Ravelry Monday: Goldfish in a Bag Hat, Open Heart Sweater, and Lady Jessica

January 17, 2011January 16, 2011remilyknits 3 Comments

Happy Monday! Time to look back at the previous week’s recently added knitting patterns on Ravelry and pick a few favorites. As many an avid knitter is aware, the Winter 2011 edition of Knitty was released last week. As usual, it is chock-a-block full of great patterns and articles. Rather than have Knitty dominate Ravelry Monday, I will instead devote Wednesday’s post solely to Knitty, and talk about some other patterns today.

First pick: “Goldfish in a Bag Hat” by Carol White ($4.00)

This hat charmed me right away: bold design, cute, and clever too. Looks to me like it is a simple rolled-brim bag-top hat with a color change and a bit of intarsia and embroidery. I especially love the bag-tie on the top.

Second Pick: “Open Heart Sweater” by Alice Tang ($3.99)

Let me begin by admitting bias — I tech-edited this sweater for Alice, and it was in fact my very first for-pay tech editing job. (Alice and I had swapped tech-editing services in the past.) Although I haven’t actually test-knit the pattern, I am very familiar with the pattern. It is simple/elegant, with a neat twist (literally!) up the front on a reverse-stockinette background.

Third Pick: “Lady Jessica” by Veronica O’Neil (FREE!)

This feminine cowl makes me think of a steampunk heroine, corseted and bedecked in ruffles and lace, and wielding a big brass laser gun :). It looks like a fun, easy knit and the final product is sure to win compliments.

Ravelry Monday: Toorie, Castle on a Cloud, and DROPS 130-12 Jacket

January 10, 2011January 9, 2011remilyknits 2 Comments

Happy Monday! Time to look back at the previous week’s recently added knitting patterns on Ravelry and pick a few favorites.

First pick: “Toorie” by Carina Spencer ($5.00)

I absolutely adore the unusual shape of this hat. The gathers, the close-yet-casual shape, the nifty decreases opposite mimicking (but not repeating) the gathers — it all works. For those averse to pompoms, perhaps a crocheted flower or big dramatic button could substitute. This pattern looks like it would work with hand-painted yarn quite prettily.

Second Pick: “Castle on a Cloud” by Katia Smits (€3.50 EUR)

I was lured in for a closer look by the allusion to “Les Miserables” — I mean, who doesn’t love Cosette? These fingerless mitts have something interesting going on every few rows — exactly my kind of pattern.

Third Pick: “130-12 Jacket” by DROPS Design (FREE!)

I had a hard time settling on a “free” pattern this week — but this little cardi is just fine. Looks like it has some interesting construction, with right and left front panels curving to meet at the neck and lower back, with the upper back panel bridging the gap. I’ve heard about DROPS patterns being terse — this one is no exception! Definitely no hand-holding here.

Ravelry Monday

January 3, 2011January 3, 2011remilyknits 2 Comments

This is my inaugural “Ravelry Monday” post, so let me explain a bit … every Monday, I’ll look back at the previous week’s recently added knitting patterns on Ravelry. Based solely on my own personal opinion, I’ll highlight a few of my favorites, including at least one free pattern and at least one for-pay pattern. I love novelty, but classic beauty always gets me too.