*** You still have two days to comment and have a chance at winning some cool swag! Also, if you haven’t looked through these comments you really must. There are some absolutely fabulous links in the 126 comments that have been left. I already have a few favorites….and no I’m not going to tell! But man, grab a cuppa and sit and check out these links. Don’t blame me if your Ravelry queue doubles!***
Is this thing on? *tap tap tap* Hi! Remember me? How are you? Me? I’m hanging in there. Lots going on and I’m feeling super depressed about the fact that I’m totally not elbow deep into any sort of knitting. I am completely uninspired. I’ve knit a few scarves and that’s it. So I come to you my friends. Spread the word because I want a huge response for this contest. I need help. I need inspiration. I get to look around blogland every once in a while but not enough to find out what the hottest knits are right now. I’ve seen a few things but want to know from you what you are loving right now. Or something that is in your queue that looks super cool. That’s the contest! You need to inspire me to knit something. I don’t want a garment. I want something fun and not too crazy complicated. It can be a bit of a challenge but nothing too scary since my kids are home after today for two weeks and we know what that’s like. (Charlotte’s Web is probably not a good idea) But come on. I want links/pictures/patterns to what you’ve seen or knit recently that is a must-knit. There will be multiple prizes!! I will give a prize to the person who finds me something I actually want to knit as well as pick a few other names randomly just for commenting. The prizes will be a surprise. It could be a book, yarn, swag…..you’ll just have to wait and see! I will have this contest go until Monday night at 8:00pm MST. Then I’ll announce the winner on Christmas Eve. So let me see some patterns!!! What do I absolutely have to knit?
And how about a little Eye Candy Friday collage? Here are a few images from the past few weeks. I’ve been having lots of fun with the Christmas lights.
Now let the contest commence! I can’t wait to see what you find for me.
Also, I will make one final run at 5:30 to the Post Office if you are still wanting something from the shop. Priority mail is 2-3 days so there is still a good chance to get something before Christmas! Obviously I can’t promise anything…..but it should get there if you live in the US!
140 Comments
This bag jumped in my queue yesterday. Looks like a pretty simple knit, but I liked the handles most of all.
I’ve been inspired by Kate Gilbert’s Bird in Hand mittens. I finished one yesterday (see it here), and it’s magnificent!
well, scout, this is what i’m looking forward to knitting between semesters!
it’s cool, it’s funky, and it seems a great way to use up stash remnants in a unique way.
this isn’t a free pattern, but thought i’d link anyway, in the even that it inspires you as much as
it has me
the hudson hat!
I just knit this http://knitwithkt.blogspot.com/2007/08/40-years-felted-bowl.html for a member of my knitting group. This year we decided to give “the gift of time” to each other and we each brought in a skein from our statsh - and each person picked some yarn that they liked and then returned it as a completed item. This was fun and quitck, and felted!
This scarf is my current obsession. It can be worked long or short, fat or thin, for me it’s all about the texture of the stitch pattern and those fun vertical stripes. I’ve been working on one for my son. The beginnings of it can be seen here. Next up, a tweedy version, mmmmm.
Gotta love these: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=1271
And the Ninjabuns: http://mochimochiland.com/shop/items/ninjabun.php
Has to be the Latvian Mitts from Veronique Avery’s Knitting Classic Style (new book). The colors are just gorgeous and actually pretty simple as only 2 colors are used at the same time. (I’ve got 2 young kids so understand the attention span thing). http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/latvian-fingerless-mitts
Where to begin? I have two felted bags nearing completion. I figured if I have to watch the washing machine I might as well make it worth it. One is from Knitspot:
http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/rock-lobster-lock-bag-p-64.html
I am using Knitpick’s Wool of the Andes in Mocha Twist for one color, and the other is a strand of one of the bluish ones (Tidepool Heather, Maybe?) and a strand of Shamrock in McNamara. The idea is to have the lobsters have that “live lobster blue” color.
The other bag is knit from the same Shamrock (two strands of itself):
http://www.y2knit.net/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Product_Count=6&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=JWD28&Category_Code=BAG
Called the Scalloped Tote from Y2Knit, I have made this one before (making two tote bag style handles instead of the basket shape single handle). I really like how the lacy bit looked once felted (you thread a nonfelting yarn through it first and the holes don’t close up).
That’s it for inspiration. I just got a sock club kit from VanCalcar farms, but I don’t think it is available to the public yet. It is a design based on a novel and is just so clever. If you really want more information let me know.
Sadly there is more shopping to be done before knitting!
I know everyone and their sister has made one this fall, but I just finished a Hemlock Ring Blanket. I love it! It’s a gift though, so it’s on the way to my sister right now. It was so fun to knit that I’m seriously thinking about doing another one right away just for myself. Once you get past the first few rows, it’s basically just feather and fan.
I just whipped up one of these little guys for my tree.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/minutia/minutia.html
I made pattern #6. It only took me a couple of hours, and I think I’m going to make up a few more for the immediate relatives too…
Sorry, forgot to add a link…
Here’s an action shot of my hemlock ring: http://flickr.com/photos/kimtimnashville/2124875761/
And of course, here’s a link to the pattern: http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/08/hemlock-ring-blanket.html
I am all about socks……
Aquaphobia socks, for skeins that pool:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aquaphobia-socks
No Purl Monkeys are on my to-knit list too, since I don’t like to purl:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/no-purl-monkeys
BTW, What happened to your Wollemeise socks? Those looked like they were coming along nicely! Maybe you should finish those!
