Cowl count down to Christmas

 

In conjunction to this years New Years Resolution, I have decided to finally try and de-stash my hoarding closet full of yarn!  It has taken 10 months to finally start this resolution - although better late than never and I'm actually feeling accomplished!  My mission was to find 1 skein of lonely yarn and match it with the ideal pattern.  This is a project in itself!  However, I think I found the right patterns and I know that I have the right yarn. 

 

So Christmas gift #2 is......

Pattern:  Purl Bee, The Classic Cowl
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/classic-cowl-4

Since I only had 1 skein, I cast on just enough stitches to work in the round on the long needles that I had.  I believe I cast on 168 sts.  This is a Brioche stitch which is slow moving but I love it.  I used every last inch of this Rabbit Angora yarn.  Cost of this cowl, approx. $18.

 Yarn:  Aslan Trends, Invernal

http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/aslan-trends-invernal

I love this yarn - mainly because Rabbit Angora is scrumptious and a luxury fiber.

It barely double wraps but on a cold blustery day, this turtleneck like cowl will keep you warm!  This gift is for my 15 year old who is into the camouflage green and wears infinity cowls well.  If she doesn't like it, I get it!

Christmas Gift #3

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/5th-avenue-infinity-scarf

Super easy 4 round repeat

 Yarn:  Cotton Fleece by Brown Sheep Yarns

http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/brown-sheep-cotton-fleece

I used this yarn because this gift is for my 1st born who seems to have skin sensitivity to just about everything itchy!  This cotton fleece is soft, squishy and has no itch. 

Feeling accomplished!

Once again, I only had 1.5 skeins of this yarn.  I cast on the 240 sts as the pattern states and I just knit until I ran out of yarn.  It is approx. 6.5" wide where as the pattern calls for 10" wide.  I don't think the extra width matters.  What matters is that I de-stashed again!  Woohoo! 

Heading back into the yarn closet to find some more loner skeins......

Knitting fingers on fire for Christmas this year!

There has been some years where I knit up a storm for Christmas (like the time I decided that all 15 of my nieces and nephews needed new ski hats for Christmas -- and the thought came to me on December 1st!) while other years (like the past 3 teen years) where I didn't knit a single gift.  I miss the busy knitting fingers.  I miss the late night knit nights trying to finish in time.  I miss the constant reminder of who I am knitting for and how much they'll love it. 

So this year, in conjunction with my New Years Resolution to downsize my yarn stash, I decided to rummage through my personal LYS closet and see what I can't use up.  I made a mess doing it but ended up finding 7 different skeins of yarn for 4 projects.  4 hats, 2 infinity cowls and 1 pair of socks.

Next, I cruised the Ravelry pattern pages trying to marry partial skeins with patterns.  Huge success in minimal wasted time.

So this seasons series will be on my Christmas Creations using existing stash (which also means free gifts!)

 

Project 1:  Tally's Hunter Rain Boot Socks.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-woodcutters-daughter

Yarn:  1 skein of Cascade Eco-Wool

Needles:  US 10

Seriously excited about these and super quick and fun to create. 

Souvenirs to last a lifetime

I find myself feeling overwhelmed with sentimental souvenirs from my many travels over the past 30 years.  I can't seem to throw them away - it's as if I am throwing away the memories from that trip.  For example, I have a black mask that I purchased in Venice, Italy in 1982 that I can't seem to let go of.  I had a Swiss clock from Switzerland and a Norwegian hand knit sweater from Norway that I have also been lugging around since 1982.  None of it goes with my décor these days and the sweater is small, itchy and has a hole in it.  Those are my oldest souvenirs, I still have all of the mugs and trinkets from the other 30 trips since 1982. 

So this past month, I changed my souvenir shopping to a whole new approach.  I now only buy local foods (honey, coffee, chocolates....) to savor when I get home and YARN! 

 



Yarn will last a life time - good quality yarn, anyway.  This one, although very spendy ($40!) is from Wyoming.  I'm not sure what hand pulled Bison is but I'm in love with the Bison here and had to have some of  their fiber.  It's local, supporting 2 small businesses - the indie fiber company and the local yarn shop where I purchased it. 

