Elizabeth Zimmermann, the grande dame of knitting, sprang into existence clutching her knitting needles on August 9, 1910 (8/9/10!) What better way to celebrate than to knit a lace project based on EZ’s very own Pi Shawl?

Mwaa Knit

Designer Mwaa Knit created the EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl as a tribute to the lady that taught us to knit fearlessly – all the lace and pattern repeats are multiples of 8, 9, and 10, the numbers in EZ’s birthday.

You’ll need approximately 1300-1400 yards of laceweight or fingering weight yarn and US 6 – US 8 needles for knitting in the round – or substitute the yarn and needles of your choice, as EZ would tell you to do!

(Look for the new Prairie and Tosh Merino Light yarns from madelinetosh that should be arriving soon… we also have the new Miss Babs Yasmin, Neighborhood Fiber Co. Penthouse Silk Lace and Pagoda Lace, Malabrigo Lace, Cascade Alpaca Lace, and a whole wall full of fingering weight yarns to choose from.)

Come on out and knit some lace in space!

(Don’t fancy this pattern? The free Ravelry download also includes a Hearts & Vines For EZ version, and the designer is working on adding a THIRD version to the pattern in time for EZ’s birthday! Or knit the original EZ Pi Shawl from the book Knitter’s Almanac.)

Photo courtesy of Annie's Woolens

I know, the last thing you want to think about when it’s 100 degrees outside is holiday knitting, but it’s getting to be that time, my little chickadees! (Especially if you knit as slowly as I do…)

To help you get started on your holiday projects, we’re featuring ALL of the holiday stocking patterns from Annie’s Woolens free with purchase of yarn.

We recommend Stonehedge Fiber Mills’ Shepherds Worsted, Berroco Vintage, or any other worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn. (How about some gorgeous hand-dyed colors? Hmm.. I think I see a stocking in Miss Babs Yowza in my future… or maybe some Neighborhood Fiber Company… no wait, what about Madeline Tosh… )

Let it snow!

Sometimes (well most of the time) I want a simple yet gorgeous sock pattern. I had a hank of blackish sock yarn around the house that was just begging to be lace, but I didn’t want to get stuck with unfinished socks because of a complicated pattern. Thus, the Lazy Lace Sock was born.  The project uses 350-400 yards of heavy fingering weight yarn and US#1.5 needles. They are worked from the toe up and feature a short row heel. You can find the pattern in the “Free Patterns” sidebar on this page or download it here.

Dress up the child in your life with this adorable retro styled hat – a new free pattern from fibre space™. The pattern uses three colors of Blue Sky Skinny Dyed Cotton and Skinny Organic Cotton and can be worked up in a variety of color combinations. Find the pattern here and in our new “Free patterns” section in the sidebar of this page.

Maggie’s Beret

This simple hat was inspired by Maggie’s quest to replicate one of her favorite hats, purchased from a shop at the mall. We deconstructed the beret (which was originally worked flat) and came up with this quick and easy design! The pattern has an option for a more slouchy version. It is worked in Cascade 128, a superwash chunky weight wool and would work well in 105 yards of any chunky weight yarn.

This is a free pattern available here or in the shop with the purchase of yarn.

It will also be a class this Spring! If you want to learn to work in the round, increase and decrease, this is a great project for you. Stay tuned for our Spring class schedule, which is coming soon!