Showing posts with label Shawl Knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shawl Knitting. Show all posts

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Scarf & Wrap Knitting Pattern - Room with a View

I'm so happy to announce my new scarf and wrap knitting pattern: Room with a View.

Room with a View knitting pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn.  The design features a 12-row repeat stitch pattern that creates a modern, geometric appearance that is reversible. It looks exactly the same on both sides.  This design will work well for women or men.

Room with a View knitting pattern has instructions for three scarf sizes...plus a cozy wrap or shawl.

Click here to purchase the Room with a View knitting pattern on Ravelry.

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

The pattern is also available on Etsy and on LoveKnitting.

Room with a View scarf knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

My blog has a new location at FiftyFourTenStudio.com!  Click here if you would like to read this post there. 

INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

I live in the suburbs of Kansas City in the state of Kansas.  The view from our house is definitely not postcard worthy.  There are no mountains, wide vistas or lakes.

But, there are views to enjoy through the seasons: the flowering trees in the spring, the lovely green of the garden in the early summer (assuming we get rain!) and the explosion of fall color on the old trees in October.

My favorite view of all is on the occasional winter day when large snowflakes fall from the sky and make it feel like we're in the middle of a snow globe.  Snow storms are not frequent in our part of the world...somewhere between one and six a winter depending on the year.  So, snow days are often memorable.

When our college-age kids were younger they would hope for school to be canceled.  And, when it was we would go sledding, build a snowman, play board games and enjoy a welcome break from the regular routine.  Today, when I'm working from home and watch the snowflakes falling outside my home studio window...it brings back memories of fun snow days of years gone by.

On a snowy day a few weeks ago, my daughter helped me snap some photos of my Room with a View scarf out in our backyard.  I love this close up photo where she captured the detail of the snowflakes!

The falling snow on a winter day - a favorite view from my home studio.
REVERSIBLE!

Room with a View scarf and wrap knitting pattern design is reversible!  It looks exactly the same on both sides.

Room with a View scarf knitting pattern - it's reversible!

UPDATE JANUARY 28, 2020:  I'm excited to announce that Fifty Four Ten Studio has a new website!  Thanks for taking a minute to check it out.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THREE SCARF SIZES + A WRAP:

Approximate sizes using worsted weight yarn, after blocking...

Narrow Scarf: 7.5” wide x 64” long 
Medium Scarf: 8.75” wide x 68.5” long 
Wide Scarf: 12” wide x 62” long 
Wrap / Shawl: 18.5” wide x 75” long  

There are instructions for several sizes to accommodate yardage you might have on hand, personal preference and size dimensions desired.  

Finished size may vary depending on yarn weight and gauge used.

Any of the sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 2” to the length of the project. Pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make each size longer. 

I love the texture of this stitch pattern!
WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:

Narrow Scarf: 400 - 420 yards
Medium Scarf: 520 - 540 yards
Wide Scarf: 610 - 630 yards     
Wrap: 1200 - 1250 yards     

Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your project.

The pattern may also be used with slightly lighter or heavier weight yarns. Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension. Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on yarn choice and gauge….so buy extra yarn just in case!

I made the Wide Scarf size using three skeins of Malabrigo Rios worsted weight yarn in the 'Reflecting Pool' colorway.  

This pattern will work well with solid color or hand-dyed yarns with gentle color variations.

GAUGE:

Pattern stitch with US size 8 needles: approximately 18 stitches & 24 rows = 4”

The pattern instructions include directions for testing gauge using the stitch pattern.

Though exact gauge is not essential, this stitch pattern will look best with fairly tight stitches.  Significantly different gauge may require more yarn.

NEEDLES:

I used US size 8 knitting needles…but choose the needle size that gives the best appearance with your yarn and your knitting tension.

Room with a View - scarf and wrap knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

EASY KNITTING PATTERN:

This pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter.  

You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern, bind off stitches and weave in ends.