My big bad girls weekend away

Even though I turned 50 almost 11 months ago, I finally had my girls spa weekend away with my best friend of nearly 40 years.  Our intention was to hike, do a few spa treatments, eat some healthy organic food and celebrate our accomplishments to date.  Knitting was not supposed to be part of the trip aside from a few rows here and there while in flight. 

 

However, keeping in tradition, I thought I better knit on a few red rocks in between catching my breathe and enjoying the views. 

 

And of course, there is nothing more exciting than literally falling upon a yarn shop or two!  One, happened to be literally across the street from our hotel.  I couldn't have planned that if I had tried! 

http://www.thesedonaknitwits.com/ 

 

The other one was in Jerome, Arizona http://www.knit1bead2.com/

 

and I was just peeping into store front windows when I fell upon my 2nd yarn shop. 

Both had a little something that I needed which completely fulfilled my trip and treasures.

 

I have another adventure about to happen this weekend and I have already been told that there is at least 1 if not 2 wonderful yarn shops in the area.  Stay tuned.......

 

 

Mink and Cashmere come together!

Modeled by my niece, Elizabeth

 

You haven't knit until you have knit with mink and cashmere combined!  This duo set will make you happy from the time you cast on to the time you wear them.  Every last inch of this precious yarn is used to make the 2 projects out of 1 skein of yarn.

 

Meribel by Mink.com (70% mink, 30% cashmere in DK weight)

Yarn may be purchased at Rainy Day Yarns in Gig Harbor, WA http://rainydayyarns.com/location/

and also available on-line at www.Minkyarn.com

 

buttons by www.abbeyyarns.com

Both projects are knit in the flat using simple stitch patterns that compliment the yarn.  The faux cable is just that, not a cable but it looks like one.  The fingerless glovettes are also knit in the flat so that every last inch of yarn can be utilized! 

 

Pattern available soon ....

just lining up my test knitters and tech editor!

This is what makes me smile....

As a designer, I rarely hear where my design ideas go, who gets them, who likes them, who even finishes them and who gets touched by them.  Well, I just received a heart warming email today that pretty much summed up what I was hoping for.  This is what makes me smile.....

Quote:

I just wanted to share a great story with you.  A friend of my daughter recently had a health crisis & like so many people nowadays he has no health insurance.  It was decided to have a fund raising auction for him.  A lot of different gift baskets & other creative things were put in a silent auction.  My daughter asked me if I could make something for the auction.  Since she is not a crafter, she does not realize that a week is not much time to come up with something spectacular (they think that these things are done in days not weeks or months). I remembered your Child's Ruffled Hat pattern.  I was able to get it done in time but rather than the silent auction it was decided to have a raffle. They sold 50 tickets at $10 each so that little hat raised $500 for a good cause.   That hat pattern is one of my favorites & now I know why.      Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful ideas.      PS  I bought that pattern from the Allyn Yarn Shop.

End Quote.

 

What a lovely lady for not only her kind words but for the time and commitment she made to the auction and to a person in a time of need. 

                               http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ruffled-childs-hat--mittens

Oh yea, I do have a blog

I have been so inundated in magazine deadlines that  I totally forgot that I even had a blog.  I have come to realize that this isn't my strong suit anyways.  So what do you do....delete the entire blog, keep it barely floating or learn to like it and use it like a diary?  The other thing I don't quite get is how people manage to photograph EVERY part of their knitting project, post it and write beautiful exerts on it while keeping up with the knitting and everyday life! 

So I was asked by Fibers Etc. to create a simple cowl that anyone can knit.  It had to use 1 skein of yarn (that was the easy part!) and it had to be unique (that was the clencher!).  You do realize that there are about 5,000 cowls on the market - right?  How many ways can you knit a circle that wraps around your neck?  I found this request almost mind boggling.  I am no Cat Bordhi where I can concoct new techniques and apply her mathematical mind. 

