Tag Archives: patterns

Moonshine Patterns as PDFs!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by | Comments Off on Moonshine Patterns as PDFs!

We were so thrilled when we heard from KFI that our Moonshine pattern booklet was sold out in the warehouse. Why? Because it means that we can now offer these patterns directly to you as pdfs! Of course it is much more economical to buy the pattern booklet, so check with your LYS to see if they might have a booklet left. And, all of our digital patterns are available to purchase through your yarn store if they participate in Ravelry’s In Store Sales program, which more and more shops are participating in.

Anyway, back to the task at hand… showing you which Moonshine patterns are now available digitally AND announcing our pattern sale to celebrate!

We’re offering 12 of our 14 Moonshine patterns by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud as pdfs. She knocked our socks off with this collection and we’re trilled to make these designs more accessible to you, gentle knitter.

Our most popular Moonshine patterns are:

the Carme sweater

Moonshine Carme

the effortlessly stylish Dione top

Dione

and the cover-girl of patterns, Phoebe sweater

Pheobe

But my personal favorites include:

The playful and unisex Mathilde hat

Mathilde

the Calliope vest has been in my queue since I first saw it, but I haven’t tackled it yet.

Calliope Vest

and I have a fondness for the not frequently practical, but absolutely whimsical Eugenia capelet

Eugenia Capelet

However, there are plenty of other great patterns in the collection like:

the Goddess-worthy Iocaste top

Iocaste

the easy and popular Amalthea cowl

Amalthea cowl

the gorgeous Elara kimono

Elara

the cozy Anthe shawl

Anthe Hero

the playful Calista top

Calista Laugh

and the darling Ida mitts

Ida Mitts

You can find more info about the pattern of your choice by clicking through the picture, or you can look at all of the Moonshine patterns.

To celebrate this pattern release and because it’s President’s Day, we’re putting all of our patterns on sale! If you purchase two or more patterns on our website, you will automatically receive 50% off of all of your patterns. Now is the time to stock up! The discount will be applied automatically during checkout and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Sale is this week only and expires 11:59p Eastern on Sunday, February 23rd.

All of these patterns will look great in our new Moonshine colorways. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Check back later this week for the start of the official unveiling of our Spring/Summer 2014 yarn lines, which are arriving in yarn stores now!

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A Simple Sock and a Side of Crepes

Posted on January 14, 2014 by | Comments Off on A Simple Sock and a Side of Crepes
Compared to last week, these are some underwhelming makes I present to you, but nevertheless they are worthy things (to me at least).


Firstly, a sock.  Yes, a single sock.  Every year I make my husband a single sock, and I use the chance to try out different techniques.  None of the handmade socks I make him match, but he wears them just the same.  This one's a tad bit late, but it was worth it.  He actually said this was his favorite sock ever.  It's a completely bespoke sock!  He actually said, "any new socks you make for me, make them like this one."  This is a first for him, and for me.  Alrighty!  Will do!  He's never actually expressed any opinion about the socks I've made him previously, but he's always worn them.  It's nice to know he liked this one!


So, how did I make this sock?  It started out easily enough by using a figure 8 toe-up cast-on such as the one in this video here.

Then, after increasing to 64 sts, I knit even in stockinette for several inches.  Next, I increased for the gusset at the instep of the foot (where the arch is), and this is where it got a bit goofy.  I ran out of yarn.  I finished the increases with just enough of the grey-brown yarn, and then picked up where I left off with a dark purple-brown yarn.



And here it gets even goofier.  I tried out about four different kinds of heels.  Somewhere in the six months I used to complete this project - dropping it for the big projects you saw last week - I made a nubbin at the back heel. This nubbin looks like a nipple, and I still don't know how I did it.  Despite the request for future socks to be identical to this one, I think I will omit it from future versions of the sock.  The last note I made about the heel was that I would next try a short-row heel.  I worked every stitch of the heel in wrap/turn short rows and then picked up all the wraps and decreased all the sole sts.  Then I knit in stockinette followed by a 2x2 rib.  Simple as that!

I will share a refined recipe for the sock if only to clean up my notes and have an exact pattern for me to follow for this year's sock.  You interested?

And now for something completely different...

A Side of Crepes Recipe:

1 cup of flour
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of milk
2 eggs

You know the rest (mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients, etc. etc.)
Spread batter thinly on a hot buttered skillet.  Brown. Flip once. Light brown.
I topped these with bananas and nutella, apples and nutella, crushed nuts and apples and bananas and nutella... photos next time I make them.  These were snatched up right quick.

