Happy Blogiversary to me! Seven years ago today I started this blog. I’ve done 548 posts, and had 7626 comments in the past 7 years. I’ve met a bunch of really interesting people through my blog, and “met” a lot more virtually online. You all have stuck with me through silly knitting mistakes, goofy whiskey-related incidents, and one big accident that put me out of commission both for knitting and work for 3 months. You’ve cheered me on during bad work weeks, during a stressful job move, and encouraged me to be a better knitter/spinner, just so I wouldn’t have to show photos of crap here. I think I’ve become a better writer and photographer because of the blog, though I have a lot to learn still about both.
In honor of all of you, I’m having a contest! I have two things from my stash that I’m giving away. Here’s what you’ll play for, if you decide to participate:
The first is a sweater’s worth of Phildar Aviso that’s been aging in the stash long enough. It’s a cotton acrylic blend, and is a true crayon red. It is a heavy worsted weight, and there are 888 yards of it, enough for a short sleeved sweater (or something for a child!). I really like this stuff, but I tend to buy a lot of red yarn, and I have yarn in the stash for at least four more red sweaters.
Lewey approves, but wants to point out that he’s not included. Here’s a photo without the Corgi.
The second prize is two skeins of sock yarn. These are both from Three Irish Girls, and are two from her Sock Yarnista yarn club.
The one on the top is her Finley fingering superwash merino, color Seacoast. The bottom one is Beckon merino, a light sport weight, color Arboretum.
As usual, all yarn from this house comes with plenty of free dog and cat hair, though it mostly is stored out of their reach. There is no smoking allowed in my house, if that’s a concern.
How do you enter to win one of those prizes? Very simple: just comment, one comment per person, and tell me what your favorite knitting pattern is. I want to hear about sweaters, hats, mittens, whatever strikes your fancy. It can be something you’ve knit many times, or something you really want to make but haven’t gotten to yet.
Contest starts as of now, and I’ll pick 2 winners using a random number generator. Let’s say you have until Tuesday night, the 29th, at midnight Pacific time. After that, I’ll choose a winner! Good luck, and thank you all for 7 great years!
Happy Blogiversary!
My very favorite knitting pattern isn’t an actual pattern; it’s simply my go-to sock formula. I know exactly how many stitches to cast on, how long to make the leg, and how to form the heel so that it fits my own foot perfectly. I’ve made so many plain vanilla (stockinette) socks that I know my formula by heart. I’ve made lots of other, fancier socks (cables, lace, ribbing), but nothing quite beats a plain old stockinette sock (especially when you’re stuck somewhere with nothing else to do).
My favorite pattern is EZ’s Baby Surprise Jacket. I’m amazed every time I knit it at how it goes together in such a magical way. Every new Mom loves to receive one.
I have several favorites but the most recent one I knit was Beatnik from Knitty Deep Fall 2010. I knit it for my sister and there was always something interesting coming up. Of course, the sleeves made me crazy (so much seed stitch!) but it all went together so well that I think I’ll make another for my other sister. And I very, very rarely repeat a pattern!
seven years? I’d have to go back and look (if I even still have the emails!) to see when I first emailed you – but I was in med school and so grateful for your kindness.
My favorite go-to pattern has been one for generic seamless, top-down raglan sweater. I’ve got a whole lot of babies to knit for, and it makes for a great pick-up/put-down project.
Happy blogiversary!!!
My favorite knitting pattern(s)…. Nutkin socks and Rogue. 🙂
I’m not entering the contest – just stopping by to wish you a happy blogiversary!
Not entering the contest either since Lewey isn’t part of the package! Happy Blogiversary.
Happy Blogoversary. My favorite pattern is usually the one (or 3) I’m working on at the moment since I don’t think I’ve knit the same pattern twice. Right now it’s the Summer Shawlette that came across Knitting Daily at some point — no idea when because I lost the yarn and the pattern for ~2 years until I happened upon then again last month!
Cheers from another Knitting Doctor!
Happy Blogiversary!!! My favorite pattern at the moment is The Tree of Life afghan because that is what I am currently working on. Again, Happy Blogiversary love your blog.
Congratulations on 7 years! Not sure if it’s my favorite pattern, but certainly the one I use the most is plain ribbed socks.
I won yarn in your last contest, so count me out of the yarny goodness, but congratulations!! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you over the years. 🙂
Congratulations on 7 years. My favourite pattern at the moment is toe-up socks from with short row toes and heels. I’ve moved from ribbed socks (a la “Simply Socks” by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts) to patterned ones. I’ll sort through my pattern books until I find one that catches my eye and go from there.
