Not Knitting, But Still Fun

Have you heard of TOMS shoes? Well, it seems like everyone in Chicago is wearing them these days.

I, too, have hopped on the bandwagon and now own two pairs. With this pair I decided to get a little crazy with a Sharpie. Let me know what you think!

They're extremely comfortable and I can walk around the city in them all day.

And, when you purchase a pair, TOMS sends a pair to a child in a developing country that needs shoes. One for One.

A Sneak Peek: The Wool Dispensary

The Wool Dispensary is a project that I'm working on with Sam Boice. More to come on this adventure soon!

Free Pattern: Mogul Cowl & Infinity Scarf Recipe

my Mogul Cowl & Infinity Scarf Recipe is now available for free on Ravelry.

(C) breeanelyse

the Mogul Cowl & Infinity Scarf Recipe is written to serve as a guide for creating any size cowl using the angular basket weave stitch pattern. though the featured samples and pattern recipe show two sizes: Small and Large, it is up to the knitter to determine the finished size and fabric drape for their cowl.

© knittygrrlkuUsing a variety of yarns and needle sizes, this cowl’s stitch pattern is a multiple of 8 stitches, making it simple for the knitter to customize based on desired gauge and finished dimensions.

(C) NoodieKnits

The pattern recipe is written with instructions shown as Small (Large). If you choose to knit a size other than these, you will need to do a bit of math, but you can use this recipe as a general guideline. 

I recommend yarns ranging from DK to chunky weight. You will need between 200 – 400 yards depending on gauge and finished measurements.

thanks to my testers, knittygrrlku, NoodieKnits, and h82purl!

Download the free pattern from Ravelry.

Featured FOs: French Braid Cowl

oh boy has it been a wet and blustery spring in Chicago. ugh. and the weather funk has been affecting everyone around me, too.

we all seem to be in the dulrums, until the sun peeks out from behind the clouds and we all start smiling again. things start to look up. flip flops and lightweight jackets are spotted, and endless babies seem to appear in front of my very eyes.

and i'm here again with a few beautiful finished projects made from my pattern - the french braid cowl.

by h82purl via Flickr

this beauty was knit up by Roe (h82purl on Ravelry) using Malabrigo Twist in Zinc. i adore the colorway. and, of course, i have to comment on the outstanding buttons. because apparently i have a major fascination with buttons. thanks to Roe for letting me share.

by h82purl via Flickrevery time i see this gorgeous Twist yarn i just want to eat it. I love how the plys (plies?) are a little nubbly and thick & thin. and it has the most buttery feeling to knit with. each of my finished projects knit with Twist have been kept in my drawer....and not given away....i love them :)

i have another FO to share with you.

© Salmonheadthis lovely french braid cowl was knit by Susan (Salmonhead on Ravelry) using Malabrigo Worsted in Azul Profundo. gorgeous! check out Susan's button placement - way different from Roe's picture above. each person who has knitted the french braid cowl has customized the button placement to fit their preferences. love it!

(C) Salmonheadthis awesome shot is modeled by Susan's friend, Tasha. that cowl looks so snuggly!

but alas, my favorite shot is the one below, where the french braid cowl is modeled by the floppy-haired pooch! i just want to squeeeeeeze <3

(C) Salmonhead

Featured FOs: Scalloped Shawls

Continuing with the Featured Finished Objects (FOs) series, today I have a few lovely Scalloped Shawls to share with you. This shawl pattern is featured on the cover of Malabrigo Book Three.

The first version is a breath of fresh air, knit by Emily (emmylou on Ravelry).

(C) emmylou via FlickrEmily's scalloped shawl is so perfect for spring - it's knit up using Malabrigo Silky Merino in the Arlene's Purples colorway.

(C) emmylou via FlickrSeriously - that blue sky makes me want to jump out the window of my office building. Right. Now. I can just feel the sunshine and gently breeze in this photo. Emily doesn't have a blog, but you can follow her on Twitter.

The second version is knit by jostrong in one of my favorite yarns - Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK (Olivia colorway).

© jostrong via RavelryThis colorway is gorgeous - jostrong's daughter said it reminds her of a banana that is beginning to ripen. Perfect!

© jostrong via RavelryI really love how the stockinette stitch bells out into the scalloped edging. It just seems so organic.

© jostrong via RavelryThis shot is just so gorgeous! I need to invest in some Madelinetosh Tosk DK Merino stat!

Thanks to both emmylou and jostrong for letting me feature your beautiful FOs!