January: Knitting, Reading & Early Spring Cleaning

I'm working on a new blanket design this week.  I can't show too much of the design yet but I'm really pleased with how it's coming together.  I'm nearly finished knitting the blanket so I hope to be ready to share more details in the near future.

I'm using Lion Brand Hometown USA in the color 'Dallas Gray' for this new blanket.  Here's a sneak peek...seed stitch border for the blanket...

This week: knitting, reading & drinking hot tea.

UPDATE: The project above is my Over the Rooftops blanket knitting pattern...read more about it on my other blog post.  What a pleasant surprise that it became one of my customer's favorite knitting patterns!

I often use favorite objects from around my house in my knitting photos.  In the photo above there's an old 8 oz. weight that brings back fond memories of going to antique fairs with my dad.  I include this weight in many of my photos...I just love the simple, round shape and the way it anchors the white background. The old mason jar has an assortment of buttons...some were my grandmother's. 

I've been reading "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain.  I highly recommend this book!  The section about the power of working alone and how it sparks creativity is especially interesting to me.  If you are an introvert, live with an introvert, work with introverts, are the parent of an introvert...you should check out this book. (Just a coincidence that the book cover matches my yarn perfectly!)

Westport Blanket - an easy to knit blanket.

This month I'm also trying to get caught up on sorting through piles of stuff that accumulated over the holidays (and for months and years before that!). 

The photo above was taken in the now peacefully organized guest room in our house.  I painted this room last fall so that forced me to empty everything out of the room and carefully evaluate what would go back in. (Within the next couple months I hope to do the same to at least one other room!) 

The gray blanket in the photo is my Westport Blanket knit with Lion Brand Hometown USA in 'Dallas Grey'. I love how this soft, chunky blanket looks tossed at the end of the bed.  

And, in case you are wondering, the white duvet cover and pillow shams are from IKEA (purchased fall 2016).  I made the Peace Pillow when I designed my "Peace : Love : Home" pillow knitting pattern a couple years ago.  The pillow cover is knit with super bulky yarn. The letters are cut from felt and stitched on with DMC embroidery floss.  

If you like seeing behind the scenes photos like the ones included on this post, follow me on Instagram.  

Happy knitting!  

Mary Lee

Fifty Four Ten Studio

My Favorite Knitting Pattern Highlights from 2016

Today I'm reflecting on all that I accomplished and enjoyed in 2016.  It was a great year!  I enjoyed many fun times throughout the year with my family and dear friends. I really appreciate all the purchases of my patterns and the kind feedback I have received from customers.

I recently celebrated my third year of designing knitting patterns.  I love what I am doing and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to publish my patterns online.  

These are three of my favorite easy to knit blankets I designed in 2016...

Third Street Blanket 
My Third Street Blanket knitting pattern was my best selling pattern in 2016! 

This blanket pattern is designed for super bulky yarn and there are instructions for six blanket sizes from baby blanket up to XXL afghan.  The blanket shown below was made with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in 'Glacier'.

Click here to read more about this pattern on my FiftyFourTenStudio.com website.

This pattern is available to purchase on my website, Ravelry and on Etsy.

Third Street Blanket knitting pattern for super bulky yarn.

January 28, 2020 UPDATE: Please visit my new website at FiftyFourTenStudio.com! 

Stones in the Road Blanket 
My Stones in the Road blanket design features a seed stitch border and seed stitch 'stripes'.

Click here to purchase the Stones in the Road blanket on Ravelry.  

Click here to purchase the pattern on the Fifty Four Ten Studio website. 

The pattern is also available on Etsy.

Stones in the Road blanket knitting pattern.

Westport Blanket
My Westport Blanket is fun to knit with super bulky yarn.  The design features a garter stitch border and stockinette stitch 'windows'.  I used Lion Brand Hometown super bulky yarn in the color 'Dallas Grey'.

Click here to purchase the Westport Blanket knitting pattern on Ravelry. 

Click here to purchase the pattern on the Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

The pattern is also available on Etsy.

Westport Blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

All of these blankets are knit with super bulky yarn and are very easy to knit.  All of these blankets have directions for five or sixe sizes so it's easy to make a baby blanket or a large throw.

