Time to close the book...

I'm sad to say that it's time to close the book on this blog.

I began it December 2006. For many years I've let you take a small peek into my life as well as sharing my designs with you.

As demands on my time have increased these past few years, I have only posted announcements about my new designs. Looking at my pattern sales and where sales come from, only three patterns have been purchased through my blog since the first of the year. Sigh, it doesn't make sense to spend time updating it anymore. This has led me to make the difficult decision to close it down in the next few months. I will not be posting any new information here.

You will still be able to find me on Ravelry. If you haven't joined Ravelry already, I strongly encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful (and free) resource for knitters and crocheters.

I sincerely hope you will visit Ravelry, friend me (SimpleKnits), and join my Simply Simple Knits group. My SSK group is where I post information about my new designs and invite members to help test my new knit and crochet designs.

Links to my Ravelry pattern store and my Simply Simple Knits group can be found below.


Click here to go to my Ravelry pattern store.

Join my Simply Simple Knits group on Ravelry by clicking here.

Keep those needles and hooks flying! I hope to see you on Ravelry. :-)

Vicki

Blast Off Scarf to knit

Blast Off with a rocket ship shaped scarf with chevron detailing. The design begins with a few stitches to form a point and grows until it is as wide as you like. Work even until you run out of yarn or add a flare when your yarn ball is getting smaller. I've folded the scarf up a bit in the picture above so you can see both ends.

This design really shows off yarns with long color runs. It is knit in garter stitch and shaped with easy increases and decreases. The more yarn you have the longer your scarf will be. Use any weight of yarn by changing the needle size to suit the yarn. No blocking required!

244 yards of light worsted weight yarn and size 7 knitting needles produced, after washing and laying out flat to dry, a scarf measuring 60” long x 6.5” wide. I used 2 skeins of Classic Elite Liberty Wool for the pictureds scarf. The three page pattern has written instructions and help to figure out how much yarn to save back for the flare and bind off.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Echoing Waves Scarf to knit

Introducing my Echoing Waves Scarf. This chevron shaped scarf starts with a few stitches and uses a stitch pattern that creates textured lines across the face of the scarf. It’s easy to knit with only one purl row out of every 4 rows knitted. Carefully placed increases and decreases give the scarf its shape as it grows. Make it as small or large as you like and use any weight of yarn by choosing a needle size to compliment that yarn. 150-200 yards should give you a nice size scarf and 500-600 for a shawl size. No blocking required. The scarf should be washed and laid out flat to dry on a flat surface to relax the stitches.

The pictured scarf was made with one skein of Tahki Yarns Tandem (107 yards Aran weight) with size 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles. Finished size after washing and laying it out flat to dry is: 27" along center x 20" along last row. This made a shorter summer scarf. You'll need more yardage for a longer scarf.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Mai Tai Scarf - bet you can't knit just one!

Mai Tai Scarf is a cute, little crescent scarf that knits up fast on big needles using novelty yarn. No short rows! Makes a nice little scarf to dress up a simple top, blouse, or dress. The pattern is super easy to knit and a great one to use for gifts or holiday bazaars. Dig out those single balls of bulky weight novelty yarn hiding in your stash and a pair or size 11 (8 mm) knitting needles, cast on and knit until you only have enough yarn to bind off. A 54 yard skein of Sensations Radiance (a 3 strand yarn of eyelash, railroad, and smooth) made a scarf that is 40” wide x 4” deep. Here's a picture of what it looks like laid out flat.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Balancing Act Shawl to crochet

Balancing Act is a crocheted shawl with a unique sail shape. Increases, decreases and the use of different height stitches create this shape. The shawl has a simple two row repeat that can be worked until you run out of yarn.

This is a one skein wonder project that can be made with a 400 yard skein of sock yarn and a size G (4 mm) crochet hook. It’s easy to make larger if you have more yarn or substitute a different weight of yarn with a hook size that works with that yarn.

Blocked size of blue shawl is 54” neckline x 47” last row x 66” lower edge. It looks great in a solid color, a tone-on-tone yarn, or a yarn with a long color run. 

The three page pattern has written instructions and a crochet chart for $5.00. Buy it through my Ravelry pattern store.

