Tealeaf Tarot Shawl

Tealeaf Tarot Shawl

“There’s nothing better than waking up with no pants and flowers in your hair.”

– Mollymauk Tealeaf

A Mollymauk-inspired lace shawl knitting pattern

Mollymauk Tealeaf, the Mighty Nein’s lavender tiefling Bloodhunter, loves to adorn himself in flamboyant patterns and colors and he has the personality to match. I was inspired to design a shawl that Molly would not only wear but had motifs based on his style. The intricate peacock feather motifs in this shawl design are reminiscent of Mollymauk’s face tattoo, the crescent moons were inspired by his robe, and the diamond motifs are inspired by Molly’s jewelry. The design comes in one color but there is definitely room to add your own style by switching up colors in each section or even trying different yarn materials for something really fabulous!

Tealeaf Tarot Shawl Closeup
Tealeaf Tarot Shawl
OutRight Action International

Along with this Mollymauk-inspired shawl, Christy Furlan is releasing her Yasha-inspired Waiting for Lightning shawl. To celebrate Pride Month and Yasha and Molly’s respective lesbian and bisexual identities, Christy and I are donating all of our June 2021 profits from the sales of our ebook and individual Crit Knits patterns to OutRight Action International. OutRight fights for the human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere. They work at the international, regional, and national levels to research, document, defend, and advance human rights for LGBTIQ people around the world. If you’d like to read about OutRight or donate to them as well, check out their website (outrightinternational.org) or find a link in my profile.


Pattern Details

SIZE
Blocked Width: 50.5″/128cm
Blocked Height: 16″/40.5cm

GAUGE

Lace Swatch Pattern, Knit Flat
6.5″/16cm (37sts) x 4″/10cm (43 rows)
23 sts x 43 rows = 4″/10cm

Blocked Lace Swatch Pattern, Knit Flat
8.25″/21cm (37sts) x 5.5″/13.5cm (43 rows)
17.5 sts x 32 rows = 4″/10cm

TECHNIQUES/SKILLS NEEDED

  • Provisional Cast On
  • Cable Cast On
  • Knit, Purl Flat (k, p)
  • Knit Through The Back Loop (k tbl)
  • Knit and Purl Decreases (k2tog, ssk, cdd)
  • Smock Stitch
  • Traditional Bind-Off (bo)
  • Yarn Over (yo)

MATERIALS
Needles and notions

  • US 5/3.75mm needles or size needed to get gauge, suggested circulars at least 24″ long for space for your stitches
  • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Yarn
To get a finished shawl similar to the one pictured, I would recommend grabbing a wool sock yarn, but the lace pattern will probably look great in any material. Swatch a section first if you’re unsure!

Critical Sheep ‘D4 Fingering’ (75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, 436yds/400m per 100g skein); 1 skein; sample uses colorway Marauder.

I used 441 yards/98g of this yarn for my sample shawl. My test knitters used anywhere from 408 – 495 yards of fingering weight yarn for their shawls.


Crit Knits

This design is part of Crit Knits, a collection of 8 knitwear designs by myself and the awesome Christy Furlan.

Each of the 8 designs is inspired by a member of the Mighty Nein from Critical Role, Campaign 2 and uses stunning yarn from Critical Sheep, to layer on even more D&D fun. 
Follow myself and Christy on Instagram for more Crit Knits updates and releases.

Each pattern in the collection contains a coupon code for an additional Mighty Nein pattern, so if you’d also like to knit a Fjord-inspired pair of socks check out: Chosen of Uk’otoa, designed by Christy Furlan.

Coupon code for a Yasha-inspired pattern is available on the last page of the Tealeaf Tarot Shawl pattern if purchased individually (instead of through the ebook).


About Critical Role

From CritRole.com: What began in 2012 as a bunch of friends playing in each other’s living rooms has evolved into a multi-platform entertainment sensation, attracting over half million viewers every week. Now in its second campaign storyline, the show features seven popular voiceover actors diving into epic Dungeons & Dragons adventures, led by veteran game master Matthew Mercer.


Blooming Grove Tea Time Cosy

A knitted teapot, with knitted leaves, mushrooms, and bugs on top

A Critical Role-inspired knitting pattern

This tea cosy was designed with Caduceus Clay from the Mighty Nein in mind. The half pink, half green base (in Critical Sheep’s D10 Worsted 😍) is reminiscent of his pink hair and his green armor, with easy to knit vine and berry motifs signifying the Wildmother. The dead leaves, mushrooms, and bugs bring a little piece of his home, The Blooming Grove, to tea time. The pattern contains instructions on how to knit up mushrooms, leaves, and bugs, but you could also add found objects (like crystals and skulls) or knit your own pieces of nature into the top to make a unique creation all your own!

