Downy Has Flown to Round 2!

The results are in: of the initial 64 patterns in this year’s Mason-Dixon Knitting March Mayhem bracket, 32 have advanced to Round 2 — and I’m thrilled that Downy is among them.

Downy Hat, by Bonnie Sennott

Today and tomorrow (March 26 and 27), you can vote for four patterns in each of the bracket’s categories: Head & Hands, Neck & Shoulders, Pullovers, and Cardigans. The top vote getters will advance to the next round on Friday.

Thank you so much for the love you’ve shown for Downy. Be sure to vote in Round 2! And just a reminder: through April 15, you can save 20% on the pattern in my Ravelry store. Use the coupon code MAYHEM to get the discount.

Happy voting — and happy knitting!

Mason-Dixon Knitting: March Mayhem

March Mayhem has begun! The “world’s only bracket for knitters” was cooked up by Ann and Kay over at Mason-Dixon Knitting to celebrate knitting patterns created by independent designers. Out of the thousands of patterns published during 2018, only 64 were chosen to compete in March Mayhem. I’m thrilled that my Downy Hat is among them!

How does it work? There are 16 patterns in each of four categories: Cardigans, Pullovers, Neck and Shoulders, and Head and Hands. You can view them all here, with handy links to each pattern’s Ravelry page.

Starting this Thursday, March 21, you’ll be able to vote online for your favorites in each category. There will be five rounds of voting, with the top patterns in each round advancing to the next round. The championship round, April 5-7, will determine the final winner. And after that? More fun - a big knitalong begins!

Keep up with the voting and the excitement as patterns advance at Mason-Dixon Knitting. If you like my Downy Hat, I hope you’ll vote for it!

Treat Yourself KAL: What We're Making

The Treat Yourself KAL is off to a great start! Patterns cast on (or announced) so far include the Downy Hat, Tailwind Shawl, Indikon Mitts, Couplet Socks, the Catbird Shawl, Tortoise Shells Socks, Purlish Mitts, and the Biscuit Cowl. Such a nice variety!

If you’d like to join us, head to the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group. This KAL continues through February 25, so there’s plenty of time to cast on and finish.

Downy Hat

Couplet Socks

Indikon Mitts

Tortoise Shells Socks

Catbird Shawl

Purlish Mitts

Biscuit Cowl

Tailwind Shawl (photo courtesy Interweave/Harper Point Photography)

I’ve joined the KAL with a pair of Indikon Mitts in handspun Cormo. Ever since I spun this yarn and dyed it with hickory nuts a few years ago, I’ve been wanting to cast on these mitts. I’m so happy to be treating myself to them at last.

If you’re feeling like you could use a new handknit — maybe something lacy for your spring wardrobe? — hop over to Ravelry and join us. Any of my designs can be knit for this KAL. We’d love to have you!

LINKS
Treat Yourself Knitalong
Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page

Downy Sale Extended (and Other Good Things)

Good news! The sale on my new Downy Hat pattern has been extended so that knitters who want to make it for the upcoming Treat Yourself Knitalong can take advantage of the discount. Through Sunday, January 6, you can save 20% on Downy with the coupon code DOWNY20.

Our most popular knitalong in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group starts soon. The Treat Yourself KAL begins Monday, January 14 and ends Monday, February 25. For this KAL, you can make any of my patterns, so long as you’re making it for yourself. For six weeks, we’ll knit at a relaxed pace, chat about our projects, and share tips for practicing good self-care. After the busy holiday season, the Treat Yourself Knitalong is a chance to cast on a special project in a special yarn, and immerse yourself in easygoing knitting. We’ll also have some lovely prizes — more about those will be announced in the KAL thread very soon!

Tailwind Shawl, by Bonnie Sennott

photo credit: Interweave/Harper Point Photography

I know it’s dead of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, but in the knitting magazine world, spring is already in the air. The spring issue of Knitscene is already available online, and the print edition will be in bookstores and yarn shops soon. In it, you’ll find my first new pattern for 2019, the Tailwind Shawl. It’s got fringe! Fringe! And can be worn lots of ways. More about Tailwind in my next post.

In the meantime, don’t forget to pop over to Ravelry and get Downy for 20% off — it would be a fun “treat yourself” project for the KAL, not to mention a good first stranded-color project if you’re looking to expand your knitting skills this year.

Downy Hat, by Bonnie Sennott

New Pattern: Downy Hat

The Downy Hat has winged its way into my Ravelry pattern store, where it’s 20% off with the coupon code DOWNY20 through January 2.

This stranded-color toque was inspired by the colors and markings of one of my favorite winter birds, the downy woodpecker. It comes in four sizes, with circumferences of 16 (18, 20, 22) inches/41 (46, 51, 56) cm, which means you can make a Downy for everybody in your family.

Topped off with a fun pom-pom, the Downy Hat is knit with four colors of DK weight wool. For the sample, I used a beautiful yarn called Buachaille, by Kate Davies Designs, in Highland Coo, Haar, Squall, and Ptarmigan.

You can find Downy in my Etsy shop as well, where it’s also on sale for 20% off through January 2.

Downy Hat, by Bonnie Sennott

If you plan to make a Downy Hat for yourself, consider joining the Treat Yourself KAL in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group. This lively annual knitalong is all about making a project that makes you happy, a garment or accessory just for you, in yarns and colors you love. It starts on Monday, January 14. As always there will be lovely prizes of yarns and other self-care goodies. Find the Treat Yourself KAL here.

Thank you very much for reading!