Updated Yahara Shawl pattern

I've recently finished a fingering weight version of my Yahara Shawl and have updated the pattern with the new sizes and yarn requirements (the original was in sport weight). I made my test version using Sundara FSM in Graphite (grey) and a limited edition blue/green/grey Music of the Night. This silk blend is a dream to work with and very soft to wear.

Have a great Friday and it looks like Spring is finally here to stay!

New Patterns: Mini Roni Hat and Yahara Shawl

I have two new patterns to share with you today. Both are great for spring knitting.

Yahara Shawl
This shawl is knit using two skeins of sport weight yarn. I love the size and shape of the shawl; it is very wearable in a variety of ways: as a scarf, with a pin, or as a wrap. I lightly blocked mine and arranged the ripples into shape instead of pinning them. I used The Plucky Knitter Traveler Sport in High Cotton and Vignette. Love this yarn! So snuggly.

Mini Roni Hat
This is the fingering/sock weight version of my Rib-a-roni and Bulky Roni hats. It is great for spring and fall. I used about half a skein on the large, so it would be a great scrap buster if you wanted to add a stripe or two. The pattern is written with 10 sizes.

New Pattern: Kegonsa Hat

I think the weather is a bit confused. Today is the first full day of spring and I was greeted by 0 degrees wind chill. Yikes! So, another Aran weight hat is in order. I'm in love with Aran weight hats, especially if they are in The Plucky Knitter's Primo Aran.  This yarn is so lovely that I didn't want to let the leftovers from my Mendota and Monona hats go to waste. So, the Kegonsa Hat was born. Easy two stripe pattern with a bit of texture to give it some complexity. And, the squish factor is pretty awesome. I also wrote the pattern to be used with Worsted weight yarns. Or, you could do a single color (just ignore the directions to switch colors in the pattern).

Not only is the yarn wonderful, but I'm really liking the relaxed fit of the hat. Not too slouchy and not fitted like a beanie. Just right. Here's the neutral (Aran) version:

I even made it in some highly contrasting yarns (purple and berry pink worsted) and it looks pretty cute.

Pattern is now available in my Windy Prairie Designs shop on Ravelry and will be available in my Etsy shop as well. 

Stay warm out there!

What's new in the Etsy shop?

I've been a busy bee lately. When I'm not designing knitting patterns, I've been sewing up a lot of new things for Windy Prairie Designs Etsy shop.

Here's whats new:
"Nicer Than Plastic" Zippered Bags: 
Why use a plastic bag when you can store your yarn and projects in a secure, zippered fabric bag? Perfect for transporting a project, extra skeins for a larger project, or containing small amounts of yarn for your scrappy projects. So many uses and so much nicer than plastic! 

Stand-up Padded Zippered Bag:
A knitting friend was looking for a notions bag that could hold a lot and this is the design we came up with. It is such a handy size, but not too big.

Knitting Patterns:
I've added a section to the shop with my knitting patterns. Three hats (Bulky Roni, Monona, and Mendota) and the Wingra mittens patterns are currently available. They are available as PDFs sent to your email address.

I also have lots of cute small zippered notions bags, large padded notions bags, and composition notebook covers in stock. Here's a few of the new ones:

Thanks!

Two New Hat Patterns: Monona & Mendota

Winter is still hanging on around here, so a cozy hat or two is still needed. Aran weight yarn is a perfect match for the weather.

Monona Hat is a beanie-style hat with a stretchy rib pattern that gives a great fit.

Mendota Hat is a relaxed fit sort of hat; not a close fitting beanie, not quite a slouchy style. I love how it fits!

Both hats were knit in Aran weight yarn, which means they have about 175-200 yards/100g. They would look very nice in either a solid or semi-solid yarn. Perfect for a subtle hand-dyed yarn.

My Etsy Shop is open!

I've been working on writing patterns and sewing up a storm to get ready for opening my Windy Prairie Designs Etsy Shop. Here's what I have to offer:

Large padded zippered notions pouches:
I have been knitting a long time and always had a hard time keeping track of the needles required for sweaters or blankets. I've tried zip top bags but got tired of the needle tips popping through the plastic. Adding them into my regular notions bag didn't work because for some sweaters I need two long circulars, two short circulars, and a set or two of double point needles. There are needle organizers out there that tie or button close, but I wanted the security of a zipper. These large pouches can hold many circular needles and double points, and yet they lay flat and don't take up a lot of room.

large pouch

Small zippered notions pouches:
I've also made a small pouch that is great for your regular notions. It amazes me how much it can hold.

small pouch

Composition notebook covers:
Composition notebooks are always a favorite for keeping track of your ideas. From knitting and crochet notes to your everyday writing, they are great. My fabric covers fit your standard composition notebook, available at department and office supply stores. They are reversible as well, if you'd like another look.

Lots of fun fabrics to choose from, so take a look!

New Pattern--Wingra Mittens

I wanted a pair of mittens to go with my new Bulky Roni hat. I knew I wanted cables, but couldn't really find something that fit the bill to go with the yarn I had in mind. I'm usually a "classic" style sort of person and wanted something elegantly simple, because detailed cables don't always work with heavy-weight yarns. It couldn't be too cabled because I had one skein to work with. 

Here's what I came up with: Wingra Mittens

These were inspired by and knit out of The Plucky Knitter "Plucky Bulky" yarn, in the Peep Toes colorway. Red is one of my favorite colors and this one just is the best. 

The pattern is in one size, average women's. My hand has a 7.5" circumference, measured above my thumb. If you wanted to make them bigger, you could go up a needle size and plan to use more yardage. You might want to have a second skein if you upsize. 

Pattern available on Ravelry here. 

I have made another sample in worsted weight yarn on smaller needles and it fits great on your average preschooler-kindergartener size hand.