j.erin knits

     When I created the avaElongated Scarf a few weeks ago I immediately started making plans for a companion hat. This stitch pattern is elegant and easy to work up so it is a total win. In fact, the pattern would be a perfect way for new knitter's to venture into the world of eyelet/lace patterns. The avaElongated Hat has a beautiful seed stitch brim and a slight medium slouch. I will be creating beanie and tam versions of this hat some time in the future.

by turkey, sweet potatoes and all the usual Thanksgiving treats! I thought, for some crazy reason, that I would be able to finish this week's pattern and get it up while also cooking dinner with my mom. I was completely wrong. Dinner went off without a hitch but the pattern got neglected. Sorry all! I am going to finish up the pattern tonight, though. It should be up by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. It's still 'this week' so I have decided to cut myself some slack on this one. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck to those of you braving the crowds on black friday!

    I decided to be completely crazy this week and try knitting up a doormat out of garden twine. It turned out much better than I expected. I am really happy with the result and I think it will make a great gift, especially for those people that don't wear hats or scarves. While I was breaking rules I also decided to try painting the finished product. It was so much fun. I felt a little like a kid with his hand in the candy jar. It went against all my instincts but since I was using twine I had to go for it.

    Pattern note - This turned out a little smaller than is ideal. I used  832 ft of twine but when I do it again I will use 1248 ft so that it is a bit longer.






bootJute


Yarn?: twisted jute garden twine, 4lb load limit
Needle: Size 15 straight or circular (worked back & forth)
Gauge: 2 sts & 3 rows per inch. (2 strands held together)

Cast-On 32 sts

     Row 1-4: knit
  
     Diamond Pattern:
        
           Row 1: k3, [p1, k11, p1] twice, k3
           Row 2: k3, [k2, p9, k2] twice, k3
           Row 3: k3, [k1, p2, k7, p2, k1] twice, k3
           Row 4: k3, [p2, k2, p5, k2, p2] twice, k3
           Row 5: k3, [k3, p2, k3, p2, k3] twice, k3
           Row 6: k3, [p4, k2, p1, k2, p4] twice, k3
           Row 7: k3, [k5, p3, k5] twice, k3
           Row 8: k3, [p6, k1, p6] twice, k3        
           Row 9: repeat row 7
           Row 10: repeat row 6
           Row 11: repeat row 5
           Row 12: repeat row 4
           Row 13: repeat row 3
           Row 14: repeat row 2
        

     I just wanted to write a quick post to thank you all for the positive feedback. It has been great to hear that you've been enjoying my patterns. I started this blog (and the free pattern series) in the hopes that this would happen but I am completely shocked, flabbergasted, dumbfounded and humbled. :) I never thought I would see my patterns worked up by other people. It is so fantastic!

     I hope that you all enjoy the rest of this free pattern series. In addition to that series continuing through December, I am going to be adding some posts about my favorite knitting accessories, yarns, and tools. I'm also working on a giveaway (or two) that I will be posting details about next week, so watch for that.

     Oh! One last thing. I finally created a twitter account. Follow me for sneak peeks of upcoming patterns, knitting tips and other randomness. ;)  

     The idea for this pattern has been gnawing at me ever since I finished the Ava Lynne Baby Hat. The Ava Lynne eyelet pattern is easy to knit but it still creates a great deal of visual interest so I knew that I was going to use it again. I took the same basic eyelet pattern from Ava Lynne and extended it (both in width & length) to create a more elegant stitch pattern. This scarf has a beautiful subtle wave along the edges. I am really happy with it and I hope you all enjoy it.






avaElongated

Yarn: Naturally Caron - Country (shown in deep taupe) - 2-3 skeins depending on desired length
Gauge: 5sts & 7 rows per inch
Needles: Size 6 straight (or circular worked back & forth)

Cast On 46 sts

Row 1: *k1, p1* to end
Row 2: *p1, k1* to end

Repeat these 2 rows 2 more times (total of 6 seed stitch rows)

Keep working 1st & last 5sts of every row in seed stitch. knit the purls & purl the knits.. ;)

Eyelet Pattern:

     Row 1: [yo, k10, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 2 (and all even rows): p all sts
     Row 3: [k1, yo, k9, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 5: [k1, yo, k9, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 7: [k2, yo, k8, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 9: [k3, yo, k7, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 11: [k4, yo, k6, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 13: [k5, yo, k5, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 15: [k6, yo, k4, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 17: [k7, yo, k3, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 19: [k8, yo, k2, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 21: [k9, yo, k1, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 23: [k10, yo, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 25: [ssk, k10, yo] 3 times
     Row 27: [ssk, k9, yo, k1] 3 times
     Row 29: [ssk, k8, yo, k2] 3 times
     Row 31: [ssk, k7, yo, k3] 3 times
     Row 33: [ssk, k6, yo, k4] 3 times
     Row 35: [ssk, k5, yo, k5] 3 times
     Row 37: [ssk, k4, yo, k6] 3 times
     Row 39: [ssk, k3, yo, k7] 3 times
     Row 41: [ssk, k2, yo, k8] 3 times
     Row 43: [ssk, k1, yo, k9] 3 times
     Row 45: [ssk, yo, k10] 3 times
     Row 46: purl all sts

Repeat until scarf is desired length or until you are nearing the end of your yarn.
Work 6 rows in seed stitch.
Bind off all stitches & weave in ends.

