Creativity Strikes!

Easy Toque Pattern

Robyn Roste — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 04:08:11 +0000

This post was originally published in 2006 on my personal blog to give my aunts the hat pattern I had written. My first pattern if memory serves. I was quite proud.

Buy a Toque!

Easy Toque Pattern

I haven’t revised this pattern since the first time I wrote it out. I do plan to create a proper pattern one day, and will link it here when I do. This version is done on straight needles and sewn up at the end.

Use worsted yarn doubled for this thick beanie.

Cap: With 8mm needles cast on 65 stitches. Work in single ribbing for 1.5 inches. Next, work in stockinette stitch until 4.5 inches from beginning.

Crown: Row 1 = k8, k2 together; Row 2 = purl;. Row 3 = k7, k2 together; Row 4 = purl (Get the idea? Continue in this manner until 8 or 9 stitches remain).

Finish: Cut yarn, leaving a long end. Draw the end through remaining stitches, pull tightly and secure. Sew back seam.

Voila!

This size fits my head. I usually increase 8 stitches for men and decrease 8 stitches for children. I’m working on baby sizes. So far I can only size them to dolls (and don’t even ask about mittens).

How to Pick the Perfect Palette for your Knitting

Robyn Roste — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:00:25 +0000

When it comes to knitting, choosing the right colour combinations is paramount. But how do you pick the perfect palette? You could just go with what the pattern designer suggests but what if you want to incorporate Pantone’s 2018 colour of the year into your work? How does ultra violet fit into the scheme? Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

The easiest and also worst thing you can do is wing it. I mean, maybe it will work out and be awesome but if it doesn’t…I mean. Are you going to take that whole thing out? Who’s going to wear it? Come on, put in a little elbow grease and pick the perfect palette ahead of time!

And it isn’t as tricky as it seems either. Take a few skeins and put them beside each other. Do you like what you see? Hey, you picked a palette!

But perhaps you’d like a more scientific way of doing things. Maybe you can’t trust your judgment? Perhaps? (Or is that just me?)

Today we’re going to learn how to pick the perfect palette using an online palette generator

Here's a beautiful palette based on the ultra violet 2018 Pantone colour of the year. Now this is going to pop!

All you do is find a photo you love and upload it to an online palette generator. The generator pulls the colours out and gives you your palette. Yes! It is that easy!

Don’t believe me? Let’s see another one.

Wondering how I keep finding purple images? I did a search on Unsplash (a free stock photo site) for “Ultra Violet.” I scrolled until I found something I loved. It took all of 10 minutes to go through a few hundred photos and decide I MUST build a palette from this beautiful bird photo.

You can do this as many times as you like until you’ve found the perfect palette for your knitting project. Then all you need to do is write down the colours and find the corresponding yarn. Oh, and then actually knit your project.

All these palettes were put together using Canva’s Color Palette Generator in less than five minutes. In fact it takes under 30 seconds to upload an image and generate a palette. It’s a super tool.

What do you think, are you ready to incorporate ultra violet into your knitting projects this year?

In other news

Don’t forget to grab my free cabled boot cuffs pattern. Yours for the low price of your email address!

Best Free Cowl Patterns on Ravelry

Robyn Roste — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 14:00:52 +0000

What are the best free cowl patterns? Here are my top three.

I love cold weather because I get to wear cowls. And the more I think about it, the more I realize the world “cowl” might be knitting jargon. Do non-knitters know this term? (BTW why can’t non-knitters a have cool name like Muggles?)

This comes up because I haven’t always known the word. In fact, I remember rolling it around my mouth before I could say it aloud. It was just so weird. Cowl. Kuh-owl. Weird. But once I learned what it was (and how to say it) I was obsessed.

Over the years I’ve made quite a few cowls (although before I knew they were cowls I just called them infinity scarves) as they make THE best gifts. And this year while Christmas shopping I even saw a cowl I’ve knitted sitting up on a mannequin at a cool millennial store. I mean, not the same one, but the same pattern. So. You know they’re cool.

Since Christmas is coming SO SOON and I know you have some emergency knitting nights just around the corner, I’ve curated my top three hands-down favourite FREE cowl patterns. These are all on Ravelry so they’re easy to keep track of—just add them to your queue!

