Knitters Mercantile Blog

This week’s Free Pattern Friday has a bit of a twist to it. Instead of just providing a free pattern, I am providing a free pattern with a cause.

I am very excited to announce that Knitters Mercantile is now a drop off point for Operation Toasty Toes!

What is Operation Toasty Toes, you ask? It is a great volunteer organization that promotes, collects, and sends handknit and crocheted items to our Armed Forces stationed overseas. The organization started by making slippers to warm the feet of our servicemen and women.

From the Operation Toasty Toes website:

Besides warming the service persons feet, they send a message of support. That a stranger would take the time to make a pair slippers. This shows that we at home do care. It enables many in our local community to participate.

There are 2 free patterns this week - Slipper with Knit Cuff and Crocheted Slipper. You can find them here on the Operation Toasty Toes website.

We are looking for 300 pairs of slippers to be made by April 15. We know you can help us make it happen.

We are also dedicating our Knitters’ Night Out on February 15 from 6 - 8 p.m. to Operation Toasty Toes. Judy, who brought this wonderful group to our attention and who will be organizing the collection and shipping of the slippers, will be here to provide information about Operation Toasty Toes and the patterns for the slippers.

So, come to Knitters Night Out on February 15. Or download the patterns, knit or crochet some slippers, and drop them off in the shop before April 15. Please help us support this wonderful cause!

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You can also find the patterns for the slippers on the free pattern page on our website.

This week’s free pattern is an oldie but a goody.

Saartje’s Bootees are the sweetest booties that I have come across. Simple garter stitch and mary jane styling - does it get any better? I think not.

The pattern calls for a fingering weight yarn, so something like Cascade Heritage would work very well. Janet made a pair in Mirasol Hacho (which is DK weight) and they are THE sweetest things you ever did see. Stop by the shop and take a look at the Hacho shelf to see one of the booties in person.

Get the Saartje’s Bootees pattern here.

Happy Friday and happy knitting!

This week’s free pattern is entirely silly. I have made two of these and they always get a great response so I figured sharing was in order.

Here is the Bearded Toque.

This hat and beard combo has a series of interchangeable mustaches. That’s right! I said interchangeable mustaches.

It’s all knit in one piece, top down. It is a great way to stop face freeze on those super cold and windy days. It’s always a great way to get your male friends or nephews really interested in your knitting. Wait until you see their eyes light up when you tell them that you will makes one of these amazing hats for them.

Plymouth Encore is the perfect yarn for this. Just make sure you hold it doubled to get gauge.

Get the Bearded Toque pattern here.

Happy Friday and happy knitting!

It’s raining and dreary out. Perfect time to curl up with a book or a movie and your knitting. But it’s damp and there’s a definite chill in the air. How can you be all nice and toasty and warm?

 Do not fear as I have the answer. It’s a hot water bottle wrapped in a cozy. And it’s a magical thing.

Rachel’s ISBN Cabled Hot Water Bottle Cozy has two versions included in the pattern. There is a super cute striped version or a classic cabled version.

Lamb’s Pride Worsted is the perfect yarn for this. And so many colors to choose from too!

Get the pattern here.

Happy Friday, happy knitting, and happy New Year!

I’m not going to comment on the holidays being, um, here. I’m not going to comment on procrastination. I’m not going to comment on time crunches.

I am just going to present you with this - the Wink Scarf.

This scarf uses gigantic yarn (Berroco Link) and needles. It is ridiculously quick to make. Super bulky knits are so in this year.

You have time to make this. Really. Deep breath. You got this.

Get Link here.

Get the free pattern here.

 Happy Friday, happy knitting, and happy holidays!

This week’s Free Pattern Friday has been moved to Free Pattern Saturday. On Friday there was an protracted fight with Microsoft Excel. And Excel won. Grrrrr.

This week’s free pattern involves a little knitterly Christmas tradition that I have created for myself. The holidays are always super chaotic. Lots of running around with errands, visiting friends and family, cooking, shopping…..you know the drill. By the time Christmas Eve and Christmas Day actually come around I really look forward to the bit of down time that comes with no work and the “to do” list being done. Or at least the “to do” list  is called done because if it ain’t done by Christmas Eve, it ain’t getting done. And by that point I am totally fine with that.

With my Christmas time downtime, I pick out a project just for myself. It isn’t a gift and it doesn’t serve a particularly useful purpose. It is something to be knitted that is purely for the love of doing it. For me, this project always takes the form of a scarf because scarves for me are usually no think projects that I can enjoy knitting while spending time at my in laws’ house with a glass of wine.

