NuttyIrishmanKnits

Hemlock Deadlock

New post at the new site. 

 

Nutty Irishman Knits: Benjamin

Nutty Irishman Knits: Benjamin

A new post at the new site!  I stink at figuring out how to integrate my feed from Typepad into my new feed at Blogger.  If anyone knows... please pass it along! =)

 

NIK is Moving!

Hello Everyone!

I've been doing some early spring cleaning around my house lately and getting rid of a lot of clutter (and crap).  And I decided to continue my efforts to Nutty Irishman Knits as well! 

For some time I've been wanting to update and improve NIK, and I figured now was as good a time as any.  I am moving NIK to a new host, and you can find our new home here.

Nutty Irishman Knits

You'll find in the Navigation Bar on the new site a "Subscribe" link.  This is set up through Feedburner and I hope you'll move your subscription to NIK's new location!

I'll leave this site up for a couple more weeks until everything is in it's proper place at our new home. 

I have several new knits and patterns to post about.  (I have definitely been behind...)  Thanks for being such supportive readers.  I've enjoyed the last few years with you and am looking forward to 2012 and beyond!

As always, happy knitting!

Jennifer

B. E. N.

Ben by Jennifer Adams

pattern coming soon...

First, Happy New Year!  I hope everyone is looking forward to the new year (and new knits) with renewed energy.  I giggle a little as I say that because I have been down for a week with a sinus infection gone wild.  And then I look around the house knowing I will soon need to take down all the holiday decorations that I swear I just put up 12 hours ago... well maybe I'll go back to bed today.  But just for today!

Second, I've got to say, having a teenager in the house provides lots of laughs, and lots of knitting inspiration.  My pattern Graham has really taken off.  Thank you for all your sweet comments and questions.  It's been fun knocking ideas around with you!  My son, Ben (whose middle name is Graham) told me exactly what he wanted in a hat, and I've enjoyed seeing how other guys like the pattern as well. 

Another idea I've been kicking around for the last month is the "inside out" hat.  I knit Woolly Wormhead's Chunkeanie, and loved it so much I knit several for family and friends.  I love this idea, and found a couple of great designs by the giants (i.e. Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors) that also incorporated stripes into the mix.  For me this is like taking a caramel and adding sea salt...

My new pattern incorporates these two ideas and will be released this week.  Ben has been brainstorming this pattern idea with me, so I hope it will resonate with all of your guys (and gals) as well! 

Be looking for the new pattern this week, and in the meantime, Happy Knitting!

 

Luxe Cowl

Luxe Cowl by Jennifer Adams

Knit using US size 8 circulars and 1 (!) ball of Noro Silk Garden (colorway 241)

I am on a real "don't overthink it" kick.  Simpler is often better.  My friend asked for a cowl with pretty colors.  That was it.  I love Noro and I love miters... goodness knows I've knit several pair of Mitered Mittens!  And I've wanted to knit a cowl using both for quite some time, it's just been on "the list" for too long.  

I knit this simple Luxe Cowl last night.  And I'm calling it Luxe because it truly is.  Silk Garden and Silk Garden Lite are two of my favorite luxury yarns.  The colorways are gorgeous and anyone who is fortunate to receive a knit from either will thank you for it. 

The pattern is simple:

Using the alternate cable cast on (or knitting on), cast on 80 (100) stitches on US size 8’s.

Join in round and alternate purling and knitting rounds for 5 rounds and then begin mitered pattern.

Over 20 stitches: *K1, M1L, K7, SSK, K2TOG, K7, M1R, K1* repeat *pattern* to end of round.
Knit round 2.

Repeat these 2 rounds until the cowl measures 8 inches. Then alternate purling and knitting rounds for 5 rounds (ending with a purl round), and bind off with knit stitches.

That's it!  I've including the pattern in the notes section of my project page as well.  So if you're looking for a quick, yet special gift for someone, the Luxe Cowl is a perfect choice.  Enjoy!

Happy Knitting!

Graham

 

Graham by Jennifer Adams

Project Specs: knit using Cascade Eco-Alpaca on size US 6 and 8 circulars.

Ben has been requesting a new hat for the last month, and he pretty much gave me the exact specs for what he wanted.  I think when knitting for a guy this makes life so much easier.  Especially a finicky 13 year old.  Guys may not always know exactly what they want when it comes to a wearable knit, but they can give you enough descriptive words that you get the picture.  Ben used words like "rasta, slouchy, and soft."  When I showed him a photo of a true rasta he said, "umm... no, not what I meant."  When I showed him some celebrity photos of guys in slouch hats we hit paydirt.

After that it was smooth sailing, and we had a hat 2 days later.  I knit Graham in baby alpaca which a great choice for a slouch hat.  It drapes so well but also shows good stitch definition.  I've knit another in Cascade 220 heathers and it's turned out great as well, it does need a good soak though for it to soften up and drape like alpaca.  Another great option is Ultra Alpaca.

Knit using a Reverse Broken Rib stitch this hat is completely reversible.  And you can knit it inside out if you prefer knitting every other round to purling them.  You just need to reverse the pattern's knit stitches to purl and purl to knit everywhere they are used.  It's really a super easy pattern that is quick to knit up for Christmas gifts!

After publishing the pattern I realized I hadn't given the crown decrease numbers for the Adult Large and published an update for the pattern that same day.  If you have already downloaded the pattern and your PDF doesn't say GRAHAMrev or GRAHAMv3 you will need to go to your Ravelry library and update your version.  It will say "update available" and all you need do is click on this link for it to update automatically.  You can then print it.

 

This is Andy's version knit in Cascade 220 heathers.  The stitch definition is a bit more visible because of the color and wool, but it softens nicely when blocked.  They love both versions!

Happy Knitting!

Shawl Crazy.

Shaelyn by Leila Raabe

Knit using Kauni Effektgarn in colorway EN

Knit on US size 8 circs

Ravelers find it here.

All the snowfall has made me stir crazy, which has made me shawl crazy.  I love how quickly shawls can knit up... and wonder why it took me so long to jump on board this train.  I've knit three in the last few weeks and have worn them all numerous times.  This is Shaelyn, by Leila Raabe and I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I've had two balls of Kauni for a couple of years now and couldn't decide on the right project for them.  When I saw this pattern I thought the long colorways of the Kauni would be perfect for the scalloped lace detail in the pattern.

It took less than one ball of Kauni (roughly 440 yards) to complete this project.  And that's including an extra pattern repeat.  I really wanted the shawl to end with a brown edging instead of cream, and thankfully it came out just right.

This is such an easy yet elegant pattern that's perfect for TV knitting.  With rows of stockinette tucked between simple lace work, it would be fairly difficult to really lose your place.  Although, I did manage to do so a couple of times!  As usual! 

I really loved working with the Kauni as well.  Don't fret if you've begun a project with it and wondered if you had indeed found a yarn rougher than Noro, because it really blocks well and fluffs quite a bit.  Now, in saying that, I'm not comparing it to Malabrigo!  It's a more rustic yarn that smells like a sheep! (I love that, and so does my cat.) But it does block to a nice fabric that you won't have to sacrifice comfort to wear around your neck.  Overall I think they are a perfect pairing!

Happy Knitting!