Links
• My Website Button-Use it to Link me to your Blog.
• SandraSingh Yarn Store

• Blog
• Favorite Links
• Blog Roll

• August 2009
• July 2009
• June 2009
• May 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009
• February 2009
• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007

• Login
• Podcasts
• RSS
• Comments RSS

Have a 

Happy Halloween!

The autumn has already started with its nippy mornings and early nights. Time for hats and warm scarves and some onion soup perhaps (or some hot chocolate).  Katya Frankel is opening hat season with Urbane.

This simple slouchy hat with great texture is bound to add a bit more glam and elegance to your wardrobe. 

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate - basic cables, knitting in the round, simple decreases and increases and finishing.
TO FIT SIZE: Head circumference 20 (22, 24)” / 51 (56, 61) cm.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Brim circumference 18 ¼ (19 ¾, 21 ¾)” / 46.5 (50, 55) cm. This measurement allows for 2″ / 5 cm of negative ease for better fit.
MATERIALS: Approximately 170 (190, 205) yards / 155 (170, 185) meters of DK weight yarn with the following knitting gauge. Shown in DK weight 70% fine Alpaca / 30% Bluefaced Leicester mix in wine by UK Alpaca.
GAUGE: 22 sts and 28 rnds = 4 ” / 10 cm in St st knit in the round.
NEEDLES: Size 6 US (4mm) circular needle, size 4 US (3.5mm) double pointed needles.  Adjust needle size to get the correct gauge if necessary.
NOTIONS: Stitch marker, cable needle, tapestry needle.

The PDF file will be emailed to you after purchase.

Looking for an exquisite fingering weight yarn to treat yourself with?  Discover Schaefer’s Anne, crafted of 60% merino wool superwash, 25% mohair and 15% nylon.  This wonderfully soft yarn is perfect for socks plus many other garments and accessories, just let your imagination be your guide.   Each generous 4 ounce skein has 560 yards. 

And Schaefer decided to have some fun with Anne for the election year, each skein is hand painted in these beautiful, custom colorways that pay tribute to these special ladies in politics! 

Anne is also 15% Off!

We’re always searching for the perfect baby shower gift and Kara Gotts, of igottknits, has just the right project that will get you noticed at the shower and guaranteed to please both mom and baby with is sweetness and comfort.

With elegantly embroidered accents the Welcome Home Onesie is just darling.  Pattern is written for sizes 0-3 (3-6, 6-9, 9-12) months. 

Needles: US 8 (5mm) 16″ circular and US 8 (5mm) double pointed needles.
Gauge: 19 sts 32 rows = 4″ over slip stitch pattern
Yarn: #4 Medium
Intermediate

PDF file will be emailed to you after purchase.

Sivia Harding unites two lovers in her Due’ Amori Gloves and Scarf set… Lace and beads provide sinuous lines in this poetic glove and scarf duo. Fan and Leaf lace motifs are framed by twisted ribs in the gloves and mirrored beaded waving cables in the scarf. The gloves are sized for women’s small, medium and large, in two lengths.

The pattern features beads as a prominent part of the design. The scarf requires approximately 500 size 6/0 beads; the shorter gloves, 114 (122, 130) beads. The longer gloves require 134 (142, 150) beads. Modeled in off-white pearl finish seed beads.

The set is designed for fingering weight yarn and requires 400 yards for the scarf and 180 (300) yards for the shorter (longer) gloves. Sivia knit them on a US 2-3 (3 mm) needle for the scarf and US 2 (2.5 mm) needles for the gloves, which are knit in the round. The gloves are sized in two lengths for women’s small, medium and large.

Modeled in 2 skeins of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Seduction (50% merino, 50% tencel, 400 yards/100 grams). 

Pattern is sold as a PDF File and will be emailed to you after purchase, no shipping fees. 

The Vogue Holiday 2008 will be your life saver this holiday gift knitting season, packed with over 30 quick & easy and stylish projects for the women on your list, and an idea or two that will be on your wish list as well.  This issue is all about HATS, with ten different styles to knit and the down low on the latest trends and updated classics. 

Also Celebrate 25 years of knitwear design with Nicky Epstein, learn how knitters are making their political voices heard and see Nanette Lapore’s original knitwear designs. 

2 new Nanette Lapore designs.

Plus explore color, technique and texture with a wide variety of pullover, cardigan, coat, jacket, wrap, scarf and shawl patterns.   

I am very pleased to announce the addition of a very exciting new knitwear designer and fellow Texan to my website, Beth Q. Beck of Cardiff Bay Handknits.  Besides being a busy woman with a career Beth designs original patterns and does custom knitting.  