Best Free Cowl Patterns on Ravelry

Purl Soho’s Gina’s Brioche Cowl is one of the best free cowl patterns on Ravelry. I’ve used it to make SO many gifts…it’s such a stunning project and never fails to impress! To really make this pattern pop make sure to mix a neutral with a bright contrast colour. You won’t regret it!

Honey Cowl by Antonia Shankland is one of my favourite free cowl patterns on Ravelry. Not only is it an interesting pattern but it’s a quick knit. Win win! I love wearing my Honey Cowl and one time I was boarding a plane and someone stopped me and asked, “Is that honey cowl?” I mean…come on! That’s amazing!

Pattern designer Kristin Omdahl is new to me but I LOVE her style. Her Brave Cowl is one of the nicest free cowl patterns on Ravelry. I just love the Chevron pattern and this one is so dainty! Love it. While reading up on her I’ve learned she has an entire line of Be So Brave yarn, which donates partial profits to help victims of domestic violence.

What’s the best free cowl pattern you’ve ever knit? Please share, I’d love to try it!

In other news

Don’t forget to grab my free cabled boot cuffs pattern. Yours for the low price of your email address!
To Hear the Forest Sing Book Review from Robyn Roste
What They Don’t Tell You About Switching to Natural Deodorant by Shannon Lee Blog
When You Find Out You’re a Perfectionist by Talk Nerdy To Me
When You Feel Like You Can’t Be Brave Anymore by Discovering Parenthood

Alphabet Knitting Using Letter Charts

Robyn Roste — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 14:00:23 +0000

You want to learn alphabet knitting? You are in the right place. But first we have to talk about the technique because once you wrap your head around this you will be able to stitch the entire alphabet with confidence and glee.

To learn alphabet knitting first you need to learn about duplicate stitching

When I discovered duplicate stitching (aka over knitting aka double knitting aka Swiss darning) my whole world changed. Because now anything was possible.

Before learning about this technique I struggled to incorporate letters and shapes into my knitting patterns. Of course this is possible, but it’s so finicky. Duplicate stitching happens after the knitting so you don’t have to work it into the design. It happens on top. Cool, right?

I started with simple projects like monster longies and an Oona sundress. I’m half joking because the more duplicate stitching you do the longer your project takes so “simple” is relative.

I like duplicate stitching because you can figure it out once your project is complete. And you follow a chart, which leaves out room for error. Just follow the chart.

The quick basics of duplicate knitting

This is most often done on the knit side of Stockinette stitch. When you look close at your stitches you’ll see little “V” and “A” shapes. Choose whether you’ll stitch over the V’s or A’s and stick with that decision
Using about 24 inches of yarn the same thickness or thicker than what you’ve just knit, you stitch over top of the V’s or A’s by threading your new yarn through with a darning needle. Yes, you’re literally duplicating the stitches
Purl Soho has a great tutorial on duplicate knitting with all the close-up photography you’ll need to figure this out

Alphabet letter knitting

By now you’ve probably deduced you’re not really knitting letters, you’re duplicate stitching them onto your project. All you have to do is print out your chart (you can even draw your own letters on graph paper if you’re fancy) and figure out where you want to start. Each box in the chart represents one stitch of your knitting, so as long as you follow the chart you will create legible letters.

I hope that answers the question how to knit the alphabet. Duplicate stitching is the way to go! Not only does it make alphabet knitting possible, it opens up the world of design. Have fun!

In other news

Don’t forget to grab my free cabled boot cuffs pattern. Yours for the low price of your email address!
How to Choose Fonts for Your Website When You’re Not a Designer from Robyn Roste
What I Wish I Knew Before Saying I Do from Talk Nerdy To Me
A Letter to My Girls from Discovering Parenthood
Children, I’m Sorry for the Years Lost from Shannon Lee Blog
Letter from Dana Dykema

Knitted Brain Slug [free pattern]

Robyn Roste — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 17:29:41 +0000

Every now and then I browse around for free knitting patterns and every now and then I strike gold.

A knitted brain slug!!!

I’ve never made a toy before, nor knit anything needing stuffing (actually that’s not entirely true). And I’ve especially never followed a pattern so exactly. But… well it’s a knitted brain slug!

What’s a Brain Slug?