I am loving Koolhaas & Bird In Hand too!
Fingerless mitts seem to be all the rage! Check out some patterns for those!
I always look to the Purl Bee for iinspiration and most recently am inspired by the firm fitting fingerless gloves.
Also, Tante Sophie has 2 shawls I love - Buddy Shawl and MiMi Shawl. Both easy and fun.
I am totally inspired this week by the ocean creatures here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5162135
I know I just need to knit an octopus, a squid AND a jellyfish with some leftover yarn I have in my stash.
Well, I usually need some pretty instant-gratification if I’m in a slump, so why not pick out some delish yarn and whip up Wendy’s Dream Swatch headband? It’s simple enough, it’s fast, and justifies the use or purchase of fantastic, coveted yarn for a project that won’t require 14 skeins and a home equity loan.
I am jonesing to knit the Brea bag: http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/brea/brea.pdf
I think it is so cute, complicated enough to be interesting, and fast, too, especially if I skip the gusset as I plan to.
I am also working on the Foliage hat from Knitty: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTfoliage.html
It has the same qualities: fast, interesting and cute. Enjoy!
Something I’ve been wanting to knit, but haven’t gotten around to yet is the stained glass bag. You buy the pattern and see some prototypes here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5165152
http://www.interweaveknits.com/holiday/holidaygifts/gifts_preview.asp
Koolhaas Hat!
I’m about to put one OTN for a niece for a “late” Xmas gift!
(((hugs)))
Hmm, well I’ve been knitting a lot of socks and I currently have a baby sweater on the needles, so I don’t think those qualify. If I had some down time and just wanted to knit something fun, it would be an animal from Crafty Alien. http://www.craftyalien.com/ Seriously, aren’t they just the cutest?
I also really like this snowflake. http://tiajudy.com/SnowStar.htm
I like the cassidy hat from Chicknits. http://www.chicknits.com/catalog/cassidyscap.html I also want to make this scarf. http://christine.typepad.com/knitting/easy-drop-stitch-scarf-pa.html . It looks like a quick and fun knit that will go great with variegated yarns.
I just finished the last of my Christmas gift knitting — whew, in the Nick of time! — and finally get to do some knitting for myself, as my reward for being such a good girl.
My first project for me, me, me? Lisa Daniels’ Vintage Velvet Scarf from the Scarf Style book (Ravelry link http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vintage-velvet).
I’m using the aptly named “Touch Me” yarn from Muench: it’s rayon chenille with a wool core, and it feels wonderful in your hands. I picked the colorway that looks like shades of melting chocolate: dark bitter to milk. After felting the yarn softens to the look of “vintage velvet” — hence the pattern title.
The knitting is interesting, with a reversible cable, but not so demanding that you can’t relax & chat & nibble Christmas Crack (Chex party mix). I’m loving it!
I made this scarf (http://ysolda.com/wordpress/skull-illusion-knit-scarf/) for my son, but in purple and gray…and now I’m suddenly hooked on illusion knitting. It’s easy and way too cool.
I am obsessed with the mathematical designs at Woolly Thoughts, especially Curves of Pursuit:
http://www.woollythoughts.com/afghans/pursuit.html
and the cushions:
http://www.woollythoughts.com/cushions.html
I also just ordered pre-yarn for this stunning shawl: http://muro.vuodatus.net/blog/881297
And finally I take the opportunity to pimp the felted bag I recently made up using the Fireflowers pattern from Barbara Walker:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/waywardelf/fire-bag
Well, somebody already mentioned Kate Gilbert’s “Bird in Hand” mittens, which are totally topping my list of Things I Am Casting On As Soon As The Christmas Knitting Is Finished. I even have the yarn already picked out and everything.
I’m also itching like crazy to make up a pair of Brooklyn Handmade’s Baby Chuck’s Hi-Top All Star Style Booties which can be found here on Ravelry.
Good luck getting your knitting groove back!
Hmm - here’s a few things from my queue: Quill lace, a Nalgene water bottle cover, or a neckwarmer.
I’ve just finished knitting 4 Buddy Bags for my granddaughters. I stuffed them with books and hand knit socks. The pattern is available on line from http://annypurls.blogspot.com They are fun to knit, quick, adaptable and look great. Even my husband thought they were worth a photograph, and my 12 year old daughter wishes me to knit one for her too. It would be easy to knit one bag and stuff it with numerous finger puppets. I’ll send a photo to your email as I haven’t a clue how to show you just how sweet they are otherwise. I was so inspired by the finger puppets I knit an elephant for the boat, instead of a bear and I changed the boat slightly. Whats more, they are a great way to use up scraps of yarn.
Janet MF up in almost -40 degree Yellowknife - brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Haven’t made these yet, but they’re both relatively small and easy. And would show off a pretty yarn too.
Dream Swatch Head Wrap (link to pdf)
Smocked Guantlets
Me, too, Scout, I’ve been completely uninspired — I’ve made almost nothing this fall! So let me suggest something else … I have yet to blog about my Amy Butler obsession, but I’ve been making Frenchy Bags like crazy lately — quick, fast, fun … just an idea. Happy Holidays to you and your family!!!
My must knits recently were my JIT Hat and lots more little Sockies for the Christmas tree and also a pair of Skweffles for the Neatnik’s recently grown feet.
Merry Christmas.
This made me laugh out loud……it is so charming! I have to have the pattern.
http://blog.berroco.com/ If playing with your food doesn’t inspire you I don’t know what else will!!!!!
