Current Obsession: Linen Stitch

Chickadee Cowl using MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light in Burnished. Project bag -  The Wool Dispensary.

Quick Pre-Fall Knitting Projects

If you're anything like me, then you've been knitting up a storm all summer. No? You don't like to work with worsted weight wool draped across your lap in 98 degree weather? Pssh.

Well, fine. But fall and winter are quickly approaching. And mixed in with the humid weather, I've already experienced a few chilly, blustery nights here in the Windy City.

And those nights really make me want to knit. I'm sure they make you want to knit too.

To capitalize on those random, brisk pre-fall evenings, you should take up a few portable projects so your wardrobe is prepared when full-fall sets in. It's coming fast, promise.

The Roscoe Village Hat is a great pre-fall knitting project. You can knit one for yourself, your significant other, your kids, or even check a holiday gift off your list (yes, I'm really getting ahead of myself now).

I knit up a few of these hats last fall for my boyfriend. Guess what? He wears them. Yup. That means they're man approved. That's a hard-won achievement in my household. 

Roscoe Village Hat: $5.00 buy now

New Pattern: Indigo Swan Cowl

It's no secret that I love knitting with Swans Island yarns. They are dyed using natural ingredients, such as roots, leaves, insect shells and natural indigo. And many of them are certified organic.

I've been lucky enough to work with a variety of their yarns - laceweight, fingering, worsted and bulky - and they are among the softest I've ever worked with. The colors achieved from the natural dyes are both brilliant and nuanced.

While at TNNA this past June, I chatted with Michele from Swans Island about potential new design ideas, and several skeins of their beautiful bulky weight came home with me to Chicago.

I fell in love with an indigo-colored skein. Many people are hesitant to knit with yarns dyed with natural indigo because the color rubs off onto your hands (and bamboo needles). It's a natural part of the process that easily washes off with soap and water. And, I learned that Eucalan is amazing at removing the extra indigo during the soaking process.

Personally, I don't mind getting a bit messy while I'm knitting. Especially when I get a finished project like the Indigo Swan Cowl. By the way, that's what this post is actually about.

The Indigo Swan Cowl is the second pattern in the Summer Stack e-book subscription.

Through September 30, 2012, this pattern is available for purchase from Doodlebug Yarns, or as part of the Summer Stack collection. After September 30, the Indigo Swan Cowl will be available for individual purchase on Ravelry.

Summer Stack Preview

I've been talking a lot about Summer Stack, my new e-book subscription.

Here is a visual preview of what's to come...

That Should be enough to wet your whistle for now!

Striper Cowl Pattern - Photo Shoot

Yesterday I released the Striper Cowl pattern. You can get the pattern by itself, or as part of my new e-book collection, Summer Stack.

Summer Stack is a subscription of 8+ hat and cowl knitting patterns which will be released periodically through December 2012. It's available now on Ravelry.

I showed you a snippet yesterday...here are some more photos of the Striper Cowl.

Purchase Striper Cowl

Purchase Summer Stack