I just finished another sweet little sweater, like the raglan sweater, this pattern too was created using the Knitting App Aompanion I built. It’s always exciting to see a design go from digital concept to real stitches on my needles.

The sweater in the photo has been beautifully styled with a decorative background added by Microsoft Copilot, giving the finished piece a soft, inviting presentation that really highlights the texture and colors. I’m very happy with how it turned out and can’t wait to share more projects with patterns created by my Knitting app and sharing it on my here on my Knitting blog,

Pictures with and without background changes:

                       

Verona's Knit & Crochet Companion

Apps can be wonderfully resourceful, especially when they’re designed with real makers in mind. I recently used an app, which I created to generate a full raglan‑style pullover pattern for a child, complete with measurements and stitch counts. It was a reminder of how empowering it can feel when technology supports creativity instead of complicating it. A simple tool can take the math off your shoulders so you can focus on the fun part, choosing yarn, settling into the rhythm of the stitches, and watching something handmade come to life.

Using my app, Verona's Knit & Crochet Companion, and it crated the pattern below: 

VERONA'S CHILD'S RAGLAN PULLOVER

Size 3 Years, Bottom Up

Yarn: Cascade Cherub Aran

Needles: US 7 for body, US 5 for ribbing

Gauge: 19 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch

ABBREVIATIONS

CO means cast on. K means knit. P means purl. K2tog means knit two stitches together. M1R means make one stitch leaning right. M1L means make one stitch leaning left. PM means place marker. SM means slip marker. BO means bind off.

MEASUREMENTS USED

Chest circumference is 24 inches. Body length from hem to underarm is 9 inches. Yoke depth is 6 inches. Sleeve length from cuff to underarm is 11 inches.

BODY

Using US 5 needles, cast on 114 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker to show the beginning of the round.

Work ribbing as follows. Knit 2 stitches, then purl 2 stitches. Repeat this all the way around. Continue this knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 1.5 inches.

Switch to US 7 needles and knit every round in stockinette stitch until the body measures 9 inches from the cast on edge.

Next, set up for the raglan join as follows. Knit 57 stitches for the front, place a marker, knit 57 stitches for the back. You now have two sections marked off.

Bind off 4 stitches at each side seam marker for the underarms. You will bind off 2 stitches before and 2 stitches after each marker. Set the body aside with 53 stitches each for the front and back, and 106 stitches total on a holder or spare needle.

SLEEVES, MAKE TWO

Using US 5 needles, cast on 32 stitches. Join to work in the round and place a marker.

Work knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 1.5 inches.

Switch to US 7 needles and begin sleeve shaping. Knit one round. Then increase as follows. Knit 1, M1R, knit to last stitch, M1L, knit 1. This adds 2 stitches.

Repeat this increase round every 8th round until you have 48 stitches on your needle.

Continue knitting every round without increasing until the sleeve measures 11 inches from the cast on edge.

Bind off 4 stitches at the underarm, 2 stitches before and 2 stitches after the marker. You now have 44 stitches on each sleeve. Set aside on a holder.

JOINING FOR THE YOKE

Using US 7 needles and your circular needle, join all pieces in this order. Knit across 53 front body stitches, place a raglan marker, knit across 44 stitches of the first sleeve, place a raglan marker, knit across 53 back body stitches, place a raglan marker, knit across 44 stitches of the second sleeve, place a raglan marker.

You now have 194 stitches total on your needle.

RAGLAN DECREASES

Round 1 is a decrease round. Work as follows all the way around. Knit to 2 stitches before the raglan marker, K2tog, slip the marker, knit 1, SSK. Repeat this at each of the 4 raglan markers. This removes 8 stitches per decrease round.

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

Repeat these two rounds until 74 stitches remain on your needle.

NECKBAND

Switch to US 5 needles. Work knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in pattern.

FINISHING

Close the underarm gaps using the Kitchner Stitch, using the yarn tail and a tapestry needle. Weave in all ends. 

Block gently by soaking in cool water, pressing out the excess water in a towel, and laying flat to dry.

Red & White Houndstooth Beanie

This little red‑and‑white houndstooth beanie was such a fun project, and the free pattern from Yarnspirations made it even better. The two‑color repeat settles in quickly, and before long, the fabric turns into that sharp, classic houndstooth look that always feels stylish. The red gives it a bright, cheerful punch, while the white keeps everything crisp. It’s a simple knit with a lot of personality, and a great pick if you want something quick that still looks impressive.

