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Basic Socks -- This classic albeit basic sock design is worked from the top of the cuff down to the toe. The cuff is worked in a knit 1, purl 1 ribbing, the heel is worked in heel stitch, and the foot is stockinette stitch with a wedge toe.  Sizes include a child’s medium (for a child about 5-6 years old), child’s large/woman’s small, woman’s medium, woman’s large, man’s small, man’s medium, and man’s large.

DATE - January 2005

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).
 

Bobbles & Rib Hat -- This is a stocking-type ribbed hat with bobble (AKA popcorn stitch) trim on bottom edge and on crown of hat. It can be worn several ways. The bottom edge can be folded up as a brim. With the edge folded down, the hat can be worn low over the forehead on cold days, or higher on the head with the bobbled top forming a cute point at the top of the head.

DATE - January 2005

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

Child's Loon Cardigan - This child’s cardigan sweater has a variety of black and white patterns inspired by those of the Common Loon. The loon effect is enhanced by the sweater’s red buttons, which are the color of the adult loon’s eyes.  The color patterns are worked in a combination of intarsia and stranded color work. The bottom edging is worked in 2-color corrugated ribbing. The sweater pieces are knitted downward from the shoulders to the wrists & bottom ribbing.  If you are interested, check out the Loon Pillow with Toy which was designed to coordinate with this cardigan.

DATE - 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 or scarf.  Both examples are shown in the picture, and directions for both are included in the pattern.  It’s 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 Ridge Shawl Variations -- This pattern includes two shapes of shawl, both worked back and forth in the same pattern stitch. One version is a V-shaped (V) shawl, the other is a triangle. The triangle shawl is worked with your choice of yarn, the V shawl is designed for just one yarn weight. There are 4 edging variations: a garter ridge bind off (add-on fringe optional); a picot bind off (add-on fringe optional); a sideways garter stitch edging with short knitted-on beaded fringe; or a ruffled ribbing. The body of either shawl is very easy to knit and grows longer on each right side row. The length of the V shawl is determined by the length of the cast on row; the triangle shawl begins at the center top back and can range in size from small enough for a doll to a shoulder-sized scarf to a huge body-swaddling shawl. The stitch pattern alternates eyelet garter ridge bands with bands of stockinette stitch.  The V shawl is made in one size, the triangular shawl can be made in any size.

DATE -- September 2003

Felted Hats - This is a fitted, felted hat with a variety of brim and hat band options. The brim can be flat and narrow, wide with a slit at the back, or upward slanting with a narrow or wide "flip". The crown can fit the head snugly or be shaped – flattened (when combined with the narrow upturned brim, this style looks like a top hat), or the pinched-front fedora style.

DATE - January 2005

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

Ladder Diamond Table Runner or Scarf -- This project has a lace pattern of diamonds with an openwork ladder up the center of each and a narrow garter stitch border all around. A tassel trimmed with beads is attached to each end. It can be worked as a table runner or a muffler-type long scarf to wear with your winter coat.
DATE -- September 2003 - this pattern was originally designed for Alpacas Magazine (projected publication is late 2003 or early 2004).

Ribbed Neck Gaiter (free pattern) -- This tubular neck gaiter is knitted in a simple ribbing pattern.  It can be worn around the neck and pulled up over the mouth and nose if it’s very cold out.  It also works great as a simple hat if it’s not too cold (the open top lets some of the heat out).  

DATE -- February 2001

Ribbed Wristers, Driving Mitts, & Neck Gaiter --  What I call wristers are also sometimes called mitts or fingerless mittens. These are knitted in a simple ribbed pattern. They cover the entire palm of the hand and wrist and have a thumbhole. The driving mitts are designed for holding a car’s steering wheel. The longer finger section and the partial thumbs are long enough to wrap around a cold steering wheel while still leaving the finger tips free.  The matching neck gaiter is knitted in the same simple rib. It can be worn around the neck and pulled up over the mouth and nose if it’s very cold out. It also works great as a simple hat if it’s not too cold (the open top lets some of the heat out).  

DATE -- March 2001, Expanded Version 2005

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)

Sewn Mittens (free pattern, no knitting necessary) -- This is a cut-and-sew fabric mitten that can easily be made in any size.  It is made from shrunken (felted/fulled) wool sweaters -- check you local thrift store for such a sweater.  The mitten can be made from either 2 or 3 pieces of fabric and modified almost endlessly in style.  The mitten's seams can be machine sewn or hand sewn with yarn.   The mittens can be as crude or as decorative as you want.
DATE -- 1990, revised November 2001

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

Spiral Ribbed No-Heel Socks -- This pattern is my version of a traditional pattern. These are heavy, tall socks designed for winter wear in hiking or ski boots or ice skates. The spiral rib makes them fit quite well even without heel shaping, and the sock may wear better than a heeled sock because your heel isn’t in the same place every time you put it on.  These are socks that you can make for anyone, by using just an estimated size - and they always fit! The photograph shows both the largest and smallest socks.

DATE -- May 1992, Revised July 2001

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

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)

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Zig Zag Lace Tam -- This is a fun, loose crowned, lace hat with zig zag points along the lower edge of the fitted hat band. The band, which is worked sideways in garter stitch, can be adjusted by the long beaded cord threaded through the eyelets in the band. The crown of the hat is worked circularly from the top edge of the hat band, has diagonal columns of eyelets, a central 6-pointed star, and is topped by a button. The band and cords are worked with double strands of yarn; the eyelets and star are worked with a single strand.

DATE - September 2002