New Pattern Day: Reveur Scarf

squishy, reversible goodness

If you follow me on any kind of social media, you've probably seen a couple of sneak peeks of this scarf. It's been in the works for about a year and a half, and it is finally, finally here! 

 

the circus arrives without warning...

Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus provided excellent inspiration for this scarf. In this wonderfully imaginative book, lovers of a magical circus travel around the world, following the excitement. Many identify themselves to each other by dressing all in black whilst visiting the circus, accessorizing with a single, scarlet accent. One girl knits the hero a warm woolen scarf to help induct him into the group known as the “Reveurs” (or,“Dreamers”). Here, I’ve dreamt up my own vision of what that scarf would look like: A wide, reversible cable meanders over a stunning patterned background, while the edging takes on a slightly tilted look thanks to tiny reversible cables. I wanted the overall effect to be magical, as though it were almost impossible; however, the knitting itself is quite simple! Each row begins andends with 1x1 cables, there is just one increase and decrease on each right side row, and the rest is knits and purls. You’ll cable the largest cable just once every 12th row, and every wrong side row is worked plain. You'll be finished before you know it!

chocolate bats, a sweet treat from the magical circus's courtyard

This pattern would make an equally beautiful cowl, and instructions for this modification are included in the pattern. The 10-page PDF also includes both written instructions and charts for each row of the pattern!

identify yourself as a magical knitter!

To purchase this pattern, click , or you can have the pattern added to your Ravelry library by purchasing here. Come join Club Sexy over on Ravelry for our Reveur KAL, which begins September 1st!

Style Your Knits: Lakota Tank

My Lakota Tank is by far and away one of my favorite summer knits. It's comfy, it can be casual or dressy, and it has a sort of effortless sex appeal due to the lacy one shoulder design. When I originally took this out to photograph, I styled it with rolled-up skinny jeans, an updo, and strappy yellow slingbacks. You can see those pics here, but today I wanted to show an option with a little bit more glamour.

This is now one of my favorite ways to wear this top! The knit maxi skirt is crazy comfortable (and I love the tiny train in back!) and I think choosing a skinny belt in a bright color is a great way to add some flair. Leopard print flats, a feathered headband, and simple jewelry and makeup keep the whole look low-key, and if you're careful to choose season-neutral colors, you can easily extend the wear of this ensemble into fall!

Shown here:

Pattern: Lakota Tank by me!
Yarn: Tahki Yarns Lily (this yarn is discontinued; I recommend Valley Yarns Goshen as a substitute)
Feather Headband: Made by me (similar) 
Knitting Bag: Marc Jacobs (similar)
Skirt: BCBG Sydnee Maxi (similar)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Ram Skull Ring: Thrifted (similar)Shoes: Rocketdog (similar)

Get the knitting pattern here, or click any of the photos.

Flashback Friday: Chi-Chi Cowl

Doc and I have recently been getting in shape for our upcoming 10th wedding anniversary (we're going to Maui - whoohoo)! Since the Dr. is far more heart healthy than I am, he runs and I bike beside him. Because we live on a lake, our evening run/bike can get a little breezy. Those of you who know me know I don't do cold, so I've taken to wearing my Chi-Chi Cowl during these excursions.

 

This is the perfect thing for me to throw on over my shoulders during the beginning of the ride, because it keeps the wind from making me want to turn around and go home while I'm just starting out and I can easily remove it with one hand and toss it in my basket after I'm warmed up. I don't even have to break my pace!

I love my bike! It's an Electra Cruiser 7D.

This pattern is just $3.00 and you can purchase it by clicking here or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

How do you like to stay in shape?

Style Your Knits: Cadence Pullover

Our weather here in KC has been NUTSO lately. While most decent people are enjoying near-summer temperatures by now, our thermometers have been swinging wildly from mid-80s to high-30s. At least it isn't still snowing...don't even get me started on that story. You don't want to know. Anyway, while this post is hopefully out of season for many of you, it's never too early to start thinking about making (and styling!) winter knits! I loved this one:

I've had my eye on Cadence since it very first appeared on Knitty.com over 3 years ago. A little over a year ago, a friend of mine decided that she likes quilting better than knitting, and gifted me the better part of her stash (ain't knitter friends great?). It just so happened that she had a sweater's worth of the very yarn this pattern calls for, in a color I happen to love. Kismet!

 

I did some modifications to this sweater. Firstly, I made full-length sleeves with a generous portion of 2x2 rib. Secondly, I made it much longer than the original, added side vents, and made sure that the back fully covers my bum in the back. I knew I'd be wearing this mainly with leggings, and we all know that leggings are not pants. We all know that, right? Because leggings are not pants, you should make sure that when you're wearing leggings, you have your entire backside fully covered. It's a good idea if your crotch area gets covered, too. Just sayin'.

