I'm in Knitty --> Mystery + Manners mittens

After waiting for what seemed like forever for the new Knitty to go live, I can finally show you these:These are Mystery + Manners, my first pattern in Knitty and the second of my patterns inspired by Flannery O'Connor (the first being Flannery, of course.)I am just so thrilled to know that they're out there -- wild and free, for everyone to enjoy. I hope you'll knit them and that they'll make you (or someone you care about) very, very happy.

Freebies + a scarf for Ducky Teapot

I've a couple of treats for you all this morning! Firstly, my effort to clothe Ducky Teapot has been successful:I think he likes it.I have no idea why I'd never thought to knit for him before!

And in honour of the rapidly approaching holidays (eek,) both the Heirloom socks and Domovina socks will be available as FREE Ravelry downloads starting now and running until Sunday, 15 November 2009 at 7 pm EST.

You recall the Domovina socks, yes?And, of course, the Heirloom socks that are available in both men's and women's sizes:Grab them while you can! I'm off to knit more socks.

New free pattern -- Quo Vadis

Ok, so it took me a few days longer than I initially expected it to, but it's up and out. Grab your free copy of the Quo Vadis mitten pattern here on Ravelry or right over here.The Quo Vadis mittens are my early holiday gift to all of you lovely knitters. Happy Holidays 2009!

These simple, elegant, stash-busting mittens are worked in a worsted-weight yarn – perfect for those last-minute, unexpected gifts (or for yourself!)

Use as many (or as few) colours as you’d like to create your own unique mittens.

Enjoy the mittens...and keep an eye out for those Owls and Robots that will be heading your way soon!

Owlmittens (and Quo Vadis)

The Quo Vadis mittens are done:Yep, all done. And the pattern will be out any day now (tomorrow? There's a good chance!) The best part? Quo Vadis is my gift to all you lovely knitters for the upcoming holiday season, so it's going to be a freebie. Everybody loves a freebie!

And the Owlmittens aren't that far behind:I'll be polishing these off tomorrow. The pattern shouldn't be too much longer, either, and it will also include instructions for making them as fingerless mittens.

It never ends -- no, really, it doesn't.

The new free pattern: Pittsworth

They're out!Pittsworth (Ravelry link) is a new, free sock pattern to comemmorate my move into Pittsworth Manor. Pick them up here on Ravelry, or here if you're not a Ravelry user.

Cables work their way down these socks from cuff to toe, and have lots of fun in the process. They might look technique heavy, but they’re not! There’s just enough pattern there to keep one interested, and the foot’s chart is easily memorized.The pattern is a 5 page .pdf with large, bright pictures and colour coded (!) charts.

These are kind of a sequel to the Naive socks (Ravelry link). I promise that you will like the write-up (and the heel) much, much better! It’s also a sort of prequel to Bavarois (Ravelry link), should you want to play with more fancy cabling.

And now that this is finished and posted...I'm off to work on another new sock.

Business, both old and new

First, the Old Business:

I'm so thrilled that so many of you took advantage of the free Guardian (Ravelry link) mitten patterns offered in yesterday's post! I can't wait to see the mittens and fingerless gloves that you come up with -- be sure to let me know (either here or on Ravelry) when you have pictures.

If you'd requested one of the patterns in time you should have it by now. Go check your email! Which reminds me, nestra, Jeanne and maitai, I didn't receive your email addresses. Either leave them in a comment, or send them to spillyjaneknits {at} gmail {dot} com and I'll get your copies out to you right away.

Which also reminds me...

I have one copy of Guardian left to send out! First commenter who requests it gets it (please remember to give me your email address!)

And now for the New Business:

The New House festivities continue! Some of you might be aware that the new place has been lovingly named Pittsworth Manor (some of you might even recall the origins of the moniker.) In any event, to commemorate the event even further, I'm in the process of working on a sock pattern called (logically,) Pittsworth. Here's what I've got so far:

Yes, there is a lot going on on the legs of these ones, but if you know how to cable and twist stitches you'll be just fine. The foot will be a bit more sedate, I promise. This is what happens when I sit down and "doodle" with yarn. The last time I went into a pattern with no set plan and just let the sock "happen" we ended up with the Naive Socks (Ravelry link.)

