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Beech Leaf Edging -- This a modification of Barbara G. Walker’s lace edging.  It is knitted sideways and can be made in any length you desire. It has a definite "right side", but you may find both sides attractive. You can use it as edging or trim on shelves, pillowcases, skirts, petticoats, shawls, and sweaters. It can be made with either straight ends or ends that will match each other so that the last row can be sewn to the beginning to form a circle. I modified the original pattern to turn it into an edging, to suit my tastes, and to add the straight ends.

DATE -- May 2001

Beginner Knit Projects -- If you’re just learning to knit, here are some projects that you can easily do – a hat/neck gaiter, slippers, a stuffed toy, and a buttoned pouch. Two require specific weights of yarn (the hat-gaiter and the slippers), but the other two can be made in any size yarn (bunny and pouch).

DATE - September 2003.  These patterns were originally designed for Alpacas Magazine (projected publication is late 2003 or early 2004).
 

Child's Button Loop Garden Maze Pullover -- This child’s striped pullover sweater is worked in an unusual way. The multi-angled garter stitch pattern is worked circularly from the square neckline outward, and all shaping angles are retained throughout the working of the sweater. The sweater has a slitted front neckline with a button loop and a small slit at the center of the bottom back edge. Because of the way the pattern is written, the sizing of the pattern changes easily: with just a change in gauge, all measurements will change while remaining in proper body proportions – meaning that using thick needles and yarn makes a larger sized sweater, while using finer needles and thinner yarn makes a smaller sized sweater. Also, because the pattern is worked in garter stitch, it is very stretchy and can fit for a long time as the child grows.

DATE - September 2002

Child's Garden Maze Cardigan -- This is a garter stitch, zigzag striped, button-front child’s sweater knitted in a complicated maze-like manner.  The cast on edge begins at the bottom of the left center front edge and goes up the front, around the neckline, and down to the bottom of the right center front edge.  The pattern is in 3 sizes, expanded from the small size in two different methods:  the medium size uses the same size needles and yarn and has the stitch counts adjusted, the large size is worked exactly like the medium size but uses thicker thread and larger needles.  If desired, you can make an even smaller size by using finer yarn and smaller needles.  Button holes are worked on both edges so the cardigan can be easily suited to a girl or a boy.

DATE - December 2002, Revised January 2005

Diagonal Garter Stitch Scarf -- This garter stitch scarf is worked back and forth diagonally from one corner. It is reversible, and the pattern looks the same on both sides when it is worked in one color. It can be worked in a narrow width to wear as a muffler with a winter coat. Or it can be worked loosely and wide for a lacy stole. Both examples are shown in the picture. The pattern is a variation of the diagonal washcloth pattern that I learned years ago.

DATE -- January 2001 -- This pattern was originally designed for Alpacas Magazine for its Spring 2001 issue

Diamonds & Flowers Shawl -- This is a pattern for a triangular or square shawl that can be made in a wide range of sizes. The directions are both written and charted, so you can use whichever style you prefer, or try both. The version in the photo at left is a triangular, dressy, shoulder shawl of cashmere that can be knotted in front or be worn with a shawl pin or dressy pin to fasten the front (and it won first prize at the Taos Wool Festival 2002). The pattern can also easily be made larger or smaller. If made in a square shape, it can be worn folded in half diagonally. The pattern also makes a lovely lace tablecloth, and in the smallest size it’s a wonderfully lacy "handkerchief" that could be used as a dressy touch in a blazer breast pocket or as a lovely addition to a bride’s wedding day ensemble – as a lacy handkerchief tucked into her purse or trimming her bouquet.

DATE -- September 2002

Entrelac Stair Step GS Shawl - This shallow triangular scarf/shawl is design in a garter stitch entrelac pattern, also called basketweave.  It is worked from one side point to other.  The border can be in the same or a contrasting same color.  It is reversible, although not quite identical on each side when the edging is added.  Tassels are optional.

DATE - April 2006, posted here March 2007

Eyelet-Edged Coasters (free pattern) -- This is a square garter stitch coaster with simple eyelet edging.  It should be made with 100% cotton or other absorbent fiber (don’t you hate those stone or plastic coasters where the water just runs off or drips off the glass every time you pick it up?), and it’s machine washable and dryable, too.  

DATE -- February 2001

Eyelet-Edged Placemat & Coaster -- This set of table linens includes a rectangular placemat and square coaster in garter stitch with a simple eyelet edging. They should be made with 100% cotton or other absorbent fiber (don’t you hate those stone or plastic coasters where the water just runs off or drips off the glass every time you pick it up?), and they’re machine washable and dryable, too.

DATE -- March 2001

Felted Tasseled Purse - This pointed-bottom felted (fulled) purse pattern is has several variations.  It can be large or small with a flap to fasten over the top or with a drawstring top with no flap.  The drawstring version has a pointed lace panel edging that overlays the purse and mirrors the point on the purse.  Both purses have tassels hanging from the bottom and over-the-shoulder length twisted cord straps.  NOTE – since these purses are knitted before shrinking, they are technically “fulled” and not “felted” (felted fabrics are made directly from the raw fiber without knitting, crocheting, or weaving first).

DATE - April 2006, posted here March 2007

Garden Maze Garter Stitch Pouch -- This is a drawstring pouch knitted in a combination of back-and-forth and circular garter stitch with lots of very complex increases, decreases, bind offs, and color changes. I "unvented" the technique as an evolution of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s wonderful garter stitch projects. The name "garden maze" I credit to a sister knitter (thanks, Barb!). The pouch starts with a small square at the bottom and ends with the scalloped top edge. This pouch is a good project to learn this complex technique.

