July 16, 2018
September 5, 2011
You probably thought I’d forgotten, frogged, or fallen off the edge of the earth after my post, “two free shawl patterns”, re: the Holden Shawlette free knitting pattern, at the end of July. What with an earthquake, a hospitalization, a wedding and a hurricane, it’s a near wonder, not one of those “3 f’s” failed to happen. Please read more…
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August 4, 2011
I have spent this week writing about new styles and new
patterns for Fall Fashion 2011. Find out what’s new, get free patterns for big yarn, and oh, so stylish easy floofy or straight knitted skirt patterns for little or big girls and women. Lace is big, but so are slouchy chic sweaters knit with bulky weight yarn. New scarf patterns, as well as shawls and shrugs and jackets to knit or crochet up to size 3X.
Enjoy these free pattern links, all with pictures:
Slouchy chic pullover patterns
Jackets and shrugs to knit and crochet with big yarn
Fall Fashion 2011: Vogue Knitting
July 29, 2011
In pursuit of a wrap to wear for our son’s wedding in late August, I’m knitting the Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes. It’s a free pattern download on Ravelry. I wanted a lace shawl pattern that was an easy project, as I am pushed for time as usual. But I also needed it to be fairly dressy. There are two free shawl patterns, using only one skein of sock yarn, in this posting, one that begins at the bottom and the lace one that is cast on from the center neck. Both are easy shawl patterns for beginner first time shawl knitting…great accessories to wear as shawlettes, cowls, or a triangle scarf. You’ll find even more free shawl patterns and Princess Kate’s shawl at knitnscribble.com, link below.
The Holden Shawlette, cast on from the center neck, has several inches of stockinette stitch in the beginning rows divided by yarn overs on the edge and in the center. The pattern is so easy to remember, you don’t need markers, as your knitting does the marking for you. I don’t enjoy using markers anyway, but sometimes you just have to. This photo is a little lop-sided, because the circular needle’s gone all wonky, should have run it under hot water to straighten it out before I started casting on.
Then the pattern changes to the lace pattern. This one is Mindy’s. She used one skein of Malabrigo sock yarn, a lovely yarn, hand-dyed with tonal color qualities.
I’m using another Merino wool and silk hand-dyed sock yarn. I’m a little disappointed in the color, as it was called ‘silver’, but it’s actually the color of ‘squirrel’. Lesson learned here is to go to your loyal yarn shop if you are wanting a special colorway of yarn, so you can see it up close and personal. May or may not use this shawl for the wedding, jury is still out. It’s a lovely yarn, no doubt, just not the colorway I wanted for this project.
You begin by casting on 3 stitches, using a long-tail method, with a US 6 (4.25mm) needle at the top center of the back, then picking up three stitches on the bumps of those and then three more, sounds confusing, but it isn’t really.
The number of stitches are then gradually increased to equal 193 via yarn overs, 4 on every right side row, two yarn overs in the center, and one on each side.
It’s actually much easier than casting on and counting 270 or so stitches as for the Abyssal shawl, which I have made several times in an Old Shale pattern, also mistakenly called ‘feather and fan’.
The Abyssal is a fun free shawl pattern to knit, available written in French or English, too, but it begins from the bottom up and requires the tedious counting to start. The pattern is also a free download on Ravelry. Here’s one I made for a birthday present for one of our daughters. Just like the Holden Shawlette, Abyssal can be worn as a shawl or a scarf, very versatile accessory.
In any case, the Holden Shawl continues every evening, and I will shortly have reached the lace portion of the pattern.
The depth from the center down is about 9 inches now. The finished width will be approximately 55 in by 25.5 inches long from the center down, depending on how it is blocked. Wish me luck! (to be continued…) For even more free patterns, even Princess Kate’s shawl pattern, her famous shopping ruffle shawl, visit knitnscribble.com, where you can enter any keyword to search for free knitting and crochet patterns. Language translation available as well on knitnscribble.com.