Easy to knit blankets!

Click here to shop all of my knitting patterns on my Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

These patterns are also available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and Etsy.

In 2016, I also enjoyed knitting a few items using my previously published patterns.  I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in the lovely color 'Glacier' to make The Parkway Pillow.  I love how it turned out!  (See more about this project on my August 2016 blog post.)

The Parkway Pillow knitting pattern is available on FiftyFourTenStudio.com, Ravelry and Etsy.

The Parkway Pillow made with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in 'Glacier

In this first week of January 2017, I'm catching up after a fun holiday season.  I'm carefully packing away my collection of Christmas decorations.  All of my homemade ornaments get packed in a special box.  (If you missed it...I wrote about my homemade Christmas ornaments in December.)

Also, I am making lists of things to accomplish this year.  There's a few house projects on the list such as cleaning out all of the kitchen cabinets and painting a couple rooms.  I told my family my new year's goals are to read more and knit more!  Right now I'm reading "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking"...it's very interesting!

My list of knitting project ideas for 2017 is pretty long! This week I started working on a new blanket design.  I'm using Lion Brand Hometown super bulky yarn in the color 'Dallas Grey'.  I'm looking forward to sharing more details as the pattern comes together!

New blanket design in progress with Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn.

2021 UPDATE: The work-in-progress photo shown above... became my 'Over the Rooftops' blanket knitting pattern.  It quickly became one of the most popular blanket patterns in my collection! 

Read more about my Over the Rooftops blanket knitting pattern.  

This pattern is available to purchase on FiftyFourTenStudio.com, Ravelry and Etsy.

Over the Rooftops blanket knitting pattern for super bulky yarn.

If you would like to receive updates on new pattern designs...click here to sign up for my email newsletter.

I hope the new year is off to a great start for you!  Thank you so much for reading!

Happy knitting in 2017! :)

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

The Parkway Pillow - My summer knitting project!

This summer I knit up a blue version of The Parkway Pillow.

The Parkway Pillow was my first pillow knitting pattern that I designed about two years ago.  The pattern is available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting, Etsy and Craftsy.

I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick super bulky yarn in the color 'Glacier' for this pillow.  This icy blue yarn is lovely and one of my favorite colorways in the Lion Brand Thick & Quick selection.

I love how my new knitted pillow turned out!

The Parkway Pillow knit with super bulky yarn.

This is a quick and easy knitting pattern which uses one strand of super bulky weight yarn and big knitting needles.

Quick to knit with super bulky weight yarn.

I blocked my knitting before sewing up the edges.  I must admit this is the first time that I have blocked one of my pillow knitting projects and I'm very pleased with the results.

Blocking your knitting is very easy...

Put knitting in the sink and run cold water over the piece.

Carefully arrange knitting on mat so edges are straight.
Pin to measurements indicated in pattern.

It took about two days for my knitted piece to dry completely.  Then I sewed up the side seams, inserted the pillow form and sewed up the bottom seam.

Sewing up the bottom seam of The Parkway Pillow.

FALL 2017 UPDATE: I made this light blue version of The Parkway Pillow when Interweave asked to include this pattern in their Winter 2017 issue of 'Quick & Easy Knits' magazine.  So fun to be included!

The Parkway Pillow - as seen in Quick & Easy Knits Magazine!

WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERN ONLINE:

If you are interested in purchasing The Parkway Pillow knitting pattern it is available on Ravelry, Craftsy, LoveKnitting and Etsy.

The Parkway Pillow knitting pattern includes detailed, photo illustrated instructions for finishing.

If you would like to read more about how I designed and named The Parkway Pillow see this blog post.  For more details on the pattern see my Ravelry listing.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

It was a fun, busy summer with my family and friends so I did not do a lot of knitting.  Now that it's fall again I'm getting back to knitting!

Thanks for reading! :)

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

November Wrap Up

In November, I finally joined Instagram!  I've been sharing behind the scenes photos of my designs in process...as well as a few non-knitting pics.  The best part about Instagram is being inspired by the many creative people and their images.

Here's nine pics to sum up my November....home, knitting, reading, family, holidays, being thankful...

