The Good Things Collection is a small gathering of coordinating patterns (a hat, cowl, and mitts) that are named for particularly good things. A single lace motif is repeated throughout the collection, but always with slight variations. It’s my hope that this collection brings you goodness and comfort. Here you’ll find links to buy the collection online, more information about each pattern, and lots of photos.
PAYHIP:
Here’s where you’ll find the Good Things Collection.
ETSY:
Here’s where you’ll find the Good Things Collection.
RAVELRY:
Here’s where you’ll find the Good Things Collection
ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS COLLECTION
I designed this collection as a series of meditations on a single lace theme. Each piece shares the same base yarn (Ocean by the Sea’s Quill yarn, a 100% Falkland wool), but some also include a strand of lace-weight silk-mohair held alongside it. There are changes in gauge, changes in scale, and changes in
You can use this collection to help yourself better understand how these changes affect your projects, which is a key factor in making successful yarn substitutions. I’m a big believer in substituting yarn for projects, but it helps to build a knowledge base that enables you to do that, first.
SOLACE MITTS DETAILS AND SPECS
solace (n.) – 1. comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort.
2. something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief
If there’s one thing many people needed in 2020, it was solace. After experiencing so much grief, fear, stress, anxiety, and exhaustion, many people just needed a little comfort. The first part of 2021 has been similar. That’s why I made a couple very intentional design decisions with these mitts.
These mitts are meant to mimic the feeling of a loved one holding your hand. I knit my sample size extra snug so that when I put them on, my hands are wrapped in warmth and gentle pressure. It’s a comforting feeling, and it reminds me that I’m not alone. I hope it has a similar effect for you.
The simple lace pattern on the back of these mitts is easily memorized and settles into a nice rhythm as you work. The lace is the same for both the left-hand and right-hand mitts, so once you’ve got it memorized, you can fly. They come in four sizes so that you, too, can size down to a snug fit if you’d like, or you can knit your regular size if that’s more comfortable.
SIZES
S, M, L, XL
Finished mitt circumference 6.25 (6.75, 7.25, 7.75) inches /16 (17, 18.5, 19.5) cm
A note about fit: these mitts are meant to have some negative ease so that they fit snugly across your hands. Choose a size slightly smaller than your actual hand measurement.
MATERIALS
Heavy lace-weight or light fingering yarn, 145 (170, 195, 220) yds / 133 (156, 179, 202) m
Sample shown knit in Ocean by the Sea Quill, 541 yds (495 m) per 100 g (3.53 oz), single-ply Falkland wool
GAUGE
4” (10 cm) square = 33 stitches x 44 rows in stockinette, knit in the round and blocked
NEEDLES
One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above
Suggested needle size: US 2 (2.75 mm). I knit these mitts using Chiaogoo 9-inch circular needles, which you can buy at this link. (This is an affiliate link, which means if you choose to buy something through this link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will always identify affiliate links for you. Thanks for supporting my work!)
TOOLS
Three stitch markers
Two pieces of waste yarn for holding thumb stitches
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
Techniques: lace, increases, decreases, knitting in the round
HERBARY HAT DETAILS AND SPECS
herbary (n) (archaic) : a garden of herbs or vegetables
Herb gardens have long been a source of comfort, flavor, and even healing. In my own garden, I have large patches of rosemary, lavender, thyme, and mint, and I pull from them regularly for baking and cooking. On a warm summer day, their scent wafts through the air and makes the whole garden smell pleasant.
The leaf-like stitch pattern on this hat reminded me of the mint patch growing under my family-room window, so I decided to name the hat after my little herb garden. I hope your knitting experience with this hat, like time spent in a good herbary, brings you comfort, (metaphorical) flavor, and maybe even a little healing.
SIZES
S (M, L) – Finished circumference 16 (18.25, 20.5) in / 40.5 (46.5, 52) cm
A note about sizing: most people prefer their hats to fit snugly. Choose the size that is smaller than your actual head circumference.
MATERIALS
Fingering weight yarn, 180 (220, 280) yds; 165 (202, 256) m; held double with lace-weight silk mohair yarn, 180 (220, 280) yds; 165 (202, 256) m
Sample shown knit in Ocean by the Sea Quill, 541 yds (495 m) per 100 g (3.53 oz), single-ply 100% Falkland wool, held double with undyed lace-weight silk-mohair yarn from Dyer Supplier, 72% super kid mohair and 28% silk, 459 yds (420 m) / 50 g (1.8 oz)
GAUGE
4” (10 cm) square = 35 stitches x 48 rows
NEEDLES
One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above
Suggested needle sizes: US 1.5 (2.5 mm). I knit this hat using Addi circular needles, and you can buy the size you need by clicking this link. (This is an affiliate link, which means if you choose to buy something through this link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will always identify affiliate links for you. Thanks for supporting my work!) To close the crown, I used my trusty Knit Picks nickel-plated DPNs, which have been my favorites for a decade. You can buy your own set at this link. (affiliate link)
TOOLS
One stitch marker
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
Requires decreases and knitting in the round
FRIPPERY COWL DETAILS AND SPECS
frippery (n.) – a: FINERY; also: an elegant or showy garment
b: something showy, frivolous, or nonessential
c: OSTENTATION; especially: something foolish or affectedly elegant
One of the things I love about lace is how you can play with the scale of it and create a totally different feel. A stitch that is delicate at a smaller gauge can be showy, even ostentatious at a larger gauge. For this cowl, I took the lace stitch that looked fine and dainty in the Solace Mitts and Herbary Hat, but I scaled it up using a needle size that’s four times larger. Now that’s drama.
And especially during times of stress and anxiety, a little bit of frippery can sometimes go a long way toward raising the spirits. I hope this dramatically lacy cowl gives you a little boost as you go about your day.
SIZES
One size – Finished measurements 23” (58.5 cm) in circumference and 7.5” (19 cm) tall
MATERIALS
Heavy lace-weight to light-fingering weight yarn, 220 yds (201 m); held double with lace-weight silk mohair yarn, 220 yds (201 m)
Sample shown knit in Ocean by the Sea Quill, 541 yds (495 m) per 100 g (3.53 oz), single-ply 100% Falkland wool, held double with Knit Picks Aloft, 72% Super Kid Mohair, 28% Silk, 260 yds (238 m) per .9 oz (25 g). You can buy Aloft here. (This is an affiliate link, which means if you choose to buy something through this link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will always identify affiliate links for you. Thanks for supporting my work!)
GAUGE
4” (10 cm) square = 20 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette, in the round, after blocking
NEEDLES
One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above
Suggested needle sizes: US 6 (3.5 mm). I knit this cowl with Addi needles, and you can buy the size you need at this link. (This is an affiliate link, which means if you choose to buy something through this link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will always identify affiliate links for you. Thanks for supporting my work!)
TOOLS
One stitch marker; optional stitch markers between sections
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
Requires decreases and knitting in the round
If You Like The Good Things Collection, You’ll Also Like…
The Victoria Sponge Hat, which also combines silk-mohair yarn and fingering-weight wool for a light, fluffy knit.
Try the Madeleine Hat and Madeleine Mitts for another matching set.
And don’t miss the Gladdening Socks for more lacy stitches that look much more complicated than they really are.