Handknit Harmonies

It is probably not possible for a knitter to not know of the acclaimed Sophie Scarf knitting pattern by Petite Knits; but just in case this pattern has managed to evade you, I’m happy to share my own knitted collection and pattern review.

First, let me point out an interesting truth about this phenomenon of a knitting pattern. It is more pleasantly popular than it is crazily criticized.

This pattern has easily engrossed me. It has officially become one of my favorite accessories to knit. I think it’s easy to see why. The design is effortlessly chic, minimal yet refined, with a structure that looks polished whether you’re dressed up or casual. It’s the kind of accessory that instantly elevates an outfit.

My daughter in this photo loves wearing her Sophie with a dress.

If you’re a new knitter still getting the hang of pattern reading, ‘Sophie’ is one that is extremely easy to follow. You count. ✅ You knit garter stitch. ✅ You’ve at this point learned basic increases and decreases.✅

For yarn, I recommend sticking with the pattern-suggested dk cashmere or the silkiest merino you can find.

The pattern will work well with other yarns too, but cashmere brings out the full elegance of ‘Sophie.’

Here is a throwback of a top that I knitted twice about 3-4 years ago. I recently took a new picture wearing it, but due to a few mistakes, this top still does not look right when I wear it, which is why my pictures are intentionally cropped. Because, what I’m not going to do is embarrass myself. Just kidding. I’m not really embarrassed.

Actually to this day, I still love how I worked the neckline and the lace shoulder caplets. They’re a bit different, one with cables and garter hem and one with ribbed hem without cables.

Both times, this was a solo-project. Whenever I knit without skipping days, I complete a garment within the normal 4 to 6 weeks range.

What is really wrong with this project is , something I’m definitely better at now, which is the yarn selection and needle choice. I didn’t follow the pattern suggestions. 😬

Now that I’m back into a knitting flow, which comes in waves and then dissipates, I have purchased the correct yarn for this project. I will knit it again but make no promises to myself about when.

This pattern is called ‘Stevie’ by Debbie Bliss.

The yarn used (both times) is I Love This Cotton 4 medium; whereas the pattern suggests light DK. The needle sizes are 3.5 to 4.0. I used bigger needles, 4.5 for to 5.5.

Knitting the same garment twice has turned me into a more skillful knitter. Frogged in its entirety, then re-knitted only to be frogged again, this is my final Soldotna, a popular knitting pattern by knitwear designer Caitlin Hunter. Search through the Instagram #Soldotna tag to see all of the different versions. This sweater is cute in every color on everyone. Many knitters unite in excitement over this beautiful pattern.

My experience however, was a mixture of failure and frustration; but still a really fun ordeal overall. Frogging and preserving yarn is another time consuming skill all by itself. Some of us have learned that the hard way. And since the yarn for this project was purchased from an indie dyer at a yarn festival, I saw 🤑 money that I refused to let go to waste (as I faced temptation to abandon the project altogether).

I’m glad I got over it! And instead of hating the frogging task, I played music, and enjoyed a cappuccino while meticulously unraveling each section, stitch by stitch, moment by moment.

Usually, I’m not in a hurry to finish my knitting projects anyway. I like to think that I’m mostly patient. That’s part of the reason why I hardly ever have any finished objects to post. The WIPs are perpetually on my needles. 💁🏽‍♀️🤭

So, here’s what happened. I knitted following the pattern exactly. After binding off the last stitch, I immediately tried it on and to my horror, the neckline collar *did not* fit over my head. 😤 I was seriously in shock. The neckline was super high and i just could not squeeze it over my forehead. Fretfully, I frogged the neckline only, knitting it upwards (it’s a top down pattern). Finished it again, and again, it didn’t fit.

This time, I frogged it entirely. Then, I knitted the entire pattern again casting on more stitches for the neckline and followed alternative short row shaping instructions. Finished the entire piece, tried it on, and the sleeves were too short, almost to the point of looking sleeveless. Lots of heavy sighing. Come. On.

Then, ha. Another idea, because there was no way I was going to frog it again. With the fully finished object still intact, I frogged the sleeves only, 😀 and re-knitted them to finally end up with something that looks right.

Now, I have a sweater that actually fits over my head, fits me, reflects my skill for pattern adjusting, and carries a whole story in every section.

This wasn’t the breeze through knitting I thought it would be. It was a process. A little messy, a little humbling, but also, finally very satisfying.

Behind the scenes:

Why Babies Need Warm Feet 🦶🏼

Babies lose body heat faster than adults, especially through their heads, hands, and feet. Their little circulatory systems are still learning to regulate temperature, which means their feet can easily become cool to the touch.

Cold feet can make a baby fussy, restless, or even disrupt sleep. When their feet are snug and warm, babies tend to settle better, rest more deeply, and stay more comfortable overall.

That’s why soft, breathable booties made from natural fibers like wool or cotton are perfect. They help maintain warmth without overheating.

If you’d like to knit a pair, you are welcome to test knit my pattern. Send a request here.

Cozy Baby Footies By: Keisha. Samples are knitted in blush pink Eddie Bauer Cotton and ‘I Love This Cotton’ yarn in ivory. Two sizes: 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months.

Girlhood Gloria| Socks Knitting Pattern

This pattern is designed to be a fun challenge for beginners but also satisfying for knitters of all levels.

Knitted with fingering sock weight hand-dyed merino and nylon blended yarn.

Designed by @ Keisha.Knits IG 🔗

It’s nightmarish having to unravel so much progress. It’s also a huge relief to reset and start again. The designing process is never perfect, but it is wholly enjoyable. Every moment invested is worth the dedication. I first think, I love this. I hope other people love it too.

