A Monday Medley of Patterns, All Free

Today I posted a PDF link to a very old pattern that I first blogged about four years ago.   If you're like me, when you find a free pattern you want to try, it makes life so much easier to have a downloadable PDF version, ready at the click of a button.  (This is especially true since it usually takes me 20 minutes to track down the needles I'll need for the project, but I feel certain that most knitters are more organized than I am.  Surely.)

This got me thinking about the other free patterns I have available, and although it's not Free Pattern Friday, I humbly offer, in honor of my newly re-posted Drop Stitch Garter Dishcloth: 

A Monday Medley of Patterns, All Free

Drop Stitch Garter Dishcloth

 

Thousand Mile Journey Scarf

(Mostly) Ridge Rib Socks

Brickworks Thin-Finity Scarf

Free Pattern Friday: Red Scarf 2014

After several false starts with designs that simply would not cooperate, this year's Red Scarf Project Red Scarf is finally finished, published and available! Using Barbara Walker's purl twist fabric for inspiration,  the Thousand Mile Journey scarf features a soft texture that looks a little like tire tracks.  It's a lovely way to send a hug to a foster care student as they set out on the road of life.

The pattern for this scarf is available as a FREE Raverly download!

Cast On Day: Red Scarf 2014

Today is Valentine's Day.  Like most moms, I spent some time this week planning treats and gifts for Valentines Day for my family.  Then, this morning I had the loveliest thought--because I sent a red scarf to the Red Scarf Project, somewhere today a foster kid in college will have a warm scarf to wear and hopefully, hopefully, feel loved. 

This was such a nice thought to have on a day set aside for love, that I decided to make an Executive Decision...

I declare that today is the official cast-on day for Red Scarf Project 2014!

 

Presumptuous of me, perhaps, since I am in no way officially affiliated with the Red Scarf Project.  I justify my Executive Decision like this:  if what we need are volunteers to make the scarves, then I just volunteered to get the ball rolling for this year.  And to start making a scarf.

How about you?  Do you have a few minutes each week to devote to a simple scarf, knit or crocheted in a red of any sort, to send to encourage a student next Valentine's Day? If we start today and knit on it throughout the year (or finish it tomorrow, depends on how fast you want to go) then by the fall we will have at least one scarf each to send.  Pretty easy, and very loving.  

Here is a summary of the guidelines to get you started. For complete details, go here.

Make your scarf 5" to 8" wide, and 60" long, suitable for a guy or a gal, in red.  Any type of red will work, including striping in other colors because you didn't buy enough red in one dye lot (don't ask).  Knit it in something soft (I usually use easy-care acrylic and acrylic blends--if you use wool or anything else, you might want to include washing instructions/fiber content). Scarves can be sent in from September 1-December 15.  Any pattern will work, but if you want something easy and adorable (totally prejudiced here), try my Free Brickworks Scarf.

Free Pattern Friday: Socks! Now via PDF!

After having this pattern available for almost a full year (how time does fly...), I have  created a PDF file for easy downloading, and (presumably) easy knitting.

This pattern is not complicated, but it looks smashing when knitted up and if you use Cascade 220 Superwash Sport like I did, they'll be so soft you won't want to take them off.

With Christmas just around the corner, here's a great gift idea for someone on your list.  Cast on now--what are you waiting for?  After all, it is a FREE pattern!

New Pattern for Halloween!

SALE!  
Halloween Sale-October 2013
buy all three patterns for half price! 

I don't know about you, but when I hear the phrase "Halloween Wine Party," I immediately think of this:

So when someone said to me recently, "Halloween Wine Party," I looked around but found no patterns written for what I wanted.  So of course I wrote one.  Actually I wrote three: a skull, a pumpkin, and a black cat, all quick knits on double-pointed needles.  I think they will make a great hostess gift, decoration, or even finger puppet ;) You can get all three patterns for one low price, just by clicking the link below:

Halloween Wine Toppers-$3.00

Halloween Sale: Now only $1.50!

