New Spud and Chloë Patterns!

I'm so excited for the new batch of patterns from Spud & Chloë and not just because a couple of them are mine. The Spud colors/textures are so great and I can vouch that the yarns are seriously superb to work with. I love the photos for this season too! All I want to do right now is go bowling at this place, in these sweaters.

I'm going to start with my favorite, Garth's Vest:

 

I designed this vest years ago (in my brain) for my dear pal Garth. I'm super psyched that it now exists in the flesh. It's a simple knit, mostly stockinette, with lovely ribbed side gussets for a snug fit. The blue diamond is shaped intarsia and the hot pink lines, perfect for Garth, are created with duplicate stitch. It's for a modern and daring guy, yet it still has classic appeal. It would look great in many color combinations, but I highly suggest going bold for the stripes. Click here for the Ravelry link.

My next pattern for Spud this season is called the Heartgyle vest:

I replaced the traditional argyle diamond with a heart and voila... instant cuteness! This bulky yarn, Spud & Chloë Outer, knits up in a flash. I bet you could finish this in a day if you wanted. No joke.  Ravelry link here.

Now, isn't this next pattern is awe inspiring? I would love, love, LOVE to make this. I wish I was stranded on an island with the yarn and hook to make this. First I would crochet a hammock to sleep in and then lounge all day in that hammock, crocheting granny squares in perfect color combinations. Once I was done, I'd think about coming back to the real world... or then again, maybe not.

 

Read more about Spud & Chloë here!

 

 

Relax...

Knit eye pillowMy April projects for Yarnplay

 

Aromatherapy Eye Pillows

Two very simple patterns, one knit, one crochet. Fill with flax and lavender. Click the photos for the FREE pattern and helpful how to photo instructions!

Photography by Emily Delamater

 

 

 

 

Cashmere neck pillow filled with buckwheat. Majorly comfy as you can see!

 

Techno!

Techno is an awesome new yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas ! I was lucky to get to design a project with skeins hot of the presses, ah, I mean spinners! You can read more about the yarn here in Blue Sky's first bluesletter(aka blog). I really loved knitting with it. It's unique construction, baby alpaca shot through a silk mesh... yeah, techno... makes it super soft, bulky (read: quick) and light! Bulky and light rarely go together, right? Finally, a way to knit a sweater fast... that's wearable, warm, hip and not heavy. I just want to keep knitting with it! 

To celebrate Technos launch, Blue Sky will be giving away a pattern and yarn to 10 people! Go to this blog post and make a comment to enter the contest! 

My design for the collection is below.

Happy knitting and good luck!

Recognize this gal???

 

For Lion Brands January Yarnplay issue I created a cute embroidered hood. (I also did a little modeling) It's a very easy and quick project, that I think is better than a hat. One, it keeps your neck warm and two, it doesn't squish your hairdo. The FREE pattern also has helpful how-to photos to help you with the tricky parts.

 

 As alway, much thanks to my good friend and awesome photographer Emily. Have you seen her website?? GO now! It's so fun to work on these together. We love our lives!

 

Knitting Green Blog Tour

Welcome to stop #6 on the Knitting Green blog tour! Like all of the other designers before me, I'm quite pleased to be a part of this book and tour. Knitting Green, by Ann Budd, is a great collection of practical and useful projects mixed with informative essays. Flipping through the pages, I found several projects I want to make, which to me is a good sign! Hmmmm, what should I make first??

The Caterina Wrap?

or the Eco Vest?

 

The bike basket, one of my patterns, is made of jute and lined with oilcloth. I'm jazzed that it made the cover!

Many people have asked me who makes the the purse handles, but I'm afraid I don't know. I got them at Brooklyn General, but there was no label or info on them at all, I swear! I'm not just a flake who forgets to write things down. I ordered the beautiful oil cloth from purlsoho.com.

 

The Save the Streams Slippers is also mine and I'm quite pleased with it. The shape is slick and easy to create. It makes use of scraps and tidbits and you can embellish with needle felting, embroidery or keep it simple. I want to make a whole pile!

The blog tour is almost over, but check out the rest of the stops here.

Then head out to your local book store to get your copy of Knitting Green! If they don't have it, check to see if they can order it for you. Most small book sellers are more than willing to special order at no additional cost.

Yarnplay Newsletter

It's been a long time since I last posted. Guess I've been busy dancing, enjoying spring and turning 30! Woah baby. It's a whole new decade and I don't mind it one bit!

