handmade by stefanie

Seems like I've been sharing a lot of sewing/quilting projects here lately, but I assure you, I am still knitting, and have recently completed a couple of hat projects, a scarf, and even a pair of socks! First up is the March Hat by Meghan Babin, which I made using some Plymouth Yarn Homestead Tweed I was gifted during the holidays and a Knit Picks faux fur pom. This pattern, which is available for free on Ravelry, features a simple yet stylish design that's easy to memorize as you knit. I also knit another hat for the donation bin using two strands of fingering weight yarn to create a tweedy effect. I based this project on the Mash it Up pattern by Babs Ausherman, but went a little off book as I knit, especially when it came time to do the crown decreases. The gold color is Shibuiknits Reed in Pollen and the lighter color is reclaimed from a past project, I'm not 100% sure of the name of the indie dyer or the colorway but I think it might be a sock yarn from KnitCircus. ...

Sorry for the radio silence, I ended up taking an unexpected 11-day trip back to Kansas City earlier this month and I just didn't feel like blogging. So I didn't. And to be completely honest, as this dumpster fire of a year rolls on, I find myself less and less motivated to maintain my blog and social media presence (such as it is) in favor of spending more time doing things IRL. I'm hoping to find something of a balance this fall since I do still enjoy writing and sharing the crafty things I'm learning and doing here, and I assume that someone somewhere likes to read about it. At least I hope so! With that in mind, I thought a good first step would be to get back to blogging every Wednesday(ish), starting with a recap of what I've been working on lately. The key word is simple knits. To wit: I just finished a Boxy Worsted pullover in Malabrigo Twist - miles and miles of stockinette stitch on pitch black yarn. Impossible to photograph, but something I predict I...

The last two weeks have been a little crazy, and I'm glad to get back to my regular Wednesday posting schedule. Since it's been a while since I've shared any WIPs on this blog, I thought I would share everything I'm working on now that all of the secret knitting projects for designs in progress have been published ( I blogged about the 3 newest designs here if you missed it ). To kick off September, I started a Weekender Sweater for this knit-along using Prairie Spun DK from Brown Sheep. And because I like to live dangerously, I used my shiny new Ginger interchangeables from Knitter's Pride (which arrived just in time for the KAL start date) instead of the needles I swatched with. Considering the sweater is to be work with plenty of ease, I'm willing to take the risk. So far, it's looking great and is the perfect, soothing knit. Also in the same roomy knitting basket is another project using Brown Sheep yarn! I'm knitting the Color Block Cowl ...

Happy Friday! I have a new free knitting pattern over on the Knitter's Pride blog today: the Spa-Riffic Wash Cloth can be made in just 1 weekend using two strands of a cotton fingering weight yarn held double. I used one skein of Patti, a 100% organic cotton yarn from Kraemer Yarns , and it was probably one of the most enjoyable cotton-knitting experiences I've had in a while.  Like all of their yarns, it's made in the USA, so you can feel good about supporting a homegrown business. I am pretty sure that I have enough yarn left over to knit another wash cloth, too! The pattern was created especially for the Knitter's Pride Spring Home Decor KAL/CAL , which is happening now through June 30. You can knit or crochet ANY home decor pattern of your choosing for your chance to win some pretty great prizes (more on that here ). Also, double dipping from other KALs is encouraged! Click here to favorite or queue this pattern on Ravelry. I also guest blogged...

It's been a few weeks since I shared what I'm working on, mostly because I've been focusing on a secret sample knitting project that I can't share just yet - which means that most of my WIPs are seeing very little action. In fact, the only project to progress somewhat since this post is my Find Your Fade (although I'm still not even halfway through the second to last color). Obviously, I won't be finishing by the end of this month, which is when the KAL ends, but hopefully I can get it off the needles sometime in April! Meanwhile, my knitting basket is getting a tad crowded. That probably wasn't helped by starting another new project over the weekend - even if it is rather small. This cute fair isle mittens ornament kit was gifted to me over the holidays and I've been meaning to break into it ever since. If not now, when*? *Pro tip: this is how you can justify just about any cast-on. I also have a new project on the loom which will be a d...

On Wednesday, I mentioned that I had 2 new free patterns that I'd neglected to share here. Oops! The first one is really more of a tutorial, and I'm afraid I missed the "timely" boat since Halloween is long since over: You could just as easily make it in non-Halloween colors, or even a Winter/Christmas/Hannukah/Festivus palette, if you dared. Also, if anyone knows what constitutes a Festivus color palette, I'm all ears. You can favorite/queue the pattern here on Ravelry , or visit the Hobium blog here for the free tutorial . Next, I designed a chunky pair of knit mitts using Briggs & Little Super yarn and some truly enormous knitting needles: You can favorite/queue the pattern here on Ravelry , or visit the Knitter's Pride blog here for the free pattern . BONUS! There is a giveaway to win the yarn & needles for this project (pictured above) which is open through Midnight CST on 11/24/16 - click here to enter! I've got two mo...

These past few weeks have been more exciting than usual here in Chicago, and I've been trying like mad to get the goofy "Go Cubs Go" song out of my head. It's unavoidable here since the Cubs won the World Series (and, let's face it - for the entirety of the postseason). While my parents were in town, we made the pilgrimage to Wrigleyville to get a taste of those wonderful postseason vibes. I'd heard that people had been leaving their well wishes in chalk on the brick walls surrounding Wrigley Field, and the rumors were true! There was also an enterprising soul offering photo ops with Millie the Good Luck  Goat (if you're not aware of all the crazy goat-related superstition previously held by Cubs fans, click here ), which I couldn't resist. See! We're getting into knitting-related territory, so hang with me! The true delight came when we walked around to the main marquee on Clark & Addison: No, I don't mean that - though ...

I finally finished a pair of socks ! The yarn is a custom blend of 100% BFL from Succulent Fibers that I got in a sock yarn club earlier this year - I call the color light saber green. The pattern is something I made up and should probably turn into a pattern at some point, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy having an actual pair of socks fresh off the needles.

I'm always a fan of multitasking, so when I was asked to knit a display piece for the Bijou Basin Ranch booth using one of Laura Chau's shawl patterns, I was pretty excited to cast on as part of the #KPChauKAL that is currently happening here in the Knitter's Pride Ravelry group . Two, two mints in one! I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be done in time for Stitches Midwest this weekend, but I bound off on Tuesday night and had it blocking the next day (it had to share the usual blocking space with some homebrewing equipment, though): The pattern is the Leonarda Shawl , and I knit the larger size option for the triangle version (the pattern also includes instructions to knit a smaller triangle shawl as well as a rectangular wrap). Rebel that I am, I didn't gauge beforehand, which totally came back to haunt me when I was far enough in to start worrying that I might run out of yarn because I was a little off on the suggested gauge. OOPS. The good news is th...

Last weekend, Tyler and I took a little road trip to Minneapolis for what was essentially a craft beer tour of the city. So! Much! Beer! I'm certainly not complaining, as it was all quite fantastic, but wow! I think we were both surprised by just how awesome the craft beer scene is in the Twin Cities. If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen some of these photos, but I have tried to find some additional pictures which I haven't posted yet to mix things up. I suppose I should start with the beer since there wasn't quite as much knitting that took place on vacation as I would have liked (but as you will see, there was some here and there!). Surly Beer  was the overwhelming theme of the trip - it was everywhere, and it was delicious! We found a really good place called  Nighthawks Diner  near our AirBnB which ended up being brand new (as in, it had just opened the week we arrived!), and they had a lot of great beers on tap. We even spent our last day at the ...