🚧 ‘Gloria Shawl’ is almost ready for her debut.

She has been harmoniously designed and crafted. She has a flow of stitch patterns that form a melody.

What better way is there to get back into a flow of knitting and celebrate the last day of Knitter’s Socktober, than knitting the ‘Valedictorian Socks’ knitting pattern.

Lace Mohair held double with fingering yarn made the socks perfectly light, fluffy and fuzzy.

Happy Fall Knitting

Well, hello there! And thank you!!

I am usually very slow to finish knitting projects because I don’t knit daily. If I could, I would. However, the breaks are sweet; because it makes me that much more excited to get back to knitting.

When I am on a good knitting schedule the time it takes me to complete a project depends on the size of the project and the techniques of the project.

Sweaters, tops and shawls take me 4 weeks.

Socks are 3 days per sock. I knit a pair within 6 days.

Hats, men’s neckties & smaller accessories take about 3 to 7 days.

Other items, like oven mittens or potholders, tea cozies, Christmas ornaments, small dolls etc… I mostly knit to completion in one session.

My Sophie Scarves. Knitting Pattern is by PetiteKnit.

For many reasons, this is a perfect pattern for absolute beginners to knit. It’s entirely garter stitch. It helps new knitters become repetitiously comfortable and familiar with doing increases and decreases. It’s a beautiful knitted accessory for a beginner to confidently refine that can be worn stylishly with ‘maker’s pride.’

For veteran knitters, of whom I’ve noticed also really love this pattern, myself included, it is simply fun, and very mentally soothing. We know we can knit them quickly and in all of our favorite colors. It’s a one-skein stash-buster. It’s also the perfect go-to for a gift-knit, especially a requested one. If you’re not a knitter, but you want to make a request to one, ask for a Sophie scarf! You can’t go wrong with this, unlike a sweater.

Knitting Patterns: By Keisha Knits

Cutesy Coasters | Free Knitting Patterns

Yarn: 

Scheepjes Terrazzo Felted Tweed, Recycled DK

Knitting Needles: 

4mm

(Optional) Darning Needle

Skills:

Knit

Purl

Fair Isle or (Optional) Duplicate Stitch

Woven Rib (Pink Coaster)

Cast on 26 stitches.

Row 1: *K1, p1* rep* to the end.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Next Row (Woven Rib Section)

Row 1: (Right Side) Knit all

Row 2: (Wrong Side) Purl all

Rows 3 - 4: As rows 1 & 2

Row 5: K1, *K3, P6, K3* rep* to last st, k1.

Row 6: Work each stitch in the manner that it presents.

Row 7: K1, *K3, P6, K3* rep* to last st, k1.

Row 8: As row 6.

Repeat rows 1 - 8 (to a total of 24 rows)

Next Row

Row 1: *K1, p1* rep* to the end.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Bind Off. Weave ends. Steam to block.

Heart Coaster

Cast on 26 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1* rep* to the end of the row.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end of the row.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2

Next row (RS): K1, p1, k1, p1, knit to last 4 stitches, k1, p1, k1, p1.

Next row (WS): P1, k1, p1, k1, purl to last 4 sts, p1, k1, p1, k1.

Repeat these 2 rows  22 times ( total of 24 rows)

Then, repeat the beginning of the pattern.

Next row as 

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1* rep* to the end of the row.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end of the row.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Bind off. Weave ends. Steam to Block..  

Note:  This chart can be followed for the heart graphic as either intarsia or afterwards as duplicate stitch a.k.a embroidery.  

Here are a few one-skein knitting projects to do that are highly likely to bring you satisfaction especially if you want to do a stash dive and use up some yarn in your collection.

Lately, Sophie Scarves have been my take-along knitting since all of my other current WIPs require focus. And actually, Sophies aren’t completely mindless. I have totally been increasing on either side instead of the same side. So, with the third cast on, I have a marker to at least warn me, hehe. But the wrongly knitted finished object (light grey) still looks alright to me. I’m hoping the stitches look better after I block them.

One more thing, with the purple one I’ve started, I’m doing different increasing/decreasing techniques that are already making it look better. I’ve come to learn that, through much practice, my knitting looks more refined with certain techniques depending on the kind of yarn and needles I am using. It’ll be fun comparing the differences when I’m done.

One Skein Knitting Projects

Remember these ideas for the next time you peruse your yarn stash wondering what to do with it all.

• Hats

• Cowls

• Infinity Scarves

• Mittens

• Low-calf or Ankle Socks

• Boot Toppers

• Headbands

• Neckties

• Baby Accessories

My Sophie Scarves; one completed, two in progress.

Update:

I frogged my previous two Sophie Scarf WIPs and restarted two. I found bamboo linen cotton (jade) and pima silk cotton yarn (cranberry) in my stash 😀 in colors I love. And I remembered that the silky cotton feels better on my skin.

Meanwhile, I’m searching for a “cotton candy blue” cashmere silk skein for my daughter.

She requested “cotton candy blue.”

I don’t know what cotton candy blue specifically looks like but it sounds adorable.

These are the core basics to get you started:

1. Cast on

2. Knit.

3. Bind off.

I’ve made this short video demonstration as a quick crash course for absolute beginners.

The ‘Long Tail Cast On’ is the method demonstrated in the video. Cast on as many stitches desired. Continue practicing knitting as many rows as desired before binding off. The more knitting practice, the better you’ll develop comfortable muscle memory, tension, and coordination.

When knitting, always wrap the yarn to land between the right and left needle. Remember to always feed the yarn from the yarn ball (not from the leftover tail end that’s meant to be woven in later).

Credits

Music: ‘Mesmerized’ by Brian O’Neal

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

Needles: Knitter’s Pride 4.5 mm