Blonde Chicken Boutique » Patterns

Happy Hat Kit and Knitalong

Tara — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:52:34 +0000

I’ve been snowed in for days.

It’s not that I can’t get out, it’s that the roads are so bad, it’s really not safe. And everything is closed.

So, I’ve been knitting and plotting.
And I need to talk to someone (anyone!) who loves knitting and will understand the impetus to cast one 2 hats in one afternoon. (I finished them both in 24 hours!)

Let’s have a knitalong, shall we?

The pattern is one I made up for a hat class I’ve taught a few times.
Very simple, top-down, perfect for knitters who are new to knitting in the round. In fact, it’s always the first pattern I teach (after you learn to knit and purl and increase).

Crazy fast if knit out of bulky handspun on US11s.

To make it easy to get started, you can get a kit (yarn + pattern) right here.

Or you can buy just the pattern and use any yarn you already have (you can use any weight yarn). Get the pattern here.

Once you have your pattern and yarn, join us knitting it in the Ravelry group.

Who’s in?

PS. See that scarf I’m wearing above? It’ll be the next -along (a crochet-along!)

11 shawls in 2011

Tara — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 05:13:27 +0000

Inspired the Ravelry group, 11 shawls in 2011, I’ve been poring over shawl patterns.

Even though I’m not one for resolutions, I can always get behind more shawls.

Kitchen Sink Dyeworks yarn, possibly for a shawl?

My explorations started with Romi’s 7 small shawls. While I love everything Rosemary designs, I especially love Celaeno, Maia Shoulderette and Shawl #6 (leave a comment here guessing the name and you may win a shawl pin)

Another source of inspiration is Jessica Rose’s queue + finished projects. I fell completely in love with her Orchid Thief.

At this time, my list of shawls-I’d-actually-knit is:

1. Lee’s crazysmart Betiko. I imagine making 2 or 3 of these (worsted Noro! sock yarn!) and at least one of them is going to be in handspun. I think.

(zephyr laceweight, dyed by me, perhaps for Citron?)

2. Citron. I especially like Slipstream’s.

(peacockish yarn for Gail)

3. Gail. It reminds me of peacock feathers, so I’d love to knit it with some gorgeous peacock-ish Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Seacell Merino.

Superwash sock by FibroFibers for Caleano. Maybe.

4. Caleano.

Or maybe this silvery silk for Celano, with clear beads?

5. Echo Flowers.

6. Saroyan. Inspired by one of my favorite shows, Bones! I’d love to do this in a super squishy Organic Merino from Kitchen Sink Dyeworks.

7. Pogona. Inspired by SheepGeek’s version, I’ll probably make this in handspun.

8. Orchid Thief. It reminds me of my Haruni (which I adore), so it may be later in the year that I make this, but how can I pass up that leaf at the top?

Dream in Color Smooshy for Orchid Theif or Maia.

9. Speaking of great beginnings, I can’t stop thinking about the top of the Maia Shoulderette.

While I’ve thought this through (uh, obsessively), I’m still totally open to changing my mind and being won over by a new shawl pattern.

I’m curious

what’s your favorite shawl pattern? Are you challenging yourself to finish a certain number of projects in the new year?

(See pictures of nearly every shawl I linked to or mentioned on my Shawlish pin board.)

Amigurumi Smitten

Tara — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:00:14 +0000

Oh sure, I’m making a sweater in one month…out of laceweight…but that doesn’t mean I can’t still flirt with crochet right?

My newest obsession is Amigurumi. That’s a fancy (er, Japanese) way of saying knit or crochet stuffed toys. And, like most of our fiber crafts it has taken on a life of it’s own.
I found one book at my library (Crobots) and using the Dogbot pattern, I made the above puppy. It’s my first crocheted toy ever and I couldn’t be happier with him!

I made this Pirate Duck for Selma, using this sweet (free!) Simple Bird pattern.

If you find yourself obsessed:

The Craftster community huge pile of Amigurumi (these bunnies will give you an idea of the CUTE that the Craftster community is sharing), and I just keep clicking and clicking.

