Toby Roxane Barna - Easy Knits for Beautiful Yarns: 21 Shawls, Hats, Sweaters & More Designed to Showcase Special Yarns

T his book would not exist without the support and hard work of several people. First and foremost, Id like to thank my mom, Leslie Feierstone-Barna, for her constant championing, late-night pep talks, unconditional support, and sample knitting. Thank you also to my dad, Dennis Barna, not just for feeding me home-cooked food but also for raising me to see the world as an artist and to treat all of my endeavors as art.

For this book, I had another opportunity to work with my very favorite knitwear photographer, Gale Zucker. Without her incredible eye, this book would not be what it is. The adorable Randi Nicole Jean, who is not just a model but also an accomplished violinist and IT specialist(!!), modeled several of the patterns.

The photographs for the tutorials were taken by my intrepid boyfriend, Chad Ferber.

Lastly, a huge thank you to my BKFF (best knitting friend forever), Amanda Hinski, for sharing my enthusiasm about new projects and for always responding with Absolutely! when I say, I can get this done by Monday, right?

This easy cowl knits up quickly in a bulky yarn; it also makes a great last-minute gift! Using one skein of each color, its a great opportunity to have fun choosing coordinating colors, along with some great statement buttons.

Pro tip: If you want the stripes to really stand out, make sure to choose two colors that are very different from each other. If you choose two colors that are similarfor example, a variegated plus a semi-solid that appears in the variegatedyou wont see the stripes as much. Instead, it will appear almost as one color.

YARN: Toby Roxane Designs Cozy Bulky (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon; 76 yd./69 m per 3.5 oz./100 g)

Technicolor Dream: 1 skein for Color A

African Violet: 1 skein for Color B

NEEDLES: Size US 15/10 mm circular needle, 24 in./60 cm or longer

NOTIONS: 2 large buttons (12 in./4450 mm)

9 sts and 24 rows = 4 in./10 cm over garter stitch

Circumference (buttoned): 42 in./107 cm

Height: 5 in./12.5 cm

Yarn over increases

K2tog decreases

Using Color A, CO 100 sts.

STRIPE PATTERN:

Knit 2 rows with Color A.

Knit 2 rows with Color B.

Continue alternating colors every other row.

At the same time:

When you have worked a total of 8 rows (4 stripes), work buttonhole as follows:

Next row: K3, yo, k2tog, knit to end.

Next row: Knit.

Work 8 more rows (4 more stripes), and then work buttonhole again.

Note:First buttonhole rows are worked with Color A; second are worked with Color B.

Continue in pattern for 8 more rows (4 more stripes), ending with Color B.

BO all sts.

Sew buttons to edge of cowl, opposite buttonholes.

Weave in ends, block if desired, and wear proudly!

Leg warmers arent just for ballerinas (or the 1980s)! These fun, spat-like leg warmers are a great chance to go scouting for some vintage buttons.

YARN: Toby Roxane Designs Velvet Aran (100% superwash merino; 181 yd./166 m per 3.5 oz./100 g)

Lilac: 2 skeins

NEEDLES: Size US 7/4.5 mm straight or circular needles (any length)

NOTIONS: Locking stitch markers (optional), tapestry needle

16 sts and 30 rows = 4 in./10 cm over 2x2 ribbing, firmly stretched (as worn)

Due to the very stretchy nature of ribbing, this leg warmer can fit a wide variety of leg circumferences. As written, these will fit leg circumferences 1216 in./3041 cm. If your calf circumference is significantly smaller, subtract 4 sts from the CO. Likewise, if your calf is significantly larger, add 4 sts to the CO.

Yarn over increases

P2tog decreases

CO 54 sts.

Work in 2x2 ribbing ([k2, p2] to end) for 4 rows.

Tip:

When you reach the end of the Buttonhole Row, you may want to hang a locking stitch marker from your last knit stitch in the row (this will be the third-to-last stitch on your needle). Doing so will help you mark where to sew the buttons on later.

Buttonhole Row: K2, p2tog, yo, [k2, p2] to end.

Continue working in 2x2 ribbing, repeating Buttonhole

Row every 10th row until you have worked a total of 7 Buttonhole Rows (or until work reaches desired length).

Work in 2x2 ribbing for 4 more rows.

BO all sts in pattern.

Using the locking stitch markers as a guide, sew buttons to edge of leg warmer to correspond to buttonholes.

Weave in all ends, block if desired, and wear proudly!

Its always good to have a go-to baby blanket pattern on hand when you need a baby gift. Most new parents dont have the time to care for hand-knits the way wed recommend, so its not a bad idea to pick up some inexpensive, machine-washable and -dryable yarn at a craft store. They have some great options these days!

YARN: Caron Cakes (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 383 yd./350 m per 7 oz./200 g)

Pistachio: 2 balls

NEEDLES: Size US 7/4.5 mm circular needles, 16 in./40 cm and 24 in./60 cm, and double-pointed needles (1 set)

NOTIONS: Stitch markers (9 of one color or type, plus 1 to mark beginning of round), tapestry needle

18 sts and 26 rnds = 4 in./10 cm over stockinette stitch, after blocking

36 in./91.5 cm in diameter

Joining/working in the round

Using double-pointed needles

Yarn over increases

Kfb increases