Blocking of finished knitting is recommended.  Click here to see my blog post with tips on blocking.


WHERE TO GET THE PATTERN:

FIFTYFOURTENSTUDIO.COM: Click here to buy the pattern.




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A LOOK BACK:

Two years ago this month I published one of my favorite knitting patterns - this chunky, cable bed runner.  I'm thrilled that my 'River of Dreams' bed runner knitting pattern has become a customer favorite!  The single giant cable adds a layer of coziness to the room. It’s really fun to knit with super bulky yarn.  (Basic cable knitting experience is recommended.)  

River of Dreams bed runner blanket knitting pattern for super bulky yarn.
'River of Dreams' bed runner knitting pattern includes instructions for twin, full, queen and king size bed runner accent blankets. Each size is about 23” wide and is designed to drape about 14” over each side of the bed. (Note - this is an accent blanket for the end of the bed.  It is not designed to cover the entire bed.)  




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Thanks so much for reading!  I appreciate your interest in my knitting patterns and look forward to sharing new designs in the coming months.

Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Thursday, December 5, 2019

New Scarf & Wrap Knitting Pattern - These Days

I'm so excited to introduce my new scarf and wrap knitting pattern: These Days.

These Days Scarf knitting pattern is easy to knit with Aran or heavy worsted weight yarn. The design features a six-row repeat stitch pattern that creates a modern ‘triangle-in-a-square’ texture that is reversible! The scarf looks exactly the same on both sides.

These Days Scarf knitting pattern has instructions for two scarf sizes...plus a cozy wrap or shawl.

Click here to purchase the These Days Scarf knitting pattern on FiftyFourTenStudio.com.

Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Click here to purchase the pattern on Etsy.  Or, here to purchase on LoveKnitting.

These Days Scarf - reversible knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio.
FEBRUARY 2020 UPDATE:


INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

Every year I purchase the same month-at-a-glance printed calendar.  Of course, I use it to keep track of things such as birthdays, appointments and holidays.  I also use my paper calendar as a brief journal.  A two-inch square space allows enough room to write a bit of detail about the day:

who joined us for Thanksgiving dinner
what we did on each day of our trip
home improvement projects completed
meeting a friend to go for a walk on a beautiful day
life changing events...both happy and sad
knitting accomplishments (finished project!) 
and weather events...snow storms are recorded!

In my desk drawer, I have over 20 years of my personal calendars. I don't pull them out often, but I value having them as a record and journal of many happy days, as well as some very sad days.

As I look back at calendars from the past few years, some dates are packed with notes and some are left blank. Recently, I have made an effort to write at least one thing for each day.  Making notes about each day reminds me to focus on enjoying these days…especially delightfully ordinary days.

The stitch design for my These Days Scarf pattern reminds me of the boxes on my paper calendar with little notes about each day.

These Days Scarf is easy to knit with Aran or heavy worsted yarn.
REVERSIBLE!

These Days Scarf knitting pattern design is reversible!  It looks exactly the same on both sides.

These Days Scarf is reversible!  The stitch pattern looks exactly the same on both sides.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TWO SCARF SIZES + A WRAP:

Approximate sizes using Aran weight yarn, after blocking...

Scarf: 8.5” wide x 64” long
Wide Scarf: 11” wide x 70” long
Wrap / Shawl: 17” wide x 60” long

Finished size may vary depending on yarn weight and gauge used.

Any of the sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 1” to the length of the project. Pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make each size longer. 

These Days Scarf knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio.
ARAN or HEAVY WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:

Scarf: 420 - 435 yards
Wide Scarf: 630 - 650 yards
Wrap: 840 - 870 yards

Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your project.

The pattern may also be used with slightly lighter weight yarns. Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension. Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on yarn choice and gauge….so buy extra yarn just in case!

To make the scarf shown in the photos, I used two skeins of Blue Sky Fibers ‘Extra’ Aran weight yarn in the ‘Mist’ colorway that I purchased at Yarn Social...a lovely little yarn shop in Kansas City, Missouri.

