Year-end Pattern Sale

Greetings from a dark, blustery day here in western Massachusetts. If all this rain were snow, we’d really be buried in it!

As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank all of you for supporting my work as a designer. It’s always a joy to see new projects posted on Ravelry or on Instagram and witness your creativity. As a gesture of my appreciation, I’m having a big year-end sale—25% off all individual Blue Peninsula patterns on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop. Just use the code THANKS2023 to get the discount (ebook sets are not included). The sale ends at midnight EST on December 31.

A few of my favorite scarves and shawls, clockwise from bottom left: Streusel, Ischnura, Mayblossom, Wonderberry, Hop Brook

Mitts, hats, cowls, sweaters, socks, shawls, and scarves are all included in the sale. You can use the coupon code as many times as you like, so it’s a great time to stock up on patterns you’ve had your eye on!

Bottom row, left to right: Couplet, Shallows, Exit 4
Middle row, left to right: Notch, Golden Valley, On the Other Hand
Top row, left to right: Purlish, Singing Beach, Journeyer

Winter’s End Scarf

Downy Hat

Next in Line Wrap

The year-end pattern sale ends on December 31, and so will our 2023 Next in Line Blanket Instagram knitalong. I’m still working on mine (but getting very near the end). Quicker, more focused knitters have finished theirs, and it’s been great fun watching their blankets grow (use the Instagram hashtag #nextinlinekal or look at projects on Ravelry if you want to see them). We had three giveaways of yarn, project bags, and stitch markers, too—all in all, it was a fun and inspiring KAL. Thanks to everyone who participated!

My Next in Line Blanket in progress

I hope this month brings you joy and many happy moments spent with friends and family. Best wishes for a beautiful New Year!

Bonnie

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LINKS
Ravelry
Etsy

Update: Next in Line Blanket KAL

As summer draws to an end, I thought I’d pop in to give you an update on the yearlong Next in Line blanket knitalong. The KAL blankets are steadily growing in size! Knitters have kept knitting through the summer, though there have been days when heat and humidity have made knitting with a blanket on your lap unthinkable. I’m sure I’m not the only one who looks forward to the more knitter-friendly, cooler temperatures of autumn.

A second giveaway was held this week, and a lucky Next in Line knitter won the skein of Neighborhood Fiber Co. yarn and the hand-sewn journal pictured here. I had a lot of fun sewing the reusable notebook cover, which fits over a Moleskin journal (I sent the winner two, one with graph pages and one with blank pages). This one-of-a-kind upcycling project used scraps of Lotta Jansdotter fabrics, linen cut from an old pair of shorts, and a circle of red cotton from a jar of homemade jam that I got at a local market earlier this summer.

The Next in Line KAL continues throughout 2023. If you’d like to join, cast on anytime and post your progress photos on Instagram with the hashtag #nextinlinekal (or, post in the Ravelry thread). If you’ve posted at least one photo, you’ll be included when the final giveaway happens later this year.

There’s also an ongoing sale! Save 25% on the Next in Line Blanket pattern through December 31, 2023 at Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip. The discount is automatic - no coupon code needed.

I hope your summer has been a good one. With wildfires, intense heat (the hottest July on record!), torrential rains, and flooding, it has been a difficult summer. If you are struggling in the aftermath of any of these terrible events, my heart goes out to you. Here in western Massachusetts, we had some flooding earlier in the summer that wiped out crops at some farms, but lately the weather has been milder and more pleasant (though it’s raining again as I type this).

In addition to Next in Line, I’ve been knitting steadily this summer on a new pair of Mill River Socks. I’m using yarn from New Hampshire dyer OlannGra, which I picked up last fall at a fiber popup at Green Mountain Spinnery, in Putney, Vermont. This is actually the third time I’ve knit the Mill River socks with Laura’s yarns—that’s how much I love them.

Summer wouldn’t be summer without the annual Tour de Fleece. This year I joined the Three Waters Farm team, with a spindle project (Soft and Sweet BFL/silk) and a wheel project (Hushed Stillness BFL/silk). The Hushed Stillness was the first full skein I’ve ever spun on a wheel (my new Electric Eel Wheel) and I’m pretty happy with how it came out. I’m planning to use it in a sweater, probably as contrast stripes paired with the brown Purl Soho Good Wool pictured here.

