Holiday 2008: Top Gift Knits

You've digested your turkey.  You've made peace with the extra lbs, for now at least.  Now you're ready to spend the next few weeks hunkering down and knitting for the loved ones in your life.  This year, especially, it seems right to make our gifts instead of buying things we don't need.  Here are my top recommended gift knits for Holiday 2008.  

Before you pick up the pointy sticks....remember the cardinal rule of holiday knitting:  

Thou shalt not knit for anyone who won't truly appreciate the time and effort you made.  

The Commuter: They'll thank you every morning when they pop on Stitchy Mama's   Mistake Rib Neck Warmer.  It's just easier to store a neck warmer in your bag when the train gets hot. This lovely version is by Bumps and Loops.

Dog Walking Friend:  A quick knit and so practical when you want warm hands but finger dexterity for putting on a collar and picking up the poo:  75 yard fingerless Malabrigo mitts. 

Best Friend:  Show her how much you love her with a cashmere Cable Knit Hat by Louise Pyle.  The version featured here is by PhD Knitter.  

Teen Niece/Nephew:  Brimster by Vickie Howell.  Cool hat, cool construction.  They will think you're cool, too.  Why are only 10 versions on Ravelry?  

Organic Baby:  Everything old is new again and it seems more new moms are using cloth diapers.  They will appreciate this Old Timey Soaker.  The gorgeous version featured here is by Petunia Honeysuckle.

Nice Neighbor:  Thank them for watching your kitty cat and taking in your mail with this wonderful everyday, everyone Spiral Hat by Laura Kolarik.  

Something to whip out when someone gives you a gift and you didn't plan on giving them one: It looks like you spent a lot more time than it will take.  Pull up a chair and whip out a few of these while watching your favorite holiday specials.  Daria Bracelet.

       

Sporty Friend:  Okay, it's my blog so I can feature my Sporty Scarf pattern, right?  Upgrade the puffy coat look of your sporty friend with a version of this scarf in colors he/she loves.  It would look great for a guy in greys, blacks and blues.  

Fancy Friend: Even if she prefers the ballet, she'll love the silk and alpaca Opera Scarf by Deb Peterson.

Mom and Dad:   Misti Alpaca Ruffles and Ridges Scarf by Nancy Kleiber skip the ruffles for Dad's version for a masculine version.  As much as I love Misti, I recommend using a super-soft wool like Malabrigo Chunky for this project.  Misti sheds a bit much for a scarf, in my opinion.    

Enjoy your holiday knitting!  Let me know, what are you making this year?

Never Give Up

True story.  I have been struggling for the last two weeks on my first Knitty submission.   After pulling out my 20th start, I sat down this afternoon to write a post about why giving up is okay.  Sometimes, it's good to let it go when things aren't working, right?  Walk away and don't worry yourself.  As I often do when I'm stuck, I sat down to write out this funny post poking fun at why I'm a nincompoop quitter.  

For inspiration I Googled quotes about giving up.  This one topped the list:

Never give up.  And never, under any circumstances, face the facts.  - Ruth Gordon

Gosh darn it!  I was hoping for a witticism, not that.  The funny kind of quote that makes you feel like a loser if you give up.  And wait, I'm most definitely not a loser.  I mean, I breastfed twins for a year.  I've run two marathons.  My kids have never, ever been late for school.  And sometimes they even have both their shoes on by drop off.   

It was a sign.  And I believe in signs.  (Just not the stop kind, which is why I spent part of Tuesday in traffic court, but that's another story entirely.)  

So I ripped it out again....and struck paydirt.  I'm thrilled with it.  Only a few more rows to go and this sucker is finished.  Now I can only hope to read the scribbles I wrote whilst doing it.  

Thank you, each and every one of you reading this right now.  If it weren't for you, I would've given in to my inner voice, who some of you may know sounds a lot like Ari Gold.   Can we even imagine what Ari would've said to me???

