Maelynn Cardigan
by SweaterBabe

Time to update your everyday V-neck cardigan with this cabled beauty! Knit it in a worsted-weight alpaca blend, as shown, for the softness and drape you'll want to reach for every time. The yarn is also lovely to knit!

The back and fronts are knit from the bottom up starting with a neat ribbed border. The ribbing transitions into the easy-to-work cable panels that travel all the way up to the shoulders, which are shaped with short rows. A bit of ribbing at each end adds a sporty touch.

Shoulders are joined using a three-needle bind off. Then, the sleeves are picked up and knit down to the cuffs in Stockinette stitch and finished with the same ribbed edge as the body.

The front ribbed buttonbands are picked up and knit.

The sides are seamed, leaving a split hem. Nice, deep pockets are knit in. . . . >

Available on Ravelry too.

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Bits and Bobs Pillow
by SweaterBabe

This NEW release is 10% off with coupon code BBPILLOW entered at checkout. Coupon code expires 4/30/20.

When it's not quite sweater weather, I still like to find ways to keep myself surrounded by hand-knit goodies. This pillow cover is the perfect example! Its chunky knit texture and eye-catching colors instantly add a hand-knit vibe to my daily life.

The pillow cover is knit in two squares, the front featuring a fun chevron texture accented with bobbles, and the back in Stockinette stitch, both with matching color bands. The two pieces are then sewn around three edges, with the forth closed using a simple single crochet row, which is easy to unravel if and when you need to wash or change out the cover. If you don't wish to crochet, you can also sew the last edge closed.

The pillow is finished with a tassel at each corner, in the two accent colors. I chose to use two vibrant shades of blue against a cream background, but you can choose to knit the pillow in one color, or up to five color bands (as the bobble pattern is repeated five times). Instructions are also included for knitting this pillow in the round (starting on p. 5), so only the top and bottom edges will need to be seamed. . . . >

Available on Ravelry too.

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As the situation around us continues to evolve, many of us will be staying home for the next forseeable weeks.  Faced with many hours at home, I will certainly be doing a lot of knitting (even more than I already do!) and perhaps you will too? It's a nice, productive activity that helps keep my mind occupied and calm - something that we could probably all benefit from ;-)

I'd also like to do my part to support my favorite knitting shops, as they have had to make the hard choice to temporarily close their physical stores, but are continuing their online shop operations where possible. To that end, please consider ordering your yarn online from these shops (yarn links for the suggested projects are listed below) or your local yarn shop (many have online stores or are offering driveby pickup options).

And through the end of the month, these suggested patterns are 30% off with coupon code SUPPORTLYS entered at checkout. These patterns feature the gorgeous yarns from PurlSoho.com (my local store, which has temporarily closed their warehouse shop nearby and is offering FREE U.S. domestic shipping through 3/31/20) and yarns that are easily available at other online yarn shops that have had to close their physical shops (some links provided below). Let's help each other through this and stay safe.

[clockwise, starting with photo at left:]

1. #273 Laguna Ribbed Scarf. [shown above: left] Three hanks of Purl Soho's Flax Down knit up beautifully with this eye-catching ribbed design. The color choices for this yarn are stunning! Also on Ravelry.
2. #268 Karrisa Shawl. [top right] A simple diagonal rib is worked for rows and rows in this angled shawl. The stitch pattern is charted and written and is easily memorized for the first few segments of the shawl (the final lace section requires a little more attention). Also calls for three hanks of Purl Soho's Flax Down. Choose the muted color combo shown here, or your favorite color combo. Also on Ravelry.
3. #293 Morgan One-Skein Hat. [middle right] This coy and warm hat knits up quickly and very satisfyingly in super bulky yarn and size 11 needles. Each hat uses just one skein of the very popular Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky yarn, which comes in many fun colors. Also on Ravelry. 
4. #272 Linen and Lace Shawl. [bottom right] A lovely linen blend yarn, Purl Soho's Linen Quill, begs to be knit up in multiple complimentary textures. And with a design that allows you to blend three colors together, this shawl becomes a very versatile pattern. Choose understated, neutral colors, as shown, with a pretty pop of lilac OR go bold with your color choices. Also on Ravelry. 

Other patterns to consider:
In Purl Soho yarns: #281 Santorini Shawl (in Linen Quill), #289 Mini Scarf (in Linen Quill or Madelinetosh Tosh Light), #285 Luna One-Ball Cowl (in Flax Down), #278 Monterey Brioche Scarf (in Flax Down), 
In madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, available at PurlSoho.com and JimmyBeansWool.com: #290 Hibiscus Coasters, #253 Mirabella Sweater, #256 Adaline Shawl, #230 Marine Layers, #192 Abbot Kinney Shawl/Scarf. (JimmyBeansWool.com is offering FREE flat rate shipping through 3/31/20)

Please let these LYS know that SweaterBabe sent you!

Shop ALL SweaterBabe patterns for more ideas.

* Coupon code must be entered during checkout for the 30% off of the above patterns. On SweaterBabe's Ravelry Shop, click on "use coupon code" at checkout. On SweaterBabe.com, enter coupon code at checkout and hit "apply." Cannot be combined with other coupon codes and cannot be applied once checkout is completed. Only valid on the 13 specific patterns listed in this blog post. Coupon code expires midnight PST on 3/31/20.

