Dappled Leaves

We all have a skein (or 12) of amazingly gorgeous, highly variegated yarn that we couldn't live without.  If you're at all like me, it's destiny is to become a sock or, even more likely, to decorate your home as the piece of art that it is.

I purchased this skein of Permission Tree Farm Piggy Toes SW at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival a couple years ago. I bought it because the colors reminded me of the awe inspiring autumn foliage from my trip to Rhinebeck with my girls a few years before.  I had to have it, but I didn't know what to do with it.  I wanted it to be more than socks, so it waited and waited.

Finally, I had a little spark of an idea and wound it up.  I cast on for a nice wide piece with larger needles and began knitting in a broken brioche-type stitch.  It's reversible, thick, and fluffy, but so light and squishy.

The knitting was mostly of the mindless tv variety.  I  kept going until almost the end of the skein and then seamed the ends together to make a long cowl, but it looks great as a scarf as well.

Almost any weight of yarn, combined with needles 3-4 sizes larger than the ball band recommends will give you a lovely fabric.  I think it's the perfect use for that special skein of sock yarn.  And it's quick enough for gift knitting.  I've included it in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long.  It will be 25% through 11/15/2013 GMT with the code "giftalong".

Nova

I recently completed the sweetest little girl dress.  It's my first holiday knit of the season.

Nova by Signe S. Simonsen from Petite Purls, Issue 8. 

I knit from Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply, my all time favorite yarn.  The colors are Sugar (the pink) and Athena (the brown).  I only used about 3/4 of each skein. I made no mods except to shorten the sleeves, since this little one lives in a much warmer place.  It was lovely pattern, well written and easy to knit during this summer's endless softball and soccer games.

This is her combo, belated first birthday/holiday dress.  But since her mom was here to visit, I sent it home with her.  I want this sassy girl to get as much wear as possible out of it. 

Math4Knitter Podcast

I recently was asked to be interviewed for the Math4Knitters podcast.  Lara and I talk about Hitch, weekend's off, socks, designing and more. http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20131103/BLOGS2601/131029336

Thanks for having me, Lara!

Indie Design Gift-a-long

What happens when a group of indie designers get together and decide to have a little sale and a knit-a-long?

Prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers!

What is Gift-A-Long? It’s a multi-designer promotion to help you kick your holiday gift-making into high gear!

You are invited join us at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long to participate.

Put plainly, from November 1st until November 15th any pattern listed in the “List of Participating Patterns” thread is 25% off when you use the code “giftalong”.

All the patterns in my pattern store are included in the GAL.  Just look for the gold Gift-A-Long tag!

Once you’ve got your Gift-A-Long patterns, we encourage you to join a relevant KAL/CAL! (For instance, if it is a cowl, please join the cowl KAL/CAL.) KAL/CAL participants are eligible for lots of lovely prizes (check out the Prizes thread for details) but you gotta post to win!

KAL/CALs will run until December 31st, plenty of time to knock out all your holiday knitting and crocheting.

On your mark…get set…. GIFT!!

Alicia Tam and Mitts KAL

Join me for the Alica Tam and/or Mitts KAL!  The Knit-A-Long runs Nov 1 - Dec 31.  Knit either the tam, the mitts, or both! 

The KAL is being hosted in the Hitch group on Ravelry. http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/hitch/2740735/

I hope to see you there!

Winner

MaryinTN (mamameow), you win!  Please check your Ravelry account, your copy of Hitch is waiting for you!

Hitch Blog Tour

Almost 2 years ago, I saw Stephannie Tallent's call for submissions for a book she was curating with Cooperative Press.  It was intriguing, based on the films of Alfred Hitchcock and using a color palette of black, white, shades of grey, and splashes of crimson.  I loved working with Stephannie when she was with Knitcircus, so I couldn't pass it up.

I designed the Alicia Tam and Mitts, based on Ingrid Bergman in Notorious.  I actually used this image as a starting point for my sketch.

The lovely folks at Brooklyn Tweed provided the yarn, Loft, and I feel like the end result is just as current and wearable now as it was then.

