Author: Diana Poirier

First headband…

Diana Poirier

I just completed my first headband.

I’ve been seeing them around on Instagram and Pinterest and really wanted to make one.

However, every pattern I could find for double knit headbands were either knit in the round or seamed to make it double knit.

Well, I don’t care much for knitting in the round AND I don’t like sewing much so I found a stitch I could use to double knit on straight needles. And the only sewing I had to do was at the end to make the twist.

I’ve already had a couple of people ask for my pattern, so I’ll write it up and let you know when it’s done! 😁

Off to make another one!

Diana

Test knit…

Diana Poirier

I’m loving this “Into the Wind” scarf I’m test knitting for Ann at AEKknits.

The lacy pattern is just lovely.

It uses a lightweight yarn but with larger needles to really play up the laciness. (is that even a word? LOL!)

The pattern is going to be released mid November!

You’ll definitely need to get a copy!

I hope everyone has been busy knitting! I’ve started my Christmas knitting. Have you?

Diana

First sweater in the books…

Diana Poirier

So everyone, I’ve completed my very first sweater!😁

Please excuse all the dust on the mirror!! I didn’t notice it until after I had taken the picture! LOL!!

I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. The sweater is knit flat in one piece and then seamed up. My kind of knitting!! 😆

I thought initially it was going to be too short, but I think I like the length now that I’m able to try it on.

However, the neck is very wide so it does tend to slide off the shoulder. For my next sweater (because I love the pattern and the style is SO ME!), I’m not going to make the neck so deep.

What I decided to do with this sweater, is buy ribbon that matches the darkest colour and sew 2 pieces to the top of the neckline on the back so I can tie it up and let the ribbon hang! I think it will make the sweater look pretty AND it will keep it from falling off!!

I found this pattern in an older knitting book by Margaret Hubert.

I used US size 8 needles and 4 balls of Caron Simply Soft Speckled yarn I purchased at yarncanada.ca.

Well, off to alter the pattern a bit to fix the neckline issue and then try to decide what colour my next sweater will be.

Happy knitting!

Diana

Hip to be Square Blanket…

Diana Poirier

So here’s the blanket that I made from all that cushy Bernat Softee Chunky yarn I bought from yarncanada.ca!

A lot of people were asking for the pattern so I have written it out below:

You will need 9.5 balls of Bernat Softee Chunky and US size 11 circular needles (to hold the stitches)

Cast on 100 stitches then K10, P10 across the row for 10 rows. After 10 rows, change to P10, K10 across the row.

Continue alternating between K10, P10 for 10 rows then P10, K10 for 10 rows until you’ve completed 22 squares.

Cast off in pattern.

The finished blanket is about 44″ x 55″

I hope you give this blanket a try.

I really love it and it’s my go to pattern for blankets these days!

Happy knitting!

Diana

Happy mail…

Diana Poirier

This box of cushiness just arrived! 😀

Bernat Softee Chunky

I’m going to turn it into a blanket for my friend for her cottage. To help keep her warm during the chilly Fall evenings that are just around the corner!

Thanks yarncanada.ca for the speedy delivery!

Diana

Modern slippers…

Diana Poirier

Well these certainly aren’t your Gramma’s slippers! LOL!! These ones are simple and sleek and easy to knit!

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They are knit flat in one piece then sewn together.

Here’s the pattern for them if you want to make a pair, or 3 😉 for yourself. They will fit most average adult feet. To make them larger or smaller, either increase or decrease your stitches by 5.

MATERIALS:

US size 9 straight needles

About 70 yards of chunky weight yarn for BOTH slippers (about 32-35 yards for one).

DIRECTIONS:

Cast on 30 stitches. (If you want, you could knit 2 at one time!)

Knit 22 rows.

Cast off 12 stitches then knit the remaining 17 stitches on your left needle (there will be 1 stitch on your right needle).

Knit 12 rows.

On your next row, knit your 18 stitches then cast on 12 stitches using the single cast on method.

Knit 21 rows.

Cast off.

Working inside out, using a piece of yarn about 24″ long, thread a darning needle, tie the end, pick up all the stitches on the toe of the slipper and gather it together loosely. Then seam the toe, bottom and heel. Turn right side out, and they’re ready to wear! 😀

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I used Red Heart Soft Essential yarns for my slippers.

Well I hope you get a chance to make a pair! They’re the perfect quick project and great great for using up your scrap yarn!

Happy knitting!

Diana

 

Baby blanket #6…

Diana Poirier

Hey everyone!

So I’ve completed baby blanket number 6!

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I’ve decided to give the baby blanket making a bit of a break (it will be hard as I LOVE making baby blankets), but I’ve been making SO many of them lately!

This one was made with the super soft Red Heart Soft Essentials yarn – 2 balls of each colour. It’s one of my absolute favourite yarns for baby blanket making.

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I saw this pattern on Pinterest and decided to give it a try. Adding a border would have been better as the edges really curled because it’s mostly a stockinette stitch. I should have known this would happen but wasn’t thinking ahead I guess. I’m going to leave it as it is though because it gives the blanket  some character. 😉

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So, off to start a new project! LOL!

I think I’ll make some cushion covers. I haven’t done that in a while!

Happy knitting.

Diana

 

Wow, wow, wow…

Diana Poirier

Hello everyone.

I can’t believe my “Hillside Baby Blanket” pattern has been downloaded almost 4900 times so far since it was published just a couple of weeks ago! 😁

Thank you everyone for such an amazing response and to lovecrafts.com for featuring it on their social media platforms! I really hope you love knitting it as much as I did.

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You can download it over on lovecrafts.com or from my FREE PATTERNS page here on my website.

Happy knitting!

Diana

LoveCrafts.com discount code…

Diana Poirier

Hello everyone.

LoveCrafts.com is celebrating Indie designers for the whole month of June.

And since I’m an Indie designer, they provided me with a discount code for you all to use. 😀

When you purchase a pattern from an independent designer, you receive 10% off the purchase of your yarn and any other supplies in your basket!

Here’s the code you enter when you check out:

PEARTREEKNIT10

And here are the terms and conditions for using the code:

  • 1 use per customer
  • You must be logged in to the LoveCrafts website
  • Minimum $10 spend
  • Must be purchasing at least one paid pattern from an independent designer, 10% will be deducted from all other physical products in your basket (that aren’t excluded).
  • Excludes: sale items, gift cards, DMC stranded cotton and die cutting machines, Indie patterns. 

So head on over to LoveCrafts.com and get shopping!

Diana