Seeing as Topaz so enjoyed communing with the Hodgepodge blankie, I got right to making him a blankie of his own. I am using a similar color scheme, in part because I am thoroughly enjoying the greens/purples combo and because I have more of these 2 colors in my stash than any other.
We got to have a partially sunny day on Sunday, and I moved the Topaz-binkie around from sunbeam to sunbeam periodically through the day. He laid on it wherever it went.
For this little binkie, I started with ch46 and did half-double crochet throughout on a 9mm hook with double- and triple-stranded yarn. It used about 350g of yarn! Love that stashbusting. Yarn deets here.
Solel doesn’t get the blog exposure that Topaz does…so to rectify that:
I do wonder if she was asking where her binkie is? Although she has not proven too interested in this one. Probably just looking at Topaz with disdain for his love of all things human.
Anyway, it was fun and quick. Still have the crochet bug, too! I’m starting another, larger, blanket using a simple cluster stitch pattern found for gratis at the Lion Brand site. Surprisingly lots of good stuff to find, if you can take the time to sort through!
In the last few weeks, I’ve noticed a veritable deluge of wonderful new patterns and pattern sources. So much so that as I try to get this all down here from memory, I am quite sure I will forget something! C’est la vie d’une tricoteuse.
First up, because the high adorableness factor moves this to the front of the line, is Yummy Yarn’s new Hailey booties pattern (Rav). I mean, entrelac origami baby booties. Come on! So cute. Also a great way to use up odds and ends of gorgeous sock yarn.
Also, did you know you can get the Tatami Kimono (Rav) by Melissa Wehrle as an individual pattern now? It was originally available as a hard copy in a kit from Sundara Yarns. Hooray!
Some other nifty patterns I’ve recently nabbed are, in no particular order, Monday Morning Cardigan (Rav) by Cosmicpluto/Laura Chau; A Beret Named Joy (Rav) by purejoy; Contemplation Pouches (Rav) by ever green knits; Simple Summer Tweed Top Down V-neck (Rav only) by Heidi Kirrmaier (I love the shape and “feel” of this one – so nice to have all the math for just my kind of relaxed simple sweater already done!); Medano Beach Bag (Rav only) by Heidi Kirrmaier; Transition Stash-buster Shawl (Rav) by Lykkefanten; Cotton Bam Boo Baby Cable Hat (Rav) by Andi Clark for Classic Elite; and Kindred Knits Yoked Cardigan (Rav) by knitbot/Hannah Fettig, part of the Kindred Knits Collection (so much knit-patterny goodness! Hannah has more pattern goodness here, did I ever mention her Featherweight Cardigan? I really should get on this one, I know I would wear it all. the. time.
Knitting Daily has published some gratis pattern collections, or “ebooks”, one for baby patterns and one for knitted lace patterns. Also, they’re offering the Lace Scarf from the upcoming book Feminine Knits by Lene Holme Samsoe!
The most unexpected online knitterly goodness I’ve come across, thanks to an email from a (blogless) knitting friend, was Petite Purls, the brand-spanking-new and fabulous online magazine devoted entirely to baby and toddler patterns! If this first issue is any indication, we will soon wonder what we did without it! Talk about high adorableness factor! Where to start – OK, actually, they had me at Jacques Crusteau. And props to my local knitting pal Amiee, who published a great article (her first) in this issue!
I imagine you all are already all over it, but I would remiss not to mention to new summer Knitty and Twist Collective. Both have some great patterns and a wide variety too. In Twist, I got the fantastically named Uhura by Connie. If that weren’t all enough, Berroco went and published previews of all Fall/Winter booklets, including NG Volume 5 and a NG booklet devoted to men’s patterns! How in the world they consistently produce such a high volume of absolutely wantable patterns astonishes me. I want some of whatever they are on. They have some fantastic new yarns being released too!
And in the pure fun department, the Which Ewe are You? quiz, to accompany the fall release of Clara Parkes’ new book The Knitter’s Book of Wool. This is one I’m anticipating! I was Najavo-Churro. I don’t know what this means, really. But is was fun!
Whew. I’m hungry now. And I wonder why I have a hard time deciding on the “next” project. Hope you had fun with the linkfest!
I love the delving into crochet. Fun fun.
I’d seen one of the Petite Purls dresses on Rav before – oh, the Haltermelon, so cute – but had lost track of it. You are so resourceful with all the pattern recommendations!
so you’re a rare breed that’s good for making rugs?
boy you’re making me want to try crochet. your kitties are sooo pretty!!
Thanks for all the links – I’ve found some new faves to add on Rav
Aw, Topaz is getting his own binkie. Providing he gives up the one he already has. Solel not into humouring you? lol.
Nice links for patterns! Thank you.
Excellent crochet work!! Glad to see you’re delving into my world a bit!
Awe. Making a binkie for Topaz’s was soooo sweet of you! You are a good Mommy.
Thanks for all the fun links. The joy beret is a great looking hat ~ so many things I want to knit sooooo little time
The kitties are so cute! The blanket is just the thing for Topaz! I just love when you post all of the links. I’ve seen a few, but not all! Don’t you just feel that you can’t knit (or crochet) fast enough?!! Now, I like a lot of designs out there for crocheting, as well. Have you looked at Attic24 blog? Lucy. She’s great! Check out the bag, for sure! Thanks for the links.
You are always a consistently great source of pattern sharing. So a big “thank you” for all your aggregating!
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