Minturn Pattern available for Free at Petite Purls

I am so excited about one of my new patterns that has been published in the fall 2011 publication of Petite Purls. It is Minturn, which is a gender neutral jacket that is perfect for cooler weather. It is knit in an all over quilted stitch pattern in bulky weight yarn, which creates a warm fabric. The pattern is free and it can be found at Petite Purls. I hope you enjoy!

Bigger Bitty Cardigan Now Available

The Bigger Bitty Cardigan is now available for purchase. Knitting this pattern will create a classic cardigan for babies and toddlers. This pattern is an expansion of my Bitty Cabled Cardigan pattern for sizes larger than newborn. The cardigan is perfect for both boys and girls and is a great gift.

The pattern is available for sizes 3mo, 6mo, 12mo, 18mo,2T, and 3T and uses worsted weight yarn.

This pattern is knit in one piece from the top down and is easily customizable for length. This is a great pattern to learn top down sweater construction and basic cabled stitches.



If you are a Ravelry member, you can purchase the pattern here.

If you are not a Ravelry member, you can click the following "Buy Now" button, and you will be guided through the purchase process via paypal.

What I am working on...

I just wanted to update, so you did not think I disappeared. :) I am currently working on 4 patterns. I am working with a couple of publishers about them, but may end up self-publishing a few of them. They are a gender-neutral baby/toddler sweater, a boyish sweater for toddlers/young boys, a spring/fall weight wrap, and a cowl perfect for handspun or self-striping yarn. I will definitely update when these patterns are ready.

I am also staying very busy with yarn orders. Western Sky Knits is growing very well, and it is so fun to work with new customers.

Free Pattern - Bitty Cabled Hat

I am publishing this free pattern for the "Bitty Cabled Hat" to coordinate with the "Bitty Cabled Cardigan" which is available on the IDP Pattern Section of www.knitpicks.com.

This hat is available in preemie and newborn sizing and is perfect for quick baby gifts. Enjoy!

The pattern is available for free on Ravelry here. Here is an alternate link for downloading. download now

Woodland Shawl

I finally have a finished object to share. I recently finished the Woodland Shawl. Here is a link to my Ravelry project page. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/wskbyheather/woodland-shawl

I knit this with one skein of our WSK Aspen Sock yarn in "Deep Sea" semi-solid. The pattern makes a pretty short shawl, but it was a gift for my husband's great aunt who is around 4' 8", so it was perfect for her.

I really loved the pattern, and the lace was easy to memorize once you got started. I think that many more lace shawls will be in my project queue soon.

Great news!! Avalon Cabled Cardigan and Hat are Being Published

I just received word that my newest designs are being published in the Knit Picks Independent Designer Program on Thursday, April 15th. It will be priced at $1.99, which is the same as all of the IDP designs. They are titled the Avalon Cabled Cardigan and the Avalon Cabled Hat.

Here is a link to the ravelry page for the cardigan, which has additional details. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/avalon-cabled-cardigan

I am so excited about this!! Thanks for your support. :)

Felted Flap Top Purse Pattern

After looking at many felted bag patterns and not finding exactly what I was looking for, I created the following pattern. I am posting it as a freebie for you!

Knit with US 10.5 needles with Western Sky Knits 3-ply merino. Any worsted weight wool yarn will work, but 100% wool is needed for proper felting.

Base of the bag
CO 40 stitiches
Knit 34 rows in garter stitch
Place marker (A)
Pick up and knit 16 stitches along left side of rectangle, place marker (B)
Pick up and knit 49 stitched along CO edge, place marker (C)
Pick up and knit 16 stitches along right side of rectangle, place marker (D)
Join stitches and begin knitting in stockinette stitch in the round for 60 rows.

Body of the bag
On row 12 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 14 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

On row 24 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 12 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

On row 36 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 10 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

On row 48 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 8 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

Once you have knit 60 rows with decreases, beginning at marker D, bind off 49 stitches. Place the 8 stitches between markers A and B on a stitch holder. Keep stitches between B and C on your circular needle. Place the 8 stitches between C and D on a stitch holder.

Bag flap top
If you would like to change yarn color for the flap top, do so here by tying on new yarn.

Knit in SS stitch for 36 rows. Bind off.

Strap
Remove the 8 stitches from the stitch holder and place on needle. Knit in garter stitch until the strap measures 22" long. Join with the remaining 8 stitch on the other stitch holder using the Kitchener stitch.

Weave in ends and felt. :)


Pre-felted measurements

Strap - 22" long in garter stitch
Flap - 14" wide by 7" tall
Bag body - 14" wide by 11" tall
Bag base - 14" long by 5" wide



Post-felting