Clockwise from the top left corner:
- Home Felt Applique Pillow - pattern was published in November on Ravelry. 

- Felt numbers for new "design your own" felt applique pillow pattern that is in the works.

- Knitting with navy blue Loops & Threads Cozy Wool from Michael's Craft Store.

- My homemade jam and pickles set out for Thanksgiving dinner.  Much to be thankful for!

- My State Line Blanket knitting pattern published in November and available on Ravelry.

- Checking out the knitting section of my neighborhood Johnson County, Kansas library.

- Working on the Love Felt Applique Pillow knitting pattern design.  More details in this blog post.

- Getting out my homemade Christmas ornaments.  These are a few of my favorites!  Patterns available for the Felt Applique Mitten Ornaments and The Little House ornament.

- (Center) I bought this cute handmade USA ornament at Stuff in Brookside (Kansas City, Missouri).  The centrally located heart is placed right over my home state - Kansas.  This will be a great addition to our Christmas tree!

Hope you had a good November!  Lots to look forward to as we wrap up this last month of the year.

Peace : Love : Home - New Pillow Knitting Pattern with Felt Appliqué

I'm so happy to publish my new Peace : Love : Home pillow knitting pattern!

I started this design a year ago but it got sidelined.  A few weeks ago, I pulled the knitting back out and finally got to work on finishing these easy, fun pillows.  I love the combination of the chunky knitting with the felt applique letters!

This pattern is especially meaningful to me...in ways that I can't fully explain.  However, I'm sure most can agree...that these three words sum up the most important things in life.  It all comes back to a desire for Peace in our world...Love in our hearts...and Home with the people who are important to us.

The Peace : Love : Home pillow knitting pattern is knit with super bulky weight yarn and has felt applique letters. The pattern includes directions to knit the pillow cover flat in one piece and detailed instructions for stitching up the seams.  It also includes ready to print patterns for the felt applique letters for all three words.  The finished size is just a little larger than the 12" x 16" pillow form.

The Peace : Love : Home pillow knitting pattern is available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

Peace : Love : Home pillow knitting pattern with felt applique.

Felt applique patterns for three words: Peace : Love : Home

These pillows are knit with super bulky yarn.  They knit up very quickly!  I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in the color 'Granite' for the PEACE and HOME designs and 'Claret' for the LOVE design.  Loops & Threads Cozy Wool is sold through Michael's Craft Stores in the U.S.  It is very soft and good quality for a very reasonable price.  This pattern will also work well with other super bulky weight yarns including Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.

Quick & easy knitting pattern.  Makes a great gift!

The felt applique letters are added after knitting.  I like to use wool blend felt.  Sometimes you can find this at quilt shops or some of the craft stores will have a selection of higher quality felt.  I love the selection and quality of felt I have purchased from SweetEmmaJean on Etsy.

This pattern includes easy to print and cut patterns for the PEACE, LOVE and HOME letter designs. No resizing of patterns necessary!  Just pick the page for the word you want to use and print that page.  Carefully cut out the letter patterns, pin them to your felt, cut out the felt letters and you are ready to go.  The pattern includes detailed step by step instructions for finishing the pillow!  Tutorial photos included.

Detailed finishing instructions included in pattern. 

I used a very inexpensive 12"x 16" pillow form from the craft store.  Nothing fancy!  In addition to felt and a pillow form, you will also need DMC embroidery floss, embroidery needle, tapestry needle and good quality scissors for cutting out the felt letters.  Full details in the pattern.

This a fun, easy project!  The Love design is perfect for any time of the year but would be especially appropriate at Valentine's Day....of course!  

The Peace : Love : Home pillow knitting pattern is available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

You might also like my Joy & Believe Pillows or Merry & Cheers Pillows.  These pillow designs also have felt applique letter designs with the same letter style.

Thank you so much for your interest in my knitting patterns!  I love designing new project ideas and can't wait to get started on my next design.

Peace...and happy knitting.

Merry & Cheers Christmas Pillows Knitting Pattern

I'm happy to announce a new Christmas knitting pattern just in time for 2014 gift giving.  You will find the "Merry & Cheers Christmas Pillows" knitting pattern on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

"Merry" Christmas Pillow Knitting Pattern

The "Merry & Cheers Christmas Pillows" pattern includes full size felt applique patterns for both the "merry" and "cheers" designs.  I picked a fun, casual font style and modified the letters to suit the 12" x 16" pillow size.  