I must have sat for hours at a time just staring at the yarn.  I finally found a stitch pattern that I liked.  It is a reversible stitch that gave nice texture to the yarn.  I decided to just start knitting in the flat and see what might follow.  Once I got the length that I was looking for, I decided to finish it with a 3 needle bind off to see how it fit.  The fit was perfect but now I had a seam to cover.  That is where the idea came about to pick up sts along the bind off and knit a flap that would cover the seam and at the same time give the cowl some depth and texture.  I seamed the flap down and added a button for a final touch.  I am thrilled with the outcome.  It's an easy knit, it's a bulky knit that knits up in a day and it's like no other cowl out there - now that is amazing!  Sometimes I even surprise myself!
Pattern sells for $1.99 on Ravelry and yarn goes for around $10.  Gotta love that!

Baby alpaca and bamboo create a luxuriously soft yarn with a lovely drape made in a chunky weight with chainette construction. Chalet looks great knit at a wide variety of gauges and textures

 
http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/classic-elite-yarns-mountaintop-chalet
 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bohemian-cowl

Cape Cod Cardigan

  I was asked by Frog Tree yarns to design a cardigan using their newest yarn, Pediworsted yarn.  It's the worsted version of Pediboo.  They only had one color available but I love the natural colors so that wasn't an issue.  This cardigan begins with a blackberry/brambleberry stitch and graduates to an alternate slipped stitch.  Fun thing about the cardigan is the right side is purled throughout and the wrong side is where the stitch pattern is actually created.  It's a heavy sweater, ideal for crisp days.  There are several options for the front band, one being that the buttons are a tad off set.  Tabs like on the back could also be used with the buttons. 

 The back has a row of decreases where the tab is to cinch up the sweater for a nice drape. 

Pattern available March

From sketch to finished piece

It still mystifies me when I can actually sketch my thoughts onto paper and then actually have those thoughts perfectly translate into a finished piece ----as I envisioned it!  I can not sketch, I have no idea how to show texture on a sketch pad and I am horrible with proportions and I don't even know how to show "variegated" color.
I'm not even sure how I even find the right colors with my limited colored pens collection.

Swatches and sketches

 

A snippet of my submission letter

 

Might I also add that this Chullo hat was submitted in September 2011, accepted and knit by November 2011 and was just released November 2012.  My last worry is that it may no longer be in style!

Knit Fit! Treasures!

Let me start by saying that I had a blast this weekend at Knit Fit! in Ballard - http://knitfit.info/

I was there to teach on both days.  The classes were full, the students were great and I had a blast teaching.  What I didn't expect was to find the most scrumptious Angora yarn EVER!  After 15 years of knitting and going to LYS's, retreats and events, you would think that I have seen it all and bought it all.  Nope - I actually found 2 vendors with unique Angora blends.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the other vendor I fell in love with - although she is from Lebanon, Oregon and has her own Angora rabbits, spins the fibers and dyes the fibers and personally, I think I want her life!  I should have bought from her - and if I do run into her again, I will buy from her.  She had these Angora fingerless mitts that you literally couldn't feel because they were so soft and light.  Unbelievable!

My other love is this Chubby Bunny yarn.  I first fell in love with the yarn then fell in love with the darling vendor from Pepperberry knits - Heidi.  She is from Idaho and sells 100% cashmere everything!  I should have bought some cashmere yarn too but I couldn't get past the Angora.  I know I will run into her again at another event.  Her neighbor has Angora rabbits so she sells her yarn.  It's 100% Angora - but they spin it with some sort of cotton band to hold it in place.  It is exquisite!  I am already dropping my other projects so I can start this one next.  I think I will design a cardigan with the rabbit fur around the collar.

http://pepperberryknits.com/

 

http://puffymondaes.enstore.com/browse/1?query=chubby+bunny

 
A The Tea Cozy booth, I found these buttons that I fell head over heels for.  They are sprinkles set in resin buttons and they are way to cute to pass up. 

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/69356693

Love when I find treasures!

Upcoming classes!