From June to August I was also knitting every day on the sample for a new design. Yesterday I mailed it off to the yarn company—watch for the pattern release in October! I can’t share photos or details yet, but expect a cozy textured accessory perfect for holiday knitting.

Now that I’ve finished the secret project, I’m itching to cast on that striped sweater and see how my handspun yarn knits up. I’m not totally ready for “sweater weather” just yet, though. I want to savor the summer’s warmth and enjoy for a little bit longer the cheerful sight of sunflowers that dot farm fields around here each August. There’s a big field of them down the road and they are a great excuse to go for a walk, just to see all the bright yellow flowers lifting their faces to the sun.

I hope your final days of summer bring you moments of joy. Thanks for reading, and—as always—happy knitting!

Blankets Are Happening! Next in Line KAL

Happy spring, dear knitters! I hope you’re seeing some crocuses and daffodils coming up and are enjoying warmer days. After a long winter, I’m ready for the change (even though the long winter meant lots of knitting time).

The 2023 Next in Line Blanket KAL is in full swing, with at least one baby blanket already finished! So it’s time for our first giveaway. If you are knitting a Next in Line blanket but haven’t posted a photo on Instagram yet, now’s the time. Be sure to use the hashtag #nextinlinekal. On Thursday, I’ll draw one name from the usernames of all KAL-ers. That knitter will receive all of these handmade (by me) items: an embroidered linen project bag, a lavender sachet made with vintage buttons, and a skein of 150 yards of handspun Cormo yarn (approximately sportweight). Plus, they can choose a free pattern - their choice of either my About Town Mitts or my Fee-bee Mitts (both use 150 yards or less of sportweight yarn).

If you want to join the KAL but aren’t on Instagram, no worries! You can post progress photos of your Next in Line blankets in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group thread. I’m not on Ravelry as much as I used to be, but I do check that thread and comment on posts regularly.

The Next in Line KAL continues throughout 2023. I hope you’ll join us to create a beautiful throw or blanket for your home—or as a gift. After you cast on, post at least one photo on Instagram with the hashtag #nextinlinekal or in the Ravelry thread to be included when the next giveaway happens later this year.

The Next in Line Blanket pattern sale continues all year as well. Save 25% through December 31, 2023 at Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip. The discount is automatic - no coupon code needed.

My Next in Line Blanket in progress - Log 10

LINKS
Next in Line - Ravelry
Next in Line - Payhip
Next in Line - Etsy
@bluepeninsula (Instagram)

2023: Year of the Next in Line Blanket

The Next in Line Blanket KAL has launched on Instagram! For this yearlong KAL, we’re knitting up Next in Line throws or blankets at a leisurely pace. Worked entirely in garter stitch, Next in Line is a fun and easy project, perfect for cozy evenings catching up on your favorite movies or shows.

Along with the KAL, there’s a yearlong sale! Save 25% on Next in Line through December 31, 2023 at Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip. The discount is automatic - no coupon code needed.

Next in Line uses four colors of worsted weight yarn. The pattern offers instructions for two sizes—a throw and a blanket. But you can choose to stop whenever your blanket is a size you like. (Of course, if you add logs, you’ll need more yarn.) It’s knit from the center outward, by picking up stitches for each new log along an edge of the previous log. This means there’s no seaming or joining at the end!

For my Next in Line, I’m using DK weight yarn and a US5 needle. The yarn is Purl Soho Good Wool in Winter Grass, Wild Mustard, Blue Moon, and Wild Heath. So far, so good—I’m on Log 5 and very happy with the color combinations. I’m using an interchangeable needle, so I can switch the tips to longer cords as the blanket grows.

I’ve been weaving in ends as I finish each log. Of course, you can leave them all to the end if you like! But I know I’d simply procrastinate about weaving in a gazillion ends, so for me it’s best to bite the bullet and weave in as I go.

If you’ve cast on—or plan to—be sure to share your yarn and/or progress pics over on Instagram. I plan to have some giveaways during the year, and will pick winners at random from photos posted with the hashtag #nextinlinekal.

I can’t believe January is nearly over, can you? I hope your 2023 knitting projects are off to a great start, and would love to see you in the KAL—join anytime!

Bonnie

LINKS

Next in Line - Ravelry
Next in Line - Payhip
Next in Line - Etsy
@bluepeninsula (Instagram)

Next in Line Sale and Knitalong

The start of a new year is a great time to think big—and cast on something big. Like a blanket! Join me in knitting a Next in Line blanket or throw during 2023. We’re having a yearlong KAL on Instagram.

