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.

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!

Rexi in the Studio

Rexi Martine, my cockapoo, loves to hang out in the studio with me. She even has her own handknit bed. The pattern for the bed is available in my books, Top Dog: Twelve Quicknits for your Big Best Friend, which you can find at my distributer Classic Elite Yarns and at local yarn shops.

Park Avenue Kids

Cozy Cardi

The second of my new downloadable ebooks, Park Avenue Kids, is a collection of five occasion-ready garments for little girls and boys in merino wool, cotton and mohair. Party togs for stylish tots, in worsted weight.

Here is a wonderful review from Crochet Addict UK.



Hope you enjoy this collection!

BonBon Cape

Festive Vest

Jumping Jack

Party Frock

New Ebook: All Dressed Up

Party Frock

After doing a survey of knitters receiving my MinnowNotes newsletter we found that more than 50% of you were only interested in epatterns and ebooks. In response I've put together two ebooks available as downloadable pdfs on my website. The first, All Dressed Up is a collection of six dresses for little girls in Jil Eaton CottonTail yarn. Easy, comfortable silhouettes with design details that add a touch of sophistication. Classic designs with a modern flair, in worsted weight.

Here are the projects included in All Dressed Up. Enjoy!

Apron

Petite Chic

Swedish Day Dress

Sweet Pea

Swing Set

Patterns on Ravelry

We're delighted to announce that we are working on putting up my entire Minnowknits collection as downloadable pdfs on my online Ravelry shop. WE hope you'll enjoy this new feature, I also have my Jil Eaton Classics Collection and two ebooks available as downloadable pdfs at Minnowknits.com.