Monday, January 31, 2011

Spring Knitcircus goes live on Wednesday!

issue13_spring2011.indd

I've got a sneek peek at the cover of the spring issue.  Doesn't that scarf look gorgeous?  I am so ready for spring, but it's not be jut yet.  Chicago is bracing for a blizzard and 2 feet of snow right now.  I will enjoy planning out some spring knitting while the snow comes down at least.

I've got a new children's design this issue.  I can show you just a teaser....
PattSweetTart2 sneekpeek

Check back in.  I'll be hosting a giveaway for the spring pattern collection.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Josie Tam

Some people look cute in hats.  My sister in law looks fabulous in every hat I tried on her.  My daughter looks adorable in hats.  Not so much for me.  When I wear a hat I look warm.  Period.  No fashion statement, no je ne sais quois.  Just warm.

Which is really too bad because I love hats.  I want terribly to rock a hat, but I've mostly given it up.  Some people are not hat people.  So I have taken to knitting hats for all those in life how do look good hats.  But it nagged at me.

When I was small, my mom used to buy me gorgeous little fair-isle patterned tams.  I loved them and I still do.  Thinking about those tams, made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, I could pull off a slouchy  tam.



I'm not sure that I look amazing in it, but it's a quite a bit better than most.  Plus, it was a lot of fun to make.  It's named for my grandma, Josie, and it's knit form the bottom up.  The lacey rib pattern is a 4 round repeat that is quickly memorized and becomes intuitive.  It's also easy to adjust the amount of slouch to just the right proportion for you.

Josie a quick knit on US size 6 needles and just a skein or 2 dk weight yarn.  I used Valley Yarns Superwash DK in Misty Lilac, which is soft and oh-so-springy.  Just an evening or two will do to create your own Josie tam.  Josie is available as a pdf download here.  Keep an eye for matching fingerless mitts too.  The pattern should be available by next week.

I hope it keep you warm, while not making you look...um, warm.

Monday, January 3, 2011

The Great and Powerful Oz Socks




The Great and Powerful Oz Socks are now available through Woolgirl's Oz Club.  The kit is delicious!  The yarn,"Oz", is from Pigeon Roof Studios and the extras are so.much.fun!