Ahoy Cowl

Featured Knitting Stitch Pattern: Sailor Rib 

This is a simple stitch pattern that adds a texture that is deeper than simple ribbing.  It is easy and adds amazing depth to your finished piece; plus it’s reversible.  Try it with some handspun and make a scarf or cowl.  It’s a great unisex stitch pattern, and so many yarns look amazing in this stitch!

Sailor Rib (multiple of 4 + 3 stitches) - see "Mistake Rib Stitch" video below.

• Row 1:  *P2, K2; repeat from * until 3 stitches remain; P2, K1
• Row 2: *K2, P2; repeat from * until 3 stitches remain; K2, P1 

AHOY COWL

Natural burly-spun Icelandic wool handspun gives this cowl a rugged, squishy look knit in Sailor Rib pattern, while the other half is knit with a thick and thin soft alpaca blend yarn that lightens the look of the cowl.   

MATERIALS:

• Approximately 70 yds of a thick and thin Icelandic/gotland lock yarn, or any thickly spun lock yarn, to get a similar look
• Approximately 75 yds of Asana Bulky (50%wool / 50% alpaca, 140 yds), color 406, by Galler Yarns, held double. (chunky yarn, recommended to be knit with a size 10-10.5 needle)
• Length of Sari Silk ribbon (optional, for seaming)
• Size 13 needles, straight or circular*.  Cowl is knit flat then seamed. 
• Yarn needle for seaming.

*Swatch!  Choose the size needle that makes a fabric YOU like.  Sailor rib looks more dramatic knit at a denser gauge.   

PATTERN:

Cast on 15 stitches (or whatever width you’d like your cowl to be) 

Follow Sailor rib pattern for 7-10 inches, or however long you’d like your cowl to be made of handspun yarn (i.e. half length- sample is long enough to wear as a simple cowl)

When the cowl is about half as long as you would like, switch yarn to the Asana Bulky (held double).  Change stitch pattern or continue in Sailor Rib.  

Continue knitting until the cowl is as long as you desire.  Cut loose & get creative!  Make it a long scarf or cowl, to wrap around your neck several times.  Add another yarn or stitch pattern to the piece; the possibilities are endless! This could be a great use of small bits of handspun or a stash buster.   

Bind off.  Seam ends together with a yarn needle and a length of sari silk yarn for a dramatic seam, or to be subtle, seam with the Asana Bulky.    

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

7x7 Mitts

 Featured Crochet Stitch: Half Double Crochet Through The Back Loop 

Half double crochet (hdc) through the back loop (tbl) is such a versatile stitch!  It adds a ribbed look (almost a knitted look) to your piece, and is also reversible.   

My favorite project to do with this stitch is quick fingerless mitts.  They can be done with several different sizes of yarn, and only takes about 60 yds.  It is super quick- make a pair of mitts in an hour! 

7 x 7 mitts

I like to make fingerless gloves for myself and as gifts.  It takes less yarn than you think, perfect for a skein of handspun that is 70 yards or less.  For longer mitts, look for at least 100 yards (crochet can eat up your yardage).  The name comes from the dimensions- 7 inches long, and 7 inches wide, which is a nice basic length and width for most hands.  The mitts are crocheted length wise, then seamed on one side leaving room for a thumb opening.  In this stitch pattern, the mitts are substantial and ribbed, making them extra warm.  For a more delicate mitt, use a smaller yarn and hook.   

MATERIALS:

• 60 yds of handspun yarn - I used a bulky single ply, mixed wools and silk, plus approximately 20 yds of spiral ply handspun with loops and puffs (I ran out of the bulky single and added in a bit of coordinating funky plied yarn for one mitt) 
• Size P crochet hook (or whatever hook gives you a fabric you like).  Try not to be really loose as these will stretch with wear.  
• Smooth worsted weight yarn or length of sari silk ribbon to seam mitts 
• Yarn needle for seaming 

PATTERN: (Make 2) 

Crochet a chain that is 7 inches long (or however long you’d like your mitts to be).  Make the chain rather loose for ease in crocheting the first row.  

