Welcome to Fiber Happenings!

Independent designers are always releasing new patterns, running special offers, and leading Knit-a-longs and Crochet-a-longs.
​And then there are all the online retailers with their specials. How to keep track of what’s going on?
Keep up with all the Fiber Happenings #OffRav right here!

Note: All Dates Given in MM/DD/YYYY format.

I’m providing this information to help makers find patterns outside of  Ravelry and to showcase these amazing designers. And seriously they are all amazing.  Designers do no pay me to be added to this list.

I am now using affiliate links to help make TFIL self-sustaining.  (See FAQ for more details)  If you would like to support my efforts and are doing a little shopping, please consider using my affiliate links.  If you purchase something I will receive a small commission. Other ways you can support my efforts is to sign up for my Newsletter, Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, or ​if you would like to leave me a tip please consider “Buying me a Coffee” 

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KNIT PICKS SALE

Socks are a project for all seasons. Right now Knit Picks self striping sock yarn is on sale until 03/24.

Pattern Happenings

Periwinkle Dragon Designs: Spring Flurries Toque

These fun sntroducing the Spring Flurries Toque! Inspired by the first flowers of spring pushing up through the snow, this warm, comfortable DK-weight hat uses no-cable-needle cables and elongated stitches to create a unique spiralling texture. Meant to be slightly conical and slouchy as a nod to the traditional Canadian toque, this hat is available in seven sizes from baby to adult and it features a crown worked in pattern as well as a contrast folded/doubled 2×2-rib cuff.

This pattern provides Video tutorial links for techniques such as provisional crochet chain cast on and attaching a snap pompom.

Close up woman wearing beaning featuring swirling slip stitch pattern

WHERE TO SHOP:

Looking for a quality sock yarn at a great value? Look no further than Knit Picks! Personally, I’m a big fan of their Hawthorne line of their Superwash Wool and Nylon blend – just as soft as merino, but harder wearing.

But if you are dedicated to Merino, check out their Stroll Sock Yarn. For a touch of luxe Capretta features a Superwash Merino, Cashmere, and Nylon blend.

*As a Knit Picks Affiliate I earn on qualifying purchases

A Bee in the Bonnet: Lucida Socks

A Bee in the Bonnet’s latest pattern is a lovely sock worked cuff down. It features a panel of German Twist Cables with eyelets. According to designer Lauren Rad the eyelet motifs are inspired by the stars in a night sky

WHERE TO SHOP:

You can find a wide range of hand dyed and handspun yarn on Etsy!

*As an Etsy Associate I earn on qualifying purchases

La Visch Design: Morello Cerise Shawl

If you would like to try your hand at a triangle shawl with a touch of lace, La Visch Design’s latest creation is the perfect project for you! This shawl is worked side to side. This means the lace borde, inspired by Shetland traditions, is worked at the same time as the body of the shawl!

WHERE TO SHOP:

Bullock-Ozkan Designs (Kerry Bullock-Ozkan): Laura’s Beanie

Laura’s Beanie (oringinally published in Cast On) is now available as an individual pattern download.

Named for a character in the PBS show Home Fires, this hat was inspired by the motifs and colors of vintage Fair Isle sweaters and vests from the 1940s. The pattern uses just four colors, and no decreasing is done in the patterned section, making it a good beginner Fair Isle project. It’s also a great way to use up those little bits of stash yarn, and with three sizes from Youth to Adult large, you can knit one for everyone you know!

WHERE TO SHOP:

Periwinkle Dragon Designs: Vanilla Bean Cupcake Socks

My newest collection is Vanilla Beans: Simple and Sweet Toe-Up Sock Recipes! These three patterns offer five foot circumferences and formulas for any row gauge and any foot length. Calf shaping guidelines, video tutorials, and easy-to-follow instructions help any beginner sock knitter make their first pair successfully, and the math works for almost any toe-up sock pattern out there for established sock knitters looking to get all their socks to fit better, substitute a heel, or adjust for a tighter or looser tension than a pattern provides.

Vanilla Bean Cupcake is a light fingering/fingering-weight sock with a gusset and heel flap.
Vanilla Bean Pound Cake is a DK-weight (or light fingering strands held together) sock with a gusset and heel flap.
Vanilla Bean Layer Cake is a light fingering/fingering weight sock with no gussets and with two choices of afterthought heel shapes.

