quick + purly: 5 bundles - special #giftalong2015 edition

Over the next few days I will share #giftalong2015 bundles from some of my wonderful designer friends...

As you may know, the Indie Design Gift-A-Long is underway over on Ravelry (yippee), and there are 335 participating designers who have generously put over 5000 of their patterns on sale for 25% off to help you conquer your holiday knitting (use code giftalong2015). That is a LOT of stuff to sort through. If you visit the group's homepage, you will see a row of tabs; click on Bundles to see all the patterns available, and click on Search to take you to the usual Ravelry search screen pre-filtered with all the participating patterns. From there you can refine your search to your heart's content.

For another way to sift through the riches of the GAL, I thought I'd introduce you to a bunch of my talented friends. I am always blown away by how many ways there are to work with sticks and string! Here, in no particular order, are five of my friends' bundles for your delectation. Clicking on the images should take you to their designer pages where their GAL bundles are featured.

Brandon Knitting Designs (Varian Brandon) - fair isle gorgeousness
The Knight's Banner Cowl is my favorite at the moment

Karen Dawn Designs (Karen Robinson) - hats and shawls and cowls, oh my!
Check out the Clairvaux Baby Blanket

PicnicKnits (Corinna Ferguson) - lightweight lovelies from this Florida designer
Longfellow is speaking to me right now

Stariel Knits (Ariel Altaras) - beautiful socks and accessories
If I were to knit socks, Jera might be my first choice

Rock + Purl (Ruth Garcia-Alcantud) - exciting garments and accessories
Aligned Spaces is so my thing!

Which #giftalong2015 patterns are calling your name? I'll be back tomorrow with five more bundles from my talented friends.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!

xoxo,

It's almost time for the #giftalong2015 sale to begin! #knitscope

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Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2015

Oh, my, it's that time of year (again)! The holidays are upon us, and if you're knitting gifts for loved ones, your needles are gettin' busy. To help you out, independent designers have joined forces for the Indie Design Gift-A-Long. Hundreds of designers have put a few thousand patterns on sale for the next week, and the GAL (as we call it) will continue until the end of 2015, hopefully giving you time to knit up all those gifts.

To take advantage of the sale, fill up your cart with all your favorite patterns from participating designers. Then, starting at 8:00pm EST tonight, use coupon code giftalong2015 at checkout to get 25% off all discounted patterns.

I have included great gift patterns in my sale bundle, as well as pattern gifts you can give yourself. After all the wonderful craziness of the season, don't you deserve a sweater of your very own? January would be the perfect time to make something just for you.

row 1: An Aran for Anne, An Aran for Frederick, Captain Austen's Scarf, Castaway Shawlette, Dennis.
row 2: Hap-py, In the Shallows, JOY garland, Mermaid's Cardigan, Mermaid's Mitts.row 3: On the High Seas, Pomegranate Cardi, Sailor's Valentine, Sotherton, Sly Maid Stole.
row 4: Thistle Leaf Pullover, Thistle Leaf Shawl, Unicorn Party, Upon the Spanish Main, A Vest for Charles.

Want to see the other designers and their patterns? Check out the thread here. And don't forget to participate in the GAL threads to have fun, give/get encouragement from other knitters and crocheters, and win prizes! Join the group here.

Whether you plan to knit/crochet gifts this year or are just looking to add a few patterns to your library, check out the Gift-A-Long and use code giftalong2015 for 25% off all participating patterns from 8pm EST 19 November to 11:59 EST 27 November 2015. Join in the fun until the end of the year :)

Happy knitting!
xoxo,

Knitting 'round and 'round #wipwed #knitscope

from kathleendames's Collection on Katch https://ktch.tv/4b1z
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Facing your fears, whether it's knitting or designing or what. #knitscope

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Pattern: Mermaid's Mitts

Mermaid's Mitts on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

Even mermaids get cold hands! And these little pretties are quick to knit, light and cozy, and require just a smidgen of laceweight yarn. If you are ready to move beyond the basics but not ready for the time commitment of a shawl, you’ll flap your tail for this pair in fishtail lace.

Mermaid's Mitts are a great way to learn about working in the round (for the cuff) and back-and-forth (for the thumb opening) in a lace pattern. I provide notes, charts, and information to help you master this skill. Since these mitts only use about 80yds (10g) of laceweight yarn, they are a quick and satisfying project that adds to your skill set. Plus, covering up your wrist pulse points really does keep you warmer!

What you'll love about knitting Mermaid's Mitts:

• only 10g of laceweight yarn
• master a pretty lace pattern in the round and back and forth
• quick and portable
• the lace pattern creates its own lovely cuff edge

What you'll love about wearing Mermaid's Mitts:

• so pretty
• it's amazing how much warmer you feel when you cover your pulse points
• perfect for adding a splash of color to any outfit 

Size/Finished Measurements
Women’s Medium/Large (modeled with 1 inch negative ease)
Palm: 6 1/2-inch circumference; Length: 6 1/2 inches

Materials

• madelinetosh tosh lace [100% Superwash Merino Wool; 950 yards/868 meters per 118 gram skein]; color: Baltic; 1 skein
• US2/2.75mm set of five DPNs
• Stitch marker(s), tapestry needle

Gauge
24 sts x 40 rows = 4 inches square in Fishtail Lace

Skills Needed

• casting on
• binding off
• knitting
• purling
• increasing
• decreasing
• working in the round
• working back and forth
• following written or charted instructions for Fishtail Lace pattern (both included)

Thanks!
Technical Editing: Joeli Caparco
Photography: Nicholas Dames

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Mermaid's Mitts is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern. Both written and charted versions of the Fishtail Lace stitch pattern are included.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code.



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

Pattern: JOY garland

JOY garland on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

Let everyone know that a knitter lives here (or a knitter loves someone who lives here) by hanging a sign on the door! JOY is quick to knit and employs some clever use of i-cord and garter stitch. If you can knit, increase, and decrease, you can add a little holiday joy to your home (or office).

This is a perfect pattern for the beginner who wants to master basic increases and decreases OR for the experienced knitter who wants to explore some simple but clever techniques for a joy-ous result. Letter templates to craft your own holiday message are included.

I smile every time I come to my apartment door when this is displayed. Plus, the bells on the points make a happy jingling sound when the door is opened (maybe don't put it up on a door that is opened too many times a day?), and if you've seen It's a Wonderful Life as many times as I have, you know what happens when a bell rings!

What you'll love about knitting JOY:

• garland is created in one "go" with almost no finishing
• if you can knit, increase, and decrease, you can have your very own knitted garland
• perfect project to knit from stash

What you'll love about displaying JOY:

• your very own knitted garland!
• make a long version of the small size to hang on the tree
• add the large one wherever you need to spread some joy

Size/Finished Measurements

S [L]; 3¼ x 2-inch [8½ x 4-inch] triangles; small five-triangle garland is 31 inches long, large three-triangle garland is 40 inches long

Materials

• Plymouth Encore Worsted (75% acrylic, 25% wool; 200 yds [183]/100g): Red, 1 skein
• US8 (5.0 mm): double-pointed needles (DPN) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
• Three [five] 9 [15]mm jingle bells
• White felt
• Fabric glue or sewing thread and needle

Gauge
16 stitches x 16 ridges = 4 inches square in garter stitch

Skills Needed

• casting on
• binding off
• knitting
• increasing
• decreasing
• working i-cord

Everything you need to create your own beautiful JOY garland is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern, including letter templates to create your own message.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,