More later, plane takes off tomorrow and Thing 1 and Thing 2 are on it, so I guess I'd better be too!

   

Sweater Dresses and the Average Ass

To quote my irreverent and plain-spoken father, "it's colder than a witch's tit."  (Imagine the surprise on my WASPy East-Coast husband's face when I peeled off that little phrase for the first time....)

But back to the point.  Which was, exactly?  Oh, yeah.  It's cold.  It's time to wear sweater dresses, thick tights and tall boots.  

This is a post about how to wear sweater dresses and not look like your body was once stretched beyond recognition whilst gestating twins.  Like you didn't eat all those wings, drink all that beer and skip the gym for a few weeks straight.  Like the only sweating you've been doing is when you hump it to the fridge for that second glass of white wine.  

My love of sweater dresses knows no bounds, but I've never even attempted to knit one.  I don't even have one on my Ravelry favorites list.  Personally, I think sweater dresses are best when knit at a fine gauge.  By a machine.   In stockinette.  And I would rather not knit a whole dress on No. 3 or smaller needles.  For my non-knitting readers, picture knitting a dress on needles that fit into this circle: 0.  Enough said.

But...I'm a knitter.  I love knitwear.  Especially when it's done right - even if you didn't knit it yourself.  And for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner there's a sweater dress that will look good on you.  (Banana Republic's are all 30% off right now in stores.)   This little Banana Republic number is my No. 1 pick for looking good on Turkey Day.  Style it dressy casual with, Spanx black tights, tall black boots, a fancy scarf or bold black belt at the waist, and a really funky bold necklace and you've got the feast outfit.  IMPORTANT NOTES:  Make sure the dress hits you just above the knee if you have less-than-perfect legs, and honey, who doesn't?  This may mean getting the "tall" version....don't be afraid to experiment.  And DO cut off those little strings that hold the belt in place.  They are there to hold the self belt in place at retail.  Not on you.  Please.  Spread the word.  

But, please, please, please do not be tempted to wear cables on your ass.  

Do not add bulk in places where you shouldn't have any.  Even if you have a flat toushie, this will NOT make you look more in proportion.  Even if you weigh 90 lbs. soaking wet, this dress ain't gonna look good (even with a belt) because it all those cables mess up your nice clean lines.  Keep your lines in proportion by limiting the cables to the upper part of your sweater dress.  What color?  Not black.  Dark jewel tones or a grey that flatters your skin tone work best.  Open necklines like cowls or v-necks that draw attention to your face are great.

As another example, dive into dinner with a bang wearing fantastic sweater coat (or something like it that you DID knit).  If your sweater doesn't have a belt, be sure your dress does.  

And a brightly colored cowl-neck dress:

With black tights and black boots or shooties, natch.  

Those are my thoughts.  Tell me, what are my readers and fellow knitters wearing for the big feast?

My Friend Was Attacked, Help Send Good Vibes Her Way Please

My dear friend, crime writer Laura Caldwell (seen in my last post wearing that lovely neck-warmer) was attacked recently while jogging in Chicago.  All the thieves got was an ipod.  She, on the other hand, had to get four new front teeth.  This is a woman who has demonstrated nothing but moxie her whole life, so I know this won't get her down - instead she has made certain to get the word out through media outlets and her website.  

Laura was one of my first friends when I moved to Chicago and for the past umpteen years has been my source of calm and cool.  She's always perfectly dressed and knows exactly what kind of comebacks to give irritating people.  She's funny.  She's talented.  She appreciates my knitted gifts and supports my fledgling design career.  She's my friend. 

Please could you send your good vibes her way?  I would appreciate it, a lot, dear readers.  

Am I Going to Knitting Hell?

All of a sudden I realized that Christmas is just around the corner.   As of today, I have no plans to knit any holiday gifts.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  I've been too busy designing to even think about making things.  Am I going to go to knitting hell for this? 