Seed & Reverse Stockinette Cable Hat

I saw a hat on Facebook the other day and really liked its look, so, of course, I had to play around with the idea myself. I studied the pattern. The mix of seed stitch, soft reverse‑stockinette sections, and a simple left‑leaning cable worked together really nicely. It’s an easy knit once you get going, and the texture is great. I’m calling it the Seed & Reverse Stockinette Cable Hat, because that pretty much sums it up. I added gloves and a scarf to complete the set. 

Baby Sweater made of Arvil Raw Silk

I’ve been working on a toddler sweater in size T2, using a reddish mix of Avril Raw Silk Multi-color yarn, and have just finished it. A dear knitting friend gifted me the skeins, and it’s been "parked" in my yarn bag waiting for the right project. The colors are a mix of green, red, yellow, and a touch of blue. They shift as you knit, so every row feels a bit different. It gives the sweater a fun, playful look that feels totally unique.

It took me a couple of weeks to finish. Some parts were smooth, others a bit fiddly, but I’m happy with how it turned out. Raw silk is lovely in its own way, but it has a mind of its own. The strands like to split if you’re not careful, so I had to slow down, keep my tension steady, and sometimes loosen up the stitch just a bit to let the yarn do its thing.

The sweater itself is simply shaped, just right for a toddler. No extra frills, which lets the yarn’s natural drape stand out. I don’t think I’ll be rushing back to use this exact yarn again; it’s a bit finicky, but I’m glad I gave it a go. The texture is special, and it taught me a few things along the way.

I’ve got enough yarn left for a beanie, maybe with a pompom. I’m thinking about making a little set. If I do, I’ll try to echo the sweater’s clean lines, perhaps a ribbed edge or some color blocks to tie it all together, and maybe add a pompom.

Alpaca Merino Winter Set

A matching scarf and beanie worked in a soft, warm blend of 70% alpaca and 30% merino. The alpaca adds drape and luxurious warmth, while the merino gives structure and elasticity. 

This set is ideal for beginners building confidence or experienced knitters looking for a relaxing project. 

Scarf Stitch pattern: Garter stitch throughout

Texture: Squishy, reversible, and beginner‑friendly
Look: Soft ridges that show off the natural halo of the yarn

Beanie Construction: Worked in the round
Stitch pattern: Stockinette stitch
Look: Smooth, classic fabric with gentle stretch. 

Introducing the Knitting and Crochet Companion APP

Click on the picture below to open the app. Type any knitting or crochet question you have, then read the step‑by‑step instructions. 

Over the past few days, I’ve been building an APP, I’m calling it the Knitting and Crochet Companion. It grew from watching both new and returning knitters and crocheters hesitate, second‑guess themselves, or get lost in explanations that make things far more complicated than they need to be.
This little tool offers the kind of guidance I give in person: simple steps, plain language, and reassurance when things don’t look quite right. It answers the basic questions, explains the “why” behind techniques, and helps knitters and crocheters fix small mistakes without feeling discouraged. My hope is that it gives beginners a sense of calm and confidence as they learn, one stitch at a time.

Happy New Year to all my readers.

In addition to finishing the Pure Silk scarf yesterday, I also completed another project that had been waiting around for quite some time. This second scarf is made of 100% Merino wool and worked throughout in a cable pattern. The “key‑hole” section is knitted in a seed stitch pattern, which gives it a nice structure and contrast. The yarn I purchased at Temu. 

I finished the year by knitting this little “KeyHole” scarf, wrapping up 2025 with a project that always makes me smile. I first discovered it years ago when it appeared in Knit Simple Magazine, in Fall 2009. It’s one of those wonderfully simple patterns you can work on while watching TV without worrying about losing stitches or keeping track of counts. I again saw the design shared by a Ravelry knitter, and deceited to knit it once more.
The yarn I used, "Pure Silk" was a gift from a dear friend many years ago, and I’m glad I saved it this pattern suits it perfectly. And for a change, this little scarf will be mine to wear. 

Ella's Girlie Jacket

In 2014, I made a little jacket for Ella, a friend's daughter. The shell of the jacket is made of yarn that consists of 70% merino wool and 30% silk sourced from Ella Rae. 

Although the fiber is a bit slippery, it knits up nicely. I used six 50-gram hanks to complete the jacket, each measuring 90 meters, using size 6 needles with a tension gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows per 10 cm (4 inches). The pattern turned out lovely, but I sometimes had to knit backward to rectify issues. After I finished the jacket, I left it on the sofa. Unfortunately, my cat took the yarn ball and played with it all night. In the process, she created a hole in the center of the shell. This was the first time I found myself in such a predicament, but I was able to resolve the problem and add some detail. The jacket looks even better than the original featured in the magazine. The daisy buttons give the jacket a unique look.