Grace
Happy Blogiversary! I don’t need a prize either. Unless, as Debbie says, the prize is Lewey. My favorite pattern is often what I am working on – unless, as sometimes happens, I hate it. I have a pattern for gloves designed by Nancy Bush that I have knitted many times, and my plain vanilla sock pattern is a frequent flier. Here’s to many more years of blogging!
Congratulations! I’m so glad your blog gave me the opportunity to meet you, John, Lewey & Riley. Seeing as we’re up one Corgi at the moment, I don’t mind that Lewey is not part of the giveaway (but I would take the yarn!). My favorite pattern is usually the shawl I’m working on at the moment, but If I had to pick one I’ve finished, it would have to be Evenstar. And I gave it away.
My absolute favorite project is the Summer Flies scarf by Holly and Ella Knits. So pretty! I love reading your blog. Congratulation on 7 years!
Happy blogiversary! Don’t enter me for any yarn giveaways – I’ve lost my knitting mojo. Just wanted to say: love to read your blog, and wishing you many more years of good knitting & good cheer!
Congratulations on seven years! I started following your blog a few months before you injured your hand, so just a few months after you started.
My favorite pattern is the baby cardigan pattern from Debbie Bliss’ Essential Babies. Such a fun, quick knit and a nice gift!
Congratulations on 7 years! That’s a major milestone in anyone’s book, esp. mine. (7 is the perfect number, ya know…)
My favorite pattern is the Palindrome scarf. It was the pattern I used to learn to knit cables and remains my go-to pattern for quick gifts at Christmas/wintertime.
Happy blogaversary. Thank you for all your experiences and sharing your knitting and personal life. My favorite pattern and go to baby sweater is Baby Kina. Rosemary
My favorite pattern to knit is the old-school Kittyville hat–it’s a great, simple beanie with cat ears, what’s not to like? I’ve made one in probably every color ever, in many different yarns, for all my friends, coworkers, family…it’s a very versatile pattern and perfect for a cat-lover like me!
Happy 7th Blogiversary! Congratulations. I should tell you that my favorite pattern is the Faery Ring… but you know that wouldn’t be true. I have a soft spot for the Wonderful Wallaby – ever so useful, fun, and NO SEWING. What could be better?
Here’s to many more years of blogging, knitting, adventures, travel and friendship.
Happy blogiversary! It’s a long long run. (Don’t include me in the yarn draw, have yarn diet going on.) Favorite pattern….a mitten kit from Blackberry Ridge called Bosnian mittens.
Congratulations! My favorite pattern is Annis by Susanna IC, from Knitty.
Happy 7 years!! Thanks for sharing with us I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog. Please don’t include me in the contest as I’ve got plenty of yarn myself. I wouldn’t be able to give you just one pattern that would be my favorite anyway. There are soooo many great patterns out there.
It has been great reading your blog over the last year or so, that is when I found it, congrats and keep growning
It has been great reading your blog over the last year or so, that is when I found it, congrats and keep growing, Favorite patterns are based on EZ’s percentage with my guage.
I don’t know for sure if I have a favorite pattern. I guess what makes me want to knit something is the yarn I am using, hand spun is the best. I would put the Shetland Triangle and the Pi Shawl as the two I enjoyed knitting the most.
happy blog-a-versary!
I don’t have a fav. pattern but…I do like to knit scarves. They’re fast and easy and I can incorporate so many different stitch combos, it keeps the creativity cook’n. I donate my scarves to my local womans shelter.
Happy 7th Blogaversary! Hope you will have many more tales to tell but hopefully not another accident – I have a similar story involving a bagel and a serrated bread knife but not as bad as yours. My damage was cut nerves but 1 1/2 years later it looks fine but feels weird sometimes. Definitely go for the unbreakable glasses! Wish Lewey were part of the deal LOL. Corgis are great little dogs. Take care.
Happy 7th Blogaversary! Hope you will have many more tales to tell but hopefully not another accident – I have a similar story involving a bagel and a serrated bread knife but not as bad as yours. My damage was cut nerves but 1 1/2 years later it looks fine but feels weird sometimes. Definitely go for the unbreakable glasses! Wish Lewey were part of the deal LOL. Corgis are great little dogs. My favourite pattern is the CPH (Central Park Hoodie) – it is so versatile. Take care.
Sorry for double post – I screwed up and forgot to put pattern name in post. Need coffee! LOL
Happy Blogiversary and Congratulations!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog for at least the last 4 1/2 years or so – since before I started mine. I’m not sure how I found it, but I am very glad that I did.
I don’t really have a favorite pattern. I love knitting socks, and I’ve used my own plain vanilla format, top down with the picot edging the most. Looking back at projects I really enjoyed knitting were February Lady Sweater, February Baby Sweater on Two Needles (although I used circulars), Monkey Socks and Lucy Neatby’s Mermaid Socks.
I just like to knit.
