block 'n tackle knitting

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only knitter/crocheter who spends as much time looking at projects online as they do making them. I have a few favourites I keep coming back to again and again -- sometimes for free patterns and sometimes just for the eye candy and inspiration. Here, in no particular order, is my list of current faves. What are yours? Fringe Association -- I love the photos, the stories, and the tutorials are really, really helpful. I could browse this blog for hours (possibly on my coffee breaks at work, ahem). Purl Soho -- There are tons of free patterns on here in sumptuous colours, and you can purchase materials and patterns as well. The designs are simple, so I admit I've adapted a few of them (posting one soon, actually)! Brooklyn Tweed -- I can get lost in their lookbooks for hours, and their yarn is amazing. Bonus that my LYS in Victoria now carries it! Westknits -- Stephen West is just the funnest knitter out there right now, and the dressiest...

I always come back to scarves for comfort knitting -- but really, scarves make any outfit look amazing. This was a yarn my sweetie picked out when we were in Portland this winter, and I'm finally getting it finished, in time for summer. Fortunately, it's a squooshy, summery cotton that's going to feel and look amazing with summer dresses and t's, like a warm sunset on your shoulders. Lang Sol Degrade yarn in easy drop stitch pattern. Yummy!

I literally knit my heart out this year, thanks to this sweet pattern from Knitty!  http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/PATTheart.php

My daughter wanted a beret for Christmas, so I used the very end of a lovely skein of Malabrigo Rios to make this simple hat for her. Blocking it on a dinner plate was my favourite part. Happy Holidays! :) And here is the basic pattern for an average sized woman's head. As usual, my patterns are more "recipes" that can be adjusted as you go along. This hat can be tried on as you knit it, which helps to figure out how far to knit from the brim. It takes only a small skein of yarn, so it's a great project for a precious bit of soft wool you've been saving for something small.  Simple Beret: Using worsted yarn and 4.5 mm circular needles (or dpns) cast on 96 stitches and join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Knit 2x2 rib for approximately 5 cm. Increase round: In stockinette (straight knitting in the round), knit 3, make 1 stitch and repeat for the entire round, an increase of 24 stitches to 120 stitches total.  Knit until...

A few months ago I decided to knit a cardigan based on a pattern I found in a knitting book I picked up in a thrift store. I'm not sure if the book is still in publication, but the pattern is a very basic, set-in-sleeve cardigan in a basketweave stitch. I added some stripes, changed the sleeves to drop-shoulder and played around with the stitch pattern a bit. I also changed the closure to be more asymmetrical and added some colourful buttons. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I used worsted weight wool blend yarn that I got for a great deal at a thrift store (different one from where I found the pattern book). I think my model looks good in it, if a bit quizzical. Detail of the buttons "Today's Knit Fashions" by Melissa Leapman; the inset photo is the cardigan pattern.

Fall is full of plaid this year, and I wanted to knit a scarf rather than weave one. Fortunately, so did Knitty's Franklin Habit, with this easy-to-follow cowl pattern.  But I wanted an actual scarf, so I adapted the pattern to just make one, long, garter-stripey scarf, and lo! I made plaid! You could easily weave in the side-ends where you start the new garter-stitch colours, but I left them as a short fringe, to make it look more weave-y. I finished it off by adding a few extra fringes to fill out each end. Hipsters should be impressed, and it's just in time for the holidays. *Pattern note: Make sure that every time you start to knit a new colour, you start on the same side so your garter rows get those extra "wrong side" lines all on the same side of the scarf. They add to the plaid look.

So easy, I didn't need a pattern. So easy, you could knit it in the dark. For all your post-apocalyptic needs.