Next in Line Blanket by Bonnie Sennott

We’re having a yearlong KAL on Instagram. Along with the KAL, there’s a yearlong sale! Save 25% on Next in Line through December 31, 2023 at Ravelry, Etsy, and Payhip. The discount is automatic - no coupon code needed.

A Next in Line KAL starts January 1. Cast on anytime during 2023 and post your photos on Instagram with the hashtags #nextinlineblanket and #nextinlinekal.

Next in Line WIPs are welcome, too! We’ll motivate each other to keep knitting - and celebrate as we finish. Every now and then there’ll be a giveaway, too. 

The first Next in Line I knit (the pattern sample in the photos) was a wedding gift. So I’m excited to knit another, in different colors, just for me. I plan to cast on my Next in Line on New Year’s Day. I’m just waiting for one more color of yarn to arrive. Fingers crossed it’s here in time!

Since the KAL lasts all year, there’s no rush to start or pressure to finish quickly. We can take our time and enjoy ourselves, knitting lots of soothing garter stitch through the seasons. Whether it’s a special gift (makes a great baby blanket!) or a colorful new addition for your home, Next in Line is a relaxing and easy knit. I hope you’ll join me in making a special blanket or throw during 2023.

Happy New Year—and happy knitting in 2023!

LINKS

Next in Line - Ravelry
Next in Line - Payhip
Next in Line - Etsy
@bluepeninsula (Instagram)

Designs in Progress (and a Wee Sale)

Looking for a relaxed-pace knitalong to join as you shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic? Mason-Dixon Knitting has announced they’re having an MDK March Mayhem KAL — and you can knit any pattern that’s been in any bracket — from 2017 to this year. That means you could join the KAL to knit Downy, which was in last year’s bracket.

To celebrate, the pattern is on sale in my Ravelry pattern store for the next two weeks. Save 25% on Downy with the coupon code MAYHEM. The sale ends midnight EST on April 1.

And don’t forget to vote in the MDK March Mayhem bracket! See this year’s 64 patterns here.

Downy Hat, by Bonnie Sennott

I am home for the time being — Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker has ordered nonessential businesses to close and has issued a stay-at-home advisory. I’m using this time to take a lot of online yoga classes, go outdoors for walks as much as possible, and work on upcoming patterns (of course!)

I’m rewriting and reformatting my Falling Water scarf pattern — the first I ever published, back in 2006 — and knitting up a new sample, using O-Wool’s O-Wash Fingering. The chart and pattern layout will be upgraded to my current pattern format, and the instructions will be expanded to include the original narrow scarf and a wider version, too.

There’s also a Falling Water Shawl coming — an asymmetrical triangular shawl similar in size and shape to my Notch Shawl. I’m knitting up the sample in O-Wool’s O-Wash Fingering in a very pretty color called Pasture Rose. I plan to release both Falling Water patterns at the same time — look for them later this spring.

I’ve also taken the opportunity of unexpected free time to start a log cabin wrap inspired by my Next in Line afghan, using fingering weight yarns in my stash. Clockwise from lower left, the yarns are Into the Whirled Pakokku Sock in Stark, String Theory Caper Sock in Canyon, Anzula Squishy in Hippo, Luna Grey Ariel in Goldenrod, and The Fawn and the Fox Otter in Let’s Stay Home (such an appropriate name!).

I’m using the Next in Line pattern as a jumping off point, but modifying it quite a bit. What I envision is two log cabin ends with a striped section between them, joined by grafting (or three-needle bind-off, if you really hate grafting). I will likely put out a call for testers, once I’ve finished knitting (and writing) one half of the wrap. If you’d be interested, please watch the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group for an announcement.

Every day brings new changes and challenges, and I’m so thankful to have knitting to focus on and keep my mind from going into full-on worrying mode. I’m not sure which of these new patterns will be ready first, but I’m definitely working on them every day.

How about you — are you doing more knitting? Have you joined a knitalong? Wherever you are, I hope you and your loved ones are well and safe. Keep calm — and knit on!

Pattern Release: Next in Line Afghan

At long last, the Next in Line pattern is here! It's available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

This log cabin afghan is worked from the center outward using four colors of worsted weight wool. The pattern includes instructions for two sizes, a smaller throw or a larger afghan. Finished (blocked) measurements are 43 inches/110 cm by 56 inches/143 cm for the throw, and 52 inches/133 cm by 60 inches/153 cm for the afghan.

