Happy Chinese New Year!

The holiday is next Friday, but this is a wrap you'll want to cuddle in all the time! CLICK HERE for the pattern.

Worked in six colors of DK yarn from Dicentra Designs, the wrap finishes up at about 16" wide and 76" long. Just the thing to chase a chill over your favorite turtleneck and jeans, or to cover your shoulders with an elegant evening ensemble. Planning to attend any evening weddings this summer? Here's your project.

Inspired by the classical motifs in antique porcelain, and the delicate hues of water lilies, Chinese Garden is my exploration into the fascinating and elegant world of Chinese art and symbol.

Best of all: The exquisitely talented Lisa of Dicentra Designs (who created all the yarns you see here) has a few kits for sale! That's right: The original kits are only a CLICK away. Don't wait too long though; she only has a few in stock.

Happy New Year!

New Year, New Pirate

You know how it goes: I finished the Dread Pirate Jeffery hat, plopped it on my head just long enough to take a terrible selfie to show you, and gave the hat away.

And THEN tried to write the pattern. Yeah.

Fortunately, my dumb can be used for your smart. I made another hat, and photographed it properly (on someone ELSE's head) which you now can see much better:

This pirate is actually Dread Pirate Jeffery's bother, the Dread Pirate Phillip. He's an easily accessible model, and my dog really likes him. Bailey always notices the minute I grab my camera, and hurries to get into the shot:

NOTE: Bailey would like you to know that yes, he is an actual Scottish Terrier, even if he doesn't look much like it at present. Bailey was lately the unwitting victim of an inexperienced dog groomer (not me!). I frequently reassure him that his beard and dust ruffles will grow back. In the meantime, we are telling him he looks athletic. And sometimes I make him wear coats.

Since Boxing Day, I knitted the (second) hat, wrote the pattern (includes detailed instructions for knitting Latvian Braid and notes on sizing), formatted the chart and graphics and shot the photos. Then I realized that I now have enough work in this pattern that you probably won't mind if I charge a little something for downloads. Inside you'll see credits and links to the original motif chart, too. CLICK HERE for the complete pattern.

I hope you enjoy this one, and please do share photos.

A triumph for me, A present for you

I did it! I finished the Brother In Law's Deathflake hat in time for Christmas. It's now known as "The Dread Pirate Jeffery". I completely love it and I'm thinking about making another one with the miles of yarn I have left.

I'm not going to publish the pattern because I didn't draw that great chart myself, but if you're interested, send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to tell you how I knitted it.

In other news, I made you a present!

How cute is that? It's called "Wink", and it's a free download for you, on Ravelry. CLICK HERE to get it.

I know it's the 11th hour, and for those who are all done with Christmas knitting, Congratulations! You are superior beings and we love you for it. For the rest of us, I offer this quick "Holy-Cow-How-Could-I-Have-Forgotten" pattern. You can seriously knit one of these in less than an hour. And no, you don't have to embroider a monogram like I did, unless you just want to. Here is a great place to find beautiful monogram patterns, if you're interested. I think it's super cute au natural, or you could add any kind of embellishment. How about applique, or a fabric ruffle? What about leather trim, or beads? Go big. You can get this done in no time flat.

Merry Christmas, Gentle Readers. I love you.