Patterns
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All the maths that are fit to knit
I am working on a new pattern. I am just about done. (Yay!) The last thing I need is a good picture of one of my hats on an actual human. That seems to matter when selling hats. Go figure. Back to the pattern-making process though. In drafting patterns, and trying to be thorough and accurate, I have been struck by how much math is required. There is sizing, calculating proportions, stitches per inch and how they translate into this that and the other. It is a major stress point and one of the reasons this pattern-making thing moves slowly. On this last pattern I wanted to add some extra super-useful information. It…
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A happy accident
Sadly, the yarn I knit most of my Happy Sock samples in has been discontinued, which means I need to re-knit samples. This is not such a sad thing, though. It is a fun, fast sock to knit. While working on new samples of my Happy Sock pattern I stumbled upon a very happy thing. Most balls of 6-Ply sock yarn are 150 grams. There are a lot of leftovers. Not enough to make a second pair of socks (at least for my size 11 feet), but, there IS enough yarn to make a matching pair of mittens! Whee! I have chosen to make the sock pattern 3 sizes, which will…
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What's on my needles: Chameleon-style
I have been working on redrafting my Comfy Mitten pattern. I was just going to re-write it to be more coherent, maybe add a size, and redo the photography. Silly me. The primary knitting and drafting is done and I have 6 sizes ranged from a medium kid-size to a men’s XL. There is a bit of work to do before I can release this (translated: gah!, so much to do!). I have, however, completed the preliminary round. This will be called Comfy Mitten-Family Style, and replace the existing pattern.
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Still focusing on warm toes
The snow isn’t letting up. It is what I get I guess for living this far North, but I am growing tired. Not a whole lot I can do about it other than whimper softly into my yarn stash. How to brighten it up? Knit orange socks! I am working on a toe-up pattern for a simple sock. This is the second draft. They make me smile. I also love the feel of this yarn (Indulgence from Knitting Fever) and this style of sock. Happiness all around. I also finally got photos taken of the slippers that have kept my toes warm all winter. Based on the Malabrigo Loafer,…
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On my needles
I seem to be like many knitters, who have a handful of projects all in process at the same time. I like to keep a mix of projects. Some are patterns in development, some are test knitting, and some are the very appealing work of others. I am working on a super not-so secret design for a double-knit scarf. I have fallen in love with double knitting, and this design has me very jazzed. I have made it past the half way point and am on the home stretch. When I started this sock, it was just supposed to be a simple, mindless, fill-in-the-gaps sock to keep me…
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With great happiness I declare the SB2 hat published!
Right after publishing this hat and getting it up on Ravelry, my computer crashed in a bad way. It was about 10 days (it felt like eternity) before I got what I needed to fix it. Now that I am b-a-a-a-a-k, I can officially announce my hat! The first hat was knit with Malabrigo’s Rasta, an amazing hand painted super-bulky single. The second is in Sirdar’s Indie, a soft blend in very interesting colorways. It has been very popular, which makes me very happy. It is up on Ravelry (check it out!), and at my LYS Yarn Harbor in Duluth.
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A Snowboarder Hat in Rasta
This pattern is in progress. Actually, it is almost done. I am having it test knit, finalizing photography, and then bingo, up it goes! This hat was created to showcase the yarn Rasta from Malabrigo. I wanted to create something that would make the colors pop, and be a lot of fun. There are also many requests this season for a good snowboarder hat pattern to make for gifts. I had a blast with this, adding texture and embellishment. I had fun with the photos. My favorite shot is probably not the best lead in shot though. What do you think? You have to admit it is fun though. Right?
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Head Kerchiefs 3
This was an ambitious project, a set of three head scarves showcasing 3 different techniques to feature in a class I was teaching. They turned out well, and have been popular. I wear one daily to one of my jobs as a form of tress-containment. What I have loved about this pattern is that the kerchiefs are appealing to such a wide spectrum of folks, from those who choose to cover their heads for modesty, to youth who wear them for fashion, to folks like me who just need some tress control. I have been very pleased.
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Mid summer publishing_Vee Neck Scarf
I fell in love with a yarn this summer. Kudo from Plymouth is a lovely cotton silk with great long color ways and a great drape. I popped the yarn on my needles, and this is what popped off when I was finished. And here’s another shot, showing off the colors. If I have not mentioned before, my patterns are available on Ravelry, and at my favorite LYS Yarn Harbor.
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Comfy Mittens
The comfy mittens are finally done! It has been a process, and I am very glad I took the time before I published the pattern. I can not say enough good things about my test knitters. Though I had the mitten basically there from the start, their comments and encouragement were essential, and responsible for a big revision near the end. It seems few are as fond of the kitchener stitch as I, who knew? They are up on ravelry. Enjoy. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/comfy-mittens-with-gusset-thumb-2