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Free Pattern: Rambler Legwarmers

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Rambler Legwarmers

RAMBLER LEGWARMERS – FREE PDF PATTERN
Download on Ravelry

Ramblers are:

– roses
– creatures who walk
– creatures who talk
– a pair of pretty lacy legwarmers to be enjoyed with all of the above!

Despite the weather’s worst intentions, I managed to take a few passable shots of my latest pattern. Expect an update when the sun shows up! Pale pink with dark green is my favourite colour combination at the moment. It’s such a nice balance of tones, and the girly pink tempered by the earthy green just puts me in mind of roses. As does the lace pattern on the Rambler Legwarmers. I’m not sure why, exactly. I suppose the curves do resemble the shape of a rose-head, and the diamonds in the centre do look like leaves or petals, growing up out of the twigs of ribbing, but it’s all quite subtle.

Rambler Legwarmers

I’ve had need of these legwarmers with all the gloom and sog recently. I love legwarmers, especially inside wellies (“rain boots” to American readers, though why you would want to call something “rain boots” when you can call them “wellingtonians” is beyond me!), or scrunched up at the ankle with cute high-heel boots. Because I’m obsessed with versatility, these legwarmers can be worn with the ribbing at the front, for a plainer look, or with the lace at the front, for a little more prettiness.

I wanted them to be very simple & quick, with a lace stitch that you can memorise in a pinch, so that you can finish a pair in a weekend, and ohh, just snuggle up on the couch to read.

Rambler Legwarmers

If you’re subscribed to my newsletter, you’ve already seen the 2 wrappers that accompany the pattern. Especially handy if you want to give your legwarmers as gifts, but also if you just want to keep them tidy & remember how you’re supposed to launder them. Once again, here’s a great reference for care symbols.

Solvitur ambulando‘ is Latin for ‘it is solved by walking’. I find this very true; walking always dispels worries & replaces them with inspiration. A sweet thought for any troubled friends. Besides, we all love a pithy Latin proverb, don’t we? :)

solvitur ambulando
solvitur ambulando

As usual, instructions are both written & charted. I’ve also given advice on knitting eyelets at the top of the legwarmers for ribbon or elastic, and also some pointers on adjusting the fit.

Rambler Legwarmers

Details

YARN: 1 ball Feza Angora [100gr; 50% mohair / 50% acrylic; 400m / 440yds] or approx. 400m / 440yds of 4-ply yarn.
NEEDLES: 3mm (US 3) double pointed needles, or size to get gauge.
GAUGE: Ribbing: 26sts / 30 rows over 10cm/4in in unstretched ribbing.
1 pattern repeat (8 rounds / 12 sts) is 4cm/1.5in x 2.5cm/1in unstetched.
SIZE: Finished size will be 55cm/ 21.5in in length, 20cm/8in in circumference, unstretched. To fit calves up to 45cm/18in around.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Rambler Legwarmers

By the way, this book is no mere prop; it is by far the most useful book on writing that I’ve ever read. More later. ;)

Daily Knitting Deals at Craftsy.com

11th October, 2011  // Arms & Legs, Downloads, Roundelay // tags: , , , , , .

Cornflower Garden Hat

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Cornflower Hat
cornflower hatcornflower hat

CORNFLOWER HAT PDF PATTERN – £3.00

WATCH THE TRAILER | WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL
QUEUE IT ON RAVELRY

Many thanks to my Technical Editor, Akshata Dhareshwar!

Cornflower is my idea of a carefree hat; a hat you pull on without even thinking as you head out to do a spot of gardening. Or perhaps you keep it hanging on a nail in the greenhouse, for convenience. And if your ribbing starts to sag a little because you’ve worn it so much, well, just tie it up a bit tighter! When you get back inside you can sit down with a well-earned cup of Lady Grey. It has cornflowers in it, you know!

Cornflower is knit from the brim up in a deceptively simple & fun stitch pattern that is a combination of eyelets and elongated stitches (watch the video to see for yourself). The ribbing transitions neatly into the main stitch pattern which decreases into a very satisfyingly symmetrical crown. The tie is braided herringbone-style and threaded through the yarn over holes in the brim. Like all good hats, it will knit up in a day.

IMG_1585IMG_1590
Cornflower Hat

things i love about this hat, in no particular order

  • I can use the braided tie as a bracelet, to stop a door slamming, to tie up drooping plants, or for various other stringy purposes.
  • It gives people behind me in a queue something pretty to ponder.
  • I can use it as a pouch with a drawstring.
  • I can stick all manner of found objects into the tie.
  • I can tie it onto my coat / bag / wrist so I don’t lose it! The number of hats I’ve stuffed in my pocket & subsequently lost on walks doesn’t bear thinking…
  • It’s lacy & textured at the same time.
  • It can be beribboned.
  • The tassels mirror the stitch pattern. Details make me happy. :)

On a side note, if you like lists like this, you really should read the 101 Reasons Why I Love Knitting.

cornflower hat
cornflower hat

details

YARN
‣ 1 ball Alize Cashmira [100gr; 100% wool; 300m / 328yds] or approx. 170m / 186yds of DK-weight yarn (including yarn needed for braided tie).

NEEDLES
‣ 3.5mm (US 4) double pointed needles or 40cm/ 16in circular needles for ribbing,
‣ and 4.5mm (US 7) double pointed needles,
‣ or size to get gauge.

GAUGE
‣ 16sts / 20 rows over 10cm/4in in blocked ribbing.
‣ 1 pattern repeat (18 rounds / 20 sts) is 7cm/2.75in x 7cm/2.75in when stretched.

SIZE
‣ Finished size will be 51cm/20in around the brim (to fit a head 56cm/22in),
‣ 21cm/8.25in from cast-on edge to tip of crown.
‣ The pattern includes instructions both for altering gauge for a tighter-fitting brim, and for making the hat slouchier.

Cornflower Hat

PDF PATTERN – £3.00

QUEUE IT ON RAVELRY

21st September, 2011  // 5 O'Clock, Hats, Roundelay // tags: , , , , .

The Sights & Sounds of Autumn Knitting

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Being without an internet connection wasn’t all bad, you know. I did an unusual amount of reading, splashed some watercolours around, managed to connect my Strat to my Macbook, and even ventured into a bank. Oh, and I made this trailer for the Cornflower Hat. It’s a bit better than my last attempt, I think, but hopefully not nearly as good as my next. :)


(click here if you can’t see the embedded video)

I think the work you put into your knitting will reward you richly, not just in the beauty of the final piece, but in more profound ways, just like the pretty spring blossoms bear fruit in autumn. That’s the story I tried to tell in this video. Also, of course, that a hat with a drawstring is an excellent place to keep your lunch, perhaps Paddington-style marmalade sandwiches?

You can also amuse yourself by spotting all 5 types of fruit in the trailer, and identifying the following quotations that were going through my head as I shot the clips:

  • “…sloeblack, slow, black…”
  • “…it is only flowers, they had no fruits…”
  • “nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries…”
  • “the pears are not viols…”
  • “hope is the thing with feathers…”
  • “when I am an old woman I shall wear purple” (I might start now!)

Many thanks to Granddad’s orchard, Grandma’s greenhouse, Dad’s camera, providential butterflies, birdsong and the D chord.

The pattern will be released this week, knitters! I hope you enjoy it…

12th September, 2011  // Inspiration, Roundelay // tags: , , .
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