Say It Loud - FREE PATTERN

One of my friends is recently out of the closet - and when I say out I mean VERY out. When I stumbled across this rainbow yarn, I knew I had to get it to make something for her to show her pride. I decided on a pair of mitts so that she can say it loud, say it proud.

Even without the rainbow yarn, this star stitch pattern makes a lovely look for both variegated and single color yarns. Knit Picks Imagination substitutes perfectly for this pattern, as would any fingering weight yarn.

If you are on Ravelry you can also access this pattern through a Ravelry free download here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/say-it-loud 

Say It Loud

by Shannon Mulhall Simonelli
Developed Spring 2011
***UPDATED APRIL 2014***

MATERIALS

Rainbow mitts:

Moonlight and Laughter [Fingering Superwash, 75% Merino, 25% Bamboo; 435 yd per 3.5 oz skein]; color: Rainbow to the Stars; less than 0.5 skein

Blue mitts:
Knit Picks Imagination [fingering, 50% superwash Merino Wool, 25% Superfine Alpaca, 25% Nylon; 219 yards per 50 grams]; color: Looking Glass; less than 0.5 skein

1 set US #5/3.5mm straight needles
1 set US #4 straight needles
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Stitch holder

GAUGE
25 sts = 3" in pattern

PATTERN NOTES
Star Stitch (worked over 3 sts)
k3tog, leaving sts on left needle, yo, k3tog

For a tutorial on how to do the Star stitch check out here: http://youtu.be/7v--kWsw1ng
The tutorial shows the stitch done on the purl side rather than the knit side, but gives you the basic idea of how it is done.

This pattern is knit flat. The placement of the star pattern varies by 2 sts ever 2 rows. Except on the palm, there is an extra st at the beginning and end of each row for the seam to be sewn. The thumb is worked back and forth in short rows.

PATTERN
Using smaller needles, Co 65 sts, Work 5 rows of ribbing as follows:

Rows 1, 3, & 5: k1, p1* rep to last st, k1
Rows 2& 4: *p1, k1* rep to last st, p1

**The original 2011 pattern called for a slightly fancier rib, Which you are welcome to use instead of k1, p1. It is as follows:
Rows 1, 3, & 5: k1 *k2, p1, k1, p1* rep to last st, k1
Rows 2& 4: p1 *k1, p1, k1, p2* rep to last st, p1

Row 6: (ws) switch to larger needles, p all sts

Row 7: *k1 star,* to last st, k1
Row 8: p all sts
Row 9: k3 *star, k1* to last 3 sts, k3
Row 10: p all sts

Repeat rows 7 – 10 until you have reached approximately 6.5 in (or desired length) having finished a row 10

Thumb
Row 1: (rs) work as above in row 9 across 44 sts, pm, turn.
Row 2 :(ws) purl across 22 sts, pm, turn.

At this point there should be 21 sts to left of markers, 22 sts btwn markers, 22 sts to right of markers.

The thumb will be worked in short rows across these 18 sts as follows:
Row 3: *k1, star* to 2 sts before m, k2, turn.
Row 4: p to m, turn.
Row 5: k3, *star, k1* to last 3 sts, star. Turn
Row 6: p to m, turn.
Row 7-9: *k1, p1* across, turn

Bo thumb stitches purlwise loosely. Cut, leaving enough tail to sew the thumb seam. Sew seam along thumb. You will need to sew this seam before continuing knitting in order to have a place to pick up additional stitches for the palm.

Palm
With the rs facing, pu 6 sts across the thumb and continue to work across the row as set. (49 sts)
Row 1: p all
Row 2: k3, *star, k1* rep to last 2 sts, k2
Row 3: p all
Row 4: *k1, star* rep to last st, k1
Row 5: p all

As set, the mitts should end on or around the knuckles. If you would like a longer palm rep these 4 rows an additional time.

Switch to smaller needles, work as follows:
Rows 1, 3, & 5: *k1, p1* rep to last st, k1
Rows 2 & 4: *p1, k1* rep to last st, p1

bo loosely. Cut yarn with a long tail, sew seam.

Repeat for second glove.

FINISHING
Weave in ends, wash and block.

Derby Love FREE PATTERN

I’ve recently started up with the local roller derby team. Inspired by our fantastic new jerseys, I wanted to make a hat that would show my love for derby, while coordinating with the jerseys (as well as hiding post-bout helmet hair!). This pattern is done in NOtown Roller Derby colors, but naturally can be adapted to any color scheme of your choosing.
This pattern is knit flat because it uses a combination of fair isle and intarsia techniques. There are 3 different versions - the first is a regular beanie style and has two skates, one placed on either side of the head, the second is also a regular beanie style with a single skate on the front, and the third uses a 3 needle bind off and has some funky tassels on it.

Click here for free ravelry download: Derby Love Pattern

If you are on Ravelry you can also access all of my patterns through Ravelry free download.

Almost there!

I'm getting closer to finished with my new Roller Derby hat pattern - I have a few test knitters lined up and then I'll be posting it here as a free pattern.

Here's a picture of newer version:



I swear, this roller derby is becoming a dangerous obsession, but one that appear to cross over nicely with my knitting. I banged out these super fast legwarmers in a day, which I'm going to wear for (squeal!) my first derby photo shoot this week.



Bulky yarn, giant size 15 needles, 2 by 2 rib, minimal color changes and no decreasing. Easy-peasy!

Knit Still Happens

Oh blog, how I have forsaken you! Sure, at first it was a forced knitting hiatus, but then it just became laziness on my part. I did manage to get a few projects pumped out in the mean time, so to catch up...

I actually did a couple of these Morning Walk Headbands. They make great quick knits and you can get a couple out of a single skein of bulky. It also helps that they are in fashion right now (so I'm told by my 15 year old sister).



Of course I had to make a little cap for my new nephew, who joined our brood in December.



I finished up Skylar's Easy Baby Cardigan which I made out of the leftovers from my Twist & Shout Sweater. When she's 16 she's gonna hate that we were ever matching, but for now, she doesn't complain...much.




I also managed to bang out a pair of Maple Leaf Mittens for my Canadian friend, but forgot to snap a picture before she left to visit family.

Ooh oooh, and last night I happened to meet Sabrina, the amazing local spinner of Anzula yarns, which I had used to make Skylar's first Sweater. She's super sweet and I liked her in an instant. Even more amazing is that she remembered me from Ravelry and extended an invite to join her in her shop or at a knitting meet-up any time. Swoon!

But what has really been keeping me away is a new obsession...roller derby. I started skating with the local league in November, and now I'm drafted to one of their home teams and full on hooked on the sport. So naturally, looking for a little balance, I decided I should try to unite my two obsessions. I've already made several changes to the charts (on this one the wheels are way too big for my liking) but here's a sneak peak of the first prototype I've been working on:



It will probably take a little while to get the pattern to where I'm satisfied enough to post it and on top of that I went ahead and signed up for another swap, which means I'll be working on this on the side instead of primarily. Either way but I'm hoping to still be able to refining this pattern so I can get it posted here within a month or so.