Birthday BOGO Sale

January 12, 2020 Bonnie Sennott

To celebrate my birthday, I’m having a BOGO sale! When you purchase any two Blue Peninsula patterns or ebooks, you’ll receive the lower-priced one FREE with the coupon code BIRTHDAY.

The sale is happening only in my Ravelry pattern store. It’s perfect for stocking up on patterns for your #makenine2020 knitting plans. And if you missed the Winter Oak Cowl introductory discount, you can pick up the pattern now, plus another one FREE, then hop over to the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group to join the KAL.

Have fun shopping! And thank you for being part of my birthday celebrations and for supporting my indie designs.

Sale ends midnight EST Tuesday, January 14.

New KAL for the New Year: Winter Oak Cowl

December 30, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

January 1 marks the start of a new year as well as a new decade. I feel ready for both — how about you? I have ambitious plans for new knitting patterns, new artworks (I’ve got a show coming up in April!), a quilt made entirely by hand, and some personal knitting too (this shawl is at the top of the list).

January also brings the first Blue Peninsula knitalong of 2020. The Winter Oak Cowl KAL starts in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group on New Year’s Day, but you can pop in and join anytime after that. Knitters are already chatting about yarns and colors — and some are going to try making it in fingering weight yarn (I designed it with sportweight). I can’t wait to see everyone’s color combinations and yarn choices — it’s going to be fun.

And don’t forget, there’s a sale! Through midnight EST New Year’s Day, you can save 20% on the Winter Oak pattern with the coupon code COWL20.

As I look back at 2019 and all the changes and challenges it brought, I’m so grateful for your support for my patterns. I’m always thrilled when I see knitters posting FOs they are excited about on Ravelry or sharing photos on Instagram. It’s an honor to be able to help others knit garments and accessories that give them joy.

I hope 2020 brings you many opportunities to make things you love, and if the Winter Oak Cowl calls to you, I hope you’ll join us in the KAL.

Happy knitting — and Happy New Year!

LINKS
Winter Oak Cowl pattern
Winter Oak KAL
Bonnie Sennott - Ravelry designer page

New Pattern: Winter Oak Cowl

December 12, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

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

The Indie Design Gift-a-Long Is Here!

November 26, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

The annual Ravelry Indie Design Gift-a-Long has begun! As always, it starts with a big sale by more than 250 independent designers. After the sale, the event continues, as knitters and crocheters tackle their holiday gift making together. With lots of fun games, prizes (yarns, project bags, shawl pins, and more), even holiday recipes — the GAL is the place to be, now through the end of the year.

I've got 20 patterns in the sale — recent releases as well as timeless favorites — see them all in my Gift-a-Long bundle. Mitts, socks, cowls, shawls, hats — something for everyone on your gift knitting list (or maybe a treat for yourself?). Through Monday, December 2, save 25% on my Gift-a-Long sale patterns with the coupon code giftalong2019.

Happy holiday knitting,
Bonnie

New Pattern: Sugar Dusted Socks

June 12, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

If you haven’t decided which socks to knit for the summerlong Sunshine + Socks KAL starting next week, here’s a new design to consider — my just-released Sugar Dusted Socks.

A pretty confection of texture, lace, and color, the Sugar Dusted Socks feature columns of lace on the outer leg and foot, surrounded by clusters of purl stitches. Worked top down in two colors of fingering weight sock yarn, they're easy yet engaging to knit.

I used a solid main color and a speckled contrast color for my sample pair, but you could do just the opposite — use a solid on the cuffs, heels, and toes instead. Or two solids? The possibilities are endless — this design lets you create a truly unique pair of socks using colors you love.

I used the Bakery Rye colorway of Bare Naked Wools Better Breakfast Fingering for the main color. This yarn marinated in my stash for a long time until the lightbulb went off and I knew what to make with it. The lovely neutral was a good match for a colorful skein of The Fawn and the Fox Otter, in a colorway called Let’s Stay Home. The Better Breakfast Fingering, a blend of merino, alpaca, and nylon, is a soft yet sturdy yarn with a satisfying crispness equally suited to textured stitches and lace. The Otter, a blend of superwash merino and nylon, was a delight to knit — with every round it was great fun to watch the colors change.

I’ve added the Sugar Dusted Socks to my Sunshine + Socks sale on Ravelry — save 20% on this pattern and all of my sock patterns with the coupon code SUNSHINE. The sale ends on the first day of summer, June 21.