Here’s the Wikipedia definition (with a bit of tightening…hey! I’m an editor):

Brain slugs are small, one-eyed, vaguely sluglike aliens who attach themselves to the people’s heads to control them. Brain slugs apparently use this as a method of trapping more “prey,” since those under brain slug control are driven by the desire to place brain slugs on other beings. The brain slug can be seen in numerous Futurama episodes.

Not only was it a fun-looking project, but I had three other reasons for taking it on.

A co-worker lent me all five seasons of Futurama so I could see every episode and I wanted to thank him
There was a stitch in the pattern I didn’t know!
My bf thought it was amazing, and boys and knitting projects don’t generally go hand-in-hand so it was big encouragement

Well, the project went so well I actually made two brain slugs and they’re both long gone so I’m glad I had the wherewithal to take at least one photo of my handiwork. I might want to work on my stuffing abilities next time, and the eye is a bit big, but I won’t be too self-critical. It was really fun and easy.

That said, here’s the Brain Slug pattern I used. You know, just in case you’re curious and would like a knitted brain slug of your own.

This post was originally published in 2010

Afghan-Inspired Knitted Boot Cuffs [free pattern]

Robyn Roste — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 14:19:22 +0000

Afghan-Inspired Knitted Boot Cuffs

These lacy boot cuffs have great stretch. In fact they’ll stretch to your leg and bounce back into shape upon washing. For this project any yarn will do and you won’t need an entire skein so it’s a great project for using up stash yarn. I knit these samples with medium weight yarn on 5 mm double pointed needles.

This pattern isn’t new but I’ve updated the look and feel.

Visiting Islay Woolen Mill

Robyn Roste — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:45:31 +0000

My husband and I holidayed on the Scottish west coast and made our way to the Isle of Islay (Eye-la). Wouldn’t you know this is where the Islay Woolen Mill is!

Of course we had to stop in!

If you’ve been to the Scottish islands or highlands you know there are a LOT of sheep. A lot. So it stands to reason there would also be wooleries. Yes!

Scottish knitting and weaving is amazing. And the mill I stopped in was nothing short of awesome. Established in the late 1800s, the family-run business operates out of a historic stone building and uses Victorian-era machinery. We watched a blanket being made and couldn’t tear ourselves away. A-maze-ing.

We popped by on Friday and the Monday before the mill experienced a flood, which destroyed the flooring and much merchandise. Because the structure was concrete they were still able to keep the mill operational but it did cause a lot of extra work to remove the water bucket by bucket.

Upon entering we were treated to an impromptu tour and demonstration. It was difficult not to purchase skeins and skeins of Scottish wool. I’m still wondering if I made the right decision. It makes such beautiful garments!

After visiting I began noticing Islay Woolen Mill garments in every shop I visited all the way from Glasgow to Edinburgh to London. And their beautiful clothing is also featured in movies like Braveheart, Forrest Gump, and Rob Roy.

What a neat side trip!

Socks My Way [Course Review]

Robyn Roste — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:00:06 +0000

Socks My Way course review

Slow as molasses I’ve made my way through Socks My Way by knitter, author, and mathematician Lara Neel.

If there are two things in this world I struggle with it is socks and math. And this course is FILLED to the brim with both. In a good way, it turns out.

Since I’m afraid I thought it would be best to confront it and this course seemed like a safe way to do it. The Craftsy model is to break the teaching into units. Each unit has videos with great lighting and close-up shots, plus some course material, and the opportunity to ask the instructor questions as you go.

It’s pretty close to in-person teaching. Except I don’t annoy the teacher by getting her to repeat what she said a million times or show me how to do the thumb joint hat top heel just one more time.

This course is suited to intermediate knitters as you need to be comfortable and familiar with knitting small-scale on double pointed and circular needles. You also need to be able to understand patterns enough that you know how to manipulate and customize them to your liking.

In my years knitting I’ve tried not to knit too many pairs of socks citing attitudes of not understanding the fuss and other such ignorance. This course has given me confidence to not only make socks but customize them so I actually like them. How great is that!?

Here’s my first try—I safe top-down number with a bit of a diamond pattern. Next project: toe-up. What what!?

Thanks Lara!

Knitting Boot Cuffs Two at a Time

Robyn Roste — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 15:00:55 +0000

I’m a knitter but the more I learn the more I realize I’m not a, like, knitter.

One thing I’m still not up on is why knitters I consider elite are so into socks. Why? What is it about socks?

