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
Mitts Season
With morning temperatures falling below 40F, the season for fingerless mitts is at hand (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun!).
I confess, I love everything about fingerless mitts. They’re a great way to use single or partial skeins of yarn. They keep your hands and wrists warm but your fingers free. And, since they’re quick and easy to make, they’re ideal when a knitter needs instant gratification (always nice after a big project, like a Rhinebeck sweater). Plus, they’re terrific gifts!
I’ve just finished a pair of Indikon mitts, using handspun Cormo that I dyed with hickory nuts. I’m excited to wear them at Rhinebeck this weekend, because that’s where I originally got the fiber (from Springdelle Farm).
Indikon Mitts, by Bonnie Sennott
To celebrate mitts season, I’m having a pattern sale. All fingerless mitts patterns in my Ravelry store are 20% off with the coupon code MITTS20. Sale ends midnight EST on Tuesday, October 22.
The Indikon pattern provides instructions for two sizes. To make them, you’ll need 190 (225) yds/175 (205) m of sportweight yarn. They’re knit in the round on double-pointed needles. My handspun yarn was a little heavier than sport, but it worked just out fine. The textured stitches make these mitts especially warm and cozy.
Will you be at Rhinebeck? Are you knitting like mad to finish your Rhinebeck shawl or sweater? I’ve just got half a sleeve to go, so I feel pretty confident I’ll finish in time. I’m making the Green Leaf Pullover by Maureen Clark from At the Spinnery. Along with it, I’ll be wearing my new Catharus shawl (also in At the Spinnery). If you’re heading to Rhinebeck, be sure to stop by the Green Mountain Spinnery booth in Building 22D to see the book and the samples.
The weather forecast for Rhinebeck is looking perfect. Can’t wait!
LINKS
Indikon Mitts
Fingerless Mitts Sale
New York Sheep and Wool Festival
Pattern Release: Catharus Shawl
Good news, shawl knitters! My Catharus Shawl, originally published in At the Spinnery, is now available as a Blue Peninsula pattern.
Catharus, by Bonnie Sennott
Named after the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), this triangular shawl features a wide rib flowing gracefully into sculptural, nupp-flecked lace. It’s worked top-down in fingering weight yarn — you’ll need 800 yards (732 m).
Through Sunday, September 22, the Catharus Shawl pattern is on sale in my Ravelry store — use the coupon code SEPTEMBER to save 20 percent. It’s also on sale in my Etsy shop (no coupon code needed there).
For the sample, I used Green Mountain Spinnery’s Lana in the gorgeous Rosado colorway. This lofty 2-ply fingering weight yarn blocked out beautifully, creating a shawl that's warm and cozy yet light as a feather. I can't wait to wear it at Rhinebeck!
Get all the details on yardage, needles, notions, and more on Ravelry. The introductory Catharus sale ends this Sunday, September 22.
All Shawls Sale
As the mornings grow cooler and leaves start to turn, knitters begin daydreaming about cozy fall knits. To help you get started creating the perfect fall shawl, all Blue Peninsula shawl patterns are 20% off on Ravelry. Use the coupon code SHAWLS20 to get the discount (you can use it more than once).
A few ideas, clockwise from upper left: Ischnura, Mayblossom, Wonderberry, Hop Brook, and Streusel. The sale ends Monday, September 2 (magazine patterns are not included).
Happy knitting! If you’re in the U.S., I hope you have a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend with plenty of time for knitting.
LINKS
New Pattern: Mayblossom Shawl
Named after flowering hawthorn bushes, Mayblossom is an asymmetrical triangular shawl worked in DK weight wool. Whether you wear it indoors or out, this cozy, generously sized shawl is one you'll love to wrap yourself up in.
To celebrate its release, I’m having an introductory sale on Ravelry: take 20% off Mayblossom with the coupon code SHAWL20.
Mayblossom’s triangular shape results from increases (yarn overs) worked on RS rows on the left-hand edge only. This edge is the longest side of the triangle and is the top edge when worn. The shawl is knit flat, but a circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. There are two sizes — 71 (77) inches/180 (195) cm along the longest edge (wingspan).
Shawl knitting goes fairly quickly with DK weight yarn. For the sample, I used Purl Soho’s Good Wool, a soft woolen spun 100% wool yarn. For either size, you'll need three skeins.
Mayblossom would make a beautiful addition to your fall wardrobe — or a thoughtful holiday gift. (It’s never too soon to start thinking about holiday knitting, right?)
Enjoy the 20% Ravelry discount through midnight EST, Sunday, August 4. Here’s a direct link that automatically applies the coupon code for you.
Thank you very much for reading. Happy shawl knitting!
Pattern Preview: Mayblossom Shawl
I’ve been busy putting the finishing touches on a new lace-and-texture shawl pattern. Just a few photo editing and layout tasks remain — the pattern will be released early next week.
Named Mayblossom after blooming hawthorn branches, this asymmetrical triangular shawl is worked in DK weight wool. I used three skeins of Purl Soho Good Wool, a soft, squishy woolen-spun yarn.
Mayblossom is knit sideways, from just a few stitches, gradually growing longer and wider as you knit. It’s a generously sized shawl, really perfect for wrapping yourself up in, whether indoors or out. There are two sizes, with wingspans of 71 (77) inches/180 (195) cm along the longest edge. I can’t wait to share the pattern with you — it won’t be long now!
New Pattern: Sugar Dusted Socks
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
My socks/mitts/hats pattern bundle on Ravelry
Spring Cowl Pattern Sale
My new Con Brio Cowl pattern is now available in my Etsy shop. To celebrate its release there, I’m having an Etsy cowl pattern sale. Save 20% on cowl patterns through Wednesday, April 24. No coupon code is required.
Clockwise from upper left: Birchleaf, Warble, Biscuit, Deephaven, Bluet, and Shallows
The sale includes Con Brio, a lace cowl that’s perfect for spring’s changeable weather. Worked in the round, it knits up quickly in DK weight yarn.
As always, thanks for reading and happy spring knitting!
New Pattern: Con Brio Cowl
I enjoyed knitting this new cowl so much, I almost didn’t want to finish it. But — of course I did, and now the pattern’s ready for you to cast on and enjoy knitting, too.
This light, airy lace cowl, worked in DK weight yarn, can be made in one of three sizes, ranging from 23 to 54 inches / 59-138 cm. It’s knit in the round, so there’s no seaming or grafting.
The Con Brio Cowl is on sale for 20% off on Ravelry. Use the coupon code BRIO20 to get the discount.
I made the largest of the three sizes, using Juniper Moon Farm’s Patagonia, a woolen-spun organic merino with a soft hand. I’m really impressed with its stitch definition and beautiful drape. One skein was more than enough for a swatch and the cowl.
When designing this cowl, I was inspired by my Con Brio Mitts, which have the same energetic, waving lace stitch. They’re my favorite spring mitts, and now I’m excited to have a matching cowl to wear with them. The two patterns can be purchased together in an ebook set, which you can pick up on Ravelry for just $8.
The Con Brio Cowl sale continues through Wednesday, April 24. Thanks for reading, and happy spring knitting!
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.
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!