Actual Knitting Has, In Fact, Been Happening!

Aside from my Cold Mountain lace journey, my current knitting has revolved around some top-secret pattern designing.  It may seem to the casual onlooker as though I'm only knitting occasionally, or even, gasp!, sporadically.  Rest assured that nothing could be further from the truth. Between the swatching and the re-swatching and the adjusting and the swatching again and the finally knitting the thing, well, I've been doing a lot of knitting.

When completed patterns are ready, I promise you'll be the first to know!  In the meantime, here is a small sample of what's been on my needles here at KnitOasis HQ:

Red Scarf Project 2013 (plus a free knitting pattern!)

The Brickworks Scarf

Most of you who know me know that I love to knit for charity and one of my favorite charities is the Red Scarf Project.  I enjoy knowing that somewhere there are young adults who have grown up in foster care who are wearing red scarves they received in a care package while away at college.  It must be the mom in me, wanting these kids to have a tangible expression of love and support.  And it's the knitter in me who jumps at the chance to make that expression out of yarn.

This year in addition to knitting a scarf for submission to the Project, I also designed a pattern: "Brickworks".  It is available now as a FREE Ravelry download--giving you plenty of time to send one in for this year (between September 1 and December 15--address on their website).

So enjoy, and thank you in advance for sending scarves to help make a difference in the lives of foster youth in college.

Cast-On Day!

Today I will be casting on to participate in a KAL for the Cold Mountain stole pattern.  I'm excited for a number of reasons, among them:

1) My daughter picked out the pattern because she wanted to tackle a "big lace something."
2) When I suggested she might want to make it a KAL (peer pressure done right), she did.
3) Do I need to mention that I like knitting with this kid?
4) Some of you may remember the Lace Prom Shrug Fiasco of '12. It's nice to have a fresh start.
5) Starting a shiny new project is fun. Period!
6) Starting a Knit-A-Long is even more fun!

So, if you're game, join us.  More details can be found here. Also, here are some tips on reading knitting charts.  By the time we are through knitting this lovely shawl, we should be expert chart readers!

A newly published (free!) pattern and a new trick!

I learned something new today--how to turn a pattern into a PDF document and put it on Ravelry!  Sure, some of you have known this since Ravelry was Ravelry, but sometimes I bloom just a bit later than others, and that's OK.

 

Churchill-A Knitted Hat

This one is not a new pattern, but it is newly published (and a PDF download, in case you missed that earlier) and I'm planning to knit a few for our Guild's newest charity knitting endeavor.  If you've taken my Knitting in the Round class, you have this pattern already.  And if you've knit this hat from my pattern, I would LOVE to see it!!

And if you are looking for a charity knitting project that is small and portable and will be greatly appreciated, we are knitting these for TriCounty Family Ministries.  The more, the merrier!

New Free Knitting Pattern! (You'll want to make more than one...)

Framed Nine Patch Dishcloth

Being an actual user of hand knit dishcloths, it is sometimes necessary to knit yourself some fresh ones.  (And sometimes your mother-in-law requests some, too.)

So I grabbed some yarn and some much larger needles than I normally use for dishcloths (because sometimes you think outside of the box, even if only a tiny bit) and headed to the WWKiP day event at the Charleston RiverDogs home game.  Somehow, amid the root-root-rooting for the home team, the chatting with my fellow knitters and all our friends and family who had joined us, the Dixie Dog and glass of wine, a dishcloth pattern emerged.  And I was smitten with it.

You can find it here on Ravelry and I hope you enjoy it as much I do.  Dixie Dog not included.

 

The DixieDog--A RiverDogs specialty. Coleslaw and Pimento cheese. YUMMY!

New pattern! -or- Look out, Mr. Franklin!

