Game Day Knits - Varsity Hat

Another preview - can't wait to wear this to the games.  Great stitch pattern  - love the hemmed band, so comfortable and stays put.  Book release getting closer...

Game Day Knits - All for Won Scarf

Just a sneak peak of a scarf pattern that will be included in the Game Day Knits Book.  Addictive knitting and really quick-  makes for a wonderfully warm and spirited scarf.  Can also imagine in rich neutrals or fun gradients. 

How I roll

My knitting tool kit

So the travel for work continues.  Air travel in the summer (ok, really pretty much anytime) requires a zen level of patience.  I survive by knitting. I make room in my carry-on for a small project, always worked on circular needles. If you’ve ever had a dpn go rolling down the aisle of an airplane…..circulars are the only way to go for me now.  And I carry a very small to-go kit with the bare essentials.

I salvaged one of those little cases for eye-glass repair kits, and my small embroidery scissors fit perfectly, along with a yarn needle, the doohickey for my interchangeable set, and a couple of paperclips that do double duty as stitch markers, or marking my place in a pattern. I carry a small journal and my needle gauge and ruler stays slipped under the closure band.

I've never had a problem with security or airline crews - but always check with the airport and airlines, as some have restrictions that prohibit knitting on board. 

Rank and File Stitches - New Dishcloth Pattern

Been traveling for work again.  I always think I'm going to be able to get so much knitting done on

The Rank and File Dishcloth

these trips.  But I never seem to have a project in the right stages to grab and go when I'm in the throws of last minute packing.  I'm actually a bit dismayed by this, because I have no shortage of projects in the works, but many of them just aren't suitable for travel knitting.  They are either in some design phase that requires graph paper, notes, charting software and swatching, or need more yarn caked up,  or need sections frogged so I can fix the aforementioned design issue...anyway, my go to lately has been grabbing a few balls of kitchen cotton to work up dishcloths.  Not all that sophisticated, but these are small, quick, relatively brainless projects that are ready to go at the drop of the hat, and sooth my need to have needles and string when the travel gets rough (like flying through O'Hare between January and December).

Now there is no shortage of dishcloth patterns available on the internet.  I have worked up many of them - they make great housewarming gifts, or me gifts.  However, on my last trip, I decided to get a bigger bang for my buck by auditioning a couple of stitch patterns I have been considering for garment designs as dishcloths.  While the kitchen cotton isn't exactly interchangeable with the yarn I'll eventually be using, I do get a chance to try out the stitches, determine if it's a stitch I enjoy working, and get a feel for how the resulting fabric may behave - AND I get a dishcloth at the end.

Rank and File dishcloth is a modern variegated version of Crafters Secret Cotton

That's how Rank and File came to be.   I picked this stitch pattern out of Barbara Walkers' Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns (see below to purchase this fantastic resource) as this was a stitch pattern I had been eyeing for a particular garment design.    I modified the order of the rows, and added seed stitch borders.  I love the resulting fabric which has great texture and a slight ribbed effect.  The fabric does pull in some, so I ended up having to increase stitches after the initial border and the decrease those away before working the top border and binding off.  Hope you enjoy this complimentary pattern:  Rank and File Dishcloth Pattern.

Right side of stitch pattern



Wrong side of stitch pattern

Sub-Zero Temperatures - Brioche to the Rescue

Winter has settled in with a vengeance here in the Midwest.  Time to pull out all those accessories worked up in glorious, squishy, double-sided brioche stitches.   I'm particularly loving my scarf adapted from the Brioche Nine-Patch Blanket pattern.   As I was working the first strip of a scrappy version of the blanket, it dawned on me that the super soft baby alpaca I was using was just begging to be a scarf.  So when I got to the end of the first strip of the blanket, I just added on the next block of the second strip.  The resulting scarf is about 8 feet long and 10 inches wide.  So warm and luxurious! 

The stitches that are used in the pattern are:

2-color brioche rib
Cascade stitch
Honeycomb brioche











And here's the pattern worked up as a blanket - using Cascade 220 superwash.

2016 Special Olympics Scarf Project - Pattern Ideas

I know, I know, I've been a very bad nonexistent blogger.  Sometimes life just gets in the way, and we have to prioritize.  And sometimes it just takes a while to figure out how to get back on the horse, so to speak. 