In the pattern you will find that the letter patterns are full size....all you have to do is print the page and cut out the paper letter patterns.  No resizing of the patterns needed!

This knitted pillow is a quick and easy project.  It is knit flat and seamed on the sides and bottom. 

This pattern uses super bulky weight yarn.  This pattern knits up so quickly you have plenty of time to knit more than one to wrap up before December 25th!

"Cheers" Christmas Pillow Knitting Pattern

I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool super bulky weight yarn from Michael's Craft Store in the U.S.  This bright, traditional Christmas red is called 'Claret'.  I really like this yarn because it is very reasonably priced and the yarn is very soft.  You can also use many other super bulky weight yarns for this project.

Other supplies needed include an inexpensive pillow form (12" x 16"), nice quality felt, DMC embroidery floss and basic sewing and crafting supplies.  I recommend a good quality pair of scissors for cutting out the felt letters.

I suggest using the best quality felt you can find.  My favorite source for good quality, wool blend felt is Sweet Emma Jean's Etsy Shop where you will find an incredible selection of felt colors.  

This pattern includes detailed, step-by-step instructions for finishing.  As with any knitting project, careful finishing makes all the difference in the outcome of the finished project.  I make every effort to outline each individual step in the pattern and provide close up photos to illustrate the steps.

To find out more about this pattern visit my Etsy shop or see my pattern listing on Ravelry.

Happy Holidays! 

Main Line Pillows - Color Block Inspired Knitting Pattern

The "Main Line Pillows" knitting pattern includes two (2) color block inspired designs.  This pattern is available on Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.

This design is simple with clean lines and a modern style.  Both pillow designs would look great knit in any number of color combinations to go with any decor.

This version of the Main Line Pillow uses three colors with one "main line" slightly off center (see the white stripe in the photo below).

Main Line Pillows knitting pattern - Two designs included.

The other version (shown below) uses five wide stripes with three yarn colors.  With the colors that I used, the dark navy in the center becomes the "main line".  However, with different color choices other lines could become more dominant and change the appearance.  It would be fun to experiment with colors....and even try knitting each of the five stripe color blocks in a different color.

Main Line Pillow - Five "Main Lines" Design

This pillow is knit with super bulky yarn so it knits up very quickly.  The pillow cover is knit flat in one piece, sideways, and then seamed on the bottom and sides.  There are detailed finishing instructions (with photos) in the knitting pattern.

Knit with super bulky yarn and large knitting needles.  

I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool which is sold at Michael's Craft Store in the United States.  I'm pretty much addicted to this yarn!  It is available in a nice variety of colors.  This is a nice, soft yarn at an economical price.

This pattern will also work well with many other super bulky yarns including Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or Lion Brand Hometown USA.

This is also a great pattern for using up stash super bulky yarn!

This pattern is designed for a 12" x 16" pillow form.  I used an inexpensive, basic pillow form from the craft store.  For this modern style I prefer a firm pillow form.

This pillow makes a great gift for anyone!  It won't take you long to knit the pillow and you won't spend much on the materials.

These two pillow designs (the Main Line Pillows knitting pattern includes two design charts to do both designs shown in the photos above) would look great in other colors.  For a modern neutral style, either pattern would look fantastic in black, gray and white.  For Valentine's Day it would look so cute in red, pink and white.  For a sports fan, choose favorite sports team colors.  (The design with five lines reminds me of a classic rugby shirt!)  I included more color combination ideas in the pattern.

I have four or five new knitting pattern designs in the works right now.  Now that it is so cold outside I'm knitting every day!  Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my knitting patterns.  Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Line Up Pillow Knitting Pattern - Lots of Stripes!

The Line Up Pillow knitting pattern is all about stripes.  I love stripes.  Stripes are classic and timeless.   There's something about the symmetry and balance of stripes.

The Line Up Pillow knitting pattern includes two (2) stripe pattern charts to knit pillow covers to fit 12" x 16" basic pillow forms.

