Molly's Sketchbook: Simple Felted Wool Mittens

Winter weather brings up a lot of big questions: scarf or cowl? hot chocolate or coffee? And perhaps the most controversial of all: mittens or gloves? I am a mitten person. They keep your hands warmer than gloves; they are a cute classic shape; and on a personal note, they help with my New Year’s resolution to not text while walking! They are also exceptionally easy to sew for yourself, which is a big plus in my book.

Made with ultra soft and warm Mary Flanagan Felted Wool, my new Simple Felted Wool Mittens could not be easier to sew. They are based on my Felt Mittens with Knitted Cuffs, which have a clean and surprising construction that I’ve always wanted to explore again. This time around I dispensed with the knitting, making this version practically effortless: 6 pieces to cut and 6 seams, that’s it!

I used the beautiful undyed Mary Flanagan as a base and added a splash of color at the palm. This unexpected little burst serves to highlight the mitten’s unique assembly and classic shape that I love so much. -Molly

Click to read more ...

Whit's Knits: Gem Gloves

Because there was a time when ladies didn't leave the house without them, gloves have always suggested to me the elegance of horse-drawn carriages, drawing rooms and balls. I have long imagined knitting a fine pair of gloves that would be as appropriate for that life as this one.

A simple cuff that can be worn long or folded, a thumb gusset and fingers that fit your own, the result is a classic pair of gloves. Perhaps they're the sort that could have been worn by the tragic Lily Bart or even by Edith Wharton herself.

To knit for such a heroines, I chose Blue Sky's Royal Alpaca. One hundred percent of the finest alpaca around, this yarn is as soft, light and warm as cashmere and as gorgeous as anything. It truly is fit for a lady, and for the rest of us too!

Since, like turn-of-the-century Washington Square, whopping sapphires mostly just reside in my imagination, I stitched my own pretty jewel onto one finger. An impressive gem, but a simple embellishment, this little touch really makes me feel like my dance card is full!

Click to read more ...

Whit's Knits: Super Easy Lap Blanket

The Super Easy Baby Blanket has become something of an institution here at the Purl Bee. We love how accessible this pattern is to knitters of all levels, and even more, we love the opportunity to play with gorgeous palettes of color!

I knit up the original Super Easy Baby Blanket four and a half years ago in Alchemy's gorgeous Temple superwash merino. Later, Faye knit her own interpretation with Koigu's Kersti Merino Crepe. With its ocean and sunshine colors and a squishier feel, her New Super Easy Baby Blanket was such a smash that we made it into a super easy kit! And most recently, we used our own Super Soft Merino for a bigger, even cushier version that we call the Super Easy Crib Blanket.

And now here is our biggest version yet, the Super Easy Lap Blanket! Knit out of Manos Del Uruguay's amazing Maxima, this one is cozy soft, decadently toasty and looks absolutely stunning in kettle-dyed, hand-spun 100% extrafine merino wool.

The Super Easy Lap Blanket is perfect for drafty winter evenings on the couch and chilly mornings at the kitchen table. And in colors that meander from rich Mahogany, through the land of pinks and blues, to finish in deep Dark Chocolate, this version has a sophisticated drama that will light up any room!

Click to read more ...

Laura's Loop: Sweater Shawl

From a seaside town in Italy, the Serra-side of my family has always sparked my imagination. I grew up poring over old family photos of women promenading arm in arm, weaving in and out of little alleyways. So, when last year, I found myself in that same seaside town ringing in the New Year with a warm and boisterous group of Serras, I harbored secret hopes of living out those images I had so long adored.

According to the old photos and confirmed by my own experience, it seems that no Serra woman has ever left the house without tossing a sweater across her shoulders as a shawl. It’s a style I'd grown accustomed to seeing on my grandmother (a true lover of knitwear), but it never felt more right than in that seaside town.

This Sweater Shawl is my interpretation of a classic Serra sweater, the one you want to drape over your back but have no intention of actually wearing. With “sleeves” for crossing, wrapping or tying and a back placket for keeping warm and looking very Italian, this piece is half sweater, half shawl!

I knit it up in a lofty brioche stitch, using Anzula's very lovely For Better of Worsted. This hand-dyed merino-cashmere blend has a graceful drape and a cozy weight that hugs your shoulders beautifully!

The Sweater Shawl has been in the making for a year (or maybe a lifetime!), and now that it’s done, it has become a staple in my wardrobe. Over a coat, a buttondown shirt, a long sleeve T, I've worn it every which way. My favorite, of course, is over another sweater, because after all, I am a Serra, and for us, the more knits, the better! -Laura

Click to read more ...

Light Up the New Year!

Elegant, graceful and totally lovely, Purl Soho's new Tapered Candles bring something very special to the table! Their warm and peaceful glow is the perfect companion for dark winter evenings and cozy dinners by the woodstove.

Each pair of these extra-long candles is lovingly created by the family-owned Danish company Ester & Erik. Rooted in the proud tradition of Denmark's candle manufacturing history, Ester & Erik chooses the finest supplies to thoughtfully shape the most gorgeous candles we have ever seen! They burn with a clean, steady flame that doesn't drip or smoke and that lasts deep into the night.

Hand-colored and lacquered in a stunning rainbow of colors - snow white and panther black, butterscotch yellow and cloudy flax- pick up the color of your plates, your walls, your flowers, your food! Or add a new pop of just the thing that's missing!

Crafted with such care, Ester & Erik Tapered Candles appeal to our love of integrity and beauty. And so, a room lit with their gently flickering light is our idea of a happy New Year! Choose your favorite color right here and have a very happy 2013!