knotions
craft smarter
Traditional English fishermen’s ganseys were knit in tightly spun wool to help keep out the weather. This scarf uses an aran weight yarn of pure Falkland Merino and combines some of the original motifs – marriage lines, cable and double moss – all of which trap air within the texture, helping to keep the wearer …
This cozy hat and mitts set will be perfect for spring walks and autumn days. The alpaca and wool blend yarn is lovely and soft, and the colorwork provides a double layer for extra warmth. Both hat and mitts have a stranded motif of pawprints, easy enough for a first colorwork project. They are worked …
This 100% wool cowl is perfect for the fall and winter days when the nights are getting colder and the days shorter. The pattern is named for the six “parasols” that line up neatly on the front of the cowl, although perhaps umbrellas would be more fitting, considering the fact that winter brings more snow …
Ziggy is a floaty mohair scarf in an asymmetric zigzag lace pattern. This lightweight scarf is perfect for our mild Pacific Northwest winters. The mohair blend yarn is surprisingly toasty, however, and will keep the chill off your neck even in the freezing Midwestern winters I grew up in. I prefer my scarves a little …
These colorful caps shown in Mother and Daughter sizes were originally designed for Mother’s Day during the week of the G8 summit. When Erssie designed these, Africa was very much on everyone’s mind and so the hats have a Moroccan/North African feel to the styling with a bright checkerboard pattern and Fez style cord and …
This ribbed and cabled pullover was designed as a birthday gift for a guy who is a casual dresser and likes his sweaters to be trim-looking while not fitting too snugly in the chest and shoulders. It has saddle shoulders and a crew neck for a casual, comfortable fit. The sleeves feature a spiralling knotwork …
When one of my closest friends announced she was pregnant I knew I had to make her a blanket. It needed to be more interesting than just a plain old rectangle, as the mom-to-be is a very talented knitter herself. So the Bliss Blanket, named in after its recipient, was born. The blanket is done …
This is an easy knit hat and bootie set made from worsted/aran Merino yarn and is adorned with black satin and organza ribbons which are unusual on a baby’s garments. The hat is knitted on double pointed needles avoiding seaming but could easily be knitted flat on circulars with back seaming. A black ribbon through …
This unisex hat is knit entirely on circular needles, making it the perfect project for the adventurous beginner or anyone intimidated by double-pointed needles. If the two-color stranded pattern doesn’t appeal to you, replace it with a simple stripe or carry a strand of thin mohair yarn together with the wool when you work the …
I love vests. They’re so versatile. They add style without roasting you, cozy comfort without bulking up your outfit and, of course, a little bit of flare to a dull ensemble. However, too often vests are boxy affairs and have no forgiveness for female hips. Determined to find a vest that included that “forgiveness for …
I tend to be drawn to sweaters and other large garments. Once this yarn entered my house, it kept whispering to me its sweet nothings about how it wanted to be a one skein design of a hat. As I doodled with the yarn, I came up with this crown. I had images of a …
Printemps cowl is a lace moebius cowl worked in a variegated silk yarn. The simple lace pattern and soft silk yarn make this cowl the perfect accessory for the warming weather. Size Width is 11.75” and circumference is 26” after steam blocking. Yarn Berger du Nord Belle (100% silk; 136 yards [125 meters]/50 grams): color …
I am addicted to cables. Something about crossing stitches makes my knitting a whole new level of fun. When I decided that I needed to introduce a slouchy hat to my winter rotation, it’s only natural that I decided to design one with all-over cables. A band is knit in 2 x 2 rib, then …
I confess—the first version of this design (the purple one) was inspired almost entirely by my plan of wrapping myself in the yarn, without breaking the bank. Since it’s pricy, a full-size scarf was out, but a cowl seemed doable. Short rows break up any pooling (an issue if you pick a more multi-colored colorway), …
An easy-to-wear cold weather layering piece, this dress is packed with details that make it a flattering fit: slipped stitch vertical “seams”; a ribbed waist to give or enhance an hourglass shape; bust and back hip darts for shaping; and herringbone edges for interest. This dress is knit in the round up to the armholes …
I was inspired to design this vest by the criss cross pattern of my neighbor’s fence. We all know how hard it is to put our arms into those tight winter jackets when we wear bulky winter sweaters. Wear this vest layered over a shirt; your arms will be free and the vest will shield …
In this cardigan you can Swing baby Swing! Top down, edge to edge, raglan sleeved cardigan with an A-line silhouette and flared sleeves, fastened with a single button or clasp at the neck. Perfect for layering, this cardigan is knitted in a merino tencel blend to give it drape and the increases are cleverly hidden …
This little cardigan began as a request by my daughter who (like mom) loves all things Harry Potter. She spotted this little gem which Ginny Weasley wore to the Quidditch World Cup in The Goblet of Fire movie and had to have it. While staying true to the feel of the movie cardigan I have …
These pants are crazy easy to knit. They are amazingly comfortable and fashionable at the same time with a slight bootcut leg and a low riding waistband. Usually you have to sacrifice comfort for beauty, but that is not the case with these. Both Solitaire and Bamboozle are lovely, soft, flexible yarns that don’t feel …