Knitting with Blue Sky Fibers 'Extra' Aran weight yarn in the 'Mist' colorway.
GAUGE:

Pattern stitch with US size 8 needles: approximately 17 stitches & 25 rows = 4”

The pattern instructions include directions for testing gauge using the stitch pattern.

Though exact gauge is not essential, this stitch pattern will look best with fairly tight stitches.

Significantly different gauge may require more yarn.

This stitch pattern will look best with fairly tight stitches.
NEEDLES:

I used US size 8 knitting needles…but choose the needle size that gives the best appearance with your yarn and your knitting tension.

Circular knitting needles recommended for making a wrap or wide scarf in order to comfortably accommodate the number of stitches.

Straight knitting needles may be used for making a scarf.

EASY KNITTING PATTERN:

This pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter.  

You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern, bind off stitches and weave in ends.

Blocking of finished knitting is recommended.

Click here to see my blog post with tips on blocking.

These Days Scarf knitting pattern is easy to knit!

LOVEKNITTING: Click here to purchase on LoveKnitting.

HOLIDAY DECORATING:

After a wonderful Thanksgiving Day celebration...we spent the following day decorating for Christmas!  I loved spending the afternoon decorating the Christmas tree with our kids who were home from college.  Many of our ornaments bring back memories of people we love and days gone by. We reminisced, laughed and remembered special times as we decorated the tree.

These are just a few of our many handmade ornaments that I have made over many, many years. 

My collection of homemade Christmas ornaments!
My knitting patterns for The Little House, Mini Sweater Ornament, and Felt Appliqué Mitten Ornament are available on Ravelry and Etsy.  



JANUARY 2020 UPDATE:


Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

"A Bit of Good Luck" Easy Shawl Knitting Pattern

I'm excited to announce my new shawl knitting pattern - "A Bit of Good Luck".  This shawl is knit with super bulky yarn so it's quick and easy to knit.  

This pattern is available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting, and Etsy.

"A Bit of Good Luck" shawl knitting pattern - quick & easy to knit.
This shawl is easy to knit and would make a lovely gift...to wish a friend or loved one "a bit of good luck".


MARCH 2023 UPDATE: The knitting pattern was recently updated to correct a typo.  In the abbreviations section a typo for K2tog has been corrected and now reads: knit 2 stitches together.

I made several test shawls before I finalized the design for this simple shawl pattern.  My goal was a design that would be very easy to knit, could be made at a low cost ($10 - $20 depending on choice of yarn), had a classic, timeless style and was easy to adapt to multiple sizes. (See info below about three size options.) After trying several ideas I think I achieved all of my original goals!

The shawl is knit side to side with a seed stitch border.  The main center section is stockinette stitch with balanced increases and decreases to create a gently curving shape for the lower edge of the shawl.  Click here for the updated tutorial for the M1L increase used in this pattern.

Easy to knit shawl pattern.

The pattern includes instructions for three sizes:

Small/Petite: 51" long x 13.5" wide (at widest point)
Medium: 55" long x 14" wide
Large: 59" long x 14.5" wide

All of the shawl sizes are about 7" wide at the ends.  It's also easy to make any of the shawl sizes longer by adding rows in the middle (back) portion.

The size shown in the photos is the small/petite version.  It's about 51 inches long and about 13.5" wide at the widest point.

"A Bit of Good Luck" shawl knitting pattern - it's easy to adjust the length.

This shawl is knit with super bulky yarn which makes it chunky, warm, cozy...and quick to knit.

"A Bit of Good Luck" Shawl shown in 'Vermont Green' Lion Brand Hometown USA
Blocking of the shawl is highly recommended!  Blocking makes a huge difference in the final appearance as it sets the shape of the shawl.

I have written about blocking several times.  For more tips and photos on blocking you might want to check out my full collection of tips on this blog post.

