Tag Archives: knitting

Blue Wave Stopover Mittens

Posted on November 5, 2026 | Leave a comment

I went to the mountains this weekend for a crafty getaway with friends (the usual November escape to Rhododendron, Oregon at the base of Mount Hood). I knit these mittens and I love them. They’re made with the leftover Istex Lettlopi that I bought in Iceland last month. Warm, fuzzy, perfect. I used Mary Jane Mucklestone’s Trinket Mittens pattern as a jumping off point, but my gauge was different and I used my own colorwork pattern from my headband on the cuffs. I also changed the top shaping to be more rounded, like a sock toe.

They were nice before blocking, but wet blocking really evened out my stitches, just like on the headband.

My first attempt was too small (gauge swatch? what?) so I ripped this out. But it does show all the important tools: Flexi-Flip needles, abandoned barrel row counter because I can’t remember if I turned the number or not, and my beloved chain row counter that reminds me to advance the number each time I pass.

The chain row counter is from Twice Sheared Sheep; I have three of them. If you want one, too, use the link to visit their shop and put “chain row counter” in the search box to see all the different variations they have (different charms). I prefer the round chains rather than the straight chains, less dangle! Note: If you use the link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!

Here are some pictures from the weekend. Breathe in the fresh air!

Stone chimney at the campground next door

The chimney/stove dates from 1936, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was a government work relief program during the Great Depression.

I love looking at all the pretty fungi.

Entire worlds live on the end of this log.

See?

These little orange buttons are my favorite to look at, but I only saw one this year.

So great to hang with friends! There were more, in and out over the weekend. Now I’m home, with fabulous mittens.

Today is the last day of the Knit Your Own Adventure Summit (Swatch School Edition). It’s been fun chatting with students and other designers. I think you can still sign up for the last day, for free; presentations are available for 48 hours after they go up. And if you want more than the last day or two, you can upgrade your access to see all the rest. (The link to the summit gives me credit for you signing up, which is free. If you upgrade your access with an Expedition Pass, I receive a commission. Totally up to you.)

What are you knitting now? My mittens are done, and I have a new assigned pooling project on the needles. I love the beginning of a project!

Knit Your Own Adventure Summit: Swatch School!

Posted on October 20, 2026 | 1 comment

I’m excited to be part of the Knit Your Own Adventure Summit again! This year’s event is the Swatch School Edition. This is a free 3-day virtual virtual event where 20+ teachers each share one signature technique on a small 6-inch swatch. You can try all the techniques that interest you, and decide what you love most!

Knitters get to:

Try new techniques without starting a whole project
Learn in short sessions, 15 to 20 minutes each
Build real skills, from gauge and charts to fixing mistakes without ripping back
Connect with other knitters in a friendly space where mistakes are normal

I’m giving a presentation about Log Cabin Knitting. I love log cabin knitting; it’s easy garter stitch knitting, perfect for multi-tasking or meditative knitting. I’ll show you how to pick up stitches along the edges of your knitting, and how to use your “magic number” of stitches and rows.

This summit is free! You can watch the presentations for 48 hours after they go up. You can also upgrade your access with an Expedition Pass, but basic access is totally free.

You can get all the details about the Knit Your Own Adventure Summit over here, but as a quick recap:

The summit will run from November 3-5, 2026
Each day will be packed with amazing speakers who are ready to help you learn
The summit is absolutely free to attend, but you can choose to get the upgraded Expedition Pass for bonus resources and an upgraded event experience, including lifetime access to all the sessions

Learn more about the Knit Your Own Adventure Summit: Swatch School Edition, and grab your free ticket here (The links to the summit give me credit for you signing up, which is free. If you upgrade your access with an Expedition Pass, I receive a commission. Totally up to you.)

Looking forward to it! I’ll be in a live discussion panel on November 4 with other designers including Jen Lucas. Her presentation is on blocking lace. We’ve collaborated before on other projects, it will be fun to meet up again!

1 Comment

Posted in classes, events, Knit

Tagged crafts, crochet, Knit, knit your own adventure summit, knitting, log cabin knitting, yarn

Hello Brioche!

Posted on August 17, 2026 | 4 comments

I’ve always meant to publish more patterns from my book, Brioche Knit Love: 21 Skill Building Projects from Simple to Sublime. Still working on it! I just released the patterns for the Hello Brioche set: scarf, hat, mitts. These three pieces are knit in single color brioche. The scarf is knit flat, the hat is knit in the round, and the mitts begin in the round, flat for the thumb section, and in the round for the top.

