| Designing Kristin Nicholas is one of America's most prolific handknitting designers. Known for her comfortable, classic silhouettes, her garments are often featured on the pages of Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Family Circle Knitting, Woman's Day, House and Garden, and many major women's magazines. For 16 years she was Creative Director for Classic Elite Yarns based in Lowell, Massachusetts. Most of her designing is done on the needles as she swatches a
chosen yarn with graph paper beside her, making notes as she knits. Once Kristin decides a
stitch is "right," she translates it into a set of knitting instructions for one
of her talented test-knitters to work up into the first sample garment. PDF Knitting Patterns Delivered by Instant Download |
Knit It Felt It Tech Cozies
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Who would
have thought that we all would be carrying around plastic gadgets with flashing images in
our pockets, purses, totebags and knitting bags? Well, we all are, aren't we? How many
times have you wished you had a case for your phone, tablet, or e-reader - a case that
would show your style, shout out that you are a knitter and a crafter, and shout out your
favorite colors? Wait no
more. The Knit It Felt It Tech Cozy will protect your important tool from splashes (you
did know that wool sheds water, right?) and help save it from clumsy drops with nice,
thick, felted wool. And on top of all that, they're really cute and really quick to knit.
The complete
instructions include short knitting articles about choosing colors and Fair Isle knitting,
and three pages of extra charts for you to customize your cozy. Skill
Level: For beginners, especially those new to two-color knitting; includes 11 project
photographs, 35 charts, 2 illustrations, and felting instructions. After
felting: Compartment
approximately 3 (5.5, 7.5, 8.5)” (7.6 [14, 19, 21.5] cm) wide and 6.25 (8.5, 9.25,
10.75)” (16 [21.5, 23.5, 27.3] cm) high, not including V-shaped flap.
Notions: For
smallest size: Double pointed needles in US sizes 9 (5.5 mm) and 10.5 (6.5 mm). For three
largest sizes: Circular needles 16 (16, 20)" (40 [40, 50] cm) in US sizes 9 (5.5 mm)
and 10.5 (6.5 mm). For all
sizes: Stitch marker; tapestry needle; one large button approximately 1.25" to
1.5" (3.2 to 3.8 cm); sewing needle and matching thread.
Sunflowers and Zinnias to Knit and Felt
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Colorful flowers play an important part in Kristin's home and farm. Every year, she and her husband plant a sunflower field with several different varieties of multi-colored blooms. Alongside the vegetable garden, rows of Benary's Giant Zinnias bloom with abundance. In the farmhouse during the growing season, there is always a jug full of blossoms on every surface available. Kristin wanted to immortalize the beautiful
blooms in wool. These knitted and felted flowers are easy and quick to knit in garter
stitch. The shaping is done by working "short rows," a knitting technique where
you work only part of the way across a row (which is why it's called "short"),
then turn and work back the way you came. Felting is done in the washing machine. Skill Level: For beginners; includes over 50 project photographs with 11 close-ups (before felting), 7 how-to embroidery illustrations, and additional tips and suggestions. Finished Sizes: Flower sizes will vary depending on the yarn, needles, and degree of felting. Note: You must use a wool yarn that will felt (not superwash treated) for successful results. Notions: Straight and 20" (50 cm) circular needles in US size 9 (5.5 mm); blunt-pointed tapestry needle; sharp-pointed needle for embroidery. Various craft supplies such as pin backs, sewing thread, fabric glue, and wool fabric scraps may be needed depending on your end-products. Kristin's Creative Christmas Stockings
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Kristin Nicholas' handknitting designs are joyful, colorful, and happy. They mix patterns and colors with wild abandon, which makes her style perfectly suited to the holiday tradition of knitting Christmas stockings for every member of the family - for newlyweds just beginning their lives together, for a baby's first Christmas, or even for your family's feline or canine member. Inspired by the handknit stockings that she grew up with in her family's home in Dover, NJ, Kristin's Creative Christmas Stockings includes 6 designs in 4 sizes which are designed to follow your growing knitting skills. There are patterns for solid and striped stockings, along with more intricate Fair Isle versions. Five of the stockings also feature easy embroidery stitches which are added after the knitting is complete. Kristin's Creative Christmas Stockings pattern includes a special instruction section to help you design your own version of the colorful stockings. There are 24 extra Fair Isle charts for borders and leg patterns that can be combined into hundreds of different designs using just this one, single pattern. Skill Level: For beginning and intermediate knitters; uses double pointed needles; includes 15 illustrations, 21 project photographs, and 29 charts. Also includes a bonus Fair Isle Technique and Tips article, plus instructions for how to design your own stockings. Finished Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra-Large. 