Patterns, projects and techniques
How exciting is this? The awesome editors over at KnitCircus have agreed to give away pattern packs from the current issue to 5 lucky commenters! Below are just a few samples of what you’ll find in this issue, also included are table runners, coffee mug cozies and socks.
Leave me a comment telling me all about your summer knitting!
Giveaway ends next Friday, June (OMG is it June already??) 4, 2010. Ready….set…..GO!!
Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.
If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.
This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).
There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.
It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).
The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.
This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.
If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.
[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]
A giveaway? So cool!
This summer I’ll be rockin’ socks on DPN’s and crocheting a couple market bags. I need things for the family White Elephant Christmas gift exchange, so working with light weight fibers and cotton really speaks to me as the temps climb.
Happy Summer!
I’m currently knitting a short-sleeve sweater for myself, but it’s almost finished. After that, I’ll be starting holiday knitting…and I would love to make a table runner for my brother and sister in law.
Looks like a wonderful prize. I’m mentally making my “to-do” list for the upcoming craziness that is holiday knitting!
I plan to knit up a tank top in a nice lightweight yarn, and also make a few of the smaller accessories (like hats and gloves) that I always kick myself for not having made already on the days in January when it gets cold.
I am working on the Norwegian house slippers, or Norwegian origami. Hope to make several for gifts. Love the lace shawl!
I’m knitting a summer sweater for me, and working on additional knit and crochet hats, scarves and bags for my shop at http://www.artisticinspiration.etsy.com
I am not knitting anything this summer instead I am taking the summer to work on my crocheting. Although I do both… I usually chose to knit because I am so much better at it than I am at crocheting. So I chose a really easy blanket pattern and decided I was going to go for it! It is made of really small squares so wish me luck. I think I may add it to my holiday knitting. It is a larger project than I usually do for gift giving… but someone on my list will be very lucky!
I’m working on a cushion cover and sleeveless, hoodless hoodie. It won’t have sleeves, ‘cuz it wasn’t upposed to, it won’t have a hood ‘cuz I’m running out of yarn.
what an awesome giveaway!!! please count me in! i’m going to try to get a jump-start on my holiday knitting for Christmas gifts and the like 🙂 it may or may not happen, but . . . here’s hoping!
I am finishing a short sleeved cardigan knit with Blue Sky’s 100% alpaca then on to a sleeveless cotton top or something fun for my grandson. Love the bright colors of the Rosie socks!
I just finished blocking a cute lace cardigan and have started some tabi toe socklets for my daughter. I am definitely anticipating some more lace knitting after the socks are done.
I am trying to knit a sweater from the Sirdar book that is #137 in Baby Bamboo. I have been attempting this a few times and well each time I end up frogging it. I like the sweater and the pattern, I just have to concentrate more for this one.
I am almost done with a cropped cardigan for my mother-in-law. It has small cables from the waist down, which adds a bit of shape to the cardigan.
Socks. Socks. Socks.
And a top down baby sweater
in practice for a sweater
for myself.
I’m going to make a vest as my first knitted garment.
urbanviolet(at)yahoo(dot)com
Summer knitting…I’ve been churning out test shawls, socks, hats….nothing for me yet. I’m also eyeing up the calendar for Christmas knitting. (did I SAY THAT OUT LOUD!) AHHHHHH
Ahhhh….finally summer! I’m working on a summer cami top for myself and also a felted handbag. I’m tearing strips from an old sheet now, too, for a knitted bathroom rug. Also planning to knit the plastic grocery bag “re-bag.” I’ll also keep smaller projects on my needles to work on while taking fun summer road trips.
I just got married, so now I have plenty of free time to get back to knitting!!! I am so excited, but have no idea what type of knitting project I want to start with. The “holiday” garment looks like a great start, especially with the warmer weather now upon us.
a lovely prize for a giveaway! i am teaching myself a variety of arts, crafts and sewing skills and techniques so i would love to be learning to knit too! i love the three patterns featured and pictured here! happy arts, crafting and knitting, ladies! blessings and peace from melody
I am working on a simple knit dress for my daughter. Then on to hats!