March 12, 2011
As I write this, everyone is at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Newport, RI. I can picture this sunny day, the streets awash in green crepe paper and hats, Irish knit sweaters, babies and young girls with shamrock-painted faces, and guarded flasks of Jamieson in herringbone vest pockets. I hear police car sirens resonating over and over, even from here, the other side of the hill, leading the parade to its end at the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), where the celebration will be capped off with a traditional American – Irish boiled dinner, corned beef and cabbage.
AOH was created to protect Irish Catholic priests under the rule of English King Henry VIII, and it became a club, more or less, organized in early 19th century America as a way for the immigrant Irish to band together against the established Boston Brahmin “No Irish Need Apply” (NINA) directives, to promote forward thinking, interact and find work in their oh, so new world in America. There were two Hibernian organizations on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island, originally, the first organized downtown in 1876.
James Bradley, who sailed across the Atlantic from Ireland at the turn of the 19th century, was a founder (according to the gold watch he received) of the uptown Hibernians, formed to educate and enrich the lives of new Irish immigrants, which met at the old Music Hall on Thames Street. James Bradley was Brad’s (my husband) grandfather, for whom he is named.
For over forty years, there has been nary a St. Patrick’s Day morning that Brad, as one of six children from a large Irish family, didn’t ask me, “Do you have the recipe?” referring to his cherished corned beef and cabbage, which is the traditional staple St. Paddy’s Day dinner, at least in the U.S.
I have always answered, “yes,” thinking: “What is there to do but boil the darn thing, chop the root veg and serve it?”
It always tastes the same, like a boiled dinner. The brisket has either cooked down to nothing or ended up too stringy for consumption for the past 43 years.
Last year on March 17th, low and behold, like clock-work: “Do you have the recipe?”
“Yes,” I answered, dreading the same inedible result. (more…)
February 17, 2011
A knitting pattern for a warm earflap balaclava hat with a monkey face and ears—
Sock monkey stuffed animal toys have been around since Victorian times, believe it or not. Victoriana became enraptured by monkeys and their exotic world in the 1890’s. When the Rockland, Illinois wool work sock factory started making socks with red heels, that’s how the arts and crafts creation got his red mouth and behind.
Rockland still celebrates a “Sock Monkey Festival” in the 21st century.
Last winter when my granddaughter’s middle school friends latched onto the sock monkey hat craze, I designed this sock monkey hat knitting pattern with earflaps for Charlotte, who is eleven years old. The pattern has now been knitted for adults, teens, and children alike.
December 31, 2010
As a New Year brings hope and promises of good cheer, I’m wishing “Happy New Year” to all on this eve of 2011. To celebrate…a new Wattery Totteries design for a baby owl hat with three baby owls.
August 29, 2010
Have just included a schematic for stitches for the 3 button shawl, and wanted to include the free knitting pattern here. It’s a similar one to a very popular 3 button shawl as featured on the Today Show with Hoda and Kathy Lee long ago.
A very easy knitting pattern, great for beginning knitters, just a rectangle you can add your own creativity to. Very versatile in the different looks you can get by buttoning the shawl differently, and a most practical knitting project for spring and fall.
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July 24, 2010
As a beginner sock knitter, just this summer, these strawberry socks were a breeze, using a free easy sock pattern I wanted to share with you. If you are wondering what knitting socks is like, how to turn the heel, graft the toe, and afraid to try, don’t be. This is a great beginner sock pattern that still has enough stitch definition, really doesn’t look like a first attempt at knitting socks, does it? Well, it’s the pattern, not the knitter, for sure.
Socks are a wonderful knitting technique, easy to learn, mesmerizing and addicting needlework…. (more…)
July 15, 2010
Thought I would update the blog to include several free baby and toddler knitting and crochet patterns that I have recently written about on Examiner.com and InfoBarrel.com as Sharon Watterson, Knitting in Providence. Rarely do I write about anything other than free patterns, so please subscribe, if you haven’t already. Rose bonnet pattern for little girls and Monster face pants or longies for girls and boys. InfoBarrel subjects are varied, but there are many knitting and crochet patterns there, too. (more…)
hats, bonnets and sweaters
Knitnscribble.net 
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