Happy seventh- hope you don’t get ‘the itch’! I don’t have a favorite- I love to browse patterns to find the new and exciting, and I’ve enjoyed almost everything I’ve ever knit. I am sort of stuck on t-shirt shaped sweaters at the moment, possibly from scouring patterns appropriate for my teenie bopper nieces. This is one I’m leaning towards…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eastlake
Thank you for your 7!! My favorite knitting pattern isn’t hard at all, but very functional: the COWL I just made! …and the only reason I read is because I’m a fan of the Purebreed brown dog, the corgi, the orange cat, the black cat…and THE BEAR YOU TAKE TO WONDERFUL PLACES!!! ..and love your follies and knitting and gadgets you find, too 😉
Happy 7th blogaversary. My current favourite hat pattern is the Brambles Beret from the Knitty 2010. I have made this hat 5 times in the past 4 months
Happy 7th Blogiversary!! I’ve only been reading your blog for a few years, but it’s the first one I go to daily. Thanks for all the fun!
Favorite knitting pattern? Good question. I’d say it’s a cable & seed stitch afghan made from big chunky yarn that I’ve made for my adult kids. So warm & comfy-they get a ‘hug’ from me every time they wrap themselves in it.
Happy Blogiversary! I have not been here reading your blog since the beginning, but I have enjoyed it from when I found it about 2 to 3 yrs. ago. My favorite knitting pattern is the Corrugator Scarf pattern which I found on the blog “Now Norma Knits” – although I don’t know that she created the pattern. I’m due to become a grandmother for the first time this summer, and that red yarn would be perfect for a sweater for the little guy! If I win the sock yarn, I’ll make something for myself! Pick me, Pick me!! Wishing you many more years of blogging!
Happy Blogiversary! I have been reading your blog for a long time, I really enjoy it! My favorite pattern is the Wonderful Wallaby by Carol Anderson. Actually I love all her patterns! I also love to knit lace shawls. Wish there was more time to do it all. I love the sock yarn it looks yummy. Here’s to many more years of blogging! 🙂
7 years is quite a milestone! Congrats. My favorite is Wing of the Moth Shawl. I’ve made the scarf version but really want to knit the shawl version. It may be next up on the needles.
My favorite pattern is the Wonderful Wallaby since you can make one for everyone!!!
Wow 7 years, congrats!
I have a ton of favorite patterns but right now its got to be sock patterns and particularly Wendy Johnsons Diagonal Lace which I am 9/10 of the way through. Thanks for the contest!
You are one of the first Blogs I started following after finding you in a magazine? As a new knitter needing inspiration and fun. I have been knitting easy projects to get my self up to speed – French Press Slippers :^)
Congratulations! I hve beenreading your blog for about the last 4 years, and enjoy it immmensely. I Love all of your travel pictures and all the glasses of wine. Knitting and wine a lovely combination. My new favorite patten is the very simple Nina Shawl out of the first Mason Dixon book. The color/yarn weights are endless.
“Lewey not included.” FUNNY!
My favorite pattern is a sock pattern. I have several books with patterns. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the courage to knit a pair of socks yet, but that is my New Year’s Resolution.
Happy Blogiversary to you and aren’t we lucky that you choose to write this blog for us.
Happy Blogiversary!
My favorite knit item (and I probably will not knit it again) is the Baby Owl & Bonnet pattern by Penny Straker. That was my mother’s baby gift to all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren will she could knit. I made two (one for sister’s 2nd grandchild and one for my own future grandchild). Love the way they look!
How interesting to check out everyone’s favorite patterns. I am slowly knitting a Pi shawl and it is so much fun, much more so than I would have guessed. I love hats of all types and hope to knit Ripley by Ysolda soon. And I love Helene Rush’s sweaters – very wearable.
Happy 7 years!
Happy Blogiversary!!! I’ve been doing mine for 4 years and have shared many things as you have.
I love knitting “Miette”. Have done 3 of these cropped cardigan’s and now 2 DILS and 1 step-daughter have put in requests for this. It is such a fun and easy knit up and it knits up in no time. I can see “the red yarn” as a “Miette”. Additionally, it is so flattering on just about any body type but especially flattering on curvy body styles.
Congratulations.
Congratulations! That’s a long time to be blogging. I’ve been reading it for 3 or 4 years, and I enjoy it. Thanks for keeping it up.
My favorite pattern is a roll-neck long-sleeve pullover with cables–the perfect Saturday sweater–called Bramble Berry. Designer is JoLene Treace and it is available in both sport weight and worsted weight patterns. I got mine from Black Water Abbey.
I enjoy your blog. Cheers to you on your blogiversary.
The pattern I knit most is Spring Forward Socks from Knitty.com. They offer a lot of interest in an easy pattern repeat.