The pattern also includes blank charts for you to design your own stripe patterns.

The first stripe pattern I designed was centered around my favorite color combination of navy and white.  This pattern has seven thin white stripes with wider navy stripes.  In these colors the pillow has a nautical, summery look.

Line Up Pillow Knitting Pattern - Quick & easy project!

I used Loops & Threads 'Cozy Wool' in the colors 'Sapphire' and 'Fleece'.  I use this yarn all the time because it is so soft and has a nice appearance at very economical price.

This pattern would look great in many color combinations.  For a modern look you could try black (or dark gray) and white.  For neutral decor it would look nice in soft light tan or light gray with white or ivory thin stripes.  How about red and white for Christmas?  Or...for a sports fan use favorite sports team colors.

The second strip design included in the pattern was inspired by all of the leftover bits of super bulky yarn in my stash.  I wanted to knit a pillow using all of these colors but I wanted it to look organized.  I came up with a design chart for 13 stripes in equal widths.  I placed all of my yarn options on the floor and tried out different arrangements for the colors  Then I arranged the colors in the order I wanted to use them in my striped pillow.

Line Up Pillow knitting pattern includes two stripe design charts.

I ended up using one or two neutral colors twice in this sample.  Most of the yarn in this sample is either Loops & Threads 'Cozy Wool' or Lion Brand Wool-Ease 'Thick & Quick".  I still have a lot more odds and ends so I can make another version with the stripes in a different order!  (You may have noticed that I'm addicted to designing and knitting pillows!  I'm sure I can find a spot for one more pillow in the house!)

This is a very easy pattern!  Great for beginning knitters or experienced knitters who want a quick project.  

The pattern is knit flat in one piece with two needles and seamed.  If you prefer, this pattern can be knit in the round.  Cast on the same number of stitches indicated in the pattern.  Join and knit all rounds following the stripe chart of your choice. Be sure to mark the beginning of the round to make sure you start and stop stripes at same point each time.  (This pattern is geared towards beginners, as well as all levels of knitters.  More advanced knitters may prefer knitting in the round and more advance finishing techniques.)

You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, bind off stitches, weave in ends and sew up simple seams.  If you have not sewn up seams before, there are detailed photo illustrated instructions in the pattern.  My patterns include lots of detailed directions to walk you through every step of the finishing process.

Detailed finishing instructions included in the pattern.

If you are wondering how much yarn you need for these pillows....plan on about 220 - 235 yards total.  

For the two color stripe pattern (navy & white version above) you will need about 170 yards of the main color and 60 yards for the thin stripe color.  

For the multi color pattern (where each of the 13 stripes is a different color) you will need about 17 yards for each stripe....with the first and last stripe needing about 24 yards to allow for casting on and sewing up seams.

Grab your stash yarn and start knitting!  (I promise not to tell if you buy new yarn to knit these striped pillows!)

The Line Up Pillow knitting pattern is available in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry.

Joy & Believe Pillows - New Knitting Pattern with Felt Appliqué

One of my favorite things to do is design and make Christmas ornaments.  Last year, I designed and published two Christmas ornament patterns.  This year I've been designing and knitting a lot of pillows so it's not surprising that my newest pattern is....a Christmas themed pillow.

I designed and made the "Joy" Pillow for my mom because she has been saying for months that I should design a "Joy" themed pillow.  I can't tell you how many times I would tell her about my latest knitting pattern and she would be interested and supportive as always....but add "are you working on the Joy pillow design?"  Well, I was working on it....it just took a while for it to really come together in my mind.  Like a lot of my patterns, I think about the design for quite a while before I start knitting.  I am so thrilled with how the "Joy" pillow turned out that I could not wait to give it to my mom.  She stopped by the other day to visit and I gave her an early Christmas gift....she loved it, of course!

Joy & Believe Pillows Knitting Pattern - with Felt Applique

I couldn't stop with just the "JOY" design....I also made another pillow with "Believe" felt applique letters.

The "Joy & Believe Pillows" knitting pattern is available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

Pattern includes patterns for both JOY and Believe letter designs.

