New Pattern: Winter Oak Cowl

As 2019 draws to a close, I’m excited to share just one more pattern with you—the Winter Oak Cowl. Inspired by the colors of oak leaves and bark in winter, Winter Oak is worked in the round with three colors of sportweight yarn. I knit up the sample in flyWHEEL by Harrisville Designs, a cushy, tweedy 100% wool yarn.

The pattern gives you two options for this cowl — a longer version with three lace bands (maximum warmth) and a shorter one with two lace bands (quicker to knit). Through January 1, you can save 20% on the Winter Oak pattern in my Ravelry pattern store with the coupon code COWL20.

On New Year’s Day, we’ll kick off a Winter Oak KAL in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group. Feel free to join us anytime before then to chat about yarn possibilities and share your color ideas. I really can’t wait to see how the cowl looks in other color combinations. I chose a warm palette, but I can imagine this cowl would also look terrific in cooler colors — maybe light gray, deep blue, and teal? Or perhaps a trio of neutrals — beige, nut brown, and dark brown? Each knitter’s cowl will be different, an expression of their unique, personal style and creativity.

If you’re still working on holiday gifts, I hope you get everything done in time with a minimum of stress. Have a beautiful holiday season — and see you in January for the Winter Oak KAL!

LINKS
Winter Oak Cowl
Winter Oak Knitalong
Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page

Sunshine + Socks Summer Knitalong

Save the date! The next Blue Peninsula knitalong starts on June 21, the first day of summer. Seems like the perfect day to start a summer KAL devoted to socks, don’t you think?

You can knit any of my sock designs for the Sunshine + Socks KAL. And before it starts, I’ll be releasing a brand-new pattern. While you wait, feel free to browse my sock patterns on Ravelry.

More about the KAL and the new pattern soon!

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

Treat Yourself Knitalong

Happy New Year! It's that time of year in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group — time to relax after the busy holidays and cast on something special just for you.

The Treat Yourself KAL is a chance to knit something beautiful that you needn't give away. Any of my designs is eligible for this KAL, as long as you're making it for yourself. Sweaters, socks, cowls, mitts, shawls — cast on what you'd like, in colors and yarns that make your heart sing.

We'll have prizes at the end, awarded randomly to finished projects — lovely yarns, teas, and bath salts (in keeping with the self-care theme):

A skein of the Fibre Co. Road to China Light in the Carnelian colorway, Mighty Leaf Ginger Twist Tea, and Valentina’s Naturals Sunny Outlook Mineral Bath Salts

Two skeins of Quince & Co. Owl in Abyssinian, Aura Cacia Clearing Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Mineral Bath, and Mighty Leaf Ginger Twist Tea

The Treat Yourself KAL starts Sunday, January 14 and ends Sunday, February 25. Although we're not casting on until the 14th, you can join the KAL now to start chatting about yarns, pattern ideas, and your favorite ways to treat yourself. 

If you're not sure what to make, maybe my next cowl design will inspire you? Called Waverleigh, it's a warm, long cowl (54 inches/137 cm circumference by 9.25 inches/23 cm deep) that uses 365 yds/333 m of DK weight yarn. Look for it soon — definitely before the KAL begins. 

Waverleigh Cowl by Bonnie Sennott - pattern coming in early January

I hope you can join us and cast on a sweater or accessory you'll treasure for years to come!