Pretties!

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!