new pattern - Black Cherry Pullover

Knitscene Winter 2013 is up and available for digital download - hits newstands October 15th - and includes my Black Cherry Pullover. Here it is right before it went in the mail:

It's boxy, a little cropped, and knits up pretty quickly in Quince & Co's Lark. The Lark was lovely to work with, and shows off the cable-and-lace pattern beautifully. The sleeves are seamed in with the reverse stockinette side facing out but could easily be finished with the stockinette side showing if you prefer that look. 

And a shout-out to my talented friend Adriana, whose gorgeous, beaded Tyrion Loop is in the same issue. Yay! 

new(ish) pattern: resonance cardi

(c) SweetGeorgia Yarns Inc

This one was a collaboration with SweetGeorgia Yarns. It's knit in three sideways pieces before seaming and picking up for the short-row-shaped, short sleeves. There's a little short-row shaping thrown into the body as well for a slight A-line silhouette. I'd originally planned on including instructions for tiny buttons, but the finished fabric was just too light and delicate. So: a shawl pin works nicely, or it can be worn open.

<ramble> Yikes. This was a pretty ambitious project to be turning out during the low-brainpower days of late pregnancy and early mommahood (adult sized cardigan, laceweight, unusual construction). It was the first in a traffic jam of accepted submissions with due dates ranging all the way from February to March... that needed extra lead time for international shipping to boot. I felt a little silly for overextending myself so badly, but imagined that I'd have endless sleepless hours of nursing and hanging out with the new wee one to devote to knitting. Endless sleepless hours: check. Anyone who's had an extra-fussy baby can imagine the rest. Anyway, it all worked out somehow, no small thanks to an excellent baby daddy.

Another aside while I'm at it: I almost always take a few photos of samples on myself to show what they look like on a different size/shape person than the model, and to just have a couple straightforward non-artsy shots to show details that I may need to refer back to. You'll notice that that wasn't exactly in the cards for this coming group of patterns, har har (except maybe I'll include a hilarious one of a sweater that was supposed to have a lot - like 6-8" - of positive ease, that I squeezed into before shipping it out.)/<ramble>

Anyway, I'm pretty much in love with CashSilk Lace. It's even better than it sounds.

The pattern's available as a Ravelry download here.

the mother of invention...

Well, I never would have guessed that I'd get a ton of exercise whilst knitting, but circumstances have made it so.

The kiddo (2 months old tomorrow, btw) has been having some wicked reflux problems over the last few days. He who was so easily and reliably going down for a nice long afternoon nap for about a week or so prior suddenly could get to sleep okay, but started thrashing around and waking himself up, over and over again, not more than 5 minutes after being lain down. Meanwhile, I have three samples and patterns due within the next month, the yarn for one of which didn't arrive until today. Mind you, these samples are due back in the US, so in reality I've got about a 2 week turnaround to contend with.

Enter The Wrap. As I told a fellow knit-grouper the other day, it's not really a parenting philosophy thing, attachment or otherwise... it's just a matter of survival. The kid's been doing all his daytime sleeping since Monday or so hanging off of dear old Mom (and occasionally Dad as well; credit where it's due) His sleep situation's been improving somewhat in the last 48 hours or so, but he's still been super restless, requiring a ton of "deep bouncing", i.e. squats and/or lunges, to get to, then stay, asleep.

Any member of the public who might have seen me in the last week would surely think me insane, knitting on a heavy wool sweater with a baby attached to me whilst doing calisthenics. But I'm pretty sure I'm putting a dent in the baby weight...

testing...

getting back into the swing of things in this new life, PI (post-Isaac)

This pattern is finally up for test-knitting. Drop on by if you're interested.

It's official - the ripping is complete:

What was once an ambitious sweater/design attempt is now back to its low-energy state - big pile o' yarn (several balls, actually). I was reasonably happy with the way it was turning out, but not as happy as I will hopefully will be with this. More details over here, if you're interested.

Cornflower Cardigan

The Interweave Knits fall preview is up, and my pattern is in it!

The sample was a true marathon knit, and one of my more ambitious projects to date - stranded, steeked (in superwash; eek!), short-row-shaped... and written, charted, and graded of course. I took a few pictures wearing the sample before sending it out. It's the smallest size and I'm wearing it with very little ease (apparently it had relaxed a bit by the time it got to the IK offices; the final sizes are a bit larger than I'd intended...such is the hazard of superwash). The intention is to include a decent amount of ease for coziness and layering capabilities, but I think it looks okay either way.

I'm not actually hungover here, but damned if I don't look it

oh snap.

That's me (well, this) in the Ravelry top 20 patterns yesterday! Top 10, even! What?? Thank you, wonderful Ravelers - this totally made my day.

