Tropical Trapezoid Scarf pattern released

Something to brighten these dreary winter days!

A rope cable runs down the center of the scarf and is flanked by Hurdle stitch trapezoids.

Directions are both written and charted — best of both worlds!

Here’s the pattern page if you’d like to check it out

Cranberry Ocean Knits publishes Heirloom Treasure Baby Blanket

Very excited to announce this new addition to the Cranberry Ocean Knits line. See more info here.

A Free Pattern for You

The Popsicle Scarf

I had 1 skein of Patons SWS (Soy Wool Stripes) in “Natural Green” colourway — what to do, what to do? Well, I was trying out some pattern stitches and thought I’d share this one because I thought it suited the yarn really well.

The yarn is a little splitty, so take care that you knit individual stitches and not catch threads from another stitch. This is especially important because of those “dropped stitch” sections. They won’t unravel well if you’ve snagged the yarn.

1 skein will make about a 24″ [60cm] long scarf, 4 – 4 1/2 ” [10 - 11.5cm] wide; perfect size for a neck warmer!

For a longer scarf you’ll need 2 (or more) skeins.

If you wish to make a wider scarf, add stitches in multiples of 8; so, instead of the 28sts, you could cast on 36 sts or 44 sts. Making a wider scarf means that 1 skein will give you less length, so you’ll need at least 2 skeins for even a 24″ [60cm]scarf.

Directions

Cast on 28 sts on 5.5mm [US9] needles

Knit 4 rows

Work in Pattern Stitch (below) until scarf measures approximately 23″ [58cm] from beginning, ending having finished a R20. Your scarf may be slightly longer or shorter depending on your tension.

Knit 3 rows.

Bind off.

Weave in ends.

Pattern Stitch:

R1(RS): k2, m1, *k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, m1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2

R2: p4, k2, p2, k2, *p3, k2, p2, k2; repeat from * to last 4 sts; p4

R3: k4, p2, k2, p2, *k3, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * to last 4 sts; k4

R4: repeat R2

R5: repeat R3

R6: repeat R2

R7: repeat R3

R8: p2, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows; *p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows; repeat from * to last 2 sts; p2

R9: k3, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R10: p3, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

R11: k3, p2, k1, m1, k1, p2, *k2, p2, k1, m1, k1, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R12: p3, k2, p3, k2, *p2, k2, p3, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

R13: k3, p2, k3, p2, *k2, p2, k3, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R14: repeat R12

R15: repeat R13

R16: repeat R12

R17: repeat R13

R18: p3, k2, p1, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows, p1, k2, *p2, k2, p1, drop next st from left needle and unravel it down 7 rows, p1, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

R19: k3, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; k3

R20: p3, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts; p3

Repeat these 20 rows.

Abbreviations:
k – knit
p – purl
m1 – make 1 stitch by lifting the yarn between stitches on the Left and Right needles and knitting into the stitch; normally you would knit into the back of the lifted yarn to avoid a hole in the knitted fabric, but in this case you don’t need to worry about that since that column of stitches will be dropped later

As with all of my patterns, I really appreciate you linking to this blog entry to share the pattern with your friends. All written and pictorial content is copyrighted.

Transitions Scarf

Here’s the newest item off the needles — the Transitions Scarf. If you can knit and purl, you can easily make this scarf!  A very clever slipped-stitch edge provides a lovely finish on each side. And, there’s still time to knit this one before the Holidays!

The sample shown here was knit using Bernat Soy Natural Blends yarn — a lovely yarn with just that little bit of sheen that will make this a perfect “out on the town” scarf. Knit it in a lovely merino and it becomes great for everyday wear.

see the PurpleSage Designs pattern page for lots more details!

purchase this downloadable pdf knitting pattern through Ravelry.com for only $2.00USD

Celtic Child: Forest Paths Baby Blanket pattern

Published June 1, 2009:  Forest Paths Baby Blanket — details on the Knitting Patterns page and lots more on the website (link is on the Pattern page).

On to write up the “little purple hat” pattern — it is beckoning me……….

Nova Scotia Local Yarn Shops Page

The Nova Scotia LYS page has been getting a lot of hits, so remember to leave me a comment if you have any Nova Scotia yarn shops to add to the list. Let’s support our LYS’s!!!

SHEARING DAY/BACK to BACK CHALLENGE at Gaspereau Valley Fibres is back again this year on June 6th — an International competition that has newly shorn wool spun and knit into a sweater — last year’s record setters were from Toronto with a time of just under 6 hours! The second-place team from Australia was only about 13 minutes behind!

Manly Scarf 3: Night on the Town

Well, so far I’ve been managing 1 free pattern a week — we’ll see if this keeps up

The Yarn
The yarn used in the sample is a soy/acrylic blend from Bernat; it has a slight sheen to it – very lovely to look at and to work with (eeew – don’t like ending a sentence with a preposition – who knew grammar teachers would haunt you the rest of your life!?).

Knitting this in white in a shiny silk or bamboo would make a beautiful tuxedo accessory.

No Gauge
I don’t provide gauges for these patterns because — well, it’s a scarf! Also, you can really use any yarn you wish, gauge really isn’t important in this case.