DATE -- November 1998, Revised July 2001

Garter Stitch Tote Bag -- This a two-handled, open-top, shoulder tote with optional button loop to close the top and an optional pocket on the outside center front. The garter stitch construction makes the bag stretchy enough to hold most any cargo. The design has two choices of bottom style – rectangular or envelope style. It can be made in 2 sizes. If constructed of an animal fiber yarn, it can be fulled (felted) in your washing machine. Both of the models shown in the photo are the smaller size with the rectangular bottom – one fulled version (left) and one unfulled version (right).

DATE -- March 1992, Revised July 2002.

Heart Garter Stitch Shawl -- This a triangular shawl worked in garter stitch from the center back point to a bind off at the front edge. It has two choices of small heart design at the back center point worked in eyelets. The shape of the shawl can be worked with single increases on each side edge for a narrower top edge that ties or pins in the front. It can also be made with double increases at each side edge for a wider top edge that creates longer tails to easily wrap around your body. The front edge can be finished with a loopy or simple bind off edging.  The size can range from small enough for a doll or teddy bear to huge enough to wrap around yourself several times.

DATE -- September 2003

Lace Candle Sleeves -- Included are three variations of circularly-knit lace sleeves sized for glass-encased seven-day candles. The three patterns are of three levels of difficulty: from beginner to advanced. Because of the fire danger, these lace sleeves are designed for and should be used only for GLASS-encased candles! 

June 2001 -- this pattern was originally designed for Alpaca Magazine’s Holiday 2001 issue (Fall 2001)

Mosaic Drawstring Pouch -- This is a small, two-color, envelope-bottomed drawstring pouch worked in mosaic stitch and with a bobbled top edge. Mosaic stitch is a multicolor slip-stitch technique primarily used for geometrical designs. It is worked using only one color per row and is often worked in garter stitch, as this pouch is. The project is worked back and forth from the top down, with the drawstring eyelet edging picked up and added last. This is a good project for learning how to do this intriguing color and texture technique.

DATE -- July 2001

• If you already own this pattern, click on -- Correction

Ribbon Heart Afghan -- This is a square afghan that works well as a baby blanket or lap robe. It is worked in garter stitch from the center out. Because of the way color changes work in garter stitch, the stripes on the back don’t look exactly the same as the front. A few parts are worked back and forth (knit every row), but the rest is worked circularly (alternating knit and purl rows). 

DATE -- February 2001 -- This pattern was originally designed for Alpacas Magazine for its Summer 2001 issue

• If you already own this pattern, click on -- Tips

Ruffled Mitts -- These are ladylike, wrist length, fingerless mittens with ruffled cuffs. They are made of luxury yarn and can be worn for dressy occasions, including weddings, tea parties, and "dress up". They can also be worn simply to keep your hands warm while you’re knitting, reading, or working on the computer. They are worked from the top edge down, ending with the ruffled cuff that can be edged with knitted-in beads if you like. If you make them longer and without ruffles, they are sporty versions that even a man with cold hands might enjoy wearing.

DATE -- July 2001-- This pattern was originally designed for Alpacas Magazine for its Winter 2001 issue (approximately December 2001)

Shrunken Hot Pad  -- This garter stitch hot pad is worked back and forth diagonally from one corner.  It looks the same on both sides if you work it in one color.  It is the best hot pad that I’ve ever used – the garter stitch pattern makes it thick, and the fulling (felting/shrinking) makes it even denser and more heat insulating.  It’s a variation of the diagonal washcloth pattern that I learned years ago, and it’s easy and quick to make for your kitchen or for gifts.  

DATE -- January 2001 -- This pattern was originally designed for Alpacas Magazine for its Spring 2001 issue

Sideways Garter Stitch Hat With Dahlia -- This is a pull-on hat with several edging choices and an optional "corsage" of 3-dimensional garter stitch leaves and dahlia-like flower. The hat is worked sideways and is designed in sizes from premature infant to lady’s large. I developed the original hat when I was taking part in a Minnesota Knitters’ Guild public service project in 1991 to knit premature infant hats for the University of Minnesota Hospital (all preemie hats were knitted of acrylic with basic edging and no flower trim).

DATE - 1991, Revised September 2002

Simple Scarves (2 free patterns)-- Here are basic directions for two types of rectangular scarves or shawls, both of which are reversible (no wrong side) when worked in garter stitch.  They look great in basic yarns or fancy furry or glitzy novelty yarns.  The rectangular patterns can be made in any width or length.

DATE - June 2004

Squares & Stripes Socks - This sock design is worked from the top of the cuff down to the toe. It is worked in two colors with the cuff worked in an unusual garter stitch technique that I call garden maze garter stitch. Sizes include child, women's & men's.  The child’s size has two sets of squares and stripes on the cuff, the women’s sizes have 3 sets, and the men’s sizes have 4 sets. Although the garter stitch cuff looks larger around than the sock foot, it fits well.

DATE - January 2005

String Shopping Bag -- This pattern makes a large drawstring string-type shopping bag. It folds up small, but stretches out into a large size suitable for carrying all your shopping purchases (it’s particularly great for carrying home your yarn purchase for your next knitting project!).

DATE --  February 1992, Revised July 2001

Triangle Angle Shawl -- This is a reversible triangular shawl knitted sideways in back-and-forth garter stitch lace from one front point, widening to a point in the middle of the back and then narrowing to the other front point. It has a simple, diagonally slanting lace stitch pattern as the body of the shawl with a faggot stitch strip and a pointed lace outer edging with the same diagonally slanting lace pattern as the body of the shawl.

DATE -- May 2001 -- This pattern was designed especially for Good Fibrations, as a shawl to be made with their Colorado-raised mohair yarns (this small herd of goats live about 15 miles from my home).

• If you already own this pattern, click on -- Corrections