Anyone who knows me is well aware that the Holiday Season is not my favorite time of year. The commercialism and the constant nagging to buy stuff is annoying but I’m pretty immune to all that anyway. During my years in purchasing for a big corporation I got inoculated for sales pitches of all types. I think it’s more all the rituals and expectations that oppress me, but I’m aware that something is lost by being a total Grinch. There really are simple things to enjoy during this time of year. I like baking cookies. I like Christmas carols and all the old-fashioned holiday songs that make me feel sentimental. I like wreaths made from pine boughs. And I like knitting warm and simple things for people I love.
As usual, gift season has sneaked up on me, and here it is December. It’s right here already! I’m pretty sanguine, though, since I have finished my brother-in-law socks, always the most time-consuming gift I make. I used Regia Pair-fect, a skein of sock yarn that guides you through each part of your sock by changing color or pattern. Each half of the skein is dyed exactly the same, so you don’t have to try to figure out where to start the second sock or count rows to figure out where to start the heel. (I don’t have any problem with either of those things, but it was fun to let the yarn be in charge this time.)
I’m doing a few quick neck warmers to send off using Aireado, an amazingly lofty alpaca blend with lots of yardage and softness, and Stargazer Brushed, a similar baby llama blend. Using a size 10.5 needle and 84 stitches, you can whip up a mistake-rib cowl in no time, and get 2 – 3 small cowls out of one skein of either yarn. I’m using black and absolutely cannot get a good photograph of it, but…
…here’s the pattern, good for guy or gal, or even a little one:
Use a bulky yarn and a 24″ size 10.5 circular needle. Cast on 84 stitches, place a marker, join in the round being careful that the stitches are not twisted around your needle. Purl one round, then begin pattern:
Round 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: P1, *K2, p2; repeat from * to last st, end with a p1.
Repeat rounds 1 & 2 for 7 – 8″, purl one round and bind off LOOSELY.
That’s it, good TV knitting, just keep track of which round you’re working on. I found it helpful (because I can’t see what’s going on with this black fuzzy yarn) to place a loop of white yarn on the needle when I began round 2 and remove it when I started round 1, then when (not if) I lost track I would know how to find my place.
To make a matching hat, you can use this free pattern from Plymouth.
I also made this little white cowl from a pattern by Rose Beck called Potpourri Cowl. I again used 84 stitches and a size 10.5 circular so that I could use the big fuzzy yarn. It was very enjoyable and quick, but I warn you that the instructions are charted only.
And of course, we still have these free patterns that were written for Cashmere Light, but would be soft – and fast – in either of the yarns mentioned above:
And I just have to show these finished sweaters from our Cranberry Gose class, which is just wrapping up:
So proud of all these beautiful knitters!! More to come soon…
