cosmicpluto knits!

map collection winners!

Thanks for entering my little contest! The random number generator came up with these for winners of the Map Collection:

381, 156, 113, 256, 324, 26, 394, 180, 36

The grand prize winner of the Malabrigo Twist is Kate, comment number 11. Here’s her entry:

“Crocuses are up in the garden around the corner. All but one are creamy butter yellow. The odd guy is almost white.”

I’ve emailed all the winners. Thanks for playing!

P.S. Yesterday I went up to visit my parents and use my mum’s sewing machine – whipped up a (very poorly sewn) new laptop case with a Canada Goose on the back. This pleases me greatly!

random thursday

Despite all the other knitting I’ve got to finish, I cast on for some plain socks. I really needed something I could just knit and not think about! Socks That Rock Lightweight in a “Steph Dyes” colourway – the product of steph in the dye studio.

I’ve been doing piles of editing, with my favourite red pen.

I made blueberry cup-pies (you know, like cupcakes) on Monday for Pi Approximation Day. I decided to make them when I had only 2 hours in which to do it, but I managed to pull it off! They’re quite ugly and my crust sealing could use some work, but they were delicious. I really must get a proper rolling pin, though. (Recipe? I used a standard all-butter crust recipe, and frozen blueberries tossed with a little sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Bake at 425F for 15 min, then turn down to 350F until they’re done – about 15-20 minutes.)

Aaaaaand on this Random Thursday, I have a contest for you all!

Leave a comment on this post with something that makes you happy – anything! Signs of spring, your favourite yarn, food, book…

I’ll pick 10 winners at random to win a copy of The Map Collection, and one of those people will win 2 skeins of Malabrigo Twist in Damask Rose – perfect for the smaller Signal Hill Scarf!

Comments will close on Sunday, March 20 at 11.59 EDT, and I’ll announce the winners next week before my trip to NYC!

The Map Collection special price!

Thanks for all the love on my cashmere sweater! You know, I think I might even wear it today.

I just wanted to remind everyone that today (February 28) is the last day to get The Map Collection at the special intro price of just $15 USD for 8 patterns in tons of sizes. On March 1 the price will go up to $18 USD.

Click through to see all the projects and get their details.

BUY NOW FOR $15 USD It’s now $18 CAD!

Signal Hill Scarf

Also Available as part of The Map Collection!

Signal Hill is a cushy circular scarf with a deep and interesting texture. The Dropped Stitches pattern is easy and fun to work, featuring an unusual use of yarn overs. Though they’re different, both sides look great. The cowl size is just right for hanging around your neck in a single loop, or doubled for extra warmth, while the larger scarf size will keep all the drafts out!

Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani. http://www.windchains.com

SIZE
Cowl (Scarf)
Finished Circumference: 40 (60)” / 102 (152)cm
Finished Width: 8.25” / 21cm

MATERIALS
YARN
Aran or heavy worsted weight yarn.
300 (450) yds / 274 (411)m.

Shown in Malabrigo Twist (100% merino wool; 150 yds / 137m per 3.5 oz / 100g skein)
2 skeins in Zinc (grey) for Cowl
3 skeins in Damask Rose (pink) for Scarf

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 9 / 5.5mm 32” / 80cm circular needles
stitch markers
darning needle

GAUGE
18 sts and 28 rnds = 4” / 10cm square in Dropped Stitches pattern in the round.

MORE INFO
Skills required: cast onn, ribbing, chart reading, increases, decreases. Both charted and written directions for Dropped Stitches pattern are included. 3 page PDF pattern.

HOW TO BUY
Available through Ravelry (no account needed), payment by Paypal.
Signal Hill Ravelry page

Buy the Signal Hill Scarf pattern ONLY for $5 CAD

Buy The Map Collection for $18 CAD

Powder River Set

Also Available as part of The Map Collection!

