“You pitched them a WHAT?!” Todd says. “A dickie” I replied. “You’re telling me… that you pitched a knit dick-IE… in a subscription box?” he asks. Yup Todd, yup I did. This probably isn’t something I ever expected to do - but I did.
Let’s reverse the tapes. **Sound of a tape screeching back**
This month I am extremely excited to be the knit designer for the October 2020 Knitcrate subscription box (Which PS you can use the code TUDE20 to get 20% off of your first box!), and you know in my heart of hearts - that I love a good ol’ joke. But the best part? This dickie is STUNNING, and you’re gonna wanna make it.
FIRST OFF - WHAT IS KNITCRATE?
Knitcrate is a monthly subscription box where every month you are delivered 2 skeins of yarn, a pattern book with a minimum of one knit and one crochet pattern from indie designer(s) around the world, and usually a little fun extra (like a pin or sticker or needles). You send in your color palette of choice, and what weight of yarn you like to work with most, and they match your box (this writes itself - what can I say?) as best to you with every month. Each month is a new yarn, new base and new color theme, and with each month; a new set of designers! You can sign up for just one month or multiple for $24.99-26.99USD/month. They even have a sock crate dedicated to socks, and that one is $19.95USD/month. (Use the code TUDE20 to get 20% off of your first box)
ONTO THE DICKIE PITCH
Last year at Our Maker Life, I met one of the gals from Knitcrate. I had already been signed up with them to receive a box each month and was always curious about how they found their designers. We chatted throughout the night and she asked me to reach out.
I was lucky enough to be the starter designer for the October Knitcrate this month, which means I also got to help pick out the yarn! (Check out Woods and Wool for her crochet pattern with this yarn!) You know I’m all about the neutrals (so they don’t clash with my purple hair!), so we instantly gravitated towards more of a rustic fall, terracotta, cream style vibe. Soft palettes, classic colors, solid. I’m also a sucker for a cozy wool with a ton of fluff - so we decided on a thicker size 6 super bulky weight, and oomphed up the fuzzzz with 82% Peruvian Highland Wool and 18% Pima Cotton. This yarn is 109 yds (100 m) / 100 g - so if you don’t get the crate in time - no biggie, you can still make this dickie with another size 6 super bulky yarn (like Lionbrand WoolEase Thick n’ Quick).
So when it came to designing time, I was thinking of a super cute fluffy hat, maybe a cowl, but Knitcrate reached out asking if I could come up with something “Out of the box'“ (funny huh huh?) and try to stay away from cowls and hats since that’s what they usually had in their boxes. So that night I sat at knit night… and thought. And thought.. and thought… and then BAM. I got an idea. A dickie! And you wanna know why? Cause I have a twisted sense of humour of course.
A DICKIE IN A BOX
Youtube video: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2hb0fy
Because honestly… the idea of a dickie…. COMING IN A SUBSCRIPTION BOX? HOW BLOODY GOOD IS THAT! So I did it. I came up with a design and pitched it. Yup, I pitched a dickie. Even right now I am chuckling as I write this.
THE DESIGN
CHECK OUT MORE OF MY KNITTING PATTERNS HERE.
PIN THIS PATTERN TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS FOR LATER HERE.
ADD THIS PATTERN TO YOUR RAVELRY QUEUE HERE.
USE THE CODE TUDE20 FOR 20% OFF YOUR FIRST KNITCRATE BOX HERE.
OK guys, I might have outdone myself. This dickie is great. I knew that even though the idea was sparked by a joke, I didn’t want the final product to be one too. If you don’t know, a dickie is essentially a faux turtle neck, but instead of it being a full shirt to put under another shirt, it’s like… just a square, with a turtle neck attached. (People usually associate them with the character Wallowitz from The Big Bang Theory). It’s quite brilliant though, and they are quite practical even though they get a bad rap.
SO, I’m sure you’ve seen by now the over-sized sweater trend all over social media right? Where it’s a big cozy sweater, but somehow tucked into the tiniest high-waisted skinny jeans. LIke…. how the eff are you getting all that fabric in there? So, the dickie was the perfect answer. All the bulk in the right places… without the bulk in the wrong places. Like your arms when you try and wedge your oversize sweater into your coat. You still get the cute style of a turtleneck or cowl, but without the excess bulkiness under your shirt/jacket. THAT is what I was going with for this design.
Since I knew that the word “dickie” could throw people off, I tamed down its name. So without further adieu I introduce you to the “Cozy Celtic Kerchief”. A sister to the “Cozy Celtic Raglan”. I hope you love it!
You can find this pattern by itself in my Ravelry and Etsy shops, or until Mid October 2020 in the Knitcrate monthly subscription box. It is written in 3 hybrid sizes; S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X (32-54” bust), but please note that for the two later sizes, you will need to purchase an additional skein to add to your Knitcrate box.
MATERIALS
2 (S/M), 3 (L/XL, 2X/3X) skeins of KnitCrate Uru Yarn Chonk or approximately 197m/215 yards -299m/327yards of another super bulky weight yarn, category 6
Size US 13/9mm circular needles 20”/50cm long
2 Stitch markers
Cable needle
Scissors
Darning needle
Funny enough, October is actually the first month that you can opt-out of the subscription coming in a box, and go towards a more eco-friendly poly mailer. So even though some of you may not be getting a “Dickie ina box”, I hope you still get a laugh when you see it! #PleaseSaveTheEarth and get the eco-friendly option! Every bit helps.
So what do you say… wanna knit your first dickie now?