You can purchase them through Ravelry, individually or in an ebook. The ebook contains all three pieces for less than the price of two individual patterns. The link is here. Use the coupon code HIYA for 15% off an individual pattern or the entire ebook. If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter, you have a coupon code coming; I have to write the newsletter first!

I just checked on Amazon for the listing for Brioche Knit Love so I could update my Ravelry pages from the old Library House Press listing, and I noticed that the book is on sale for $17.69, 34% off list price. This is the same price as the Kindle ebook version, too. It’s a great deal. I’m not the one who put it on sale; that’s Amazon. If you’re going to want more than the Hello Brioche ebook from Ravelry, you should jump at buying the whole book on Amazon. I don’t know how long that price will hold, so go check it out if you’re so inclined. (When my original publisher closed doors, I turned to Kindle Direct Publishing to keep my book available; it was the simplest way to get it done.)

I don’t know about your weather, but it’s been a bit cool here in Portland. The hours of daylight are shrinking, too. I can feel autumn is just around the corner. Time to start knitting cozy things, so we’re ready!

4 Comments

Posted in Knit, my book project, pattern design

Tagged Brioche Knit Love, brioche knit love book, Brioche knitting, hello brioche, knitting

Luminos Tee for Two

Posted on August 9, 2026 | 8 comments

My second Luminos Tee is done, and I love everything about it. It’s knit exactly the same as the first one. Pattern is by Yamagara, and it’s well written and easy to follow. (Ravelry link)

It’s been fun expanding my wardrobe this summer.

I thought about knitting one more Ranunculus with some Handmaiden Flyss (silk and linen), but it’s really time to get back to work around here. I’ve started playing with more yarn from A Chick That Knitz; this is Vintage Rose (pooling) and Respect on her Singles fingering base.

I don’t have enough yarn to do what I was thinking of, so I frogged this and started playing with a different idea.

This isn’t quite right, either, but I’m working on it!

Where am/was I? I’ll tell you about it in the next post.

8 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design

Tagged A Chick That Knitz, knitting, Luminos Tee, ranunculus sweater

Introducing Trillium Path

Posted on July 7, 2026 | 3 comments

Trillium Path is an ode to spring wildflower hikes. A field of simple, twinkly assigned pooling flowers on stockinette combined with optional eyelet stripes make this eye-catching accessory sparkle. This asymmetric triangle is knit on the bias from skinny point to wide end. Trillium Path can be an easy-to-knit social knitting project, or a multi-tasker’s dream.

A video tutorial for the assigned pooling pattern is included in the pattern.

Trillium Path is knit with one skein of fingering weight yarn that’s dyed for assigned pooling. You can also extend your shawlette with a second skein of yarn if that’s your jam.

The eyelet stripes are optional, but I highly recommend them for visual interest, and also as mini-goals while you knit. The final eyelet edging at the bind off keeps your edge from rolling.

I knit my shawlettes with A Chick That Knitz Singles Fingering in Wildflowers AP (blue) and From Paris With Love AP (green).

The Trillium Path pattern is available on Ravelry (link here) and also on Payhip (link here). Use coupon code THRICE for 15% off on either site, through July 21, 2026.

Are you interested in a knitalong? This could be a fun and easy summer KAL! Let me know; if there’s enough interest I’ll announce it here.

Thanks to tech editor Jen Lucas, test knitters Ann Berg, Greta Heintz, Karen Viglione Lauterwasser, Martha Grace McCune, Iris Mondri-Kish, Melissa A. Rowe, Patty Scruggs, Evan Tribelhorn, Sue Zois, and model Sharon Hsu.

Special thanks to Tammy Pelfrey of A Chick that Knitz for this beautiful yarn to design with!

3 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged a chick that knitz yarn, assigned pooling, Knit, knitting, shawl knitting, shawlette, Trillium Path

On a (sweater) roll!

Posted on July 5, 2026 | 3 comments

I finished my Luminos Tee. It looked great right off the needles, and even better after wet blocking. The size stayed the same, but the stitches and edges are smoother. I knew the size would be consistent, because I knit, washed, and blocked a swatch. That’s always good for a sweater that you want to fit!

A quick mirror selfie. Yarn is a kit from Knits All Done/Yarn Snob, merino/silk/cashmere. Luxurious!

