There’s a new KAL up in the group — this one is a pick-your-own pattern from any of my designs, with a goal of encouraging you to meet any holiday knitting deadlines you may’ve set for yourself. Â Post your cast on info before midnight PST November 8th to get a chance to win some patterns!
I’m a big believer in the work-to-glory ratio analysis of knitting projects, especially when it comes to gifts for knitworthy, but nonknitting, friends and family. Â Basically, something with a good work-to-glory ratio is a project that is either exquisitely beautiful or intricate but really isn’t that hard. Â Of course what is ‘hard’ depends on the individual knitter!
What are some of the projects I’d recommend that I think have a good work-to-glory ratio?
Anything with beads using the crochet hook method.  Seriously, this is such an easy technique, but gives such gorgeous results.  I recommend Lagniappe (options for full, fingerless, or just cuffs) or, though it has a bit more going on, Josephine.
For those of you comfortable with it, simple stranding. Quatrefoil & TailGate are both designed with simple geometric repeats with short floats. Â Combine a variegated yarn with a solid for more visual complexity (but without more work).
Simple lace. The Peacock Stole is actually pretty straightforward.
If you want something smaller, but are comfortable with a lace pattern that’s a tiny bit more difficult, look at the Undersea Garden cowl. Â There’s no reason you can’t add beads to the fingering weight version for the extra bling!
Another lacy cowl that is fun is the Zylphia Cowl. Â You can probably get two out of a skein of sock yarn.
Mittens with fancy cuffs. Â All the mittens in the Mittens! booklet (Ocotillo, Quercus, and Manzanita) have simple stockinette bodies. Â These can be worked in DK or worsted, fingerless or full, and are great for stashbusting. Â You can work the cuff and body in totally different yarns if you’d like — go for contrasting colors and/or textures.
Blue Lupine, published separately, follows the same idea.
Cabling, like beading, is another simple technique with a big payoff. Some of my earlier patterns play a lot with cables; Â my favorites include the Wanna Hold Your Hand mitts, the Love You Dad socks, and the Dave Finally Gets His socks. Â These patterns were all designed with gift-giving in mind. Â The AppleJack Cowl, a more recent pattern, is all about big lush cables.
Prefer a challenge?? Â Tackle the Peacock Cowl or Peacock Mitts. Â For a more moderate challenge, how about the Ravens in Snow fingerless mitts?
Are you knitting gifts for folks this holiday season?