Pumpkin Mood (a picture-heavy post)

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Carol

Bring on the Fall! I don’t know about you, but I just can’t seem to get enough of the saturated colors this Fall. Pumpkins, of course, but also the leaves, the slanted sunlight, beams of light on grasses bent nearly horizontal in today’s stormy winds. Add in costumes at work this week, apple cider, pumpkin lattes, birthday soon…truly my favorite time of the year.

Over the weekend I found this blogpost by Toot Sweet 4 Two, and the pumpkin photos are just fabulous. You might enjoy it as much as I did. 42 Types of Pumpkins

All the Knit Equals Joy pumpkin patterns (so far) in their many iterations, from earliest design to most recent:

Colorwork Pumpkin (with duplicate stitch added)

Thanks for taking a moment to see things through my eyes and for letting me share my joy for Fall with you.

xoxo

Carol

Knit-a-Long, knitting pattern, Pumpkin-a-Long

Spidey!

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Carol

Greetings, everyone! I’m pleased to announce that Spidey is now live! You can find him in my Payhip and Etsy shops, and soon on LoveCrafts. Use the coupon code SPIDEY on Payhip, Etsy, or here on the website for 20% off until Halloween.

Spidey is an enjoyable, spooky knit. He’s created through the use of two-color twisted stitches, along with some unusual stitches like cluster stitches and a k5tog (instructions included) that emphasize the three-dimensional qualities of the motif. You can actually stuff the spider’s abdomen! Fun and creepy, this pumpkin will be a great addition to your fall décor. (I did actually have a dream about spiders while designing this pumpkin!)

While it is written for two colors, this pumpkin can also be knit in a single color, since the spider is 3-D. Be sure to allow for enough yardage if making this option. I think the design would be great knit in natural to create a “ghost” pumpkin.

This pattern provides a chart for the spider section of the pumpkin. The instructions for that section are also written out line-by-line. These instructions are provided at the end of the pattern and need not be printed if one is using the chart.

Skills Needed: Working in the round, reading colorwork charts (line-by-line instructions for the charted sections are also included), knitting through the back loop, yarnovers, kfb, m1 and m1p increases, k2tog, ssk, p2tog and p2tog tbl decreases, twisted stitches, and i-cord (instructions included).

Measurements, approximate (These will vary depending on amount of fiberfill used):
Circumference: 33 in [84 cm]; diameter: 10.5 in [27 cm]; height: 7 in [18 cm].

Yarn:
MC: 300 yds [275 m] Manos Del Uruguay Alegria (Fingering; 75% Merino Superwash/25% Polyamide; 445yds/100 g) in Cusco.

CC: 125 yds [115 m] Malabrigo Sock (Fingering; 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 440 yds/100 g) in Black.

Stem: 30 yds [27m] Yama Yarn Merino Linen Singles (Fingering; 90% South African Merino/10% Linen; 394 yds/100 g) in Terre Verte BG.

Needles:
Base of Pumpkin, Crown, and Stem: US size 2 (2.75 mm) double pointed needles and 16 in. (40 cm) circular needle.

Colorwork Section of Pumpkin: US size 3 (3.25 mm) 24 in. (60 cm) circular needle.

Gauge: 33.5 sts and 32 rnds = 4″ [10 cm] in charted pattern st on larger needles. This pattern is worked at a tighter gauge than normal so the fiberfill does not show through fabric.

Other Materials: Stitch markers if desired, small tapestry needle, tape measure, 1 bag (16 oz.) polyester fiberfill (you will not need the entire bag).

Spidey is, of course, Pumpkin-a-Long eligible. As a reminder, there are weekly pattern prizes for participation and a drawing for some great prizes at the end (US Thanksgiving) to be chosen from among finished pumpkin projects. The deets are here: The 2021 Pumpkin-A-Long (PAL).

Thank you all, and I hope you have as much fun knitting Spidey as I did designing him!