I’m working on a sweater for me, and I will knit a shrub for one of my daugthers.
this book seems very interesting. great giveaway.
I have a couple of afghans that are WIPs and I hope to knit some cutie patootie stuff for my Grand daughter!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m knitting an afghan for my son and his wife’s first anniversary. Their anniversary is in August. I’m only about 1/4 of the way finished. So, it might just be for Christmas, or their #2 anniversary or next Christmas or #3 anniversary and so on and so on………
What an awesome give away. Thank you!
Mu summer knitting will include socks, hats,
maybe a nice lace wrap and dishcloths.
great giveaway! Thanks! I’m stash-diving a lot for summer tops & plan to add items like toys & baby clothes for ready-to-give gifts.
This summer I’m going to be working on:
a baby blanket for a friend due in September
a wrap for myself
a sock and fingerless glove to finish the pairs
a market bag
and some dishcloths
I may start a cardigan for myself to be done in fall and I have yarn for 2 shawls/shawlettes that would be great easy knits
Great giveaway!
I’ll take my knitting needles out to get ready for some summer knitting. What a wonderful give-away. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am finishing a felted stash basket – then socks then I’m starting a strip afghan for my son who has been begging me to make it for years! It’s not summery, but it’s worked in strips so I’ll survive.
There are some wonderful patterns in KnitCircus. I love to win them! This summer, I’m going to finish the duck pull toy in the “Itty Bitty Toys” (by Sun!, 2 sweaters for my grandkids, a pair of sock for DH, all of which are WPI. Then, I’m going to make a short sleeve top for ME…and a hat for a nephew, and mittens for DH.
I am going to *try* to make my first pair of socks. This book would give me some much needed inspiration!
Great Giveaway! My summer knitting involves deciding what I am going to create for the following winter. My summers here are so terrifically hot that even the cotton yarns & sleeveless patterns are out of the question. The winter’s cold temps that I look forward to are always an inspiration for me.
lovely patterns! I am working on lacy shawls and tanks this summer for the most part. Am looking at starting a few baby items, just for fun!
I love this book. can I subscribe. I wasnt to win free patterns.
Lovely patterns@! I am currently switching between a lace shawl and the seven Christmas stockings on my list. Yup, I’ve started my holiday knitting – a scary thought when it is 30C, LOL.
I’m currently knitting a pair of socks and alot of dishcloths! I would love to have this book!
looks like a ver interesting magazine!!!!!!!!!
I will be knitting some cool toe-less socks, a light sweater and a sweater vest =D
Just knitting some dishcloths as I’m still learning.
The capelet is definitely a keeper for me! The lace design is a perfect project for summer. Thanks for the chance of receiving this give-away.
oh wow.. I love a give away.. I am working on several projects. Living in Florida, I am trying to use more natural cotton..
I love this1!
My summer knitting consists mostly of cotton dishcloths! They’re light and portable! Perfect for summer!
Thanks for the nice giveaway!
I simply love give aways…adding to my stash whether it be yarn, tools or patterns…am keeping busy this summer with kitchen sets and scarves out of cotton….also going to try my hand at broomstick lace..have some really nice sparkly stuff I picked up on the last South Tx Yarn Crawl that has been calling my name !!
summer knitting gives me a head start for all the birthdays in the late fall, then Christmas!
Still trying to finish my spring UFOs while the weather is still cool here in Oregon…
I’ll marry this year and my “summer” knitting is a shawl to match my red and white wedding dress.
Great Giveaaway!
Lapghans. Summer nights are cozier. I find that smaller projects on larger needles work up fast & the knitter, moi, does not get as hot working! Pick me! 🙂
I’m knitting a bunch of stuff. I have some summer mitts and vests going, as well as already starting on some Christmas presents!
Right now I am working on some socks but will be working on a dress for my grandaughter next. Then time to start some fall knitting.
What a great giveaway! This summer, I am determined to get my WIPs to a manageable number. My first priority is to finish a sweater for my daughter in time for fall/winter.