Black Lodge Mitts

My favorite Ravelry group, Knit Knackers, holds knitting swaps fairly regurarly. The swaps are generally themed but in this last one we got to pick our own theme! I was lucky enough to get Mary for my swap and she chose the theme Twin Peaks. After looking at knitting patterns that would incorporate this theme, I was disappointed. So I decided to make my own pattern. Fingerless mitts based on the Black Lodge in the television show Twin Peaks.

This pattern is easy and fast! It's a great way to use up scraps as it requires less than 50 yards per color- red, white and black. The mitts are worked identically so there's no designated left or right mitt.

You will need:

size US 8 (5mm) needles for working in the round.

3 colors worsted weight yarn

stitch marker

darning needle to weave in ends

Size: Women's average to large hands.

Guage: 5sts per inch in 2x2 ribbing.

Zig Zag Pattern:

Row 1- knit all stitches

Row 2- *kfb, k3, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, kfb* repeat for all stitches- 4 repeats total

Repeat the two rows alternating colors each time you start Row 1.

Cuff:

With red yarn, CO 44sts. Place marker, join in round.

*k2,p2* rib for 2 inches from CO edge.

Wrist:

Switch to black yarn.

Knit the Zig Zag pattern above, switching between black and white yarn. Stop when there are 14 striped rows (28 rows total) ending with white yarn.

Thumb opening:

With black yarn, do not join in round. Turn your knitting instead and start purling:

Row 1- purl all stitches

Row 2- *kfb, k3, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, kfb* repeat for all stitches- 4 repeats total

Continue working Zig Zag pattern flat for a total of 5 striped rows (10 rows total) ending with black yarn.

Hand:

With white yarn, join in round.

Continue the Zig Zag pattern in the round switching between white and black for a total of 4 striped rows (8 rows total) ending with black yarn.

Ribbing:

Switch to red yarn.

Knit one round.

*k2,p2* rib for 1 inch.

Bind off loosely in rib pattern. Weave in ends and block.

Make 2. Wear them while eating cherry pie and drinking a damn good cup of coffee.

Pattern is property of Maiya Becker. Do not sell pattern or sell projects made from pattern. Be cool.

Divine Cupcakes

All of the cuteness, none of the guilt.

My knitting group meets at Eugene's first cupcakery, The Divine Cupcake. Organic, vegan and amazing. Flavors like Cherry Bomb, The Electric Pumpkin, Thai Me Up and my favorite Peanut Butter Cup. Inspired to knit cupcakes and the fact that Valentines Day is approaching I wanted something cute and sweet.

Knit in the round, these little cupcakes "bake" up in just a couple of hours and are guaranteed to make someone smile. You knit a little cupcake "paper" cup for it to sit in then peek-a-boo! Unwrap your cupcake for a little smile.

Divine Cupcakes

size US 4 (3.5mm) needles- double point or circular- use whichever method you prefer to knit in the round

3 colors worsted yarn

fiber filling

embroidery floss

size 6 seed beads

Cupcake:

CO with Color A 6sts, join in round.

1: *kfb* 12sts

2: knit

3: *k2, m1* 18sts

4: knit

5: *k3, m1* 24sts

6: knit

7: *k4, m1* 30sts

Knit for 10 rows. At this point I like to embroider the face on the cupcake using embroidery thread and seed beads.

Frosting:

Switch to Color B

1: *k5, m1* 36sts

2: *yo, k2tog*

3: knit

4: Create picot edge: Pick up stitch directly 2 rows below (same row as color change.) Put on left needle, knit with live stitch. Repeat for all stitches.

5-6: knit

7: *k4, k2tog* 30sts

8: knit

9: *k3, k2tog* 24sts

10: knit

11: *k2tog* 12sts Weave in ends and stuff cupcake with filling.

12: *k2tog* 6sts

Cherry:

Switch to Color C

1: knit

2: *kfb* 12sts

3-4: knit

5: *k3tog* 4sts

Cut yarn, thread through live stitches. Pull tight and pull down into the cupcake and secure to create a little cherry. Sew sprinkles on with embroidery thread.

Cupcake liner:

With Color C, CO 32sts, join in round.

*k1,p1* ribbing for 10 rounds

next round: purl

Start decrease:

1: *k2, k2tog* 24sts

2: knit

3: *k1, k2tog* 16sts

4: knit

5: *k2tog* 8sts

6: *k2tog* 4sts

Cut yarn, pull through live stitches. Weave in end.

Divine Cupcake pattern belongs to Maiya Becker. It is a free pattern. Please do not sell pattern or sell product made from pattern. Be cool. Make lots of cupcakes. Give them away. They make people smile.

Alot of Fun

... and fur.

I'm part of an amazing knitting group on Ravelry called Knit Knack. A short while ago, they hosted a competition. Inspired by Allie Brosh who is the author of the blog Hyperbole and a Half. In April, Allie posted The Alot is Better Than You at Everything. We all laughed and raved about it and then set about to see who could create the best Alot. This was my entry and I was lucky enough to win! And now I'm sharing it with you. Please check out the other way awesome entries here and here!

I should mention that I've never written out a pattern for someone else's eyes. Usually, my own patterns are scribbled on the back of receipts and only make sense to me. That being said, if you find a mistake or need clarification on a step, please let me know. I'm new to this.

What skills do you need to make the Alot of Fun? Knitting in the round, magic loop, short rows, increases, decreases, kitchener stitch and just a wee bit of crocheting and embroidering.

Download ALOT OF FUN here.