Scroll down to see all the patterns, or use the quick links to the left. More photos may be found at the Gallery.

Harry's Heart

"Harry's Heart" is in honor of my grandfather, who had a brave and wonderful heart.  This shawl was created piece by piece, and assembled by stitching all the piecse together for a plaid look.  The central panel is a Celtic knot pattern I modified and called, "Two Hearts Connected."  The decorative tan pieces, which I call "mini hearts," were  made with yarn-overs, and the remaining squares were made using the diagonal and right-angle methods.  By Erica.

Finished size:  24 x 76"
Yarns used: 
    C1: Patons Classic Wool Merino, #248 "Evergreen Mix," 2 skeins
    C2: Patons Classic Wool Merino, #228 "Dark Natural Mix," 3 skeins
    C3: Patons Classic Wool Merino, #231 "Chestnut Brown," 2 skeins
    C4: Donegal Tweed Homespun, #863 dark red, 1 skein
    C5: Donegal Tweed Homespun, #847 crimson, 1 skein
Needles:  8 US

Make pieces as follows:
    Diagonal method:  C1-8 pieces, C2-16, C3-12
    Right angle method:  C1-8, C3-8
    Mini hearts:  C2-12
    Two Hearts Connected:  C4-6
    Two Hearts as One:  C5-6

Diagonal:  

Cast on 3 stitches
K3
K to last stitch, knit front to back (kfb)
Repeat until there are 28 stitches on the needle
Repeat until three stitches left:  K to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together (k2tog)
Cast off loosely.

Right Angle:

Cast on 5, loosely.
1. Knit 1 row.

2. K1 [YO, K3, YO] K1
3. Plain knit 1 row
Repeat rows 2&3, adding one knit stitch before and after the YO sequence (i.e., K2..K2, K3...K3), until there are 37 stitches on the needles.
Cast off loosely (especially in the corner).
Block to form a square.

Mini hearts:

Follow these row patterns:
Row A: K1, p1, *[slip1 k1 psso, yo, yo, k2 tog]* p1, **, p2, **, p1, **, p1, k1
Row B: K2, p4, k1, p4, k2, p4, k1, p4, k2
Row C: K1 p1, k4, p1, k4, p2, k4, p1, k4, p1, k1
Cast on 24
Knit rows:  C, B  *[A, B, C, B]* 4 times
Cast off wrong side, tightly.


Two Hearts Connected:

This is from Ivanova & Carter's Celtic Knot Project-- great patterns!
Cast on 20
k one row
right side: k2, p2, k12, p2, k2
wrong side: k1 p1, k16, p1, k1
Use "Small Hearts Connected by Ribs" pattern as follows:
right side: k1 p1 k2 [pattern] k2 p1 k1
wrong side: k2 p2 [pattern] p1 k1 p1
Cast off tightly after last row of pattern.


Two Hearts as One:

Cast on 20
1. right side:  k2, p2, k12, p2, k2
2. wrong side:  k1 p1, k16, p1, k1
repeat rows 1 & 2
Use "Small Hearts Connected by Ribs" pattern as follows:
right side: k1 p1 k2 [pattern] k2 p1 k1
wrong side: k2 p2 [pattern] p1 k1 p1
Work pattern rows 1 - 10, and 25 - 34.
Repeat rows 1 and 2
Cast off tightly.

Assemble all by stitching together with matching yarns:


Finish with a crochet border: 
C5 1 round single crochet stitches
C1 2 round single crochet
C1 1 round reverse single crochet (aka "crab stitch")
Block whole shawl.

(back)

Poppies

"Poppies" is plush and warm! By Evelyn "The Master"
It took about 6 small skeins from the dollar store.

Finished size:  21 x 65"
Yarns used: 
    Lionbrand Boucle, 133 Tangerine
Needles:  8 US

Cast on 55.
Knit the garter stitch until the piece measures about 62 inches in length.
Finish with a crochet border:  single crochet stitches, stitching every 6th stitch to shawl to form loops.
(back)

Sunshine

As bright and warm as sunshine! By Evelyn "The Master"
About 2.5 skeins.

