I have a lot of passions: weightlifting, cooking, and Latin, to name a few. But I’ve been knitting for twenty years, and nothing is more enjoyable – or challenging.
Take a look at my latest projects below! Purchase available items on my Etsy shop.
Commission me to design and craft a creation that’s uniquely yours. Contact me for a complimentary design consultation.
quailandcotton@gmail.com
336-624-9854
Queensland Cowl
The sweet simplicity of this cowl does not reflect the difficulty of the pattern: it uses cable knitting, brioche, and bobbles – you knitters will understand the time involved! I love the way it turned out: it can be worn in spring or winter as needed, as a layer or statement piece, and with many…
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Organic Cotton Beauty Rounds
We live in a world of ubiquitous tchotchkies, instant gratification, and planned obsolescence. The modern world is impatient, our products disposable, and our ancestral knowledge is limited. That’s why I am conscious of what possessions I purchase and from whom. I want to support creative artists, people who are preserving timeless traditions and teaching others…
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Disney Villain Beanies
Even though they’re antagonists, there’s something mysteriously attractive about those evil Disney villains – especially the wicked women. Perhaps it’s the glamor and mystique of power, or the almost humorous twists of fate they endure. We’re drawn to their larger-than-life personalities, and many of us have a favorite villain. Mine has always been Cruella de…
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Charming Newborn Pullover
I’m a sucker for vintage patterns – I buy them by the stack, usually lay them aside for a while, and then rediscover them on a lazy Wednesday afternoon. It’s fun to find a project that isn’t from Pinterest or TickTok…a project that’s been sleepily waiting for me to uncover it and put to work…
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Lace Fingerless Gloves
Ahh, wintertime. The warm evening breeze fluttering through the palm trees, the exhilarated screams of thrillseekers at Disney World, and the familiar hum of the air conditioner kicking on mid-day. That’s right – here in Florida, things are a bit different, even during the holiday season. We enjoy Christmas lights and New Years’ parties as…
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Latvian Ski Cap
Ever since learning to knit in multiple colors, I’ve been attracted to the fair isle designs of Northern Europe. This charming hat pattern was inspired by traditional Latvian techniques and features a special cord at the brim. There is a very small window for wearing winter clothing here in Tampa, so I’m happy to share…
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Touchdown!
Football season is finally back, and I’m there. Look, I don’t spend my money on fancy clothes, makeup, or wild adventures. I pay big money to make sure I can see EVERY game, EVERY sack, EVERY touchdown. All. Season. Long. My poor husband suffers through NFL season, watching me with something tantamount to disdain as…
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Amy’s Accessories
When life gives you amazing coworkers, knit for them! I have the pleasure of working with a variety of colorful characters, not least of whom is Miss Amy. As I’ve told her before, she deserves the space she takes up on this planet. She’s a hard-working, straight-shooting, joke-telling overachiever who works hard on my team…
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Chevron Baby Blanket
I love the satisfyingly poetic symmetry of knitting for babies – what better way to welcome a newly created life into the world than with a creation of my own? Each child is a precious unique gift – and deserves to receive a unique gift! That is why I devote careful consideration to each baby…
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Lace Tablet Case
We all like to be cozy and protected from harm, and our smart devices are no different. Pretty soon, with the advances being made in AI technology, they’ll be able to tell us that themselves! My husband complains enough about the temperature in the middle of the night – can you imagine your phone yelling…
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Fishcloths
It’s like a line from a children’s joke book: What do you get when you cross an ocean creature with a kitchen scrubber? Why, a fishcloth, of course! Haha…ha….ha? Just me? Okay. Despite my lack of punniness, these cute fish dishcloths are amazing in so many ways. They are thick enough to do some serious…
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Shimmering Summer Baby Blanket
What does a knitter do in the summer? It’s hardly the time for scarves, hats, and gloves. Fortunately for all us knitting addicts, people have babies year-round. And as I perused the shelves at Hobby Lobby, this yarn called out to me with its shiny threads and jovial colors. I knew if it could brighten…
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Whimsical Forest Creatures
Florida has its perks – the beautiful year-round sunshine, the exotic wildlife, access to beautiful beaches and watersports, and of course theme parks galore. But as Florida’s “fall” approaches, it’s nothing but hurricanes and hot, humid weather. It does rather make me miss a classic Carolina September – with football, autumn leaves, and a cool…
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Hummingbird Catnip Toys
These toys combine three of a cat’s favorite things: birds, strings, and catnip. They’re a bit more delicate than the toys I usually create, but it’s good to have a variety – some cats enjoy batting around tiny toys, and of course kittens will enjoy playing with these too. I enjoyed using vibrant colors, although…
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Cutie Pie Dishcloth
The quarantine blues have permeated and persisted in many homes and communities, including my own. I needed to brighten my surroundings with a fun new project, and decided to add some “kitsch” to my kitchen with this cherry pie dishcloth. I love the way it turned out – it’s super thick so I can use…
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The Quarantine Unicorn
As the stress of quarantining for COVID-19 mounted and the negative news cycles proved deleterious to my mental health, I decided to add a touch of whimsy to my life. It was time for a unicorn. Because, why not? What else can bring a smile to your face regardless of circumstances? Certainly there are other…
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Lace Baby Sweater