Pumpkins forever!

xoxo

Carol

KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitters, knitting, knitting pattern, knitting patterns

The 2021 Pumpkin-A-Long (PAL)

Posted on September 19, 2021 by Carol

Pumpkin-A-Long

This year’s Pumpkin-A-Long has begun! It’s easy to play along, and I hope you will.

Right now there are seven eligible pumpkin patterns, and soon this year’s pumpkin design will be added to the pumpkin patch!

The premise of the PAL is very easy: knit one of the Knit Equals Joy pumpkins, post progress pictures of your pumpkin on Instagram with the tags #pumpkinalong2021, #knitequalsjoy, and @knitequalsjoy. I will be giving away Knit Equals Joy patterns (digital) periodically during the PAL chosen randomly from amongst progress pictures posted and tagged on Instagram. If you’d like to use either of the above photos on Instagram (or Facebook), they will count as progress pictures. Follow those tags to see everyone else’s pumpkin progress and anything related to Fall that we post (because we love Fall!!!).

When you finish a pumpkin, also use the tag #pumpkinalong2021FO (for finished object).

At the conclusion of the PAL (Thanksgiving), I’ll randomly choose from the finished pumpkins and will award prizes. Wendy at Amanda Hope Yarn is graciously sponsoring the PAL with a $30 gift card from her shop. She has a great eye for color, and her yarns are scrumptious!

If you’re not on Instagram, email your pumpkins to me at knitequalsjoy@gmail.com.

Come join us and get in on some Autumn-knitting joy!!!

Pumpkin-A-Long Patterns – hover over photo for pattern name, click to read about the pattern or to purchase.

Oh My Gourd (Worsted - one pattern, both sizes)

Oh My Gourd (Fingering - one pattern, both sizes)

Large Colorwork Pumpkin

Mini Colorwork Pumpkin

Pumpkin Pie Garland

Spidey

I’m thrilled that this year’s design, Spidey, is almost ready for publishing! Spidey creates a creepy spider through the use of two-color twisted stitches and some other fun textury stitches. I am looking for some knitters who’d like to test out the pattern for me. If that’s you, please let me know via email.

Pumpkins forever!!

Carol

Knit-a-Long, knitting

Spring knitting and a completely unrelated photo from our 2019 trip to Sedona

Posted on May 7, 2021May 7, 2021 by Carol

Hello everyone and Happy May! I hope this finds you well.

My daily work (non-knitting related) has been quite brain-consuming since October, so my creative output has been low. This has been frustrating to me – I see many lovely designs being published, and not one of them is mine.

So…the Uplift Make Along (UMAL) has been a great boon. Permission to knit someone else’s design! Fun sharing things like pictures of yarn and swatches. WIP progress reports. I love that when someone “likes” my post or photo, I receive notification that they “cheered” my contribution. It’s all very…cheerful!!

The good news is that it’s very low-key…if you’d like to join, you can join at any time – just click on the link in my link tree in the sidebar (or at the bottom of the post, if you are viewing on a phone). More good news, the UMAL goes through the end of June, so there is plenty of time to join in the fun. We are continually adding to a UMAL Pinterest board, categorized by project type. Here’s the Pinterest board: UMAL Pinterest board

Here’s the progress I’m making on my Arkenstone Sweater, pattern by Ruth Brasch.

I’m making it in Malabrigo Washted in the colorway Aguas. It’s working up into a lofty and squishy fabric, and I’m enjoying the lace/cables combo. Now I want to attempt designing a sweater with a similar yoke construction.

Other than working on this sweater, I’ve swatched some fabulous yarn by Denise Voie de Vie. I’m seeing a Spring/Summer top in these colors. They look like a garden party! The colorways are Day Lilies and Greenfest.

