Category Archives: handmaiden

New Finished Project: Simple Yet Effective Cowl

You already know that I’m having a love affair with cashmere, so it won’t be much of a surprise if I told you I made another cowl with the stuff. It couldn’t be helped, this damnable cold winter made me do it. I caved and bought a parka – don’t tell my old wool coat, she’ll never forgive me. The down-filled usurper is a very boring grey and desperately needs some colour …… some snuggly, baby soft, cashmere colour. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Simple Yet Effective Cowl

Free Pattern
1 skein Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply (colour Radiant Orchid)
3.75mm/US5-16″ circular needles

Modifications

I like wearing it inside out
Used German Twisted Cast On
Worked 10 pattern repeats and then 3 purl rows.
Bound off with 5.5mm/US9 needles

New Finished Project: Devin’s Toque

Is there a better gift than a cashmere hat? Well, any kind of cashmere accessory is fine by me! It’s so cozy, I love having it near my face.

I finished a new Toque just in time for my mom’s birthday – and it is LOVELY! It was an easy gift, she put in a request for an updated version of an earlier hat matching her Tuesday Night Cowl.

Devin’s Toque

Free Pattern
1 skein Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply
3.5mm needles (circular & DPN if knit circular, or straight if knit flat)

The pattern, Devin’s Toque, is an oldie and goodie. It is written for flat knitting (and seamed up the back), but is easily translated to a circular knit.

My mom’s head is very small, and cashmere tends to stretch with wear, so I made a few mods to accommodate.

Modifications

Worked in the round
Used 3mm needles
Used German Twisted Cast On.
Did not cast on with 2 strands (as recommended by pattern)
Cast on 96 sts for a size XS (head size 20.5″ circumference)
Worked until close to using up the yarn.
Blocked using Eucalan
For decreases: I used k2tog instead of k2tog tbl (looks nicer)
Second last round: knit (instead of purl)

One Skein Cashmere Classics

I’m kind of in love with one skein cashmere projects, especially with Handmaiden 4ply Cashmere. It’s just so soft and cuddly, it’s like wearing a loving hug – and in the midst of a long cold winter, who doesn’t need one of those? I made the following projects for the store but absconded with them and wear them every day! In fact, I love them so much I’m making another set in a brighter colour (something else necessary to get through the grey, dark days). Plus, both patterns are FREE!!!!

Simple Yet Effective Cowl

So snuggly! I like to wear this one inside out (pic on the left), but either way it’s like wearing a bunny (but much lighter). The German Twisted Cast-On was very effective for this piece and I highly suggest it. Otherwise, make sure your cast-on and bind-off are loose so your cowl will stretch when you put it on and take it off.

Classic French Beret

This hat is so pretty and so cosy I have to have another!

More Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply

Just arrived, more colours of Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply! One skein is enough to make a very yummy hat or neckwarmer.

Handmaiden Casbah Cashmere Sock $27

NEW Handmaiden Casbah Cashmere Sock Yarn!

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Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don’t have your own account you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic. But you should get your own account fast, ’cause you’re going to LOVE it!

Handmaiden Casbah ~ $27.50

Handmaiden’s Casbah cashmere sock yarn is an eternal pleasure. It is soft, squishy, and wears extremely well! It is made with 81% merino, 9% cashmere, 10% nylon, and 100% yummy. Each skein is 115g and measures 325m, which means one goes a long, long way! Suggested tension is 26 sts = 4″/10cm on 3mm needles. Each skein is hand dyed, and because it is machine washable, it’s great for every kind of project, including socks, baby & kids clothes, hats, mitts, scarves, and even sweaters!