Friday, November 29, 2013

NKBN: The Sometimes Scarf

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.

Mia's "The Sometimes Scarf" pattern is a lesson in yarn selection.   From her Ravelry page "This scarf got its name because of its versatility. Depending on the yarn and hook used to construct the scarf it can take on an entirely different personality every time you make one."    I call this pattern AWESOME!!



Friday, November 15, 2013

NKBN: In the Deep Blue Sea: GIVEAWAY!

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.

Crystal's In the Deep Blue Sea hat pattern is great for the new and experienced colour work knitter alike, a quick stash buster and all around adorable!    What I like about it most is that is a perfect unisex pattern.   There are not too many hats that BOTH my son and daughter would happily wear exact replicas of, but this one hits the mark! (not an easy feat!!).   And now, with thanks to Crystal's generosity, you have a chance to win a copy of your own!  Just leave a comment with your email and/or rav ID by midnight EST on Tuesday, November 19th and I will announce the randomly selected winner on Wednesday.    Good luck everyone!

Congrats to 


Love the fishies! Knotanother1 on Ravelry

Crystal will be sending you the pattern via Ravelry!







Friday, November 1, 2013

NKBN: Cobo Alice

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.


For the most part, I see something I like and knit it up.  Lately I just pick up and knit - like this hat and fingerless mitts I whipped up last Friday night.    A haphazard design knit purely for the sake of aesthetics.  


(knit by me on the fly, no pattern, in Berroco Alpaca held double with some grey laceweight)

But sometimes a design has more of a story behind it.  Like Sara’s  Cobo Alice, which is enriched in history!  

From Sara's Ravelry page:

This is a knitted version of an island made ragdoll called Cobo Alice that was popular in Guernsey during the Victorian era. 
She was made by the Guille family who lived on the West coast of the island at Cobo, hence her name. The whole family including the children, were engaged in making these dolls, they became so popular. 
The original dolls had cloth bodies and clothing made from oddments of material in a variety of colours and a stockinette head. The doll was filled with sawdust and the head features painted on later, often rather crudely!
This knitted version is an attempt to capture as many of the doll’s original features as possible so that she will be instantly recognisable to the Islanders of Guernsey and beyond, but with a slight softening of her occasional startling features. 
She wears the traditional Guernsey women’s dress of the time, including the distinctive and elaborate sun bonnet (pronounced “bonnay”). 
The original dolls have mostly been lost, having been rotted away by the acidic sawdust filling. Cobo Alices occasionally come up for auction and command high prices.


I have been lucky enough to have been gifted a copy of this pattern by Sara and I was hoping to attach my version here on this post, but I am still waiting on my doll eye order to come in.     I can tell you it's a wonderfully written pattern and my daughter actually gasped out loud when she looked at all the pictures.  The details are absolutely precious.  I will be sure to show my finished product here soon!









Friday, October 25, 2013

NKBN: Aragog the Spider Fingerless Mitts

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.


I do love a good Halloween knit, but I suppose a goblin hat no matter how cute it is, has limited re-wearability.  Jenny's  Fingerless Mittens pattern of a spider is subtle enough that you can wear it out for trick or treating to add some festiveness and then easily used the rest of the fall for that punk chic look.


Friday, October 18, 2013

NKBN: Reflections Slouch Hat

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.

One day I will teach one of my lovely girlfriends how to knit.   I know they want to, I can just tell :-) And when I do I am going to make this their second project.   And we will all knit one in co-ordinating colours and choreograph a dance together.   Ok fine, maybe we'll just start with the knitting.

But seriously, J. Marie's FREE pattern offers with plenty of colour interest and a great opportunity to bump those basic skills up to the next level.





Friday, October 11, 2013

NKBN: Pebbles and Stones Hat

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.

I love the unconventional shape of Sandy's Pebbles and Stones hat.   It's a refreshing look among the swarms of beanies and toques.    The yarn selection is bang on as well.   And it's a FREE pattern!  Score!