More swatching to happen soon with yarn just ordered from Amanda Hope Yarn – the same bases used in last year’s pumpkin design, It’s Fall, Y’all. The fabric created by holding together the Aussie Extra Fine Merino and the Superkid Mohair/Silk is wonderfully soft and shimmery – very chic, elegant, and divine. I’m seeing a summer top in this yarn as well. The best things are the colorways: the main color is called Gauguin’s Joyousness, with Pumpkin as the contrasting color. I just couldn’t pass by that beautiful exuberance of color in Gauguin’s Joyousness! Plus, joy! – always catches my eye when someone else uses it in naming something. I can’t wait to start swatching with this beautiful yarn!

So…if you want to jump in and enjoy some low-pressure knitting fun, come join us at the UMAL. I wish you a fabulous Friday and a great weekend.

xoxo

Carol

KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitting, Make Along

The Uplift Make Along (happy dance)

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Carol

Woo hoo! Doing a happy dance over here! “Why??” you may ask. Because there’s a new and fun make along called the Uplift Make Along (UMAL), and I’ve found it and it’s fun! It’s welcoming and supportive, and it’s a way to meet new friends and find new designers.

The purpose of the UMAL is to support the work of less-known independent knitting, crochet, and Tunisian crochet designers. Like all MALs, it’s a place to share WIPs and finished projects and to cheer each other on. There will be prizes. The UMAL began April 1 and goes through June 30, so there’s plenty of time to finish a project. It’s hosted on a user-friendly platform, but you can also participate simply by making something by a less-known designer and tagging #UpliftMakeAlong on Instagram. If you’d like to join the UMAL, here is your invitation! If you’d like to read up on the UMAL, here’s an informative blog post written by founder Ruth Brasch.

Today is Support Sunday in the Uplift Make Along, and here are four designers I’ve met whose designs I’m loving.

I recently tested Ruth Brasch‘s Arkenstone Hat. The cable was enticing, and the finished design was terrific, so I cast on her Arkenstone Sweater. I think I will have to rethink the yarn I’m using, but I’m so excited to be working on someone else’s sweater! I love the top part of the back (and the cables, of course).

New to me is designer Liz Corke. I found these fingerless mitts, and I think they are so delicate and elegant. I’m looking for just the right fingering weight in my stash. These are the Dromanach Mitts.

I’ve also gotten to chat a bit with the lovely Mona Z, also known as bunnymuff. Her colorwork designs are fun and fabulous. I’ve loved this one since it first came out:

Such is the Quality of Bees Blanket by Mona Z

I think this sheep toy of hers is just about perfect:

And I purchased this hat pattern. The colors are so happy, and I really want to try the Roosimine (or Roositud) technique. It’s a type of Estonian inlay and sort of looks like embroidery.

Now, I was very happy when a couple of people commented on My Sense of Direction Mitts. It’s always fun when something you’ve designed calls to someone else. Designer You-Shan Feng is making these mitts, yay! This morning she posted on Instagram:

My Sense of Direction Mitts by You-Shan Feng (yarncontortions on IG)

This picture she edited was so diverting that it led to another episode of what I like to call “Why Carol is a bad cook.” When the post notification popped up on my phone, I had to write a response right that moment. I completely forgot that I had pancakes cooking on the stove. Needless to say, the pancakes were pretty decimated . End of story: burnt crusts removed, pancakes consumed – despite a slight burnt taste.

You-shan’s designs (currently available on Ravelry) are jaw-droppingly amazing to me, so I wanted to share a couple here.

New sweater ready for testing by You-Shan Feng

And this one, which she is making according to a friend’s design preferences:

If you join the Uplift Make Along on the platform, you’ll be able to find all of these lovely designers, and more. My thanks to them for allowing me to share these photos here.

I’ve added some new linky things to the blog’s sidebar. Especially check out the Link Tree. Now you’ll easily be able to find links to whatever’s going on in Knit Equals Joy land.

I hope you all have a great week. Maybe you’ll even join me for future episodes of “Why Carol is a bad cook.” 😉

And I hope to share more about the UMAL over the next few months.

xoxo

Carol

colorwork knitting, knitting, knitting pattern

Garden Cowl Now Available as an Individual Pattern (and with an introductory discount)

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Carol

Hello, everyone! I’m pleased to announce that the Garden Cowl is now available as an individual pattern on the Knit Equals Joy website and in my Payhip and Etsy shops!

