Tot Toppers

Have you heard about Alana Dakos & Hannah Fettig’s new book? Alana shared the news with me several months ago and I’ve been so excited to see how its progressed! The book is called Coastal Knits and the projects are absolutely stunning. These two designers make quite a pair. I’ll be reviewing the book when it comes out, but wanted to share with you some pictures of the Rocky Coast Cardigan I have already knit.

This is one of Hannah’s designs, and its included in the pre-order electronic download package for the book. So you don’t have to wait–you can cast on NOW!

I picked up some Miss Babs Yowza at Stitches Midwest in the Oyster colorway and I thought it was just perfect for this sweater. I love how I can throw it over absolutely anything I’m already wearing. I am also such a sucker for cables, especially those that are easy to memorize. I’m a goofy model but try to look past that.

The pre-order package is awesome! Here’s what you get.

• 2 patterns from the book for you to get started on right away! The Rocky Coast Cardigan and the Rustling Leaves Beret!
• 2 coupons for you to use in purchasing patterns from Knitbot and Never Not Knitting!
• A special Coastal Knits “shopping list” bookmark!
• Additionally, everyone who pre-orders will automatically be entered in the Coastal Knits drawing giveaway! The giveaway prizes include yarns featured in the book for you to use in your own Coastal Knits projects!

So there you go, get your goodies!

I’ve always loved to play hostess.  Since my college days, I’ve been baking for crowds and loving every minute!  Now that we’ve finally bought a house and have some room, I’ve decided to host a monthly knitting night at our place.  I know a lot of you probably aren’t within driving range, but you can be with us in spirit, right? I’ve got a couple of knitterly friends that are helping spread the word around town, but if you’re within driving distance please PLEASE come join us.  Its once a month, and I’ll have a special prize for whomever commutes the furthest to our first meeting.  Unfortunately I won’t be able to put anyone up for the evening so do take that into consideration

We will see how it goes this fall and then give some new dates for 2012! I’ve set up an evite if you would like to RSVP, but feel free to come regardless of whether you actually attend.

Also, if you have been considering learning how to knit, you are also welcome! I can’t promise lessons during knit night, but you can get an idea of whether its something you would like to pursue and we’ll get you pointed in the right direction.

So bring whatever you are working on to show off, tell all your friends and make some new ones once you arrive.  Hope to see you there!

In just a few minutes, I’m hitting the road for Chicago!  My trusty friend/sample&testknitter/sales pro extraordinaire Kim and I are DRIVING from Lexington, SC to Chicago.  We’re spending tonight in Nashville with my sister, and then making the rest of the way to IL on Wednesday in time to set up for the show on Thursday.

We’ll be in booth 226 with my full lines of patterns & both booklets, more YarnLove than I’ve ever had before, screenprinted bags and tees, ThreeBadSeeds handmade Sheep & Alpaca plushies and even my lip balm.  I really kind of figured with half a dozen “big” shows under my belt by now I wouldn’t be scrambling at the last minute but no such luck.  So I have fewer pictures than I wanted to show off here, but you’ll just have to come to see it ALL!  Still here’s a peek at just a few of the finds you’ll see in 226.

And I have a special offer for my loyal supporters!  If you bring to Stitches a WIP or FO of a Tot Toppers or When I Grow Up design, I’ll give you a FREE bonus pattern with ANY purchase at my booth.  Pretty fun huh? So hit the road with me and get yourself to Stitches Midwest.

 See you soon and safe travels to all on their way this week.

This past spring, the dinosaur phase began.

We were at an Easter Egg hunt and Jesse found an egg with a dino in it.

I shortly learned that it wasn’t just ANY dinosaur, according to Jesse: “Mommy, I got a diploDOCUS in my egg. diploDOCUS is my FAVORITE kind of dinosaur.”   Capitalization to show you his interesting prononciation and emphasis.