Friday, October 4, 2013

NKBN: Flying Spaghetti Monster Beanie

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.

Last year you might remember I did a Halloween special (here, here, here, here and here) of great costume inspired creations on Ravelry.   I won't be doing a month long spotlight this year, but Rachael's hilarious beanie should be on your radar this year.    It would be the ultimate head gear to take your kiddies out into the streets!  Such a creative design Rachael!   Great job!





Friday, September 27, 2013

NKBN: Kimmies Summer Pullover



A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.


Julie-Belle's pattern may be called a "summer" pullover, but I am quite certain I would wear this top all year round!   It has just the right amount of slouch and airyness that lends itself to layering and versatility.  Awesome design!





Friday, September 20, 2013

NKBN: Diagonal Stride

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry.


I don't know if it's just me, but I look at Margaret's cute little hat design and it makes me happy!   Great colourwork design! I love the vertical colour changing lines especially.


Friday, September 13, 2013

NKBN: Lilac Hat

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


Leticia's pattern is a great example that all us budding designers should follow.   The colour and yarn selection highlight  the beautiful cable design and the photograph is flawless.      Awesome design Leticia!


Friday, September 6, 2013

NKBN: The Braided Cable Chunky Headband


A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry

Even without seeing a single picture of Christine's pattern, I already know I want to knit it just by the title alone.   The Braided Cable Chunky Headband.   Done.  Let me get my cable needle out right now.





Friday, August 30, 2013

NKBN: In Spades Cowl


A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


Who doesn't love a display of lace cowls all lined up in a row?   Eye catching, isn't it.   Jill's pattern is versatile with 3 different variations.   From her Ravelry page: "The Tosh Sock version can be beaded to add a bit of bling and extra drapeyness. The Tosh Merino version can be knitted with a strand of Rowan Kid Silk Haze for fuzzy & cozy look and feel".   Love it!









Friday, August 23, 2013

NKBN: Spring Daisy Scarf

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


Tara's Spring Daisy Scarf is granny square meets boho chic.     Love it with the jean vest.    Styled to perfection, Tara!   Have a peek at her pattern.  It's only 2 bucks!!   How can you go wrong!





Friday, August 9, 2013

NKBN: Ty's Little Lamb

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry

Ok, everyone all together now "Awwwwwwww".   SO CUTE!!   Great job Darlene!  

But wait!   There's a little surprise.  As per Darlene:  "Ty’s Lamb has a pocket in his back for the pouches that are made by Scentsy, or to hide that special little toy."   One thing I know about kids is that they love pockets.   Any little pocket to hide any little trinket is an A+++++!!







Friday, August 2, 2013

NKBN: Armadillo Purse

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


Oh how I love knit purses.   It's one of the coolest accessories you could knit in my books.   Moony's Armadillo Purse design is a prime example of such.  Don't you agree?!







Friday, July 26, 2013

NKBN: Crosshatch

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry

I have a confession.  I am in a knitting funk.   I'm having a major case of startitis.   I'll knit something for a night, put it down and never go back to it.   How do I get out of this funk?    I feel like I need to frog everything I have on the go.  Lighten up my stash of yarn I know I will never ever knit with.  I need to pick a pattern.   I need to buy brand new yarn for that specific pattern.  (Buying new yarn will surely help, don't you think?  Come on.  Agree with me).  I need to start that pattern and finish that pattern and don't start anything else until I do.     What do you think?    What do you do when you get in that funk?

Maybe I need to start to knit socks.    Like fellow blogger  Natalie's Crosshatch pattern?   It's a good one!  Great for handpainted yarn.     Handpainted yarn will help, don't you think ;-)?