Chain 2 (turning chain; does not count as stitch).  HDC tbl across the row.   

Repeat the pattern until the mitt is 7 inches long (check to see if mitt fits around your hand- if not add another row or two).  Bind off.   

Seam the mitt using an invisible stitch (mattress or crochet together), or make it fun with a sari silk seam.  Remember to leave about an inch open for your thumb.

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Remnants Shawl

A super easy pattern!  You will learn the basics of knitting a triangle with a lace border and get to use up all the remnant yarns in your stash! I used all the handspun yarns from my SPINDLING series in this shawl, and it's such a fun piece to wear!

MATERIALS

• Size 35, 32 inch circular needles (piece will be knitted flat)

• A box of yarn scraps - I used all handspun but feel free to mix with commercial. Any yarns will work for this pattern - any gauge.

• Yarn scraps for fringe (optional / not pictured)

PATTERN

Cast on two stitches

Row 1: Knit 1, YO (yarn over), Knit 1 (now you have 3 stitches on your needles)

Row 2: K1, YO, Knit to end (now you have 4 stitches on your needles)

Continue the pattern of K1, YO, Knit to end until the shawl is as wide as you want it to be. 

Bind off using a stretchy bind off technique (Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off, or go up a needle size)

Add fringe if you like.

Weave in loose ends

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Antique Bobbin Display

Here is a cool "old meets new" idea for you to display your art yarn while giving a nod to the history of the fiber industry. 

Scour your local antique shop, thrift store, or flea market for old bobbins of any size. Sewing bobbins, old spools, etc. Then take your favorite yarns and wrap them around the old bobbins. For this antique bobbin I used a skein of handspun yarn by Storybook Fibers that I love. It has vintage flowers from a hat spun into it and was featured in my book Spinning and Dyeing Yarn.

I only had a few yards of the Storybook Fibers yarn, so I used commercial yarn to bulk up the bobbin before carefully wrapping the Handspun yarn around it to hide the commercial yarns. The end result looks so pretty and I love that I'm celebrating something old with something new. 

Embroidery Hoop Wall Hanging

What a fun, easy way to display art yarn without cutting the yardage. This is a great interim project for a skein that you love and haven't decided what to make with it yet. Wrap it around the inner circle or oval of an embroidery hoop - and secure with the outer hoop. 

In this example we've wrapped an oval hoop at random and a circular hoop partially to create a geometric shape. You can add fringe to the base of your hoop to make it into a dream catcher design, or try multiple textures or yarn, or fabric, or combine handspun with commercial yarn. 

Yeti Wrap

Carmen designed this wrap organically, by buying the Lash yarn first!  Her goal was to ‘look like a sheep’ and keep the integrity of the beautiful locks. Try this crochet technique that carries the precious lash yarn along the back of the wrap, and making 50 yds go a long way!

MATERIALS

•  50 yards Homestead Wool Lash Yarn (used here: Sheldon’s Baby Wensleydale)
• Approximately 600 yds chunky weight yarn, smooth (not thick and thin).  I used yarn from my grandmother's stash, it is no longer available commercially. 
• Crochet hook , size I or J
  • Note:  You only crochet with the chunky weight yarn, and are carrying the lash yarn along the back of the project

PATTERN

Crochet a chain stitch for 54 inches for an even number with chunky yarn

Front

• Chain 5 and double crochet (dc) in the 5th chain stich from the end, *chain 1, skip one, double crochet into to the next chain* repeat to the end.

Back

• Chain 4, turn and AT THE SAME TIME  single crochet (sc) into the chain space AND add/catch in the sc the lash yarn (main strand, and let the lash end dangle to the front of piece) .*chain 4, sc in the next chain space until the end of the row trapping the main strand of the lash yarn in each sc*.