Rocking the Curve Shawlette to crochet

Rocking the Curve is an easy to crochet shawlette shaped with increases, decreases, and different height stitches. The simple two row repeat can be worked until you run out of yarn. Though the pattern is written for sport weight yarn with a size G crochet hook, it can be made with any weight of yarn by changing the hook size to suit the yarn. Blocked size with 328 yards of sport weight yarn was 51” down the center x 28” along the last row worked.

The more yarn you have, the larger your shawl will be. The three page pattern includes written instructions and a crochet chart. You can find it in my Ravelry pattern store.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Skyrocket Scarf -- a crochet pattern

Blast off with Skyrocket, a rocket shaped scarf that is quick-to-hook using fingering/sock weight yarn and a size G crochet hook. A simple two row repeat with increases and decreases form the shape of the scarf. I used one skein of Lang Yarns Mille Colori Baby (208 yards) to make the pictured scarf.

 The scarf washed and laid flat to dry measured 33” down the center x 16” along the last row. You can add a tassel to the starting tip or a pretty button near any point and button through the stitches.

This versatile pattern can be made any size, with any weight of yarn by choosing a hook size to suit the yarn you choose. The three page pattern includes written instructions and a crochet chart can be found in my Ravelry pattern store.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Going to Seed Shawl to crochet

Going to Seed is a generous half circle shawl that fits well around the shoulders. Ten sections create the body shape that finishes with a diamond border. The body is a breeze to work with the border being a little more challenging. 

The pattern is written for 459 yards of fingering/sock weight yarn and a size G hook for a shawl that blocked to 47” neckline edge x 16.5” long.

Make it any size you wish with any yarn weight you like by choosing a hook size that will work for that yarn. Save one-third of your yarn back for the border or use another color for the border.

The five page pattern includes written instructions and a crochet chart. You can find the pattern in my Ravelry pattern store.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Boot Scootin' Boogie Shawl to crochet

Boot Scootin’ Boogie is a crocheted asymmetrical triangle shawl named after the Brooks & Dunn song. This is a country cousin shawl to Happy Trails to You. It features the same stitch pattern and has the same twisted fringe edging but has a different shape.

This shawl features an easy 4 row repeat that finishes with a crocheted twisted fringe worked in a different color than the body of the shawl.

I made the red shawl with Kraemer Little Lehigh (DK/500 yards) and Yarn Bee Mimosa (99 yards) for the fringe with a size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook. The blocked shawl measures 70” neckline x 31” deep along the last row x 65” along the bottom edge.

You can make it any size from a scarf to a large shawl by changing the amount of yarn you use. Or substitute a different weight of yarn by using a hook size to suit the yarn you choose.

The 4 page patterns has written instructions and a crochet chart. It can be found in my Ravelry pattern store.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Happy Trails to You - a crocheted shawl

Happy Trails to You is a crocheted asymmetrical shawl with a unique, but wearable, shape. It is worked sideways in an easy two row repeat that is finished with a twisted fringe edging.

The pattern is written for 328 yards of sport weight for the body and 75 yards for the fringe in a different color with a size H crochet hook.

Finished size: 40” neckline x 30” deep x 69.5” bottom edge for the blocked shawl.

It can be made with any weight of yarn with a hook size to suit that yarn. Make it any size from a scarf to a larger shawl. A scarf size should take about 150-200 yards of yarn.

The four page pattern includes written instructions, a crochet chart, and instructions for making crocheted twisted fringe. You can find it in my Ravelry pattern store.


For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Touch the Sky - a shawl to crochet

Touch the Sky is a generous, crescent shaped shawl that is fast and easy to crochet in an easy two row repeat. Make it in one color, pair a neutral with scraps for stripes, or use a yarn with a long color run. Work the edging in a contrasting or complimentary color.

This shawl can be made with any weight of yarn you like by changing the hook size to suit the yarn. It’s easy to make it the size you desire. My testers worked this shawl in a sport, worsted and fingering/sock weight yarns.