 It was amazing opportunity to be included with all the talented designers that worked on Hitch.  There are 29 designs by Rebecca Blair, Glenna C., Kristen Hanley Cardozo, Brenda Castiel, Rachel Coopey, Jennette Cross, Anna Dalvi, Nina Machlin Dayton, Elizabeth Green Musselman, Becky Herrick, Elanor King, Triona Murphy, Carolyn Noyes, Luise O’Neill, Heather Ordover, Anne Podlesak, Stefanie Pollmeier, Jaala Spiro, Nadya Stallings, Jill Bigelow Suttell, Stephannie Tallent, Katherine Vaughan, Christina Wall, Christina Werge, Linda Wilgus, and Karin Wilmoth.

You can order Hitch from Cooperative Press or on Ravelry for $16.95. Or you can win a digital copy here, by leaving a comment.  The winner will be chosen by random number generator.  Be sure to leave your email or Ravelry ID so you can receive your prize.

Follow along for the rest of the blog tour:
9/28/2013: Sunset Cat Designs
10/5/2013: Knitting Kninja
10/05/13: Knit One, Heart Too Podcast
10/7/2013: Herrlichkeiten
10/8/2013: Knit and Travel
10/9/2013: Knit & Knag Designs
10/10/2013: Wooly Wonka Fibers
10/11/2013: Verdant Gryphon
10/15/2013: Impeccable Knits: Shifting Stitches
10/16/2013: Rewolluzza
10/21/2013: Knitwear Designs by Carolyn Noyes
10/22/2013: Peacefully Knitting
10/23/2013: Dark Matter Knits
10/24/2013: Turnknit: Dani Berg Designs (You're here!)
10/25/2013: SweetGeorgia Yarns
10/28/2013: doviejay knits
10/29/2013: Triona Designs
10/30/2013: Tactile Fiber Arts
11/4/2013: A Knitter’s Life
11/5/2013: Catchloops
11/6/2013: Yarn On The House
11/07/2013: Ramblings
11/12/2013: Hazel Knits
11/13/2013: Knitcircus
11/19/2013: indigodragonfly
11/9/2013: Fyberspates
11/22/2013: A B-ewe-tiful Design
11/25/2013: knittingkirigami

Harvest Fling

New pattern today, folks!  I really adore this one.  Harvest Fling is a crescent shawl knitted from the bottom up, with simple short row shaping on the stockinette portion.  It's knit from one skein of Sun Valley Fibers MCN Lace in Olive Grove.  This yarn is luscious.  It's both a pleasure to knit and to wear.

And I have to thank my friend Erica for writing a fabulous pattern blurb for it:

It’s that time of year.  Change is in the air. 

This shawl is the perfect addition to keep you

Warm as the sun sets earlier. 

Reminding you of your first love...cashmere!

Please be aware that the lace portion of Harvest Fling is available with charted instructions only.  It's available for $6.00. 

 

Hitch is now available for pre-order!

Hitch: Patterns Inspired by the Films of Alfred Hitchcock is now available for pre-order! Pre-orders come with a lovely cabled cowl bonus pattern from Stephannie Tallent inspired by Rear Window.

Keep an eye out in the Hitch Ravelry group for announcements about the blog tour, giveaways, reviews, and Knit-a-longs!

Personal knitting

One thing I really miss as a designer is knitting for myself and for family and friends.  I generally manage to knit something for the big life events, or a quick pair of socks, but overall, there's not a lot of personal knitting going on.

I've decided to try something new.  Weekends off.  On the weekend I can knit whatever the hell I want.  It sounds so exciting that I now have a list of must-knits.  First up is a dress my best friend's baby.  It's a belated first birthday gift.  Belated because there just isn't much point in knitwear in Texas in the warmer months.  So, I'm making her a little dress for this fall/winter.

Nova from Petite Purls.

Those gorgeous colors are Athena and Sugar in Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply. I'm going to make it with cap sleeves so she can wear it a little longer in the warm Texas spring.

I'm so excited that I'm actually a little giddy!