Alright, don’t tell anyone I’m working on these socks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hybrids06/2124422171/
(Bells and Whistles Socks from LAST years IK Holiday Issue.) I love them. It’s a very quick pattern and has neat detailing down the back of the heel. It also has a very nice toe.
How about a naked Morrissey doll ? You could skip the anatomically correct portion if that’s too scary for the kids!
I also like the unoriginal hat that the yarn harlot has on her blog. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yarnharlot.ca%2Fblog%2Fimages%2Fharlot_unoriginal_hat.pdf&ei=4-hrR5zJJKOipwTPobHvDg&usg=AFQjCNFo05rGs5Oi7tNnlONqEY08FCCQDg&sig2=LKQhOzTpuJWuilMUwbHeKw Despite having some lovely bulky pink nashua, I can’t help think I should buy yarn specifically for it!
I have knit this kerchief/scarf from Knitpicks. The site is here http://www.knitpicks.com/Lace+Headscarf_PD50598220.html. I am also planning on knitting the Bird in Hand mittens by Kate Gilbert.
Well, here you go…
I’m not great with links but:
Central Park Hoodie - must have!
Snowflake Mitts on Knitty.com
Scrunchable Scarf: knit on #11’s with 2 strands of worsted…www.insaknity.com/blog/2007
Finished 1 pr from the Mt. Monadnock Yarn you dyed for me…love it….1 sock to go…I will post pics on Ravelry…
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Blogless Diane
I’ve recently discovered Blue Sky Alpacas yarn and it is amazing. The Alpaca Warmer is a free pattern and uses only one skein of Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky. I added a buttonhole and cute wooden button
http://www.midnightknitter.com/knitpixiepatterns/index.php?act=download&id=10
And this free pattern “Thorpe” of a hat with earflaps and braids is SO CUTE
http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/Thorpe.pdf
I have been gearing up to make one of these guys, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-stripey-dolls
They are adorable! They just have to wait until I have completed my Christmas Knitting.
Looking through your comments is really not easy on the queue.
The Headigan is a GREAT hat! I have made 3 already. It is the hat I wear myself
http://www.redlipstick.net/webshop/rhb/headigan_pattern_set.html
Speaking of hats, the Button-Up hat in Catherine Ham’s book “The Weekend Crafter: Knitting 20 Simple & Stylish Wearables for Beginners” is easy and a hit with my friends. I have made 4 of those.
Do you have some left over cotton yarn? Granny’s Patchwork Pinwheel dish cloth is a great way to use up those scraps.
http://www.knittingknonsense.com/patchworkpinwheelcloth.html
Do you know someone with a new baby? Zoe Mellor’s Slip On baby bootees are quick and cute. You can check out the ones I have finished on ravelry
Happy Holidays to you and your family
How about napkin rings? You could do what I kind of wish I’d done (and might still do) and make the Venezia wire ones from Knitty (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTvenezia.html), or you could do as I actually did and knit a bunch of cute little tubes out of scrap yarn.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTsquarecake.html
This got me out of my funk!
I’ve been over-inspired lately! lol
my current faves:
from the new Knitty: Ice Queen, Quant, Three Tams & Jeanie
Bird in Hand mitts
and boatloads of stuff from the IK Gifts issue
If you’re not in a garment mood, why not knit somethings fun and cute? These Korknisse are just adorable, or there are always the magical little Woodins! Definitely different, still fun knitting. Otherwise, I’d have to add another vote to the “Bird in Hand” mittens, which have inspired me to design my own colourwork mitts!
I say Fetchings (knitty.com)–they don’t take too long, they are pretty and I’m assuming it doesn’t get too cold where you are so full mittens might be too much.
I just made a pair for my step-Mom and now I want some for me!
Are you a tea drinker? If so then knitting the Cottage Tea Cozy might be just the thing. The pattern can be found in the book Knitter’s Stash by Barbara Albright and this tea cozy pattern is worth the price of the whole book. You start by knitting the ‘cottage’ with a feltable worsted and then felt it. With a contrasting color worsted yarn you separately knit the ‘roof, door and shutters’ which are hand stitched on to the cottage once it is felted, blocked and dried. Your cottage can be left as is and used to keep your pot of tea hot. However, using silk ribbon embroidery you can add a whole variety of flowers outside the cottage. I had never done silk ribbon embroidery before this project but the pattern instructions recommended the booklet titled An Encyclopedia of Ribbon Embroidery Flowers by Deanna Hall West, published by the American School of Needlework (I found my copy on Amazon.com). This booklet taught me everything I needed to know and before I knew it I was embroidering geraniums in the window boxes, lily of the valley, tulips, scilla’s, and black eyed susans and a big ole sunflower on my cottage. The hardest part was finding the silk ribbon since silk ribbon embroidery isn’t as popular as it was about 10 years ago. Although the embroidery is slow, putzy work it is something you can walk away from and come back to easily as you chase kids around.
The first cozy I did I gave to my mother for her 80th birthday. I embroidered flowers she had planted in past houses we had lived in through my growing up years. She loves it. It made a great gift.
You can find several examples of this tea cozy in Ravelry. I entered my cozy in Ravelry but haven’t uploaded a photo because I’m new to Ravelry and haven’t figured out how to do that yet (I’m not a Flickr member).