Finished size:  18 x 61"
Yarns used: 
    Caron Simply Soft Brites, #9503 Lemonade
Needles:  8 US

Cast on 94.
Knit the garter stitch for the first 3 rows.
Purl 1 row.
Do "Trinity" stitch until shawl measures about 60" repeating these four rows:
    K5, *(KPK) P3tog* repeat to last 5, K5
    K5, purl to last 5, K5
    K5, *P3tog (KPK)* repeat to last 5, K5
    K5, purl to last 5, K5 
Garter final 4 rows, cast off loosely.
Finish with fringe.
(back)

Loa's Laughter

This fun shawl is in honor of my grandmother.  We could always count on her for laughter and joy in life.  I think maybe my grandmother loved to play with her grandchildren as much as we loved playing with her.  Based on the Hestia shawl (pdf) from The Knitting Pen.  Used Cotton Ease throughout, doubling up with Silverlash and Fun Fur.  By Erica.

Finished size:  24 x 71"
Yarns used: 
    MC: Lionbrand Cotton Ease, #112 Berry, less than 3 skeins
    C2:  Patons Silverlash, #81415 Rose Quartz, 2 skeins
    C3:  Patons Silverlash, #244081 Maroon Magic, 1 skein
    C4:  Lionbrand Fun Fur, #320-195 Hot Pink, 1 skein
Needles:  15 US 29"circular

Hestia Lace pattern (A):
  Row 1: k3, * yo, k2, k2 tog, k2* repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, k3.
  Row 2 and 4: k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
  Row 3: k3, * k2, k2 tog, k2, yo* repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, k3.
 
Cast on 62 loosely.
Knit the garter stitch for five rows.
Knit the Hestia pattern as follows:
MC + C2 together Repeat (A) *13
MC + C3 rep (A) *3
MC + C4 rep (A) *3
MC + C3 rep (A) *3
MC + C4 rep (A) *3
MC + C3 rep (A) *3
MC + C4 rep (A) *3
MC + C3 rep (A) *3
MC + C2 rep (A) *13
Garter 5 rows.
Cast off loosely.
(back)

Fishing with Alvin Lee on Turkeyfoot Lake

Some of my fondest memories of my paternal grandfather are the two of us fishing the green-blue waters of Turkeyfoot Lake and riding in his beautiful little Chris Craft.  I don't think we ever caught a whole lot, but we sure had fun.  This shawl was a venture into knitting horizontally and it came out a lot longer than anticipated!  The length makes it great for wrapping around or doubling up for extra warmth.  A quick knit with fluffy yarn and extra large needles.  By Erica.

Finished size:  18 x 90"
Yarns used: 
    Red Heart Baby Clouds, #9364 Aquamarine, about two skeins
    Red Heart Baby Clouds, #9363 Breeze, about two skeins
Needles:  #19 US cables

Cast on 118 and garter stitch the long rows as follows:.
Color 1:  7 rows
Color 2:  3 rows
C1: 3 rows
C2: 8 rows
C1: 11 rows
C2: 8 rows
C1: 3 rows
C2: 3 rows
C1: 3 rows (Should have been 7 rows for symmetry and width, but I ran out of yarn.)
Cast off loosely
(back)

Seva

This Seva shawl was created in honor of Devotion...an offering of the self. By Gabrielle.
It was made by knitting a double strand: one being a multicolor acrylic yarn (2 skeins), and the other a solid "soft boucle" polyester/acrylic blend (2+ skeins).

Finished size:  28 x 60"
Yarns used: 
    Multicolor:  Red Heart, 0318 Watercolor, approx. 600yds.
    Boucle:  Bernat Soft Boucle, 26928 Grey Shades, approx. 550 yds.
Needles:  10.5 US, cabled is best

Cast on 60, using a double strand made of one strand from each yarn.
Knit the garter stitch until the piece measures 10 inches in length.
Continue with the stockinette stitch until the piece measures 50 inches in length.
Finish with the garter stitch until the piece reaches 60 inches.
Add fringe to the short edges with the multicolor yarn.
(back)

Margaret's Patience

Made in honor of my grandmother, Margaret Lee Smith, who taught me patience by her example. By Erica.