Do I always knit, wash, and block swatches? Usually yes, for sweaters. But I’ve been eyeing the Ranunculus sweater, and I’m not sure it matters. The instructions are the same for all sizes through the yoke; the actual size is determined after knitting the yoke, when beginning the raglan shaping. You can use any weight yarn, and a size 10 needle is recommended. That’s all pretty loosey-goosey!

I wanted to play with some fingering weight linen that’s in my stash. Most of it is in an abandoned design project. There are 3 untouched skeins (50g/168 yards each), so I can play with what’s there without ripping the old project yet. This sweater takes 370 to 400 yards for the short sleeve version, so I’m covered!

It would make a very open and airy Ranunculus, to go over a tank top or sundress. I decided to jump in and start knitting; it’s just as easy as making a circular gauge swatch. I’ll have enough done when the yoke is finished to really figure out my gauge, and adjust accordingly. Because blocking is transformative for linen, I could put it on waste yarn and wash and block. Or not. The smallest size in this pattern gives me 10 inches of ease, so I’m not worried that it would be too small.

I took it to the Waterfront Blues Festival yesterday; it’s going pretty quickly. (Jenny Don’t and the Spurs on the screen.)

The weather was perfect for 3 days of music outdoors. Happy Fourth of July weekend! 250 years for this republic.

Time to knit…

3 Comments

Posted in Knit, Portland area fun, yarn

Tagged Knit, knitting, knitting gauge, Luminos Tee, ranunculus sweater, sweater, waterfront blues festival, yarn, yarn snob yarns

Blocking is magic, redux

Posted on June 5, 2026 | 5 comments

I finished the second version of my upcoming Trillium Path. This version has optional eyelets, which I highly recommend.

collage of assigned pooling shawl, fabric, and yarn

I’m in love.

I blocked it much more assertively than the green version. The fabric is floatier, more diaphanous. Both fabrics are lovely, but I prefer the airier version. Also, eyelets really love blocking.

The green version is now soaking for a reblock! Both yarns are A Chick that Knitz Single Fingering.

Trillium Path is currently being test knit. I’ll publish the pattern in July; stay tuned!

5 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged a chick that knits yarn, assigned pooling, blocking, blocking is magic, knitting

Playing in the pool

Posted on May 22, 2026 | 6 comments

a green shawlette with assigned pooling motifs

I’ve been craving a simple knit, and here it is. Working title, Trillium Path. It’s simple stockinette with assigned pooling fields.

I love the fields of flowers. I’m adding optional eyelet bands for texture to this second knit. Why? Because the first one ended with eyelets to discourage the bind off from curling, and I’d like to incorporate them in the body, too.

I’m looking for a few test knitters for this single skein piece. This is meant to be simple knitting, perfect for travel or social knitting. It’s knit with fingering weight yarn, 100g. I used A Chick that Knitz Singles Fingering in From Paris with Love (green) and Wildflowers (blue). Let me know if you’re interested!

6 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged assigned pooling, knitting, test knitting, Trillium Path

Nash Yarn Fest recap

Posted on April 26, 2026 | 4 comments

Me wearing a hand knit assigned pooling cowl, and a cowboy hat

Well, that was a hoot! With a hootenanny! The second annual Nash Yarn Fest by Modern Daily Knitting was a great opportunity to see old friends and new, hear music and speakers, and shop for yarn and yarn-adjacent goodies. I had a great time. And participated in country line dancing for the first time. It’s not unlike tai chi; you learn some simple steps that get combined and repeated, and do them with a room full of like-minded people. Fun!

Ann Shayne of MDK, with hubbo Jon aka singer Merle Hazard (he’s good!)

The event was well-run, as you’d expect from the team at Modern Daily Knitting. This year’s event was even better than last year’s. More speakers, more music. I don’t know if there were more vendors.

Kay is the other half of MDK. See her nametag? She’s the one who got us all hooked on Rudiger Schlomer’s Knit Hello. She and Karen Tumelty knit nametags for all the vendors. And there were tables set up so everybody could knit their own nametag, too. I already had mine, so I was good to go.

Denise really caught the Knit Hello bug! She knit hello, her name, and couldn’t stop. Good thing she found a thrifted vest to display her tags and pins!

with Franklin Habit and Gaye Glasspie (GG Made It)

It was great to see Franklin Habit, who came all the way from Paris to give a talk on his miniatures and creativity. And GG is always fun.

Jeni Hankins is a gem. She’s a talented singer/songwriter/writer/crafter, and she sang for us on Saturday. She has Appalachian roots, and many of her songs tell stories of her family. She writes for MDK, and she’s working on a piece about making doll clothes.

