Free--Micheline, aka Michael

I've been playing with brioche stitch. Before you say "So what?" let me tell you my history with brioche.



My friend, Michael G., who took quite a few classes from me as he began his knitting career said--"Oh, I love the look of this two color brioche hat I found in this great new book of patterns, but I can't figure it out. --blah--blah--blah Wish you'd teach a class--blah--blah--blah.

Okay, I bought the ^&(^*(%^&% book. (Can you see where this is headed?) Tried the pattern--didn't work out--spent hours trying to figure it out--no help online--determined I could conquer this--worked, cussed, worked some more--Got it!!!

Offered the class and NO ONE, especially Michael, signed up. Forgive him? Hell, no! I will harass him forever about this. If you knew Michael, you'd know how much fun that can be.

RESOLVED: Never knit brioche stitch again.

Years pass. Fisherman Rib, a cousin to brioche, becomes a hot new stitch pattern. I get an itch to knit the two colored brioche--a cowl scarf.

Research. Eureka!!! I find Nancy Marchant's website.

She is the queen of brioche and has enough tutorials online to keep me busy for years. I-love-this-stitch. (Earlier resolution is null and void. Again, words are eaten.) Brioche is fast, fun, and the fabric is cushy and bouncy (kind of like me). I made three cowl collars.

Here is what I learned.
1. Start with two colors. It is so much easier to see what you are doing.

2. Needle size determines if the pattern is crisp (standard size needle for the yarn)


or slouchy (go up 2 or 3 needle sizes).

Both work well.

3. You only need about 75 yards of each color.---STASH BUSTER! Here's how I did it!

To knit this project, go to my website.

New Sock Pattern

I have finished the Herbal Socks and finally written the pattern. It is downloadable at my site. The St. John's Wort pattern stitch looks very nice with handpaints that have very small repeats. One new wrinkle I tried with this pattern was to knit my gusset sts in a twisted rib. This firmed the gusset nicely and I plan to use this again.


I really like this Opal Rainforest sock yarn. The thicker stripes combined with the tweedy effect is rich looking. I'm never disappointed in Opal yarn.

Enjoy the pattern and please email me if you have any problems with it.

New Pattern on New Website

I've bought my own domain. It's called JP Knits. It is mainly to host my patterns and announce my classes. I am still planning to blog here. I have more control over this site than I have yet at my domain. Some learning to do.
Thanks to lindaann, the other site is doing nicely. Except turtlegirl76 has had it with my crummy pictures. She's volunteered to take some of CookieA quality for my patterns.

One Piece Baby Sweater
written for the new knitter

I've just put up this new pattern, especially written for the new knitter. Lots of fail safe st counts included. Gauge isn't really too critical. It's all garter stitch and has an optional collar that is so cute. I'll add that pic when I find it.

New Sock Pattern--Chicken Feet

I have FINALLY posted a new sock pattern for you. This is called Chicken Feet. It is similar to Bird Walking, but I changed the pattern some and used a contrasting color. This is easy colorwork. You only use one yarn at a time and you don't have to cut them. Try a swatch of the cuff pattern if you have doubt. I think this is my best sock ever; I just wish my photos did it justice.

Look at the pattern on the heel. Here you do carry both yarns at the same time, but there are no floats to worry about. Actually the use of two yarns strengthens the heel.

Please enjoy! And let me know how you like it. Use the entire pattern or just a part. I guarantee your handpaint yarns will look good in this pattern. No pooling.

Now my DH can finally wear his new socks. He has become quite a dude. A few more pair and we might even see bright colors. Warning! Wool socks are addictive. Wear them once, wear them forever.

Now to stop knitting and paint the doggone living room. Ugh!

A Million Apologies

I have just discovered that a number of you have been unable to reach my free patterns due to my tiny geocities account. I am so sorry. You need to complain so I will know.

I have upgraded my site and the patterns are now available. Please forgive. More patterns coming soon.

New Free Pattern

When my first grandson was born, we only had 24 hours notice of his existence until my daughter picked him up at the local hospital. Yes, he is adopted. She had called me the day before he was born to tell me a doctor had called and offered them the opportunity to bring him into our family. As I left town the day after his birth, I realized I had no baby yarn. There is a Michaels between my house and I-85. Quick stop, several balls of acrylic, no patterns, head to meet the son and heir.

The Newborn Sweater Vest was one of the sweaters I created for him out of my head during the few days I was with them. Erica took him to a shower the next week and he wore it with the Z, his first initial, embroidered large and proud. The other mothers had a fit over it, especially how easy it was to get on and off. I've knit a few of these over the years, and I decided it was time to share the pattern. It takes very little yarn--about 50 grams, I think. I used ribbons on some and just chained some ties for others.

Check out the link in the free patterns section of the sidebar. Let me know if you have any questions.