Every time I spend a weekend at Vogue Knitting LIVE or any other event, a question I frequently get is Which of your patterns would you recommend for a total beginner? Up until now, my reply has been lengthy explanation about what kind of basic knitting project to try first, then what kind of circular pattern to try next, THEN a new knitter might be ready to tackle a Mochimochi Land project.

But now I have a better answer!

I’m so excited to introduce my new series of Starter Mochis, beginner-friendly Mochimochi Land patterns that come with instructions for both flat and circular knitting.

While these aren’t appropriate for TOTAL beginners, if you know the basic stitches—knit and purl, plus increase and decrease stitches—the Starter Gnome, Starter Hedgehog, and Starter Unicorn are totally doable for you!

Worsted-weight yarn is recommended for pocket-size mochis (and that’s what comes with the kits), but you can scale them up or down as you like.

Grab a kit and needles so that you’re all set with materials, or if you’re well stocked but finding it hard to choose just one project, the PDF collection gets you three patterns for the price of two!

I hope that these projects help more new knitters give toys a try, and maybe even jumpstart a (very positive) addiction.

It’s mid November—time to move on from talk of walls (at least for now) and start building bridges made of butter and carbs. Thanksgiving is coming!

In Mochimochi Land, we’re giving thanks for the little things with some sweet and savory new projects that you can make much more quickly than an actual Thanksgiving dinner. Knit a tiny turkey, tofurkey (or fruitcake, if you prefer), mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for a miniature centerpiece that will delight your cool cousin Rita and confound Uncle Ernesto.

The pattern collection is available as a PDF download for $6 from the Mochimochi Shop. And take half off with the code THANKS through 11/27!

Let me also take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been a part of Mochimochi Land this year with your knitting, your commenting, your sharing, your purchases, and your crazy mods. It’s a privilege to share this world of knitting with you! And if you’re new to Mochimochi Land, welcome!

The big Mochimochi Land summer sale is back!

Refresh your knitting with 20% off of EVERYTHING in the shop through September 5th. EVERYTHING includes all PDF patterns, books, kits, needles, and more adorable things that help you make happy!

To take advantage of the discount, use the code SUMMERSQUEE when checking out.

Please note, this sale does not apply to patterns purchased from the Mochimochi Land Ravelry store, but we’re happy to add patterns purchased via Mochimochiland.com to your Ravelry library upon request.

Maybe you have already figured out who Jumbo Gnome’s big new friends are…

Jumbo Mushrooms!

Now Jumbo Gnome finally has someone to play hide-and-seek with and maybe win.

As much as I love knitting teeny-tiny things, sometimes you just have to go big! Like with Jumbo Gnome, I knitted these guys using Knit Picks Biggo yarn, which is lovely and fluffy and oh-so huggable. Bulky yarn also means that they knit up quickly, and you can make them way smaller (if you are so inclined) just by using fingering-weight yarn and size 1 needles.

The three mushrooms are made separately, so that means there are endless ways to combine them as you like. And the pattern also includes instructions for spots!

Even Mochimochi Land’s tiniest inhabitants can enjoy these big plushy mushrooms.

I can’t wait to see your versions on Ravelry! The pattern is now available as a download for $6 there and also here in the Mochimochi Shop.