I’ve been designing for minis lately, using the beautiful gradient mini sets from A Hundred Ravens. Today’s brand-new pattern is Mini Martello, an intriguing beret.

The name comes from Martello towers, which defended British coastlines during the 19th century. Each small, round tower supported a single cannon, set on a rotating platform that allowed 360 degrees of artillery fire.

Take a closer look! Those aren’t plain old stripes.  The concentric circles of color are actually ovals, created with judicious use of short rows.

Mini Martello is worked top-down, both in the round and flat, using short rows and staggered increases to create the concentric offset ovals. You will need 4 pairs of different stitch markers; counting is required.

This hat is especially designed for gradient mini sets from A Hundred Ravens. If substituting yarns, you will need about 40 yards each of 7 different colors. Mini Martello comes in four sizes; in all cases, the top is worked the same, and the sizing is achieved by more/fewer decreases before the brim. (Sample is size M.)

Sizes: XS(S, M, L)
To fit (head circumference): 20(21, 22, 23)”
Finished circumference: 18.5(19.5, 20.5, 21.5)”

I’m pleased to announce the start of a new Mystery KAL from yours truly! 

I’ve developed a collection of shawls and wraps highlighting the new Steampunk Oz colorways from A Hundred Ravens. “Glinda” kicks off the collection as a Mystery KAL. Join us in the Remily Knits forum for a coupon code, fun prizes, spoilers, and support.

KAL Details:
The Mystery KAL for Glinda begins now, with the release of the Swatch Clue. The swatch features several stitches from the shawl, allowing you to practice the pattern before you begin. All clues will be given both as complete charts and full written directions.

Schedule for Clues:
Clues will be released via Ravelry sometime after midnight, EST, on six consecutive Wednesdays.

September 16th: Clue #1 – Setup and first 36 rows.
September 23rd: Clue #2 – 32 rows.
September 30th: Clue #3 – 20 rows.
October 7th: Clue #4 – 24 rows.
October 14th: Clue #5 – 24 rows.
October 21st: Clue #6 – 13 rows and finishing instructions.

Cost:
For the duration of the MKAL, and for at least two weeks after the release of the final clue, Glinda will be available for 50% off the regular price of $6. When I release the final version of the pattern, it will replace the individual clues in your Ravelry library.

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This crescent shawl is worked from the top down. Glinda begins with a garter-stitch tab and progresses through all stitch patterns with regular increases at both edges. The shawl is designed to be made with two 100-gram skeins of fingering-weight yarn in (choose semi-solid or tonal colorways for best results). Some clues have more texture; others have more lace. The overall pattern changes gradually from more solid sections to more lacy sections.

Glinda is part of the Steampunk Oz Collection. Look for Winged Monkeys (two skeins of DK yarn), The Wizard (two skeins of DK yarn), and Wheels (two skeins of fingering-weight yarn).

 

This quick one-skein project is perfect for that orphan skein of worsted hanging out in your stash. Whether it was an impulse purchase or a leftover from a larger project, that beautiful, soft skein has a destiny!

Whitecaps is a close-fitting cowl that tapers slightly from neck to shoulder. Worked in the round, this deceptively simple pattern combines elongated stiches with a basic cable to break up color repeats and striping.

I designed this cowl with Epona in mind. This worsted-weight yarn from A Hundred Ravens is truly delightful. It has to be touched to be believed!

Pattern is charted; full written translation for the chart is included on page 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snakegrass is now available on Ravelry!  

Much thanks to Outlaw Yarn for providing the soft and scrumptious Bohemia Sport that I used in this design.

When I was little, my dad took me on hikes on his parents’ farm in Minnesota. We rambled through woodsy bits, up the hill, across the rockslide, and through tall grassy meadows. I remember him handing me stalks of snakegrass (aka horsetail, aka puzzlegrass, aka Equisetum) and showing me how the segments can be taken apart and put back together.

This design reminds me of the stacked branching structure of snakegrass. One edge is serrated; the other edge undulates smoothly. Each tier grows organically from the previous tier.

Snakegrass is worked flat. The pattern is achieved by alternating colors and slipped stitches.  The finished item may be worn as a scarf, or grafted to form a long cowl.

The 60-row pattern is charted; full written directions are also provided.