If you like the idea of a tea cozy but not the cottage/embroidery idea there are many colorful feltable yarns out there to knit a generic cozy out of and then felt it. (Noro Kureyon comes to mind) Felting the cozy really helps to insulate the teapot and keep your tea hot.
If this is a Christmas contest, please don’t enter me- I don’t celebrate Christmas.
But here’s help for a quick knit, on me.
F. Pea’s free pattern; good for you, good for the kids. They’ll be happy to see you knitting this up- they’ll ask you to please just keep on knitting:
http://fpea.blogspot.com/2007/09/free-pattern-friday-cris.html
Is that not the most adorable little guy?
Here’s more inspiration, but alas, no pattern:
http://fpea.blogspot.com/2007/11/meet-lewisis.html
Still, fun to tell the kids about.
I never knew you had a blog! thanks for putting that in the store’s e-mail
How about something felted? Knitting felted items always boosts me out of a slump, and there’s that extra bonus of having something pop out of the wash that looks completely different than when you put it in. Knitting mistakes are no problem–washed away! And no pattern or new yarn are needed either. Big needles and easy knitting—perfect knitting for when the little ones are home!
Here’s a picture of my latest felted basket, made completely from my stash and no real pattern: http://knottykittyknits.blogspot.com/2007/12/fit-problems.html (sorry, I don’t know how to create a link on your comments…). I was in a slump when I started it, and it was so fun to make it snapped me back out of it!!
Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
Oops, you said you wanted links. Here’s a link to the Cottage Tea Cozy in Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cottage-tea-cozy
Oh forget all that! No no no! Patterns BAH! You need inspiration! Throw patterns and caution to the wind!
Here are some ideas!
Knit Graffitti! Walk out around your house and pick something to knit for!!
http://www.knittaplease.com/KNITTA_PLEASE.html
Knit some Art!!
http://www.madmuseum.org/site/c.drKLI1PIIqE/b.1117489/k.3C0B/Radical_Lace__Subversive_Knitting.htm
Debbie New’s book Unexpected Knitting is a good inspiration too!
I’m leaving tonight for a long road trip and I am totally obsessed with knitting neckwarmers like this one: http://fiddlelee.blogspot.com/2007/11/dulce-neck-cozy-pattern.html. I plan on working on that and a few more dishcloths while on the road.
I’d go with the Koolhaas hat in the latest IK holiday edition.
http://shop.interweave.com/store/Koolhaas-Hat-P211C54.aspx
I like the Gemma beret, from Rowan. Free pattern here: http://www.knitrowan.com/html/home.asp
Also in the queue is the Monk hat. http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=186604.0
I’m going to be knitting some toys this spring. High on my list is the fibertrends hedgehog: http://www.tropicalyarns.com/index.cfm?PID=40&ProdID=687
I’m an idiot. Forget my previous suggestion - the pattern of the moment has to be Quant (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTquant.html). Maybe someone has already said this pattern. Perfect for a single skein of hand-dyed yarn!!
Do I know you? ;^) Can you believe I’m still sick? Don’t tell anyone, tho. I’m trying to keep it a secret.
I made The Marsan Watchcap for Tony and he claims to love it. Use the larger CO number unless you’re knitting for a total pin head. It’s fast, simple and fun.
I hope you’re remembering to find time for yourself, sweetie. ♥
The Spitcurl Scarf at Red Lipstick - http://www.redlipstick.net/webshop/rhb/spitcurl_pattern.html. Once the holiday is over I am looking forward to shopping the stash and casting on.
I’m in love with this……. maybe it would inspire you?
http://www.whiteliesdesigns.com/patterns/lcardigans/131.html
I am awfully tempted by the Piggy Mittens. Awfully, awfully tempted. Aveline, a slouchy hat, has also been a lovely knit. I just finished one in Lett-Lopi and it sits just so .
A Lobby Dishcloth! See Mason-Dixon Knitting on December 10, 2007.
http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/2007_12.html#002277
Oops - I totally forgot to thank you for having a contest! Have a great Christmas!
I haven’t exactly finished it yet, but I enjoyed knitting Tudora ; maybe you’d want to experiment with fiber choices for the SW climate, but it could be just the extra thing you’d need on a chilly morning — and it’s a quick knit, and fun, and pretty.
The thing I’ve recently knit, though, that I totally love is Argosy , and that is all about the yarn. Personally, I don’t think I’d like it in a solid or semi-solid, but it’s terrific for a hand-dyed yarn — even a super-wild, crazy-dyed yarn, or possibly one that doesn’t seem suitable for anything else. I get so many compliments — even from muggles. I so want to knit this again, and I want to try it a little bit wider.
Fun contest! I’m seeing all sorts of new projects and also some that I’d forgotten about!
I immediately thought you needed to knit your own camera strap with some of your own yarn. The only picture/site I could find one at is the following:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/leethal/scrap-strap
Happy Holidays!
In general, I’ve never been too tempted by knitted bags but I love, love, LOVE this one and hope to cast on for it as soon as I finish the sweater I’m working on. Even if it’s not “you,” Christmas 2008 is only 368 days away! http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/brea/brea.html
Happy Holidays!
I’m a big fan of the hand/wrist warmers from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Or really, any wrist warmer pattern. If you pick a simple stitch pattern, you could maybe do it out of some fingering weight yarn, doubled up. Super-fast, super-easy, AND your fingers are still free to take pretty pictures with your camera.
Or, the awesome Noro Striped Scarf, because it’s a lot of fun to see how colors come together like that.
Silly hat, because it’s silly and everyone needs one of those.
