Idle Hands

Ravelry roundup: My current obsessions

The darling sweater is coming along nicely.  But sometimes you see a pattern that just makes you want to drop everything and start a new project.  Here are a few of my recent favorites:

Cuffed hand warmers by purl soho -- they just look so soft and smushy: 

via purl soho

 

Greta, by Elisa Contolini -- styled like a giant collar, it feels both feminine and strong.

 

via Quince & Co.

Greta headband by Nikki Wagner -- so many pretty Gretas!  I've found that a regular hat only looks nice when my hair is down (a knit cap just doesn't work with a pony tail or bun), but if I go without a hat entirely, I am left with cold ears.  This knit headband is the perfect solution -- pretty, with a vintage feel.  

via Interweave

Abate by Alicia Plummer -- this sweater is so simple and so adorable.  And I love that it would work for a little boy or a little girl. 

via Ravelry

 Happy Knitting! 

 p.s. Want to know more about ravelry roundups?  Find out here.

Boot Cuffs: Yay or Nay?

I started this project as a gift for someone else, then decided it was just too ridiculous. So...

I decided to keep them for myself. 

Friends, these are boot cuffs.  Somewhat miraculously, they do make your legs feel a bit warmer, but their main purpose is simply to adorn your boots.  Useful?  Not particularly. Silly?  Certainly.  But also, I think, whimsical and adorable.    

At least I am not alone, judging from all the boot cuff patterns available out there.  Mine are from the Kertasnikir Boot Topper pattern by Cirilia Rose, but here are a couple others to consider:

Quilted Lattice Welly Warmers from Pam Powers Knits

via Pam Powers Knits

Cozy Boot Cuffs from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

via Churchmouse Yarns & Teas

Happy Knitting!

Ravelry roundup: Colorwork hats

A hat may be the perfect handmade gift.  It's quick and easy, and if you pick a pattern that features colorwork, it gives you lots of room to show personality. 

The radio frequency hat I made for my sister-in-law is one of my favorite projects -- the mustard and purple combination was perfect for her:

The check slouch hat by Triona Murphy reminds me of that pattern's laid-back cool:

via Knitscene

For the more sporty among us, there's the No. 10 by Kristin Ford:

via Shibui

The Jordan hat by Cirilia Rose looks so cozy, knit with two colors of bulky yarn:

via Berocco

And last but not least, I am digging this modern take on fair isle (Undergrowth by Mandy Powers):

via Knitty

Happy knitting!

 

p.s. Want to know more about ravelry roundups?  Find out here.

Ravelry roundup: Fall knitting

It's that time of year: back-to-school ads in the paper, Oktoberfest selections in the store, and a flurry of just-released fall knitting patterns.  Twist Collective released their fall issue, and Brooklyn Tweed and Quince & Co. have released new look books, among others.

Here are a few of the patterns I've seen recently that have me yearning for cooler days:

Pixel by Ivete Tecedor

Horatio and Oren by Barbara Gregory

Quill by Jared Flood

featherweight by Hanna Fettig

Happy Knitting!

P.S.  One of the most useful knitting blog posts I've seen in a long time:  Jared Flood on fitting.  He shows examples of different amounts of ease through photos of the same knit garment on two models.  Super helpful! 

Ravelry roundup: Summer knits

It takes a lot for me to get excited about summer knitting.  Not that I don't like to knit in the summer -- I like to knit any time.  It's just that, really, how many knit halter tops does a girl need?  I think perhaps one is too many.

That said, every once in a while I encounter a gossamer-light garment that looks just right for a summer day.  Like the silken straw summer sweater from the Purl Bee:

via the Purl Bee

Also from the Purl Bee, this lovely Cap Sleeve Lattice Top. I would probably want to make it a little longer in the waist, but the open weave at the top is cool and unexpected in a handknit garment:

via the Purl Bee

And one more:  I love just about any style that's business in the front and party in the back.  Take the Francis sweater by Olga Buraya-Kefelian.  From the front, it looks like a simple short-sleeve pullover: 

But the back is so unique:

via Olga's flickr stream

For more great summer knits, check out last year's summer knitting roundup.  Want to know more about ravelry?  Find out here. 