I had so much fun designing this cowl! The elements really wanted to play together – stripes, abstract diamonds, a flower, a big color block section – and each side of the fabric is the reverse of the other (using positive/negative space to create the design). Bold colors wanted to play along, too. And it’s really fun to me how Bridget’s test knit worked beautifully with just two colors – a solid and a beautiful variegated. The colors in that variegated yarn (Malabrigo Rios in Liquidambar) just shimmer and sing!

Use the coupon code LOVESPRING for 20% off through April 10th. The discount is good on the website as well as on Payhip and Etsy. Pattern purchase includes the pattern in both English and Spanish.

Pattern details, including yarn requirements for either a 6-color cowl or a 2-color cowl, are here.

Colorwork is so much fun! This cowl is just the thing to keep you entertained and to provide you with a lovely accessory when done.

Enjoy!!

xoxo

Carol

beach, Cannon Beach

Oregon Coast Mood

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Carol

Hello, everyone!

It’s been too long since I’ve shared photos of the Oregon Coast. These were taken at Cannon Beach in February. I was socially distanced and was able to get some great photos. I hope you enjoy them!

Thank you for stopping by!
xoxo
Carol

knitting

The Rise Up Collection, Beginning to End

Posted on February 28, 2021February 28, 2021 by Carol

Hello, everyone! It’s the last day of February, and it’s a beautiful sunny day here in Oregon!

I wanted to wrap up the Rise Up Collection, now that all of the patterns have been added. The entire collection is available as one e-book, including each designer’s inspiration, on Ravelry and on Payhip. Each design is now also available as a stand-alone pattern through each of the designer’s various shops.

Before I add in the pictures, here is the story of my inspiration for my design:

The Rise Up Collection began with a challenge. This group of designers would draw from the same inspiration: a set of Pantone colors titled “Rise Up” and a group of stitches voted upon by us. The challenge appealed to me in a couple of ways. Personally, what would I come up with? And it would be really fun to see how everyone would interpret the same inspiration differently.

The Pantone Rise Up colors were delineated into four color stories: Makeshift, Vibrant Rebellion, Eclectic Folk, and Raw Craft. The two that spoke to me most were Vibrant Rebellion and Eclectic Folk. Vibrant Rebellion mainly in the use of bold color and “a license for self-expression.” Eclectic Folk in its emphasis on “crafted and eclectic” and in its revisiting of the Peace and Love Movement.

I was very little during the Peace and Love Movement. Most of it went right over my head, although I do retain vague images from the news. What I do remember much more clearly is the fashion – and some favorite pieces of clothing. There was a skirt with miles and miles of gathers made from the most gorgeous, bright shades of orange. And a maxi dress in purple and white. And the happiest color of all was a bright, hot pink.

These bright colors, along with the stitch pattern Abstract Diamonds, drove the inspiration for me. I added an original colorwork design, the large flower motif – my “license for self-expression” – and the Garden Cowl emerged.

Here are the seven designs comprising the Rise Up Collection:

Mountain View from Knit Eco Chic

Alcyone from Christine Guest Designs

Emergence from Fiber Dreams

Shooting Star on Ravelry from Marcela Chang Knits on Ravelry

Garden Cowl by me

Vacillate from Ruth Brasch Design

Phoenix Cosy from Jill Wolcott Knits

The collection comes in both English and Spanish, and it was translated by Marcela Chang. The hard work behind the scenes of compiling the collection and making it available for sale were done by Laura Patterson (Fiber Dreams) and Jill Wolcott. My thanks to all of them and to all of the designers for their participation in creating these lovely designs! Thanks to all of you for your support for the collection and for our design work.