8 (10, 12, 15)” (20.5 [25.5, 30.5, 38] cm) around the leg. Length varies. Notions: Set of 4 double pointed needles in US sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm); blunt-pointed tapestry needle for embroidery. Heart to Heart Mittens
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. I love to knit mittens as gifts. There is something so reassuring and magical that, with my hands, I can create a piece of warm clothing that will keep someone else’s hands warm during our cold New England winters. When I knit mittens for my daughter Julia, it makes me feel good to know that she is carrying around a little piece of my love in the form of knitted stitches while she is braving the cold. For you, creating and knitting both versions of the Heart to Heart Mittens will make these thoughts ring even more true. Knitting a pair of mittens decorated with a Fair Isle heart design goes one step further in signaling your love for your recipient. There are two different mitten designs included in this pattern. The simpler One Heart mitten has a single heart motif, although the heart appears on both the front and back of each mitten, and comes in 4 sizes from toddler to woman's large. The more intricate (although not too much more difficult) Many Hearts Mitten design comes in 2 sizes, child's large and woman's large. Both of the designs have added embroidery for which clear, illustrated directions are included. These mittens are a great “go-to” gift idea. Knit several pairs and keep your closet stocked with last-minute baby gifts. They are also a great way to use up odds and ends of worsted weight yarns. Skill Level: For intermediate knitters; uses double pointed needles; includes 6 illustrations, 12 project photographs, 2 how-to photographs, and 7 charts. Finished One Heart Sizes: Finished Many Hearts Sizes: Notions: Double pointed needles in US sizes 7 (4.5 mm) and 5 (3.75 mm); tapestry needle; stitch markers; stitch holders, blunt pointed tapestry needle for embroidery. Swirly Twirlies
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Every knitter I know likes to have a few stashbusting projects in their bag of tricks. Me too! Here is a new project to use up all those odds and ends of feltable wool and wool blend yarns lurking deep in the back of your yarn closet. My Swirly Twirlies are lots of fun to knit, and I dare you to only make just one! You'll find lots of uses for the Swirly Twirlies. I know I did. If you have never had a wool potholder, try
one today. No more flaming potholders and burned finger tips because it won’t catch
on fire when you leave it too close to the burner. Did you know that wool won’t
ignite until it reaches 600 degrees F? Do you know any newlyweds? Perhaps they could use
some brightly colored coasters along with a nice bottle of white? Or what about those
chairs in your kitchen? Aren't they just waiting for a set of chair pads? I've also
included sizes for trivets and pillows too. Once you understand the basic technique behind the Swirly Twirlies, you'll be able to commit it to memory for easy, on-the-go knitting. Fill up your project bag with as many colors as you can and knit your way through every meeting or appointment you have. Your family may think you're a bit possessed as you try different color combinations. This project really is tons and tons of knitting fun. Skill Level: For beginners; includes 1 illustration, 8 project photographs, 3 how-to photographs. Finished Sizes: About 5.25 (6.5, 9.25, 12, 13.5, 15)" (13.5 [16.5, 23.5, 30.5, 34.5, 38] cm) across, after felting. Notions: Straight needles in US size 10 (6 mm); stitch marker; tapestry needle. Olympia's Knits and Crochet Felted Flowers
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Olympia's Knit and Crochet Felted Flowers are
perfect projects for take-along knitting. They are quick to make and suitable for
beginning knitters and crocheters, or anyone wanting a fast project to work on at the
beach, in the car or in a queue. Want a new crafting addiction? Try this one! No calories