Just for fun

 

The more I design, the less time I have for personal knitting.  I miss it.  I miss the mindless knitting. I miss dressing my kids in handknits.  So I've gotten in the habit of having something else going.  Someone else's pattern or a no pattern sock.  It takes me forever to finish anything, but it's nice to have some relaxing knitting even if it's just a few rounds here and there.

These little Watermelon anklets were my relaxation knitting for the past several months.  Yes, months.  They were inspired by the Sporty Striped Peds from The Purl Bee .  I used the leftover Miss Babs Yummy from my Color Affection.  I cast on 60 sts on US 1.5 needles in the accent color. 5 rows of 2x2 rib. Switched to the main color and worked a short row heel.  Continued down the foot and added 3 accent stripes across the instep.  Worked a wedge toe in the accent color.  I switched the colors for the second sock.  Easy peasy.  Relaxing.  And, best, the first thing I've knit for my daughter in over a year!

Now it's back to work.  But, I did start a nice simple sock in one of my favorite sock yarns, Felici by Knitpicks.  It's rainbow (one of my favorites!) and my personal no-pattern sock recipe.  I also finished up the grey Impetus.  I think it came out beautifully.  I should have photos soon!

Cocktail time!

You know how we pin all these amazing DIY projects on Pinterest and then never make them?  Well, I don't know about you, but I never make them.  Unless it's recipes.  I've made tons of Pinterest recipes.  But the home projects?  Not so much.

A while back, I was checking out all the cool DIY patio furniture and I came across a bunch of pins for these tables with containers built in for drinks.  I showed my husband, who happens to be a pretty handy guy.  He liked it and said, "I can make that."  AND THEN HE DID.  Those who know my honey will be surprised as well.  But, what man doesn't love a table that will keep his favorite beverage frosty and he never has to leave his seat?

We have a long narrow deck, so our table is 7 feet long and a bit thinner than usual and it is perfect!  Here's the night we tested it out.

 

Yes, that is my husband hiding behind the boards at the far end.  When the ice troughs are not in use, the boards he's holding lie right on top, making a the tabletop whole.  Pretty cool, huh?

In knitting news, I've been working up a sample of Impetus for the Knitpicks IDP out of 1 skein of Stroll Tonal in Thunderhead.  I'm halfway done and hope to finish it up by tomorrow.  I'm really liking the colorway!

Spot the Dots

Just a spot of love is all you need to put together this fun and cheerful blanket. Using a classic knit/purl method in a effortless repeating pattern, you can create an eye catching blanket for the one’s you love. How long did it take you to spot the dots?

Twined Together

Twined Together was originally available exclusively through Woolgirl as part of the Linus Kit.

As of today they are also available for download.

With 3 sizes includes, it's knitted from the cuff down, with a cable panel that is both written and charted.

I think it's a nice design for both men and women.  I'm thinking about knitting them in a chocolate brown for one of the dad people in my life.

Chicago Scarf in Knitscene Accessories

I'm so excited to announce that I have a pattern in the new Knitscene Accessories!

Winter in Chicago isn’t so much about the temperature but the windchill. It makes you wish your scarf was just a bit thicker and longer to cover you up just a bit more...

The Chicago Scarf is simple yet sophisticated. It is worked all in one piece lengthwise in a delicate lace pattern bordered with garter stitch using aran weight yarn. Increases on either end, every right side row to create tapered ends and an unusual trapezoid shape.

Knitscene Accessories will be in stores June 4, or you can download the digital version now.   For download or just to preview all the wonderful patterns go to KNITSCENE. 

Impetus

Impetus is now available! 

It's a sideways shawlette, knit entirely in garter stitch.  The lace edgings are both written and charted.

The sizing/yardage needed is completely adjustable.  I knit the sample using Miss Babs Yummy  in Sugar and US # 5 needles.  (about 400 yds) 

But you can achieve an entirely different look by changing up the weight of the yarn and size the of the needles.  I think this pattern would also work extremely well for a variegated yarn.

I think it's a perfect little grab and go accessory for spring and summer.  Wear it with a pretty little sundress or toss it in your bag for just case or over-chilled restaurants and movie theaters.  You can this in just a couple days too! 

