Introducing: Cedar Shakes Hat

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

Cropped without shingles

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.

Pippa smiling retouched

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.

close up of blue retouched

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

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…

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Sasquatch! by Faye Kennington, as seen on Ravelry

 

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

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Nautica by Faye Kennington, as seen on Ravelry

You should definitely go check her out!

Introducing The Eleanor Romper

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.

whole thing main

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. 

neckline raglan and cables

cables and feet

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.

leg button bands rotated

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

whole thing 3

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

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.Peeking hero

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.

great open shot

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.

Nice profile

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!

laid out

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

Faraway look on bridge