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2013, A Year in Review

Posted on January 1, 2014 by | Comments Off on 2013, A Year in Review
This past year's work collage:


So, what *did* I do last year?  And, did I meet my resolutions from 2013? Let me revisit my resolutions, and let's see how faithful I was to them...
"And, my 2013 New Years Resolutions...knitting- publish a few more patterns, learn brioche knitting. Crochet - do a bit more of it. Sewing- sew a pair of perfectly fitting jeans/trousers, drape 1 dress or outfit. Quilting- finish quilting the 2 quilts from last year and make 1 quilt. Design - learn more about WordPress to create an online shop"
Knitting - I definitely published more patterns than I was expecting: Lustig Hat and Gloves, Squishy Cabled Vest, Easy Lace Loop/Cowl, Rosita Hat and Mittens, Bow Slouch, Columbina Camisole, Tyrian Loop, and Laren Fingerless Mitts... phew!  And, two projects still aren't published... more about that in the near future.

Rosita Hat & Mittens, photo copyright Knitscene/ Harper Point
Brioche knitting - I signed up for a class, and started learning, but then forgot to finish the online course!  Oops.  Let's give that one a try again this year.

Crochet - I used it more frequently this year, and I made a few amigurumi gifts and used crochet as a border in some of my own projects.


Sewing - I did manage to create a pair of jeans that fit me really, really well!  BUT... then I grew out of them, and more on that in the near future.  I loved participating in Me Made May, and hope to do it again next year if possible.
((Confession.)) I still haven't draped anything!! I failed here.  I did start drafting skirt and bodice slopers, but definitely no draping!  ((Ugh.  Guilty feelings here.))

Quilting - I did way more quilting than I thought I could!  I learned to free-motion quilt and I finished a bed-sized brown quilt, a mini lap version,  the blue sampler quilt, a baby quilt, and a double-wedding ring quilt for a friend.




Design-  I finally got my portfolio site transferred to WordPress, but I still haven't created an online shop.  Anyone have advice on easy PDF distribution systems with templates on WP?  Also, I redesigned my crochet font StitchinCrochet(PRO), and released it!



2014...  Truth be told, I don't know what resolutions I should make.  I am anticipating some big changes in my life, and the only things I can hold onto at the moment seem very vague...

1) make some art:  get back into pen and ink, finish digital illustration commissions
2) make some things with yarn: finish hand-knit projects, use machine to stash bust
3) make some things with fabric: continue on the quilting and sewing goodness track
4) blog more efficiently and step away from the internet traps (facebook and cheesy news sites)

Happy New Year!
Cheers to the new year!

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Free Pattern Friday: Norgay Scarf

Posted on December 27, 2013 by | Comments Off on Free Pattern Friday: Norgay Scarf

Way back in April, Susan asked me to whip up a scarf using all the colors of Tenzing. I started with one idea, but it thrown about that a knitted version of Berzelius would be really cool. But it had to be a simple knit. That was a tall order! What makes Berzelius special are the color changes. Berzelius is crocheted in ribbons to make it easy. But with knitting, knitting separate strips and then sewing them together or picking up stitches is a pain in the butt! So I worked up a scarf pattern worked the long way.

NORGAY info

There are a lot of stitches in each row, but only one color change, so it’s easy to deal with the yarn without getting all tangled up.

NORGAY hero

It’s completely reversible. The “right side” on the first stripe is the “wrong side” on the second stripe so you don’t have to futz with getting yoru scarf to lay perfectly only showing the right side. (Who has time for that, anyway?)

NORGAY extra

And with only using half a ball of each color of Tenzing, it’ll work up quickly and is mindless. Of course, you could make it in two colors, or four colors, or even one color. I bet that it would look great in a number of combinations!

Download it on our free pattern page!

You can add Norgay to your Ravelry queue here.

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New Pattern: Laren Mitts!

Posted on December 26, 2013 by | Comments Off on New Pattern: Laren Mitts!
I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!  Earlier this week, this sneaky pattern was published without me even realizing it!  :D  ((Cheeky chevrons, getting all published while I was holiday daydreaming... ))

photo: copyright Harper Point, Knitscene 2013


Anyway, Laren Mitts pattern is now available in the Spring 2014 issue of Knitscene!

photo: copyright Harper Point, Knitscene 2013


photo: copyright Harper Point, Knitscene 2013

They make a great stash buster and gift since they knit up so quickly!

Details:
-Sizes 6¾ (7¼, 8)" palm circumference; shown in size 7¼"

Supplies:
-Yarn Zitron Finest Royal Alpaca (100% alpaca; 109 yd [100 m]/50 g):
• #6057 kitten grey (MC), 1 (2, 2) skein(s)
• #6059 porcelain (CC), 1 skein

Gauge: 24 sts and 27 rnds = 4" in Chevron patt on larger needles

Tools
• Size 6 (4 mm): set of double-pointed needles (dpn)
• Size 4 (3.5 mm): set of dpn
• Markers (m)
• Stitch holders
• Tapestry needle

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The Digital Herriot Patterns are Here!