Friday, June 21, is also when the Sunshine + Socks summer knitalong starts. Knitters are already chatting about yarns and pattern ideas — feel free to join in anytime. The KAL will continue all summer, ending on September 1. There are some great prizes, too — head to the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group to get all the details. I hope you can join us for a summer of leisurely sock knitting!

LINKS

The Blue Peninsula Sunshine + Socks KAL
Sugar Dusted Socks
My socks/mitts/hats pattern bundle on Ravelry

Summer Sock Sale

June 7, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

I myself don’t wear wool socks in warm weather, but I do love to knit them. A sock is the perfect knitting project for summer: small, portable, easy to pick up and set down. You can tuck one in your bag and take it with you wherever you are, whether that’s in your car (not driving, of course!), the beach, or your own backyard.

Now through the first day of summer, all of my sock patterns are 20% off on Ravelry. Use the coupon code SUNSHINE to get the discount. You can use it as many times as you like through Friday, June 21. That’s the day the Sunshine + Socks KAL begins in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group. Once you pick your pattern(s), come join us for a fun, relaxed-pace summer of sock knitting.

Next week, I’ll be releasing a new sock pattern called Sugar Dusted — a pretty confection of texture, lace, and color. It will be added to the sock sale so you can get the 20% discount. Stay tuned!

LINKS

The Blue Peninsula Sunshine + Socks KAL
My socks/mitts/hats pattern bundle on Ravelry
My Ravelry designer page

Sunshine + Socks Summer Knitalong

May 29, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

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

January 18, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

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.

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

Countdown to the Treat Yourself Knitalong

January 7, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

Get your needles, yarns, and patterns ready! The Treat Yourself KAL in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group starts a week from today. There’s just one objective: make something special for yourself, in yarns and colors that make your heart sing.

The Treat Yourself KAL starts Monday, January 14 and ends Monday, February 25. That’s six full weeks of knitting and camaraderie with fellow Ravelers. What better way to get through the cold winter months?

You can make any of my patterns for this KAL — anything that makes you happy. You could treat yourself to learning a new technique, like working cables or reading a lace chart. Or indulge in a luxurious yarn like cashmere for a really special one-skein scarf. Or knit up a colorful hat or pair of socks to help yourself get through the winter!

All week, I’ll be sharing pattern ideas here on the blog and in my Instagram Stories. if you’re inspired to cast on, hop over to Ravelry and let us know what you’re going to make!

Treat Yourself Knitalong Ideas: Scarves and Shawls

Pattern: Ischnura
Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Quarry, 3 skeins

When you’re wrapped up in Ischnura, you’re experiencing the ultimate in hygge. The knitting goes quickly because this shawl is knit from the bottom up in bulky weight yarn. It’s got cables, lace, garter stitch, and lots of cozy warmth.

Pattern: Hop Brook
Yarn: Elsa Wool Cormo Woolen Spun Fingering, 1 skein

Worked from one end to the other, Hop Brook offers a pleasing combination of garter stitch and lace. It’s a great choice for that special skein of fingering you’ve been saving for just the right project.

Pattern: About Town Shawl
Yarn: Three colors of fingering weight yarn (see pattern page for specific amounts)

Let your creativity shine as you choose your colors for an About Town shawl. It’s a great stash buster, and a lovely late winter/early spring accessory.

Pattern: Skipperling
Yarn: Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sock, 1 skein

Spring and Skipperling go together! With its pretty scalloped ends and lace like butterflies, this scarf is one of my personal favorites. I wear it with everything — and my neck is so, so happy to be wrapped in ultra soft merino and cashmere.

Pattern: Tailwind Shawl
Yarn: Berroco Remix Light, 2 skeins

Wide enough to function as either a shawl or a scarf, Tailwind is a brand-new design just published in the spring 2019 issue of Knitscene. Easy lace stitches worked in DK weight yarn make the knitting go quickly and smoothly. And — it’s got fringe!

Coming up next: socks and mitts ideas for the Treat Yourself KAL.

LINKS

Treat Yourself KAL

Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page

Bonnie’s Scarves and Shawls Ravelry Bundle

Downy Sale Extended (and Other Good Things)

January 3, 2019 Bonnie Sennott

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 Sennottphoto credit: Interweave/Harper Point Photography — 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.