The pictured shawl was made with 445 yards of DK weight yarn for the body and 62 yards for the edging. I used Yarn Bee Urban Chic in gray. (I removed all the brightly colored section and magic knotted the yarn together.) The edging yarn was Yarn Bee Mimosa in tuquoise.

Blocked this shawl measures 69” neckline x 21.5” deep. I wet blocked it for the cotton in the yarn and steam blocked it to control the acrylic yarn.

The 4 page pattern includes written instructions and crochet charts.You can find the pattern for sale in my Ravelry pattern store.

Enjoy!

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Whispering Falls - a shawl to crochet

Whispering Falls is a big, slightly asymmetrical shaped shawl that is quick to crochet. Work it in one or more solid colors, a yarn with a long color run, or mini skeins, and finish by working the edging in a contrasting color.

It can easily be made smaller or larger depending on how much yarn you have. It can be made in any weight of yarn by changing the hook size to suit the yarn.

With fingering weight yarn and a size G hook, you’ll need 500 yards for the body and 67 yards for the border to make a blocked shawl that measured 76” neckline x 49.5” last row x 64” lower edge.

The 4 page pattern includes written instructions and crochet charts. You can find it in my Ravelry pattern store.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Twirlish scarf to knit

Twirlish is a scarf knit in the round in an easy diagonal lace pattern that begins and ends with a few rounds of ribbing. You can make it as short or long or as narrow or wide as you like with however much yarn you have. I’ll show you how to use up all of your yarn.

The pictured cowl was knit with 98 yards of Aran weight yarn (27” around x 5.5” tall) and the long scarf with 220 yards of yarn (54” around x 9” wide) using a size 9 (5.5 mm) circular knitting needle. It’s easy to adjust this pattern to use whatever weight of yarn you have in your stash by changing the knitting needles to suit the yarn and adjusting the number of stitches you cast on.

All proceeds from this pattern will be donated to the Mercy Corp.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Revolve - a scarf to crochet

Revolve is a long scarf that is worked in spiral rounds of crochet. It's a very easy scarf that whips up in no time. Working in the back loop gives a nice line look to the front of the scarf and a different texture to the other side. It is long enough to be wrapped around your neck twice of placed over your head as a hood. This is the type of pattern that you can use up every bit of yarn in your skein.

This long version of the scarf was made with about 350 yards of Caron Cakes in the Funfetti colorway. Any worsted weight or Aran weight yarn with a size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook. My finished scarf measures 70" around x 9" wide. You can get a narrower scarf out of 175-200 yards of yarn.

My testers liked this pattern so much that most of them made both sizes and were talking about making more for gifts.

Or make a small cowl type scarf with about 100-150 yards. I used 100 yards of Red Heart Gumdrop for this 26" around x 6" high cowl.

This scarf is easy to adapt to any weight of yarn by changing the hook size to suit your yarn and changing the number of stitches that you start with for a longer or shorter scarf/cowl.

The 3 page patterns features written instructions and a crochet chart. Instructions are given for joining to work in a spiral round (and not joined rounds). The pattern can be found in my Ravelry store.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Flaming Feathers Shawl to crochet - 1 skein wonder!

Check out my newest design!

Flaming Feathers Shawl is a crescent shaped shawl that is quick-to-hook with one 400 yard skein of sock yarn and a size G (4 mm) crochet hook. The pictured shawl was made from one skein of Sweet Georgia Cashluxe Fine in the evergreen colorway. Blocked, my shawl measured 60” neckline x 18” deep at center back.

I designed this as a challenge to see if I could get a decent sized shawl out of a 400 yards skein of sock yarn. :-) How many of us have this size skein of yarn sitting in our stash! It worked!

The shawl is very easy to make larger. Simply work the body until you use up 50% of your yarn before you begin the flame and feather border. If you have more yarn you can also make the body wider and the border deeper.

Use any weight of yarn you like by changing the hook size to suit your yarn. The size of your shawl depends on how many yards you have, the fiber you use, and how severely you block your shawl.