Check out Natalie's blog too! Keeping us in stitches

Friday, July 19, 2013

NKBN: Refreshing

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry

It's 10,000 degrees in Toronto right now.   I'm not complaining mind you, I love the heat, I love the humidity.  Bring it on.   But the word "refreshing" sounds especially appealing these days.     The thought of wearing a cowl in this heat wave right now makes me want to break out in hives, but it really is the perfect Toronto casual evening accessory when we get back into our normal weather routine of cooler nights.     I love Cori's yarn selection for this design as well, the Noro Ayatori really makes the piece shine.



Friday, July 12, 2013

NKBN: Huntington Beach Henley

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


You know when a colour just grabs your attention?   For me it's a streak of orange.   Put it with anything - even pink- and I'll be looking twice.    You can see why I think Susan's Huntington Beach Henley is so awesome!   Those pockets!!  A fabulous design by a fabulous designer who's extended her fabulousness to you all with a coupon code!   

Enter "Knit-By-Nat" at checkout on Ravelry for a $2 discount for this pattern between July 12th and July 26th.   Thanks Susan!





Friday, July 5, 2013

NKBN: Winter Mechanicals

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry

Now excuse me for saying the word WINTER in the throws of summer, but John's Winter Mechanical fingerless gloves are just perfect for my husband.   I think they would make a great vacation time knit and will be ready for him when the fall raking begins.   (I know, I'm sorry, what a downer I am today)






John is not only a talented knit designer, but along with his brother, he is also the designer of the Wooly iphone app.  I have to admit, I have been hemming and hawing about spending the money on a Ravelry app, but I am remiss in updating my projects and especially my stash.   Downloading pics to the computer only to upload to Rav is a pain.   This would solve all my problems!  I think it's time to take the plunge.

From their website, these are the features:

* View your projects, project details and project photos
* Access your Queue and each queued project's details
* Access your Stash and each stashed yarn's details
* View a list of your Friends, their Projects, and their project details
* Add photos to your Projects and Stash
* Built in photo editor to make enhancements to your photos before uploading them to Ravelry


They are set to launch Wooly 2.0, you should check out their site!  www.getwooly.com 

Friday, June 28, 2013

NKBN: Felted Flute Bag

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


Do you have a little musician in your home?  My neighbour teaches piano across the street and I often hear nervous key strokes humming through the air.   It's not grating by any means, in fact it gives me some nostalgia from my own childhood.   We were very musical, all of us always learning some instrument or another.   I played trombone in grade school because my best friend at the time chose it, so of course I did too.   When we were handed the instruments the next day she had this confused look on her face because what she really meant to ask for was the clarinet.   Don't ask me how you confuse a clarinet with a trombone.    She dropped out of the band within a month and I was left playing Slide and the Family Bone all by my lonesome.  I was actually pretty good even though I felt like a dork hauling that giant case to and from school.

This cute little Felted Flute or Recorder (or Clarinet) Bag designed by Shelley would be well loved by your budding musician.  Hopefully they don't get confused in their instrument choice, because a felted trombone case would take a lot of yarn.





Friday, June 21, 2013

NKBN: Summer Strawberry

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


Summer Solstice!   It's strawberry season here in Ontario!  We have one lonely plant in our urban garden, but she is quite happy and robust this year.  The wild strawberries up north are a treasure hunt for my kids.   I love finding them hunched over a little patch with dirt across their face.   I want to be a kid again!

Check out Melissa's Summer Strawberry pattern.   Wouldn't this be a cute addition to your decor here and there?!    I think this will be my weekend project. 






Friday, June 14, 2013

NKBN: Quickie Flower Scrunchie

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry



I was walking through Dollarama last week with Ella and she stops as usual in the hair section to pick out a cute headband.  She's a headband kinda girl.  Her eyes widened as she spotted something new she had never seen before.   "Mommy, what is this?".   "It's a scrunchie.  You don't know what a scrunchie is???"   Am I old?  Is she young?   Will the next generation think all hair ties are the tiny black rubber no snag deals?  How is this possible?!  