to count and lots of creative hours of fun stitching. Skill Level: For beginners; includes 42 photographs with 20 close-up project photos and additional tips and suggestions. Finished Sizes: Flowers and leaf sizes will vary depending on yarn and needle size, and amount of felting. Note: You must use a yarn that will felt (not superwash treated) for successful results. Notions: Straight needles in US size 9 (5.5 mm); crochet hooks in size H/8 (5 mm) or I/9 (5.5 mm). Knit It Felt It Zip It Bag
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Here's a fun project to knit year round which will make great gifts for everyone on your list. The pattern includes four sizes to fit all of your stuff. You'll love its stylish portability! The Knit It Felt It Zip It Bag might be small
and quick to make, but it's long on the number of techniques you will use which include
Fair Isle knitting, felting, knitting in the round, and hand-sewing in a zipper. The
complete instructions include step-by-step photographs and plenty of extra information in
special sections on Knitting in the Fair Isle Way and Choosing Color Successfully. The
pattern also features five bonus charts with before- and after-felting swatch photographs
so you can create your own variations. A Dog in Sheep's Clothing
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Your best friend certainly needs a warm wooly sweater to protect him from the elements. I knit this easy garter stitch sweater for my friend Junie the Rat Terrier who wears it well. We were in the midst of lambing season here on our farm and I decided that the little lambs who were being born in below-zero weather needed a little extra wool to keep them warm, too. Whether you have a dog or a lamb, your best
friend will appreciate this warm sweater. Mainly knit in garter stitch, it also comes with
a variety of stripe variations. For more feminine creatures, there is a version with
crocheted flowers at the neckline. The pattern comes in eight sizes and has special
instructions for customizing the sweater to fit different shaped dogs and other animals. Farmgirls' Stocking Cap
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. I knit the Farmgirls’ Stocking Cap for my eleven-year-old daughter Julia. As I was snapping the photographs for this cap, we stopped by our neighbors’ farm to chat and visit Kayla’s cows. Kayla grew up as a farmgirl here on our hill. I asked her if she might like to try on Julia’s cap for some photos. She said okay, and I started taking pictures. Then Kayla asked me if I wanted a photo of her riding her steer Ferdinand. “Wow – that would be great,” I said. And up she climbed. She rubbed Ferdinand’s head and he was in heaven. Then Kayla asked me if I wanted a photo of her standing on Ferdinand. “You can do that?” I asked. Kayla said she would try. Up she went and away I snapped. Farmgirls are such fun, aren't they? Make your
farmgirl, farmboy, city girl or city boy a stocking cap of their own. They will thank you
for it! Cozy Pullover and Cap with Crocheted Flowers
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. Twenty-five years ago, my husband Mark and I visited the Yorkshire Dales in the United Kingdom. We had just begun our adventures in raising sheep and were anxious to see the sheep farming practices in Great Britain. While there, we visited every little yarn and sweater shop we could find. They were usually little holes in the wall overstuffed with tweedy cabled hats, cardigans, scarves, and socks. They all smelled overwhelmingly of lanolin. I stumbled upon a simple garter stitch pullover made in scratchy natural sheep-colored stripes of gray and white. I couldn't believe how beautiful the little garter stitch stripes looked. Simplicity sometimes is best. Over the years, I've reworked this classic many times. Here is the newest rendition knit for my daughter Julia. This version is done in three colors and decorated with crocheted and embroidered flowers. I have also included a cute little pom pom trimmed cap. The project is worked back and forth in rows and is a perfect choice for a beginning knitter. Skill Level: For beginning knitters, includes instructions
for crocheted flowers and French knot embroidery. Finished Cap Sizes: Notions: Straight needles in US sizes 9 and 7 (5.5 and 4.5 mm) and circular needle (16"/40 cm) in US size 7 (4.5 mm) for pullover; straight needles in US size 8 (5 mm) for cap; crochet hook in size H/8 (5 mm) for flowers; tapestry needle. Felted Farmer's Market Bag
