Double New Pattern Release

I've had to keep this under wraps for what seems like forever, but they're finally out! I designed two patterns for Yarnbox's June Classic Box, both using Dragonfly Fibers Pixie.

Photos by Lindsey Topham

Photos by Lindsey Topham

Yarnbox is a subscription service that offers monthly boxes in various flavors (Classic, Sock, Luxe), each containing yarn and corresponding knit & crochet patterns designed for those yarns. For this box, I was asked to design one accessory with Pixie held singly and another accessory with Pixie held double. I hadn't used any Dragonfly Fibers yarn until this project and oh my, it's GORGEOUS.

Hemiboreal is a hat and fingerless mitts set worked with the yarn held double. The stitch pattern on the cuffs of the mitts and the body of the hat is a mix of cables, eyelets and reverse stockinette for a lot of fun texture. The subtle color changes of the Winter Woods colorway are perfect for holding two strands together, as it really helps them blend into a cohesive look. You could always make this with one strand of a DK weight yarn if you don't like working with two strands at once.

If you get my weekly newsletter, several weeks ago I teased with a shot of the tiny scraps of yarn left after binding off a large secret project. That was the remainder after I finished Papelillo. I mentioned in that same newsletter that this project made me fall back in love with knitting again! This was my first time designing and knitting a pi shawl, and I'm so thrilled with it. The lace patterns are all fairly basic, so the combined effect is of a complicated, lacy shawl that's actually not too hard to make.

Lindsey and I stumbled on this perfect nook by total accident, and have dubbed it 'The Magic Spot.' The light is just gorgeous, and it's tucked away behind buildings so there isn't much foot traffic or curious onlookers hanging around.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry now, even if you aren't a Yarnbox subscriber!

Yarn Porn & A Sneak Peek

Yes. Just yes.

That is Fyberspates Vivacious DK, and I'm working on a garment planned for late summer release. Should everything go according to schedule, that is!

I'm going to TNNA this weekend and wanted to bring a new project with me for my travel knitting. My stripey shawl is almost complete, and it's become unwieldy at this point. This is the only other planned warm-weather design I have, so I figured why not get it started! I've had the yarn in my stash for a bit and am pleased as punch to finally be working with it. That sunny yellow is so cheery and I love the crisp stitch definition. Happy yellow summer knitting!

Breckenridge Sweater

This year's special issue of Knitscene is called Knitscene Handmade, and it's full of all kinds of projects! Usually they drop the Accessories issue this time of year, so the Handmade issue is a nice change of pace. I designed the Breckenridge Sweater for men.

Photos by Harper Point Photography for Knitscene

Photos by Harper Point Photography for Knitscene

My working title for the piece was 'Urban Woodsman' which I have to admit I am SUPREMELY disappointed they did not use. 'Breckenridge Sweater' is a little generic for my taste, but oh well. At least they chose a male model with a big, woodsman-y beard!

The yarn is Beaverslide Dry Goods Fisherman Weight 3-Ply, which I had heard of before but never felt. It's rustic, sheep-y and lanolin-y, and makes a weighty sweater. My proposal was for a versatile layering piece, something that a man could wear as an outer layer instead of a jacket or sweatshirt, so the character of the wool fits that goal perfectly. It's meant to have plenty of room to fit over multiple layers. If you or your intended recipient wants to wear it next to the skin or over just a thinner layer like a t-shirt, I'd choose a less heavy yarn and size down a little for a closer fit.

I don't usually design for men and this was a fun change of pace! I took advantage of the scale of this design and the fact that I wouldn't need to add body shaping to show off a large cable and garter pattern. The body is knit in the round up to the armholes, and set aside while the sleeves are knit. Everything is joined together to work the yoke in the round, then back and forth in rows after the placket shaping begins. Short rows shape the shawl collar. Huge thanks to my sample knitter Alison who rocked this out for me!