For the first week of it's release, I'm offering it at 20% off.  Just use the coupon code Impetus20.

Resilience is now available!

When the season’s change and a bright chill is in the air, Resilience is the perfect project to welcome that new time of year. Worked from the neck down to the edging, this pattern offers a number of main or edging pattern repeats that allow the shawl to be fully customized. As is its namesake, Resilience has the ability to adjust and become something new. In fact, it’s the perfect something new for you!

Both charts and written instructions are provided.

Finished Measurements
65” wide and 26” 165 x 66 cm long, after blocking.

Gauge
20 sts and 32 rows = 4” 10 cm in Chart B pattern, after blocking.
Gauge is not critical, but note that changes in gauge will result in different yarn req’ts’.

Yarn
Tess’ Designer Yarns, 100% Merino (500 yds/457 m, 1.76oz/50g skein), 2 skeins or 650 yds

Needles
US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles, 24 or 32”; or size required to obtain gauge

Supplies
Stitch markers (6), yarn needle, pins or wires for blocking

Almost ready!

Spring Ahead

I'm working on a design.  I don't think I've shown a work in progress on the blog before, but since this will be a self published piece, why not?

It's in my favorite shades of orange.  It just screams spring to me.  I'm really ready for spring this year.  This fall and winter my mom was diagnosed and began her battle with breast cancer.  She's finished with chemotherapy and, at the beginning of next month, she'll have her surgery.  Her doctors are giving her a good prognosis, but this has been a very scary time for all of us.  Spring is the new beginning we desperately need right now.

Knitting on this has helped. Can you see the little diamonds?  I'm sending this off for tech editing next week, so I have a lot of knitting to do still.  And I still need to name it, always one of the hardest parts!

Color Affection

This past August I went to Stitches Midwest with my friends.  I didn't have much of a yarn budget, so the plan was to only buy yarn that I could not easily buy elsewhere.  For me that meant hand-dyed yarn.  While I can, and have, purchased hand-dyed yarn online, I vastly prefer to purchase it in person.  So, off to the Miss Babs booth we went.

Unless you've been living in a cave, you've probably seen the Color Affection Shawl. For a while it seemed that absolutely everyone was knitting one.  I wanted to knit, but I've been busy working on lots of super secret projects.  I had absolutely no business even thinking about knitting a Color Affection Shawl.  But then that sneaky Miss Babs put together a wall of Color Affection yarn kits.  Curses!  I tried to convince my friends to knit one.  I picked out about 5 colors combos, but decided that I would order them online when I had the time.  Then I saw it.  It was loud, bright, and fabulous!  AND THE ONLY ONE!  I grabbed it and paid before I could even think it through.

I've worked on it slowly since that night.  A row or two here and there in between work knitting and finally, it's done.

Even Sock likes it.  I had to chase him to get it back!

A little romance

It's live!  Quince and Co has just released the Scarves, Etc 2013 collection.  It's available as an ebook, or as individual pattern.  All are available for immediate download.

Previews

I'm delighted to show a preview of "A Little Romance".  It is part of the Quince and Co Scarves 2013 Collection.   It is a 17 piece collection, with all piece available for individual purchase and download on March 5.  More information coming soon!

Baby Knitting

I love knitting for babies. My cousin just had a new little sweetie, Niko.  Neekers.  Isn't he adorable?

I wanted something quick, easy to dress him in, and adorable.  I think this works.  Puerperium Cardigan

I think it up in just a day or 2, out of less .than 1 skein (200 yds) of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport that came in the Soakbox I got for Christmas.  The color is Cuff au lait.

I also made Neekers a blankie.  A blanket I have been coveting for some time.  Norma from Knitty.  I changed it up and made it smaller by using 2 skeins of Miss Bab's Yummy Sock in Spring Lettuce and US #5 needles.  I think I stopped around row 80-ish of the second set of charts.  I was running low on yarn (and not paying attention very well!), so I kind of did my own thing on the eyelet boarder as well.  Overall, I'm super happy with it.  It blocked to be about 33.5" square.  Plenty large for a baby blanket and a wubbie later on.