I told her about my knitted Barbie clothes made by my Aunt Vivian, so the next day she showed me Mary Jane, her Mary Hoyer doll that will be the subject of her MDK story.

Jeni sang a song using her manual sewing machine as accompaniment, and sewed a project as she sang.

Shelley Brander of Knit Stars was there, with her cute dog Charles Barkley (he’s on the floor, out of view). Do you subscribe to Knit Stars? I’ve participated in all the seasons (they’re video classes), and there’s always something interesting to learn.

Nancy Marchant and her sister Jane came in woven knit vests. Woven knitting is Nancy’s current fascination. Cool!

There are more pictures on my Instagram page, if you want to scroll through. Including my game of yarn chicken on a project that I finished in Nashville!

I picked up some more yarn inspiration from A Chick that Knitz. Three are pooling yarns. The teal green on the left is by itself for a single skein project, and the other two pooling yarns may or may not be combined with the variegated or semi-solid to their right. We shall see.

The hootenanny came with a commemorative project bag and a skein of Atlas, as well as an enamel pin (next picture). I love surprise swag. I also bought a shawl pin from Birdie Parker Designs, various repair hooks from Stunning String Studio (because my Susan Bates handi-tool is a little too long for my notions tins), an embroidery project, and a glasses case that may be my new notions tin…or my glasses case.

The pin, on my Julia Hilbrandt felt tote that I bought last year at Nash Yarn Fest. Julia wasn’t able to come this year, but the bag is going strong.

Project bag from Dani’s Knitting and Crochet, Logan UT

I came home to find this gift from Chilali Hugo, a Facebook follower. She sent me this frog themed project bag because she’s been knitting so many Portland Frog Hats. This bag is lovely; it has six pockets inside for organization, and is big enough for a small sweater project. I love it! Thank you, Chilali.

My shawl project has been living in the bag, but I just finished it. What goes in there next?

4 Comments

Posted in events, music, travel, yarn

Tagged A Chick That Knitz, knitting, Nash Yarn Fest, yarn

Do you knit from inside or outside the ball?

Posted on April 11, 2026 | 7 comments

I usually knit from a center pull ball. They’re tidy, and if you put a yarn sleeve on the ball, it doesn’t collapse into a messy heap. Yarn sleeves shown above. And you can make your own! See this post.

Some yarns require a little more strategy. I’m currently knitting with Noro Silk Garden, and the high silk content makes it not very elastic. I could see that the ball was going to collapse, yarn bra or not. I decided this was a good candidate for knitting from the outside of the ball. The original put-up was very loosely wound, so my first move was to rewind it on my winder to tighten it up.

I usually knit sitting at a table, so I decided to try the Yarn To Go Carousel from Twice Sheared Sheep. I received this in my teacher’s gift bag at Vogue Knitting Live in 2025, so it’s been waiting for a while! Like I said, I’m usually a center pull knitter.

The wooden carousel comes in 3 pieces. On the left, you can see the spindle and base plate for holding the yarn. There’s a loop at the top for an optional wrist strap, but I’m not one to try to knit while walking. I’m a klutz! Maybe just standing, to take a break from sitting? You can use these 2 pieces by themselves, or add it to the spinning carousel.

The carousel piece on the right has two magnets on top, and revolves (on inner ball bearings?) as I knit. It spins very easily and doesn’t require a big tug to unspool the yarn. The platform itself is a little thick, but not a big deal since it’s sitting on a table and not weighing me down.

knitting and yarn on a yarn carousel from twice sheared sheep

The ball is rapidly shrinking, and I am absolutely charmed by the sheep appearing as the yarn ball gets smaller.

I think for brioche or colorwork projects, I’m still happy with my 2 center pull balls with yarn bras. Two spinning carousels seems like it would be quite a production. But for this single ball of Silk Garden, it’s a good choice for me.

If you want to get a Yarn To Go Carousel, they’re available from Twice Sheared Sheep. They also come in a sunflower and mandala design, instead of sheep. The links are affiliate links, so if you purchase through the link, I get a commission. But this review is my honest opinion of this unsolicited gift!

No, my shawl isn’t done yet. But I needed to make this Noro swatch for an upcoming teaching project. Heading back to my brioche now.

Soooo are you Team Center Pull, or Team Outside the Ball? For me, it depends!

7 Comments

Posted in Knit, Product review, yarn

Tagged knitting, Noro Silk Garden, Twice Sheared Sheep, yarn bras, yarn sleeves, Yarn To Go Carousel