Showing posts with label Yarn Social. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yarn Social. Show all posts

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, July 9, 2019

New Blanket Knitting Pattern - Dance on the Breeze

I'm so happy to introduce my new blanket knitting pattern - Dance on the Breeze.

This blanket pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.

This design was inspired by many customer requests for a lighter weight version of my popular Winter Dance chunky blanket knitting pattern.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern may be purchased on my Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

The knitting pattern is also available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and on Etsy.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

If you are a fan of the movie Mary Poppins then you have probably guessed the inspiration for the name of this pattern. The song "Let's Go Fly a Kite" is one of many cheerful songs in the movie...and it reminds us to take some time to have fun...especially with the children in our lives.  Summertime is a great time to get outside: have a picnic in the park, go to the playground at a park, play catch with a Frisbee, go for a walk in a scenic place, go for a bike ride...or go fly a kite!  It doesn't have to be an expensive outing to make wonderful memories.

Here's a bit of the lyrics from 'Let's Go Fly a Kite'....

Oh, oh, oh!
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!

When you send it flyin' up there
All at once you're lighter than air
You can dance on the breeze
Over 'ouses and trees
With your fist 'olding tight
To the string of your kite


SIX BLANKET SIZES:
Approximate sizes after blocking...

Baby Blanket: 27.5” wide x  31” long
Small Blanket: 31.5” wide x 36” long
Medium Blanket: 35.5” wide x 40” long
Large Throw: 39” wide x 45” long
XL Throw: 43” wide x 51” long
XXL Afghan: 53” wide x 60” long

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

It's easy to make any of the blanket sizes longer by adding additional pattern repeats.  Each pattern repeat adds about .67" to the length of the blanket.

The pattern includes estimates of how much additional yarn is needed to make each blanket size longer.

The blanket shown in the photos is the small size blanket - about 31.5" wide x 36" long.  I used approximately 775 yards of Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn for this project.


Dance on the Breeze blanket pattern features a seed stitch border and
an easy to remember four-row repeat pattern for the center of the blanket.

WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:

Baby Blanket: 600 - 620 yards
Small Blanket: 780 - 800 yards
Medium Throw: 1000 - 1030 yards
Large Throw: 1250 - 1300 yards
XL Afghan: 1500 - 1600 yards
XXL Afghan: 2250 - 2350 yards

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

This pattern may be used with slightly lighter or heavier weight yarns.  Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.

I used Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn in the 'Splash' colorway.  This yarn is made of 55% superwash wool and 45% certified organic cotton and is part of the Blue Sky Fibers family of yarns.  I am a huge fan of this beautiful yarn.  The stitch definition is fabulous!  I purchased the yarn for this project at Yarn Social in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern
I also used the Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn for my Making Plans blanket knitting pattern design.

If you are using slightly lighter weight yarn, such as DK weight, consider following the directions for one size larger than you want the blanket to turn out.

If you are using slightly heavier weight yarn consider following the directions for one size smaller than you want the blanket to turn out.

Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on yarn choice and gauge...so buy some extra yarn just in case!

If you prefer super bulky weight yarn please see my Winter Dance blanket knitting pattern.

NEEDLES:

The project is worked flat, back and forth on circular knitting needles.  Circular knitting needles are highly recommended in order to accommodate the large number of stitches for a blanket.  If you are tackling the XXL or 3XL size blanket, look for needles with a very long cord...such as 40" or longer.  The needles do not have to be the same width as the project, but need to be long enough to accommodate a large number of stitches that can be slightly scrunched together.

I used US size 8 Knitter's Pride Nova Platina knitting needles for my Dance on the Breeze blanket.

Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.  The goal is to find the knitting needle that gives the best stitch appearance, without being too tight...or too loose.

The blanket is knit flat in one piece using long circular knitting needles.

BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:

highly recommend taking the time to block this blanket after weaving in the ends.  Spending a little extra time carefully blocking the project can really improve the final appearance of the project!

January 30, 2020 Update: Click here to see my updated blog post on how to block your blanket.  The post includes lots of tips and step-by-step photos.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern.

SKILLS NEEDED:

This is an easy knitting project for any knitter who has mastered knit and purl stitches, and changing back and forth from knit to purl.  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.

If you already know how to work seed stitch and stockinette stitch then you have the skills to work this pattern.

WHERE TO GET THE PATTERN:

Fifty Four Ten Studio Website: Click here to purchase at FiftyFourTenStudio.com.

Ravelry: Click here to purchase the Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern on Ravelry.

Etsy:  Click here to purchase the Dance on the Breeze knitting pattern on Etsy.

HAPPY SUMMER!

I hope you are able to enjoy some relaxing time with family and friends this summer!

Thanks so much for your interest in my knitting patterns!

Mary Lee



Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Making Plans - New Blanket Knitting Pattern

I'm so happy to announce my new blanket knitting pattern - Making Plans.

This blanket design features an easy to remember four-row repeat and a seed stitch border.  The pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.

Making Plans blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry.

