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The Perfect Accessory for Your Sci-Fi Adventures

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The only problem with going on adventures in time and space is that sometimes you get a little chilly. If you find yourself needing a little extra warmth while you wander the universe, you might need to knit yourself a Time Skip Collar.

This design from unexfruit is basically a high-necked, zip-front top of a vest. It covers the upper torso and back, with little bits of ribbing along the sides to connect the front and back.

The neckline is double folded for extra stability, and the front, which is shorter than the back, features a separating zipper for ease of wear.

It calls for fingering weight yarn held double, or DK weight on its own, except for the plackets, which are meant to be worked with fingering weight yarn held singly and worked at a tighter gauge. The neckline, plackets and I-cord edging give you opportunities to add color.

The pattern comes in six base sizes with 12 size options for the ribbing at the bottom. The base size corresponds to your back measurement, and ranges from 13 to 17 inches, or 33 to 43 cm. For the ribbing, you’re looking for a size similar to your upper chest circumference, with a bit of positive ease. These measurements range from 33 7/8 to 57 1/2 inches, or 86 to 146 cm.

While this project has a decided science fiction feel, it would be great to knit as a little extra layer for when it’s a little cool outside but not cold enough for a full sweater. It looks good over a long-sleeved shirt, and I’m sure it would be cute over a dress, too. Different colors give it a different look (there’s even a solid color one on the pattern page on Ravelry which is also fun, though I do like the stripes on the designer’s samples).

You can get this pattern as a free download on Ravelry.

[Photo: unexfruit]

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Knits with Sheep

It felt like it had been a while since I’d done a roundup of knitting patterns involving sheep, and if search is any indication, that is true. I found a roundup of patterns for knit sheep from a few years ago, but the only one with v I could find is from 2015. So it’s definitely time to revisit this fun genre of knitting patterns.

This all started with a headband. Alyssa Kaat’s Icelandic Sheep Headband (free on Ravelry) to be specific. Ravelry showed it to me as a pattern highlight and I couldn’t resist taking a closer look. It’s worked with two colors of worsted weight yarn and alternates sheep with stars around your head.

Another great sheepy headband is this one from Loch Fyne Crafts on Etsy. These sweet little sheep are worked in bulky yarn and you can make the background look like field and sky or work it in a solid color.

Or make a headband (or a hat, cowl, or all three) covered with a flock of sheep with this set of patterns from New Age Knitting CA. These pieces also use the field/sky coloring, but you can use whatever colors of worsted weight yarn you like.

Speaking of hats, there’s also the sheep hat from Lynann Knits Designs. The sample was worked in Icelandic wool to make the sheep and the hat extra fuzzy and warm, but any worsted weight yarn will work.

There’s also the Wandering Sheep hat from Kat Hudon (on Ravelry), which features a fun collection of speckled sheep that can be worked in different yarn weights to make different sizes of hats for kids and adults.

And lest you think sheep need to be knit in traditional stranded colorwork, check out the Rebel Sheep Mob blanket by Deborah Moore. This one is worked in mosaic knitting using fingering weight yarn. In mosaic knitting you’re only working with one color per row so it’s pretty easy. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

I can’t possibly share sheep knitting patterns without mentioning the amazing Black Sheep Shadow Shawl by Mark Jamieson. Shadow knitting is a technique I want to do more of, but it involves working two rows alternating in two different colors and the pattern emerges when you look at the design from an angle. It’s so cool and the sheep on this one are amazing! It’s not a beginner project but well worth the work. You can find it on Ravelry or at the designer’s website.