I'll just have to re-live the happy memories of last Christmas, when each of my dearest friends received a little something to keep them warm:

MIL got a version of this formal boot bag by Laura Irwin from Bag Style:

And SIL got a version of the Wobbly Circles Tote by Leigh Radford:

You can kind of see it in the lower left-hand side of this photo.....where it sort of looks like I'm knitting but I'm really trying to remove the tag from something.  

I've never been a particularly organized knitter - you know, the kind with spreadsheets detailing every planned project and a timeline for completion of each.   If I end up feeling guilty, I might cast on a few pairs of these little fingerless mitts from Wendy of Knit and Tonic fame......so cute!

 

New Knitting Bag - Just Plummy

Remember my extensive search for an everyday tote that could also hold my knitting?  Check here, here and and here to catch up on the quest. 

Well...I had a birthday a while back and I finally used a gift card to get this B. Makowski beauty!

I've been wanting a plum tote for quite a while now, and this leather one fits the bill.  The leather is so soft and buttery....but of course it's not waterproof.  I tried like the dickens to find a patent one in plum that was at least the size and shape I wanted.  But all my options came in weird shades of purple that looked cheap.  Since my other tote is patent I didn't want to be the "shiny tote girl."  (Who'm I kidding, ain't nobody gonna call me a girl....don't get me started on the times I've been called ma'm this week....)

Next up, I search for a dark blue tote that fits my needs....any suggestions?

Sporty Scarf Versions 1.0 and 2.0

Well, well, well, you didn't think I was sitting around on my duff all week, didja?  I hope not, because I've been working my little fingers to the bone.....getting the pattern for Sporty Scarf ready to go AND making a version 2.0 in a different colorway.  

Sport Scarf, Version 1.0:  Same scarf, much better picture thanks to my friend Karen, owner of Knit 1.  She lets me use her amazing store as a clubhouse, photo studio, therapist office and snack shop.  And she makes me laugh so hard! 

Sporty Scarf, Version 2.0:  I love this version, too.  I used a website called Color Lovers  to experiment with color palette ideas.  Then, I headed to the stash and found these yarns.  I used five colors of worsted weight yarn - same as Version 1.0.  But I made some of the color repeats longer and switched the order of colors around a bit.  I don't understand a ton about color use - I just like what I like.  And I definitely like this.  

Because I've run into a few glitches getting HTML code from Ravelry, I will post a link to the free pattern ASAP.  For now, if you like pretty little Sporty Scarf and want to cast on one of your own.....just leave a comment and I'll e-mail you a copy.  

Also, I've been making noises out loud to myself and DH about submitting something to Knitty.  The deadline for the spring 2009 issue is December 1.  I'm a little anxious because the idea I have is for something they haven't done in a Spring issue before.  Please send me some good juju!

Styling Lynn's Shrug

It's true, it's happened!  More than 130 people have downloaded the free pattern for Lynn's Shrug.  I can't tell you how excited I am to see the FOs (finished objects for my non-knitting readers).  If you've knit it up or are in process, please do leave me a comment here or in Ravelry - or better yet send a photo.  

For further inspiration.....here's how I'd style Lynn's Shrug to go shopping......

Shopping in Chi-Town by ttwcreative

Keep Calm and Carry On

My personal motto and what I will need especially today....spending a lot of time in Thing 1 and Thing 2's classroom.  Makes me more jittery than the stock market does.  I hope I'm in one piece at the end of it! 

My Favorite Hat Pattern for Kids

I'm kind of obsessed with hats right now. I thought I'd share my favorite hat pattern for kids: the earflap hat by Susan B. Anderson. It's from her book Itty Bitty Hats.

Here is a version I made for Thing 2 to match her winter coat.  Made from Malabrigo (two discontinued colors), it has a square top.  I skipped the decreases and just knit straight ending with a 3 needle bind off.  I'm really proud of the freestyle embroidered design that matches the snowflakes on her coat.  The hat ended up a little big, so I added a turquoise fleece lining.  I love it and now I incorporate some sort of lining in most hats I knit. 

