Zoe Blanket

Hey all!  I've been a very busy girl lately.  But that means I have brand new pattern to show you today.  I'm proud to present the Zoe Blanket, published by the Sanguine Gryphon.

It's knit from 3 skeins (1350 yds) of Skinny Bugga! on US size 2.5 (3mm) needles.  It's knit from the center out with a knit-on edging and just a teeny-tiny little seam to sew at the end.  The majority of the blanket is soothing stockinette stitch, with a bit of textured stitches every so often to keep it interesting.

The design is named for Kris and Pamela's (of the Sanguine Gryphon) new baby girl, Zoe.  Congratulations to the new parents, and I hope Zoe is enjoying her blanket.

Serendipity for Knit PIcks IDP

I recently re-worked the Serendipity Earband for Knit Picks IDP.  I knit it in Seraphim and Blackerry Cadena, which is a bulky wool/alpaca blend.  For under $12 you can make 2 ear bands with the colors reversed. If it had been available at the time, I would have been tempted to try their new bulky, Biggo. But if you look at the pattern's Ravelry project pages, it looks fabulous in all kinds of colors!  Go nuts!

We had a bunch of fun shooting the photos for it too.  Doesn't my friend look adorable?  I wish I had hair like that!!

Knitcircus Gift 2011

I am so proud to be included again this year in the Knitcircus Gifts Issue.  It has 13 patterns, a couple recipes (one is mine!), and a terrific article on knitting with beads by Laura Nelkin.



My pattern is called Winter Tide.  It comes in 2 versions.  A cowl and an infinity scarf.  It features reversible cables and is knitted in the round.  It's simple enough to make for great tv or travel knitting.  I know the samples went everywhere with me. 

The long version came be worn as a long loop or doubled up as shown.  It uses 1 skein of Miss Babs Yowza - Whatta Skein.  I used Light Turquoise.



The cowl is closer fitting but not tight.  It uses half a skein (or about 280 yds).  1 Yowza will get you 2 cowls and head start on your holiday knitting!


 

Sneak Peek

I've got a little something in Gifts Issue of Knitcircus and it comes out tomorrow!  Here's a tiny preview.

More tomorrow!

Dolcetto Knitalong

I designed this elegant 1 skein shawlette for the Fall issue of Knitcircus, and now we're having a KAL.  Its a fairly quick knit, stockinette with a leaf lace spine and edging. It could be a great jump start for your holiday knitting, or a lovely little something to throw around your own neck this fall. 

The KAL will run through October 10 in the Knitcircus Ravelry group. We've got prizes to give away!

Remote Cozy

See what happens if you mock a knitter/crocheter with requests for toilet paper cozies and remote cozies?  Eventually they will grant your request.  Just maybe not how you imagined.  :)  (Ed, you were really a good sport!)

Tiltillating

 Knitcircus Summer 2011 is live today!  I swear that every issue of this magazine gets better than the last.  I'm so proud to be a part of it.  I've got a scarf pattern on page 72 called Tiltillating. It's knit out of laceweight  silk ( I used Andrea by Schaefer Yarn Company).  I'm just stunned by how beautiful the photography is.

The issue is brimming with fabulous summer knits.  I especially love the Girly Gansey by Marie Grace Smith, the Mughal Shawl by Kieran Foley, and the Star Rib Mesh Market Bag by Paula Levy.


I'll be heading to Maryland tomorrow to visit my cousin and attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  I am so so excited!  If you see me, come say hi!  Oh, as for the weird remote cozy, I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I'll post pictures after I give it to the intended victim recipient.

2 More Days!

2 more days until the Knitcircus summer issue!  I have a little pattern in it, and from the sneak peeks I've seen, it looks like its going to brimming with gorgeous patterns.

In other news, I've just spent the afternoon crocheting a rather odd cozy.  In general, I do not knit cozies.  (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)  But I have been mocked and the recipient richly deserves this special special cozy.  Pics tomorrow.

Sunhats

It is finally a beautiful sunny day!  It's been about a week of cold and rain and decidedly un-springlike weather.  I've been combating it by knitting tiny little sunhats in scrumptious colors.  My friend from my lys is about to be a first time grandma to boy/girl twins.  I can't wait to see them showing off these hats.

I knit these up with Plymouth's Baby Boutique.  Just under a skein each of the coral and green, and about a half skein of the yellow.  The pattern is called A Sun Hat by Kristi Pyatt.  Quick and fun.

In other news, I'm so excited to see a sneak peek of one of my new designs today.  You can see it too at Knit...something?  Something about a circus, maybe?  ;)

SALE!

I am a terrible blogger and haven't posted in so long, but...I have been knitting.  I have a secret project that I'll be able to show very soon too.  In the meantime, I'm having a sale.  Buy one pattern and get a second pattern free!!!  No coupon code needed.  Just place 2 of my patterns in your cart and the less expensive pattern will be free.  Just a little thank you for all the support.  Enjoy!

A Tour of Lorna's Laces

This past Saturday I was part of a group that was lucky enough to tour Lorna's Laces.  Owner - Beth Casey was so gracious! She told us how she came to own Lorna's Laces and taught us a bit about each yarn. 

