the last one...

the last finished project of 2013...

...an emryk in milano hat

testing is completed

editing almost done

pattern should be ready soon...

wishing you a happy 2014

may it be filled with joy...

man mitts...

it had turned cold, here on the Mendocino coast, and Warren needed a way to keep his hands warm ...

something simple, handsome, and practical that he could wear while working and playing guitar or keyboard...

so, I made some fingerless man mitts.

they were knit in 1x1 rib with just one skein of a yummy yarn that local knitting guru, K.M., would call an "honest wool"...the only shaping is the thumb gusset, which is knit in smooth stockinette...

they are a quick knit, these mitts,
and

despite the name,

they are unisex

and easily

adapted to your personal size! 

so...why not grab your needles and 
knit a pair...or two!

warren's man mitts...

materials:

1-skein Classic Elite Yarn's VISTA (50% wool, 50% alpaca)

1-set US7/4.5mm double pointed needles

1-set US6/4.0mm double pointed needles

darning needles, stitch marker

abbreviations:

m1r...make one right
m1l...make one left

On larger dpn's, cast on 40 stitches.  Mark beginning of round and join (without twisting, of course!)

Work in 1 x 1 rib for for app. 2".  

Begin shaping thumb gusset:

M1r, K1, M1l, continue in rib to end of round.

Work two rounds.

M1r, K3, M1l, continue in rib to end of round.

Work two rounds.

M1r, K5, M1l, continue in rib to end of round.

Work two rounds.

Work as established, making one stitch at each edge of the stockinette-stitch gusset until you have 13 stitches on the thumb.  Work two more rounds, then place these 13 stitches on waste yarn.  Using the backward loop method, cast 3 stitches onto the right needle and continue to work in rib for approximately one more inch (or to desired length), (using the US6 needles, if you wish, so that it is less likely to flair). Bind off in rib.

Put the 13 thumb stitches on the smaller needles. Pick up and knit 5 stitches at the hand, closing the gap, then continue knitting these 18 stitches in stockinette until the thumb is .25" short of desired length. Finish with 3 rounds of 1x1 rib.  Bind off in rib.

Weave in all ends.  Wet block (really, you should!), pulling the rib vertically.

et voilà!

girls love 'em, too!

warm fingerless mitts for a man...or woman

you can adjust the size easily by casting on fewer (or more) stitches and/or adjusting the amount of thumb gusset increases.
those with smaller hands may just want to cast on one stitch over the thumb gusset...

you can stripe it

or, perhaps, throw in a few cables, as well

have fun...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

may it be merry and bright...

if you enjoy knitting my free patterns, please consider making a donation to the 
MENDOCINO CHOIR BOOSTERS
thanks!

it's a scarf...

thanks to some wonderful test-knitters, the lulu's scarf pattern is now available...

it's a fairly quick project...

 takes about eight to ten hours to knit...

three options, and infinite possibilities...

hope you enjoy it!

happy knitting...

my paulie...

The cold has returned, overnight, to the Mendocino coast...We have enjoyed an unusually warm and sunny autumn, but this morning we awoke to frost and ice...

wool weather!!!

As most knitters frantically work on finishing their holiday knitting, I decided to begin a sweater for myself.  Paulie has been in my Ravelry queue for several months, and though I rarely knit from patterns, this lovely design from by Isabell Kraemer really speaks to me. Garter stitch and stripes at a fine gauge...totally wearable and a good thing to knit during this busy, busy holiday season...

the yarn is Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine...

the stripes will be bold...

What are YOU working on?

emryk...a great hat for the holidays!

ultra emryk
a hat pattern by pamela w allen

 is now available on ravelry!

instructions for three sizes...

three stripe options...

and such a quick knit--you have time to make several for the people on your gift list!