I have a few teach gigs coming up......

Jogless knitting

Colorwors in Norwegian Thimble style

 

 

http://www.knitfit.info/
Knit Fit!  Ballard, WA   11/03 - 11/04. 
2-handed Fair Isle (sold out with a waiting list)
Knit Different

http://www.ncwknittersguild.com/
North Central Washington Knitter's Guild
Wenatchee, WA
11/17
jogless knitting never looked so good
Norwegian thimble knitting


Be sure to introduce yourself!

Great classes, great time at TNNA

My trip began 3 days before the actual TNNA convention giving me plenty of time to adjust to East Coast time and to take a couple all day classes.The first class was Swing knitting which was a great class although a tad too long for my attention span.  Brigitte taught the class and Skacel supplied the 2 yarns and needles--I love goodie bags!

The pieces were gorgeous and the technique was simple yet fun.  Basically, it's a bunch of short rows created in a mathematical way.

The other fun thing about this class was that everything is done in the garter stitch.

Unfortuneately, I didn't get any pictures taken of my FAVORITE class - 2 color knitting Portuguese style!  Andrea Wong was the instructor and I loved loved loved this class!  It's just a shame that I never took any pictures.

One of my favorite booths at Market was Artyarns.  The entire booth was hanks of hand dyed Silks, Mohairs, Cashmeres and some Merino wool in both beaded, sequined or plain.  It was dazzling to the eyes and the pictures just don't do it justice.

I am not sure how the shop owners ever decide on which colors without going in debt~

Iris Schreier is the owner of Artyarns and author to several knitting books and her eye for color and style is impeccable.

I was fortuneate enough to have the opportunity to design with her Merino wool in one of her upcoming books - due out this October.  I am anxious to see the finished book and show off my design - which I love!

 

A TNNA preview

TNNA preview design

 Here's a preview of the designs that I will have at the TNNA show in Columbus.  The 2 hat in 2 techniques for Him and Her will be on display at the Frog Tree Yarns Booth.  The yarn is brand new and is called Ewetopia.  It's a equal blend of superwash merino wool and wool with a subtle spin of 2 colors.  It's light worsted and made in Peru.

The ladies hat is knit in a simple Fair Isle pattern with the same hemmed trim as the man's version. 

 The man's version is Double Knit - making it a perfect reversible hat and double thick as well.  The darker hat is the right side where as the lighter hat is the inside of the hat.

The 2 hats use 4 skeins of Ewetopia and this pattern should be available by July 1st.

 I used two different crown shapings.  Both hats were divided into 4 sections.  The Fair Isle hat - or "her" hat has 2 knit sts in the center of each section with the decreases on each side of the knit sts. 

Whereas the Double Knit beanie or "his" hat is sectioned off the same way - but with no knits in between the decreases.  When working with double knitting, this crown shaping is clean and simple but when used in a Fair Isle version - there will be large holes and openness that would look better on a lace hat than a Fair Isle hat.

Knit Fit is coming to town!

Us Seattlelites just got a new Knitting retreat!  So it's a ways off.....4 months away to be exact - but this gives you plenty of time to save the date!

November 3rd - 4th at the Ballard Community Center

I will be teaching at this event along with a boat load of other great instructors.

Here's a quick blurb on Moi.  If you go to Facebook, you can like them.  Knitfit will be slowly releasing tid bits of information on each teacher - so it will be fun to see the questionaire and any fun photos of them.

http://knitfitseattle.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/lisa-ellis/

Petting fibers

 Went to the Spring Fair over break on the hottest day of the year thus far.  First place we went to was the Sheeps Extravaganza!  There were spinners and roving all over the place.  In the back were the baby sheep and a few Angora rabbits to pet.  If you have the luxury of knitting with Angora - I highly reccommend it.  It feels just as soft as the bunny itself!  And let me re-iterate that no animals are killed for their fiber (I'm a vegetarian and worry about this stuff!)

I am seriously thinking that I need to learn how to spin......

