Coming Attractions

My latest pattern project, Elfin Stripes, is available soon…One row stripes make this sweater and hat a charmer, and it comes with a matching blanket. The yarn is Jil Eaton CottonTail, in 7548 Lagoon and 7501 Bright. CottonTail is machine washable and dryable, perfect for babies and toddlers.

All Dressed Up!

We find that my dress patterns are always best seller, and I have an e-book available on my shop on Ravelry…called All Dressed Up! Six patterns for dresses for parties or play for your chic little one…

Snow, snow, snow!

We have had a blizzard and two major snowstorms in the past week – and it is truly a winter wonderland. Here is a mitten pattern for your little ones perfect for playing in the snow!

Materials: Jil Eaton MinnowMerino, MC 4731 Turquoise, 2 balls

and CC  4755 Cerise, 1 Ball

Needles size US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to get gauge. Crochet hook size G-6. Stitch holders.

Gauge: 18 sts and 30 rows = 4” in pattern stitch

Garter Ridge Pattern Stitch

Work 4 rows in St st with MC

Work 2 rows in Garter st (knit every row) with CC

Rep these 6 rows for pattern stitch

MITTENS

With MC, cast on 26 sts. Knit 2 rows. Work in St st until piece measures 1” / 2.5 cm. Then, work in pat st for 1” / 2.5 cm, end with a WS row. Next row (RS): Cont in pat, work 11 sts, k1f&b into next 4 sts, work 11 sts — 30 sts. Work 3 rows even. Next row (RS): Work 13 sts, k1f&b into next 4 sts, work 13 sts — 34 sts. Work 13 sts and place on holder, work 8 thumb sts, work rem 13 sts and place on another holder. Cut yarn.

Thumb, next row (RS): Working in pat, on thumb sts only, rejoin yarn and inc 1 st each edge — 10 sts. Cont in pat until thumb measures 1.25” / 3 cm, end with a WS row. Next row: K2tog across. Next row: P2tog twice, p1. Cut yarn and pull through rem 5 sts. Sew thumb seam.

Hand: With RS facing and keeping to pat, work sts from holder, pick up 4 sts across thumb, work sts from other holder — 30 sts. Work in pat until mitten measures 4.75” / 12 cm from beg, end with a WS row. Cont in St st with MC only. Next row: K2tog across. Next row: P2tog across, end p1. Next row: K2tog across. Next row: P2tog across. Cut yarn and pull through rem 2 sts. Sew side seam.

Rep for 2^nd mitten.

Ties (Make 2):  With crochet hook and A, chain approx 10” / 25.5 cm. Fasten off. Weave tie through cuff at 1” / 2.5 cm from bottom and tie bow.

Pompoms (make 4): Wrap B around 3 fingers 75 times. Remove fingers and wrap 12” / 30.5 cm strand of yarn around center twice, pull snug and tie. Cut loops and trim ends to form a pompom. Sew to each end of tie.

Dog Jacket Give-Away

This month our give-away campaign is two dog jackets from my book PuppyKnits. Fringe Benefits is a hand-knit jacket with fringed turtleneck, and Pom Poms is a felted, hand-knit with color-blocking and cables, adorned with PomPoms. Enter a comment or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter the drawing. Enjoy!