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Entries in Whit's Knits (78)

Saturday
Aug142010

Whit's Knits: Fruity Trivets + Pot Holders - The Knitted Version!

A few months ago I made a crocheted version of these Trivets and Pot Holders...

Lots of crocheters picked up their hooks to make themselves a set or two, but it turns out that quite a few knitters felt a little left out. So, by popular demand and so everyone feels included, here is a knitted version of the same Fruity Trivets and Pot Holders. Just as thick and squishy, just as practical, just as cute, you can take your pick!

Like their crocheted cousins, the knitted versions are made out of the beautiful Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. Its sassy, vibrant colors are perfect reflections of August, whether you spend it at the beach, the back porch, or the park (like us!).

We're really excited to announce that these Fruity Trivets + Pot Holders are our first ever Purl Bee Kit! Each kit includes a hard copy of both the crochet and knit patterns, and also all of the Blue Sky Cotton yarns pictured above (enough for at least one of each Trivet and Pot Holder). Hooks and knitting needles are not included (we don't want people to have to double up on what they already own!). If you would like to order a Knit or Crochet Fruity Trivets + Pot Holder Kit please click here. And to check out the pattern, please visit our Knitted Fruity Trivets + Pot Holders Project Journal.  You can find our original Crocheted Fruity Trivets + Pot Holders Project Journal right here. Thanks! - Whitney

Posted on DateAugust 14, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , | Comment9 Comments
Sunday
Aug012010

Whit's Knits: Heirloom Hats for Newborns

It used to be about every two years that a friend or a cousin had a baby. I was able to knit each newborn a blanket or at least a sweater. Lately, though, it feels like about every two minutes that a new baby comes along, and so, sadly, hand knit baby blankets have fallen by the wayside. But I am not willing to forego hand knit baby gifts altogether, nor am I willing to give the impression that I threw some yarn together into something vaguely wearable and oh-by-the-way-congratulations-about-the-baby. In other words, I have been in serious need of a quick, but exquisite baby gift.

Nothing's quicker than a hat, but how to convey that this is no ordinary hat? Choose an extraordinary yarn. Louet's Mooi yarn is instantly special. A blend of bison, cashmere, and bamboo, it is as light as a feather and as soft as a kitten. Dyed or undyed, it has a natural beauty that evokes a forest floor. Plus, the 350 yard long skeins mean that I'm all set for at least the next six babies!

These hats have a timelessness and a delicacy that put me in an old attic kind of mood. They seem to already have a story. Imagine: a huge steamer trunk, a dusty tuxedo, a playbill, a crushed patent leather pump, and, on top, some carefully folded tissue paper. Hidden among the folds, these tiny hats wait to be discovered for the next generation of babies born.

I am thrilled to have this new go-to project that I can make with pleasure, give with pride and bestow with joy. For instructions on how to make your own, please visit our Heirloom Hats for Newborns Project Journal. Thanks! - Whitney

Posted on DateAugust 1, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , , | Comment21 Comments
Sunday
Jun132010

Whit's Knits: Woven Flower Necklace

I recently spent some time experimenting with Purl's newest craft accessory, the Hana Ami Flower Loom, and the result is this charming chain of flowers. It was a real joy to make, combining simple weaving techniques with some basic needlework. I love these flowers with their quirky little personalities and bright dispositions. They really bring a smile!

The Materials

  • 10 skeins of Brown Paper Packages' Trio needlepoint yarn, 50% Silk and 50% Merino Wool. These colors, from the left, are: Margarita, Apple Martini, Candlelight, Citron, Quince, Clementine, Watermelon, Salmon, Shrimp, and Taffy. This is enough yarn to make at least three necklaces.
  • A Hana Ami Flower Loom from Clover. (The loom comes with a plastic tapestry needle, but I used a metal one.)
  • A size E crochet hook.

The Loom

The Hana Ami Flower Loom comes with six attachments and multilingual instructions for all of the different ways to use them. When you think about combining attachments and mixing techniques, the possibilities are endless. Playing around with the loom, I made these two flowers...

...but decided to make my necklace with these flowers.

They were made on the smallest circular loom, and each one is about an inch and half in diameter. The Trio yarn comes in so many subtle shades and with such a beautiful shine that I really felt like I was making beautiful little jewels!

Making the Necklace

Once I had woven all eight flowers, I crocheted them together using a simple chain stitch. To attach the flowers, I brought the hook under a couple of strands at the center of the flower and made a slip stitch. I used the Margarita color to attach the first three flowers and then switched to the Apple Martini for the next five, chaining 20 stitches between each flower. The final necklace is 28 inches around, but you can easily

customize yours by adding or subtracting flowers and/or chain stitches. 

This is really just one of a million ideas that come to mind with the Flower Loom. Crochet flowers together for an amazing curtain or even bedspread, sew a pin to the back for a sweet brooch, or assemble a whole bouquet. Let us know where your imagination takes you! Thanks! - Whitney

Posted on DateJune 13, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , , | Comment32 Comments
Thursday
Apr222010

Whit's Knits: Fishnet Anklets


Vintage knitting patterns are filled with mesh stockings, lace "evening gloves" and form fitting sweater sets. As life as gotten more and more hectic, knitting needles have gotten bigger and bigger, and hand knits have gotten, well, bulkier and bulkier. Occasional lumpiness has its charm, but do we really want to be less sassy than our Victorian ancestors? Here is a pattern that will never be accused of frumpiness, but which takes into account our very busy lives: quick to make but not at an unflattering two stitches to the inch!

It seemed like a pair of Fishnet Anklets called for something beyond traditional sock wool, so I made these with Koigu's very special Mori yarn. Spun and dyed like the Koigu Premium Merino that we all love, the Mori is 50% merino and 50% mulberry silk. The shine and luxury of the silk are just what these socks needed!

Dressed up or down, these socks are surprisingly happy to accommodate. And so fast to whip up, they're definitely going on my last minute gift list! To make a pair or two, please check out our Fishnet Ankelt Project Journal. Thanks! - Whitney

Posted on DateApril 22, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , | Comment24 Comments
Friday
Apr092010

Whit's Knits: Sparkle Scarf for Mother's Day

My mother has never made fashion her top priority, but recently she has become quite into in what she calls "fancy scarves", by which she means any scarf you might wear for a reason other than warmth. At first, how to wear an accessorizing scarf totally baffled her, but after thoroughly interrogating her friends she has learned a surprisingly wide range of tying techniques, some of them way beyond the skill set of a first mate. So with Mother's Day around the corner (May 9th!), I thought I'd whip up a "fancy scarf" just for my mom.

When it comes to fanciness Tilli Tomas yarns are the obvious first choice. Their Symphony Lace is a gorgeous kid mohair, silk, nylon and wool blend with beads and glitter. This yarn is so delicate and beautiful that knitting with it feels like spinning a magic web. On a practical note, unlike other beaded yarns I've used, these beads don't slide down into clumps. Instead, they stay happily in place so you don't even have to think about them. Nice!

This scarf has just enough interest to keep you going (knitted on the bias with eyelets along the borders), but is easy enough to let you just enjoy the creation. To make one for your mom, please visit our Sparkle Scarf Project Journal! Thanks! - Whitney

P.S. Besides moms, I keep thinking this might be just the thing for brides this spring!

Posted on DateApril 9, 2010 | Authorpurl bee | Print ArticlePrint | | | in , , , , | Comment8 Comments
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