For those of you who have missed the 25% discount from the Indie Designer Giftalong, all is not lost.
I’m having a sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, details below:
30% off all of my self-published patterns, see them all here.
Ravelry coupon Code: COBFCM2013
Start date November 29, 2013 at 00:00 GMT
End date December 3, 2013 at 12:00 GMT
A big bunch of independent designers on Ravelry (including myself) decided to organize a giftalong for the holidays with KALS/CALS, prizes and, probably best of all, a 25% discount on 100s of patterns to prepare for the gift season. There are over 160 designers taking part, so there is something for everybody.
Here’s a description of what it is, copied from the group:
What is the Indie Design Gift-A-Long?
It’s prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers! The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 2 month long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. From November 1 – November 15, 2013 tons of indie designers will be discounting some or all of their patterns 25% for this event. There are ten KAL/CALs to participate in, prizes of all sorts given out, some games, and generally a lot of fun!
If you think you might be interested, go check the group for more detail. Enjoy!
I Know it might sound early, but the Holidays will be here before you know it! No need to panick just yet, but it’s probably time to get started if you haven’t yet.
I have just started myself, I won’t share what I have done or what I am working on as I want to keep it a surprise for the recipients, but I’m getting organised.
If you are short of ideas or are looking for some quick things to knit, here are some of my designs that you could use:
The Snowflake Cup Cozy is a very quick knit, perfect for the last minute or if you are short of time
The Toastie Slippers are also very fast to knit and perfect for the winter
Grow With Me Beanie will fit any child’s head, very practical if you want to knit for a child but are not sure of what size s/he needs
Or, if you are knitting for a child, you could always knit a toy, such as Fridolin the Bunny
From experience, I can say that knitted socks are usually very popular, why not try my Blois Socks?
Shawls are also favourites for elderly women relatives, I’m partial to Mela, embrace the asymmetry! The advantage of this one is that you can use any yarn and any gauge so it’s great to use stash yarn.
These are only a few ideas, there are many more things that you can knit for holiday presents, I hope it got you thinking 🙂
My latest pattern, Fridolin, is now available for purchase.
Fridolin’s long, skinny legs and arms together with his long floppy ears make him perfect for small hands. He can easily be grabbed and carried around. He also makes a perfect snugly companion for anyone, who could resist his charm?
You can make Fridolin different sizes by using different yarn weights. Below are the information for sock yarn using two strands and worsted weight yarn, you can of course use a different yarn type if you want but keep in mind that the size will also be different.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Yarn
The sock yarn version is knit using two strands of yarn
About 200 yds / 185 m of MC and 310 yds / 285 m of CC of sock yarn
Or about 70 yds / 65 m of MC and 110 yds / 100 m of CC of worsted weight yarn
Notions
Needles: US6/4.0mm circular needle (or dpns) for sock weight yarn or US7/4.5mm needle for worsted weight yarn or size needles needed to obtain gauge
Accessories: darning needle, 1 stitch marker, toy stuffing
Necessary Skills
Knitting in the round, toe-up magic cast on or Turkish cast on, ssk, k2tog, picking up stitches
Gauge
20 sts x 28 rows / 10 cm – 4” with sock yarn
18 sts x 26 rows / 10 cm – 4” with worsted weight yarn
in stocking stitch (stockinette) in the round
Size
40cm/16” tall in sock yarn
50cm/19.5” in worsted weight yarn
Pattern costs: US$ 3.75
See more projects in Ravelry:
I’ve just finished making another version of Thorgal for my eldest son. My prototype was for his younger brother and I’d promised to make him one too. It’s hot off the needles (so still unblocked). We tried to do a little photo shoot but the boys were a little bit too excited. His brother is also wearing his, so we have matching tops 😉
The Snowflake Cozy is a very quick and easy knit and is perfect for a last minute winter gift. Knit it like the sample in red and white for traditional Christmas colours or use other more unusual colours for a fun look.
Difficulty
Easy
Yarn
About 59 m/65 yards of worsted weight yarn
45 m/50 yards of main colour
14 m/15 yards of contrasting colour
Notions
Needles: Size US 8 – 5.0 mm needles or size needles needed to obtain gauge
Accessories: Darning needle, 1 button
Necessary Skills
Knit, purl, easy fair-isle, i-cord bind off
Gauge
16 sts x 24 rows / 10 cm – 4″ in stocking stitch after blocking
Size
To fit cups about 10.5 cm/4.25” high, 31cm/12” circumference
Cost: $1.00
See more in Ravelry:
Today, the European Fiber Network (EFN) released my latest pattern, the Ici Paris Beret.
The pattern is available in both English and French!
They are organising a KAL for it starting tomorrow, 1st December. Here is the description from the pattern page:
Our December designer was inspired by her native home of Paris. And what could better call to mind this most romantic of European capitals than a beret!
In winter the Parisian sky is almost always grey, captured eloquently by the soft shades in this stunning yarn.
The iconic symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, is reflected in the pattern of the whimsical lace.
Clever crown decreases are beautifully incorporated into the lace. The X’s and O’s circling the cabled brim are a nod to Corinne’s partner and the English custom of signing love letters with symbols for hugs and kisses.
This traditional, yet whimsical hat, even ties in to Corinne’s current home, Germany, by using the country’s most famous sock yarn, Wollmeise.
Come with us on a jaunt to Paris, and knit the Ici Paris Beret as a sentimental holiday gift or to stuff your own stocking!
