Giftie for you!

Dear Knitters-
The holidays are upon us, and in the spirit of the season, here is a pattern for you to enjoy!
Thanks, and Happy Holidays!
Jil

Sneak Preview!

I have two new patterns coming out shortly…

Petite Belle #269

A dressy dress with scalloped trim, in Jil Eaton CottonTail, sized from 6 months to three years.

Tri-Pom Chapeau #270, in Jil Eaton MinnowMerino, sized for Baby, Child and Adult.

Special Sale!!!

Here is a special sale for my blog fans, Jil Eaton’s Knitting School, the Complete Guide to Becoming a Confident Knitter, for $10. US, including shipping and handling! Enjoy!

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

Lambikins... A gift for the young & the young at heart!

It’s almost October, and time to start thinking about gifts for the holidays. One of the cutest projects I have is my Lambikins hand puppet…the loop stitch is very easy to do, and the puppet is a delight for young and old alike. Knit some up for your favorite little ones, and think about giving the kit to a young knitter. Enjoy!

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!

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!

PomPom Learn-to-Knit Kit

The holidays are fast approaching, and it’s time to start thinking about gift giving. My PomPom Learn-to-knit kit is unique, in that it comes with the scarf already cast on…by the time the scarf is finished the new knitter can easily work the knit-on cast on, which as we all know is the trickiest part of leaning to knit. Enjoy!

Lambikins Kit

My adorable Lambikins is a hand puppet with great personality, which brings a smile to young and old alike. It’s worked in a loop stitch that is very easy once you get the hang of it. It’s available at Webs online at www.yarn.com, and in your local yarn shops. Last holiday Vogue Knitting named it the best new kit!

The kit contains my MinnowMerino yarn, and hand-made button eyes. Perfect for holiday gift-giving, either as the kit, or as the hand-knit puppet.

New Patterns

Here are my latest two patterns, and I've just released a mini collection. My dress patterns are all best sellers, so I am including a dress design in every collection. The Smocked Daydress sports a charming smocked bodice, which is quite easily knit. The Swedish Sailor pullover is a color blocked sweater worked entirely in garter stitch…perfect for beginners and experts alike. enjoy! You can find them here.

Outtakes

I’ve been designing and publishing for over twenty years and the photo shoots never cease to amaze me. We have a simple set, a white seamless and a few thoughtful props, but the giant banked lights are intimidating. Intimidating for anyone, never mind a two year old. We have had many a melt-down, but we always get our shot, and only once have we had to reschedule the shoot. My photographer, Nina Fuller, is amazing, working magic with the little ones. Never a dull moment!

Learn to Knit

As summer vacation is approaching you might consider teaching your child to knit with my Learn to Knit Pom Pom Scarf kit. Uniquely, it comes with the scarf already cast on the needles and by following the illustrated instructions, kids can learn to knit. By the time the scarf is finished they can easily do the Knit-On Cast-On. Casting-On is often the most difficult thing to learn, so this kit enjoys great success.

Kits are available in your local yarn shops and via Classic Elite Yarns. 

Mini Collections

Here are the two new patterns in my mini collection for May 2014. These patterns are available as pdf downloads through my Ravelry shop.

266QK Smocked Day Dress

Little girl¹s sleeveless dress with smocked bodice and ruffles.

Sizes

6 months (1 - 2 - 3) years

Materials

Jil Eaton CottonTail

267QK Swedish Sailor

Child¹s color-blocked boatneck pullover

Sizes

6 months (1 - 2 - 4 - 6) years

Materials

Jil Eaton MinnowMerino

Knitting Kits for The Holidays

Hi Everyone!

The holidays are right around the corner and I have some charming knitting kits perfect for gift giving. Lambikins hand puppet is adorable, charming children and adults alike.

The PomPom Learn to Knit Scarf Kit comes with the scarf already cast on, which is the most difficult part of learning to knit. After knitting the scarf, the new knitter will easily be able to cast on. This kit is perfect for mothers and grandmothers teaching children to knit, and for adults learning to knit. All kits come with Jil Eaton MinnowMerino machine-washable yarns, with a micron count next to cashmere.

Kits are available at your local yarn shops, on the internet, and at www.classiceliteyarns.com.

Happy Knitting!

Fall Photoshoot Outtakes- So You Think This is Easy?

We had some photoshoots for the Fall 2012 collection this week. The models would much rather have played footfall and air-guitar than model handknit garments. See for yourself!

First and Ten do it again!

Tom Cruise eat your heart out!

Hat's off to Minnowknits!