The pattern may also be purchased on the Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

The pattern is also available on Etsy and LoveKnitting.

Making Plans - blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn.

January 28, 2020 UPDATE: My blog has a new location at FiftyFourTenStudio.com!  Click here if you would like to read this post on my new website. 




INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

Each little purl stitch in the center of the Making Plans blanket represents the numerous little tasks that must be completed when making plans…especially big plans.  Every big step in life requires the accomplishment of many small details in order to achieve the bigger goal:  starting a new business, changing jobs, graduating from school, welcoming a child to the family, moving to a new home, getting a first apartment, starting college, celebrating a wedding…and so much more.  

I met Trish in October 2018 when she was making plans to open her yarn shop….YarnSocial.  This blanket design is inspired by her!  

Connecting with Trish started when I attended my first SunflowerKnitters Guild meeting and someone mentioned a new yarn shop was in the works in the Kansas City area.  Through Instagram I found @yarnsocial and soon received a kind invitation from Trish to stop by and meet her.  The first day I visited her shop she was so warm and cheerful…and excited about taking this new step in her life to begin on a new career path.  Her list of tasks was incredibly long in order to accomplish her goal of opening the shop about a month later – but she was calm and obviously organized.  As we chatted for over an hour about her plans for the shop, the yarn she would stock and all things knitting, I immediately felt fortunate to have connected with Trish.  She is so welcoming, kind, smart and enthusiastic.  With a lot of hard work and carefully made plans, Yarn Social opened five weeks later.  The space that was virtually empty when I saw it in October was transformed into a welcoming, bright and well-stocked yarn shop.  It was such a treat to see Trish soaking up the joy of a mission accomplished!  Here’s to celebrating the joy in making plans.

This is just one section of the many shelves of yarn at Yarn Social!
If you live in the Kansas City area, or ever find yourself visiting the area, be sure to set aside a bit of time to visit Yarn Social!  (It's very close to The Plaza and Westport areas...and not far from downtown Kansas City.)

Yarn Social - a darling little yarn shop in Kansas City, Missouri
And...look for the yellow 'Making Plans' blanket which is now on display permanently at Yarn Social!

Making Plans blanket on display at Yarn Social in Kansas City.
May 2019: Yarn Social is offering kits to make the 'Making Plans' blanket!
The 'Firefly' colorway from the Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn collection is the perfect match for the Yarn Social logo!   
Yarn Social - yarn shop in Kansas City, Missouri

Making Plans blanket knitting pattern includes instructions for 6 blanket sizes.

SIX BLANKET SIZES:
Approximate sizes after blocking...

Baby Blanket: 26.5” wide x 30” long
Small Blanket: 28.5” wide x 31.5” long
Medium Throw: 31.5” wide x 38” long
Large Throw: 35.5” wide x 42” long
XL Afghan: 41.5” wide x 50” long
XXL Afghan: 49.5” wide x 60” long

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

It's easy to make any of the blanket sizes longer by adding additional pattern repeats.  Each pattern repeat adds about .67" to the length of the blanket.

The pattern includes estimates of how much additional yarn is needed to make each blanket size longer.

The yellow blanket shown in the photos is the small size blanket - about 28.5" wide x 31.5" long.

Making Plans blanket knitting pattern.
WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:

Baby Blanket: 580 - 600 yards
Small Blanket: 620 - 650 yards
Medium Throw: 870 - 900 yards
Large Throw: 1100 - 1150 yards
XL Afghan: 1500 - 1600 yards
XXL Afghan: 2200 - 2300 yards

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

This pattern may be used with slightly lighter or heavier weight yarns.  Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.

I used Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn in the 'Firefly' colorway.  This yarn is made of 55% superwash wool and 45% certified organic cotton and is part of the Blue Sky Fibers family of yarns.  I am a huge fan of this beautiful yarn - in fact, I've already started another project with this yarn.  The stitch definition is fabulous.  I'm absolutely thrilled with the results!  Yarn Social carries the full selection of 30 beautiful colorways.

Working on my 'Making Plans' blanket with
Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn in the 'Firefly' colorway.
If you are using slightly lighter weight yarn, such as DK weight, consider following the directions for one size larger than you want the blanket to turn out.

If you are using slightly heavier weight yarn, such as Aran weight yarn, consider following the directions for one size smaller than you want the blanket to turn out.

Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on yarn choice and gauge...so buy some extra yarn just in case!

If you prefer super bulky weight yarn please see my Third Street Blanket knitting pattern.

NEEDLES:

The project is worked flat, back and forth on circular knitting needles.  Circular knitting needles are highly recommended in order to accommodate the large number of stitches for a blanket.

I used US size 8 knitting needles for my Making Plans blanket.  Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.  The goal is to find the knitting needle that gives the best stitch appearance, without being too tight...or too loose.

Use circular needles to knit the blanket in order to hold all of the stitches.

BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:

highly recommend taking the time to block this blanket after weaving in the ends.

Click here to see my blog post on my new Fifty Four Ten Studio website with lots of tips on blocking your finished blanket project.

