Pattern Suites: Home for the Holidays
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Every year I tell myself I’m going to be super prepared for the holiday season and not have to rush around with a to-do list a mile long, and every year I fail. I end up spending this time of year working harder than any other season, and I hate it because I feel like I don’t get to enjoy the festive moments and really take in the time spent with family and friends. I’m going home to Ohio for ten days at the end of the month, and I am doing everything in my power to finish as many things on my list as possible so I can spend those days relaxing and cozying up to a big project with lots of easy stitches. Is it just me or does a meditative project feel like the most incredible thing ever during the holidays?! Many of us end up whipping out endless hats, mitts, headbands, and lots of other small projects to gift in November and early December, but I always want to pick up something more substantial that has hours of “knitflix and chill” vibes once I’m home and all of the gifts are taken care of. So with that in mind, this month’s pattern suite theme is:
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
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After last month’s “quick gifts” theme I thought we needed some sizable projects this time around. All of the patterns included in these suites are bigger projects with repetitive stitches so you can zen out and relax into the work. Each of them are challenging enough that they will hold your attention but for the most part they are easy enough to work on when you have a house full of guests and need to be able to put your project down and pick it right back up without thinking too much.
The suites of 6 knitting or 6 crochet patterns are available for only $12 - more than 50% off if you were to purchase them individually! These suites will be available until the end of the year. So grab yours now while you can! Curious as to why I chose the patterns included this month? Scroll down for a little background on each one.
CROCHET PATTERNS
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The Snowfall on the Bowery Wrap, part of my 2018 Cityscapes fall collection, is an easy level crochet pattern using only the double crochet stitch and chain spaces to create the cascading eyelet effect that was inspired by falling snow. If you can double crochet you can easily make this wrap! Sections of solid rows are broken up with sections of charted eyelet rows. It’s worked up in worsted weight yarn, so it’s lightweight and portable for travel too!
The Houndstooth Cabin Throw is one of my most favorite crochet patterns ever. The entire throw is worked with only two stitches and the gorgeous colorwork is created by the self striping yarns used in the pattern. Watching them change colors is so addicting and mesmerizing! This is the kind of project you never want to put down. It’s also super cozy to work on when it’s chilly outside and you want to curl up by the fire.
The Skyline Bias Scarf was inspired by my knit Metro Bias Scarf that came out a couple months earlier than this one. The knit pattern was such a hit (and is part of this' month’s knitting pattern suite below!) and I got so many requests for a crochet version that I had to design this one as well. This pattern is a two row repeat kept interesting by the color changes. I will admit that it results in lots of ends to weave in if you don’t work over them as you go along, but that can be meditative in itself and holiday breaks from work are a great time to dedicate to such a thing.
The Westbound Poncho is part of my current fall/winter Journey Collection. This is a blanket-like garment that uses mostly just double crochet with a couple color changes and a simple, easy-to-follow eyelet chart. The result is a dramatic and cozy poncho that you’ll want to live in the rest of the season!
When I designed the Saddlebrook Cape Scarf I was looking for an interesting way to transform a simple wrap. I love that the addition of the armholes gives this simple rectangle a whole new personality and instantly changes it from accessory to garment. Once again, this uses basic stitches that require little attention and results in a beautiful, unique piece.
Of all the blankets in my house, the Domino Coverlet gets displayed the most. I am totally in love with its bobbly squishiness and the little popcorn edging. While this one requires a bit more attention so that your bobbles all line up to create the diamond patterns, the body of the whole blanket uses only double crochets and bobbles (which are really just clusters of double crochets!). The edging is fun and repetitive as well. This is a stunning throw that’s a perfect project for a week or so of vacation.
KNITTING PATTERNS
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After releasing my Saddlebrook Cape Scarf in 2016 (part of my crochet pattern suite above!) I got tons of requests for a knit version, so I finally conquered it last year as part of my 2018 Cityscapes fall collection. I love how the Alphabet City Cape Scarf is funky and elegant at the same time and it easy enough for a beginner to tackle. The rectangle is jazzed up with simple stitch repeats and color changes and makes for such a satisfying knit!
Stripes are one of my most-used design details and while I love love love them, I DON’T love the resulting ends to weave in. The Metro Bias Scarf is covered with stunning dramatic slashes of stripes, but it means there are hours of work in the finishing process with all of those ends. This kind of project is just screaming for a netflix binge and a roaring fire next to you.
With the Snowfall on the Bowery Wrap (in the crochet suite above) being one of my most popular patterns from 2018, it was top of my list to design a knit version this year. I released the Flurries in the Wind Wrap as part of Lion Brand’s “12 Weeks of Christmas” campaign and I couldn’t be happier with the result. It has the same smattering of eyelets that resemble snow under a lamppost at night, and it’s so enjoyable and meditative to work on.
The Ozone Wrap is part of my latest Journey Collection and is a simple two row repeat that creates the snuggliest scarf that you’ll find hard to stop knitting. Since it’s only two rows and worked up in such a lightweight yarn, this makes for an excellent travel project too.
The Shadowplay Wrap is my newest pattern in the suites and I honestly can’t get enough of it. I am totally in love with Lion Brand’s new super soft Touch of Cashmere yarn that I used for it, and because the entire thing is worked in garter stitch the squish factor is off the charts. If you hate purling, this pattern is for you!
The most challenging pattern in the knitting suite is by far the Campsite Waffle Cardigan, but only because it has a few different pieces that need to be sewn together. There is minimal shaping, a sea of beautiful waffle stitches, and the end result is so lovely that the complexity is totally worth it! The hardest part is probably the inset pockets if you’re a beginner, but once you get the hang of it you will be shocked how professional and clean they look!