Flyer for vanilla bean cupcake sock featuring three versions

WHERE TO SHOP:

This is a classic, affordable work horse wool. The fiber is Highland Peruvian which comes from a crossbreed of Merino and Corriedale sheep.

*As a Knit Picks Affiliate I earn on qualifying purchases

Amy Snell, The Devious Knitter: Dinkins Bayou

The Dinkins Bayou cowl is named for one of my favorite places: a still, quiet, little inlet just off Florida’s Pine Island Sound — a place where egrets and manatees flourish among the mangroves and rushes, where the quiet of an early-morning kayak ride is often interrupted by the splash of mullet jumping, the call of a roseate spoonbill returning to its nest, or the whoosh of a dolphin surfacing to breathe.

The cowl explores the colors of the water and the shapes of the and the flora that thrives along its edges. Its variously-colored motifs remind me of the many colors I see in and near the water on a day spent along the bayou; when worn in the depths of winter, this cowl brings me right back to the light and warmth of the Gulf coast.

Dinkins Bayou features an integrated I-cord edging at the top and bottom to prevent its edges from rolling. If you haven’t worked integrated I-cord before, this is a great project on which to learn. The edges are long enough to get the hang of what you’re doing without being so long that it stops being fun.

The distinctive colorwork patterning in the cowl is created with a unique combination of inlay and dipped stitches. These techniques may be new to most knitters, but by following along with the written instructions and linked videos, you’ll find them easy to manage.

Each motif repeat uses just a small amount of yarn, which makes this a great stashbuster. Yardage is given for working the motifs all in one color, or a series of separate colors.

Editor’s Note: Inlay technique is a very cool embellishing technique that involves wrapping groups of stitches with yarn to create an embroidered look.

WHERE TO SHOP:

A Bee in the Bonnet: Auklet Shawl

Lauren Rad of A Bee in the Bonnet has released her newest pattern: Auklet Shawl. This shawl is mainly worked in garter stitch with a cable accent running along the border and slipped stitches to add more interest.

WHERE TO SHOP:

Amy Snell, The Devious Knitter: Powerbowl Cowl

As an avid skier, my absolute favorite thing is getting out on the slopes early enough in the morning to make fresh tracks on new snow. The slipped-stitch patterning in this cowl brings me right back to the moments I love: standing at the top of a bowl full of powder, pointing my skis down the hill, and jumping in.

Whether your favorite winter activity is an active sport or cozying up to a warm fire on a cold night, I hope you have fun jumping right in to the compelling yet simple colorwork pattern of the Powderbowl cowl.

WHERE TO SHOP:

Romi Hill Design: The Essential Bucket Hat

Worked with one skein of super bulky yarn, this is a quick knit of a classic hat shape.

Studio Miranda Designs: Mutzi Hat and Mitts

I’ve probably said it before, but I’ll say it again: I love slip stitch patterns. Surprisingly simple to do, but provide stunning results. The latest pattern from Studio Miranda Designs uses this technique to beautiful effect.

Until 1/31 Get 20% with Code: KISSKISS

WHERE TO SHOP:

Sarah Dawn’s Designs: Caley Fisherman’s Rib Scarf

If you’re in need of a quick and easy scarf pattern and you want to try out the trendy and classic Fisherman’s Rib, Caley is the scarf for you. The vertical stripes and two-color rib that’s reversible is easy to love and easy to knit while watching TV.

Yarn: 2 skeins bulky yarn, 142 yards/129 meters/ball
Needles 5.5 mm (US 9) double-pointed or circular needles

Editor’s Note: This pattern is available through I Like Knitting Magazine February 2022 issue. You. may receive it for free as 1 of 3 free articles.

Woman wearing scarf worked in two color Fisherman's Rib

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Knit, Dance, Repeat: Garden Bloom Coaters Re-release

Knit Dance Repeat is busy updating all her patterns. Garden Bloom is a flat medallion that can be used as coasters or trivets. It is made using unwrapped short rows and would be a great project for people wanting to dip their toes in short row constructions.

