New Patterns

The latest patterns just out include the Smocked Daydress, Swedish Sailor and Elfin Stripes, all worked in my yummy CottonTail Yarn. You can find these patterns at your local yarn shops, or on-line – just google the pattern and you will find many resources. Happy knitting!

Baby Brit Sailor

Spring is the time to knit with cool cotton instead of warm wools…my Baby Brit Sailor is the perfect project for spring knitting. This pattern is knit in my lovely CottonTail yarn, a cabled cotton produced in one of the finest mills in Italy. There are myriad colors to choose from, and because it is cabled it doesn't split as many cottons do. Happy spring!

Learn to Knit Kit Giveaway

Our Rafflecopter Give-aways are very popular, and this month we are offering a Learn-to-Knit Pom Pom Scarf Kit…the kit comes with the scarf already cast on – so by the time the new knitter has completed the scarf she will be able to easily work the knit-on cast-on, always the trickiest o learn. Leave a comment here or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Sheepie and a free pattern!

Spring is here, after a long winter of many snow storms. We are happy to see the snow drops coming up, and spring is the time for shearing the sheep. My darling Sheep pauper kit, Lambikins, is available at your local yarns shops, at many shops’ online stores, and through my distributor, www.classiceliteyarns.com, via shop-a-tron. You work a very easy to learn loop stitch that creates the sheep’s coat – great as a gift for young and old alike. Enjoy!

Every now and again we offer a free pattern to subscribers of my enewsletter, MinnowNotes. Sign up to receive this charmer and email jil@minnowknits.com to be sure you get the pattern!

New Giveaway

Given the enormous popularity of our monthly giveaways, we are offering a new combination giveaway for the month of March: A Learn-to-Knit Pom Pom scarf kit and a copy of Jil Eaton’s Knitting School. The Pom Pom Scarf kit comes with the project already cast on, which makes for easy learning of the craft, and Knitting School is a complete hand-knitting compendium. To enter, post a comment or sign up for my MinnowNotes!

"Jil Eaton's sense of color and style shines through again in this unique collection of knitwear designs for the entire family. Using a variety of top quality yarns, including her own wonderfully soft wool, "MinnowMerino", Jil has designed projects for a learn-to-knit compendium with clear and precise How-To visuals, which makes this book a must-have for knitters of all skill levels. C'est magnifique!"

 -Carla Scott, Editor In Chief, Knit Simple

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.

A Present for You

 It’s almost Christmas, and here is a present for you, my Bon Bons baby hat. Enjoy!

Sweater Bookmark or Ornament

1 ball Classic Elite La Gran mohair

(the best mohair on the planet!)

#6527 Chinese Red

# 7 needles

18” of ribbon of your choice

Cast on 12 sts. P one row and cont in STst (K on the RS, P n the WS) for 1.5 inches, ending on the WS. CO 5 sts, work across row, then CO 5 more sts for sleeves. Work even in STst for 1”, ending with a WS row. P on RS and bind off middle 4 sts. P to the end of the row.  Next row P and work to the BO sts, CO 4 sts and cont to end. Cont in STst for 1”. BO 5 sts at the beginning of the next two rows. Cont in STst for 1.5” and BO. With RS facing sew side and sleeve seams. Turn right side out, and attach the ribbon to the collar of your miniature sweater. Can also be used as a tree ornament.

Voila!

When we’re knitting all is right with the world!

Puppet Kit Giveaway

My learn to knit Puppet Kit comes with all materials, along with fully illustrated instructions for learning to knit. The perfect gift for kids or beginners, ages 8 and up. Enjoy!

To enter, just follow the directions below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A hand-knit for your iPhone!

Here is a pattern for you, which in a few hours will cozy up your iphone in cabled comfort. It’s also perfect for that last minute gift. Enjoy!

iPhone Cabled Cover

Materials

• 1 skein Jil Eaton MinnowMerino in 4758 Rouge
• Needles, size #8 and #4 and #8 cable needle
• Tapestry needle
• Place Markers

Gauge

18 sts and 22 rows = 4” over stockinette stitch

• Cast on 26 sts.
• 1^st row: p
• 2^nd row: k3, p1, k6, p1, k to end of row.
• 3^rd row: p3, k1, p6, k1, p to end of row.
• 4^th row: cable row – k3, p1, CB6, p1, k to end of row.

