Russet Lodge Custom Knits

Up to this point I've mainly used this blog to talk about items I'm selling or what's going on in my etsy shop , but I think it would be far more interesting if I try to use it to share information about my crafts, whether personal or for sale, as well. I am a member of the Idaho Etsy Team , and it's high time I joined in the fun of their weekly WiP Wednesday feature, where members post about what projects they have in the works. I just started a new knitting project today, it is one of my eighteenth-century Scottish bonnets for a client. The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in the color Amber Heather and it's beautiful, it just glows! The bonnet's small now, but I will probably have it done in no more than a couple of days. It's a quick and easy pattern and I'm a speedy knitter. The other project I've got in the works is a group project with listeners of the Knitmore Girls Podcast , they are doing a SPAKAL (spin and knit along), we are ...

A friend is cosplaying as Xenophilius Lovegood for the opening night of the final Harry Potter film, and will be handing out copies of The Quibbler. This is my contribution. It's a very simple pattern, I had to estimate the size of a house elf. Feel free to share, modify, comment, etc. If you’re a progressive witch or wizard, you are well aware of the deplorable conditions suffered by house elves across the country. If you are looking for a way to free your elf in style, look no further! This is a quick project even for muggles, and with two stylish looks (one lacy for female elves, one simple for for males) you can create styles to please any discerning individual! This project is a great way to use up scraps of different colors or show off your handspun. Materials needed: 200 grams/440 yards worsted weight yarn, size 6 circular needle (at least 36 inches long), size 6 double-pointed needles if desired, one large button for closure. Cast on 4 stitches, divide onto double poi...

It's here, knitters! I am hosting this knit-along to give everybody a chance to try out my new Alaine Socks, named and designed for a friend of mine. I'm going to be offering the pattern here for free during the knit-along, and afterward it will be available to download via ravelry for $2.50. The pattern is going to be released in pieces as we go through the knit-along so that everybody can enjoy the surprise factor. This is a lace sock, so it's probably best for female feet and you probably don't want a yarn whose colors are too wild. Semi-solid/kettle-dyed yarn would be ideal. That said, I'm using a hand-painted yarn whose colors are rather subtle. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, corrections, or any other feedback please leave your comments on this entry. :) Thanks to everyone who participated in the knit-along. This pattern is now available for purchase only.

Photo by indigoace on ravelry . EDIT 7/28/16 - clarifying instructions and adding a photo that actually works. I love the Gulls and Garter stitch pattern. It's lovely and interesting, it looks good in both variegated and solid yarn, and it's fun to knit without being too difficult. Cast on 45 stitches (or a multiple of 8 stitches plus five). Rows 1-4: work in garter stitch (knit every row). Row 5 (wrong side): k4 *p5, k3* to last 4 stitches, k4 Row 6 (right side): k4 *With yarn in front, slip 5 stitches purlwise, k3* to last 9 stitches, with yarn in front, slip 5 stitches purlwise, k4. Row 7: repeat row 5. Row 8: K4, *k2, insert RH needle under strand 2 rows below, k next st on LH needle, catching the yarn float behind your stitch, k7; rep from * (end last rep k2)  k4 Continue working Rows 5-8 until cloth is desired length. Work rows 1-4 again. Bind off, weave in ends, enjoy! Below is a chart of the Gulls and Garter stitch.  Red lines indicate the repe...

I have had an upsurge in purchases of my basic knitted kilt hose pattern lately. The pattern has some notes on customizing the hose by using different stitch patterns in the leg, and I thought I'd share a few favorites. Please be aware that the calf shaping will mean you'll need to be careful about pattern repeats and read your knitting to make sure everything lines up correctly. That said, here are a few nice (and relatively easy) stitch patterns you can use to spruce up a pair of hose (all of these are in the round): Herringbone Stitch Multiple of 4 stitches. Round 1: k all Round 2: *k2, sl 1 purlwise, k1, yo, pass slipped stitch over these two stitches* Mistake Rib Multiple of 3 stitches. Round 1: *k2, p1* Round 2: *k1, p2* Double Rib Multiple of 6 stitches. Round 1: *k3, p3* Round 2: *k1, p1* These are all nice stretchy stitches that look lovely on hose, and I'll try to get photos up soon. I will be posting a new washcloth pattern this week, and the stitch pattern fr...

Though I reserve this blog mostly for publicizing my patterns and sharing information on some of my products which are available, I thought I would make a quick post to let people know I currently have no waiting list for custom-made knitwear, including kilt hose and bonnets. I am always working on personal projects, and I can't guarantee a time frame, but it's likely to be closer to 6-8 weeks than the year plus wait I've had in the past. I also offer other services including hand-dyed fibers and yarns, handspun yarns, pattern design, tech editing, pattern translation French/English, charting, writing out charted patterns, test knitting, and article writing/editing. Drop me a line at russetlodgeknits at gmail dot com if you're interested. You can also visit my design page on ravelry or my facebook fan page (links on the left) and check out my latest items for sale at http://shekure.etsy.com. My personal blog ramblings are availble at http://unaspenser.livejournal....

I've just put my Sweetheart Kilt Hose pattern up on Ravelry. I designed this pattern for my husband for Valentine's Day 2008 (finished them over a year later), and now, here it is!