I loved knitting my 'Making Plans' blanket with this cheery yellow yarn!
Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' worsted weight yarn in 'Firefly'.

SKILLS NEEDED:

This is an easy knitting project for any knitter who has mastered knit and purl stitches, and changing back and forth from knit to purl.  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.

If you already know how to work seed stitch and stockinette stitch then you have the skills to work this pattern.

WHERE TO GET THE PATTERN:

ENJOYING SPRING DAYS:

It's been a beautiful spring in Kansas City.  Here's a few photos from a recent quick visit to the Kauffman Gardens.  (Tip: It's open every day and it's only two miles from Yarn Social!)

Yellow tulip - close up!

Yellow tulips & a lovely fountain at Kauffman Gardens.

Many varieties of tulips in bloom at the Kauffman Gardens.
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.  Have a wonderful day!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Many Thanks to Two Darling Yarn Shops!

Many thanks to my friends at Yarn Social in Kansas City and Yarn Bar in Billings, Montana for helping make January such a fun month for me and my Fifty Four Ten Studio knitting design business.  I can't thank them enough for their kindness and for recommending my knitting patterns to their customers.

THANK YOU - YARN SOCIAL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI!

Yarn Social hosted a five day trunk show of about ten of my knitting pattern samples at their darling shop in Kansas City, Missouri.  This was my first knitting trunk show and it was such an honor to be invited to display my samples at Kansas City's newest yarn shop!

My husband built this beautiful display stand for my blanket and scarf samples the night before the show.  (I didn't give him much notice!)

Fifty Four Ten Studio trunk show at Yarn Social in Kansas City, Missouri.
Samples shown on display in the photo above (from top to bottom) - click any link to read more about each pattern here on my blog:

On the Porch blanket (ivory)
Quality Time scarf (dark blue)
Prairie Fields blanket (green)
Northern Trail blanket (tan)
On the Map blanket (blue)

Quality Time scarf and Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern samples.
Last weekend I taught my first knitting class at Yarn Social.  It was so fun to spend the afternoon with eight delightful, enthusiastic knitters!  They worked on small sampler projects using stitch patterns from four of my patterns and we talked about a variety of knitting topics, including blocking.  (Blocking is one of the best things you can do to improve the appearance of your finished project! Click here to read my blog post about blocking.)

Here's a photo of the knitting class in progress...sampler pattern instructions, pretty yarns, blocking demonstration and snacks!

Knitting class at Yarn Social!
The 'Toast' shade of yarn that I used for the examples of the sampler project (photo above) is Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn from Blue Sky Fibers. I love how this yarn knits up!  Great stitch definition and it blocks beautifully. 

Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' is a blend of wool and cotton.  It's available in a beautiful selection of colorways...see Yarn Social's display below.  I'm looking forward to using this yarn in a future project! (Shh...a secret plan is in the works!)

Spud and Chloe 'Sweater' yarn in beautiful colorways at Yarn Social.
If you live in the Kansas City, or are visiting from out of town, be sure to make time to stop in at Yarn Social!  Trish has a beautiful selection of yarns and she has created a warm and inviting shop. 

Yarn Social is located in the West Plaza / Westport area...near 45th & State Line Road.  

Address: 1707 W. 45th Street, Kansas City, MO (near the antique shops)

Check the Yarn Social website for hours!

Yarn Social - yarn shop in Kansas City, Missouri

THANK YOU - YARN BAR IN BILLINGS, MONTANA!

In January, Yarn Bar in Billings, Montana hosted a 'Cheers to Nifty Fifty Four Ten Studio KAL' - how fun is that?!  They suggested using any of my Fifty Four Ten Studio blanket or pillow knitting patterns as cozy winter project for the knit-a-long (KAL).  

One of their customers finished a throw size Prairie Fields blanket! (Photo below.) I love that she used a beautiful ivory colored yarn so her stitches really shine!  Lovely knitting and blocking. 

Prairie Fields blanket (ivory) made by a Yarn Bar customer!
And, the yellow blanket...that's my On the Porch blanket design that Sue and Linda made up as a sample for their shop!  They tell me the yarn is Cestari Sheep Mount Vernon in the colorway 'Daffodil'.  This blanket is so cheery and full of sunshine!

On the Porch blanket on display at the Yarn Bar in Billings, Montana.

Our friend Teddy zipped in to knit a second one as soon as she got a request from the 'hipster' niece who had received the original one Teddy made, gets the 'where did you get that blanket' comment from fellow hipster parents, and wanted another one in different color.

Such a fun story!

I'm so honored that Sue and Linda hosted this knit-a-long and that they have been recommending my patterns to their customers for a long time.  One of these days I'm going to make it out to Billings, Montana to meet them in person!! 

__________________________________


I'm excited about other plans in the works for the coming months.  There's lots happening behind the scenes...if only I could knit faster!

Thank you so much for reading!  Happy knitting!

Mary Lee 
Fifty Four Ten Studio