About This Pattern

This tea cosy is inspired by Caduceus Clay of the Mighty Nein and is part of the Crit Knits collection of knitting patterns.

The Mighty Nein of Critical Role seek out Caduceus Clay in the temple of the Blooming Grove, and find a seven foot tall, gray firbolg with pink hair. He’s jovial, kind, and offers them some tea before they even introduce themselves. They find that Caduceus, a follower of the Wildmother, believes in the natural order of things and uses the leaves and mushrooms from the earth of the graveyard around this temple to make his own special blends of tea.

This tea cosy was designed with Caduceus in mind. The half pink, half green base is reminiscent of his pink hair and his green armor, with easy to knit vine and berry motifs signifying the Wildmother. The dead leaves, mushrooms, and bugs bring a little piece of his home, The Blooming Grove, to tea time. My hope is that you’ll knit up the base and get really creative with the topper! I’ve given instructions on how to knit up mushrooms, leaves, and bugs, but you could also add found objects (like crystals and skulls) or knit your own pieces of nature into the top to make a unique creation all your own!


Crit Knits

This design is part of Crit Knits, a collection of 8 knitwear designs by myself and the awesome Christy Furlan.

Each of the 8 designs is inspired by a member of the Mighty Nein from Critical Role, Campaign 2 and uses stunning yarn from Critical Sheep, to layer on even more D&D fun. 
Follow myself and Christy on Instagram for more Crit Knits updates and releases.

Each pattern in the collection contains a coupon code for an additional Mighty Nein pattern, so if you’d also like to knit a Fjord-inspired pair of socks check out: Chosen of Uk’otoa, designed by Christy Furlan.

Coupon code for a Fjord-inspired pattern is available on the last page of the Blooming Grove Tea Time Cosy pattern.


About Critical Role

From CritRole.com: What began in 2012 as a bunch of friends playing in each other’s living rooms has evolved into a multi-platform entertainment sensation, attracting over half million viewers every week. Now in its second campaign storyline, the show features seven popular voiceover actors diving into epic Dungeons & Dragons adventures, led by veteran game master Matthew Mercer.


Pattern Details

Size

Unstretched, Circumference: 12”/30.5cm 
Fully Stretched: Over 21”/53.5cm 
Unstretched, Height: 6.5”/16.5cm 
Tea Cosy Base Panel: 6.5”/16.5cm x 6”/15cm

Measuring Your Teapot

Sample is shown on a 24oz teapot (6.5”/16.5cm tall, 14”/35.5cm circumference). Use a measuring tape around your teapot, not including the spout or handle, and then from bottom to top, keeping the lid on.

The Tea Cosy Base is really stretchy in circumference, so as long as your teapot is no larger than about 21”/53.5cm, you should be able to proceed with the pattern as written.

If your teapot is taller than 7.5”/19cm, I’d recommend adding extra rows to the Tea Cosy Base accommodate your teapot (there are notes in the pattern on how to easily accomplish this after Row 27). I had two test knitters with 8”/20.5cm tall teapots, one knit the pattern as written and another added one extra repeat.

Gauge

Gauge isn’t particularly important for this piece. As long as you get a fabric you’re happy with and your “Tea Cosy Base” pieces fit halfway around your teapot width-wise and up to the top of the lid length-wise, that’s all that matters! 


In Tea Cosy Base pattern with worsted weight yarn, unstretched: 
26 sts x 30 rows = 4”/10cm 


Toppings (leaves, mushrooms, bugs) with fingering weight yarn, unstretched: 
28 sts = 4”/10cm

Techniques / Skills Needed

  • Long Tail Cast On (co)
  • Knit, Purl Flat (k, p)
  • Knit and Purl Through The Back Loop (k tbl, p tbl, kfb, kfbf)
  • Cables (RC, LC)
  • Bobbles (mb)
  • Knit and Purl Decreases (k2tog, ssk, p2tog, s2kp2)
  • Traditional Bind-Off (bo)
  • I-cord
  • Yarn Over (yo)
  • Crochet Chain