Shown here:

Pattern: Cadence Pullover by Jordana Paige
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Flamme
Leggings: Betsey Johnson (similar)
Handbag: Deux Lux's "Beribboned Bag" for Anthropologie (this bag has had many incarnations; some are available here, here or here, but probably not for long - I'd recommend checking eBay for more)
Booties: Boutique 9 available here
Necklace: Handmade by me!
Cheetah Ring: Thrifted (similar)
Earrings: BCBG (similar)

While the original Cadence is certainly still modern enough to wear as-is, modifying a knitting pattern for length can be a great way to update a pattern that might be starting to seem a bit out of date. Have you ever modified a sweater pattern to suit your tastes better? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Get Jordana's knitting pattern from knitty.com for FREE here. Click any of the photos above to see my project on Ravelry.

New Pattern Day: Keria Funnel Neck Pullover

It’s just my second pattern release of the year, but she’s finally here: Keria Funnel Neck Pullover is worked in Alisha Goes Around Stable of Horses and is an easy, quick, bottom-up knit. I was pretty proud of this construction and the resulting fabric and style! With its sturdy lace pattern, bracelet length sleeves, and chic funnel neck, this sweater is the perfect design for spring! The open fabric allows for plenty of circulation, and the overall effect is luxurious - not heavy. Take it into fall by working the sleeves a bit longer and layering it over a bright, long-sleeved tee.




I'm so excited to share this with you! This pattern is on sale at the introductory price of $4.50 now through the end of May, so enjoy this great deal while you can!

Things You Need: Green Gables Knits by Joanna Johnson

Joanna hits it out of the park with patterns inspired by L.M. Montgomery's classic books.

My friend Joanna (of Phoebe's Sweater fame) decided last year to publish a sweet little book based around Anne of Green Gables. As a child of the 80s, I have a long and storied history with not only the 6 books, but also the made-for-TV movies. At my house, the Megan Follows movies reigned supreme; I generally preferred Anne of Avonlea to Green Gables, but both were watched overandoverandover with much love. Naturally, when I first heard from Joanna that she was planning a Green Gables book, I expressed so much enthusiasm over the idea that I was one of the first to receive a signed, bound copy.

The gorgeous photos alone are worth the cost of the book; mine is sitting on the coffee table!

I've been envious of natural redheads for as long as I can remember. Anne played a big part in creating this obsession, and I was always confounded that she was wishing away her beautiful auburn locks in exchange for Diana's raven ones. Since I wear the same raven curls as Diana, I was immediately drawn to the Diana's Hat pattern in the book. I reached for my needles and whipped one up in an afternoon and a half.

Leftover silk & llama yarn from my Fisherman Twist sweater make up the bottom portion...

...while blue alpaca adorns the crown.

I really enjoyed knitting this simple pattern, and am quite delighted with the results. The size is just right to accommodate my curls without being too large, and the extra-large circumference of the brim rests just perfectly on your head without giving you "hat hair" when the hat is removed.

If you're an Anne fan, like me, or just a fan of beautiful, wonderfully photographed knits, this book is a must have. And best of all, you can purchased a signed copy directly from Joanna for just $14.95.

Well done, Joanna! I'm hoping you'll consider a sequel...perhaps some knits inspired by Anne's days and acquaintances as a schoolteacher in Avonlea?

Now available: Mashrabiya Vest and Lonicera Cowl!

I've just released two patterns as digital downloads! My Mashrabiya Vest & Shawl was part of a Woolgirl club last year, and is one of those great versatile pieces that can be worn in a myriad of ways. It uses just 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn, and measures a whopping 80" long and 18" wide!

 

it's a shawl! it's a vest! it's a scarf! it's a tee! it's mashrabiya!

The Lonicera Cowl was inspired by one of my favorite plant groups, honeysuckle. It comes in four sizes and you have your choice of using the fingering weight yarn doubled or singled, either one or two skeins. This was part of an Indigodragonfly club last year, and I'm excited to be able to share it with you now!

the smallest size is perfect for around the neck; larger sizes can be worn over the shoulders

this stitch pattern came from an antique knitting book

 

Best of all, I'm running a promotion for these two patterns now through the end of January. When you purchase either one of these patterns, you can get any other pattern of mine, absolutely FREE with the coupon code, "LimitedTimeOffer"! Just put at least 2 Sexy Knitter patterns in your cart, enter the coupon code, and the second pattern will automatically be deducted from your total. Pretty cool, right?

Find Mashrabiya Vest & Shawl here.

Find Lonicera Cowl here.