November 2013 – Cowtown Knits

Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sale!

November 27, 2013Leave a comment

I know, I’m not American, but one of my kids is (Atticus was born while we were living in sunny California). In light of that fact, I’m going to do my part to add to the Thanksgiving weekend frenzy know as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. From Friday, Nov. 28 to the end of Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, you can save 25% off of all purchases from my Ravelry store with the coupon code BF2013. And remember, you can use these purchases to participate in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long!

And for all your Black Friday to Cyber Monday fiber-related needs, here is a list of other yarny promotions, hosted by Marly Bird.

Featured Indie Designer of the Day: Laura Aylor

November 24, 2013Leave a comment

I just finished up another project for the Indie Design Gift-A-Long! This one is Devonshire Cream by Laura Aylor.

The cowl is knit as a tube that eventually is grafted together, with the finished project like an inner tube. The result is a cowl that has no “wrong side” and is extra warm and squishy. I used baby llama yarn that is so super soft, it will be a pleasure to wear around the neck. Unfortunately, this cowl is destined for someone else so I will not be experiencing the luxury.

Laura’s other patterns are also beautiful. Like my last featured designer, Laura’s designs are very elegant and have a very clean look. I’ve seen a number of her patterns come up in the Scarves and Cowls thread I’m moderating in the GAL, including the beautiful Oak Park and the extremely popular Tuck.

All of Laura’s paid-for patterns from her Ravelry Store are eligible for the Gift-A-Long. Although the discount period has already ended there’s still lots of time to participate in the GAL and win some great prizes. Patterns that have previously been purchased are eligible as are those that are purchased full-priced!

Featured Indie Designer of the Day: Bonnie Sennott

November 14, 20133 Comments

I just finished up my first project from the Indie Design Gift-A-Long, a Shallows infinity scarf designed by Bonnie Sennott of Blue Peninsula Knits. I knit it with Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in the Well Water colourway and using Miyuki seed beads.

Bonnie’s designs are just gorgeous. They are elegant and stylish, the kind of timeless pieces that anyone could wear and keep in their wardrobe for a very long time.

She has 8 patterns available for the Gift-A-Long, 4 cowls (Birchleaf, Biscuit, Deephaven and Shallows) and 4 mitts (Shallows, Rockywold, Fiery Searcher and Leaves of Three).

Again, you should go check her out, you will not be disappointed! Also, there is just over a day left in the Gift-A-Long sale so hurry over to Ravelry quick so you can still get the 25% discount. And although the sale is almost over, we will still be knitting and crocheting along together until Dec. 31st so there’s lots of fun and prizes left to be had.

Introducing: They’re Paisley!

November 7, 2013Leave a comment

I know, I can’t believe it either, two patterns released in one week! I never thought I’d see that happen.

So let’s get to it. I’m pleased to introduce you to the latest Cowtownknits creation: They’re Paisley!

Paisley is so hot right now. Really. I kept seeing all these beautiful paisley prints in shop windows and on fashionable bodies and I thought – “Why couldn’t I knit me some paisley somethings?” And then I thought – “Mittens, those somethings should be mittens!” And that’s that. I designed some paisley mittens.

The pattern has four charts: one paisley chart for each hand (the chart is reversed on the other hand), one for the palm, and one for the thumb gusset.

Size: Medium – 8″ / 20.5 cm palm circumference

You can purchase the pattern by clicking the “buy now” button above. Until November 15 you can receive a 25% discount when you checkout using the coupon code giftalong. Then you should come and join the Gift-A-Long fun on Ravelry and have a chance at some of the hundreds of prizes. That’s right, I said hundreds.

This time both technical editing and test knitting were brought to you by the lovely Alana Marchetto.

Introducing: Cedar Shakes Hat

November 4, 2013Leave a comment

Just in time for the Indie Design Gift-A-Long, I’m pleased to introduce you to my newest pattern, the Cedar Shakes Hat.

I grew up in an old house with cedar shakes. When I was a teenager those shakes needed to be replaced. My dad, being a carpenter, took on the job himself, and enlisted the rest of the family to help. Imagine what the people driving by thought when they saw my sister, mom and me up on scaffolding, plane and hammer in hand, re-shingling our two-story house. It created quite a stir! But what a sense of accomplishment we felt when it was done, and I had a family memory that will last a lifetime.

The stitch pattern in this hat reminds me of those old cedar shakes and makes me smile. It is a very simple pattern that’s easy to memorize and repeat mindlessly while you think back on good days. The hat can be made as a snug-fitted toque or to be stylishly slouchy. Instructions are given for both fingering and aran weight yarn in sizes from Baby to Adult.

You can buy the pattern in my pattern store. Until November 15 you can receive a 25% discount when you use the coupon code giftalong. Then, of course, you should join in the the fun at the Indie Design Gift-A-Long!

Thank you again to Eleanor Dixon for technical editing, and to all 18 of my testers.