Be Inspired Hand spun wool and mohair yarns for knitting and crocheting sweaters and accessories.

Last summer, I was approached by the fabulous LA-based yarn shop, Knit Culture, to collaborate on a few new patterns with the designer behind Army of Knitters, Heather Dixon.  Obviously, I was really excited, her pattern designs are totally unreal and gorgeous.  She created 2 amazing SWEATER patterns (not something many knitters undertake with our yarns, so I'm super excited) for Vogue Knitting in LA in September.  Now these patterns are finally available for everyone in her Ravery shop...I am especially into the Andromeda stargazer silk & sequin pattern because I've been wanting to knit up a sweater in this yarn so badly. It is equal parts gypsy goddess and party girl...this design is the just the ticket for a holiday party or a fun night out on the town. For more info about Army of Knitters and Heather's gorgeous designs, visit her site here: www.armyofknitters.com and check out the pics of the Stargazer Silk & Sequin top and Moondance sweater below.

Above, the Andromeda sweater in our Stargazer Silk & Sequin yarn. Totally amazing! Pattern available here: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/heather-dixon

This sweater, Magellanic, is knit in our Gypsy Garden Moondance yarn.  I am obsessed with this stitch!  This pattern is also available in Army of Knitters ravelery store...see link above! 

On another note, stay tuned for more awesome new patterns from our fab in-house designer Danielle.  She's just finished a killer Christmas stocking pattern that I can't wait to share! 

I'm so exited to share a new gorgeous cowl idea that uses our Pixie Dust yarn today! I first met Judy of Fabulous Yarn at the TNNA June 2010 show and we've been in touch ever since.  Her website www.fabulousyarn.com is chock full of the most amazingly lux and gorgeous yarns.  If you've never checked it out, you absolutely must!  Especially since she's come up with a beautiful rib cowl pattern kit featuring our Pixie Dust yarn mixed with another lux chunky yarn from her wide selection.  She's paired the colors gorgeously together to create sumptuous combinations.  Take a peek below and to pick up your own, head over to:http://www.fabulousyarn.com/freepatterns_pixiekowl_smokey.shtml to see for yourself!

Our Smokey Swirl yarn mixed with Grey Wolf.

And India Henna Pixie Dust mixed with Blue Sky Claret.  I can't wait to make one for myself!

So excited to share another fabulous free pattern today! I wore this hat at the last TNNA show and was asked over and over again for a pattern for it- so finally here it is!  It is a basic earflap hat in our sparkly, fluffy Pixie Dust yarn.  Danielle Shields, our pattern designer extraordinaire has come up the pattern for this.  The best things about it is that it only uses 1 skein! There are 2 versions here, the Forest Moon green sample is the pointy sample.  The Snowflake white hat is the rounded top sample.  It's also super warm and snuggly. Special thanks to our new photographer Molly Akin for shooting these gorgeous pics too! 

Side view!

Above are all the pointy version.

Love this Snowflake rounded top version for a winter wonderland feel!

Detail shot of the Snowflake rounded top hat!

Pixie Dust Earflap Hat Pattern

Gauge: 4 stitches and 8 rows over 4" in stockinette

Materials: 1 skein knit collage Pixie Dust yarn, stitch marker, tapestry needle

Needles: US size 17 16" ciculars, size 17 dpn's

Abbreviations: k knit

kfb knit into front and back of stitch

k2tog knit 2 stitches together

Cast on 1 stitch

First Earflap:

Row 1 kfb

Row 2 (and all even rows) knit.

Row 3 kfb 2 times

Row 5 kfb, k2, kfb (6 stitches)

Place on holder or spare needle.

Make second earflap the same as above.

Next:

Knit one more row on the 2nd earflap. Cast on 3 stitches (using a backward loop) for back, then knit first earflap stitches off holder. Knit one row and cast on 4 stitches for front, 19 stitches in total.  Place marker and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist. Knit until piece measures 5.5 inches from start of the front brim.

Begin decreasing, switch to dpn's when necessary:

Row 1: k4, k2tog around, k1. (16 stitches)

Row 2 and all even rows: knit

Row 3: k3, k2tog around, k1 (13 stitches)

For rounded hat:

Row 4: knit

Row 5: k2tog around, k1, cut yarn and pull through remaining 7 stitches.

For pointy hat:

Row 4: knit

Row 5: k2, k2tog around, k1. (10 stitches)

Row 7: k1, k2tog (7 stitches)

Row 9: k2tog around (4 stitches)

Row 11: k2tog around (2 stitches)

Both versions: Cut yarn and run through remaining stitches. Weave in yarn ends. Adorn with pom-poms or tassles (or both!). Weare & smile!