Website

Allison on Ravelry

Please join the NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me here on Twitter

*Dont forget to enter this episodes drawing!

Receive 10% off Sublime Organic Merino Dk through the month of September through Dancing Ewe Yarns! Enter in the NeverNotKnitting discount code in the checkout process.

"NNK1"

The winners of the drawing announced in Episode 22 are
Bill, Liz, and Clovermillie!

Congratulations!

Fairy Tale Knits: 32 Projects to Knit Happily Ever After


Click HERE to download Episode 23 in MP3 format