OOH! Little miniature sweaters!
Also, I think you should go find that Bel Biv Devoe song “Poison” and go work on that Wollmeise sock. That was such an awesome song. (I’ve been watching VH1’s Greatest Songs of the 90s, and that was somewhere in the 60 - 41 range. Good times.)
I’m making skull caps for each of the nieces and nephews (and a friend’s twins) that have their first intial in a big, chunky, lowercase letter on the front. No pics on the blog yet, but I hope to post soon. With chunky yarn and #13 needles, I can do a hat in 2-3 hours, and they’re super cute. I’m 8 hats in and not bored yet.
Good luck! Happy holidays, and an inspired, creative, good fortune filled new year!
becky
Right now, I’m not feeling the love for my current sock in progress (a gift for my mom). I am so tempted to frog and knit these instead:
http://www.imaybeknittingaranchhouse.com/archives/2007/04/charade.html
And here’s a wonderful resource for variegated sock yarn:
http://akaijen.typepad.com/jen_knits/no-pool-for-you-a-list-of.html
What about yarnissimas newest pattern “la digitessa!”http://yarnissima.vox.com/library/post/and-she-can-be-yours.html
or some firestarters http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-firestarter or Nutkin?
http://www.knitzi.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=245
Hmmm, the first thing that came to mind is the stripy Noro scarf from Brooklyn Tweed: http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/04/noro-scarf.html. So simple but so very beautiful!
Wow you have some really great ideas comming to you already. But I though I would go ahead and give you some more.
Sheldon http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheldon is nearing the top of my list of things to make.
And this Jester hat http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Dragonling/cap-fit-for-a-jester is a must knit for me!
For some quick knits which not only use up leftover worsted weight, but are useful then might I suggest these kids’ mittens? Heck, they work great for grown ups too and several pairs can be whipped up in a day. http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/kidsmittens.htm
Well, I havent been knitting for more than a month or two but how about….
This was my first project
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2007/11/06/an_unoriginal_hat.html
But now I am working on something a little easier, and in yummy yarn.
http://www.mistialpaca.com/downloads/ribs_ruffles_scarf.pdf (its a pdf file)
Okay, I think your should knit the Rainbow socks. They are in my queue and I just might make them out of the Green Bay packer yarn you just dyed for me (that I won’t get to hold and pet until Christmas night).
http://www.magknits.com/Oct07/patterns/rainbow.htm
What a great topic, I have needed some inspiration to get me out of my kid hat knitting frenzy. I knit about 20 hats for Alicen’s preschool in November. I have also used your wonderful pattern for the long, skinny scarf with multiple yarn for gifts this year.
I have this hat in my list (but in funky colors) for Barry
http://www.knitlist.com/95gift/ski.htm
I also like this hat for me but I just knit a warm hat for me so put this toward the bottom of my want to list
http://www.knitonthenet.com/issue1/patterns/clochestashhat/
thanks for all the ideas so far, looking grrrreat
Joycelyn
I think someone else already said it, but I just added the Bird in Hand Mittens to my Ravelry queue and I can’t wait to try to knit them.
The link is:
http://www.kategilbert.com/ms_birdinhand.html
I think they look so cool!
Merry Christmas!
I’ve recently had fun knitting these Dragon and Alligator scarves:
http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Dragon/
http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/BabyAlligator/
I knit them for a couple of kids, so they were made shorter in length than adult scarves (So much faster to knit! Woohoo!) Also, the “body” sections of both scarves are easily to memorize, which I appreciate (the bumps and spikes were fun to knit, look 3-D, and are not complicated).
I bought just the patterns and used stash yarn (cool swampy variegated for the alligator)
I just whipped this up - and I don’t “whip up” anything. http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~bsennott/Falling%20Water%20Pattern.pdf
I did it with 2 skeins of Ultra Alpaca in Green - but it’s a great pattern for many types of yarns - and I love that it’s so cabley - without having to actually do the cables.
Good luck in finding something!
It’s tough to get out of a knitting funk. Is it cold enough there to need bike helmet ear warmers? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bike-helmet-ear-warmers
Or maybe you should knit up some toys? Fast and easy and they’ll keep the kids entertained when they’re done! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-kitty
I second anyone who picked any fingerless mitts/wristwarmers. They are quick and easy and perfect for our weather. Love the picture of the camera on the tree
Just about anything from the Holiday IK 2007 issue. Someone already mentioned the Koolhaas hat (http://www.interweaveknits.com/holiday/holidaygifts/gifts_preview.asp), a great semi-easy knit that’s very satisfying. For fun, the mug cozies are quick and would look great in your hand-dyed yarns. They’re also easy to fiddle with and customize and the kids can enjoy them while they sip hot cocoa. The Little Gems mitts work up very quickly. I did a pair in just two colors and love how they turned out. Again, a not-quite-mindless knit that has just enouth detail work to keep you interested while being simple enough to set down in a hurry and pick up again without a problem.
I made all of these for gifts this year.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
i am totally diggin’ on kate gilbert patterns these days. i’ve been wearing my clapotis a lot (we have had lots of snow that last couple of weeks), and i’m trying to restrain myself from knitting the bird in hand mittens so i can finish some other project that are languishing. also-the mistake rib scarf you made previously-i made that too and that was a good mindless quick knit.
um…maybe the hallowig from knitty?
happy holidays to you and yours from vermont!
http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html
This is a great, quick knit pattern for a sort of headband to wear as a hat when you are wearing your hair up. Absolutely stunning in Malabrigo Worsted. I’ve seen you wear yarn-y headbands before and you look so great in them! Give this one a try. I’ve made three so far!