This year I have decided that my Christmas project is A Little Ruffle.

I continually find myself being drawn to designs that are simple and feminine without being fussy. This scarf fits the bill for me.

I think I will be knitting this up in Ultra Alpaca Light. It would also be very lovely in Manos Silk Blend. For a fun and colorful twist, it could even be done with Noro Silk Garden Light.

Get A Little Ruffle pattern here.

What knitting or crocheting Christmas traditions have you made for yourself?

HOLY COW THERE ARE ONLY 15 DAYS LEFT UNTIL CHRISTMAS AND I HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED MY HUSBAND’S CHRISTMAS SOCKS YET.

Ok, ok, I’m good. I’m not panicked. Not at all. Nope, not me. I can totally finish a pair of socks in 2 weeks, right? Looks like he’s getting worsted weight socks.

 So, how are all of your holiday projects going? Good? I hope so. Hang in there knitters and crocheters!

In the vein of scrambling for last minute holiday knitting, here is today’s free pattern - Owl Puffs.

Just look at them. Aren’t they adorable?

Any worsted weight yarn will do for these little guys. You only need 15 yards of a main color and 10 yards of a contrasting color. So quick! So little yarn! Fantastic for a quick holiday knit.

Plymouth Encore, Berroco Vintage, Rowan Pure Wool Aran, Classic Elite Liberty Wool….the possibilities are endless.

Get your Owl Puffs here.

Happy Friday and happy knitting!

Berroco Ultra Alpaca is our secret surprise addition to our Last Minute Gift Sale! Ultra Alpaca worsted 20% off all day Friday, December 2. Come into the shop or check it out on our website.

In celebration of this, the pattern this Friday features Ultra Alpaca. It is also a Robin Ulrich Design. I picked it because she is local and her designs are soooooo beautiful. The pattern for this Free Pattern Friday is Greyhaven.

Not only is this a beautiful pattern and perfect for very frosty mornings like this one, this pattern is also inspired by Bilbo’s Last Song in the Lord of the Rings. I am geeky about Lord of the Rings and even geekier about hand knits inspired from Lord of the Rings so I am really geeking out over this cowl.

It takes 215 yards so it is a one skein project! It would be great as a gift. Or you could just sneak it in for yourself in between your other holiday projects. It is possible that I am considering that.

Stop by the shop to get Ultra Alpaca worsted at 20% off today or check it out on our website.

 Find the pattern for Greyhaven here.

Happy Friday and happy knitting!

 I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving!

 This week’s Free Pattern Friday is all about Rowan. In fact it’s so much about Rowan that not only are there 2 free patterns this week there are also 2 brand new Rowan yarns!

 First things first - did you know we are having a Black Friday Rowan Sale? All Rowan yarns are 10% off today. Check out all of our Rowan yarns on our website.

Second - we have new Rowan yarns!

Kidsilk Creation from Rowan is a limited edition yarn. This yarn has a net, tubular construction and is made from the best selling Kidsilk Haze. The colors have been selected from the favorite shades of Kidsilk Haze. Using a special technique that involves working the edge of the net, one 50g hank will knit or crochet the beautiful Kidsilk Creation Scarf.

Kidsilk Haze Stripe from Rowan is a self striping version of Kidsilk Haze. The color combinations have been cleverly put together by the master of color, Kaffe Fassett. One 50g ball is enough to knit the Kidsilk Haze Stripe Scarf and can also be knitted to any Kidsilk Haze pattern.

Both of these scarf patterns are free! Kidsilk Haze Stripe Scarf and Kidsilk Creation Scarf and both one skein projects and they are perfect for holiday gifts! AND don’t forget - both yarns are 10% off today too!

Happy Friday and happy knitting!

Sometimes there are patterns that just catch on, you know? People jump on the bandwagon and before you know it it seems like everyone you know is making one. I have one of those patterns for you today. I present The Bandana Cowl.

 This pattern is popping up EVERYWHERE. And I’m glad for it because it’s a great pattern. It is done in the round but you also do some short rows for shaping which makes it an interesting thing to knit. It takes about 100 yards of bulky weight yarn so it will be a hip and quick to knit gift for somebody this holiday season.

Cascade Eco Wool and Eco Wool Plus (can you tell they are personal favorites of mine?) would be great choices. As would Tahki Rio if you wanted to do something that feels dreamy and has a thick/think texture. The brand new Berroco Voyage , with it’s light and lofty chainette structure and heathered shades, is also a great choice.

Pop on over to Ravelry and get the Bandana Cowl pattern.

Happy Friday and happy knitting!