There are no seams in this design — from the very first log to the last, it's one continuous piece of knitting. After you finish a log, you simply turn it to the left and pick up stitches for the next log along the top edge. Each log has just two colors, a main color and a contrast color (used in a stripe pattern). The design is named Next in Line because the contrast color of each log is the main color of the next log.

You'll need four colors of worsted weight wool for this design — see either my Ravelry pattern page or Etsy listing for details on yardage, needles, and other specs. It's worked in garter stitch throughout, but I've kept things interesting by varying the main color and contrast colors in each log, as well as the placement of the stripe pattern. In all, there are five different color and stripe combinations, which begin to repeat after a while, lending the design a visual coherence as it grows.

Two of the five different color combinations in my sample use silver grey as the main color, which gives it a calm, quiet look. That's something to think about when you choose colors. There will be more of Color 1 (in my case, silver grey) than Colors 2, 3, and 4 in the blanket. What do you want the overall effect to be? Bold and dramatic? Soft and soothing? Bright and cheery? Give yourself the freedom to express your own, unique inner spirit through color!

The four yarns used for the Next in Line Afghan are Cascade 220 #8401 Silver Grey, Cascade 220 #4010 Straw, Cascade 220 #8012 Doeskin Heather, and Valley Yarns Northampton #42 Lake Heather.

It was quite a journey, designing this afghan. When I cast on January 1, for the Fringe and Friends Logalong, I wasn't sure how far I'd get, as I'd never knit a log cabin project before and didn't consider myself overly fond of garter stitch. I chose a few colors in my stash that went well together (left over from my Journeyer and Grainline pullovers) and got started more as a lark than anything else, to see if maybe I could come up with something that would be a nice wedding present for friends who got married last January.

Before long, knitters on Instagram began asking for a pattern. My design plans for 2018 hadn't included a large, cozy blanket, but I felt like I could not let you all down. So finally, here it is!

I really loved this project from start to finish, and I hope you do, too. I look forward to seeing Next in Line afghans in all sorts of beautiful colors! If you post your progress on Instagram, tag your photos #bluepeninsula and #nextinlineblanket so I'll be sure to see them.

Thanks very much for reading — and happy log cabin knitting.

LINKS
Next in Line Instagram posts 
Ravelry pattern page
Etsy listing
Next in Line blog posts 

Next in Line Afghan: Yardage

I'm getting very close to having the pattern for Next in Line ready for release — just a bit more photo editing and few other odds and ends. At this point, the pattern's back from the tech editor, so I can now share yardage with you.

The pattern provides instructions for two sizes of this four-color design — a throw measuring 43 inches/110 cm by 56 inches/143 cm and an afghan measuring 52 inches/133 cm by 60 inches/153 cm.

For my sample, I used three colors of Cascade 220 (Silver Grey, Straw, and Doeskin Heather) and one color of Valley Yarns Northampton (Lake Heather). If you want to use exactly these yarns and colors, you'll need:

• Color 1: Cascade 220 [100% wool; 220yd/201m per 100 gr skein], #8401 Silver Grey, 5 skeins (throw), 7 skeins (afghan)

• Color 2: Cascade 220 [100% wool; 220yd/201m per 100 gr skein], #4010 Straw, 2 skeins (throw), 3 skeins (afghan)

• Color 3: Cascade 220 [100% wool; 220yd/201m per 100 gr skein], #8012 Doeskin Heather, 2 skeins (throw), 3 skeins (afghan)

• Color 4: Valley Yarns Northampton [100% wool; 247yd/226m per 100 gr skein], #42 Lake Heather, 2 skeins (throw), 3 skeins (afghan)

If you'd like to substitute other yarns, here are the approximate amounts of worsted weight wool you'll need:

• Color 1: 1,000yd/915m (throw), 1,450yd/1,325m (afghan)

• Color 2: 440yd/400m (throw), 660yd/600m (afghan)

• Color 3: 440yd/400m (throw), 660yd/600m (afghan)

• Color 4: 490yd/445m (throw), 675 yd/615m (afghan)

If you decide to use a hand-dyed yarn with limited dye lots, or a closeout yarn that you won't be able to get more of, you may want to buy a little extra of each color as insurance against running out. For my sample, I was able to get more of each color as the afghan grew, because they were all readily available.