It is imperative that you carry the lash yarn on the back side of the project only so that all the lashes are seen and can dangle.  

• At the end of the row after the last sc, turn and slip-stitch into center of the 4 chain space catching the lash yarn. *Ch 4, SC into the next chain 4 space and repeat * until the end. (Every row is decreased when you turn giving the wrap a triangle shape)
• This shawl was 23 rows when I ran out of the Lash yarn at one end.
• End with a sc and break lash yarn.  Weave in ends.
• With remaining chunky yarn, starting at top right, sc around the entire edge of the shawl and weave in ends.
• Check lashes are all dangling.

The feel of this shawl is amazingly light yet warm. Wear it and be one with the sheep!  

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Meet the Designer

“I am a pathologist and veterinarian living in Madison, CT. I have been knitting and crocheting for most of my life, and I love working without a pattern.”

— Carmen Booth

Wooli Wellies

Starring Yarn from WARRICK the Sheep from Homestead Wool & Gift Farm.

MATERIALS

• Yarn A: 1 skein (25 yards) of Lashspun Yarn from Homestead Wool & Gift Farm
• Size 15 DPN Knitting Needles (this pattern is knit top-down in the round)
• Yarn B: I used Bernat Maker Home Decor yarn (Bulky, 72% cotton /28% nylon, 317 yds). It has plenty of stretch and stays cool.

Note: From my experience, making boot toppers with a long wool / handspun inner cuff not only makes my boots feel too tight - but it makes my legs too warm.  I prefer a cotton inner cuff of only 1-2 inches that I can put over my knee-high cotton socks when I wear my boots. I love the stretch in the Bernat Maker yarn for this purpose, but use what you have/love. 

PATTERN (Make 2)

Outer Cuff: Cast on 17 stitches on size 15 DPN with Yarn A and knit in the round for 10-12 rows, or until the outer cuff measures 5 inches long. Push all the texture to the inside of the cuff as you knit (we will be turning this inside-out for wearing)

Inner Cuff: Switch to Yarn B and knit the following pattern in the round: K2YO (Yarn Over; this is an increase). This will result in 25 stitches on your needles. Purl in the round for 1.5 to 2 inches. Bind off loosely.

Finishing: Turn the Wooli Wellie inside-out. Fluff up the locks that are now on the outside of the cuff. 

Carpal Cuffs

MATERIALS

• Size 8 double pointed knitting needles, at least 6 inches long

• 30-50 yards of worsted/chunky weight handspun yarn

PATTERN (make 2)

Cast 20 stitches loosely onto your double pointed needles (we recommend 6, 6, and 8)

K2, P2 (rib stitch) in the round until the mitt reaches the length you prefer (make them as long as you want - we like between 8-12 inches)

Bind off using a stretchy bind off stitch (or bind off with a size or two larger needle).

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

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Meet the Designer

“I have been crocheting hats since 2002. My ideas are like butterflies, transforming through a metamorphosis of thought and creativity before becoming wearable art. I use cruelty free, squishy, curly, silky, wools and fibers in my freeform crochet. My favorite wool breeds are Corriedale, Merino, Rambouillet, Cormo, Teeswater, Mohair, Gotland, BFL, Finn, and Icelandic. Many of the fibers I use I buy locally to support my local farms. I am also a dyer and weaver and live at home with a menagerie of cats and backyard chickens. In 2015 I became a SpinOlution Dealer for the Salem, Portland, and Eugene areas of Oregon. I teach freeform crochet and spinning classes around the world.”

— - Heather Lightbody / Girl with a Hook

Cascade Scarf

MATERIALS:

• 30-50 yards of bulky, textured, handspun yarn. For this yarn we used a "twisted" style yarn that left lengths of yarn twisted and hanging free from the skein. You could also get the same effect with a tailspun / lockspun yarn. 
• Size 36 (or 50) straight knitting needles

PATTERN:

Cast on 6 stitches (or less, or more)

Knit two rows

Knit one row eLONGated (see video below)

Knit two rows

Knit one row eLONGated (see video below)

Continue knitting until you are nearly out of yarn. Bind off loosely. 

