Some Mother’s Day Patterns…

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. How better to pamper your mother than to maker her something special? In our April newsletter we featured a very quick knit pattern – Mother’s Mitts (ravlery link). They are knit from Louet Gems Fingering, but you could use any lighter weight sock yarn as well. Download the newsletter now to get your copy of the pattern.

Shawls, stoles and scarves are always a nice choice to knit for mom too. Or, perhaps you should treat yourself for Mother’s Day! No one appreciates all the hard work you do for your family than you! Check out some of these free shawl, stole and stole knit and crochet patterns:

• Citron Shawl by Hillary Smith Callis
• Traveling Woman Shawl by Liz Abinante
• Haruni Shawl by Emily Ross
• Stolen Moments Wrap by Amy Swansen
• Chanson en Crochet by Mari Lynn Patrick
• Magnificent Mantle by Crochet Kitten
• Feather Stole by Elizabeth Meyers

Are you knitting or crocheting something for your mother? What are you making?

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March 2010 Stitches is Here – With a FREE PATTERN

The March 2010 stitches is available on the main web site at http://www.mysisterknits.com/community/news. Inside is a profile of a fast rising local crochet designer, Aaron Matthew Asmussen and a closer look at two of the many new yarns to arrive in recent weeks.

The free pattern this month is by local designer, Amanda Berka. She set out to make a lightweight and versatile vest that was both stylish and easy to knit. She definitely met her goal when she designed Amala (Ravelry link). Amala is essentially a tube with two armholes. If you can rib and knit stockinette stitch in the round you can knit this vest!

Simplicity does not mean sacrificing detail, however! Once the neck is complete and you split the tube to make the armholes you also turn it inside out so that the public side of the cowl when worn is in stockinette stitch. By turning it inside out she has also eliminated a bunch of purling that would have otherwise been required to achieve stockinette stitch on the public side. Clever!

The vest has wide, deep armholes to better accommodate less fitted sleeves. It also has a slight A-line silhouette to help easily float over any trouble areas many of us would like to hide. Due to the unique construction the vest is only offered in three sizes, but the introductory paragraph offers some guidance for those more experienced knitters who might wish to upsize it or even just modify it for a real personal fit.

Pattern: Amala (on Ravelry)
Source: My Sister Knits March 2010 Stitches, page 3
Designer: Amanda Berka (on Ravelry)
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed; 50% wool, 25 % alpaca, 25% viscose; 191 yds per 50 g; color 151, 4 (4, 5) skeins.
Needle Size: US 6 / 4mm circular needle, adjust size if necessary to obtain gauge
Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rnds per 4” / 10 cm in St st in the round
Sizes: Women’s S (M, L) with finished bust circumference of 32” (34”, 36”) and hip of 37.3” (39.3”, 41.3”). Zero ease recommended. Size M shown on 34” bust.

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FREE PATTERN: Laridae Mittens

The free pattern from My Sister Knits this month is a pair of quick to knit cabled mittens. With a fresh coating of snow on the ground and a chance for more in the ten day forecast there is still time to knit mittens to wear this season! These Laridae Mittens are made from Misti Alpaca’s Tonos Chunky, a bulky alpaca and merino blend yarn in semi-solid colors (Avacado shown here). Knit on US9 double pointed needles they practically fly off the needles (especially if you cable without a cable needle). Laridae Mittens have an asymmetric gusseted thumb with increases occurring only on the palm side for a more anatomical fit.

We’re sorry, but you missed out on the free period for this pattern. To ensure you do not miss out on the next one subscribe to the blog RSS feed, or sign-up for our newsletter mailing list.

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January FREE Pattern – First Cabled Hat

For January the pattern is a basic cabled hat made from bulky yarn. It is written for three sizes and has a simple 6-stitch repeat great for practicing the basics of cabling. You can even knit a band 3-4 inches wide and then bind off in pattern for an ear warmer and not worry about cabling and shaping the crown of the hat at the same time! Make two and substitute all the C2F (cable 2 front or cable 2 left) with C2B (cable 2 back or cable 2 right) to practice both directions of cabling.

The sample above and one display at the shop is knit from Noro Transitions, but you should be able to substitute Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky or Lana Loft Bulky or for extra warm and softness Mist Alpaca’s Chunky would be wonderful.

Download the PDF Version Now!

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December’s Free Pattern – Collegiate Flare

As it gets chillier and more snow starts flying leg warmers can really keep your legs and feet warmer. I designed this fun pattern with the wonderfully smooshy (and superwash) Dream in Color Classy yarn. Here it is knit at a slightly tighter gauge for wind resistance and increased durability. A combination of ribs and mock cables make them interesting to look at and knit without the bulk of real cables and to allow them to fit a wide range of sizes without any special calf shaping.

Being one who loves little details I added a bit of flare at the bottom for extra coverage when wearing all those ballet flats and other low-cut shoes that have invaded my closet so I could show off my handknit socks. The flare is full-fashioned for a nice little touch of style.

The pattern is free here for the month of December only!

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