Materials 

Needles and notions

  • US 7/4.5mm needles or size needed to get gauge (for Tea Cosy Base)
  • US 2/3mm double pointed needles (for working small pieces and in the round)
  • 3.5mm crochet hook (or similar size for creating chains with fingering weight yarn)
  • Tapestry needle
  • Optional: Fabric glue
  • Optional: Cardboard (5 sq in/12.5 sq cm)
  • Optional: Floral wire, twist ties, or craft pipe cleaners for use in mushroom stems

Yarn 

The type of yarn used for this project should be one that is fairly smooth (no fluffy mohair or fun yarns) to show off the stitch pattern on the base and for more realistic-looking leaves, bugs, and mushrooms. I’d recommend acrylic or wool, but you could probably get away with any fiber content. If warmth is a concern for you and your tea, I’d recommend wool for its ability to trap in heat.

Tea Cosy Base

Critical Sheep ‘D10 Worsted’ (100% Superwash Merino, 218yds/200m per 100g skein); 2 skeins; sample uses colors Princess and Lifespring. Sample used about 30yds/27.5m of each color.

I used scrap fingering weight yarns for the “toppings” of the tea cosy. Dig into your stash and leftovers to find some appropriate colors! If you don’t have fingering weight yarns, you can try worsted weight, but make sure to go up a few needle sizes so that your knitting isn’t too tight!

Leaves (Green and Brown in Sample)

 Each leaf uses about 2.5g (approximately 11yds/10m) of fingering weight yarn, the sample has a total of 8 leaves in green and brown colors.

Small Mushrooms (Red in Sample) 

Each small mushroom uses about 1.5g (approximately 7yds/6.5m) of fingering weight yarn. The sample has 3 of these mushrooms in red.

Medium Mushrooms (Yellow in Sample)

 Each medium mushroom uses about 2g (approximately 9yds/8.5m) of fingering weight yarn. The sample has 2 of these mushrooms in yellow.

Bugs (Purple and Blue in Sample) 

Each bug uses about 1.5g (approximately 7yds/6.5m) of fingering weight yarn. The sample has 2 of these bugs in purple and blue colors.

Construction 

The tea cosy is made by knitting two flat, semi-rounded rectangles and then sewing those together. Feel free to knit your base pieces in one color or two different colors as in the sample, and if you know how, do not bind both pieces off so that you can kitchener stitch them together (a couple of the test knitters for this pattern prefered doing it this way).

Then you can either leave your tea cosy as is, or create toppings for it! Maybe you’d just like to add a pom-pom or, in the spirit of making this tea cosy as “Caduceus-y” as possible, you’re up for the challenge of adding all kinds of nature-inspired elements.

I’ve provided instructions for creating four types of toppings. To match the sample, you’ll knit eight leaves (4 in brown and 4 in green), three small mushrooms, two medium sized mushrooms, and two bugs.

Finally, there are a few tips for how to attach your toppings to the tea cosy in the pattern.

Find Familiar

Find Familiar, a simple, easy pattern perfect for knitflix bingeing

A Dungeons & Dragons Inspired Knitted Hat Pattern

The Find Familiar spell from Dungeons & Dragons allows you to gain
the service of a spirit animal of your choosing: a new little buddy to do your bidding! I chose this spell name for this hat because knitting this hat feels… well, familiar. The lacy brim adds just that extra bit of style and fun to spice up the hat while having a super short repeat so it takes very little brain power to work up. And being 80% stockinette in the round, this knit makes the perfect companion for binge watching your favorite show or at the table while playing D&D!

Sizing

Circumference

10 (12, 14, 16, 17.5, 20)” /
25.5 (30.5, 35.5, 40.5, 44.5, 51)cm

Height

6 (7, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5)” /
15.5 (17.5, 19, 21.5, 24.5, 26.5)cm

Gauge

In stockinette, unblocked
24 sts x 36 rounds = 4″ / 10cm

Techniques Needed

  • Knit, Purl
  • Long Tail Cast On
  • Yarn Overs
  • Slipped Stitches and Pass Slipped Stich Overs (sl, psso)
  • Knitting in the Round
Find Familiar, a fun, lacy, easy hat to knit!

Materials

Needles & Notions

  • US 4/3.5mm 16″/40cm circular needles or size needed to get gauge
  • Optional: Matching DPNs for knitting the smaller circumference of the crown
  • Optional: US 2/3mm 16″/40cm circular needles or two sizes down from the needle size used to get gauge to use on the ribbing
  • Tapestry needle
  • 1 stitch marker

Yarn

Schoppel ‘Zauberball Crazy’ (75% Superwash Wool 25% Nylon, 459yds / 420m per 100g skein); 1 skein; sample uses color #2254. (You can grab it on Amazon.)