My new "Joy & Believe Pillows" knitting pattern includes full size patterns for the felt applique designs to make both the "JOY" and the "Believe" designs.  I love this letter style!  I searched around and looked at a lot of different font styles before settling on this letter design.  In the pattern, you'll find that the letter patterns are already full size....all you have to do is print the page and cut out the paper letter patterns and you are ready to go.  No resizing of the patterns needed!  (It drives me crazy when I have to enlarge pattern pieces on the copy machine to get the right size!)

This is a quick and easy knitting project.  It is knit flat and seamed.  With super bulky yarn and big needles it is easy to finish this pillow project in a weekend or just a couple evenings.  (If you need a last minute DIY gift...this could be the one!)

I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool super bulky yarn in the color 'Claret'.  This is a bright, traditional Christmas red.  I really like this yarn for pillows because it is very soft to the touch.  This yarn is inexpensive but has a very nice appearance.  You can find Loops & Threads Cozy Wool at Michael's Craft Store in the U.S.  This pattern will work will with just about any super bulky weight yarn.  

This pillow would look great in many color combinations.  It would be fun to knit the pillow in white and use red felt for the letters with white stitching.  Or, for a year round look (happy words like "joy" and "believe" never go out of season!) it would look nice in a neutral light tan and white combination.  Or, Loops & Threads Cozy Wool comes in a beautiful dark gray called 'Granite' (reminds me of an old chalkboard).  I'd love to try that color with white letters and use either charcoal gray or red embroidery floss for the applique stitches.   

Other supplies needed include a 12" x 16" pillow form (an inexpensive, basic pillow form is perfect), some nice quality felt, DMC embroidery floss, and basic sewing and crafting supplies.  A good quality pair of scissors (such as sewing shears) is helpful for cutting out the felt letters.

Speaking of felt....I recommend wool blend or good quality polyester felt.  Try to stay away from the inexpensive "craft felt" in the kids crafting section of the craft store.  Most fabric stores carry a nicer quality felt by the yard.  Small quilt shops often carry wool blend felt.  I also like Sweet Emma Jean's Etsy Shop.  They have an incredible selection of felt in many beautiful colors.  You can pick your own colors and get a custom set of 9" x 12" wool blend felt sheets.

Detailed finishing instructions included in the pattern.

This pattern includes detailed, step-by-step finishing instructions.  The finishing is not hard.  But, I put a lot of thought into providing you all the details of how to finish the pillow so that you can obtain the best results possible.  That's why I include every step (such as placing a piece of thin cardboard inside the knitting so it makes it easier to stitch the felt letters in place) and provide lots of close up photos like the one above.

I used some of my ribbon collection and old light bulbs for props.

I had so much fun taking the photos for this new pattern.  I have a box filled with pieces of previously used ribbon...lots of holiday plaids and red and white polka dots.  I also have a set of beautiful ribbons and baker's twine that my mom gave me several years ago.  They are so pretty I've never used an inch of any of the ribbons and twines!  The original set of seven spools are always displayed on a bookshelf at our house.  Look for these in future knitting pattern listing photos.  It was fun to use the spool shapes and texture of the ribbons to add to the holiday theme.  

"Joy & Believe Pillows" Knitting Pattern - available on Etsy

If you have looked at my other knitting pattern listing photos, you have probably noticed a wood cabinet in the background of several photos.  I love being able to use the shelf in the center of the cabinet to change the scene.  The white pedestal candy dish in the photo above was my grandmother's.  The Santa hiding in the shadows is metal and extremely heavy!  Most of my Christmas decorations are hidden away in boxes right now but that heavy Santa was sitting in the "Christmas" closet where I could reach him so he got to be in the photo.

I love combining the textures of knitting with felt applique. My Mini Mitten Christmas Ornament and The Little House knitting patterns both have felt applique. I'm excited to add the Joy & Believe Pillows knitting pattern to my collection.  And...I have a couple more patterns in the works which will add to the felt applique word theme.  Check back soon!

New Knitting Pattern - The Love Pillow

I'm so excited to publish "The Love Pillow".  I've been planning this project for months and had a few distractions that slowed me down in getting it completed.  This is my third "word" design pillow.  You may have seen The Peace Pillow and The Home Pillow that I published earlier this year.  After I knit The Peace Pillow, I had lots of other "word" design ideas (some of them are still in the works!) and it's not surprising that "love" made it to the top of the list.