Several weeks ago, before the Coronavirus sensation swept the nation and we were free to leave our homes, I chanced upon some beautiful hand-dyed local yarn here at Stash St. Pete. Made by Fat Bunny Yarn, the beautiful variegated purple wool was too much for me to pass up, even though I had no patterns…
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Santa Pillow
Ahh, Christmastime. While Jack Frost adorns windowpanes and, depending on where you live, snow dusts or dumps on the landscape, you’re inside making hot cocoa, decorating the tree, and snuggling on the couch watching your favorite Christmas movie (Die Hard, right? Right…?). That’s why I love the design of this pillow, the pattern for which…
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Rachel's Baby Blanket
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. -Psalm 139:13-14 I love how this scripture describes a child’s development in the womb. Knitting is a delicate, creative, and complicated art – a perfect analogy for equally complex and unique…
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Llamas of the Andes
Traditional Peruvian colors and designs are some of the boldest, brightest, and most creative in the world – and they provide great knitting inspiration. The woven textures, the beautiful wool and natural dyes, and the fact that everything from a belt to a poncho to the tiniest of buttons can be embroidered with stunning colors?…
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Infinite Sheep Scarf
When I first saw this pattern advertised on Knit Picks, I fell in love! It combined some of my favorite things: warm wool, infinity scarves, and fuzzy fence-jumping sheep. I knit this scarf in the round so it’s double thick and extra warm. The wool is blended with cashmere, giving it a silkier texture and…
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Taco Catnip Toy
When my amazing hair stylist Charlotte requested a custom cat toy, I was only too happy to make her one! And not just some boring string with feathers on it, but one of God’s greatest gifts to the stomach – a taco! Now every day can be Taco Tuesday for you and your favorite feline!…
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Custom Christmas Stockings
When a former university classmate asked me to create custom stockings for him and his wife, I leapt at the opportunity – it brings me joy to help others get into the Christmas spirit! Having custom Christmas stockings hanging by the fire is warm, charming, and helps fight the tide of mass-produced, cheaply made trinkets…
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Rudolph Hat
When it comes to Christmas hats, everyone thinks of a red Santa cap. Booooo-ring! I wanted to create something simple, festive, yet unique – and thus the reindeer hat was born. It’s not just adorable, it’s warm too – so you and your kids can wear it to those ice skating and snowman building adventures!…
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Christmas Stockings
There are a few things I insist upon each Christmas season: A real live Christmas tree, a lit fireplace (even after we moved to Tampa), and a smattering of simple, minimalist decorations that evoke the season and provide me with the satisfaction of creation. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the stockings hung on the…
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Catnip Mouse Toy
It’s a classic toy for a cat: a mouse stuffed with catnip. But the ones found in pet shops are typically small, poorly made, and end up lost under the couch within the first hours of bringing them home. That’s why I designed my mice to be large, durable, and positively brimming with catnip for…
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Christmas Ornament Dishcloth
These festive dishcloths are shaped just like Christmas baubles and will light up your kitchen for the holiday season! They’re large, knit from organic cotton, and machine washable. It brings me Christmas cheer to make them and I know you’ll enjoy giving or using them too. Choose from the traditional green and red, or request…
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Perry the Penguin
As far as I’m concerned, you’re never too old for stuffed animals – especially when they’re as cute as this adorable penguin! Perry is ready to be your buddy on your desk at work, your child’s car companion, or part of your Christmas home decor. Take him home today! You can purchase through PayPal using…
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Catnip Ball & String Toy
Austen and I used to have three cats: Samantha, Rocky, and Jasper. He adopted Samantha and Rocky in 2000 and they were his faithful friends until they passed in 2018. Jasper was a fun little firecracker who escaped out our front door after the FedEx delivery driver left it ajar. All three of them loved…
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Yoda Hat
Halloween can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Having a simple yet effective costume can make the holiday much simpler, especially for little ones (although my hats and Star Wars fans come in all sizes). This Yoda hat is easily recognizable and makes a great costume. It’s also made of comfortable…
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Triceratops Keychain
I’ve been wanting to knit some keychains for quite some time, but couldn’t decide on what to create. When I learned that the triceratops is my friend Erin’s favorite dinosaur, and she had a birthday coming up, that problem was solved! I was thrilled with how this turned out and can’t wait to make more…
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State Dishcloths
Most of us came home from Sunday school or summer camp with our attempt at making something useful for mom – a popsicle stick napkin holder, a salt dough necklace, or something else that she “treasured” but never really used. I love the idea of personalizing a kitchen without getting too wacky. Making personalized dishcloths…
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Catnip Fish Toy
Your cat would love a fresh fish to flop around with on the floor – but let’s face it, that sounds like a mess. Instead, give your feline companion one of my handmade fish toys! They’re durable and stuffed with organic catnip – keeping your floors fish-free and your cat happy. You can purchase through…
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Dobby Hat
When a friend’s children wanted to become Harry Potter characters for Halloween, I knew I had to help make it happen. Dobby is a beloved character from the books and can be a simple costume to make – all it takes is this hat and, depending on the size of the child, a sacrificial pillowcase…
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Quail and Cotton 