Posted on October 16, 2013 by | Comments Off on The Digital Herriot Patterns are Here!

For months we’ve been getting emails from readers asking when we would be releasing our first collection of Herriot patterns digitally. Well today is your lucky day!

This collection contains some of the most popular JMF patterns we’ve ever published, including:

Maeby Pullover

The Maeby Stranded Pullover by Pam Wynne

BESSIE Pullover

The Bessie Striped Pullover by Caroline Fryar

Egbertine Cowl and Hat

The Egbertine Striped Cowl and Hat by Caroline Fryar

Edie

The Edie Trompe l’oeil Pullover by Pam Wynne

IDA-MAE

The Ida Mae Ombre Wrap by Pam Wynne 

You can see the whole collection right here, including three free patterns!

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Introducing: Tenzing The Karakoram Collection

Posted on October 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Introducing: Tenzing The Karakoram Collection

Way back when, we did a little contest on the anniversary of Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay reaching the summit of Mt. Everest asking you why you thought we were naming our newest yarn Tenzing. Well we were so surprised when not only when the answer was immediately guessed, but it was guessed again and again! You’re right, Tenzing has Yak! It’s a 85% Merino wool, 15% Yak blend. It’s a sport-weight yarn, which is something that is sorely lacking in the market right now.

Tenzing Color Card

There are tons of great designs in sport-weight yarns and I think you’ll find that this yarn is a perfect fit for many of them. And of course, they’re a perfect fit for any sweater in the Karakoram Collection.

The Karakoram Collection designs were inspired by the Himalayas and each pattern is named for a natural place in the Himalayas.

BALTORO

BALTORO

Baltoro pullover
A sweet cable and lace pattern stretches to hug curves in this form-fitting sweater. Dainty buttons on ¾ sleeves complete the effortlessly graceful look.

Knit by: Deb Terrio
Modeled by: Alexis Di Gregorio
Yarn:  Tenzing
#10 Fall Harvest

HISPAR HISPAR

Hispar sweater
This sweet sweater is named after the Hispar glacier in the Karakoram mountains. Embroidery on the bib and slightly belled sleeves add lovely detail.

Knit by: Jennifer Bohlig
Modeled by: Lily Steven
Yarn:  Tenzing
#11 Burlywood
#01 Rhone Night
#09 Alfalfa

ZEMU ZEMU

Zemu pullover
Named after the largest glacier in the Himalayas, Zemu features flattering construction and sweet colorwork details. Although featuring three colors, Zemu would look just as lovely using only two.

Knit by: Rebekah Baquiran
Modeled by: Lily Steven
Yarn:  Tenzing
#14 Seafoam

#08 Scarlet

#06 Mystic Purple

YOLYN AM YOLN AM

Yolyn Am shawl
Yolyn Am makes a large, lovely shawl that will comfort and warm any wearer. The striped border lends an opportunity to customize the shawl to a knitter’s fall wardrobe and reminds of the shawl’s namesake, the deep gorge in southern Mongolia.

Knit by: Jennifer Britton
Modeled by: Lauria Kincaid
Yarn:  Tenzing
#02 Sage
#13 Thistle
#12 Espresso
#01 Rhone Night

DEODAR DEODAR

Deodar hat and wrist warmers
Embroidery detail elevates this simple hat and arm warmer set into something adorable. Deodar is a kind of East Indian cedar tree, which the embroidery hints at.

Knit by: Gail Defendorf
Modeled by: Annie Kerins
Yarn:  Tenzing
#12 Espresso
#01 Rhone Night
#09 Alfalfa

NUBRA NUBRA

Nubra cowl and arm warmers
Named after a valley in the Himalayas, the Nubra cowl and fingerless mitts feature a simple colorwork section amid a stockinette field. This would be a great introduction to colorwork, as the colorwork section is only a small portion of the finished pattern.

Knit by: Jennifer Cox
Modeled by: Lauria Kincaid
Yarn:  Tenzing
#03 Gingersnap
#09 Alfalfa

BIAFO BIAFO

Biafo pullover
This yoked pullover is worked in the round from the bottom up for minimal seaming. The colorwork pattern can be worked in a variety of colors to give the sweater a different look.

Knit by: Krysta Harty
Modeled by: Rachel Policare
Yarn:  Tenzing
#08 Scarlet
#09 Alfalfa

TEESTA TEESTA

Teesta pullover
Teesta is a river in India that carves out ravines and gorges much like the colorwork pattern used in this unisex sweater. All colorwork is done in the round and the arm and neck holes are created using steeks.