Ravelry roundup: Embroidered knits

It will come as no surprise to you, dear reader, that I love embroidery. 

When it comes to knitting, embroidery adds wonderful color and texture, not to mention undeniable sweetness.  See for yourself in the adorable Henrietta Maria cardigan by Cotton Gin and Tonic:

So charming, right? 

A little embroidery can make a simple sweater special, like these snowflakes on Marie Grace's Wintersweet sweater:

via Marie Grace Designs

Embroidery can also make a colorwork pattern feel complete and multidimensional, as in the Marta Embroidered Bag by Lucinda Guy:

from Northern Knits

I just love this bag! 

Happy Knitting.

P.S. Want to know more about Ravelry and the Ravelry roundups feature?  Read more here.

Ravelry roundup: A crochet resolution

My crochet skills are virtually nonexistent. 

But wait, you say -- didn't you make a crocheted Irish Lace Scarf? 

Well, yes, but only once.  That scarf was the crochet equivalent of memorizing lines in a language you don't know: it sounds okay, and you can fake it for a while, but you can't deviate from the script.

So, I want to get better.  It's hard, though, because many of the beginner patterns out there are a bit unappealing.  I want to skip past washcloths and go straight to fun scarves.  To that end, I've been keeping my eye out for covet-worthy beginning crochet projects.  Here are my favorites so far:

Touchdown Wristers fingerless gloves from Lion Brand Yarn

via Lion Brand Yarn

Time Out Cowl, also from Lion Brand

via Lion Brand Yarn

Calm Cowl by Twitchy

via twistedsix7's Flickrstream

All good inspiration for a new skill, right?  Happy crocheting!

Ravelry roundup: Gift ideas

With the holidays approach, I thought I'd share a few quick-to-knit gifts in this ravelry roundup.  All of these accessories use bulky yarn, which I love and which knits up fast. 

I am enamored with the Mortar cowl by Elizabeth F. Parker -- think of all the fun color possibilities:

via fuxxxia's flickr page

Of course, hats make great quick projects.  I recently wrote about the Serendipity baby hat pattern, which I love, but there are plenty of great adult hats using bulky yarn, including one of my favorites, the Sideways Grande Cloche by Laura Irwin:

from  Boutique Knits

Mittens always a convey that sense of "a snowball fight could break out at any time" fun, and the cabling on these Bella's mittens (by Marielle Henault, so named because they look like mittens Bella was wearing in the first Twilight move) makes them feel special:

via subliminalrabbit's flickr page

I'm hoping to curl up this weekend with some knitting, so I'll have more pictures for you soon.  Happy Knitting!

Ravelry roundup: Hoodies

The forecast for the next few days has the temperature dipping down into the 50s, which has me thinking of hoodies.  When I was in college, my stylish roomate Janelle had the perfect hooded sweater -- styled like a sweatshirt, but made of a cashmere blend.  Casual enough to wear anywhere, but luxurious enough to feel chic, and endlessly comfy.

The Ithaca Jacket by Connie Chang Chinchio looks just right:

via Connie Chang Chinchio on Flickr

I love the giant buttons and raglan sleeves on the Twinkle Hoodie by Wenlan Chia.  Bonus: It looks like it would be super quick to knit up.

via sushipie on Flickr

The Vivian hoodie by Ysolda Teague is so beautifully fitted: see the way the cables narrow at the waist?

via Twist Collective

Happy Knitting!

Ah, fall

Although the leaves are still green, the signs are accumulating:  Football season has started, today is our last CSA pickup of the summer, and my walks with Bailey are starting to require sweaters.  Fall is coming!

This yarn wreath from AnnaHailey's shop on etsy seems like a lovely way to welcome the change of seasons.