Ana Paula has designed two overwhelmingly adorable pattern books and her blog is full of inspirational photos. I’ve reserved both books at my library, and I can’t wait for them to come in.

PlanetJune offers both patterns AND those cute little little black eyes. I definitely see those in my future.

Do you Ami?

If so, I’d love to know what you’ve made!
If not, what are you waiting for?

Your favorite patterns for handspun

Tara — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:05:27 +0000

Earlier this week, on the Blonde Chicken Boutique Ravelry group, I asked knitters for their favorite patterns for handspun. Although I’ve collected a whole pile of patterns, I love finding out what you’re making!

(Scroll down for details on the contest)

Kristine suggested Anne, a gorgeous crocheted scarf. I think it would be especially pretty in Rosy (oraganic cotton):

WordLilly pointed to the gorgeous Sweetgum, which would be lovely in Candy Apple + Pumpking Patch.

Emily reminded me of Cosy’s Reflections Hat, which I’ve been meaning to make for the longest time.

I’d love to make for it myself out of Peachy (main color) and Lollipop Stripe (for the contrasting color).

Oh, and that reminds me the Cosy has a fabulous book, full of patterns for mixing handspun with commercially spun yarn.

What pattern do you like for handspun?

It doesn’t have to be designed for handspun. Heck, you don’t even have to have made it!
Just let me know you’d like to make ( include the yarn you’d make it with) in the comments.
I’ll pick one commenter on Tuesday and you’ll win 10% off your entire order from the Boutique.

Kneesocks in Handspun

Tara — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:21:56 +0000

As fall approaches, I’m finding myself obsessed with kneesocks.

I have several store-bought pairs, like these:

but I’m craving some handknit, handspun legs.

Inspiration

It never even occurred to me to knit kneesocks until I saw Rachel-Marie’s gorgeous pair last year:

(yarn, sock and photo all by KnittyDirtyGirl)

She used this fabulous Lifestyle Sock (it’s not a pattern, it’s a lifestyle). Here’s the Raverly link.

When I searched Ravelry, I found even more.

The Shaping Kneesocks (Ravelry link) is a super simple pattern.

Photo and kneesocks by cinemaknits
Another straightforward pattern is the aptly named Kneesocks! (Ravelry link)

Photo, yarn and socks, all by Pixiefarts

Have you knit socks from handspun?

What fall knitting project is inspiring you?

Share in the comments!

Talking to Yarn-Lovers: Kim Werker

Tara — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:00:31 +0000

Welcome to the first installment of Talking to Yarn-Lovers. Each week I’ll have an interview with a different yarn-lover (maker, knitter, crocheter). If you want to share your yarn-love, sign up here and I’ll email you some questions!

Today I’m talking to Kim Werker, writer, editor, celebrator of ugly, and all-around-crafty-gal.

How long have you been knitting or crocheting?

I’ve been knitting for seven years and crocheting for six.

Where do you find handmade yarn? Do you have any favorites?

I find handmade yarn online, in local yarn shops, and at fibre festivals.

I’m absolutely in love with Felicia Lo’s Sweetgeorgia Yarns, which are hand-dyed here in Vancouver. I’m currently crocheting a shawl out of hand-dyed silk yarn from Indigo Moon, which also happens to be a local-ish yarn – she dyes off the coast on Gabriola Island.

What have you made with handspun yarn?

I made a hat with your yarn:

And I just crocheted a scarf in handspun yarn from Yummy Yarn (pictured at top of post)

What tips do you have for working with handspun yarn?

I love to let handspun yarn speak for itself – using simple stitches allows the texture of the yarn to really shine.

What tips do you have for working with handdyed yarn?

Swatch! See how the colours behave.

What tips do you offer for choosing an eco-friendly yarn?

Pay attention to cotton. Cotton can be one of the most eco-UNfriendly yarns out there. With more and more organic cottons on the market (indicating the cotton has been grown without using the harshest chemicals), it’s easier than ever to make smart decisions at the yarn store.

Oh, Kim makes a GREAT point about cotton! I wrote a bit about how bad cotton is for the environment here. Remember: just because it’s “natural”, doesn’t mean it isn’t drenched in chemicals!