Since you don’t want a garment, my Mrs. Weasley Sweater is out. It is a WIP, knitted back and fronts, and the sleeves are crocheted. I did look at the other suggestions and the Hudson Hat won in my opinon. It is so cute.
I was about out of steam on all the knitting until I saw the adorable tiny sweaters from Berroco. They are so cute and after knitting one I can say that I have actually finished a sweater. That fits. The link is:www.berroco.com/exclusives/minutia/minutia.html Minutia at it’s finest. Have fun!
Have you cosidered Justify from knitty http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTjustify.html
or
the Q socks http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTq.html
I can’t wait to cast on for this cute little bag! http://www.fibertrends.com/viewer/patterns/AC64.htm Good luck with picking something, that’s always hard for me! I always to find something that will keep me interested!!
Do you like elephants?
http://www.knitterella.com/SusanBAnderson/ElefantePattern.pdf
When I saw this, YOU are the first person I thought of (maybe because of your Ice Lodge Target?)!!
So, I think you’d have a blast making A White Totoro *hope this link works, not sure if this blog accepts code?)
How about a pretty quick lace scarf branching out (I hope these links work right) or this one? Or the La Dentelle Bella scarf. I’m going to save and come back with more, to see if these links work.
Hugs!!!!
Okay, Scout…
I can’t wait to finish my Christmas knitting to start this: http://www.magknits.com/Oct07/patterns/rainbow.htm in some well aged Opal Tiger.
My daughter-in-law was ohhing and ahhing over this the other day:
http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=216024
And, I thought of you when I saw this one (very popular on the lists)
http://www.onesheephill.com/fidget.html
Good luck!
I’m in the reverse situation, there is so much I want to knit and not enough hours to knit them all!
I love the morning surf scarf (or at Ravelry) which would look amazing in some of your own yarn. I was most excited about knitting the Daphne Purse from Knitting Little Luxuries but the yarn is not available here and I didn’t like the substitute I ordered.
Cool it does so here are more for you…
Contralto
Also if you just check out freevintageknitting.com there are some really great patterns.
Urban gloves and hat
and finally but not least Beret Gaufre
Hugs!!!!
The Noro striped scarf on Brooklyntweed - very addicting and easy. I am Jods on Ravelry and most of my knitting buds are making them too.
I love this: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,,DIY_14141_3520331,00.html that I made using a pink and yellow yarn: http://flickr.com/photos/marvelg/1979090466/?rotated=1&cb=1198284871366. Totally easy, but fun enough to make it interesting.
Good luck, and I hope you find your inspiration.
OMG - what a lot of great ideas. I want to try the Alan Dart Gnome. A cute one here. Gosh I hope that link works. I also like the ZeeBee hat - looks fun. And again, I have to encourage the Koolhaas - it is kool indeed! Or the Kolenya fingerless mitts - so fast and east for a useful gift.
http://www.schmeebot.com/nid/283.htm (zeebee hat)
http://sheepandnocity.blogspot.com/2006/01/coughing-fish.html (kolenyas)
Lots of inspiration here - thank you for running a contest to satisfy my own selfish desire for more inspiration:)
http://www.theknitteur.com/patterns/pretty-punk.php
This blanket is in my queue, my daughter is dying for me to start it for her.
I’m a simple person and loved doing this scarf: Worsted Wave Scarf in Noro
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/brenaew/2-weeknights-with-warrick
I have other things that I want to do but need to finish up a loom project for my Mom first. The first project I finished for her I didn’t take a picture of since I wanted to get it out. Oh well. Good luck finding something to do.
I love Knitty’s Jeanie. The open work and cables just *screams* for Sea Silk, IMHO.
Want to get *really* inspired? Don’t use a pattern. Grab some remnants of your favorite yarns and make a monster! See my projects on Ravelry (needlegrrl). Increase and decrease as you go… make up the shaping… experiment. It’s okay if it comes out different than you expected, since it’s a monster. I never know how they will end when I start them. Let them tell YOU!
How about a great lookin’ kitty?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fortune-cat
http://www.justjussi.com/images/FortuneCatpatternnew.pdf
Or something from Mochimochi Land?
http://mochimochiland.com/weblog/
Be sure to check out the shop and the free patterns!
Im sure this has been mentioned already, but whenever I am in need of a cute, quick gift idea, I whip up a felted(or non-felted) coffee cup cozy. Wristwarmers are also a great idea, and a cute pattern can be found on CiderMoon.com
Fetching wristwarmers are also fun!
I don’t know if anyone else has suggested these, but I love Mim’s Serpentine Mitts. They are whimsical and lovely, require a little concentration, but not too much.
http://mimknits.com/shop/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=65&products_id=198
This cute little bag has been on my Christmas knit list for some time and I have cast on to make one for my sister.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTsquarecake.html
I soooooooooooo love the yarn and can hardly wait to get some stuff out of the way tonight or tomorrow morning.
so that I can continue working on it.
this just has been flying on my needles. I love the look, the knitting is easy enough to watch a holiday movie and it only calls for one skein of yarn and some foil beads..but does take a little time, well worth the very small investment of time and money! Ice Queen: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTicequeen.html
Or for something a little more time consuming this was a fun sweater i just finished last week: Wicked http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item/2367447/3974522.htm#image_1
Damn you, Scout! Instead of cleaning for the impeding Holiday Company, I’ve spent all evening downloading zillions of patterns. Ai yi yi… I have such a huge queue already… I just discovered at least three more I must start right away. What’s a girl to do?