Despite the other candy that he got that day, Jesse’s most cherished prize was truly the little tiny plastic dinosaur (which I’m pretty sure was meant to be a brachiosaurus, not a diplodocus). The precious palentological commentary that has since followed was all I needed to work up an inspired design. Jesse wasn’t quite as thrilled with it as he was the plastic toy, but he does love how the sweater turned out!

I’ve been wanting to get a fall knitalong going (well, knitting FOR fall during the end of summer) and I think this sweater is the perfect choice.  The size range is 6 months to 10 years. Dinosaurs are technically a bit more on the boyish side but I saw some very cute girly versions come from my test knitters.  Also, the sweater would work very well with another charted pattern if your child doesn’t have the same love for the creature that mine does!

 There are some short rows worked in the yoke of the sweater, and the colorwork is stranded.  So if you’ve never tried either of these things before, you’ll have a contingency of knitters (me included) standing by ready to help you along.

I’ll also be happy to help with sizing adjustments–this pattern is worked top down so its very easy to add or subtract length to the sleeves and body to make it fit the recipient perfectly.

Official KAL dates: Aug 1-Sept 15

Pattern Info:
Size: 6 months(18 months, 2, 4)[6, 8, 10]
Finished Chest: 18(20.5, 23.25, 25.5)[28, 30.75, 33.25] inches
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows per 4 inches in stockinette on larger needles
Yarn: 140(180, 220, 290)[350, 430, 530] yards A, 90(110, 125, 140)[170, 195, 220] yards B and 75(90, 100, 115)[135, 155, 180] yards C worsted weight yarn; shown in the magnificent and droolworthy Bijou Bliss by Bijou Basin Ranch
Tools: Size 5(3.75 mm) 16” circular needles and set of 5 DPN’s & Size 6(4 mm) 16” or 24” circular needles and set of 5 DPNs, stitch markers
Notions: One 3/4-inch button for 6 month and 18 month sizes ONLY

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate or “beginner with access to help” aka this KAL! The only tricky part of this pattern is dealing with some longer floats in the colorwork. Because of the floats, it is not what I’d call IDEAL for a first-time colorwork project. HOWEVER, because we are doing a KAL, there will be loads of help and I would love for you to give it a try. My suggestion for first timers is to work the chart as a swatch several times before starting on the stranding within the actual sweater. There are also short rows worked in the yoke, but those are easy Again, I’m willing to help you learn.

To join: All you need to do is purchase the pattern and hop on in. I am offering the pattern for pre-release at a discounted price from now through the end of July. The full pattern will be released on August 1 for $7, and I am offering it now for $4 to KAL participants! Please note that when you make your pre-release purchase, you’ll receive a pdf with the pattern info and NOT the pattern itself. That will come August 1.

The KAL will take place in my Ravelry Group. Hop on over and hear from some of the testers on their experiences, and tell us what color you’ll be making your Diplodocus! You can click here, or on any of the above pictures to purchase the pattern & sign up.  Remember that you have until July 31 to purchase the pattern for $4, and on August 1 the pattern will officially be released for $7.

My July has mostly been about packing, moving, unpacking, unpacking, unpacking… you get the idea.  We only moved across town, but we are now homeowners for the first time!  We also almost tripled our living space, and now I get my own office.  I cannot wait to get it up and running.  I don’t know if my productivity will actually increase, but I know I’m just going to FEEL more relaxed and more enjoyment in what I’m doing not being stuck “working” from my own bedroom. The house is a total work in progress as it gets unpacked.

Photography by Sara Parker

Despite all the moving junk, I’ve released a couple of patterns this month, with a third on the way (stay tuned for KAL news in my next blog post!) I’ve also sent the mailing list winners copies of their free patterns.  Make sure you’re a subscriber to automatically be in on all my new-pattern giveaways. Both patterns are totally unisex. But that’s about where the similarities end.

Rondo is my fall Topper! I adore this design. Its cabled & slouchy which are two of my favorite things. Its sized from Preemie to Adult Large.  You can make it NOT slouchy for younger children just by not blocking it with a plate, which I do think works better for babies & children.