New pattern - Crosshatch

Happy 4th to those of you back in the States! I know today might not be the best for a new pattern release, since lots of my target audience is probably more concerned with tending the barbecue than trawling Ravelry. It's just that it's been ready to go since last night, when Chrome hiccuped and ate my mostly completed pattern page. After saying to hell with it and going to bed, I got up today and couldn't wait another 24 hours.


The pattern is the product of a collaboration with Universal Yarn/Fibra Natura. There's a little print booklet floating around LYSs right now with the original pattern, plus three others. This is an electronic, self-published re-release with an additional yarn weight and extended directions.


So... here it is!

Crosshatch Infinity Scarf

This fully reversible infinity scarf is easy to knit and easy to wear. The addictive crossed drop stitch pattern shows off semisolid and variegated yarns beautifully. Written for two weights of yarn with a customizable finished size, it’s also all about options.

Finished Size  

About 42″/106.5cm circumference; about 8″/20.5cm tall, relaxed

Gauge 
Worsted weight: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4″/10cm in garter st 
Lace/fingering weight: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4″/10cm in garter st

Materials 
Worsted weight: 240yd/220m light worsted weight yarn; US8/5mm circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge; stitch marker; darning needle 
Lace/fingering weight: 375yd/343m heavy lace to light fingering weight yarn; US4/3.5mm circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge; stitch marker; darning needle

Yarn Used

Worsted weight (blue): Fibra Natura Exquisite Bamboo: 77% Bamboo; 23% Superwash Merino; 50g and 109yd/100m per hank; colorway 40158 Niagara

Lace/fingering weight (teal): Wollmeise Lace-Garn: 100% Superwash Merino; 300g and 1740yd/1591m per skein; colorway Neptun

Notes

• Gauge isn’t critically important in this project, except as predictor of yardage.
• Yarn used for the lace/fingering sample is a heavy lace weight. Heavier fingering or lighter lace will yield different results.
• Yarn used in the worsted weight sample is a light, drapey worsted. Heavier yarns will require more yardage or yield fewer repeats.

It's available as a Ravelry download (no account required) for €3,50.

something new...

is coming.

Lots of work left to get it ready, but the sample is done!

Sneak preview

little things

I've had a really unproductive morning. That is to say, unproductive in the strict physical sense that nothing accomplished = no work done. I guess one could call concentrated tinkering with an idea that eventually leads to a dead end somehow productive in that at least I can abandon it and move on? Grumble, grumble.

On a positive note, here are two small, pleasant surprises that are making me happy today:

1. Begonias make unexpectedly hardy cut flowers. We had a very windy rainstorm about a week ago and my nice new plant got pretty beaten up. I salvaged most of the flowers and buds lying about the balcony in the morning and stuck them in some water, and a week later they're continuing to open and brighten up the windowsill.

2. I've had great luck with apricots this spring. Most years I stalk them for awhile at the store, try them when they start looking temptingly ripe and end up disappointed. (Is it just me? Are they often just sort of mealy and flavorless?) This year though, we're already on our second kilo. Yum.

Here's a picture with some random filters applied:

covergirl

The new (summer 2012) Knitscene is up for digital download and pre-order and ...

I made the cover! Or more accurately my pattern sample, sported by a lovely model, made the cover. I'm kind of beside myself.

I finished the sample at the end of last October. A large portion of the the body was knitted on a 6 hour train ride from Munich to Paris. If my travels had proceeded as planned, this would have been a tri-country sweater. Despite intervening forces beyond my power, including but not limited to French rail strikes, the sample turned out just fine... even never having seen Vienna.

Couldn't resist trying it on and getting a few shots before I put it in the mail:

It has a little cowl neck in seed stitch that can be left to drape as in the first picture, or folded down as in the last. More details, as usual, over on Ravelry.

Hip hip, hooray!

(practically) instant coziness...

My new Wavicle Hat and Cowl pattern is live!

(Samples shown in size Small)

Both hat and cowl are written for two sizes, with tips for further customization. Available as a Ravelry download for €3.50 here. 

More information -

Gauge: 
13 sts and 20 rnds = 4”/10cm in St st on US10/6mm needles†, washed and blocked; 13 sts and 19 rnds = 4”/10cm in Wavicle pattern on US11/8mm needles†, washed and blocked

Sizing: 
• Hat - Small (Large): 20”/51cm (23”/58cm) circumference and 8.5”/22cm (9”/23cm) deep 
• Cowl - Small (Large): 20”/51cm (22”/56cm) circumference and 11.5”/29cm tall

Yarn requirements: 
• Hat - About 98yd/90m (114yd/105m) bulky/12ply yarn 
• Cowl - About 115yd/105m (127yd/116m) bulky/12ply yarn

Additional materials: 
• Hat - US11/8mm short circular needles or DPNs†; US10/6mm short circular needles and/or DPNs†; US9/5.5mm short circular needles†; darning needle; 1 stitch marker
• Cowl - US11/8mm short circular needles†; US10/6mm short circular needles†; darning needle; 1 stitch marker 
†Or size needed to obtain gauge

Important notes before you begin: 
These patterns are written for a yarn with plenty of drape. Please be sure to swatch before you begin to get a feel for your finished fabric. If the fabric seems stiff (even if you get gauge), you may wish to go up a needle size, or try a different yarn.