Finished size:  21.5 x 63"
Yarns used: 
    Main Color:  Cascade Quatro Peruvian Highland wool, Color 9440 (magenta, green, purple & navy strands)
                        nearly 3 skeins, approx. 600 yds.
    Color 2:       Ella Rae Classic Romanian wool, Color 43, 1 skein, approx. 200 yds.
Needles:  10.5 US, cabled

Cast on 80 in C2.
Note:  Slip first stitch each row for a finished edge, count as K1.
Garter st 8 rows.
Section *A*:
    MC garter 2 rows.
    C2 garter 2 rows.
    Do three times:
        [k3, *YO k2tog Kk2tog YO p; rep from *, end k2
        k2, p to last 3, k3]
    MC garter 2 rows  (end section *A*)

Repeat 3 times:
    [Seed stitch for 22 rows.
    Section *A*]

Seed st 78 rows (one full skein, ~18")

Section *A*
Repeat 3 times:
    Seed stitch (K P) for 22 rows.
    Section *A*

C2 Garter 8 rows
Cast off loosely
(back)

Julie's Centering

A soft and cozy shawl with a pleated texture.  By Erica. 

Finished size:  26 x 50"
Yarns used: 
    MC: Lionbrand Homespun, 368 Montana Sky, approx. 333 yds.
    C2:  Lionbrand Homespun, 386 Grape, approx. 61 yards
Needles:  10.5 US, straight or cabled

Cast on 60 sts MC.
Row 1:  Knit across.
Row 2:  (k4, p4) 7 times, k4.
Row 3:  (p4, k4) 7 times, p4.
   Note:  You might want to use garter stitch for first and last 2-4 stitches of all rows if you don't want the sides to curl under.  Also, slipping the first st in each row makes for a neat edge.  (These were tricks I learned after the fact.)

Rows 4 - 189: Repeat rows 2 & 3 for remainder of shawl, switching colors as follows:
Rows 1 - 30:  MC
Row 31 - 40 C1
Rows 41 - 70 MC
Rows 71 - 80 C1
Rows 81 - 110 MC
Rows 111 - 120 C1
Rows 121 - 150 MC
Rows 151 - 160 C1
Rows 161 - 190 MC

Row 190:  Knit across.
Cast off all stitches loosely.

Add fringe of desired length, using one strand MC and C1 for each tassel.  Wash and block.
(back)

Leo's Tenderness

A shawl like a cuddly, plush lion with a shimmering mane.  The Moonlight Mohair was on sale, so I couldn't resist!  As a beginner, I found the Boucle difficult to work with, as it was hard to distinguish between knit and purl stitches.  It did get easier after a while, and the Boucle made nice, subtle textures when reversing the stockinette stitch. By Erica.

Finished size: 20 x 62"
Yarns used:
    MC: Bernat Soft Boucle, Softest Straw, approx. 300 yds.
    C1:  Lionbrand Moonlight Mohair, Safari, approx. 160 yds.
    C2:  Lionbrand Moonlight Mohair, Rainforest, approx. 90 yds.
Needles:  10.5 US, cabled

Cast on 62 sts.
Note: Use garter stitch for first and last few (three) stitches on all rows.  Slip first stitch each row.)
23 rows Stockinette st (i.e., knit odd rows / right side, purl even rows / wrong side). 
3 rows Reverse St st (i.e., k even rows / wrong side, p odd rows / right side)
6 rows St st
8 rows  C2 St st
14 rows  MC St st
1row  Rev St st
3 rows  St st
1 row  Rev St st

10 rows  C2 St st
16 rows  C3 St st
10 rows  C2 St st
1 row  MC St st
1 row  Rev St st
3 rows  St st
1 row  Rev St st
16 rows  St st

1 row  Rev St st

3 rows  St st
3 rows  Rev St st
3 rows  St st
3 rows  Rev St st
3 rows  St st
3 rows  Rev St st
3 rows  St st
3 rows  Rev St st
3 rows  St st

1 row  Rev St st

16 rows  St st
1 row  Rev St st
3 rows  St st
1 row  Rev St st
1 row  St st
10 rows  C2 St st
16 rows  C3 St st
10 rows  C2 St st

2 rows  MC St st
3 rows  Rev St st
1 row  St st
8 rows  C2 St st
6 rows  MC St st
3 rows  Rev St st
23 rows  St st

Cast off all stitches loosely.
Add fringe of desired length, using two strands each of C2 and C3 for each tassel.  Wash and block.
(back)

