Quick Knits for the Holidays

It's become a bit of a tradition here at HK HQ to put together an annual list of quick one skein projects that might help a knitter out if they were looking for ideas to finish their holiday knitting.

One of the quickest projects (at least for me) is a great hat, especially one knit in a worsted weight like Cadence.

Cory Ellen Boberg's cute Pip hat (shown in Braeburn in Cadence) would certainly knit up very quickly.

As would Katherine Leek's cozy Summit Hat (shown in Ruby Love in Tempo; Cadence would be a perfect substitute).

Boots are all the rage right now. How about a pair of jazzy boot toppers like Jennifer Chase Rappaport's Leaves Boot Cuff (shown in Portobello in Lively DK) to finish off the look?

Is someone always complaining about cold hands? I recently released a fun new mitten pattern, Pebblewood (shown in Hawkeye in Cadence) that would warm those digits right up.

Perhaps you want to steal the show at the party. Any recipient would be blown away to receive a silky shawl like Jen Lucas' Any Way You Want It (shown in Fresh Cut in Divine).

 Or Melissa J. Goodale's dreamy Parterre (shown in Cirrus in Entice).

Personally, I always round out my holiday knitting with something new to add to my tree. This year I knit up two of Tin Can Knits' Fancy Balls (shown in Artisan Sock in Euphorbia, Nickel and Red Carpet; Ruby Love would be a great substitute). I knit both of these in an afternoon!

Of course, if someone on your list is a knitter themselves, maybe the experience of using one of your favourite Hazel Knit yarns would be the best gift of all. Gift cards are available on the Hazel Knits website. 

And, don't worry,  there is nothing wrong with hinting that you'd like one yourself.

What the HK is on Viki's Needles?

After a slow summer of knitting, I think I've finally got my knitting mojo back and the result is an awesome assortment of finished objects. I've got some beauties to share with you today.

I recently bought myself a new winter coat, so what was a girl to do? Why knit herself a hat, of course. And if that hat fits into categories of the KAL she was hosting, well that just makes good sense. The result, a gorgeous Gather Hat by Tin Can Knits knit in Cadence in Iris. Unfortunately, it's already had a lot of wear and it's only early November. 

I also subscribed to a new sock club from Claire Ellen. I now have a year's worth of Lord of the Rings themed socks ahead of me to knit. I started with the October pattern and am very pleased with my The Sign of the Prancing Pony socks. I knit mine in Artisan Sock in Sandalwood. A very pony colour, I think.

I had so much fun with my October socks that I immediately cast on the November socks as soon as they became available. I've already finished the first of my Weathertop Socks. I chose to knit this pair in Artisan Sock in Pine Forest so that I could double dip with the current Hazel Knits KAL I'm hosting on Ravelry - WIPS/Gifts/Greens. And don't worry, I've already cast on the second sock so that it will be ready to go as soon I finish up a couple of gift knits.

And finally, this last project I consider a real accomplishment. A completed adult sweater that I actually wear! This is my Lady Sunnyside by Tanis Lavallee in Cadence in Twilight. Just don't tell anyone I still haven't found any buttons for it yet. 

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my projects as much as I've enjoyed knitting and wearing them.

Keep on knitting!

Swing Time cowl

Now here's something new - we made a little pattern for our upcoming Knit Fit event. It's super easy and it's free!

Say hello to Swing Time.

 

This super easy cowl uses less than 360 yards of a worsted weight yarn - we of course used Cadence.

Expertly knit for us by Jenny of Rocketboy Knits, I expect this will get some use after our event - I love it.

Our sample uses Quill, Lichen and Silhouette. There are so many combinations you could use - Aquarius with Laguna and Beachglass. Or what about Indigo with Arroyo and Frost? A Seattle Seahawks combo with Collegiate, Hawkeye and Nekkid? Which will you choose?

You can wear Swing Time in a double wrap like shown above. Or you can wear it long for a stripey accessory.

In the interest of publishing this pattern in tandem with our newsletter, you can download the pattern first here. There is a listing on Ravelry and soon we will upload the PDF.

We will be taking some Swing Time kits to Knit Fit. If we have extras, we will list them on the website around November 11th.

Enjoy!