pattern – Page 6 – Cowtown Knits

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.

The Helen Pencil Skirt

September 19, 20135 Comments

At long last my latest (and most favorite) pattern has finally been released!

It feels like this one was a long time coming. I believe the idea came to me way back in early spring but the process of bringing the idea to fruition, which you can read about in the Design Series, takes a long time. And now it’s finally here, just in time for fall!

Which is great since the skirt was designed with fall and winter in mind.

The inspiration for this piece is my friend Helen. She is a very stylish woman who always wears skirts and heels, even if it’s to take her two dogs and 3 year-old son to the park. Helen the lady is classy, sexy and curvy. Helen the skirt is, too. It’s the kind of skirt that would look great worn in the office with a fitted blouse, or to the farmers’ market with a simple t-shirt. It’s for the woman who does it all and wants to look good doing it.

You can find the skirt on Ravelry, or on the Knit Picks website where you can make a kit and buy the yarn and pattern at the same time. Couldn’t be easier!

I must again thank Eleanor Dixon for technical editing. And an enormous thank you to Helen Walls for being my muse and model. I asked her if she could bring some coordinating clothes and accessories to the shoot with her and she showed up with the most perfect outfit without having ever seen the skirt in person. And of course she looked amazing! Thanks lady!

Introducing The Eleanor Romper

July 18, 2013Leave a comment

After a long drought, I have finally released a new pattern, the Eleanor Romper! This was my first pattern through the Knit Picks Independent Designer Partnership program, and hopefully the first of many. I really enjoyed working with them, and their yarn.

The Eleanor Romper is a darling little one-piece outfit for babies. Worked with a seamless top-down raglan construction, the romper features a simple but elegant cable pattern running down the sleeves as well as the sides, all the way down to the ankles.

The design is suitable for boys or girls so it can be a gender-neutral baby gift or made more masculine or feminine with color and button choice. This is the kind of garment that will be cherished by parents and passed down through generations.

I would like to give a huge Thank You! to Ryan and Vanessa Barr for letting me photograph their adorable little girl!

Also, to Eleanor Dixon for another wonderful job with Technical Editing.

You can download the pattern, and even buy the yarn at the same time, at Knit Picks website.

The James Cowl

February 25, 20131 Comment

I know it’s been quiet around here lately, but that’s because I’ve been a busy beaver. I have just released my newest pattern, the James Cowl.

The James Cowl is a cozy neck warmer featuring stranded colourwork, knit in the round. It is suitable for boys and girls, men or women, young or old. While this is a great project for first time steekers, instructions are also given for an unsteeked version that is simply knit in the round.

This cowl was originally designed to keep small kids’ necks warm while avoiding the risk of them being strangled accidentally. The magnetic closures are strong enough to keep the cowl closed for normal use, but will open if for some reason it gets caught on something. The construction of the button band ensures that the magnetic snaps are safe and secure while also concealing their backings.

Thanks yet again to Ryan Barr for the photography. Every time we do these photo shoots I get great pictures and a chance to hang out with an old friend!

I also couldn’t do this without the great tech editing from Eleanor Dixon.

Mariette Scarf

December 28, 2012Leave a comment

Time for a new pattern!

I can’t help but think that cashmere feels the need to be touched just as much as we feel the need to touch it. What better place to have it rest than around your neck, giving you a warm hug on blustery days. This beautiful variegated yarn calls for a simple stitch pattern so the colours can be the star of the show. Add a couple of chunky buttons for a little extra interest and you’ve got a soft, stylish accessory to show off all winter long.

Mariette is worked flat in seed stitch – TV knitting at its best! Buttons are sewn on near the cast-on edge. The scarf is intended to be wrapped around the neck two times and then buttoned closed, echoing the infinity-scarf style without having to cast on 300 stitches.

As usual, you can buy my pattern here on the blog or through my Ravelry store. Thanks to Elenor Dixon for technical editing and Ryan Barr for the lovely photos.