May Design Challenge Results

The W.E.S.T. May Design Challenge was "Cool Stuff for Dudes!" Members were invited to create something for the men in their lives, whether significant other, dads, brothers, friends....

Our first entry was from Nancy, of Nancy Blokland Pottery:

Red, white and blue pottery mug for the serious coffee drinker by Nancy Blokland Pottery

Nancy notes: large mugs are always my best seller with men. This one is long and lean and holds a lot of liquid (coffee, beer, chai): the choice is theirs.

Andrea, from We Are Bound Together, submitted this entry:

Rustic leather blank journal with tie closure by WeAreBoundTogether

This rustic leather journal is fitting for the whatever kind of man you have (or are trying to get!), from the cowboy to the scholar. As if duct tape wasn't manly enough (editor's note: check out Andrea's shop to understand this comment!). Leather is very diverse, and fits the masculine side perfectly. 

A big Thank You to the participants in this month's challenge!

We'd love to hear from you--what comes to mind when you think of "Cool Stuff for Dudes?"

We'll be taking the summer off from the Design Challenges, and our next one will be for the month of September. Stay tuned!

WEST May Design Challenge: Cool Stuff for Dudes!

Is there a special dude in your life? Whether it's your dad, brother, partner or a special friend, this month's challenge is to create something awesome for that special guy.

Vegan Chai Spice Shaving Cream Solid Refill by JustTheGoods

Whatever you think of when you think of your special dude, use those ideas as inspiration to create something new for this month's WEST design challenge. The deadline for submissions for this design challenge is Wednesday, May 30.

Green-Black Messenger Bag by Handmadeforuniqueness

Here's a quick review of how to play along: 
Think about the inspiration topic posted on the blog and in the team forum. As you mull over what that particular idea means to you, jot down some notes in the discussion thread or leave a comment on the blog. Take pictures of your process and finished item and post them in the forum thread. We would love to hear the story behind how you arrived at your finished creation! I will post a round up of all entries at the end of the challenge. 

A few notes: 
Create something new, especially for the challenge. Entries for each challenge must be finished by the posted deadline. Vintage and supply sellers are welcome to participate too, with a focus on artful photography and careful choice of item. 

Happy designing! 

Tutorial Tuesday: For the Boys!

Okay, let’s face it: Winnipeg is not one of those places where you can get away with fingerless gloves during the winter. But these gloves are a trendy option for gifts (one day spring will come!), and they’re very useful during time spent on public transit, or quick breaks outside. This is a great pattern for men’s fingerless gloves, from a Beehive “Woolcraft” pattern booklet published in 1915. I have changed some of the wording in the original pattern to make it easier to follow. Sadly no gauge was included, but this project doesn’t really demand an exact size. The mittens that I made were done with a much heavier gauge yarn than I should have used (Noro Kureyon), but they turned out fine and fit the recipient well.

Men's Mittens

Original description: Knitted plain (except for the ribbing, to give elasticity in the wrist) these mittens are simple to make and very comfortable in wear, especially where the fingers require to be free.

Materials: 2.5 oz (around 70g) 3-ply yarn

Four 3.0mm double pointed needles

Instructions:

Cast on 52 stitches, placing 16 stitches on the first needle and 18 on each of the other two needles. Work in 2x2 rib for 36 rounds, or to desired length. After a few rows, place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.

Work 10 rounds in plain knitting.

Begin the thumb: P1, increase in the next stitch (by knitting through the loop in the row just underneath the stitch, then knitting the stitch regularly), K2, increase again in the same manner, P1, K to end of round. The two purl stitches mark the outside of the thumb.

Knit two rounds plain, but continue to purl the two marker stitches.

* Increase row: P1, increase, K to the stitch before the next P stitch, increase again, P1, K to end of round.

K two rounds plain, continuing to P the two marker stitches as established*

Repeat * until there are 18 stitches between the two P stitches. Knit two more rounds plain without increasing. In the next round, K1 (the first purl marker stitch), place 18 stitches on a holder and leave them for the thumb, cast on 4 stitches, K the other purl marker stitch, continue on in plain knitting to finish the round.

Work 10 rounds in plain knitting.

Work 10 rounds in 2x2 ribbing. Bind off loosely.

Thumb: Take up the 18 stitches that were left on the holder and divide them evenly on two needles. With the third needle, pick up 6 stitches along the space between the other two needles.

Knit six rounds plain knitting

Work six rounds 2x2 rib.

Bind off loosely.

Weave in all ends. Block or steam as desired.

This tutorial originally appeared in my personal blog, Lovely Stray.