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!)

(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.

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!

But as I stock the shop with a rainbow of handspun organic cotton yarns, I’ve been getting asked: “What can I make with it?”

The short answer: Anything.

What? You want more than that?

Ok, the long answer.

First, the details:

You can get Handspun Organic Cotton right here.

This yarn is handspun into a smooth worsted  to heavy worsted weight. I suggest using needles that are US 8-11. But of course, everyone’s knitting is different, so you may need a different size!

A few things to remember when working with cotton:
-It’s not as elastic as wool, so your fabric won’t “bounce back”. This means you’ll probably want to avoid knitting things that might sag (like skirts or shirts).
-Cotton is heavier than wool, which contributes to the “sag factor” if you make something big.
-Because of it’s inelasticity, it may be harder on your wrists. I combat this by using circular needles, so there’s not so much weight on one wrist at a time.
-Cotton can be machine washed! But if it gets caught up in your washing machine, it’ll be pulled out of shape, so I always handwash (if you have a front-loader that won’t happen).

Pattern Ideas:
I’m  making a shawl with the cotton and banana yarn. I’ll be releasing the pattern next week (but here’s a sneak peek).

Until then, here are a few other ideas:

• Le Slouch, a beret (on Ravelry)

• Bubby, a bear (on Ravelry)

• Simple Baby Bib (on Ravelry)

• knitCOWL (a cowl!), a Free Ravelry Download

What are you making?

See what everyone else is making by checking out the Handspun Organic Cotton Ravelry page here.

You can also share ideas, thoughts and your projects in the Blonde Chicken group on Ravelry.

What would you make with Handspun Organic Cotton?

Here are some ideas that take just a skein or two handspun yarn:

1. Capelets! I particularly love the Anthropology-Inspired Capelet – for the stylish mom
2. Shawls! There’s nothing better than theSimple Yet Effective Shawl - a great project to use several different skeins of handspun yarn, like I did in mine.
3. Cowls! There are a thousand great patterns and most only use a single skein. Here are my favorites:

• Sherbrooke (PDF)
• Gloria
• Envy

Are you making anyting for Mother’s Day?

Last night, I gave up on a sweater. My beautiful handspun sweater just isn’t working out. After completing the body and 1 sleeve, I realized I need more yarn. And the yoke isn’t right (too much fabric at the shoulders). And the whole thing is too stiff, not drapey enough. Most of these issues could have been solved by following a pattern (well, except for the drape, I just needed to use a bigger needle and knit it at a different gauge), but because I’m designing it myself, all these little things have to be figured out. If I had chosen a pattern suited for handspun, many of these mistakes might have been avoided.

• Gauge with handspun is variable. One skein might be heavy worsted, while the next is bulky. Knit for the bigger yarn, or else your work will be stiff in areas. Of course, it maybe be a little thin in some areas, but that’s usually preferable.
• Handspun yarn usually has a lot of texture. Play this up with a simple textured stitch or St st.
• Along with texture, handspun yarn can be quite colorful. Cables and pictoral lace are easilyobscured by all the color going on, so avoid “overkill”.

I had a time of mourning as I folded the sweater and put it away (I’m not ready to rip it out yet). But I’ll come back to it. I’ll probably cast on for a sweater using that same handspun in a few weeks. If I use a pattern next time, these are a few I’d consider:

1. Cathode (Rav link) – top downs are the easiest to adjust for gauge & Cathode is excellent since you can use just a bit of handspun for the body and trimm it in commercial yarn.
2. Cavern (Rav Link) – Tingel’s Cavern really won me over to this simple top down cardigan.
3. February Lady Sweater (Rav link) – this uber-popular sweater (over 2000 projects in Ravelry) is simple to adjust, especially if you want it big and roomy.
4. Incredible, Custom Fit Raglan – this is first customizable pattern I ever found. Not really a pattern, as much as a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure.
5. Top-Down Calculator (Rav link)- Not even a pattern. Plug in your gauge and your measurements and out pops customized directions! Amazing!