I had help writing the intro in the pattern…I recruited my church’s music director, Tim, to help me come up with the name & professional musician (and Petite Purls co-editor) Allegra Wermuth for the description.  Thanks guys  Doesn’t it read pretty?  This is truly what I was thinking in my head as I knit/designed it, but it wasn’t nearly so nice on paper without the outside help.

Rondo is a piece of music that has a principal theme that alternates with other, often more challenging or interesting themes. The familiarity of the principal theme is very similar to the familiarity of a cable pattern that repeats itself. This cabled slouch was music in my fingers and I hope it will play for you similarly. The brim is worked in crossover ribbing which then bridges into a circular cable repeat. The crown is worked on the reverse stockinette stitch background. Cables are both written and charted. Shown in Toddler/Child and Adult Small.

The toddler sized sample is knit up in Cascade 220, and the adult is worked in madelinetosh Tosh Vintage.  You can click here, or on any of the photos, for all the pattern info or to purchase it!

The second R is the Ryan Cardigan. This is such a great basic cardigan for babies, kids, tweens and even teens. Its sized from 3 months to 14 years.  A couple of my testers put in a zipper instead and it looks great! I was actually planning on putting a zipper into mine too, but the little acorn toggles grabbed me at A Good Yarn and I went with it…

The collar can be flipped up or down, and can be buttoned or not, to make this sweater extra warm.  Its worked bottom-up, seamless raglan style.  Nothing very complex in the design, just nice little elements that work together to make up a versatile cardigan.

I used Plymouth Yarn Worsted Merino Superwash.  This yarn was new to me until I used it for one of my samples in Math for Hats earlier this year.  Its really soft and of course, the superwash quality makes it great for kids.  The color palette is extensive and I definitely recommend it!

(yes, those are different buttons. i switched them but i love this pic!)

Click here or on any of the photos above for full pattern details and to purchase.

Stay tuned for my next blog post which should be coming along shortly and includes details about an upcoming KAL!  Or go ahead and click here to read the details in my ravelry group if I’ve captured your interest

Just a quick post to share the news of the latest giveaway winners.

You should have seen how long it took me to cut and paste all these names this time, from each of the different places.  I might have to go back to the good old fashioned one entry per person rule

So, I thought about telling each of you exactly what you got but decided against it.  Partly because I’m too busy to really feel like dealing with taking/posting more pictures but mostly because I think its more fun to keep you in the dark for a few more days so that you can be surprised when you get your packages.  I DO really hope that all of you will share the details at some point with the rest of us! I spread out the goodies to make three really awesome packages which truly I can’t order 1/2/3!

Congratulations to Jane Jenkins, Heather Mallady and Julia Stell as they are the three random winners of my prize packages!

Thanks again to everyone for playing my game with me.  I thought it was fun and I know many of you got some really great yarn.  Winners, please give a little comment of acknowledgement so I know you’re expecting your prize.  :)

This year was my third TNNA, second time in Columbus and FIRST time with my own booth!  It was exhausting but, I think, totally rewarding. The biggest difference was not having the kind of time I would have liked to walk the floor myself (too busy tending to the booth!).  Another result was that once again I am very low on pictures to share. My booth was amongst the Deep South Fibers booths, and was open to it as well.

Planning a booth from afar is not fun. Especially when you’re like me and you’re a bit OCD and you are used to literally setting everything up in your living room after marking off the actual size of the space, so you know where every little thing is going to go.  Next time I do a booth like this, I will just make the drive myself so that I can get back to my preferred ways.  This time, the booth decision was actually a little last minute, so flights had been booked (non-refundable) long before the booth itself was.  I started by making myself a little picture.