I think I might be an overachiever, but I'm too busy to find out for sure!  I've always been an admirer of Ben Franklin's ability to do many things and it seems as though some days, I share that ability in some small way. Today feels like one of those days.

In addition to knitting, teaching knitting, and being a wife and a busy homeschool mom, I like to write down patterns with the thought that "some day" I'll get them published or blogged or Ravelry-ed.  This side of things tends to get put on the back burner (on another stove in a different house!) most of the time.

But I am thrilled to bring you a link to a pattern that finally saw the light of day (or the web, whatever).

(Mostly) Ridge Rib Socks!

 

It's free! It's fabulous! And hopefully error free as well--the perfectionist in me is cringing at the possibility.  So please, enjoy and let me know what you think!

And thank you, Brooks Jones, wherever you are, for making my sock knitting possible!!

Simple Knitting-book review

A book that I recently stumbled across (and love!) is Simple Knitting: A Complete How-to-Knit Workshop with 20 Projects by Erika Knight.

My criteria for loving a knitting book are simple.

1) Good photography. Yes, I like to look at the pictures. Knitting is visual and if I can't see the finished project or the stitch lesson, it makes me nervous.

2)Projects that meet expectations. This one varies from book to book. For Simple Knitting, I expect simpler projects that take into account a beginner's skill levels. For a book that purports to have more advanced work in it (like Stitch n' Bitch Superstar Knitting: Go Beyond the Basics--another book I love) I expect more advanced projects with the appropriate information to tell me how to knit it.

3) Projects I want to knit. And lots of them, preferably!

4) Clear directions. Need I elaborate?

5) Good attitude. Can you believe I've read knitting books that talked down to knitters? Sad, but true. If the author of the book can't be positive and encouraging and friendly, why bother.

Extras~~Things that put a knitting book over the top.

1) Amazing color palette. Simple Knitting has so many beautiful yarns used in the examples and projects; neutrals mostly, and the design of the book incorporates this well. It makes for a pleasing overall color palette.

2) Classic design. Maybe it's because I'm not a very trendy person myself, but I like a book that has patterns that will stand the test of time. Or maybe I'm just realistic about how long it will take me to knit that super trendy sweater, knowing full well that it will be so last year (or last decade!) by the time the wearer receives it.

Because I love knitting so much, finding a wonderful knitting book is little like meeting a new knitting friend--someone else who "gets it." Simple Knitting is one of those who "gets it"--completely.

New free pattern: The D.C. Traveler

So I knew I was going to Washington, D.C. for a few days. In January. This led me to believe it would be cold and I thought, maybe I should dress accordingly. I gave serious consideration to all my handknits. I know that a scarf is practical and can be versatile, depending on its length and width and yarn. After examining all available scarves and wraps, I realized that really there was not one that would fit ALL of the following criteria: a) provide warmth b) go with every outfit I would wear that week, from casual to business casual c) be short enough to not get caught in the closing door of a Metro train, or trail behind me as I scurried across a busy intersection.

I realized I would have to either forgo the scarf idea entirely or make something---quick! I scoured the internet (as in, Ravelry) and came up with this lovely scarf from Melanie Tindale, which I love. I came very close to knitting this exact scarf in a different color, and yet, I felt that the pointed ends were not what I wanted for this particular scarf, for this particular trip. I am indebted to Melanie for her ingenious key-hole design, which I used to make The D. C. Traveler. My daughter made a neck wrap a few years ago using Seed Stitch and I loved how that looked, so well, I knit up my own version of a keyhole scarflet and now I'm sharing the pattern with you....
The D.C. Traveler.

Here I am wearing The D.C. Traveler in the company of that great knitter, Eleanor Roosevelt. This scarflet worked so well for my trip. I could put it on or take it off with a minimum of movement (great for when you're on a crowded train), and it was small enough to fit easily in my pocket or purse. And because the keyhole design makes it self-closing, I never had to re-position it like I invariably do with other, longer scarves. It was also the perfect color for conservative Washington.