cosmicpluto knits!

poppies, 2011

I’m reposting this blog entry from last year – I’m a bit late this year, but you still have time to make your own poppy! It only takes about half an hour.

Right after Halloween in Canada, poppy pins blossom on lapels across Canada. We have Remembrance Day on November 11th to commemorate the sacrifices of war.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, and was popularized after the First World War due to a poem by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Few poppies grew in Flanders, France, before the war broke out; rubble from bombardments enriched the soil with lime, and then the fields exploded with the blood-red flowers. Once the war was over, the lime became reabsorbed and the poppies disappeared.

In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- Lt. Col. John McCrae

So to help you remember, here’s a little free pattern for a poppy. It knits up very quickly in scrap yarn – I used aran weight black scrap yarn, and triple-stranded Schaefer Anne for the red. You want to use a small needle so that it’s stiff. Finished size is approximately 2 inches across.

Download Poppy.pdf

Poppies are not bought or sold; people make a contribution for their poppy.
Any donations from this pattern will be given to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, which is used to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in need. This may include food, shelter or medical attention for them or their families. Also, education bursaries are granted to children and grandchildren of ex-service personnel.

More information about the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign.

Please make a donation to your local Royal Canadian Legion or other legion group.

Bottineau Pullover

It’s been a long time since I released a sweater pattern! I made this one at the tail end of last winter – I can’t wait to give it some real wearing time this season.

BOTTINEAU PULLOVER

The easy to wear Bottineau Pullover is perfect for curling up in. The super soft yarn is cozy, but the open cowlneck helps keep you from overheating. A relaxed fit in the body and sleeves is accented by a slip stitch mock rib pattern which draws in to the waist. The oversized cowl is worked in the same pattern with increases to help it lay open. Dress down with jeans and boots, or layer Bottineau over a dress for a cool night out.

Shown in size 36” / 91cm with zero ease. For the best fit, choose the size which is the same or slightly larger than your full bust measurement.

Technical editing by Alexandra Virgiel

SIZES
30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56)”

YARN
Worsted weight yarn.
1050 (1120, 1190, 1260, 1400, 1470, 1545, 1615, 1690, 1765, 1840, 2000, 2080, 2155) yards
Shown in Malabrigo Rios, colour Azul Profundo

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles, 24” or longer
US 7 / 4.5mm double pointed needles or needles of choice for working small circumferences in the round
stitch markers
scrap yarn
extra needle for 3-need bind off
tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts and 26 rnds = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch

MORE INFO
The Ravelry page is here.

6-page PDF pattern includes photos, abbreviations, and schematic. Measurements given in imperial and metric systems. Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$7.00 CAD

Draupner Shawl

I’m a little behind in posting this, but if you’ve looked at my Ravelry store in the last few days, you’ll have noticed another new pattern!

DRAUPNER SHAWL

This unique shawl features a fun scalloped edging worked with short rows in Garter Stitch. Lacy columns keep the body of the shawl interesting to knit, while the elongated Garter Stitch pattern shows off handdyed yarn to great effect! A gentle curve in the body of the shawl ensures that it wraps nicely around your shoulders or neck for a comfortable fit.

Technical Editing by Alexandra Virgiel.
Knit in Viola Merino Fingering. Available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/violaviola

SIZE
One Size; 52” / 132cm across top edge of shawl, 13” / 33cm deep at center, including scallop. Each scallop measures approximately 6” / 15cm across and 3” / 8cm deep at center.

MATERIALS
YARN
Fingering weight yarn, approximately 700 yds / 640m.
Shown in Viola Merino Fingering (100% superwash merino; 400 yds / 365m per 3.5 oz / 100g skein), 2 skeins in colour Sea Storm.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 stitches and 30 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in stockinette stitch

MORE INFO
The Ravelry page is here, and there’s more photos there too!

3-page PDF includes photos and abbreviations. Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$5.00 CAD

fall into fall sale!

It’s a long weekend in the US and Canada, and just a few short days from Rhinebeck – for me, this is pretty much the official opening of fall!

To celebrate my favourite time of year, I’m having a pattern sale! All patterns and collections will be 25% off in my Ravelry store.

No need to enter a coupon or anything, just put a pattern in your cart and the discount will be applied automatically.

Sale ends at the end of day EDT on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Belle Shrug now available online!

This is an older pattern of mine, originally published for lettuce knit. I’ve rewritten it and updated the sizing, and now the Belle Shrug is available for purchase online!

BELLE SHRUG
Belle is an elegant and easy-to-knit shrug with a ruffled lace edging. Knit in one piece from cuff to cuff, with just two short seams and flexible sizing. Perfect for throwing on over casual or more dressy outfits, this is one piece that’s sure to please!

Technical Editing by Alexandra Virgiel

SIZES
To Fit Bust: 28-32” (34-38”, 40-44”, 46-50”, 52-56”) / 71-81 (86-97, 102-112, 117-127, 132-142)cm
Sizing is very generous and flexible. This garment is meant to be slightly oversized.
Shown in size 34-38” / 86-97cm on a 37” / 94cm bust.

MATERIALS
YARN
Sport or light DK weight yarn, 1035 (1150, 1275, 1430, 1575) yds / 950 (1055, 1170, 1310, 1450) m

Shown in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool (65% wool, 35% silk; 192 yds / 175m per 1.75 oz / 50g skein), 6 skeins in colour 19 for 34-36” / 86-97cm size.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 4 / 3.5mm circular needle, 40” / 100cm or needles of choice for small circumferences in the round
US 6 / 4.0mm circular needle, 32” / 80cm or longer
US 7 / 4.5mm circular needle, 32” / 80cm or longer
spare needle in a larger size for binding off
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
24 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch

MORE INFO

The Ravelry page is here, and there’s more photos there too!

3-page PDF includes photos, abbreviations and schematic. Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$6.00 CAD

TFA Year in Colour: Uxbridge Shawl

Awhile ago Tanis emailed me, asking if I’d be interested in contributing a pattern for her new yarn club, the Year in Colour. Every other month you get a skein of fingering weight yarn in either merino or merino/cashmere/nylon, and a one-skein pattern to go with!

My month was September, and here’s my Uxbridge Shawl.

This shawl features a stretchy lace mesh and ruffled edging in Tanis purple label – it’s so soft, and I love the colour! The pattern will be exclusive to the club until 2012, but you can still sign up for the Year in Colour and receive all the past yarns and patterns together!