A lot of the actual items that made up my booth (like the rolling rack, tables, mannequins) were purchased new for the event.  I had them drop-shipped to Columbus.  The nice thing about doing this, of course, is that I didn’t have to travel with all the stuff.  The downside was that since I arrived on Friday before the show, anything that might have been damaged or missing pieces would have been completely useless to me and I wouldn’t have had it for the show!  But my biggest fear was that my checked luggage, which contained ALL my samples, was going to get lost.  I stashed a few samples in my carry on but had those bags not made it, I would have been in big trouble.  So all this kept me tossing and turning on the nights before the trip.  And boy was I jittery all through both legs of my flight and the layover in between them!

You can all breathe easy on my behalf because 90% of everything was totally fine.  Including the arrival of all the samples, right on time, when I landed in Columbus. It was a hectic day, rushed straight from the airport to my booth to unpack and set everything up but hours later, I had this set-up:

Excuse the fuzzy photos, all shots that weekend were taken on my cell phone which doesn’t perform magnificently. I couldn’t justify the luggage space to bring a fancy camera and my husband has been monopolizing our point & shoot for work

For the first day, I focused on Math for Hats on my front little table, but also had a stack of the adorable Topped for a Year pieces.  I brought my “lollipop guild” to the show, and I think they inspired at least a few shop owners–its a great, inexpensive, EASY way to display hats. I had some sweaters on mannequins.  And, I had a nice big banner and some BIG photos showing off some of my favorite new-since-last-show designs.

During my first brief walk-through of the floor (or perhaps it was just on my way to or from the potty!) I spotted the boys in the Skacel booth. Charlie on the cover of the booklet I designed for Skacel, and Jesse modeling for another booklet.  It was fun to see them in places outside of my own booth!

Back to the Tot Toppers booth, on day 2 I switched things up a bit.  I ended up preferring it this way so I left it (aside from changing the mannequins clothes again) for day 3 as well. I moved the Topped for a Year hats to the back table, and put them on stands and laid flat the Math for Hats samples.  I moved some of the funky single Tot Toppers patterns on the front table and put the cute little kid-family of mannequins toward the aisle.

Like I said, I stayed pretty tied to the booth. I really enjoyed meeting shop owners and encouraging them to bring in my trunk show or bring me in for a workshop.  I will post my schedule in the next couple of months so you can see if one of those has ended up near you!

Although the weekend was full of hard working booth time, there was also a lot of fun!  Here are the two incredibly random photos I managed to take during “down” time. Surely you recognize these lovely ladies?  I really did laugh when I downloaded my pictures. Of all things…

Here’s Mary-Heather of Ravelry rocking the most fun fanny pack I’ve ever seen.  RUFFLED-who would’ve thought.  She’s standing in the Hyatt bar/lounge area which is where a lot of us gathered nightly to knit and chat and unwind and have a drink or two. I was also very pleased to do a little trunk show in the Ravelry booth on Saturday afternoon of the show.  Ravelry has started the in-store pattern sales program, and I’ve chosen to take part in that.  Each designer that participated in Ravelry’s booth had a little change to talk with interested shop owners and do a little promotion as well.

And I know you’re  no stranger to Ysolda. This picture is potentially even more random than M-H’s because Ysolda isn’t even holding her own drink here.  Don’t ask. This was on the very last night in Columbus after the show closed. I also came home from TNNA with a copy of her new Little Red in the City book and I’ll do a little review of that in the next few weeks.  The seconds I’ve had to flip through so far have not done it justice!

The benefit to me being so behind on my TNNA blog post is that I can now refer to you several other recap posts with many more pictures to share.  All the links will go directly to recaps.  I spent a good deal of time with some of the other Deep South Fibers designers including meeting Woolly Wormhead and Ann Kingstone and Heather Dixon (Army of Knitters) for the first time. Others I enjoyed chatting with and have seen blog posts from (please don’t kill me if I left your name off this list, it was such a crazy weekend!!!): Laura Nelkin, Carol Feller, Sarah the Sexy Knitter, Anne Kuo Lukito, Stefanie Japel, Melynda Bernadi, Jill Zielinski (Knitterella), the Petite Purls gals, Angela Tong, Alison Stewart Guinee. The roomies who put up with me include: Amy Polcyn, Jae Koscierzynski & Grace Akhrem.  Why isn’t there ever enough time to spend with anyone?