Now, here are the essentials about the pattern:
Difficulty
Intermediate
Yarn
About 185 (280) m / 200 (310) yards of sock yarn
Shown in Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin, colourway Feldmäuschen
Notions
Needles: 2.5mm/US1 1/2 size circular needle or dpns, or size needles needed to obtain gauge
Accessories: stitch marker, darning needle, cable needle
Necessary Skills
Provisional cast on, simple cable, knitting in the rd, Kitchener st, picking up sts, k2tog, sl sts, yo, kfb
Gauge
28 sts x 46 rows / 10 cm – 4″ in “Eiffel Tower” stitch (mostly reverse stocking st)
Sizes
Women S/M (M/L): Brim circ: 46-58 (52-63) cm / 18-23 (20-24 1/2) inches
Crown to brim height: Beret 19 cm / 11 inches, Slouchy 23 cm / 9 inches
Cost: EUR 3.00
Buy from Ravelry:
My latest design, Thorgal, was just released in the Fall 2011 Edition of Petite Purls. The pattern is available on the Petite Purls site for free, make sure to also check the rest of the edition, lots of cute patterns!
Picture by Brandy Fortune
Thorgal is inspired by the traditional yoke sweaters but I wanted to make a more modern looking version with texture while following the traditional construction. The name of the sweater comes from the Norse god Thor, as a reference to the Nordic origin of yoke sweaters.
As a mother of boys, I find that there are many more fun knitting patterns for girls than for boys. This is why I wanted the design to be suitable for both boys and girls and I think the color choice will allow to make it boy-ish or girly, as desired.
Sizes
2 years 4 years, 6 years, 8 years, 10 years, 12 years
Shown in size 2 and 8 years
Recommended needle size
US #8/5 mm circular needle and dpns for sleeves (optional) or size needles needed to obtain gauge
Notions
1 stitch marker
Stitch holders or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
Gauge
17 sts and 25 rnds = 4 inches in St st
See more projects in Ravelry:
Picture by Brandy Fortune
These booties are the perfect way to use teeny amounts of leftover sock yarn. The pattern offers two versions; unisex – Leo – and girl – Lea. The look is rather traditional but the knitting is totally seamless and in the round, there is no picking up of stitches. They will make a perfect baby shower gift and can even be knit at the last minute, an evening should be enough…
I’m working on a pair of matching mittens (in the two versions), stay tuned for these!
Difficulty
Intermediate
Yarn
About 13g of sock yarn.
Shown in Wollmeise sock yarn for the unisex version and Regia Cotton sock yarn for the girl version
Notions
Needles: 1 or 2 2.5mm/US1.5 circular needle or 5 DPNs (or size needles needed to obtain gauge)
Accessories: 2 st markers, Cable needle (unisex version only), Darning needle
Necessary Skills
Knitting in the round, simple cables & bobbles (unisex version only), Turkish cast on or toe up magic cast on, K2tog, SSK, M1
Gauge
32 sts x 40 rds / 10 cm – 4” in stocking stitch in the round
Size
0-3 months approximately
Price: $2.50
See more pictures and projects on Ravelry:
I’m working on a booties & mittens set for newborns, made out of my favourite yarn, sock yarn. I have finished the girl version and am now working on a unisex version. They will be perfect for baby shower gifts and can easily be made as a last minute gift as they are really quick to knit and use very little yarn. Here is a preview of the girl version, stay tuned for the unisex version 😀
A set of 3 bath mitts using 3 colours, perfect for last minute presents. Each design is simple to knit, using slipped stitches so that only one colour is ever worked per round and can also be knit in two colours with great results.
Pattern is written for both sport weight and worsted weight cotton yarn.
Included in the pattern are two knitting versions, one from the top down and one from the bottom up. This way, you can choose the method you are most comfortable with.
Instructions both written and charted.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Yarn
Version 1: sport weight cotton yarn
About 33m/36yard of each colour for 1 mitt
Version 2: worsted weight cotton yarn
About 23m/25yard of each colour for 1 mitt
Needles
Version 1: 4mm/US6 circular needle or DPNs
Version 2: 5mm/US8 circular needle or DPNs
or size needles needed to obtain gauge
Necessary Skills
Knitting in the round, slipped stitches
Optional: Turkish cast on / toe-up magic cast on or Kitchener stitch
Gauge
Version 1: 23 sts x 28 rows / 10 cm – 4” in stocking st
Version 2: 17 sts x 23 rows / 10 cm – 4” in stocking st
Size
To fit medium sized adult hand, about 12cm/4.75” wide x 20cm/8” long
Tips on upsizing or downsizing in the pattern.
Pattern costs: $3.00
You can see other versions on Ravelry here: 
I am finally done with my Adult Surprise Jacket and I love it! One thing is for sure, it’ll be hard to hide when I wear it… 😉
It is made of 16 different colours!
Here are a few pictures:
My Spaceman Nicolino Hat pattern is now available for free.
Pattern can be downloaded here.
If you haven’t seen it before, here are a few pictures, click the link above for more information.
Last year, I gave the prototype I knit for my Spaceman Nicolino to Nicolas, who gave his name to this pattern. He was a newborn then. His mum liked it so much that she asked if I could knit him one for this winter as the first one is way too small now. So, here it is, modeled by my 6-year old (hopefully it won’t be too big for Nicolas).
I created my Cowboy Booties pattern for a Texan friend of mine who was expecting a baby girl. Yesterday, I finally got to see pictures of the booties modeled by their intended recipient, lovely Miss Avery 😀
My Candy Toes sock pattern went up for sale on Knit Picks yesterday!
I’m super excited about it!
My first pattern published on Knit Picks was my Agate Capelet.
Here it is, once more, if you read this, can you tell me what pattern you see on top of the foot?
A pair of toe-up socks with gusset. The pattern is pretty clear to me, but I’ve asked people around me and they can’t figure it out. If you read this, I’d love your feedback, what do you think the pattern on the top of the foot is?
I’m super excited to have my first pattern published as part of the Independent Designer Program from Knit Picks. The pattern can be found here.
Corinne's Knits 