Happy Baby Booties & Hat

Adapted from Knitwits Heaven




Yarns:
    MC:  Caron Simply Soft, Lemonade
    C2:  Patons Brilliant, Radient Red
Needles:  Size 5 US
 

Baby Hat

Using C2, cast on 70 sts.
Work in garter st for approx. 1/2". 
Change to MC, work in garter stitch 2 more rows.
Next Row: (k4, inc 1 st in next st), repeat to the last 5 sts, k5. 83 sts.
Continue garter st until piece measures 5".
Start decreasing as follows:
Row1: K 10, k2tog repeat to last 11, k to end. 77sts
Row 2 and every other row: Knit.
Row3: K2tog, k 10, repeat to last 5sts, k2tog, k to end. 70sts
Row5: K6, k2tog repeat to last 6, knit to end. 62sts
Row7: K2tog, k 6, repeat to last 4sts, k to end. 54sts
Row9: K4, k2tog. 45sts
Row11: K2tog, k4 repeat to last 3, k2tog, k last st. 37sts
Row13: K2tog repeat to last st, k1.
Repeat Row 13 till 5sts remain.
Break off yarn leaving enough to thread last 5 sts, And sew up back seam. Roll or Fold up brim.

Tassel:  Make 3 strands of chain stitch approx. 5" long.  Tie off ends.  Fold in half and tightly wrap a piece of yarn around the tassel about 1/2" below the top and tie securely, trim ends.  Sew tassel to top of cap.
 

Matching Booties

Pattern: Quick and EZ knit baby booties (Designer unknown)

Cast on 48 sts as follows:  6 sts in C2, 36 sts in MC, 6 sts C2
Beginning at back, work in garter st for 26 rows, changing colors each row: C2 6 sts, MC 36 sts, C2 6 sts.
Cast off 11 sts at beg. of next 2 rows--26 sts
K 10 more rows in garter
Next row: Dec 1 sts on each end--24sts
K1 row
Next 2 rows: K2tog across
Break yarn., draw through remaining 6 sts, pull up, fasten securely (toe end)
Fold bootie in half. Weave front and back seams.
Fold down top to form cuff.

(back)

Valentines

Fun little gifts for your sweetie.  Quick and easy, a great way to learn increases and decreases.

Mini Hearts adapted from: Mochi Mochi Blog

Finished size: 1.5 - 1.75 inches across
Yarn used: Patons Brilliant, Radient Red
Needles: size 5 US

CO 2 st row 1: kfb, k to last st, kfb row 2: p 1 row rep these 2 rows 6 times total (14 st)

row 3: k2 tog, k5 and turn, leaving remaining 7 st on the needle
row 4: p2tog, p2, p2tog
CO 4 st, cut a long piece of yarn (about 10″) and thread through back of piece to reattach to other side (where you left off when turning)
row 5: k5, k2tog
row 6: p2tog, p2, p2tog
Cast off 4 st

Repeat the above pattern for opposite side of heart. Weave in loose ends. With wrong sides facing each other, sew up the two heart pieces, stuffing with polyfill before making the last few stitches.

Heartwarmers  adapted from: Knit One Pearl Too blog

Used various yarns, mixing and matching front and back pieces and for decorating with duplicate stitches. 

Finished size:  approx. 3" across
Yarns used:  Patons Brilliant, Radient Red;
     Patons Allure, Garnet;
     Moda Dea Dream, Waterlily
Needles: size 5 US

CO 3 sts.
Row 1: (and all uneven rows): (WS) purl.
Row 2: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1.
Row 4: *k1, m1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 6: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1.
Row 8: k1, m1, k1, m1, knit to last 2 stitches, m1, k1, m1, k1.
Row 10-16: Repeat Row 6.
Row 18-22: Knit all stitches.
Row 24: k1, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1, turn. (Each top of the heart will be worked individually.)
Row 26: Knit all 9 stitches (all the stitches on the right side of the heart).
Row 28: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1.
Row 30: ssk, slip 1, k2tog, psso, k2tog.
Row 32: Cast off 3.
Repeat Rows 24-32 for the other side of the top of the heart.

Repeat the above pattern for opposite side of heart. Weave in loose ends. With wrong sides facing each other, sew up the two heart pieces, stuffing with polyfill before making the last few stitches.

(back)