Scout,
I have to say that I loved the Fetching pattern (http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer06/PATTfetching.html) from Knitty when I first saw them. Never knit them until a week or two ago. Man, they were so quick yet with enough changes to keep my interest (I have the pattern memorized) that I decided a week ago to make a second pair for another gift and have two more planned for gifts! I got a pair made with one worsted weight (50 g, 109 yd) ball of yarn! Yeah, not the recommended Aran weight, but it did the job and I am now a Fetching fiend! They are great gifts because, even if the recipient knits, if he/she doesn’t do anything but straight (garter stitch scarves), then they can appreciate the work you put in and get a knitted gift they can’t do themselves! Even if they do knit, it is fun to get knitted items from other knitters. The cables make it classy, yet not overdone. Her Dashing pattern is pretty cool, too, but I haven’t tried that one yet. At least for now…
I have been knitting a ton of these for christmas presesnts. KNIT BANGLES!! thats right just a short lil swatch seamed and voila! Instant gift and good knitting juju. here is the link to my ravelry page you can check out one of my finished bangles there http://www.ravelry.com/projects/SheWhoKnits and hrere is the link to the directions for the pattern . Quick easy and you can use any stitch pattern u choose. http://mimsie.typepad.com/knitting/2007/07/so-a-few-days-a.html
I’m knitting Alice’s Cheshire Cat Stole in Sundara Silk at the moment. It is rather pretty. If you don’t feel like knitting it, you can always read the stories on the website to the kids instead!
Ok here are a few that I love.
Ester Williams hat http://www.poormissfinch.com/comments.php?id=518_0_1_0_C . It was a fun knit.
Lauren’s Mitts from Monica http://www.box.net/shared/hesk9te4zh . They are a really quick knit, look cute and would be great for Super Girl.
Alligator or Dragon scarf from Moorehouse Merino http://www.morehousefarm.com/ . Or any of their scarf patterns. I am working on the Alligator for my 2 year old with some fingering weight that I dyed up. It is another fun and quick knit.
The Sweet Dreams socks from Dream in Color. http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/patterns.html They are what got my out of my funk just receintly.
Knitting Dream has some really cool patterns that I want to try. The bags are so pretty. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5165152
I’ll be back if I think of more.
Sometime an oldie but goodie in a new yarn (e.g. not Fixation) will do the trick. Or, how about these cute little patterns by Marie Mayhew?
wow. you have a lot of interesting links there.
i don’t know, maybe just a pair of fingerless gloves.
Anne Hanson’s That Little Scarf over at Knitspot. http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/that-little-scarf-p-76.html
(Sorry, can’t figure out how to make the link live.)
It’s on tons of Ravelry queues, including mine. Anne’s patterns are always extremely well-written and are usually much more simple than they look.
This little scarf is the perfect size for wrapping around your neck and seems to be a pretty good use for a small amount of something really luxurious. The bonus is that the pattern is such that it would probably hide a mistake or two if you got distracted! (I have a five-year-old, I’m always distracted!)
I knit the Woodins from knitty.com. They are so cute and silly. The log is fun, like a giant hat that goes on and on forever, with some shaping. And then you stuff it and put your little critters in. And each woodin turned out a little different, with a different shape or face or tail. So cute. Silly fun.
Jeanie from the new knitty is my must-knit-next project! Although, it might be a little crazy with kids running qround…
I just started the “Not-So-Straight scarf by Nicole Hindes. It’s going pretty fast; I started it on Thursday, and I’m hoping to have at least a majority, if not all of it, finished by Christmas! Here’s the link:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/not-quite-straight-scarf
Also, I LOVE that camera ornament.
I’m a bit of a Terry Pratchett fan myself, so I may be a bit biased, but this Death of Rats toy is going on my needles as soon as the holiday rush is over. (I found the pattern originally on Ravelry.)
Good luck with whatever inspires you.
Here’s another gem which I am going to knit for my up-coming grandchild (June 2008). It’s Elijah the elephant, the pattern of which can be found at http://ysolda.com/shop There are some other pretty nifty little patterns on that site as well, but I just love the elephant. How on earth do you plough through and check all these suggestions?
Merry Christmas!
Janet MF
I have some patterns in mind for you that revolve around java and kid-related items. I had been on a search for quick items to knit up for the holidays and so found these in my search…hope you find something that you like.
Mug and french press jacket: http://mkcarroll.typepad.com/mk_carroll/2007/07/mug-and-french-.html
Pocket creatures: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTpocketcreatures.html
Dinosaurs: http://www.xtreme-knitting.com/photos-dinosaurs.htm
Felted skate cover: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTbabe.html
Knitted donuts: http://kat-knits.blogspot.com/2006/08/not-quite-bakers-dozen.html
Scout, all the best to you and your family!
This is what I’m wanting to make. Cute snuggly hedgies. In particular, look at the ones by this knitter. I find them most inspiring!
hi!
I’m almost embarrassed to ask this but is the six month indie swag over? I lost track of my sock clubs and I couldn’t remember if I should be expecting any more goodies in the mail
thanks!!
