Easy Designer Holiday Gifts

Last night I received an e-mail from M0851 (they make beautiful leather goods) advertising their new line of scarves. And what should I find, but scarves that beginner knitters can make, at five times the price that knitters can make them!  I love M0851, and since appropriation is the sincerest form of flattery, I wrote up how to make them yourself! Enjoy, and happy holiday knitting! 



Garter Stitch Merino Scarf

Their price:  $180

DIY price:  $32 to $38

Skill Level
Total Beginner


Size
approx 6" wide


Materials

• 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted  or 2 skeins of Malabrigo Rios 
• 5mm needles
• darning needles (for weaving in the ends)

Techniques

• Weaving in the ends

Directions

Cast on 28 sts. 

Knit every row. When you run out of yarn on the first skein, attach the second at the end of a row, leaving 5 inches of tail for each skein. 

Work until desired length or you have about 3 feet of yarn left.

Cast off loosely. Weave in the ends.

1x1 Rib Scarf

Their price:  $165

DIY price:  $32 to $38

Skill Level

Beginner 

Size

approx 6" wide

Materials

• 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted  or 2 skeins of Malabrigo Rios 
• 5mm needles
• crochet hook (for fringe)
• darning needle (to weave in ends)

Techniques

• Carrying colours up the side
• How to make fringe
• Weaving in the ends

Directions

Cast on 40 stitches with darker colour

R1, 3: *Knit1, purl 1; repeat from * to end of row. 

R2: Repeat R1. Change to lighter colour yarn.

R4: Repeat R1. Change to darker colour yarn by lifting it up from under, and in front of the current strand being used.

Repeat R1 to 4 until scarf is desired length.

Cast off loosely following the Knit 1 Purl 1 rib.

Add fringe if desired.

Easy Textured Scarf

Their price:  $165

DIY price:  $32 to $38

Skill Level
Beginner

Size
approx 8" wide

Materials

• 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted  or 2 skeins of Malabrigo Rios 
• 5mm needles
• darning needle (for weaving in the ends)

Techniques

• Weaving in the ends

Directions

Cast on 36 sts. 

Rows1 to 3: * knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch; repeat from * to end of row.

Rows 4 to 6: *purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch; repeat from * to end of row.

Continue to work rows 1 to 6.  When you run out of yarn on the first skein, attach the second at the end of a row, leaving 5 inches of tail for each skein. 

Work until desired length or you have about 3 feet of yarn left, ending on a Row 2 or  Row 5.

Cast off loosely in the pattern stitch already established. Weave in the ends.

Mohair Scarf

Their price:  $95 to $130

DIY price:  $17 to $34

Skill Level
Beginner


Size
approx 10(16) inches wide


Materials

• 2(4)  skeins of Kidluxe Mohair
• 5.5mm needles
• darning needle (for weaving in the ends)
• crochet hook (for making fringe)

Techniques

• Weaving in the ends
• How to make fringe

Directions

Cast on 40(64) sts. 

Knit every row. When you run out of yarn on the first skein, attach the second at the end of a row, leaving 5 inches of tail for each skein. 

Work until desired length, approx 60(72) inches.

Cast off loosely. Weave in the ends. Add fringe if desired.

Mohair Blanket

Their price:  $295

DIY price:  $85

Skill Level
Beginner


Size
approx 72" x 80" 


Materials

• 10 skeins of Kidluxe Mohair
• 5.5mm-36" circular needles (or longer)
• darning needle (for weaving in the ends)
• crochet hook (for making fringe)

Techniques

• Weaving in the ends
• How to make fringe

Directions

Cast on 288 sts. 

Knit every row. When you run out of yarn on the first skein, attach the second at the end of a row, leaving 5 inches of tail for each skein. 

Work until desired length, approx 80 inches.

Cast off loosely. Weave in the ends. Add fringe if desired.

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

New Vogue Knitting Holiday 2011

Vogue Knitting Holiday 2011 ~ $8.50

The latest issue of Vogue Knitting just arrived!  You can see a preview HERE. Click on the pictures to see them close up. 


Here are some of my favourites ...

Cabled sweater by Mari Lynn Patrick (I love her designs!)

An elegant mohair pullover .... I can live without the slits up the sleeves, but that is easy to modify. 

Quick lace arm warmers knit on 8mm needles (super fast holiday gifts, yeah!). Brown Sheep Burlyspun or even Malabrigo Chunky (it blooms) would be soooo lovely! Malabrigo Aquarella  or Gruesa would make a great textured version.

A very clever jacket knit in one piece, from side-to-side.  how beautifu;l would this be in Berroco Boboli or Malabrigo Rios?!

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

New Knitscene Winter 2011

Knitscene Winter 2011 ~ $9.99

The new Winter 2011 issue of Knitscene just rolled in! Check out the projects Here or Here. I like this picture of the Wragby Cardigan because it looks like the model is shivering - very wintery! :-)

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Quick Halloween Knits!

A few projects that you'll pull out of the closet for Halloween year after year, for parties, or trick-or-treating with the kids. 

Hallowig

1 skein of Berroco Vintage, or Malabrigo Rios, or Malabrigo Worsted 

Bats

1 skein of Cascade 220 Sport Superwash

Debil Zevil

1 skein of Berroco Vintage, or Berroco Comfort, or Lamb's Pride Bulky, or Malabrigo Chunky.