Matching handwarmers and cowl in an intruiging folded fabric looks cabled but isn’t! The waves undulate gently, trapping air and keeping you warm. Worked in fine, slightly thick and thin yarn that comes in brilliant colours. Both thehandwarmers and cowl are worked flat and closed with tiny mother of pearl buttons.
Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani. http://www.windchains.com

SIZES
HANDWARMERS
Finished Circumference: 7 (9)” / 18 (23)cm around knuckles Length: 5.5” / 14cm

COWL
Close (Loose) fitting
Finished Circumference: 20 (24)” / 51 (61)cm
Depth: 6” / 15cm

MATERIALS
YARN
Fingering weight yarn.
140 (170) yds / 128 (156)m for Handwarmers.
270 (325) yds / 247 (298)m for Cowl.

Shown in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% superwash merino wool; 440 yds / 402m per 4oz skein) – 1 skein of Fragrant for 9” / 23cm handwarmers and 20” / 51cm cowl.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 2 / 2.75mm needles (straight or circular)
US 2 / 2.75mm double pointed needles for Handwarmers only one US 0 or 1 / 2.0 or 2.25mm double pointed needle many tiny buttons (approximately 1/4” / 6mm diameter)

GAUGE
32 sts and 44 rows = 4” / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch on US 2 / 2.75mm needles

MORE INFO
Skills required: cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease. Fold pattern tutorial is given in the pattern. 5 page PDF pattern.

HOW TO BUY
Available through Ravelry (no account needed), payment by Paypal.
Powder River Set Ravelry page

Buy the Powder River Set (handwarmers and cowl) pattern ONLY for $5 CAD

Buy The Map Collection for $18 CAD

Midlothian Mittens

Also Available as part of The Map Collection!

Quick to knit up and perfect for keeping out the cold! Midlothian Mittens are a perfect project for a beginner to colourwork. Extra warm with a soft laceweight lining and an innovative lining method. Reversible between hands for even wear (and to get them on your hands faster!).

Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani. http://www.windchains.com

SIZES
XS (S, M, L) – Shown in size S.
Finished Circumference: 7 (8, 9, 10)” / 18 (20, 23, 25)cm around knuckles of the outer mitten – the lining takes up a bit of room inside, so mitten fits snugly.
To fit knuckle circumference: 6 (7, 8, 9)” / 15 (18, 20, 23)cm Finished Length: 8.5 (9, 9.5, 9.5)” / 22 (23, 24, 24)cm from cuff to tip

MATERIALS
YARN
Outer Mitten – DK weight yarn.
105 (140, 170, 185) yds / 96 (128, 155, 170)m of MC
80 (105, 130, 140) yds / 73 (96, 120, 128) m of CC

Shown in Tanis Fiber Arts Yellow Label DK (100% superwash merino; 260 yds / 238m per 4 oz / 115g skein) – 1 skein each of Garnet (MC) and Sand (CC) for size S.

Lining – laceweight yarn.
120 (160, 200, 215) yds / 110 (146, 183, 197)m

Shown in Habu Textiles 2/26 cashmere (100% cashmere, 182 yds / 163m per 0.5oz / 14g skein) – 1 skein in colour 7301 for size S.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 3 / 3.25mm double pointed needles or needles of choice for small circumferences in the round
US 1.5 / 2.5mm double pointed needles or needles of choice for small circumferences in the round
stitch marker
tapestry needle
smooth waste yarn no larger than working yarn

GAUGE
28 sts and 34 rnds = 4” / 10cm square in stranded colourwork in the round on US 3 / 3.25mm needles.

MORE INFO
Skills required: cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, stranded colourwork, reading a chart, kitchener stitch. Colourwork charts are provided. 4 page PDF pattern.

HOW TO BUY
Available through Ravelry (no account needed), payment by Paypal.
Midlothian Mittens Ravelry page

Buy the Midlothian Mittens pattern ONLY for $5 CAD

Buy The Map Collection for $18 CAD