New Pattern: Cactus Blossom

The weather may be cooling where you are, but here in Eastern Africa things are warming up. But no matter what hemisphere you live in I think you’ll like Cactus Blossom.

Knit in laceweight yarn, it is perfect for both layering and wearing on its own. I had the joy of knitting this up in Mary Gavin Yarns Quail, which is a raw silk with excellent drape. If you want to use the same yarn, there are kits available through Sweater Sisters.

The construction on this one is very simple. Knit from the bottom up, the pattern is completely seamless. It also features ribbed detailing along the armholes that match the hem and cowl ribbing.

If you knit Cactus Blossom let me know either by linking your project to the pattern on Ravelry or tagging me on Instagram with #kathrynfolkerthdesigns. I love seeing my patterns out in the world and the way each knitter interprets them. Also be sure you are signed up for my mailing list for the latest pattern release info and occasional discount codes.

New Pattern: Sandbank

I spend a lot of my time in a warm climate. Home for our family is split between North Carolina and East Africa. A lot of knitters are surprised to hear that a knitting designer is based out of these climates, but I’m a firm believer that knit fabric can be used in warm as well as cold weather.

Sandbank fills such a role. I wanted a subtly textured tunic that was both simple and easy to throw on with leggings for a complete look. I had the opportunity to use Mary Gavin Yarns Canyon, a sport weight cotton rayon blend, which worked up beautifully for what I had in mind.

The finished garment is meant to be worn with some positive ease and is knit in the round, which means no seams! The texture pattern plays with the natural differences between stockinette and garter stitch in the round, creating a piece that is longer in the back than the front.

If you’ve wanted to try out warm weather knits, I hope you will give Sandbank a try. And don’t forget, to sign up for my mailing list for occasional discount codes on my new patterns!

Worsted Badlands Mitts

Last week I showed you my new Worsted Badlands Hat pattern, and this week I have matching mitts to share!

We all know a knitted hat is the gift that keeps on giving on a cold day, but your hands need some love too. Mitts like these are great because they keep your fingers free for necessary tasks, like knitting, scrolling Instagram, or (in my case) grabbing the hand of an enthusiastic toddler.

Like the hat, these mitts are perfect for knitting up leftovers. They are knit from the fingers down to the wrist, so you can simply knit until you run out of yarn rather than playing yarn chicken up your hand.

This pattern is sized from toddler to adult, so any amount of leftovers will do. Don’t forget that you get a discount when buying this pattern with the matching hat. And I send out discounts for my newsletter subscribers, which you can sign up for here.

Worsted Badlands Hat

It’s finally here! Nearly two years ago I published the original Badlands Hat and matching mitts, which have continued to be some of my best selling patterns. But we don’t only have fingering weight leftovers, do we? Enter the Worsted Badlands Hat.

Like its predecessor, the Worsted Badlands Hat is perfect for using up leftovers. It is sized from newborn to adult, which accommodates nearly any amount of leftover yarn. So those sweaters you knit that juuuuust broke into another skein of yarn? This hat is the solution.

The pattern is also perfect for a variety of colorways — solid, semi-solid, variegated. It contains the perfect amount of texture to keep the knitter interested, which in a solid color allows the pattern (and your knitting prowess) to really shine, and in a more variegated colorway breaks up possible pooling or stacking.

I hope you enjoy the Worsted Badlands Hat. It is almost holiday knitting season, and this would make a lovely quick gift knit for the worthy recipient (or yourself — you are knitworthy too). You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry, where you get a discount for buying the hat and mitts together.

And don’t forget, I have special coupon codes available for my newsletter subscribers.  You can put your name on that list and get the discounts by filling out the form here.

New Pattern: The Dog Ate My Homework

Last fall on Instagram I asked my followers to vote on which yarn I should use to design a sweater for my second child. The majority voted for some Fyberspates Vivacious DK that just so happens to match his eyes. I've just released the resulting pattern -- The Dog Ate My Homework.

I call this one The Dog Ate My Homework because so often as knitters we get hung up on knitting the sleeves. This pattern gives you the look of a set-in sleeve without having to knit them separately and ease them in. Instead you pick up stitches around the armhole and use short-rows to create the sleeve cap. Then all you have to do is knit the sleeves down to the wrist.

The pattern comes in sizes from Newborn to 10 years. It's shown here in a size 2 on a small 2.5 year old. The smallest three sizes (Newborn - 12 months) include a button placket to account for the larger head circumference.

You can purchase The Dog Ate My Homework on Ravelry and use code Intro15 to get 15% off through 11:59pm EST on Sunday March 18. And don't forget that I have special coupon codes available for my newsletter subscribers.  You can put your name on that list and get the discounts by filling out the form here.