Knit by: Krysta Harty
Modeled by: Alexis Di Gregorio
Yarn:  Tenzing
#05 Arctic River Blue
#03 Gingersnap

You can find all the patterns on Ravelry right here. Please favorite and queue them and spread the word about these awesome designs and this amazing yarn!

Just like with Herriot Heathers and Marlowe, these patterns are available in your local yarn store now as leaflets!

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Columbina Camisole, knitted top pattern

Posted on August 26, 2013 by | Comments Off on Columbina Camisole, knitted top pattern
Here's a new pattern out for August, my birthday month!


The Columbina Camisole was named for the delicate two-colored flower, and this simple two-colored camisole with lace edges is perfect for summer picnics. It’s also a nice travel project as it is worked flat from the bottom up. Lace is added from a provisional cast-on down to the bottom edge, and upward from open stitches. The lace edging is easy to memorize and can be blocked as rounded scallops or soft waves.


Skills required to complete the project:

  • provisional cast-on
  • knitting
  • decreasing/increasing
  • picking up stitches


The pattern does contain links to resources on how to do the provisional cast-on among other techniques.  And, if you'd like to know more about it, or purchase the pattern to make it yourself, it's here on Ravelry, and soon to be on Craftsy and Patternfish too.

The main knitting is very machine knit friendly, and lends itself to a very quick machine knit, and then the finishing lace can be completed by hand.

Happy Summer!

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Big News & a Digital Pattern Giveaway!

Posted on July 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Big News & a Digital Pattern Giveaway!

Exciting news, y’all!

For years, you have been asking us to sell our patterns individually as digital downloads and we were listening! Starting today, we are releasing our back catalog of patterns for sale right here. This is just the first of many ways that we are trying to make JMF’s collections more accessible.

(Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post, as there are two special offers at the end!)

We’re having the patterns reformatted to make them easier and more affordable for you to print after purchase. So far we’re releasing:

Findley

All the Stops Dress
All the Stops

Laureate Cardigan
Laureate Cardigan

Plotted and Pieced
Plotted and Pieced

Yearling

Yearling
Yearling

Lamb ShoesLamb Shoes

Sabine

Myrtle
Myrtle

Bracken
Bracken

WrenWren

And there are more to come, including many Herriot patterns!

Pattern Giveaway
But we could use your help to decide which patterns we should release after that. So if you help us out by telling us which of these patterns (link only visible to ravelry members) you’d like to see us release at digital pdfs next, on Monday, July 22 we’ll pick one winner and send them every digital pattern we’ve released so far!

It looks like a few people are misunderstanding the pattern giveaway rules. Please click on the above link to see the patterns we aren’t currently releasing as digital downloads, but are thinking about releasing and pick from those. Any entries referring to the patterns we’ve already released will be disqualified. Thanks!

Coupon Code
And as an added bonus, because you’re our loyal customers and we want to thank you for helping us get to this point, we’re offering you 33% off the price of any and all digital patterns! Put coupon code PATT33 in the promo code spot at check out. This is a limited time offer, so be sure and purchase the patterns you want soon.

You can find all our patterns in our shop, along with the last few spots in The Shepherd and The Shearer and both of our shares - Spring 2014 Cormo share and our Spring 2014 Colored Flock share

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Free Pattern! Uki Cowl!

Posted on June 7, 2013 by | Comments Off on Free Pattern! Uki Cowl!

Uki Cowl by Susan Lawrence, photo credit: Jodie Carson

As soon as I saw this pattern, I knew I was going to make it. And I’m not pro-cowl. I’m not anti-cowl, but I just didn’t think that it would work for me. I don’t like the sensation of wearing a turtle neck and a cowl seemed just like a turtle neck. But way back when the JMF rav group (the “aunties”) were doing a cowl swap, I started to feel like maybe a cowl could actually be something I’d enjoy. And when Susie handed off Susan Lawrence’s Uki Cowl pattern for me to ready for publication, I knew I had to make it.

Uki Cowl

And make it I did! And now I’m apparently a cowl-wearer! I liked making the cowl so much, I made up a Hattie Cowl as a gift. I like that this cowl is open, so it’s perfect for this late spring in New England, or a summer air-conditioned office.

Uki Detail

It uses two different needle sizes and dropped stitches in order to create the oversized stitches. I’d never worked a drop stitch pattern before and found it was a little scary and a lot of fun to drop the stitches! In fact, Monday’s WIP post will feature how to work this pattern.

Uki Smile

You can find the Uki Cowl here, or as always, on the Sabine Free Pattern page.

A special thank you to my extremely talented friend David Costa for the wonderful pictures of me in the blue Uki Cowl. Jodie Carson took the pictures of the green Uki Cowl.

UPDATE: You can find my drop stitch tutorial right here!

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