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.