Details
Finished Width: 8″ [20cm]
Yarn: Worsted weight; 340 yds [315m]
Needles: 4.5mm [US 7] needles
Finished Length: 48″ [1.2m]

The Edges
The instructions include a 2 stitch moss stitch edging (k1,p1). This creates a non-curling edge for the scarf.

If you like the edge of the scarf to curl then omit the 2 edge stitches on either side in the instructions. The curl uses approximately ½ of a pattern repeat. (Curled edges shown from front and back)

Night on the Town Scarf
Directions
Cast on 40 stitches.

Work 74 repeats (296 rows total) of the pattern sequence below.

Note: when working the lifted increase (procedure written out below) be sure to complete the entire procedure i.e lift loop,slip loop onto left needle, knit lifted loop, knit next stitch, so that your stitch count won’t be off.

Pattern Sequence:
Stitch Pattern based on: Herringbone, The Harmony Guides 450 more Knitting Stitches Volume 2 (2004)

Row 1: {WS}p1, k1, purl to last st, k1
Row 2: k1, p1, *k2tog, k2, Linc^, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1
Row 3: repeat Row 1
Row 4: k1, p1, k3, Linc, k2, k2tog *k2, Linc, k2 k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k1, p1

Finishing: Bind off and weave in ends. Block.

The bottom edge will have a very slight wave.

Terms:
k = knit
k2tog=knit 2 stitches together
p=purl

^Linc=Lifted Increase

1. Insert the right hand needle tip into the right leg of the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle
2. Lift this loop onto the left hand needle without twisting it
3. Knit this picked up loop
4. Knit the stitch above the lifted loop on the left-hand needle

This makes an invisible increase.

Here’s a little sequence to keep all the steps in their proper place:
Lift, Slip, Knit, Knit

Want a leaflet?
I do have these free patterns available in leaflet format. The copyright is as follows:
___________
(c)2009 South Mountain ~ Naturally

This pattern is for individual use. It may be mechanically reproduced (i.e. printed or photocopied) for non-profit, charity or teaching purposes. All identification and copyright information must remain on the copy. It may not be posted electronically nor shared electronically. If you wish to share in this manner, please link to the pattern on [this blog]. You may sell items hand knit from this pattern – no limits.

_____________________

So, if you are interested in receiving a pdf version of this pattern, just visit the PurpleSage Designs website. The pdf’s for the free patterns are at the bottom of the webpage.

Enjoy!

Oh, and when you make your scarf, send me the link if you publish a blog or send me a picture and I’ll gladly post if for you.

Knitting Books of Note: No Sheep for You by Amy R. Singer

No Sheep for You by Amy R. Singer – editor of Knitty online magazine – yes it’s the one where it looks like she’s au naturel! It’s available from The Needle Arts Book Shop for $22.89 Cdn, $22.95 US. I mention this shop because Marsha White provides super customer service and usually adds a little surprise! Check out her site and see what’s little goodies she’s offering. I really like her shop!

Allergic to wool like Amy? Want to try some of the other natural or manufactured fibres — cotton, silk, hemp, linen, soy, bamboo? This book is a great resource. Amy not only describes the features of each of these non-wool yarns in detail (including easy-to-read comparison charts), but provides 20 projects to knit. The patterns range from easy knits to socks to cabled pullovers and ganseys.

There are lots of hints for working with natural fibres and oodles of tips including a whole page on matching different types of needles to a variety of yarns. I knew there was a really good reason to own more than one set of needles of a given size!

Natural, Organic, Eco Fibres

Further food for thought at Moirae Knitting about the whole “what’s green, what’s not” debate. Is cotton really better for you / the environment considering pesticide use, etc. etc. Moira also has a great list of sources for a wide variety of natural fibres.

From Moirae’s blog: “Yarns and fiber claiming to be environmentally friendly may contain Soysilk™, Silk Latte™ , Inego, bamboo, milk-fiber, Tencel(R), organic cotton and hemp.” She’s still waiting for a final word from the Sierra Club on which is the most earth-friendly.

Designer Notebook: Inspiration

If you are looking for inspiration for a knit or crochet garment, take a piece of white cardboard and draw an outline of a mannequin wearing the sweater, hat, mittens, scarf or skirt you are designing (you could trace this from a catalog or magazine if your drawing skills are still in the artistic waiting room, or there are croquis patterns online) , then cut out the shape of the garment and use the cardboard with the removed silhouette to preview colour combos. Just place the cardboard cut out (CCO) over a picture or swatch you like and move / turn it around to see how it would translate into your design. Here are some examples. The first example is the CCO placed over a test swatch of knitted Bamboo Stitch variations. The yarn is Bernat Soy Naturals, a blend of 50/50 soy and acrylic: a very nice soft yarn that is machine washable (and you can put it in the dryer on low if you use one).

The second sample is the CCO placed over a picture. The 3rd image shows the actual picture (source: Harrowsmith magazine).

I’ll post a few more examples over the next few weeks.

If you have a digital camera, take pictures of the combinations you like or make several cardboard cut outs and tape or glue the combos you like together and keep them in your Design Binder (more on this later).