A simple slip stitch pattern cowl creates a dense waffle-like fabric for warmth and supple drape. This flexible pattern can be worked in four different sizes using just one or two skeins of yarn. Both short and longer versions are lovely viewed on both sides.
Knit in light worsted yarn, this cowl is perfect for a bright pop of color and a warm hug around your neck.
Below is the free pattern pdf or visit ravelry here it download and read about the pattern here.
knitting for last minute gifts is part of the holiday season and often unexpectedly fun. this year a slouchy hat using two luxurious skeins of eyre, for a close friend seemed just right.
last-minute slouch :::
yarn :: madelinetosh eyre (225 yds (206 meters): “milk”, 2 skeins, madelinetosh tosh sock (395 yards / 361 meters) : “robin’s egg”, 1 skein. note : both yarns are held doubled throughout.
needles :: one US 9 (5.5mm) 32” (80 cm) circular needle.
change needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.
notions :: 1 stitch marker for marking beginning of round and a darning needle for securing remaining sts.
i have been playing with new textiles here lately seeing what forms i can dye and create with raw wool fibers and silk/wool based fabrics.
hand dyed and hand rolled beads
the fabric above was tied off to combine resist and immersion dye techniques. the idea being to create a glazed effect on silk similar to that of the slip glazes applied to pottery.
silk habotai
sueded silk charmeuse. i have always loved the matte texture of sueded silk the above is an attempt at creating slips of color in an ombre like effect.
i have loved the way everyone who has picked up the needles to knit mara has resized and reinterpreted the pattern be it using sock yarn or changing the finished dimensions of the actual shawl. that said i really wanted to see the same come about with a simple but lovely blanket/throw.
the heirloom blanket fits just such a request. knit as pictured it is a beautiful baby blanket continue the pattern repeat the baby blanket becomes a throw. divide the pattern repeat in half and lengthen again and the blanket becomes a scarf. i actually have the pattern queued to do the later, but even better the baby blanket as is only used two skeins of tosh worsted and the blanket doubled in length would use only four.
i also picked a lace pattern that was beautifully intricate but simple to execute with rows of knit and purl in between to rest a harried mind. the blanket above is now laying over our tufted chair in the living room and has already made its way onto our legs to wrap us in comfort for the cool evenings ahead.
a big thanks goes out to glennae for knitting the lovely sample above and at such great speed!
the heirloom pattern is currently available for download here on ravelry and here at madelinetosh.com.
knit in the round from the top down, this cardigan is perfect for layering under a coat or wearing over a cotton shirt for fall. the simple ruching details around the neck are so simple but elegant at the same time. i am already trying to imagine this in a beautiful neutral like fawn or milk or in a soft pastel like ivy or windowpane.
for more information or to purchase this pattern please click here.
i am back from nyc and i have to share what i found in both the city and at rhinebeck.
i spent at least 3 hours at kinokuniya book store right off bryant park perusing all of the crafting books, pens and journals galore.
we rented a car and drove up to rhinebeck via the palisades parkway which was stunningly beautiful with trees in all colors changing for fall and the rock cliffs plunging down to the hudson river.
while at the show melissa was so kind to mail her finished sweater design for madelinetosh to us. look for this pattern to become available next week!
at the show i picked up a sweater’s worth of this beautiful, dk weight, merino and alpaca blend by hampden hills alpacas as well as a creme colored cabled hat as it was freezing cold!
thanks to all of you who attended the knitty city yarn talk! i so enjoyed putting names with ravatars and listening to all of the great questions everyone had. and a special thanks to connie for finding the perfect spot for us to eat afterwards and giving us such beautiful tips on where and what to see!
any excuse to visit new york city is always a good one but especially when the yarn stores have their doors open extra hours for a special event like the nyc yarn crawl.
fourteen yarn shops based in new york city have come together to host a free, self-guided tour, replete with door prizes, events, demonstrations and raffle prizes.
six huge baskets of goodies will be given away to participants in the yarn crawl with winners announced on the nyc yarn crawl website. each store you visit gives you a chance to win a raffle prize, fourteen stores visited means fourteen chances to win!
madelinetosh has donated yarn in our eyre, tosh merino and tosh sock yarn lines in some of our newest colorways for inclusion in the raffle prize giveaways.
tosh merino in the stovepipe colorway pictured below