I like this pattern because of it's clever construction:  you knit the earflaps first and then cast on stitches in between them to make the bottom of the hat.  Very clever, Ms. Anderson!    

The version from her book is this one:

Another earflap hat pattern I've used with great success is this one from Yarnsticks.  

It calls for knitting the hat bottom up, folding the hat in half and picking up and knitting the earflaps on.  I like this pattern because she includes instructions for both chunky and worsted yarns.  

Are you knitting earflap hats?  What are your favorite designs?  

Head's Up: The Best Men's Hat Knitting Patterns

Update: If you're new here, welcome! This is one of my most popular posts so I don't want new readers to miss the fact that I have a great giveaway right here! Oh, and good luck with your men's hat knitting project. I'd love a comment or photo of yours!

I don't know much, but I know it feels so good if you can knit a hat that a man in your life really, truly loves. The kind he is wearing when you run into him accidentally. If that's your goal, I'm here to help. Here are my top go-to hat patterns that men actually will wear:

WW II Watch Cap: This pattern was originally published in 1940 by the American Red Cross. Women would sit in groups and knit these warm hats for our boys in uniform. The decreases produce a flat top guaranteed not to be pointy. (I hate that.)

Here's the original version in a light worsted weight yarn:

Here's a chunkier one I made for DH out of Malabrigo. He doesn't like to cuff his hats so I made it shorter. He wasn't around when I was taking photos, so I'm the stand-in. We have the same size head, if you can believe that!

Jacques Couseau Hat by Typy: Okay, it's another stretchy ribbed hat. But the top is so cool and it's by a Finnish designer! They know from warm hats. After observing the photos on Ravelry, I would say you are better off knitting this with a true DK-weight yarn. It looks too bulky in anything bigger. Also, be sure you knit the cuff long enough. You want it to look just like this version:

Lina by Johanna of Joko Knits: Also by a Finnish designer, with great cabled detail.

Herringbone Tweed Hat: Sophie T. O'Donnell is a really talented designer. This is one cool hat!

Brooklytweed's Red Light Special: A wonderful Fair Isle hat that looks great in many color combinations. I especially like his addition of a knitted liner!

If you're looking for a top-down pattern, the kind he can try on as you knit...here are some great ones!

Top Down Timothy Cap by Splinderella: This one has a really cool top design.





Corrugated Rib Hat by Steven Miller: Also a top-down. Steven is a new designer and this is his first pattern. I like the idea of stripes in this hat. I think it would look great in Noro!

Long post, but I hope you enjoy. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of these patterns. Did I miss one you really love?

What to Wear with Sporty Scarf

We knitters are a funny breed.  Most of us have a stack of scarves we've made but will never wear.  The reasons for this are myriad and include:

• Doesn't match my coat
• Can't find hat and gloves to go with
• Too itchy
• Not long enough 
• Too bulky
• Just plain ugly 

To avoid spending hours making accessories that don't work with your wardrobe, try creating an outfit set on Polyvore before you cast on.  Try to use items that closely match things currently in your wardrobe.  Here's how I'll wear my new Sporty Scarf:

Sporty Scarf Outfit No. 1 by ttwcreative

Give it a try and let me know how it works out!

Sporty Scarf

Everyone please welcome Sporty Scarf to the stable of my original designs!  

When you live in Chicago, you're wearing a scarf at least 6 months of the year.  From November until the end of May, women and men around town are wearing the three winter staples - the puffy vest, the puffy coat and the long black wool coat.  To keep your outfits from looking completely generic, you must own a collection of interesting, colorful and very warm scarves.  I generally wear a patterned scarf and then add a solid hat and gloves to ensure the scarf can steal the show.

Isn't it amazing that this

Can turn into this!