6 June 2011 · 2 Comments
I, in a more or less unprecedented move, decided to spend a weekend away from the computer. Somehow I convinced myself that Friday counted as the weekend too. Now to be fair, it was odd. It made me feel kind of…itchy. But, it did prove a theory I’ve been wondering about. It turns out that the whole wide world doesn’t end if I don’t check my email/check ravelry/update this site for several consecutive days. I’m not sure I want to risk it again though…there could be some sort of cumulative effect.
And now, to make it up to you, I’ll put out a new pattern. I told you I’d have one last week, one this week, and a nice surprise coming up soon. Look at me being all cool and actually doing what I say more or less on time. I could get used to this.
So, this is my newest confection, Foliate. It’s frilly and lacy and a total treat to work. I promise that lace is so much easier than it looks. You’ll have it down after just a row or two. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be endlessly charmed by the way the edge flips up (don’t worry, the pattern tells you how to block it to maintain the flip).
These are worked with 1 skein of Barking Dog Yarns Galaxy in the color Robin’s Hood. It’s marvelously soft stuff (no worries about wearing it right next to your skin), and the structure of the yarn gives a nice smooth fabric.
Enjoy!
31 May 2011 · 4 Comments
After much ado, I’m pleased to present Plicate.
We had a little photo shoot yesterday, and Lauren deserves great acclaim for willingly donning wooly things on the first really scorching day of the year. I haven’t the slightest idea how she managed. I was totally un-wool-covered, and I almost keeled over from the heat.
On the off chance it’s not too hot to even think of touching wool where you are (or, if you’ve given in and cranked up the a/c to the point where you’re actually just a bit chilly), you can now make one of your own. It’s soft and squishy, works up quickly (it’s another of those where you won’t need to look at the chart once you get the hang of the pattern), and can be adjusted to fit your notions of the proper amount of scrunching in the back. And don’t worry, there are careful instructions on just how to do the gathers at the back.
23 March 2011 · 2 Comments
Look, here I am again, three days in a row! That’s nearly unheard of. (Really, I feel bad about my unexpected absence and I’m trying to make up for it. Don’t expect it to last too long though, at some point I have to stop writing and actually knit, or else I’ll totally run out of things to say.)
And today, there’s a pattern. I’m pleased to introduce Louche.
I started these when were were on vacation in Nova Scotia. They sat, unfinished, uncomplaining, for months and months until I needed some soothing knitting. Then I remembered just how addictive they were finished them up in no time (I think I did the second sock in about four days, which is fast for me).
After a bit of delay to write them up and get them tested (they’re surprisingly easy, really), they’re ready to go.
If you’re itching to make your own, take a look over here and get started!
27 February 2011 · 4 Comments
I know, you’ve been waiting for these for awhile.
You guys totally talked me in to doing them. They started out as my ‘too sick to think’ socks. I really didn’t think you would be interested in them, but it seems you like them! Of course the super-simple to knit socks turned out to be unexpectedly challenging to write up.
Once the cold medicine-induced brain fog lifted, I got it figured out. Lots of lovely folks helped me test them to be sure that the instructions were clear.
Then, well, then I stuck them in my ‘to be photographed’ basket and let them hang out for two months. It was too cold to go frolicking outside without shoes, and I didn’t think I could get the pictures I wanted inside.
Enter my new boyfriend camera.
Yeah, I finally broke down and bought a grown up camera. It took me a long time. I had to talk myself into it. But it was so totally worth it.
I can now take pictures inside…you know, that place where the furnace works and where it very rarely rains (not never, there was that one really unfortunate experience, but rarely). That means pictures will be much less weather-dependent. This bodes well for timely pattern releases. Of course it means I will have to be sure to vacuum before I take pictures, but that’s likely easier than waiting for a warm dry sunny day in this part of the world.
If you’ve been waiting for these, head over and check them out.
14 February 2011 · 1 Comment
I’m not quite sure how to say this. I haven’t knit in, well, days and days. I think Wednesday was the last time I knit. That’s four whole days with no knitting. Not a swatch, not a hat, not a sock, nothing.
Part of it was that I burned my hand a bit (it’s almost completely healed now, no worries). Part of it was that we got a new dining room table this weekend and spent nearly every waking moment either hauling it in and setting it up, cleaning up after that rather destructive process, playing games, or preparing and eating tasty food. It was good to take a little break, but I’m ready to get something back in my hands.
In the meantime, so you don’t die of boredom and abandon me forever, I’ll put out this pattern. This was The Boy’s birthday hat. We picked out two yarns (a solid gray dk weight and a fairly wild blue, purple, and gray sock weight) that worked well together. The cable pattern is simple to get the hang of and satisfyingly unisex. A slightly smaller scale version of it is used for the mitt. These work at a variety of gauges and each project needs less than 150 yards of yarn, making them perfect for using up those single balls lurking in your stash.
If you want to cast something on for your sweetie, or for yourself, you can find the pattern here.
5 February 2011 · 53 Comments
So the plan had been to put this pattern up on Monday. But it’s ready now, and I don’t really do patience if I can help it. Also, there might just possibly be something else going on on Monday that I’ll want to squee about. So I’m putting it out now. Handy thing, making your own schedule.
These are, of course, the magical, sanity-saving, purple hats. One is for me, and one has made its way into the post to head off to my mom. The first of these was cast on within hours of getting my hands on the new Everlasting 12 ply dk by Dream in Color. I remain unreasonably smitten with it. It’s more or less perfect, and it’s the first time I’ve seen one of the ‘zillions of tiny plies’ style yarns in a heavier weight. I’ve already gotten scads more for another project and will be casting on soon.
And now, because the people at Dream in Color are awesome, I can share this new obsession treat with you. I’ve got two skeins of Everlasting 12 ply dk in the color Amethyst to give away. You can easily make both of these hats from one skein of yarn (I made 2 big hats from one skein and had about 30 yards leftover).
If you want to give it a try yourself, go take a look at the Everlasting colors, pick your favorite (or favorites, I’ve not been able to narrow it down much really), and leave me a comment telling me which ones you like best. Remember, I’ve got Amethyst, the one used in the hat to give away, I’m just shamelessly polling you to find out what colors you like (and to pad out my next shopping list). Do be sure to use your real email address (no one but me will see it, and I won’t use it for anything other than to notify the winner). I’ll keep comments open until Tuesday evening, and announce winners on Wednesday.
In the meantime, if your own sanity needs a little restoration, you can find the pattern here.
31 January 2011 · 5 Comments
The pattern for the Coruscate hat and mitt set is (finally) out. This was my first slouchy hat, and you watched it grow and watched me figure out how to block it to achieve proper levels of pouf (it turns out that the secret to blocking success was a giant but short bowl).
I finished these way back at the end of November, and have been using them ever since. But it was only yesterday that I had my lovely friend Lauren over to model them for me. They look much more stylish on her (on me, they look warm and snugly, on her, they look awesome). I’ll admit I’m jealous!
If you want to make your own, head over here and check them out.
We also took some pictures of the magical, sanity restoring purple hats, so that pattern should be out soon too. I’ve also got the pattern for one of The Boy’s hats all ready to go. My delay is just shameful. If I don’t show up here with a new pattern next week and the week after, poke me with a sharp stick and tell me to get a move on.
Up next, some lacy green mitts to go with the cowl.
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