And the last thing I just can’t not mention was one of the highlights of the weekend, the Designer Dinner hosted by Marly Bird. Marly has started this incredible tradition and WOW it was just so much fun meeting and seeing so many designers for the first and subsequent times.  This year, Marly managed to put together incredible giftbags for each designer, including yarn, tools, a Namaste bag (really).  The link to Sarah’s blog above shows a video of everything and given my current move-craziness I’m just going to refer you to hers instead of trying to snapshot everything myself Major thank you to the companies that participated, it was so kind.  I also won a prize from Buffalo Gold and as soon as I receive it I can’t wait to share it with you!

Photography by Sara Parker

Last week I released two brand new patterns, one of which features 2 different projects and the other features my new nephew in a unique cozy! I hope his mommy will continue lending him to me for some pictures, he performed admirably 4 lucky mailing list winners will receive one of these patterns for free, in just a few minutes. Your names are already drawn. Thank you for supporting Tot Toppers by being on my list! I also re-released several patterns that were previously available through KnitPicks.  Now, these patterns have been tweaked and sorted and added to my own pattern lines.

Since it came first, I’ll start with Hansel & Gretel.  This pattern includes an romper pattern that is sort of a cross between a overalls and bloomers.  It also includes directions for a sweet little dress.

Both pieces are worked the same in the beginning, top down, so bib first.  Directions for the dress & bloomeralls split after the section around the bum is worked.  The bloomeralls are a little bit more work, since the legs are full length. The extra-long cuffs feature the same ribbing that is worked on the chest.

The yarn just makes this pattern pop, don’t you think? You’re looking at Anzula For Better or Worsted. First off, the colors available in this yarn are just insane!  So many!  Second, its machine washable wool.  And its really really soft.  Definitely give this yarn a try if you haven’t already.

The straps for both pieces are also worked the same.  They are actually worked horizontally which looks really cute with the ribbing.  Also, the back ends are shaped diagonally so that they fit nicely on the back waist at an angle that works for the criss-cross. You can click here, or on any of the pictures above, to read all the details about Hansel & Gretel and snap up the pattern for your knitting library!

I actually had intended on holding off on this next one until today, but got a little excited and went ahead and made it available last Friday.  Here is my nephew Silas in SnuggleBug Car Seat Cozy.

You can tell that this pattern is original and unique I hope.  As far as I know, there isn’t another pattern out there like it.  Despite the VERY warm weather at this photo shoot (pretty sure we were darn near 100 degrees), Silas was quite cozy. Here’s how it works:

And let me share a little about the construction.  You will begin at the bottom of the leg (and make two), after working the legs, you will join to work in the round for a short while, and then you’ll split and work the front and “back” separately. The back is what ultimately forms the wings that come around to swaddle the baby. And of course it had to have a cute little matching hat.  Interestingly, this is my first ever top down hat design.  It worked perfectly this way because of the i-cord edging which is done during the bind-off.

I-cord edging accents the whole SnuggleBug and the cute little buttons I used were at a shop called WildFiber (if you’re desperate for these buttons, which they also had in orange, give them a call!).  I did a small trunk show there back in early May and happened to be finishing up this design.  I saw them and snapped them right up, I am pretty sure they are Lantern Moon buttons.

Click on any of these precious photos to view all the info about SnuggleBug! Think how popular you’ll be at baby showers once you start showing up with this one

Are you in cuteness overload yet? But wait, there’s more!  A few weeks ago, the new Petite Purls issue came out. I was at TNNA (another blog post to come, eventually…) and so didn’t have a chance to do a timely post.  I did something very different for this issue and designed my first “toy”!  Here’s my little market basket and market goodies to fill it.

You can knit each if not all of these little veggies in just an hour or two.  I had fun including finishing details like “seams” down the side of the onions, and “spikes” on the bottom of my red pepper.  There are even little prickly’s on the cucumber.  You’ll have to check out the pattern to see all of the surprises.