Meet The Designer: Beth Q. Beck began knitting at the age of 16 when a young mother offered to teach her. The first project she chose was a poncho (more popular in the seventies than now!) and though the shaping was simple, it included a multitude of complex patterns and cables. Although Beth doesn’t recommend complex patterns and cables as a starting point, it gave her a great foundation for a lifelong passion.

Over the years, she’s taught knitting and needlepoint classes in local yarn shops while combining her love of art and needlework into painting needlepoint canvases when her children were very young.

Beth was educated as a nurse and earned her RN but knitting always remained a significant part of her daily life. Knitting from patterns finally gave way to creating original, beautiful,
one of a kind garments as she began to market her creations in children’s boutiques in the 1990’s.

Striving for unusual colors, color combinations, special buttons, natural materials and updated classic designs, Beth recently made her finished products available at www.cardiffbayhandknits.com. The beautiful photography on the website was created by Beth’s very talented stepdaughter, Hannah. Beth is in the process of adding a new section on the website for women.

A fan of simple, flattering shapes, updated classic lines and quick to knit styles, she creates her designs for you to enjoy. Beth continues to work part time as a nurse in wellness and preventative healthcare and lives in San Antonio with her husband, Dr. Douglas L. Beck.

I’m featuring two of Beth’s creations, the Adriana and Lili sweaters.

The delightful Adriana Sweater to be knit in the soft Malabrigo Merino Worsted yarn.  This ribbed pullover features 3/4 length sleeves and a flattering jewel-neckline.  It is meant to be a close fitting style, so choose the size closest to your actual measurements.

And the casual, yet sophisticated Lili to be worn open.  Its a close fitting cardigan with set in sleeves and a garter stitch shawl collar. 

Hats Off to Scarves & Mittens!
Tis’ the season to start planning ahead for the days when we’ll need to “…bundle up warm…” just to go outside to walk the dog or pick up the newspaper!  Here are the Season’s Best Hat, Scarf and Mitten patterns, practical and fun to knit these small, quick projects give you opportunities to explore color, textures and new techniques. 

Hats
Tam or Berets–The Laurel Hat for Mimi is a fun look from Schaefer with a single button on the band and Cherry Tree Hill’s Van Dyke Tam & Scarf set is very sweet.  You’ll look fantastic in any one of these stylish berets, Ysolda’s Rose Red, Verity, Estella or Gretel, Karabella’s Beret & Scarf and Berroco’s Disc.

Sets–A matching set compliments a coat, jacket or bulky sweater, knit Marlaina Bird’s Eyelet Hat & Scarf, Karabella’s Hat & Scarf with Fair Isle Border, Dawn Brocco’s Alsacian Scallops Scarf & Mittens, Lorna’s Laces Jungle Fun or Schaefer’s South American inspired Chullo and Scarf .

Watch Cap & Ski Hat Styles–With or without the earflaps all of Lisa Ellis Designs’ hats will keep you warm.  And Gardiner Yarn Works’ Bad Hair Day & Frequency give you options for the entire family.  Or knit a cabled hat, Katya Frankel’s Slip Stitch Cable Hat or Dawn Brocco’s Interlocking Cable.

Color Work & Entrelac–These special looks are for a very special person, Interlachen by Gardiner Yarn Works, Elizabeth Morrison’s Diamond Hat & Mittens & Alishar hat and Dancing Leaf Farms’ Entrelac.

Embellished– Have some fun embellishing these simple stockinette stitch sets with crocheted & embroidered flowers, the Flowered Hat & Mittens and Embellished Hat & Wristlets.

Beanies-Have some fun with Ysoda’s Struan, Sweaterbabe’s Easy Crochet Beanie or pieKnits Off Kilter.

Scarves
Wimples–Bridging the gap between a hood and a scarf try the Lily Of The Valley Smoke Ring by Knitting As Fast As I Can or Schaefer’s Andrea.

Add texture to your winter coat with Faith Hale’s extra long basketweave stitched & bobbled scarf the Fringed Scarf, Sivia Harding’s beaded River Rock, Feather and Fan Designs’ Prickle moebius or Water Is Wide scarf and Jane Thornley’s Little Fishies Panel Scarf.  Its back to nature with Pick Up Sticks Waterfall Scarf With Lily Brooch.  And be cutting edge with Sarah Chilson’s unisex Meander Double Knit Scarf, any of the scarves from LANG Yarns’ Fatto A Mano 156 or Pick Up Sticks Geometric Scarf.