Nothing like a fantastic knitting effort to inspire me to get back in the game - and the Special Olympic Scarf project is just such an effort.

It's time again to gear up for the Special Olympics Scarf Project 2016.  This link provides the general information about the scarf criteria and the specific information for the participating states.

In general, the scarves should be about 6" wide and somewhere between 54 to 60" wide (including fringe!).  And other winter accessories, such as headbands, hats, and mittens are welcomed by many states.

Many of my complimentary scarf patterns, which were designed for the Indianapolis Super Scarves Project would be perfect for these two color Special Olympic scarves. These patterns were all designed for the beginning knitter, or someone who just wants a fun, easy knit.  All the patterns are available for download on the right hand side of the blog.




Fluted Rib Scarf



Faux Mitered Squares Scarf

Zig to Zag Scarf

Football Mosaic Scarf



Dash to the Finish Scarf



Block and Tackle

Blitz Scarf

Special Play

Nothing would make me happier than to see a few of these patterns worked up into 2016 Special Olympic Scarves.  I know I'll be working up a couple for Indiana.  Our color scheme is cherry red and white, which will really pop.   

Don't have time to knit a scarf?  How about working up a version of the Quick Cross Head Band in two colors.  Work up to the cable cross in one color and then switch to the second color.  Or work a band of the second color for a few rows before and after the cable cross.  This headband can be worked in less than two hours. 

Happy knitting for a great cause!

Happy All Hallows Eve!

Pattern available for purchase here

"Lace One-Skein Wonders"

Well, it was a long time in the making, but I am so happy to announce that one of my designs, "Lake Effect" has been published in the just released book "Lace One-Skein Wonders - 101 Projects Celebrating the Possibilities of Lace" by Storey Publishing. 


 Yep, right there on page 148.  


If you get the chance, check this book out.  It's chock full of amazing projects, just perfect for that one skein of very special yarn.


Photo Credits - Copyright Geneve Hoffmann, from Lace One-Skein Wonders, used with permission from Storey Publishing

The Lake Effect Scarf pattern is still available for free over on the right hand side of the blog, in the complementary patterns section. I've updated the pattern to include instructions for adding beads, and there is a video available as well on the Brioche Tutorials tab.

Bump and Run - New Complimentary Mosaic Scarf Pattern

Easy, quick, unisex - the Bump and Run Scarf Pattern is a great first knitting project, or relaxing project for more experienced knitters.  Choose two colors (solids, tonals, or go wild with a variegated or two) and jump in.

You can make a 6' long scarf using about 220 yards of ecah color.  You'll need a little more yarn if you want to add fringe.


 Hope you give it a try.

New Video - Long Tail Cast On Tips

 I love learning and using different cast ons, but the long tail cast on more times than not is my go-to standard.  I know most of you are probably old pros at the long tail cast on.  But when I teach new or returning knitters, and I suggest this cast on, I often see scrunched up faces and deer in the headlight looks.  Comments like these are not uncommon:

• I tried it and I hate it cause it's too hard, or
• I couldn't understand the directions in the book, or
• I know one cast on (usually the backward loop method, which while it does have its uses, is really not a great cast on for new or nervous knitters, but I digress) and that's all I need.

So I developed a method of teaching the long tail cast on that is a little bit fun, and maybe a little bit easier to remember.   The devil is in the hand hold and the stitch tensioning so I try to focus on those two issues in a video (posted on the Plain Ole Knitting Tips Page - see tab at top of page).

 Another thing that I hear a lot or see in the forums, is that the best way to make sure your long tail cast on is loose and stretchy is to cast on over 2 needles.  My own Mom taught me to cast on this way, although I'm not sure she knew why she was doing it, only that it was the way she was taught.   In my experience, casting on over 2 needles just causes the stitches in the first row of your work to be bigger that the stitches on the next row.  While it may be easier to work that first row, it will generally end up being a bit sloppy, and not stretchy.

The secret to a stretchy long tail cast on, is to leave a space between your stitches when you cast them on.  I use the tip of my index finger on my right hand to measure the space so that the stitches end up as even as possible.  Tip number 2 is to make sure that the newly cast on stitch isn't strangling the needle, it should be able to slide on the needle easily.  Think of it as a hug, not a death grip.

I hope the video helps illustrate these points.  I love learning and using different cast ons, but the long tail cast on more times than not is my go-to standard.