Nutty Creations

Mudslide Socks pattern available now

nuttycreations — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:15:56 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know that the Mudslide Socks pattern is now available!

I have so much more to talk about, but no time this evening! I promise to be back soon…

Riding the Rails Socks

nuttycreations — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:53:36 +0000

So where were we? Oh yes, I was going to tell you about some more designs, then make some patterns available for sale. Today, I’ll focus on a sock design This sock was for theKnitter.com’s sock of the month club. I don’t normally make socks with heavier weights of yarn (these are worked up in Cascade 220), but I will say it is almost instant gratification! Meet the Riding the Rails Socks!

These socks are worked from the cuff down. The cuff and leg are worked in a twisted stitch ribbing pattern with occasional cable crosses — a motif I find to be both elegant and unisex. Because, though, that pattern is textured and the yarn is heavy, I thought it might be a little uncomfortable inside a shoe, so the pattern transitions into a more traditional ribbing pattern for the instep.

Oh yeah, the twisted stitches do run down the heel flap, though!

The pattern is written up in several sizes, so you can knit it for anyone in your family or use several weights of yarn. Gotta love that versatility! Currently it is only available through theKnitter.com, but I will start selling it as a stand-alone pattern later this spring.

Happy knitting!

Spring 2012 Knitscene

nuttycreations — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:21:56 +0000

Well, got a little behind again there with the holidays and all. I absolutely love the holiday season, but I consistently overestimate what I can get accomplished. Now it is time to get back into my routine. And what a great way to do so! The preview for the Spring 2012 issue of Knitscene was posted this week. As always, it is an amazing collection of designs. I am super lucky to have a sweater in the mix!

The Brindle Pullover

This sweater is a season-spanning pullover knit up in Creatively Dyed Voodoo 2 yarn. The slipped stitch textured pattern works well with the variegated yarn — neither the yarn nor the stitch dominate.

The sweater itself is knit flat, then seamed. This is my preferred construction for this style of garment. It is close fitting and can easily be layered.

Then you go and add Interweave’s styling and photography, and magic happens. (Yep. Photos copyright Interweave Press.)

I encourage everyone to go buy a copy of the magazine. Knit this sweater and several other projects. You won’t regret it!

Coming soon… A couple of sock designs and some club exclusive designs now widely available!

Ring of Fire Sock pattern available now!

nuttycreations — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:19:33 +0000

Just a quick holiday note…

I have made the Ring of Fire Sock pattern available for sale. This is a great quick knit. Based on how quickly some of the folks whipped out these socks for the Sock Sniper fundraiser, these could actually be worked up as a last minute Christmas gift!

Knit Noro Accessories!

nuttycreations — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:03:42 +0000

Have you seen the new Knit Noro Accessories book? If not, you should definitely check it out. It is a very nice book full of little projects to whip up using Noro yarns. I am quite pleased to have 2 designs included in the book.

The Random Cable Mitts (knit up in Silk Garden Sock)

and the Cabled Mittens (knit up in Silk Garden)

Both of these are quick projects. You might even be able to whip them out for last-minute Christmas gifts!

I have added more pictures on ravelry, but I highly recommend picking up the book. It does not disappoint.

By the way, the photos are credited to Rose Callahan/sixth&spring books.

On the Right Shawl

nuttycreations — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:17:00 +0000

I know I said I was going to talk about the Noro Accessories book next, but I figured I would skip ahead to a new shawl pattern first. After all, here Christmas is rapidly approaching, and I know there are those of you out there still hoping to whip out a handknit gift or two!

So, I’d like to give you one more option for a quick knit gift that will be well-received. The On the Right Shawl.

This shawl is a 2-color shawl worked up in garter stitch — ideal for using up all those skeins of fingering weight wool we have sitting in our stashes. I used Alchemy Juniper for my shawl in a dark navy and a rich gold. I have a few more color combos set aside for future projects.

The pattern is written up for 3 sizes — a small (kerchief-style) scarf, the shawlette as shown, and a true full-size triangular shawl. It is knit in all garter stitch using a modular technique. Everything is joined as you go. No sewing to be done!

I really enjoyed this project. So much so that I have a few variations in mind that you will be seeing some time in the not too distant future. I hope you all enjoy it, too.

P.S. Thanks for the awesome modeling, Dani!

Ice Time Mittens

nuttycreations — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:54:56 +0000

Winter is going full force here in Colorado. And when it gets chilly, and the snow starts flying, nothing beats a warm pair of mitten! Enter the Ice Time Mittens.

These mittens are knit up in Three Irish Girls Glenhaven Cashmerino Worsted (one of my favorite yarns — so soft and nice to work with) at a very firm gauge. You don’t want cold air leaking in now, do you?

The cuff mixes twisted stitches with a cable. The back of the hand is cabled, while the thumb and palm of the hand are worked in stockinette stitch. (The pattern includes charts for the cable stitches.) The appeareance is complex, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised when knitting along. Much easier than it appears!

Hope you love them as much as I do! (I love them so much that they might have inspired a cardigan pattern…)

Next up… The new Noro Accessories book. I am in love!

Some fingerless mitts…

nuttycreations — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:20:02 +0000

Promised I would be back to share a design that is in the Winter 2011 issue of Knit Simple magazine. And it would make an awesome quick holiday gift!

These mitts are knit up with a single skein of Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted. (I knit two pairs for the magazine — a limeade pair and an aztec turquoise pair.) In the heavier yarn and simple pattern, you won’t believe how fast these are to knit. The stitch pattern (which is a ribbing at the cuff and a variation of that ribbing up the back of the hand) is easy to memorize. I tell you, you have time to knit several pairs before we hit the winter holidays!

Photo courtesy of Knit Simple Winter 2011, photo by Paul Amato

Plaited Mittens

nuttycreations — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:22:10 +0000

The new Interweave Knits Accessories issue is out! As always, Lisa Shroyer has pulled together a lovely issue. I feel honored to be amongst the designers.

My design is the Plaited Mittens. They are knit up in Kollage Glisten, which has just the slightest bit of bling in the yarn. Fun stuff!

The mittens are knit at a firm gauge for maximum warmth. The cuff is knit side-to-side, then the main portion of the mitten is picked up and knit from the cuff. The thumb is gusseted. These mittens would make a fun, fast holiday gift knit for sure. Here’s a close up.

I think I will have to finish my prototype pair that I started in Cascade 22o. It is a bit chilly out, and I think these would be a welcome wardrobe addition.

Tomorrow I will share another little project from Knit Simple!

Ice Cube Socks pattern now available!

nuttycreations — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:14:06 +0000

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say that the Ice Cube Socks pattern is now available!

This is a great unisex pattern written up for 4 different sizes. (Plus you can easily get more in-between sizes by altering your gauge slightly!)

Enjoy!