knitwear design – Page 3

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.

Featured Indie Designer of the Day: Faye Kennington

November 3, 2013Leave a comment

I’m going with whimsy again for my featured designer choice of the day, Faye Kennington of Ukee Knits. I first started noticing her patterns while watching her work her butt off as the ad czarina for the Gift-A-Long. I love all of her patterns, but these ones really make me smile…

Img_7476_small2 — Sasquatch! by Faye Kennington, as seen on Ravelry

Img_6860_2_small2 — The Anti-Grinch by Faye Kennington, as seen on Ravelry.

P1040731_small2 — Lumberjack by Faye Kennington, as seen on Ravelry

She also makes some great non-whimsy things, some of which are included in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long.

Img_1025_small2 — Nautica by Faye Kennington, as seen on Ravelry

You should definitely go check her out!

Featured Indie Designer of the Day: Annie Watts

November 2, 2013Leave a comment

Okay, I have a confession to make: I have a designer crush on Annie Watts (aka Wattsolak). It’s not even a little crush, it’s pretty big.

And it’s understandable really. Check out some of her patterns:

Img_6219cropped_small2 — Medusa Mittens by Annie Watts, as seen on Ravelry

Rps-circlesmall_small2 — Rock, Paper, Scissors… SHOOT! by Annie Watts, as seen on Ravelry

75099224_small2 — Neck Kraken by Annie Watts, as seen on Ravelry

A scarf that’s a Kraken! Clearly she’s got a vivid imagination and can think outside the box. And then she turns those ideas into beautiful reality. She’s pretty awesome!

And just to solidify my not-so-secret love for Ms. Watts, I recently discovered that she also has a son named Atticus. Enough said.

Anyway… you should totally go check her out. And join in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long!

Indie Design Gift-A-Long

October 31, 20131 Comment

I’m so excited to announce the official kickoff for the Indie Design Gift-A-Long!

From Nov. 1 until Nov. 15 you can take advantage of a 25% discount when using the giftalong coupon code offered on over 2000 patterns from indie designers on Ravelry. For a brief catalog and list of designers involved check out this Ravelry thread.

If you are not a Raverly member you can also check out the Pinterest boards. A team of very dedicated designers (including yours-truly) pinned all of the 2000+ designs over a period of just a few days! You will be able to click through from the Pinterest boards to the pattern listing on Ravelry for purchase even if you’re not a Ravelry member. There are boards covering all the categories in the GAL and I’m planning to feature a new one here each day over the next week or so. For now you can check out the “Today’s Featured Indie Patterns” board which will slowly fill with all the patterns over the period of the discount.

Beyond the discount and knitting eye-candy, there is also the very exciting Gift-A-Long (GAL) running from November 1 to December 31. Crafters are encouraged to knit or crochet their eligible patterns along with each other in a number of threads in the GAL group. Those joining along in the fun have hundreds (that’s right, hundreds) of chances to win prizes. You can check out the prize details here.

All of my paid patterns will be included in the promotion and will be available for 25% off with the coupon code giftalong until the end of day November 15th. I’m also anticipating releasing two new patterns during the time of the GAL so you’ll be able to get them discounted right away!

I hope you all get a chance to check out some (or all) of the indie designers involved in this promotion, they are an amazing bunch of people who produce beautiful work! I’m hoping to feature a different designer each day here so stay tuned.