The pattern is featured in Yarn Crush’s Holiday Gift Box. You can read more about it and how to order a box on Ravelry. http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/yarn-crush/3516904/1-25#6 or here

Yarn Crush Holiday Box

The four page pattern includes line-by-line written instructions, crochet charts, and tips for making the shawl larger. The pattern can be found in my Ravelry pattern store.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Pleasant Hill Shawl to crochet

Pleasant Hill is my latest crochet design. I named it after the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill in Kentucky. Hubby and I visited there years ago and stayed overnight. I've always wanted to go back. It's a beautiful and peaceful place to visit if you are ever in the area.

This shawl can be worked as a half circle (see blue shawl below) or a 9 petal larger shawl (shown above courtesy of my tester Anita). It's worked from the top down. It is an asymmetric design that is fast to crochet and a little more challenging. The half circle shawl has 7 petals and 8 floral inserts at the edge. One of my testers told me that the flowers look like thistles. I have to agree!

The half circle shawl requires about 550 yards of fingering/sock weight yarn and a size G (4 mm) crochet hook. The 9 petal shawl uses about 650-700 yards of fingering/sock weight yarn. Finished the blocked size is about 58" along the neckline x 26" deep. The 9 petal is about the same size with a little more to wrap around your shoulders.

I like this design so much that I am making a circular version of this shawl with some lace weight yarn and size F crochet hook.

I would recommend using a solid color, a tone-on-tone yarn, or one with a long color run. This 7 page pattern includes written line-by-line instructions and two crochet charts. You can find it in my Ravelry pattern store.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Soaring Above - a shawl to crochet

Introducing my newest crochet design -- Soaring Above.

This big crescent shaped shawl is fast and easy to crochet. It looks stunning made up in mini skeins or a gradient yarn.

The body is an easy mesh stitch that can be made as wide as you like before adding the wide leaf/feather border. The border is 6 rows but can be shortened to 4 rows or made as long as you like by adding more rows.

I’d recommend 300-400 yards for the body and the same amount for the border (more for a deeper border).

My blue shawl used 400 yards for the body and 355 yards for the six row border. Blocked is measures 100” along the neckline x 23” deep at center back.

This five page pattern includes written instructions and crochet charts for the body and border. This pattern can be found in my Ravelry pattern store.


For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

On Top of the World 2 Shawl to crochet

On Top of the World 2 is a larger size of my On Top of the World shawl.

The pattern has so many changes from the original that I am offering it as a separate design. This version adds an additional row of diamonds, elongated leaf border with spacers between them for better blocking, and a modified edging. This design adds five rows to the length. The pattern includes three crochet charts instead of two.

The instructions are written for a 6 spoke shawl using 700 yards of fingering/sock weight yarn with a size G crochet hook.

Also included is a table that tells you how to modify the pattern to make a 4 spoke/half circle shawl (500 yards), slightly wider 5 spoke shawl (600 yards), larger 7 spoke shawl (800 yards), and an 8 spoke flat or circular version (900 yards). The pattern is eight pages long.

Blocked size: 58” neckline x 25” deep.

This 8 page pattern with full written instructions and three crochet charts can be found in my Ravelry pattern store.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Spiny Ridge Shawl to knit

Spiny Ridge Shawl is the cousin to my Lizard Tail Scarf. It uses the same techniques though the stitch count increases much faster to create a shawl instead of scarf. It makes a big, snuggly, warm shawl.

No pesky short rows! The curve of the shawl is formed by the increases.


The pictured shawl was knit with 530 yards of Noro Silk Garden with size 8 circular knitting needles. I blocked my shawl which gave me a shawl that measures 73” along the neckline x 29” deep at the deepest point. It is a big, snuggly warm shawl to wear.

You can make this shawl as big or small as you like. Block it or not. Or make it with a different weight of yarn using needles that go with that weight of yarn.

The 3 page pattern is available in my Ravelry pattern store.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Lizard Tail Scarf to knit

Got a skein of worsted or Aran weight yarn and nothing to use it for? Try out this fun and easy-to-knit scarf design in garter stitch.

There are no short rows in this design. Increases shape the scarf and the points. You’ll need 100 or more yards of yarn and size 8 knitting needles for this project.

I knit the pictured scarf with one skein of Crystal Palace Danube Aran. My finished scarf measures 28” along neckline edge x 10” wide at bind off end.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.