Thank you for reading, and I hope that you all have a lovely week!!

xoxo

Carol

designer collaboration, knitting patterns, Rise Up 2021 Collection

Vacillate and the Phoenix Cosy, the final patterns in the Rise Up Collection

Posted on February 9, 2021February 28, 2021 by Carol

Hello, dear friends! The final two patterns are now available in this year’s fabulous Rise Up Collection! The patterns are Ruth Brasch’s Vacillate Socks and Jill Wolcott’s Phoenix Cosy.

Ruth Brasch’s Vacillate Socks especially feature a Fleegle Heel, which does not require picking up any stitches in making the heel flap. They also feature traveling cables and alternating textures. Very fun!!! Ruth designs lots of socks, so you will be in good hands when making these socks!

Jill Wolcott designed this shoulder cozy, also known as the Phoenix Cosy. The design is created using slipped stitches and German short rows. Jill writes her patterns in a different and interesting style. Take a look and enjoy! I love this watercolor rendering she made of the cosy. The final photographs will be added to the Collection soon, as will the Spanish translation of this pattern.

The Rise Up Collection is available as an e-book on Ravelry and as an all-in-one collection on Payhip. The whole collection is published in both English and Spanish.

January 5

Mountain View from Knit Eco Chic

Alcyone from Christine Guest Designs

January 12

Emergence from Fiber Dreams

January 19

Shooting Star on Ravelry from Marcela Chang Knits on Ravelry

January 26

Garden Cowl

February 2
Vacillate from Ruth Brasch Design
Phoenix Cosy from Jill Wolcott Knits

Soon, the individual patterns may be purchased from the independent designers a week or two after the entire collection has been released. The Garden Cowl’s individual price will be $6.50.

I wanted to share this gorgeous version of the Garden Cowl knit by Bridget, who graciously tested the pattern for me. Bridget used just two colors of yarn: Erika Knight British Blue Yarn in the colorway Clarissa (about 380 yards) and Malabrigo Rios in the colorway Liquidambar (about 460 yards). Her knitting is just beautiful, and the colorways are perfect. You can really see the use of positive/ negative space in this photo.

For all the details, like the yarn and needle sizes called for in the pattern, please see The Garden Cowl.

Thank you for your support in this fun and collaborative venture with me and with the other six independent designers. In the next post, I will post photos of the entire collection.

Have a great week!!

xoxo

Carol

designer collaboration, knitting patterns, Rise Up 2021 Collection

The Garden Cowl

Posted on January 26, 2021February 28, 2021 by Carol

Hello, dear friends! I’m so excited to share that my newest pattern, The Garden Cowl, is now available as one of the seven patterns in the Rise Up Collection. The Garden Cowl is a big bold colorful cowl featuring abstract diamonds, an original colorwork flower, stripes, and colorblocking. Using positive/negative space, each side of the fabric is the reverse of the other. It’s a fun piece to knit and to wear.

The cowl is knit as a tube in the round and sewn together at the end. It is long enough to wrap around twice in really cold weather. This can be a great stash-buster; approximately 75 yards each is all that is needed for four of the six colors, along with a few skeins each of the background color and the flower/colorblock color. For all the details, like yarn and needle sizes, please see The Garden Cowl.

The Garden Cowl is available now as part of the Rise Up Collection. Rise Up is sold as an e-book on Ravelry and as an all-in-one collection on Payhip. The whole collection is published in both English and Spanish.

From January 26th through February 1, the entire collection is $24. On February 2, the last two patterns will be added and the collection will be its final price, $28. No matter when you purchase the collection, you will own the whole thing as each new pattern is added.

Here are the other designs in the collection:

January 5

Mountain View from Knit Eco Chic

Alcyone from Christine Guest Designs

January 12

Emergence from Fiber Dreams

January 19

Shooting Star on Ravelry from Marcela Chang Knits on Ravelry

January 26

Garden Cowl

February 2 – Next Week!
Ruth Brasch Design
Jill Wolcott Knits

Individual patterns may be purchased from the independent designers a week or two after the entire collection has been released. The Garden Cowl’s individual price will be $6.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed the Rise Up Collection so far and that you will enjoy the Garden Cowl.

xoxo

Carol