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.

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”?

What’s this you see? Lovely Quince & Co Chickadee yarn (in my favorite Quince color “Carrie’s Yellow”), being knit into a DK-weight version of my Abbi Shawl Collar Cardigan pattern.  I’ve gotten many emails from knitters asking for a lighter version of this pattern (since the original calls for super bulky-weight yarn) and I couldn’t agree more.  The sample is being knit in Quince’s Chickadee but it will be written to work with any DK-weight yarn. I plan on publishing this new pattern (maybe I’ll name it “Abbi Light”? or “Abbi in Spring”?) in April so stay tuned!

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.

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!

What I liked most about it was the interesting stitch pattern and the perfect amount of “slouch” it has. Here are some pictures of the final product…and I couldn’t help but throw in one with my puppy. She desperately wanted to be in the photo shoot.

Cool stitch pattern

This pix shows the great slouch

Oh Alice...

I got to open up one of the boxes too—it was just like Christmas.

Let’s see, there was some Berroco Vintage Worsted, including some new multicolored shades. And a bunch of beautiful skeins of String Theory Caper Sock yarn, and some ultra soft Frog Tree Alpaca Chunky. I think that might be my favorite…but I’m always a sucker for alpaca.

Because I couldn’t resist taking some photos, below are some shots of the goods:

Want to know more? Here are some basics:

How do I get an account?

Right now the site is invite-only (kind of like how Ravelry was when it first started). But there are two ways to get an invite. You can either submit a request through the site or get an invite from someone who already has an account. So if you want one just send me an email and I’ll send you an invite!

So how exactly does it work?

When you are signed into your account on pinterest you can browse through the different categories and if you see any photos you like you can “re-pin” them to your own pinboard. And you can create different pinboard categories to keep everything organized. Here is a screen shot of my account (I just started so it’s a little minimal at the moment!)

Also, you can install a “Pin It” button on your browser’s bookmark bar so you can pin anything that you see on the web. And it grabs the source link so the original creator can be credited. The Pinterest site provides directions on how to do this.

Want to follow me on Pinterest? Just click below!