Love of Knitting summer preview

Love of Knitting, Summer 2012 issue is about to hit the newsstands and I have 2 designs that I just love in this issue!

 

 Too cute for two is a twin set of cardigans using Tosh sock by Madelinetosh.  If you haven't had the chance to play with this yarn yet - YOU NEED TO!  And the colors are scrumptious! I used Rose and Demin colors. The twin cardigans are identical top down cardigans only the trim is different - a little more masculine for the boy and a little more dainty for the girl.  Sizes go up to 2T.  Visit www.Madelinetosh.com for the full line of yarns.  Many of the LYS's also carry this yarn.

Another new yarn for me to dabble with is the Regal Silk by Artyarns.  Once again, it's a MUST TRY yarn and it is 100% silk!  Colors are Peacock variegated with Purple.  It's dreamy to wear too (duhhhh, it's silk!).  This top has inverted pleats for great movement and drape.  Visit www.Artyarns.com for a viewing of their entire luxury line of fibers.

This magazine can be found at several grocery stores (I found it at Fred Meyers and Winco) and should be available through June.  Or visit www.LoveofKnitting.com

for a subscription.  I have been fortuneate enough to have several other designs in this magazine.

Working on my TNNA travel plans

I missed TNNA, Columbus last year and there is no way that I am missing it again!  Now that I have said that....TNNA couldn't have come at a worse time!  Every year the show hit around the 2nd weekend in June, which works for me.  This year, they changed it up a bit and delayed it until June 23 - 25th.
Drats - last day of school is the 21st (Education begins on the 21st and goes  through the 23rd) and then
Sunsplash (Younglife camp) is from June 25th - 28th.  That wouldn't be so bad if I weren't a leader!  It has also been a tradition that on the last night of school, my oldest girl has all of her friends over for a sleepover.  They get maybe 3 hours of sleep then get all dressed up for the last half day of school and between my husband and I, we haul all the girls to school in 2 cars.  It has been such a fun tradition and the girls look forward to this every year.  This year, however, it can't happen!  Then I will have to leave Sunday for home - giving me just one day at the exhibition so that I can be home by midnight - so I can depart the next morning for a camping trip with 75 kids!  Really????
The kicker of this entire trip is that the tickets have gone up a ton - a ton being about $125 from last year.  Damn - this recession is kicking my butt and so are the new dates!

Sometimes life just topples over itself.....

From sketch to publication

I always love seeing "behind" the scenes of a photoshoot or a cooking show to see what happens behind the camera and out of view to get the project from its inception to its final cut.  So here is a quick time line of what a magazine design may look like from start to finish.

1 of 3 submission pages

Last March (2011), I submitted this design sketch along with a detailed page description which includes everything from the inspiration, the construction details to the suggested yarns and colors.  I actually sent 2 sketches of 2 designs, the other one being a sleeveless pullover with the star stitch pattern being on the bust and a St st on the bodice.  The sleeveless pullover was yellow and the sleeveless vest was in blue.  I suggested either yellow or blue for the garment.

I swatch out the stitch pattern and attached a jpeg of the swatch to the publication company.  In the olden days, this swatch would have been mailed in to the company - but nowadays, a good picture is all that you need.

Upon acceptance (I think this was accepted within a month of submission), I had 2 months to complete it from start to finish including all schematics and 5 sizes written using the magazines style sheet.  I take a picture of the sweater and send the sweater, the yarn label with a piece of yarn attached and the pattern itself to the editor - and then pray that the sweater safely arrives to its destination!  My biggest fear is that it gets lost or damaged in transit!  This garment was sent to Creative Knitting in June - maybe July (can't remember now).

Normally I don't get to see this part of it - but Creative Knitting has been posting pictures onto Facebook of the Photoshoots (love seeing this part!).   This is just part of the photoshoot and these pictures were just posted a few weeks ago.

Here is the final picture of the sweater and the cover of the magazine which just hit newsstands this past month.  The sweater was returned to me along with a copy of the magazine.

Yarn used was Frog Tree Meriboo (MW).

So from submission to final publication - you are looking at almost a year!