Love...one of the best words in our language.  

Hopefully you have many things you love.  For me it's family and home.  

The Love Pillow knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio.

I picked blue and white for my version of The Love Pillow.  Blue is my favorite color so this was an easy choice for me.  However, it would be fun to knit this design in red and pink for Valentine's Day!

I used Loops & Threads 'Cozy Wool' in the colors 'Fleece' (white) and 'Seastorm' (for blue letters).  This yarn is available at Michael's Craft Stores in the U.S. and is available on the Michael's website.  This project will also work well with other super bulky weight yarns.

With the super bulky weight yarn, this pillow knits up very quickly.  It would make a great gift for someone you love!

This knitting pattern uses the intarsia knitting technique.  Experience with intarsia knitting is highly recommended.

All of my pillow knitting patterns include detailed step-by-step instructions for finishing.  There are lots of photos to walk you through the process.  

Here's what one of my customers said in an unsolicited review of one of my patterns:

What I appreciate the most about this pattern is the detailed finishing instructions. It really looks great sewn on the pillow and I would not have known how to get it looking this good if the instructions just said “sew together and put it on the pillow form”.

Example of finishing tutorial photos included in pattern.

You might be wondering about pillow forms.  I do not use any fancy, plush pillow forms!  I always pick the bargain pillow forms from the craft store. I prefer inexpensive, firm pillow forms especially for my "word" themed pillows.  The firm pillow form holds the word design in place.

The Love Pillow is available in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry.  

Thank you so much for taking a look at my knitting patterns.  I love what I do and it makes my day every time someone purchases one of my patterns or shares their story of how they used my pattern.

"The Home Pillow" - New Knitting Pattern

"Home"...such a simple, short word that means so much.

Whether you have moved a lot or stayed in the same place for years and years, hopefully home is a special place for you.  It is for me.

You may have seen my "Peace" pillow which I published a couple of months ago.  When I finished that pattern I was really excited to do other word related patterns.  I made a list of ideas and started working on a couple of designs.  However, I have to give credit for this design to one of my customers who sent me a message requesting a pillow design with the word "home".  I immediately knew it was a great idea and wondered why that simple, meaningful word wasn't on my list of ideas.

This was one of those cases where a new idea jumped to the front of the line...in front of all the other knitting design projects in the works.

"The Home Pillow" knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

Conveniently, I already had the yarn on hand to knit this pillow.  I used Loops & Threads “Cozy Wool” super bulky yarn in the colors ‘Mushroom’ (light tan) and ‘Fleece’ (soft white). This is a nice, economically priced yarn. 

With super bulky weight yarn this pillow knits up very quickly!  I used US size 13 knitting needles.

This pattern is knit flat and then seamed on the back, top and bottom.  

Careful finishing makes a huge difference in the outcome of almost any knitting project.  All of my pillow patterns include detailed, step-by-step finishing instructions with close-up photos.  The photo below illustrates how to do an invisible horizontal seam.  Detailed written instructions and additional photos are in the pattern.

Detailed step-by-step finishing instructions & photos included in pattern.

This is a two-color knitting pattern using the intarsia technique. Experience with intarsia knitting highly recommended! Instructions for intarsia knitting are not included in the pattern but there are many resources available to help you through this process.  (If you have done two color stranded knitting or fair isle knitting you should be all set to try intarsia knitting.)

I always use inexpensive, craft store pillow forms for my pillows.  Nothing fancy required.  This pattern uses a 12” x 16” pillow form.

"The Home Pillow" knitting pattern

"The Home Pillow" knitting pattern is now available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

Thanks so much for your interest in my knitting patterns.  Every time someone purchases one of my patterns it really brightens my day and inspires me to work on my next designs!

"Step in Time" Pillow Knitting Pattern - New!