I won’t go through all the detail of these last patterns, since after all many of you have seen them before, but here’s just a snapshot (click for full pattern info) of the re-releases.

And just think, this is just the beginning of what’s new for this coming fall. Much more is in store. Keep me bookmarked.  Oh–and you’ll want to join the mailing list to get a shot a winning a free pattern with each new release.

Its moving time!  I’ve moved so many times in my life I’ve almost lost count.  But this one is just across town, and for the first time, my husband and I are actually buying a house!  We are very excited and are now in the packing frenzy AND we picture being there for years which is a new feeling I am so grateful for.  No more packing and unpacking anytime soon.

Moving is always a great time to stashdown a little, right knitters? I’ve got some gorgeous yarn that is sadly wasting away as there is just never enough time to knit it all.  I’ve toyed with how I could stashdown on the blog and give away some of this yarn and I’ve come up with what I think is an interesting little pattern promo and giveaway combination/GAME (no, its not a matching game)!

[Edited to add: Okay before you read further...the yarn from my etsy shop is gone but the giveaway is still on!  I'll probably add some surprises to the giveaway too, so be sure to get your entries in]

I’ve got a variety items that I’m looking to send off to happy new homes–not just yarn!  Books, patterns, tees, needles, bags and even one little like new-condition namaste item. The shirts and bags were among my experimental first screen printing efforts so let’s just say they have some character (for example, do you wash a bag first or not? hence the wrinkled one). But they are all one of a kind and new. I’ve paired most of the yarns with a suitable pattern and put each “kit” on my etsy shop.  BUT, the price of each of these “kits” is ONLY the pattern cost! So, you’re getting yarn and a pattern for the price of only the pattern. Most of these are a hat’s worth of yarn but there are even several garments, including a couple of adult items. Additionally, I will be including little extras in your packages to help disperse the Tot Topper love. There is some yummy yarn in here.  A few brands included…Blue Sky Alpacas, Cascade, Rowan, O-Wool…etc.

These kits will be available for purchase until June 29th. On the 30th, I will remove all the listings and anything remaining will be divided into THREE prize packages for giveaway winners.  I will be saving some of the most exciting goodies to include in one of these packages (a namaste case, a knitpicks interchangeable needle set, among others…)  All three prizes will be great and will also be different! Here are a few peeks of what’s definitely going to be around at the end.

So, if you see a yarn+pattern combo that you love, you need to snap it up posthaste (its taken me a while to write this post and already the orders have started pouring in, I know there is some great stuff left though so really, don’t wait any longer).  Not only so you’re sure to get it, but also because each pattern(kit) purchase will give you FIVE bonus giveaway entries (yes, if you already purchased you will also get your bonuses).

Here’s a slightly less wordy recap:
1. Yarn+Pattern kits are now up in my etsy shop for the price of just a single pattern.
2. Buy a kit, and get 5 entries into the giveaway, your limit of extra entries is 15 (so, buying a fourth kit will get your more squishy yarn but not any more entries)
3. The other way to enter this giveaway is to comment on this blog post.  You must post once to enter! You will get one entry for your comment.
4. Other ways to gain additional entries include tweeting and posting on facebook.  You are limited to one entry per day in each of these avenues. For twitter: YOU MUST include the twitter hashtag #TTstashdown. For facebook: YOU MUST use the @ feature to tag the Tot Toppers facebook page so that I can track your entries without driving myself batty (you  must “like” the TT page before FB will let you do this). You should NOT comment on this blog post to tell me about your fb/twitter post. As a rule DO NOT COMMENT on this blog post more than once, pretty please, it will confuse me and won’t help you.
5.  There are lots of goodies up for grabs that aren’t yarn, these will be dispersed randomly to “kit” purchasers but the really great extras will hold for the final giveaway, which will also include any kits not purchased and some extra yarn that didn’t fit into kits!

