pepperknit

The Potholder Swap 2010 is in full swing—what fun potholders are you making? I can’t wait to receive mine from the swap, and making the ones I’ll contribute has been a lot of fun, too. I have even tried my pattern out, and they function pretty darn well!

I took the opportunity to look through some crochet technique and pattern books to try something new just for this swap. The moment I found directions for a 4-color spiral, I knew it was the technique for me! The source where I read about it made only a tiny spiral, and it didn’t even lay quite flat, so I had to work out how to do the increases to keep it flat, as well as devise a method to taper off each of the spirals to maintain a circle but not make it feel as if each color just “stopped.”

It wasn’t overly challenging, but it was a fun little crochet puzzle. I am loving the structural, physics-like way I can approach crochet. (Knitting is more garment design, crochet is more product design—the way I approach them.) With 4 colors at play in each potholder, the color combinations seemed endless, all of them fun and kitcheny.

If you’re interested, my pattern for the Stir Me Up Potholders is available free via Ravelry, so you can download now and have a finished potholder in no time (each one takes me about 2.5 hours total—one hour each for the front and back, and half an hour to do the edging). That’s just one day of commuting, plus some time while I unwind at the end of the day.

I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop at the 5 required for the swap. I have more worsted-weight cotton yarn to use up! I have more color combinations I want to see realized! I’m sure everyone I know needs even MORE potholders, right? Despite the fact that so many of my friends are already doing the swap?

Someone described the spirals as being like candy—and perhaps that’s what making them feels like to me. Just a sweet diversion with happy-making results.

How can you resist?

A lot of us on the East Coast and Midwest in the US woke up this morning to snow, with the threat of a lot more overnight tonight—but it was just unseasonably warm a few days ago! Such is the way with winter, huh? You think it’s on its way out, and it comes tearing right back in. I suppose it was to be expected—March does come in like a lion, right?

Get your hands ready for the last burst of winter—and keep your fingers warm on those spring (or fall) days when it’s not quite warm enough to be without knitted goods—with the Merion Mitts, my latest pattern!

Knit in the round in a worsted weight yarn on size 5 needles, the resulting mittens are squishy and warm. The seed stitch palm is a little treat to yourself, and the Maypole pattern up the back will have you thinking about May Day. It’s just around the corner, I swear. But you’re going to need something to keep your fingers warm in the meantime.

via Ravelry for just $6!

Available in two sizes—women’s large (modeled by Ashley) and small (modeled by Pam)!
Instructions include the Maypole pattern both written out and in chart form!
Clever decreases preserve directionality for a professional, finished look!
Look amazing in Malabrigo and other worsted-weight yarns!

It’s double the pleasure—and double the fun! Just in time for fall:

A pattern for a fully reversible, double-knit cowl.

“But I don’t know how to double knit!” I hear you cry. Never fear! I have created five incredibly clear and helpful videos (plus one bonus video!) to show you how to cast on and knit two sides of a fabric at once. It’s easier than you think, and will be a no-brainer for advanced knitters. You’ll be designing your own double-knit scarves, baby blankets, and even garments in no time after you watch my clever tutorials.

Plus, you get the elaborate, continuous brocade chart (with no repeats), designed exclusively by me, so that you, too, can wrap your neck in a cozy cowl of luxury.

All this for the low, low price of $5! You can buy it directly via PayPal, and soon you’ll be able to buy it through Ravelry. Please visit the project page for pattern details as well as to buy it!