I’ve just started the Noro Scarf. You can see it here at brooklyntweed.blogspot.com, or a
more bright version on susanbanderson.blogspot.com. I love the yarn and the pattern. It’s
easy and can be knit anywhere.
good luck
I’ve made 2 of the 70’s Ski Hats from here: http://www.purlbee.com/, scroll down just a bit. I didn’t knit the lining. I just lined them with some soft cotton fabric. The Sweetie Pie Hat just underneath the ski hat looks cute, too. Happy Holidays, Scout!
I’ve been busy knitting the Maine Morning Knits from The Book of Yarn. I find myself looking at single skeins of yarn all over and wondering how they’d look as these mitts! They are super fast and fun to wear, too!
Sorry, forgot the link! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maine-morning-mitts
I really love the Herringbone Mittens with Poms from Elliphantom Knits. A great quick project.
Merry Christmas,
if I was to pick a garment for you it would be this little red number
http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-026 with your athletic figure I think
it would look great on you in the color that flatters you most.
Good luck choosing……..have fun.
I like the “Born in a Barn” patterns by Crafty alien. I have only seen them available at Etsy.com. I made one on a whim, and they are addictive!! I have now completed three, and my mom has decided that they’re cute enough to inspire her! best of all, the use little amounts o yarn, so we’re using up scraps from the stash. I’ve made Hedgehog, goat, and pig, and we have cow and donkey on needles.
I’m in love with this guy!
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ysolda/elijah
Read about Elijah’s adventures at http://ysolda.com/wordpress/
Good luck finding your inspiration!
Oi, this has not helped my knitting que, thanks!
But personally, I think you need to knit a Snowman:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/heathers/cosy-snowman
Come on, wouldn’t Supergirl just love one of these guys? They’re really cute! Well, it is my pattern,
so I might be a bit biased
But it sure fits your criteria, not a garment, fun, easy, and hey it’s even seasonal!
Lots of people have listed one of my faves lately - the Noro scarf from Brooklyn Tweed. Who-da thunk 1×1 rib would be so mesmerizing? Another fave is Caitlin’s Cabled Bag from Pam Allen http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pdf/CaitlinsCabledBag.pdf
I whipped it out in Lion Brand Woolease Thick&Quick and I love it. I’m also on a toy kick and have started this little knitting sheep from Knit 1 http://www.knit1mag.com/patterns/2007/winter/k1w07_33.pdf
The octopus from that site is next, except I thing I’m going to adapt it to knit and make it big enough to be a sock-knitting bag.
Thanks for a contest; what a great way to kick up everyone’s knitting joneses after holiday knitting!
D’oh - I forgot to include this one - perfect for ponytails in the winter.
I’m back with a second suggestion. How about the Mobile Monsters cell phone covers from the book Stitch N/ Bitch Nation? If they were resized they could work as an IPod cozy too.
I made the Pig for my daughter when she got her first cell phone. We called it ‘Miss Piggy’.
Here’s a Ravelry link (gee, I hope you have a Ravelry sign-on).
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mobile-monsters/people
For something pretty, how about a Perfect Pie Shawl? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/perfect-pie-shawl Its been in my Ravelry queue staring at me for months, but I’m going to cast on right after Christmas!
Something quick and cute…and not a garment….the mug warmers from the Holiday IK. I love them.
I’m with the felters that to jumpstart your enthusiasm you should do a felting project. You get the knit fix and then the voila effect of felting it into something new. I’m about to start the cloche you see here
http://mkcarroll.typepad.com/mk_carroll/2007/11/matilda-tillie-.html
–but if you are not interested in “clothing,” felt a kitty bed from your scrap yarn:
http://wendyknits.net/knit/kittybed.htm
I also have spent far more time on the internet than I intended to because of you, Scout! and have printed out several patterns that I must begin right now, all because of your silly contest! ~Stacie
I’m gah-gah for neck warmers! Veronik Avery’s Chevron Neck Warmer is a standout.
Pattern: http://www.veronikavery.com/blog/?p=60
Photos: http://www.veronikavery.com/blog/?p=59
Thanks for a fun contest. Happy Holidays!
I’ve made plenty of Foliage, a fabulous hat that can be worked in worsted or chunky (check mine out on Ravelry — http://www.ravelry.com/projects/barista608). I like ‘em best in chunky alpaca. These definitely got me back into my knitting groove after a long lapse. Here’s the link: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTfoliage.html
Good luck!
I think the Eunny Jang’s Endpaper Mitts that I’m making (ravelry and blog) look so great in a unique color combination. They are fast and easy.
My mom was just telling me she wouldn’t have thought to use those two colors together.
In the “absolutely not a garment” category: Nautie, in Knitty. I’ve made two of the spiral variety in cream and brown, so they look living examples. They’re fun *and* they have tentacles!
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTnautie.html
anne at knitspot.com has some awesome patterns. I have knit up some of her fingerless mitts and they are fun and relatively quick. And her patterns are very clear. Enjoy - http://www.knitspot.com
Have you seen what Lolly’s making for a friend of hers?
http://www.berroco.com/247.254/249/249_komb_pv.html
I am totally loving how Lolly’s is working up and it is knit in bits, totally portable!
http://lollygirl.com/blog/2007/12/24/hexagon-eve
Merry Christmas!!
http://turtleslakeknitting.blogspot.com/
this is something i am planning on starting in the next few days. Looks, cool, cute and fun!
http://magknits.com/June07/patterns/snowdrop.htm
I love this pattern for Snowdrop Legwarmers….of course I live in Alaska. :)~
Happy Knitting.
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