Lynn's  pattern is not only cute, it is essential!  Help the scrunchie live on!   







Thursday, June 13, 2013

Not Knit By Nat Anniversary! WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Thanks for playing everyone!  I used the random number generator this morning to select 3 winners, listed below.   I will contact you and send you the pattern via Ravelry!




One year ago today I kicked off the Not Knit By Nat series.   I started it off as a fun way to connect with people and spread some blog love.    I have not been disappointed.  I have been connected with 52 wonderful, gracious and talented knitters.   I am grateful to everyone who has been part of this, to those who have offered patterns for giveaways out of their own good will, to those who have been so kind to spread the word and offer encouragement.   I've said it before, and I'll never stop saying it:   Knitters Rock!

To celebrate the NKBN Anniversary I'm hosting a giveaway on all of my patterns I have for sale.   I will randomly select 3 winners, one for each of my patterns below.   Just leave a comment by next Wednesday, June 12th at midnitght and I will randomly select the winners.  Contest closed



Dolce, named after my cousin and best friend.    

WINNER : 



Beautiful patterns! I especially like Emma - it's my daughter's name :)





Stella, named after Ella the Star.  I adore her poses.

WINNER:



Your patterns are great! I love them all, especially Stella, so cute!






And Emma, the first pattern I ever wrote for a friend's daughter.  

WINNER:


Oh, they're all darling!








Good luck everyone and thanks for reading!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Rockin' Tic Tac Toe

A little while ago I saw an interesting craft from Martha Stewart about a domino game made out of river rocks.   I was instantly drawn to it since my kids regularly ask to make the trek to "Rock Mountain" several times a weekend up north.   Don't let the name intimidate you.   It's a 50 yard walk from the foot of our cottage to a slight incline off our little road that is made out of some sort of shiny rock and has an equally pretty spattering of pocket sized stones strewn across it. Naturally, my domino loving daughter excitedly started to collect perfectly sized domino rocks and we are slowly building up our collection to complete a set.  (She has discerning taste, afterall the rocks have to be juuuust  right, you see).

While the roster of pieces grow, Ella and I have been brainstorming in the meantime on other rock game crafts we could come up with.  And her clever idea was Tic Tac Toe rocks.  After quickly painting on some X's and O's in (sadly) the only available colours we had on hand (20 lbs of stuff in our craft bin and all we have are orange and red? seriously??)    "But we need something cool for the board".   Say no more, little one... now that is right up my alley!    A reversible little double knit Tic Tac Toe board was made expeditiously and we were all playing game after game before we knew it. 

I was tempted to knit a case for it, and I still might eventually.   But for now, it's found a home on a table off in a little nook.  Easy for all to quickly get a game in here and there.



I've written up the pattern, which is so simple it's almost embarrassing to publish.   But your little rock collector will be glad you whipped one up for them ;-)






Friday, May 31, 2013

NKBN: Cheeky Little Monkey

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry

At 7 inches tall and a quick knit, I think Tanya's Cheeky Little Monkey would perfectly replace a bow on top of any baby shower gift and be sure to get the compulsory ooohs and aahs.    I have a few of those coming up, I think I need to pick up some brown felting yarn!




Friday, May 24, 2013

NKBN: Pete the Pig

A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


It was tough to choose one of Sarah's pattern to highlight on NKBN this week.   She has four adorable patterns that fit my criteria, but Pete the Pig makes me smile every time I look at the little guy, so he takes the cake!


Friday, May 10, 2013

NKBN: Animal Tracks Dishcloth


A weekly feature on the blog, NOT Knit by Nat highlights great patterns by budding designers on Ravelry


In keeping with the cottage theme because it's COTTAGE SEASON!!!!, Anna has designed a great set of animal tracks dishcloths.   I’m planning to buy a stash of earth toned cotton chenille to keep up north with these patterns and whip them up throughout the summer.    A great back burner project.    What are you summer knitting plans?