That's not the only thing that they'll have in common with the Naive Socks...these are also going to be offered as a free pattern (and I swear you'll like this heel better!) Watch for these soon -- I have three other sock patterns on the way that want out of my brain and off my needles!

I've moved! Free mitten pattern up for grabs!

As some of you know, I have recently moved house (into an actual house!) and so the unpacking and settling-in process has totally overtaken everything else. I'm trying to make time for knitting, but it's hard to justify sitting down when there's so much work to be done.

It's totally worth it though, since I am madly in love with my new place! It's an 85 year old 2.5 level with wonderful vintage features like a clawfoot bathtub and gorgeous register covers.

Irontail and Snugglebunny enjoying their new digs.
The dishwasher, while not a vintage feature, is nonetheless also ranking high on the "good things about the house" list.

So! To celebrate my big move into this treasure from the 1920s, I'd like to offer you a little something. You might recall Guardian (Ravelry link) the mitten I designed that was inspired by the Guardian Building in Detroit? I'm making the somewhat tenuous connection between the building and my house since they were both built during the same decade, and you get to reap the rewards!The Guardian mitten pattern comes in two different colourways, Building (orange and yellow with white and green) and Deco (black and cream with pastel accents.) Instructions are provided for making both mittens and fingerless gloves.

The first 25 people to comment here requesting the pattern will be sent a free copy! Please remember to leave your email address in the comment, or, if you don't feel comfortable doing that, send it to spillyjaneknits {at} gmail {dot} com. I solemnly swear that I will mostly likely promptly forget your email address entirely and that I will not abuse it in any way. All I want it for is to send 25 of you nice (and quick) people a free Art Deco mitten pattern.

Now I'd better go unpack something...

ETA: Oh wow, thanks so much everyone for the rapid repsonse! I'm sending out the patterns in smallish groups in between unpacking things (someone deliver me from all the boxes!)

There are still a few patterns up for grabs...and Nestra, if you're reading this, I need your email address so I can send you your copy of the pattern! ~j

Free sock pattern -- this week only!

I've never had something seem like a good idea this early on a Sunday morning, but here goes. I was thinking about Mokira, what I consider to be one of my prettiest sock patterns, and how it seems to have flown under the collective consciousness for whatever reason.Anyway, I'd like to try to change that, at least a little. I'd love to see other knitters making and enjoying these quick and easy socks!

So! For one week only, (22 February until 28 February 2009,) Mokira will be offered as a free(!) download, available both here on Ravelry and here on my blog. After this week, it's back up to $6.00 USD. Grab it while you can!

Heather's Mittens -- your early present!

There may be a couple of months remaining until the holiday season proper, but here's a gift for you today:Yes, the pattern for Heather's Mittens (on Ravelry) has just been released. Grab it here or over here on Ravlery. As promised, instructions are provided to make both regular and fingerless mittens. I know some of you prefer the latter over the former, so I'm happy to oblige.

These mitts go up very quickly making them a gret addition to your holiday knitting. Go on and grab that pattern!

More info about my gift to all y'all...

Progress continues on the new, free mitten pattern:At this point, she just needs a thumb. Did I mention that the pattern is going to feature instructions on how to make these as a pair of fingerless mittens? The gifting potential just increased tenfold! Oh, and her name is Heather, after (unsurprisingly,) Heather. Look for the pattern on Saturday, 25 October 2008. It would be finished tomorrow night if I wasn't going to a DAVID BYRNE show.
Viva Señor Byrne!

Don't forget to swing by here (or on Ravelry) on Saturday for that new pattern!

Just a wee taste!

This should tide you over...

What you see up there is the beginnings of my latest mitten, but there's a twist -- it's going to be a FREE mitten pattern! This will be my present to all you lovely knitters for the 2008 holiday season.

Look for the pattern by 1 November 2008 at the very, very latest (it will most likely surface this week -- 19 - 25 October.) You will have plenty of time to make a pair for yourself or for someone special this holiday season!

I hope you've enjoyed this little nibble!