Wear straight or seam the ends together for an infinity scarf (as pictured)

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Greylee

Greylee is a super warm cowl and shoulder warmer, that uses very little yarn!  Stripe it with multiple yarns, or make it simple and solid. 

MATERIALS:

1. 25 yards of 2 WPI yarn - I used two skeins, Yarn A and B (one had 15 yards and the other had 10 yards)

2. Size 35 circular needles, 32 inches long

3. Gauge: 1.5-2.0 stitches/inch

PATTERN

Cast on 20 stitches (about 40 inches)

Join for working in the round (be careful not to twist!); place marker for beginning of the round if needed

*K2, P2* around

If using Multiple Yarns, you can get the most out of your yardage by switching to Yarn B when you have used up Yarn A. 

To create Stripes:  knit two rows with Yarn A, two rows with Yarn B, and repeat.

Bind Off Loosely after 10 rows (approximately 10 inches) , or when your cowl is the length you prefer.

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

CREATIVE IDEAS

• Use this pattern as a "stashbuster" project to knit up the scraps of textured yarns in your stash.

• Use this pattern with a short yardage of art yarn striped with a commercial yarn.

Pom Pom Wreath

I've seen several variations of this idea on Pinterest, and thought it would be a beautiful way to use up art yarn odds and ends from my stash. Below is a video on how to make a pompom with your hands. 

MATERIALS

• 12 inch wire wreath frame from the craft store (I found mine in the dried floral section)
• Odds and Ends of Commercial Yarn for making traditional-style pom poms
• Odds and Ends of Handspun Art Yarn for making textured pom poms 

INSTRUCTIONS

I started out by making all my art yarn scraps into pompoms. Some scraps I combined with a commercial yarn (wrapping the strand of handspun and commercial at the same time) for a fluffier or more substantial pompom. Try making balls in different sizes and densities. I laid the balls on my wreath frame to get an idea of what I needed to make to achieve the full / dense look that I was going for. I recommend having some commercial yarns for this project because you'll probably need more yarn than you realize and the commercial yarn will help you not use up too much handspun yardage. 

Using the tails from the pompoms I tied them to the wire wreath and once they were all attached to the wreath I also tied the ends of the pompoms to the ends of other pompoms (securing the pompoms to each other on the backside of the wreath) - which created a secure wreath. Then I trimmed the ends of the pompoms on the back of the wreath and hung the wreath and trimmed some of the pompom strands until the wreath looked balanced. 

Instructions & Photography by Ashley Martineau

Elodie

MATERIALS

• Size 35 circular knitting needles, 32 inches long (we will be knitting flat using circular needles)
• 80-100 yards of textured art yarn (I used about 12 different mini skeins of yarn for this project)
• Crochet Hook
• Yarn for Seaming (this can be art yarn or a commercial yarn that blends in with your art yarn)

We will be knitting this bolero from the top down. This means by adding more stitches you will make the sleeves longer, and by knitting more rows you will make the back wider. Feel free to have a friend measure your arms from elbow-to-elbow for a more accurate cast on number, and knit more rows if you want more back coverage. The bolero in this pattern is a small/medium size. 

PATTERN:

Cast on 42 stitches 

Knit 30 rows of garter stitch

Knit 17 stitches, drop 1 stitch, knit 6 stitches, drop 1 stitch, knit 17 stitches. This will created the "dropped stitch" rows across the back of the shoulders. 

Bind off loosely using a stretchy bind off stitch

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. I stretched my bolero to open the stitches when blocking.

Note: after blocking my piece measured 12 inches wide and 45 inches long. 

Seam the sleeves together by folding in half long-ways and crochet a chain of coordinating yarn up the sleeve.  I seamed 13 inches up each sleeve - leaving 17 inches unseamed to be worn across my back.