All classes are postponed until further notice (hopefully rescheduling sometime in April or May). Please join the class email list for updates!

Come take my NEW Learn to Knit class here in Orange County!

A lovely friend of mine is launching a new Studio/Workshop space, called Wonderfully Made, which will host lots of fun classes, including knitting classes by me!

In March, I'll be teaching my NEW Learn to Knit Class where you'll be learning to knit while making this chunky pompom hat!

I'll be teaching this 2 1/2 hour group class at the new workshop space, Wonderfully Made, in Santa Ana. And as part of launching this new workshop space, this Learn to Knit class is on sale for $60 per person!

We'll cover all the basics of knitting (casting on, knitting, maintaing your knitting tension, binding off, seaming, and more!) and you'll be knitting yourself a cute, chunky hat with a pompom.

Class fee includes all the yarn and supplies you'll need for learning and for your hat.

To claim your spot in the class, please sign up here: https://www.wonderfullymade.com/workshops/learn-to-knit

Class size is limited to 12 students, so please be sure to secure your spot soon.

No prior knitting experience needed. Ideal for beginners that have never knit or only know a little. No need to bring anything to the class.

Wonderfully Made is located at 1509 E. McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Class Date: Friday, March 27, 2020

Time: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

To claim your spot in my class, sign up here. Limited to 12 students.

I'm also teaching a Table Knit Chunky Blanket Class! See all the details here.

Can't make it to this class or interested in a different kind of class from SweaterBabe? Be sure to sign up for my class email list to be notified as additional classes are scheduled.

All classes are postponed until further notice (hopefully rescheduling sometime in April or May). Please join the class email list for updates!

Come take my NEW Table Knit Blanket class here in Orange County!

A lovely friend of mine is launching a new Studio/Workshop space, called Wonderfully Made, which will host lots of fun classes, including knitting classes by me!

In March, I'll be teaching a super fun class where you will table knit an ultra cozy blanket in just a few hours! You'll learn all the techniques needed to make a super squishy lap blanket.

No knitting experience or special tools needed. Open to all levels of knitters (including absolute beginners). I'll teach you how to start the blanket, table knit and purl, change colors, and finish off the blanket.

The finished two-color blanket is approximately 41" x 50". All the yarn that you'll need is included in the $75 class fee (sale price!). Shown here in Aqua and Dark Grey. Other color options will be available, including cream, light grey. pink, and teal combos.

Wonderfully Made is located at 1509 E. McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Class Date: Saturday, March 28, 2020

Time: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

And as part of launching this new space, ALL classes are on sale! 

To claim your spot in my class, sign up here. Limited to 12 students.

Can't make it to this class or interested in a different kind of class from SweaterBabe? Be sure to sign up for my class email list to be notified as additional classes are scheduled.

Want to learn how to knit with needles? I'll also be teaching a Learn to Knit class where you'll learn all the basics of knitting while making a cute, bulky knit hat with pompom! More details here.

Off-Kilter Lace Poncho
by SweaterBabe

Being off-kilter can make for a stunning visual – like this poncho, which can be worn asymmetrically for more drama, or symmetrically if your prefer.

Either way showcases your knitting expertise and modern fashion sense with the gorgeous combination of three textured stitch patterns and the added flair of fringe.

A wide candlelight lace panel is bordered by beautiful leaf borders and Moss stitch edges all around.

Poncho is cleverly constructed by sewing partial edges of two rectangular knit pieces. Knitting rectangular shapes allows you to focus on the stitch patterns and not worry about shaping along the way.

This piece looks fabulous over skinny jeans and boots (or heels)! . . . >

Available on Ravelry too.

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Elena Shawl
by SweaterBabe

This shawl is supremely soft and airy, with a very pretty all over lace.

The triangular shape is knit from the top down, beginning with a simple Garter tab. It then transitions into the elegant open lace with increases along the center line and at each edge to form the triangular shape.

The lace is only an 8-row repeat, so it can be easily knit for more or less repeats if you wish for a smaller or bigger size shawl (and/or you prefer to have a different balance of lace versus the solid Garter stitch border).

As shown, a few inches of Garter stitch, a loose bind off, and an aggressive blocking finishes off the shawl and brings out the beauty of the lace. The shawl pattern is versatile enough that it can be knit up in many types of smooth yarn or in a heavier-weight yarn (dk or worsted-weight) for a chunkier shawl.

Lace is fully charted and written out. . . . >

Available on Ravelry too.

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Mini Scarf
by SweaterBabe

Accent scarves are perfect little accessories to add a bit of color and soft texture to your everyday outfit. So why not knit some pretty little lace ones that are just as versatile as your silk ones AND allow you to use up those gorgeous leftover bits from your yarn stash?!

Well, here you have just the design that will let you do that! This mini scarf pattern features a very pretty, all-over leaf lace stitch. The ends are elegantly tapered and the middle section is thinner to eliminate any bulkiness when worn around the neck or tied around your head or purse strap.

Each mini scarf works up beautifully using small amounts of fingering-weight yarn. By changing the lace repeats worked in the middle section, you can adjust the length based on the intended use and how much yardage you have on hand. . . . >

Available on Ravelry too.

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