I've been working on designing new projects, mostly  simple and fresh ideas for a newsletter called Yarnplay, put out by Lion Brand.

You can sign up for the yarnplay newsletter here and be sure to get the new projects hot off the press!

View all the yarnplay patterns here. They're FREE!!

This month I designed knit & crochet jewelry frames, shown here, that would be a perfect Mother's Day gift. (Or gift to yourself!) Last month I did a cool blanket that folds into a pillow and a funky steering wheel cover...aka, projects for the car!

Very cute and springy ideas are coming up in the next issues, so stay tuned!!

New Book: Knitting Green Conversations and Planet Friendly Projects

I'm excited about this new book by Annd Budd called Knitting Green. (Ok... secret's out, I'm biased because my knitted Bike basket is on the cover, woo hoo! My first cover project!!)

By making things ourselves, we automatically help the earth (I think) because we're not supporting huge, mass-marketed, smog-spewing machines. And by buying patterns like these, you're putting more money into the hands of smaller designers, like me, which feels good, right? I hope so. I also hope that this book will help consumers (like me) learn more about sustainable materials and practices.

Take a look at some of the books projects below. The bike basket is knit using jute twine, lined with a beautiful oil cloth from Kokka Fabrics and finished with yellow purse handles and tabs to snap to your handlebars. I really didn't want to send ithis project in because it looked so cute on my bike! I also did a cute slipper pattern that will fit practically any foot in your family and makes good use of those leftover bits of yarn. You can see photos of the slippers on the last page, below.  Click here for more book information and to pre-order. The book will be available in May!

Knitting Green

Tiptoe Cardigan for Spud and Chloë

My latest addition to the Spud and Chloë pattern lineup called the Tiptoe Cardigan! I think this is my favorite design yet! I loved working each section a little differently. Even the sleeves! For a hot second I thought it might be too busy, mostly because of teasing from a friend who shall not-be-named, but I'm glad I trusted my own instincts. Adding the fabric flowers really tied it all together and I had so much fun making little fabric yo-yos for this that I really haven't stopped since.

Tiptoe Cardigan for Spud and Chloë by Kim Hamlin

Next: Family Hat Pattern

This  the next installment to my pattern collection:

Famliy Hat Pattern (click photo to purchase!!)Family Hat

The combination of wool and mohair is always one of my favorites. Both yarns used in this pattern go a long way, making this project an affordable way to outfit your whole family!

Sizes: Child, (Adult Small, Adult Large)

Finished Measurements: Hat circumference 15 (20, 22)”
Gauge: 16 stitches = 4” in Stockinette stitch.

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade 220 (100% Pure new wool; 220yds)
1 Skein Madill Kid Seta (70% Super Kid Mohair, 30 % Silk; aprox. 250 yards)
Yarns held together throughout.

Needles: One 16” circular needle size US #9 (5.5mm).
One set of five double pointed needles size US #9 (5.5mm).
Change needles if necessary to obtain proper gauge.

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

 

Ravelry Link

Etsy Link

Patterns

Angora Dots Hat pattern (Click photo to purchase!)

I've decided to bite the bullet and try selling my own knitting patterns on the interweb. It's something I've wanted to do and have been meaning to set up for a really long time. I have a few patterns on hand that I plan to set up as downloadable pdf files that you can purchase from my etsy site. If it's successful, or even semi-successful, I think I'll keep adding to the collection. Yippee!!

I tend to get so tangled up in page design, re-inventing logos and wishing for better photos that I never end up getting to the publishing part. These patterns are far from perfect in my mind, but I'm letting that be ok. I just want to see what happens or hear the response, if any.

The first pattern uploaded today:

Angora Dots Hat:

Price: $5

Sizes: Baby (Toddler, Child, Adult Small, Adult Large)

Finished Measurements: Hat circumference 12¾ (14½, 16½, 18 ¼, 20)”

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4”

Yarn:2 skeins Koigu Kersti (100% Merino wool; 114yds) in two colors. There should be enough to make two hats if you reverse top and bottom colors.
1 Skein Alchemy Furry Kindness (70% French Angora, 30% wool; 86 yards)

Needles: One 16” circular needle size US #4 (3.5mm).
One set of five double pointed needles size US #4 (3.5mm).
Crochet needle size F or G.
Change needles if necessary to obtain proper gauge.

Notions:Tapestry needle, stitch marker.

Ravelry Link

Etsy Link