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Fall Finds!

Fall has finally settled in, and it's time to get cozy and make something to tuck into!  Here are some of thef projects that are inspiring us right now (freebies, of course!):

Rikke

2 skeins of Cascade 220 Sport Superwash, or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK

Honeycomb Cowl

4 skeins Cascade 220 Sport Superwash, or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (and you can always sub a thicker yarn like Malabrigo Worsted or Malabrigo Rios, use needles one mm up and cast on about 20% fewer stitches)

Big Herringbone Cowl

2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted (that's what I used for mine an it is delicious), or 2 of  Malabrigo Rios, or 2 of Berroco Boboli, or 4 of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. 

Onda Su Onda

1 skein of Malabrigo Worsted, or Cascade Eco Duo, Abuelita Worsted 

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

New Publications from Interweave!

Interweave Knit.Wear, Premiere 2011 ~ $15.99

Check out Interweave's brand-new knitting issue: knit.wear, simple handknits for the thoughtful knitter. They are focusing on conceptual, wearable knits with a clean, modern aesthetic—built in unusual ways and with interesting techniques. Interesting to knit, easy to wear. knit.wear is packed full of knits that combine modern style with interesting knitting: in “The Perfect Sweater”, Pam Allen explores one simple shape, four ways. In “On The Edge”, clean designs showcase just one or two fine details.“The Elements of Knitting” explores designs that use only knits and purls.“Ruffle, Drape, and Pleat” folds and manipulates knitted fabric in new ways. And “Assembly Required” focuses on unique constructions and structured stitches with a sculptural quality.   ~ $15.99  

Knitting Traditions, Fall 2011 ~ $15.99

Grab your needles, pack your yarn, and get ready for one of the greatest tours around the world.PieceWork magazine brings you the latest issue of Knitting Traditions, a 148-page special publication. Explore the amazingly rich traditions of knitting from all over the world. Start your tour in the British Isles and make your way to the mainland of Europe; adventure through countries like Switzerland, Norway, Estonia, and Russia. Then wind your way into Asia to the Gobi Desert and East India. Next, journey to South America and the Andes. End your tour in the US with some intriguing stories from the prairie. Indulge your passion for knitting with unique patterns inspired by these different regions, plus a special gift section so you can share your fervor for knitting.

There is so much to explore with Knitting Traditions, Fall 2011. Inside you’ll find:

• Over 35 patterns from all over the world, designed by master knitters like Nancy Bush, Margaret Stove, Galina Khmeleva, Evelyn Clark, as well as the popular Scottish Kilt Hose by Audrey Manwaring-Spencer
• Inspiring and informative companion stories that frame the projects with cultural and historical context, taking you to the heart of knitting from around the world.
• Focuses on techniques ranging from lace and colorwork to heel treatments of the 16^thcentury, with various projects like stockings, socks, mittens, shawls, and sweaters to accompany.
• And so much more.

Knitting Traditions brings the extraordinary history of knitting to life!

Weekend Hats ~ 27.95
25 Knitted Caps, Berets, Cloches, and More

Embrace the hottest head-turning fashion accessory: the knitted hat. The clever designs of Weekend Hats will have enthusiastic knitters everywhere rejoicing in year-round hat style. Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre have brought you the best in designer knit hat patterns all in one beautiful and fun-loving collection. Included are 25 clever variations on caps, berets, beanies, cloches, hats, toques, tams, and snoods ranging from feminine to sporty. This collection of unique designs makes knitting a picture-perfect hat easy-to-do, offering the best in contemporary style and customized techniques. Inside you'll find:  

• Twenty-five contemporary hat patterns from authors Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre as well as top-notch designers including, Jared Flood, Connie Chang Chinchio, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Courtney Kelley, Kristen TenDyke, Cirila Rose, and more.
• Expert advice appropriate for a variety of skill levels with special attention paid to exploring cables, lace, color, and texture.
• Tips and tricks on how to maximize the use of specialty yarns and accessories to add a little panache to your designs.

All the designs in Weekend Hats are ideal projects for travel, gifts, or sneaking in between larger knit projects. With the guidance of this expert knitting team, you'll learn everything you need to know to master both the styling and technical aspects of creating distinctive knitted hats. Whether you're interested in comfort, style, or just knitting enjoyment, Weekend Hats is your all-in-one resource for creating want-to-wear knitted caps.

Interweave Knits 2012 Wall Calendar ~ $14.95

Explore sweater constructions, fabrics, and details with the editors of Interweave Knits in this beautiful 12-month wall calendar. Inspirational photos, expert advice, how-to diagrams and sketches, and collages of Interweave Knits' favorite designs in the last four years encourage knitters to make a modification, try out a new technique, or discover a new shape—all year long.

Interweave Crochet Fall 2011 ~ $7.99

In this issue, they ease you into autumn with twenty smart designs that offer both challenges and quick gratification. Combine broomstick lace with a shell pattern; turn Tunisian on its side in an entrelac pullover; twist tiny cables into hats; try a top-down raglan for a child. Begin your own Clones lace keepsake with Maire Treanor's first two motifs in her series on Clones lace. Get your hooks ready for a season of smart crochet.  

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!