My latest pattern, Abbi Light, is now available! It is a DK/sport-weight version of my original Abbi Shawl Collar Cardigan (which used super bulky weight). A nice light layering piece perfect for the warmer months (or if you live in warmer climates).

It’s a top-down, seamless cap-sleeved cardigan that features a shawl collar that’s created using short rows. You can either wear it open or attach an after-thought button loop (directions included in the pattern) as shown in some of the photos on my website.

The sample photographed uses Quince & Co’s Chickadee yarn in the colorway “Carrie’s Yellow”. It’s such a nice yarn and I really love that shade of yellow. Here are just a few other ideas of yarns that would work well:

• Berroco Vintage DK
• Manos Silk Blend
• Knit Picks Swish DK
• Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light
• Madeline Tosh Pashmina

For more information or to purchase a downloadable PDF of this pattern, check out the Abbi Light pattern page on my website.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my latest pattern is a new version of the Abbi Shawl Collar Cardigan using a DK/sport-weight yarn. The pattern is pretty much done, the sample has been blocked and I even got a few pictures taken today. The pattern itself still needs to be tech edited and laid out, but I thought I would at least share some “sneak peek” photos. These photos show the version that has an after-thought button loop, but I’ll be taking photos of it without the closure too so you can see it both ways.

The pattern  should be released in about 2 weeks or so. Because it uses DK or sport-weight yarn (the sample was done in Quince & Co’s Chickadee) I think it makes a great spring/summer time cardi. Now I just need to come up with a name for it…maybe “Abbi Light”?

Looking on Ravelry.com recently I noticed that my free baby cardigan pattern “Little Coffee Bean” reached over 1,000 projects! It was one of my very first patterns I published and I’m so glad that so many knitters have enjoyed knitting it up. It’s always great to see finished project photos from other knitters so I thought I would share some adorable photos recently posted on Ravelry here (with the knitter’s permission of course!):

© taniaho

© taniaho

© ohharethey

© Viou

© butnostephanie

© kippetit

© stripespolkadots

My latest collection is now available for purchase! The Basics is a pattern book containing instructions for 3 beginner knitting projects and each pattern is written for 3 different yarn weights (DK, Worsted or Bulky). Additionally, I created video tutorials for each of the beginner techniques used in each pattern including: casting on, binding off, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, binding off in pattern, and joining to work in the round on circular knitting needles.

I think this collection would be especially helpful if you are brand new to knitting and need some good “getting started” patterns (that also have videos to help you along the way!) or if you are teaching someone else how to knit.

So it’s set up like a series:

 Pattern #1, Appleton, is the most basic and suitable for a new knitter’s first knitting project.

Pattern #2, Bethel, has many of the same basic techniques as Appleton but also incorporates the purl stitch so a new knitter will have the opportunity to expand their skill set.

Pattern #3, Canaan, incorporates all of the techniques a new knitter learned in the first two projects but also includes the technique of knitting on circular needles and joining to work in the round (including a video that shows exactly how to do this). Of all the projects, Canaan is probably the one that can appeal to most every knitter (not just the true-blue beginner). I really enjoyed knitting this up—it’s a great project for what I call “distraction knitting”. You know, when you knit while watching TV, or chatting with friends, or waiting at the doctor’s office. And since the instructions are for DK, Worsted and Bulky weight, you can choose whatever yarn you want to use for it.

Check out The Basics pattern page on my website for more detailed information and to purchase the collection.

I recently finished a simple little cowl pattern that is available exclusively at KnitWit yarn shop in Portland, Maine and is free with yarn purchase. It uses just one skein of Frog Tree’s Chunky Alpaca yarn—a very soft and cozy yarn. If you have ever knit with Cascade’s Baby Chunky Alpaca it’s very similar. And I LOVE this green color. It’s kind of been my color of choice this winter—my Solstice Cardigan is also knit up in a similar color. Must be all this winter gray outside—makes me want to wear as bright a green as possible!

So if you live in the area and like this pattern just stop on in to KnitWit.

Even though it has been a pretty warm winter (at least by Maine standards), you still can’t leave the house without some kind of warmth around your neck. One accessory I’ve been wearing a lot this season is a cowl my mom knit for me. It’s a pattern from Vogue Knitting’s Holiday 2009 issue–#11 Eyelet Cowl by Cathy Carron.  I read on Ravelry it’s also available in the book “Cowlgirls”. She used Plymouth Yarn’s Baby Alapaca Grande–it’s so soft and cozy!

Speaking of cowls, I just finished a pattern for one that will be available exclusively at KnitWit yarn shop in Portland (free with yarn purchase)…pictures to come soon!