(CB^, Cable back 6, place first 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back of work, k next 3 sts, the k the 3 on the cable needle) Work this row on the RD every 8 rows.

Work in patterns for 5”, ending on the RD. K next 3 rows and BO.

Sew seam. 

• With#4 needles pick up the 6 middle stitches on the back of your iPhone sweater – this will be easy if you insert your iPhone. Work in garter stitch for 1.5”.
• Next row BO the 2 middle sts for the button hole.
• Next row CO the 2 middle sts. K 2 rows and BO.

Voila! When we’re knitting all is right with the world!

Jil Eaton Knitting School Giveaway

With the holidays just around the corner we are giving away 12 copies of my book, Jil Eaton’s Knitting School, the complete guide to becoming a confident knitter. Books will be signed, and make the perfect gift for your knitting friends. To get one, please leave a comment on this post and share! Please include you email so I can contact you!

“Jil Eaton’s sense of color and style shines through again in this unique collection of knitwear designs for the entire family. She has designed projects for a learn-to-knit compendium with clear and precise how-to visuals, which makes this book a must-have for knitters of all skil levels. C’est magnifique!”

                                                                        Carla Scott, Editor in Chief, KnitSimple

Noel, Noel

My trademark QuickKnit Christmas Stockings are a snap to knit on large needles in a bulky gauge.  And at 14” in length and 12” in circumference they are big enough for all of Santa’s holiday goodies. The Noel Noel pattern is available on the web and at www.classiceliteyarns.com, via shop-a-tron. This is the perfect time to make these charming stockings just in time for Christmas. Jingle bells, and happy knitting!

Holiday Gifts

Now that we are out of our gardens it is time to review our yarn stash, and make plans for all those charming holiday gifts. Hats and mitts and socks and scarves, weekend knits and spare time knits…all to be stashed away for the holiday gift giving celebrations. My trademark QuickKnits™ are perfect for instant gratification, too!

The Perfect Knitting Kit

I do a lot of teaching and always recommend The Perfect Knitting Kit to my student. Here's how to make yours!

The Perfect Knitting Kit starts with a small, clear zippered case, such as those you would find in the cosmetics department. It is absolutely perfect to hold all your knitting basics and because it is clear you can peek inside to find that elusive tool that has dropped to the bottom. Having a portable kit in this manner allows you to switch it out to work with whatever current project you are knitting. My personal kit case is from Agnes B, discovered on a trip to Paris; try to find a case that gives you pleasure, as it will become the backbone of your knitting life.

Here are my recommendations for the right items to include in your kit:

• A pair of small, very sharp scissors; make sure you dedicate them for yarn only!
• Yarn needles - I prefer the Japanese Chibi needles with bent tips that come in little plastic cases that are easy to spot in your kit, and are available everywhere now
• A retractable measuring tape; mine is in the shape of a sheep, and there are many other adorable variations now on the market.
• Yarn T-pins and yarn safety pins are essential for pinning and marking.
• Long and short stitch holders; the elegant coated metal English Aeros are always in my case. There are also plastic Japanese versions that open at either end which work very well
• Stitch markers; split-rings are good as they are easily moved or removed, much better than the closed rings.
• Cable needles; I recommend straight cable needles, including size 3, 6 and 10 US, in bamboo or wood.
• A small calculator – essential!
• Point protectors, both large and small; these clever items keep your work on the needles, and they protect your knitting from stray needles.      
• A needle size and gauge ruler, which you will use constantly. And for those of you with an iphone there is an APP for needle sizing!
• Two crochet hooks, 1 small, 1 large, perhaps a D and a K.
• The so-called “Dentist Tool”, with one crochet hook end and one smooth pointed end, an unusual and invaluable tool, and probably my favorite accessory! You can find this tool on the web at www.patternworks.com.
• A pen and small notebook, for notations, row counting and those quick to sprout design ideas. If you have an idea and don’t jot it down it can often disappear!