Lacey scarves are always refreshing & warming in the middle of winter, the Reversible Lace by Schaefer & their Susan or Heather Undulating Waves scarves are two beautiful designs.  And Gardiner Yarn Works’ Snowdrop Lace, Star Mesh, Any-Gauge Reversible Pinecone or Sugarcubes scarves are also wonderful & lacey.  And wrap Sweaterbabe’s Sinuously Curved Lace Scarf around your neck twice for a glam look.

Crochet–Quickly crochet Mari Lynn Patricks’ Cluster Stitch Set or either of Sweaterbabe’s designs the Handsome Basketweave or Striped Scallop Scarf, toss around your neck & GO!

Mittens & Gloves
Fingerless–Every knitter needs a pair of fingerless mitts…try Goddess Knits Mabon Harvest, Gardiner Yarn Works’ Seeded Rib Wristwarmers, Elysian by Knitting As Fast As I Can, Schaefer’s Flip-Top Mittens, Jacquelyn Landry’s Burtonesque or Dawn Brocco’s Twin Rib Neck Wrist Warmers.

Mittens–Vogue Knitting International Fall 2008 has 7 stunning mitten patterns to choose from and Schaefer’s felted Miss Priss Mittens will keep you extra warm.

Kid’s Corner
Whether waiting for the bus or playing in the snow these hats, mittens and scarves are exactly what your little one needs for warmth…Cherry Tree Hill’s Felted Potluck Worsted Mittens, Sarah Chilson’s fun Chinese Luck Dragon scarf, Dawn Brocco’s Jester Hat & Mittens or Gardiner Yarn Works adorable Hearts & Snowflake Hat & Mitt set. 

And Igottknits’ brings us these whimsical hats Jughead, Skater and Bobbleicious. 

The perfect yarn for your hats, scarves and mittens…Karabella’s Super Yak, Cascade Yarns’ 220 Wool or 220 Superwash and Berroco’s Ultra Alpaca.

Tis’ the season we need a little kick in the bum to get our hooks & needles in gear and begin our Holiday Knits!  Holiday Stockings are the perfect place to begin.  Knit one for baby’s first Christmas or the special little one on your list and remember even big kids and kids at heart enjoy diving into stockings filled with goodies on Christmas morning.   

Gardiner Yarn Works brings us two very special designs this season.  A braided Celtic cable adorns the Glendalough Stocking, simple-yet-elegant and perfect for the holidays. The braid panel is worked flat and joined into a ring, then the body of the stocking is worked in the round.

Yarn Requirements: worsted-weight yarn, approx 400 yards (sample uses Cascade 220 Superwash in color #817)

Gauge: 22 sts/24 rounnds = 4” in stockinette st on size 5 (3.75mm) needles
Difficulty: intermediate
Size: leg length = 16″, foot length = 11.5″, circumference = 11.5”

And the simple colorwork inspired by a Norwegian snowflake motif rings the cuff of the Telemark Stocking.

Yarn Requirements: worsted-weight yarn, approx 200 yards each of MC and CC (sample uses Cascade 220 Superwash in color #814 for MC and color #871 for CC)

Gauge: 22 sts/24 rounnds = 4” in stockinette st on size 5 (3.75mm) needles
Difficulty: advanced beginner
Size: leg length = 16.5″, foot length = 12″, circumference = 15”

All of Gardiner Yarn Works patterns are sold as PDFs and the files will be emailed to you after purchase.

And Annie’s Woolens’ Christmas Stockings add old-fashioned charm to your home for the holiday.  Her 11 delightful designs, the Ragg, Peace, Joy, Love, Holly, Evergreen, Moose, Snowman, Bear, Angel or Cabin, will be loved by all and look wonderful trimming your mantel or tree.  Each pattern includes an Alphabet Chart to personalize your stocking. 

Pattern includes easy to read instructions for full patterned and personalized stocking, 8.5 x 14″ commercially printed Color Chart and Alphabet Chart for personalizing your stocking.  Select your Design in the Drop Down below. 

Each Design is also available as a Kit, which includes Pattern and enough 2 Ply Worsted Wool yarn to knit one stocking. 

Or cozy up your door with Pick Up Sticks’ beautiful, color saturated Poinsettia Wreath.  Knit on straight needles. Each poinsettia is created in four petal groupings that are knit and felted separately. The petal groups are joined at their centers to form one flower, then attached to the wreath base.  Approximate finished diameter: 15″

Level: Advanced Beginner
Tools: Size 10 double point needles (for I-cord stems), size 10 straight needles (for flowers)
Yarn: Approximately 500 yards Red; 20 yards Yellow; 75 yards Stem

Kit includes Pattern and Pick Up Sticks 100% Wool Felting yarn in colors shown.  Also sold as a PDF Pattern only, file emailed to you after purchase and no shipping fees.