WHERE TO SHOP:

Yarn Addict by Anniken Allis: Trenant

Yarn Addict by Anniken Allis has released her first new pattern for 2022. According to Anniken Allis, this project begins with triangular construction and then transitions to a rectangle making a versatile knit accessory that can be worn as a shawl or scarf. I think the eyelet motif is great for those wanting to try their hand at lace knitting.

Get 25% off Code Trenant25 until 1/31/2022

WHERE TO SHOP:

La Visch Design: Tulpa the Hat

I discovered knit and crochet designer La Visch Designs during Fasten Off YAL 2021. Suzanne Visch’s work features classic lace and beautiful colorwork. Her latest design is a companion to her Tulpa Cowl.

This hat is worked in fingering weight yarn and features an eyelet motif and a subtle swirl decrease line on the crown.

WHERE TO SHOP:

Designs by Romi: Charmuese Wrap

Romi Hill’s Charmeuse Wrap was previously only available on HC Weaves. Made with two skeins of yarn, this diamond shape wrap place with textured stitches and lace details.

WHERE TO SHOP:

Kath Andrews Designs: Nevern Throw

Dune Fans rejoice, this sock pattern is inspired by the Sci-Fi. classic. This sock is worked toe-up and features twisted stitches Inspired by The Great Cross of St Brynach, Kath Andrews’s blanket is a fantasy of Celtic knot motifs and patterns. This is a modular blanket and each square is made of stranded colorwork, knitted flat.

WHERE TO SHOP:

News, Sales and Affiliate Happenings

Sarah Dawn’s Designs: Garden Trellis Fingerless Mittens CAL/SALSarah Dawn’s Designs: Call for Test Knitters

I’m Looking for testers for the Cherry Blossoms Hat – I still need testers for Size L, as well as testers who use screen-readers!

Close up crown lace hat

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Sarah Dawn’s Designs: Garden Trellis Fingerless Mittens CAL/SALE

These mittens are a sister pattern to the Garden Trellis Hat; done in the amazing Scuttleship Romney from Bobolink yarns (who was kind enough to support me with yarn for the pattern!) They are designed for four adult sizes, and a customizable cuff length, too!

With simple bobbles and post stitches, it’s a good introduction to slightly more ‘adventurous’ crochet, while still being simple enough to work on while watching tv or commuting on the train.
The palm is done in alternating rows of sc and dc to create a denser fabric that helps protect the palm of your hands.

Pattern is written in US Terminology.

Techniques Used:
slip stitch
double crochet bobbles
front post treble crochet
HDC chainless start

For 50% Discount Use Code: MarFeatPatt2022

Close hands wearing crochet lace fingerless mitten worked in blue.  Hands gently hold rosebud

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

WIP Insanity: Between the Dragon and His Wrap Crowdsourcing

Kathleen Sperling of WIP Insanity is trying her hand at crowdsourcing a pattern design! ‘Between the Dragon and His Wrap’ will be a stranded knitting pattern, sure to appeal to dragon lovers everywhere.

The goal of the campaign is to raise funds to produce the pattern. By supporting the campaign, you’re essentially pre-purchasing the pattern (and getting a 20% discount off the regular price to boot). There are bigger perks available too, if you’re interested in getting more.

More information is available on the campaign page. End date is April 15, 2022.

Digital illustration of colorwork concept featuring two dragons facing each other. Text reads "imagine a shawl"

WHERE TO LEARN MORE:

Affiliate Happenings

Knit Picks

Knit Picks is one of the OG online retailers offering quality yarns at discounted rates.

Joanns Fabric and Crafts

JOANN Stores

Joanns is one of America’s largest chains of craft stores and sells my favorite economical yarn: Big Twist

Etsy

Check out my  Favorite Shops List to see all the designers on the FTIL with stores on Etsy.  And you can see some of my  favorite patterns  from designers on The Fiber Indy List. 

Lovecrafts

LoveCrafts

Every day Lovecrafts has an amazing sale happening. I can barely keep up! Make sure to check out their Star Deals

Always check out my Community Page: Carrie CraftGeek.  You can see some of my favorite patterns from designers on The Fiber Indy List.