A couple key things...after soaking the shawl for several minutes in a sink full of water, carefully set it on an old towel to allow excess water to drain off.  Handle your knitting with care...do not wring or twist!

Handle wet knitting with care - do not wring or twist.
Another important part of blocking is to carefully arrange the knitting on the blocking surface.  The reason to block is to train the knitting to be neat and tidy with even edges...in the exact shape desired.  For this shawl, make sure the stockinette stitches in the main body of the shawl are straight from one edge to the other.  The photo below shows the straight stockinette stitches for the main body of the shawl, with the increase band curving gently to the right.

"A Bit of Good Luck" shawl - block carefully to shape.
Use T-pins to set the knitting in place after carefully arranging the knitting.

Use T-pins to hold knitting in place for blocking.
Of course, I picked green to go along with the pattern name..."A Bit of Good Luck"!  With St. Patrick's Day coming up soon it seemed like a fitting choice!  (If you are wondering...I'm about 3/8ths Irish.)

SUPER BULKY YARN:

I used Lion Brand Hometown USA in the color 'Vermont Green'.  I love this rich forest green!  If you have not used Hometown USA you might want to give it a try...it's very soft to the touch and very enjoyable to knit.  If you are sensitive to wool this could be the perfect choice for you as it has no wool content.  Also, this yarn is a very economical choice...I spent about $12 for the yarn to make this shawl. (As I said above...my goal was to design a classic shawl that doesn't cost a lot to make.)

When I was looking for green yarn I found that there are a lot of choices!  Of course, you can use any color for your shawl but I thought it would be fun to share the choices of greens that I found for a few super bulky yarn options:

Lion Brand Hometown USA - look for these colors on Lion Brand Yarn's website:

'Vermont Green': dark forest green (shown above in shawl)
'Green Bay': true kelly green - bright St. Patrick's Day green (see photo below)
'Oklahoma City Green': avocado green (see photo below)
'Saint Louis Sage': soft grayish, slate green
'Grand Rapids Green': bright green
'Montpelier Peacock': dark, rich, slightly bluish green
'Savannah Sage': light, soft green

'Green Bay' in Lion Brand Hometown USA is perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

'Oklahoma City Green' in Lion Brand Hometown USA
If you like a woolish texture for your yarn, try Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.  It is available in a few green shades including: 'Grass' and 'Cilantro' (an earthy green),

Another yarn option is Loops & Threads Cozy Wool.  Cozy Wool is a blend yarn that includes a bit of wool. This yarn comes in several green shades including 'Spearmint' (bright aqua green), 'Thunder Blue' (dark teal), 'Moss Green' (earthy green), 'Sweetgrass' (light avocado green).  This yarn is sold only at Michael's Crafts.

This pattern would also work well with variegated or multi-colored yarns, including hand dyed yarn.

An easy to knit chunky shawl - "A Bit of Good Luck".
Since this shawl was specifically designed for use with super bulky weight yarn, I am unable to assist with questions regarding how to adapt this pattern for lighter weight yarn.  This pattern could be adapted for lighter weight yarn but that would require writing a whole new pattern!  Thanks for understanding!

"A Bit of Good Luck" shawl knitting pattern is now available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and Etsy.

You may have read on my previous post that I have been participating in the #YarnLoveChallenge on Instagram during the month of February.  Since this blog post has been filled with green I thought I would share my photo from day 16 when the theme was "happy color".

My favorite color has always been blue!  I have used various shades of blue yarn for several of my knitting projects in the last couple of years.

my 'happy color' = blue
Patterns shown in the collage are listed below.  Click to read more about these patterns on my blog.
The Parkway Pillow (top left)
Belleview Blanket (top right)
The Boulevard Blanket (lower left) - always free pattern
Third Street Blanket (lower center)
Felt Applique Mitten Ornament (lower right)

Thanks so much for reading and for your interest in my knitting projects!

Wishing you a bit of good luck in the days to come! :)

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

"A Bit of Good Luck" easy shawl knitting pattern.