Thanks, Kim, for sharing your tips + projects!

Kim is doing an awesome thing to raise money for a disease that’s ravaged her family. It’s the Pancreatic Craftacular and you can donate directly or buy something from a donor crafter. See all the donors here and remember that 20% of every skein of yarn I sell will go straight to Pancreatic Cancer research (until September 12).

I want YOU (for fame and glory)

Tara — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:49:56 +0000

I’ve been thinking a lot about working with handmade, eco-friendly yarn ever since I posted the list of over 40 patterns for handspun and handdyed yarn.

I’m knitting this shawl out of my banana yarn:

And this shawl out of UrbanGypz’s handdyed seasilk yarn (delicious!)

How do YOU work with handmade or eco-friendly yarn?

I’d love to collect your stories, opinions and tips and create a resource for all of us.

If you’d like to talk about handmade or eco-friendly yarn and how it fits into your crafting, just let me know by filling this out. I want to hear from EVERYone: new knitters, old crocheters, yarn professionals, average joes!

Each week, I’ll share your stories here, so we can all learn from each other!

PS. If you know someone who would like to talk about their own crafting, send them this link: http://bit.ly/bMlYXt

40+ Patterns for Handmade Yarn

Tara — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:04:55 +0000

“What can I make with this yarn?“

Over the years I’ve compiled scads of ideas (and posts) on what to make with handspun yarn, banana yarn, hemp yarn, even handspun organic cotton (which I keep selling out of, but look for a few more colors tomorrow morning!).

After almost 4 years of this yarny adventure it’s time for a the Mother Of All Lists.

Let’s do it!

If I’m missing YOUR favorite patterns, share them in the comments!

PS. Want the yarn and the pattern to come together? Sign up for Summer Yarn Camp (just 2 spots left)!

What Can I do with Hemp Laceweight?

Tara — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:15:40 +0000

I just put a new color of hemp laceweight in the shop and I thought I’d take the chance to answer the perrenial question:

What can I do with this?

Well, with 625 yards in 2 oz, there is a LOT of very fine yarn to work with.

What Customers Have Made

The most popular project (from customers of A Novel Yarn), has been the ultra-simple Stockinette Scarf.

This one, knit in Pomegranate, was made by Jodi (who also makes the BEST cream cheese pound cake) and it is looong. Over 6ft long!

The pattern is super simle:
Cast on 30 sts on US10.5 needles.
Work in St st. Bind off when you have just a bit of yarn left.

Bonnie is knitting the Whisper Cardigan out of Pumpkin hemp.

(photo by Bonnie)

I’d like to knit

So far I’ve only made a St st scarf (the stuff is hard to keep in stock! I feel greedy if I keep any of it for my own knitting!) but I have big plans!

Featherweight Cardigan
A skirt (maybe like this one)
Razor Cami (to wear under the cardigan, maybe?)
Shetland Shortie
Julie Cuff

Keep in Mind

When picking a pattern to knit, these characteristics of hemp fiber that will impact your finished item:

Unlike animal fibers, it has no elasticity.
Won’t cling or stretch.
Won’t block out much.
Is incredibly strong.
Softens as you work with it (and after washing and wearing).
Lightweight. Not just the thickness of the yarn, but the texture. Your finished item will be very light and flowy.

With this in mind, pick patterns that

Don’t have complicated lace patterns that need to be blocked.
Do benefit from being light and airy.
Don’t need to cling (like a hat!).

And there you go! A bunch of ideas of patterns to knit (or crochet!) and some tips for picking (or designing) your own pattern!

What would you make with hemp laceweight?

Good Beginner Lace?

Tara — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:31:56 +0000

Next month I’m teaching a lace class at my yarn shop and I’m trying to pick a good lace pattern.

I want something with charts, with paired increases and decreases, and plenty of challenge.

You can see my current picks here.

Which one do you prefer? Should I pick one from this list or would you start with something else?

(let me know in the comments of right here and not on A Novel Yarn, because I don’t want us to skew the voting over there!)