The “Step in Time” Pillow knitting pattern is named after a song from one of my favorite movies….Mary Poppins.  Just ask my kids!  When they were little and wanted to watch a movie, I frequently suggested Mary Poppins.  One of my favorite scenes is Bert (played by Dick Van Dyke - one of my favorites!) and the other chimney sweeps dancing on the roof top to the song “Step in Time”.  Mary and the children watch the sweeps tap dance “over the roof tops”, on top of chimneys and on the railings.  Every time I watch the movie I’m mesmerized by the tap dancing of the chimney sweeps…though I’m completely afraid of heights and wish they didn’t hang off the edge of the roof!

This pillow knitting pattern is very simple and easy.  

I love the stitch pattern…evenly spaced steps…step in time.

"Step in Time" Pillow Knitting Pattern

I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease “Thick & Quick” super bulky weight yarn in the color ‘Glacier’.  This is a nice, economically priced yarn available at many craft stores in the U.S.  The pattern will work with many super bulky weight yarns.

I used a standard, inexpensive 16” x 16” pillow form.

The pattern includes step by step instructions for sewing up the side seams and the bottom seams.  There are a number of tutorial photos to guide you through the finishing process.

Pattern includes detailed finishing instructions with tutorial photos.

With super bulky yarn this pattern knits up very quickly.  If you want to knit a quick gift for a friend, you’ll be done with this project in no time at all!

Thanks so much for checking out the “Step in Time” Pillow knitting pattern.  

As always, you'll find this an all my other patterns on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop. 

Bay View Pillow Knitting Pattern

This is the story of how I kidnapped yarn from my dear friend’s yarn stash and used it to design and knit her birthday present.

 

Back in July, I was visiting my dear friend and we were chatting about knitting and yarn.   She pulled out her “stash” of yarn while we talked.  The “stash” included two unfinished projects a friend of hers had recently passed on to her.  Apparently, the friend had lost interest in her half finished projects and wanted the yarn out of her house.  My friend told me she’d be happy to share any of the “gifted yarn” but I was having a hard time getting too excited about any of it.  One project was a partially started sweater knit with very bulky tweed yarn.  It looked like that sweater would be very, very heavy to wear.  The other unfinished project was a sweater knit with light weight, hot pink wool yarn.  You would really need to like hot pink to wear that sweater! 

However, what intrigued me the most in the assortment of yarn was an unopened 10 skein package of beautiful blue Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky yarn. 

Yarn I kidnapped from my friend's "stash".

I recognized that yarn immediately because my friend bought that yarn when we were traveling together about eight years ago and we happened upon a little yarn shop.  As I sat in my friend’s living room holding her beautiful blue yarn I realized that the color matched her living room perfectly.  She has lots of soft yellow in the natural wood paneled living room, with accents of blue here and there.  I asked her if I could take her lovely blue yarn and design a knitted pillow for her living room.   She thought it was a great idea!

Here’s the pillow I designed and knit for her birthday….which conveniently was only about two weeks after I stole her yarn!

The "Bay View Pillow" knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

I’ve now learned that the Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky yarn has been discontinued…a number of years ago.  However, this pattern will work great with any number of chunky weight yarns.  Berroco has a line called Vintage Chunky that comes in lots of colors and would work nicely.   Also, this pattern would look nice knit with Malabrigo Chunky.  When you are looking for yarn, look for chunky weight yarn in the “bulky” category of yarn in the United States.  I used size 10 needles and the gauge in stockinette stitch is 14 sts x 17 rows = 4 inches.

This pattern is very easy to knit!  Just knit and purl stitches. 

The pillow cover is knit as one rectangular piece which is then folded in half and seamed on the sides.  After inserting a 16” x 16” purchased pillow form the bottom seam is sewn up.  The pattern includes detailed finishing instructions with lots of tutorial photos.

Detailed finishing instructions included in pattern along with photos.

I wrapped the pillow up for my friend for her birthday.  She loved it!  I have to say that the pillow looks fantastic in her living room.  I also gave her back the three skeins of yarn that were leftover.  I think my friend was OK with me stealing her yarn and giving her a finished pillow in return.  :)

I named this pattern the “Bay View Pillow” because my friend has a lovely view of the lake from her living room.  And, her beautiful blue yarn reminds me of the color of the lake on a sunny summer day.

The “Bay View Pillow” knitting pattern is available on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop. 

The "Bay View Pillow" knitting pattern.