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. The Farmer’s Market Bag is worked in two sections. The bottom section is worked back and forth in rows in seven garter stitch, short-rowed wedges that resemble the pieces of a pie. When complete, the cast-on and bound-off edges of the bottom are seamed together to create a bowl shape, then stitches for the top section are picked up around the outer edge of the bowl and worked in garter stitch stripes in the round to the top. My family and I have a business which sells pasture raised lamb to the public. During the summer, we set up at various local farmer’s markets. Because some of the markets aren't very busy, I always have my knitting with me. While passing the time at the market, I thought it would be fun to make up my own knitted bag. It has a fun and festive look to it - similar to the feeling that many farmer’s markets have. Skill Level: For beginning knitters, includes tips for
working short rows and mattress stitch sewing diagram. Sunflower Pillow with Embroidery
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. The front of the Sunflower Pillow is knit in the round as a tube with steek stitches. During finishing, the tube is cut to form a flat pillow front, the mitered trim is added around the edges, and then the pillow is embellished with a variety of embroidery stitches. A purchased fabric backing completes the project. Several years ago, my husband Mark wanted to buy a piece of farmland three miles from our house. I agreed to the scheme with one condition: that he grow some sunflowers on it. Since then, the sunflowers have grown and grown, and people have come to admire them and buy flowers for their churches, mothers, girlfriends, and themselves. I decided to celebrate the sunflowers by knitting them into one of my designs, which became this pillow. Skill Level: For intermediate knitters or adventurous
beginners, includes charted colorwork pattern, instructions for cutting and securing
steeks, and a detailed embroidery tutorial. Quarters Cap for the Entire Family
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. The Quarters Cap is knit back and forth on straight needles so the garter ridges run vertically from the lower edge of the cap to the top. The shaping is accomplished by working a series of graduated short rows. It’s hard to find a handknit pattern that teenage boys will wear, but this one is it. My teenage nephews Francisco and Nicholas are modeling the caps. When they came to New England for Christmas one year (they live in Brazil) they didn't have any warm hats with them. I spent the Christmas holiday knitting one for each of them. They didn't leave the house that winter without them. Skill Level: For beginning knitters, includes tips for
working short rows and mattress stitch sewing diagram. Winter Wonderland Hat and Mittens
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. This easy project uses one strand of Julia held together with two strands of standard wool/nylon sock yarn for quick knitting. The idea began as a challenge from the folks at Knitters Magazine. I was asked to present three ideas of what to make out of sock yarn as long as it wasn't socks. I didn't have gobs of time to work on this because I was in the middle of a book deadline. Whatever I designed, I was going to have to be able to make the finished project quickly so I could present it to the knitting audience on at Stitches East in November of 2008.Skill Level: For beginning knitters, includes French knot
embroidery tutorial. Field of Diamonds Pillow
Buy the pattern in the Online Store. The Field of Diamonds pillow originally appeared in the January 2003 issue of House & Garden magazine. It is knit in vibrant leaf green and rich henna with embroidered accent colors. The main motif features different-sized diamonds scattered across a green field. The pillow front is knit in Fair Isle technique from a simple two-color chart that works up quickly. The border is knit using circular needles and features a clever mitering technique. After the knitting is completed, a tapestry needle is used to embroider the accent colors in duplicate stitch (directions included). The full-color embroidery chart is easy to follow, and working it is similar to following a needlepoint or cross-stitch chart. Field of Diamonds is the easier of the two featured pillow designs. Skill Level: For intermediate knitters with some experience
in knitting with more than one color. Turkish Motifs Pillow
The Turkish Motifs pillow also originally appeared in the January 2003 issue of House & Garden magazine. It combines many different knitting techniques to create a true masterpiece of color and texture. Presented in a full-color chart, this pillow includes the following knitting techniques: two-color Fair Isle, intarsia, duplicate stitch, bobbles, mitered corners, and other decorative embroidery. This pillow is a fabulous vehicle to increase your knitting skills and mastery of new techniques. You will be rewarded with an heirloom-quality piece of decorative needlework for your home. Skill Level: A skill stretcher for
adventurous intermediate knitters.
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