    
       This week's creation was totally one of necessity. I have been struggling through this fall season with only one hat and I had reached my breaking point. I know, I know. I'm supposed to be creating patterns *and* getting holiday gifts done (two birds, one stone & all that) but I just couldn't take it any more. And I am so glad that I used my own desperation as inspiration because this hat turned out great! I wanted a slouchy simple hat that is easy to wear and twistedBurl fits the bill perfectly.

       The slouch on this hat is pretty mild because I don't think I'm quite cool enough to pull off the full slouchy hat. So if you want an extreme slouch you'll need to add more rows before you start the decreases -- I'd recommend one extra loop through the pattern rows 1-10. Oh! One more pattern note, I intentionally worked this pattern on needles that are a little big for the yarn so that the fabric created would be a little floppy. So if you want a chunkier hat then use a bulkier yarn on the same size needles. ;)








This pattern is #5 of the 14 free weekly patterns that I will be posting here on this blog. Check out this post to learn more.


twistedBurl 
  

      

 
  
  This scarf was completely inspired by the yarn. I fell in love with it on a recent yarn excursion and *had* to have it. I think this pattern is perfect for it. I used size 17 needles so the fabric is soft and chunky but not too thick. leloGram is a perfect gift knit - quick & easy but absolutely beautiful.

  


 This pattern is #3 of the 14 free weekly patterns that I will be posting here on this blog. Check out this post to learn more.

The Idea:    
     I may be absolutely crazy but I have decided to make a new j_erin knits design available every week through December. I am notorious for waiting until the last minute to finish gifts for my family and I have to believe that I am not the only one. I am always looking for things that can be knit up in weekend (or a few nights) so my focus is going to be on quick and easy knit gifts for the holidays.

The Specifics:
     I will be posting new patterns on this blog every Wednesday or Thursday, without fail! These patterns will also be added to the j_erin knits designer page on Ravelry. There will be patterns available for just about everything. I currently have plans for a few scarves & hats, leg warmers, a chunky blanket, and even a few toys.

Also:
     If things go well and people seem to enjoy my patterns then I will continue to post free knitting patterns weekly for a full year. That's 52 free patterns!! So if you like the patterns and want to see more then comment and let me know!

This week the pattern is a geometric chunky scarf that is yet to be named. It'll be up by Thursday evening at the latest.

    

     Before I get to the upcoming pattern, I just want to say that I am beyond excited that people seem to be liking my first pattern, Ava Lynne. My goal is to try to get at least 2 free patterns up on this blog per month. I believe that, at its core, knitting is a community activity. We are taught to knit by friends and family; we share technique and patterns with our knitting groups (virtually & in person). Websites like Ravelry and Knitty have both contributed to creating an online community of knitters (the ultimate knitting group). These free patterns are my meager way of trying to give back to this community that I have been in a lurking in for years.

     Whoa! Enough of that. On to pattern details. Soon I will be putting up a pattern for another hat, Ziggity (pictured below). This hat is shown in newborn but I plan to create the pattern for sizes up to older children (preteen). The stitch pattern on this hat is a combination of zig-zagging purls & slipped stitches. I am a big fan and I hope you all are too. ;)




      I am also working on an adult version of Ava Lynne & a scarf worked in an elongated adaptation of the Ava Lynne Eyelet. Keep checking back here for details on upcoming patterns or, for you Ravelers, you can watch the j_erin knits designs page on Ravelry.

A few weeks ago my cousin gave birth to her third child, a girl, named Ava Lynne. She is a beautiful little girl and as soon as I saw a picture of her I was inspired to create my first baby hat pattern. As you can see, I even named it after her. This hat has a fairly simple eyelet pattern with decreases that are worked in so the little squiggles go up to the crown of the hat.

DecRow	Start DecEyelets
1	2
2	3
3	4
4, 5, 6	5
7	6
8	7
9	8
10	1

DecRow	Start DecEyelets
1	2
2	3
3, 4, 5	4
6	5
7	6
8	1

                Cut yarn and pull through live stitches to close. Weave in ends. :D