Substitutions

Zauberball Crazy is a fingering weight, 2 ply yarn, but I think this hat would look great in any fingering weight yarn. Because of the simplicity of the stitches, it’s a great canvas to show off colorways, especially variegated and/or speckled! You will need approximately 50 (75, 100, 125, 150, 200)yds/45 (68, 91, 114, 137, 182)m.

New Double Knit Pattern ​+ A Dungeons & Dragons-Inspired Knitting Pattern Bundle

Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Knitting Pattern Bundle

Today, I’m welcoming Witch Bolt into the world (and by world, I mean Ravelry)! Witch Bolt is a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired, reversible double knit hat that is great for double knitting n00bs!

Witch Bolt - a double knit, reversible hat patternA beholder stands before you, ready to wipe out your entire knitting group in one fell swoop! Little does he know, you’re a Level 3 Knitting Wizard. You point your knitting needle towards the beholder and a beam of crackling energy launches and attaches to it! You’re able to defeat this giant beast with your knitting prowess alone!

Okay, that’s not exactly how a fight with a beholder would go, but we all know this is really about knitting. Witch Bolt is a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired double knit hat. You knit it up using two colors and when you’re done, it’s magically reversible! Just kidding, there’s no magic here, just your awesome knitting.

I have included links to video tutorials made by myself and others to get you up-to-speed on double knitting, so even if you’re a double knitting n00b, you can make this hat. This was one of my test knitter’s first double knit projects!

The color ‘pattern’ is very easy to memorize, making this knit fairly simple and brainless — I was able to knit this very easily while streaming on Twitch (and if any of you have watched a Twitch stream, you know how distracted a streamer can get with chat)! 😀

Get 3 Dungeons & Dragons-Inspired Knitting Patterns for $12!

Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Knitting Pattern Bundle

To celebrate the release of Witch Bolt, I have bundled up all three of my current Dungeons & Dragons-inspired hat patterns! (Yes, there are more D&D patterns coming! I can't stop dreaming about new ways to interpret spells into knitting. 🤓😍)

Witch Bolt, A Double Knit Hat – Coming Soon!

Witch Bolt - A Dungeons & Dragons-Inspired Double Knit Hat

Call for Test Knitters

Test knitters still needed for this double knit hat pattern! If you’re up for a challenge, I need one more knitter who is available to knit this hat by the 26th of March.

About This Pattern

A beholder stands before you, ready to wipe out your entire knitting group in one fell swoop! Little does he know, you’re a Level 3 Knitting Wizard. You point your knitting needle towards the beholder and a beam of crackling energy launches and attaches to it! You’re able to defeat this giant beast with your knitting prowess alone!

Okay, that’s not exactly how fight with a beholder would go, but we all know this is really about knitting. Witch Bolt is a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired double knit hat pattern. You knit it up using two colors and when you’re done, it’s magically reversible! Just kidding, there’s no magic here, just your awesome knitting.

In the pattern, I have explained in detail how to double knit stockinette and ribbing, as well as how to decrease while double knitting. If you’re new to double knitting, it can be a great way to get cozy with the method as the color pattern requires very little thought!

Coming Soon

Witch Bolt is set to release on March 30th on its own and also in a new Dungeons & Dragons-inspired hat bundle on Ravelry!

Put a Bird on My Cuppa Pattern Release

Mandy Bee in her Put a Bird on My Cuppa - a unique, complex stranded colorwork knitted hat pattern

Teacups come in all different shapes, sizes, and designs, just screaming to be imitated through knitting! Like the Nice Cuppa hat before it, the Put a Bird on My Cuppa hat is inspired by dainty teacups. Featuring a complex colorwork pattern of blue and white, you’ll love watching the pattern emerge as you mindfully knit this hat. Remember to prepare your favorite cuppa before sitting down to knit!


Buy it now on Ravelry!


Put a Bird on My Cuppa by @arossen2000
Put a Bird on My Cuppa by @arossen2000

Put a Bird on My Cuppa by KellyGirlKnits
Put a Bird on My Cuppa by KellyGirlKnits

CONSTRUCTION NOTES
The hat begins with 2×1 ribbing and a row of purls for flair. The rest of the hat is knit in stockinette stitch, using two colors, following the provided chart. A few rows after the color chart is complete, decreases begin to shape the crown and finish the hat.

