pattern release

Head to Tail

In between working on my new sweater design (the pattern is getting close, I’m hoping for a release within a week or two), I managed to squeek out another mitten pattern. This one features a herpetological theme! Yes, four legged crawlies adorn the palms and mitten backs.

Once again, this design has taken awhile to get from the initial idea to completion. However, I’m quite happy with the results. Unfortunately, I knit the prototype pair in the larger size (the size is adjusted by working with smaller or larger needles) so they are too large for me to transfer into my personal mitten wardrobe. I guess I need to knit a second pair for myself . . . .

If you, too, find you have an irrational need to create a pair of critter mittens, you can find addtional pattern info here.

Wallflowers

Phew. Twenty fourteen was a great year for me in many respects, but I’m also very pleased to see the turning of the calendar – and I’m celebrating by releasing two long awaited patterns. I like starting off on the right foot!

The Wallflower designs began over a year ago (my how time flies) when I decided my mom needed a fancy tam and mitten set. Yes, I decided that without consulting her. Anyway, perhaps you’ve noticed, but I’ve been just a little bit obsessed with stranded colorwork accessories for the last few years. I love how the small pieces allow me to play around with color and design motifs in a way that’s more difficult with larger scale items.

My previous colorwork designs have leaned towards the whimsical (elephants, anyone?), however, that really isn’t my mom’s scene. I felt like she would prefer something a bit more subtle, like a simple, allover floral pattern. I also wanted to play around with positive/negative space and tessellated geometry, you know, just because. The resulting stitch pattern is a small scale checkerboard of diamonds framing stylized 4-petal flowers. For the samples that are featured in the pattern, I chose colors that are similar in value, so the resulting fabric is very subtle. However, the first prototype was knit in red and white, for a much more dramatic effect:

I love the way swapping out colors can totally change the way a design feels. I can’t wait to see what color combinations everyone else chooses!

Horno

After a rather unfortunately long hiatus, I’m back at B8 knit-design with a new pattern. Horno has been knocking around for a while. I originally developed this hat design for a squishy hank of Manos del Uruguay Maxima picked out by The Dude. Now, bald guys, they take their hats very, very seriously, so I was quite pleased when this hat became the favorite go-to winter hat. In fact, this hat became so essential, a second one was requested in a different color. I think what has won Horno top honors in the hat wardrobe is the versatility. The extra tall ribbed cuff can be folded up for an extra layer of ear warmth, or on a warmer day, the cuff can be extended to create a slouchy toque. Although, I think I see Horno being worn in an inbetween mode the most – the back cuff extended and pulled way down for a little more neck coverage with the front folded up halfway:

This hat is a very quick knit – about three evening’s worth for me, which is almost instant gratification. There’s a tricky bit at the beginning to create the k1 p1 tubular cast on, but after that it’s easy going. The textured slip stitch pattern has an uncomplicated 4 stitch repeat and in a fun hand dyed yarn it’s one of those addictive projects that’s hard to put down. In fact, although I’ve already knit 4 of these, I want to cast on for another one right now.