Christmas Knitting 2014

It's the busiest time of year for knitters, as we try to finish off handcrafted gifts for everyone. Here are four hot off the presses patterns that make perfect last-minute knitted gifts:

Dipped Mitts are cute and quick to knit. Colour-block patterns are so on trend, and a great way to use up ends of yarn. This is one to break out your brightest, boldest colours for. 

Available to download from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Blaze mitts are another eye-catching fairsle design. The yarn is Rowan Felted Tweed, which is a gorgeous alpaca blend that's lightly felted, giving a lovely vintage look.

Available to download from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Superchunky Cabled Hat is super quick to knit. It's knitted with worsted weight yarn held double, you could knit it up in an afternoon if you put your mind to it! A classic design that would make a good first cabled project.

Available on Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Arrochar Hat is another winter classic. Fairisle snowflakes and soft, cosy yarn make this a lovely Christmas gift. 

Available to download from Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.

Our First Ebook

Proud to announce the release of our first Ebook, Warmth

Warmth is a collection of our cosiest, comfiest patterns - perfect for keeping the winter chill at bay! 

Buachaille Scarf is a chunky lace and cable creation in chunky, undyed bluefaced leicester yarn.

Heron Cardigan is a classic cabled cardigan in a luxurious cashmere blend yarn.
Snowcloud Cardigan is our bestselling pattern - a wearable hug. Chunky yarn and double moss stitch accents make this a winter classic.
Lomond Hat is a cute and quick to knit accessory. Perfect gifting material!
Felted Lace Wrap is an elegant way to keep the heat in. Felting gives this a gorgeous vintage look.


Available as always from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Figure 8 Wristwarmers

Please note: this pattern is now available to download as a pdf from Craftsy for $2. It will still be freely available on this blog, but I thought people might want the opportunity to download a pdf version.

Supercute ladies mitts in an amazingly lovely yarn!

 

Yarn : K1 Yarns Selkie, 30% Cashmere, 70% Superwash Merino. Less than one 50g ball (= 217m). 

Needles : One pair 3 3/4 mm (US 5) and two cable needles.

Gauge: 26 stitches = 10cm in stocking stitch.

Size: One size fits all ladies!

Notation: 

k = knit
p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

k2tog tbl knit two stitches together through the back of the loops

k1fb = knit into the front of the next stitch without slipping it off the left needle, then knit into the back

sl = slip

wyif = with yarn in front

RT = right twist = k2tog without slipping stitches off the left

needle, knit into first stitch again, then slip both stitches off left hand needle

CN = cable needle

X5 = slip first stitch onto CN and hold at the front of your knitting, the slip the next three stitches onto a second CN and hold at the back. Knit the next stitch, then the three from the second CN, then knit the stitch from the first CN.

Directions

Fisherman's Rib

Row 1: p1 *k1 p1* to end

Row 2: k1 * sl 1 wyif k1* to end

Cable Pattern:

Row 1: p2 k2 sl1 k2 p1 k1 p1 k1 p1 k2 sl1 k2 p2

Row 2: RT p2 k1 p2 k2 p1 k2 p2 k1 p2 RT

Row 3: as row 1

Row 4:  k2 p2 k1 p2 k2 p1 k2 p2 k1 p2 k2

Row 5: as row 1

Row 6: : RT p2 k1 p2 X5 p2 k1 p2 RT

Row 7: as row 1

Row 8: as row 4

Left Mitt

CO 37. Work Fisherman's Rib pattern for 11 rows.

Next row ( = wrong side) : k2 sl1 wyif k1fb *sl 1 wyif k2* four times, work 1st row of cable pattern, k2

Now work as follows:
Right side rows:  p2, work next row of cable pattern *p2 k1* five times, p2
Wrong side rows:  k2 *sl1 wyif k2* five times, work next row of cable pattern, k2

On row 5 of the second repetition of the cable pattern and row 4 of the third repetition of the cable pattern k1fb instead of k1 on the first and last stitches of the row. After this there should be 42 stitches. Work the extra stitches in reverse stocking stitch (i.e. knit on wrong side, purl on right side).


Repeat the cable pattern five times, then work rows 1 to 7 once more.


Now work in Fisherman's Rib for 9 rows, ending on a right side row. Bind off on wrong side.

Right Mitt

CO 37. Work Fisherman's Rib pattern for 11 rows.

Next row ( = wrong side) :   k2, work 1st row of cable pattern, *k2 sl1 wyif * four times, k1fb sl 1 wyif k2

Now work as follows:
Right side rows:  p2, *k1 p2* five times, work next row of cable pattern,  p2
Wrong side rows: k2 , work next row of cable pattern, *k2 sl1 wyif * five times, k2

On row 5 of the second repetition of the cable pattern and row 4 of the third repetition of the cable pattern k1fb instead of k1 on the first and last stitches of the row. After this there should be 42 stitches. Work the extra stitches in reverse stocking stitch (i.e. knit on wrong side, purl on right side.)


Repeat the cable pattern five times, then work rows 1 to 6 once more. Then work row 7, but with a k1fb instead of the first knit stitch.


Now work in Fisherman's Rib for 9 rows, ending on a right side row. Bind off on wrong side.

Thumbs (Make Two!)

CO 14 .
Row 1: p2 *k1 p2* to end
Row 2: k2 *sl1 wyif k2* to end
repeat these two rows until thumb measures 4cm (or longer if you have long thumbs, mine are a little stubby...)

Continue working in this pattern, but decrease two stitches on every wrong side row by working k2tog tbl at the start, and k2tog at the end of each wrong side row. Also ensure the edge stitch is always worked in reverse stocking stitch (i.e. purl the first and last stitches of the row even if the pattern says knit). Keep going until you have two stitches left, then bind off and weave in loose ends.

Sew up along the straight 4cm of the thumbs, then sew the slanted decrease edge of the thumb onto the mitts as you sew the mitts' side seams. See diagram:

 

 Weave in loose ends and you're finished!