General description: 
A cozy, quick-to-knit hat and cowl set with smart details. The “Wavicle” slip-stitch pattern used in both pieces is dense, warm, and scrunchy.

The cowl is tall and quite close-fitting, and offers substantial neck coverage despite its stylish scrunch. One opening is flared to provide a fit that lays flat against your shoulders and tucks down neatly into a coat or sweater collar.

The Wavicle pattern covers only a quarter of the hat’s circumference, giving the illusion of waving up and over a simple welting pattern. Carefully planned crown decreases integrate seamlessly with the patterning.

(No Ravelry account required for this button...)

It's [a]live!

Finally, finally, finally...

Castanea Sativa is live!

It's available as a Ravelry download for €4.50 EUR.  With no small thanks to my fabulous team of test-knitters, it's about as tweaked and finalized as I can possibly imagine it being.  Here's hoping.  Getting my first self-published pattern ready for prime time was no small undertaking, but I'm finally happy with the finished product and even though it slowed me down a lot, loved having total editorial control.  I'm hoping to get some smaller projects out into the wild soon, and look forward to the relative ease of marking up a few accessory patterns.

Here's some more info from the pattern page:

A flattering, racerback style tank with clever and pretty details. Worked bottom-up, in the round, and divided at armholes to work front and back separately. Shoulders are joined using 3-needle BO; length of straps can be checked and adjusted before joining for a custom fit.

Materials: 
650 (725, 800, 850, 925, 1000)yds/ 600 (660, 730, 775, 845, 915)m heavy lace to light fingering weight yarn; US4 (3.5mm) and US3 (3.25mm) circular needles or sizes needed to obtain gauge; stitch holders or waste yarn; darning needle; several stitch markers; one extra needle size US3 (3.25mm) or a bit larger for working 3-needle bind off.

Skills: 
Flexible cast on and bind off, knitting in the round, slipped sts, mirrored increases and decreases, 3-needle BO. Quilting pattern is written instruction only.

(No Ravelry account required for this button...)

mon cherry

Oh noes!
Ravelry isn't working.  This even more of a problem than it usually would be, because I was in the middle of (finally) posting a testing thread for the tank top that I've been obsessively meticulously getting ready for prime time.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

I've been meaning to share more summery boozy goodness while it's still weather and seasonal produce-appropriate, so here's my take on the always-refreshing mint julep:


Mon Cherry:

- four ripe amarena cherries, pitted
- a few sprigs of mint
- 1-2 tsps fine white sugar
- 2 1/2 oz bourbon (Jim Beam in this case)
- ice, crushed if you're fancy
- soda water to taste

Place cherries, mint, and sugar in glass.  If your bar is better-appointed than mine, a highball glass would be nice.  Muddle thoroughly.  Add plenty of ice, bourbon.  Top with a couple glugs soda water, stir, and enjoy.  Maybe whilst taking in a horse race.

Say it with me - "Ahhhhhh"

workypants

More of the same going on here.

Grading, editing, getting friendly with some graph paper...

In other news, I may have been sneak-attacked by some de-stashed (and re-stashed) sock yarn from knitting group on Sunday.  Or maybe not.  It's hard to say, really.

woohoo!

v2.0 is done!

I'm really, really happy with it.  I have lots of work left to do to get it graded.

once more, with a feeling

I'm almost done cranking out version 2.0 of my very own first design for self-publication.  Very exciting! I literally have about another two inches left to work on the back, plus two short lengths of strap and some three-needle binding off - then blocking!

Version 1.0 is knit in Wollmeise Lace in the too-gorgeous Admiral colorway:

Initially I thought 100% merino might be a bit sweaty for a summer top (of course this doesn't have to be just a summer top...), but after some field testing it's proven to be surprisingly breathable and comfy.  Maybe not great for Arizona in July, but here in Southern Germany it's pretty perfect.

While the overall effect of the first prototype is more or less what I'd envisioned, 2.0 is getting some tweaks.  First of all, it's in a 50/50 merino/silk blend from DyeForYarn...which is stunning and so nice to work with.  I'm excited to see the drape once it's blocked.  Structurally, I changed the hem, "seams"*, and selvedges to a stitch pattern that works better all around; added waist shaping, and re-jiggered some of the neckline and racerback deets.  I should finish the very last of the back early tomorrow, hopefully having come up with some fabulously elegant strategy for getting the shape just right in my sleep.  Or I'll make it happen by sheer force of will.  Fingers crossed for the former.

*no pieces were seamed in the making of this garment