But I digress. The sock mystery will wait till another day. Today I want to talk about the phenomenon known as two-at-a-time knitting. Yes, that’s the technical term I think.

What is two-at-a-time knitting?

OK so I’ve watched the millions of images of socks pass by on my Instagram account and I began noticing the promotion of the whole “knit two at once” thing. So now there were two things I didn’t understand.

Knitting both socks at once is kind of genius. It guarantees they’ll be the same length and tension…but was it also twice as much trouble? Of course I had to check.

But socks!?

Then, I had an idea.

Knitting boot cuffs two at a time!

Genius.

Not only do I (still) have lots of outstanding orders but I could check out the technique and maybe pick up a skill or two along the way.

Since I had no idea what I was doing I went to the Internet for help.

Long (oh so long) story short there are a lot of unhelpful tutorials on the Internet. It’s possible this technique is called something else, maybe. It would explain why I had trouble finding good information.

But if you’re here for the how-to guide have no fear, I did figure it out and there is a good tutorial on the Internet from Spinfoolish. Yay!

This tutorial is perfect for the nervous person who’s afraid of all things two at a time. There’s an overwhelm of warnings, turn backs, and disclaimers. It’s awesome. After a while the tutorial begins in painstaking detail. Exactly what the fearful knitter needs. Lots of chances to back out, clear instructions, and good photos!

Let’s repeat for extra clarity

Useful tutorials need three things.

Lots of chances to back out
Clear instructions
Good Photos

In my enthusiasm I knit up two pairs of boot cuffs—and used different patterns at that. It was a neat couple days.

There’s a couple things I learned from this experience.

First, knitting two at a time is still the same amount of stitches overall (which may seem obvious to you mathletes out there but I take my time to figure these things out) so it doesn’t speed things up.

Second, if there’s any sort of pattern deeper than ribbing it’s a bit tricky to do two at a time. With my second set of boot cuffs I was doing a scalloped shape and ran into trouble every fourth round. In the end it worked out but it took some creativity. I realized I couldn’t write a pattern based on the method unless it was a straight tube. Which is fine, I just didn’t realize it at first.

Cozy Cables Toque Pattern Test Knit for the Stitchin’ Sisters

Robyn Roste — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 09:00:40 +0000

New Pattern Alert!

It was so fun to receive a test pattern from the Stitchin’ Sisters. These women looooooooove cables and are creative with them!

So I was happy. Very happy.

The Cozy Cables Toque Pattern is for sale on Etsy and I can vouch for it! The instructions are easy to follow, even if the cables seem complicated at first glance.

You should be an intermediate-level knitter, which means you should understand the basic concept of a cable, be able to knit in the round, cast on and off, decrease, and—gasp!—make a pom pom!

(I wasn’t so keen on pom poms but I decided to do it. For the test knit. I learned some tricks along the way.)

Make sure to visit Cozy Up with the Stitchin’ Sisters on Facebook and stop by and say hello if you happen to be in Grande Prairie.

Creativity Strikes!

Easy Toque Pattern

Easy Toque Pattern

How to Pick the Perfect Palette for your Knitting

Today we’re going to learn how to pick the perfect palette using an online palette generator

In other news

Best Free Cowl Patterns on Ravelry

What are the best free cowl patterns? Here are my top three.

Best Free Cowl Patterns on Ravelry

What’s the best free cowl pattern you’ve ever knit? Please share, I’d love to try it!

In other news

Alphabet Knitting Using Letter Charts

To learn alphabet knitting first you need to learn about duplicate stitching

The quick basics of duplicate knitting

Alphabet letter knitting

In other news

Knitted Brain Slug [free pattern]

A knitted brain slug!!!

What’s a Brain Slug?

Afghan-Inspired Knitted Boot Cuffs [free pattern]

Afghan-Inspired Knitted Boot Cuffs

Download pattern

Visiting Islay Woolen Mill

Of course we had to stop in!

Socks My Way [Course Review]

Socks My Way course review

Knitting Boot Cuffs Two at a Time

What is two-at-a-time knitting?

Knitting boot cuffs two at a time!

Let’s repeat for extra clarity

Cozy Cables Toque Pattern Test Knit for the Stitchin’ Sisters

New Pattern Alert!

Thanks again!