I think this stashdown is a little funky, has a twist, and loads of variety.  I hope you will play my little game with me and help this yarn get to a safe and loving new home.  This should be especially useful to those of you with “I’m not allowed to buy yarn” mantras going on (self or spouse-imposed) because you’re not buying yarn, you’re buying a pattern

Photography by Sara Parker
Shoot location: the historical and beautiful
Robert Mills House in Columbia, SC

I’ve been working on a new booklet pretty much since I came up with my Math for Hats course idea last year.  I’ve now taught the course online several times, and also traveled to a few different shops to teach it. (Speaking of which, I’m headed to FL next week to teach the workshop at A Good Yarn Sarasota, sign up for the course or come for the trunk show!) Everyone has seemed so nice and positive that either they are lying to me, or there is some useful stuff included I’m so excited that its coming together now.

The book is now available and you can buy your copy for $16! Click on any of the photos or “buy now” links to do it. Here’s the intro…tweaked a bit from my course description:

Whether you’re a knitter who’d like to know the secrets behind hat sizing to better understand patterns you’re working on, or one who aspires to knit a hat up from scratch, this book will walk you through the aspects to consider. You’ll learn how to translate gauge into stitch count, how to create hats of different shape and even how to estimate yardage for your project. And even if you aren’t in it for the math, you’ll learn tricks and tidbits to help your finished projects look even better. This booklet includes the Adventure Hat pattern which guides you through infinite possibilities.

Sections of the book include: gauge, construction & additions, sizing, ease, shaping, fabric, fiber content, gauge & yardage worksheets, and of course the Adventure Hat pattern.  There are technical illustrations and a tutorial on swatching in the round. The sizing section includes suggested head measurements that were originally collected and very unique, as well as the standard circumference averages. The gauge & yardage worksheets are really fun and really easy!  Just plug in your numbers and go. Here’s an idea of the color-coded joy

Talk of math might make you feel a little intimidated, or it might make you think that this book is a “design” book for advanced knitters.  I would definitely say this is not the case!  Sure, this is a handy reference tool for those who want to design their own hat patterns.  But, like the description says, its just as suitable and useful for someone who enjoys knitting hats and wants to make the most out of each and every project.  Its equally suitable for beginning and expert knitters!   Caedmon agrees as he rests his haunches on the almost 200 year old bricks at Robert Mills House (locals, this place is totally worth a tour, I’m going back!):

Now let me tell you a little bit about the Adventure Hat pattern.  Technically its only one pattern, but the options are endless.  The format is inspired by those books that allow you to make your own path and have a variety of different endings.  So here, I give directions for three different brims, three different body styles, and four different crown shapings!  Fun, huh? And guess what?  You can use the gauge worksheet in the book to make this pattern work for ANY weight & gauge of yarn that you’d like.  Add color and embellishments to your hat and you’ll be all set.  Hmmm.  In fact, perhaps this was a bad idea…you may never need to buy another hat pattern from me again if you get too carried away with the Adventure Hat!

Another really neat thing about the book is that it includes little notes and explanations that link the “math” sections together. For example, throughout the Adventure Hat, there are notes linking the pattern steps to the gauge worksheet.

Some stats: The book is 24 pages.  It’s the same style of booklet as Topped for a Year, which means its got nice full color cardstock covers.  It’s full of bright and vibrant colors throughout too.  Jill of Knitterella did the graphic design and  she has done such a great job interpreting my style preferences, funky and a little modern but not over the top. I knew of her first through Never Not Knitting (yeah…those gorgeous pieces of art, I mean knitting patterns, are Jill’s graphic handiwork!)  Jill’s no stranger to hats and even designed an adorable slouch recently. You can also visit her website for freelance graphic work! But my most favorite thing from Knitterella to date is definitely this tag set:

I have a few people in my life that could be reminded of that…

So go ahead, buy the book right now. Next time I teach the Math for Hats course, at your local yarn store or online, you won’t have to buy the book along with your course fees!Just $16 for this wealth of knowledge.