If you want to start swatching, the pattern gauge is 18 stitches and 36 rows = 4”/10 cm after blocking. The needle size is US #7/4.5mm (or, as always, the size needed to obtain gauge). We all knit at different stitch and row gauges, so even though this design is "just garter stitch," I do recommend knitting a substantial swatch to determine the right needle size for you (at least 8 inches wide — and be sure to block it the same way you will block the finished project). For a large project like this, you want to be certain you're close to gauge and happy with the fabric before you cast on. 

I'll get back to work editing photos now — look for the pattern soon!

LINKS
Next in Line Instagram posts (hashtag: #nextinlineblanket)
My Ravelry project page
Next in Line blog posts 

Next in Line Afghan: Heat Wave Blocking Party

Cast on January 1, bound off July 4: my Next in Line Afghan is now complete!

It took me awhile to carefully bind off the 263 stitches of the 19th and final log. I sat directly in front of a big fan the whole time. It was the only way I could possibly stand to knit, because we've been having quite the heat and humidity fest this week.

As soon as I finished binding off and wove in the ends, I did something really crazy, considering how hot the evening was. I just had to run to the couch and drape it over me, to be absolutely sure of the size. Was it big enough? Cozy enough?

Yes, and yes! Absolutely perfect for chilly winter evenings. 

The finished measurements (before blocking) were 52 inches x 60 inches. There's no way I was going to attempt wet blocking something so big, so I chose to steam block it lightly — just enough to even out the stitches and allow the wool relax a bit.

Early in the morning (the only minimally comfortable time of day when it's in the 90s and humid), I hung the afghan over the shower rod in my bathroom and steamed the right side, then flipped it over and repeated the process on the wrong side. Then I laid it out on a sheet to dry (it was only slightly damp), carefully smoothing the fabric with my hands, working from the center outward toward the edges.

I haven't yet measured it again, but I expect that blocking might have increased its size just a little — we'll see. I know many of you are eagerly awaiting the pattern, and I'm excited that we are now so much closer to that moment. But there's still lots to do: calculate yardage requirements for each color, take photos and edit them, write the pattern, have it tech edited, finalize layout, etc.

I will share the yardage requirements when the pattern is released or shortly before, so hang tight. It won't be long now!

LINKS
Next in Line Instagram posts (hashtag: #nextinlineblanket)
My Ravelry project page
Next in Line blog posts 

Next in Line Afghan: Almost There!

I'm on the next-to-last log of my Next in Line log cabin blanket — it's exciting to be so close to finishing! Today I thought I'd talk a bit about the colors I've used and offer ideas for choosing your own. 

There are 19 logs in all and currently I'm knitting Log No. 18. The main color of this log is Doeskin Heather and the contrast color is Silver Grey. 

These two colors are very close in value, which means there's not a lot of contrast between them. So this particular log has a soft, quiet feel. 

The four colors I've used are: Cascade 220 Silver Grey, Doeskin Heather, and Straw; and Valley Yarns Northampton Lake Heather. 

If you're planning to knit this afghan and want to start thinking about colors, I'd suggest taking photos of potential color combinations, then editing the photos to make them black and white, so you can see the values (their lightness/darkness).

Here are my four colors in black and white, arranged from lightest (Silver Grey) to the darkest (Lake Heather):

My afghan's overall "look" is quiet and subtle. That's due in part to the values of my colors. As you can see from the black-and-white photo, there's actually not a big contrast between the lightest color (Silver Grey) and the darkest color (Lake Heather). In fact, none of these colors are extremely dark.

If you want a blanket with a similar feel, choose colors that are similar to these in value. If you'd rather make a blanket with a lot more "pop" or contrast, you'll probably want to choose four colors that vary more widely in value — maybe one very light color, one slightly darker, one medium, and one very dark.

Knitters on Instagram have been asking me for yardage, but I'm not ready to announce it yet. I want to wait until the whole blanket is done and I'm sure of how much Silver Grey I've used. There are five different log "schemes" in the afghan, and for two of them Silver Grey is the main color. So I've used twice as much Silver Grey as any of the other colors. 

The knitting has been going slowly lately, because I've been working on other designs that are due soon. But Next in Line gets some attention most days. It won't be too long now!

LINKS
Next in Line Instagram posts (hashtag: #nextinlineblanket)
My Ravelry project page
Next in Line blog posts