TECHNIQUES

  • Knit, purl, cast-on Stranded colorwork
  • Decreases (k2tog)
  • Working in the round on circular needles
  • Working in the round on DPNs / with magic loop / with two circulars

MATERIALS
Needles

  • US 1 / 2.5mm, 16”/40cm circulars or size to obtain gauge
  • Matching DPNs (or preferred tools) for working the crown

Notions

  • 8 Stitch Markers (1 unique to mark round)
  • Tapestry needle

Yarn


Buy it now on Ravelry!


GREEN FLAME! Cowl Pattern Available on Ravelry

Learn how to knit!

Buy now through Ravelry

Take on the challenge of this fiery colorwork pattern that knits up faster than Viari can sneak past a giant!

This GREEN FLAME! cowl sits close to the neck for +5 to warmth and +10 to geeky fashion.

Be the nerdiest nerd at your next D&D session and show off your love for Acquisitions Inc with this GREEN FLAME! cowl. Or better yet, be the first one to wear a GREEN FLAME! cowl to the next Acquisitions Inc session at PAX. Yeah, I know you’re their biggest fan.

SIZING
Circumference approx. 20.5in (52cm)
Height approx. 5.75in (14.5cm)

GAUGE
Gauge in the round, in stockinette, blocked
26 sts x 38 rounds = 4in (10cm)

MATERIALS
Needles
2.75mm (US 2) 16in circulars or size to obtain gauge

Notions
4 stitch markers (1 unique to mark round)
Tapestry Needle

Yarn
DK-weight wool in 3 colors, approximate lengths:
104yd (95m) in lime green (MC)
38yd (35m) in dark green (CC1)
60yd (55m) in gray (CC2)

Yarns used in sample:
Sheepish Yarn Co, Merino DK, 100g/231yds in Summer Fields colorway
Knit Picks, Swish DK, 50g/123yds in Jade and Ash

Buy now through Ravelry

Nice Cuppa pattern now available!

Nice Cuppa hat knitting pattern

For your knitting pleasure, let me introduce my newest pattern, Nice Cuppa!

This is a stranded colorwork beanie, knit up in primary colors, with a bit of vintage style that was inspired by a friend and her teacup. Read about my inspiration here.

I used O-Wool’s O-Wash Fingering yarn because the primary colors are deep, the yarn is organically processed to be a superwash wool, and O-Wool produces their yarns with a concern for animal welfare and the environment. The big bonus is that they also sell their fingering weight yarn in smaller mini-skeins, which is perfect for colorwork!

The hat is made to fit adult heads with some wiggle room. I’ve included measurements for the pattern repeats so that you can alter the circumference and the height if you need or want to.

You may want to have some colorwork experience, since this pattern uses 3 colors to a row in places. But hell, I’m all about challenging yourself, so go for it! Some tips on colorwork: Trapping long floats in colorwork by Paper Tiger & Three Color Stranding video by KnitPicks

The Nice Cuppa pattern is available on Ravelry, where you can find more details about the pattern and purchase it for download.

I’ve been published! Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers

Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers Knitting Pattern

As I mentioned in my 2015 Year in Review, I was finally brave enough (or crazy enough) to submit a design idea to a knitting magazine last year.

That idea became Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers and they have just been published in the latest issue of Knit Now!

Designing and knitting a sample for a magazine within a month was a little hectic… As seen below, you can see how stressed I am, filling every second of my day with knitting.

Mandy knitting on the beach
I’ve never knit so much in my life! We took a trip to the beach while my mom was in town and I knit while we walked. (Thanks to my mom for the pic.)

Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers were inspired by ‘slow moments’. I imagined sitting in my favorite arm chair, knitting a project with the softest yarn on a chilly, spring afternoon (which don’t exist here in Florida, but I tried). Oversized, snuggly arm warmers came to mind. I sketched them up, made a swatch, and the rest is history!

The sample was knitted with Erika Knight’s British Blue Wool and it is lovely to knit with! Erika Knight has created beautiful, subdued hues for this yarn.

The sample shown is in the Fawn and Boho colorways.

I’d also recommend combos of Pretty and Milk Chocolate, Milk and Leaf, Sea Fret and Dance, Sea Fret and Mr Bhasin, and for some nice contrast, Mouse and Boho.

Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers Color Combo Suggestions
Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers Color Combo Suggestions

Check out Saturday Afternoon Armwarmers in issue 59 of Knit Now! If you knit some of your own, please share them with me (leave a comment or tag me on Twitter or Instagram @mandybee)!