The best part was (of course!) the dye demo.  We watched as Beth dyed 24 skeins of yarn for Jimmy Beans.  It was amazing to realize that despite all the yarn Lorna's Laces turn out, each dye lot is only ever 24 skeins.  Know why?  That's what fits on the dye table.  Cool, huh? 

After all the dye is applied, it moves over to be heated so that the dye sets. 

Then it gets a quick spin the washing machine and hung to dry.  

After the tutorial, Beth turned us loose on some mill ends. 

I picked up some beautiful skeins.  I'm glad my sister was there too.  We helped to keep each other in check. And, believe me, it was necessary!  In the end I cam home a fairly reasonable amount that I am in love with.  I got some Fisherman, Shepherd Worsted, Shepherd Sport, and Shepherd Sock.

 My sister got some nice stuff too.

Last, I just wanted to show the a couple of cute decorations in the studio.

It was a really interesting and fun morning.  Thanks, Beth!

Winter's Last Blast Sale

I can hardly believe there was a blizzard just a couple weeks ago. It's 60 degrees today. It feels wonderful! But it's such a mess. That's the view of my backyard. Puddles and mud. Puddles and mud and 2 large dogs. Ugh.

It's going to get cold again next week, but for now I am enjoying this tiny taste of spring. It's wonderful to have the windows open and some fresh air moving through the house. It as always has me itching to cast on a million new things. I'm thinking about lightweight sweaters, sock yarn shawls, and lace. Lots of lace. I have to resist for now. I have some super secret deadline knitting underway. I chugging away, but that means I don't have anything new to show. It's killing me to not be casting on for baby project for soon-to-be-born nephew, but I have to stay FOCUSED.

So, since I can't indulge, here's a little something for you. Patterns in my shop are 20% off tomorrow February 18 - 28. I'll be back soon with baby knitting!

Booyah!

Honey Baby by Ann Hanson

I used Miss Babs Yummy in Light Violet and US size 5 needles (US size 3 for the edging). It took 6.5 months. It's 3 months late. It is shipping our tomorrow. I love it so much that it's going to hurt a little to give it up. But, Baby Violet, I think you're worth it. Enjoy, sweet girl.

Sweet Tart

Knit in Madelinetosh tosh DK with Us size 6 needles.  Worked in the round, Sweet Tart begins with hemmed picot edge and continues up the body in a sweet lacy heart motif.  (I think it would be adorable for Valentine's Day.  There's even enough time to knit it still if you focus.)  The upper body is knit in stockinette and splits to be knit back and forth at the armhole.  The shoulder are finished with a 3-needle bind off.  The neck and armholes are finished with a simple garter edge.  No sewing required.

Visit Knitcircus to check out the rest of the spring collection.  The entire collection is available for download for $7.99.

Comment on this post by midnight February 8, CST for a chance to win a copy of the Spring Collection.  I'll pull winners on Wednesday, February 9.

Spring Knitcircus goes live on Wednesday!

I've got a sneek peek at the cover of the spring issue.  Doesn't that scarf look gorgeous?  I am so ready for spring, but it's not be jut yet.  Chicago is bracing for a blizzard and 2 feet of snow right now.  I will enjoy planning out some spring knitting while the snow comes down at least.

I've got a new children's design this issue.  I can show you just a teaser....


Check back in.  I'll be hosting a giveaway for the spring pattern collection.

Josie Tam

Some people look cute in hats.  My sister in law looks fabulous in every hat I tried on her.  My daughter looks adorable in hats.  Not so much for me.  When I wear a hat I look warm.  Period.  No fashion statement, no je ne sais quois.  Just warm.

Which is really too bad because I love hats.  I want terribly to rock a hat, but I've mostly given it up.  Some people are not hat people.  So I have taken to knitting hats for all those in life how do look good hats.  But it nagged at me.

When I was small, my mom used to buy me gorgeous little fair-isle patterned tams.  I loved them and I still do.  Thinking about those tams, made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, I could pull off a slouchy  tam.

I'm not sure that I look amazing in it, but it's a quite a bit better than most.  Plus, it was a lot of fun to make.  It's named for my grandma, Josie, and it's knit form the bottom up.  The lacey rib pattern is a 4 round repeat that is quickly memorized and becomes intuitive.  It's also easy to adjust the amount of slouch to just the right proportion for you.

Josie a quick knit on US size 6 needles and just a skein or 2 dk weight yarn.  I used Valley Yarns Superwash DK in Misty Lilac, which is soft and oh-so-springy.  Just an evening or two will do to create your own Josie tam.  Josie is available as a pdf download here.  Keep an eye for matching fingerless mitts too.  The pattern should be available by next week.

I hope it keep you warm, while not making you look...um, warm.

The Great and Powerful Oz Socks

The Great and Powerful Oz Socks are now available through Woolgirl's Oz Club.  The kit is delicious!  The yarn,"Oz", is from Pigeon Roof Studios and the extras are so.much.fun!