Archives for May 2012

While we are all waiting for the first clue of the Mystery Shawl (soon, soon) I've got something new to share with you.

The Sock Report

The Sock Report is a magnificent new publication created by Janel Laidman. Although there are plenty of beautiful sock designs to keep the sock knitters among us happy, The Sock Report is about a love of sock yarn in general. There are 6 shawls, a scarf, an adorable collection of softies & even a cardigan. I'm thrilled to have a pattern – Bivalve – in the premiere, Summer 2012 issue.

Below are a couple of quick photos I took of Bivalve before the final version was sent off.

The Bivalve prototype blocking.

Izzy modeling the lavender Bivalve before I shipped it off to Janel for the real photography.

If you want to queue or fave it, you'll find the Ravelry pattern page for Bivalve here.

The patterns are available as a collection of all 16 designs or separately. So head on over and check out The Sock Report while you wait for your first Mystery Shawl clue to arrive. I promise you it will be a very enjoyable way to pass the time.

It occurred to me shortly after I finished my first Thalia that the pattern would work well as a two color shawl. After putting the finishing touches on the Mystery Shawl pattern, and looking for a new project to take on a little get away to Malibu, I treated myself to some vacation yarn – three skeins of Claudia Hand Painted Yarn Fingering.

The nice thing about fingering weight yarn in 50g hanks (think Koigu KPPPM & Claudia Hand Painted) is that with multi-colored shawls there is less waste. I was able to make this version of the shawl using two skeins of my MC and one skein of my CC. If I had used 100g hanks there would be more than half of the CC left over.

To make the two color version I alternated colors every two rows throughout the body, then switched to only the MC for the border and finally bound off using the CC. There are certainly other ways to make this a multi-colored shawl, like alternating yarns every 4 rows, or using three colors instead of two. If anyone decides to try, I'd love to see what you come up with.

Don't ask me what the two colors are, the ball bands are still tucked away in my luggage. Once I finish unpacking I'll put the color names up on the Ravelry project page.

ETA: According to the ball bands the colors are MC – Lipstick & CC – Mangled Tangled, although they look more like my photos than the colors on the Claudia Hand Painted website. The Mangled Tangled is a semi-solid deep, dark purple and the Lipstick is more coral than pink.

I hope you'll join us!

KAL Details:
The clues for this KAL will be sent to you by mid-day (probably earlier) on the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th of June.

Please join the Ravelry group and participate in the discussion there. Questions are most easily addressed in the group forum. Always ask your questions in the group forum first, PM’s and emails will take longer to answer.

There will be separate threads for each week of the KAL. Only post spoiler photos in the appropriate spoiler thread.

When adding your project to Ravelry be courteous to other participants in the KAL and make your first photo a “Spoiler Alert”. You are welcome to use the image above for your top photo.

Choosing a Size & Gauge:
Gauge: 18 sts & 22 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette, blocked!

Please take the time to check your gauge and adjust the needle size as necessary. Gauge varies widely from knitter to knitter.

This pattern is offered in one size which, when worked at the gauge given in this pattern will measure 52" wide by 17" deep. To make the shawl larger or smaller adjust the needle size and/or yarn to achieve a larger or smaller gauge. Be sure to allow extra yarn if you decide to increase the size of the shawl.

Choosing Yarn:
A solid or semi solid color is best. This shawl has patterning that will be lost with most variegated or striped yarns.

I used a lace weight yarn form my sample, but a fingering weight yarn will also work. Be sure to allow extra yarn for differences in yarn put up and gauge.

A Bit About the Design:
This shawl will be worked from the top edge down and out. It starts with a garter tab, which is described in the pattern. There are also many excellent on-line tutorials and You Tube videos for this technique.

Skills Needed:
Working flat, increases, decreases, picking up sts, binding off, blocking.

Both charts and written instructions will be included.

We will start the KAL on June 1st. You will be sent a new clue once a week through out the month of June. To join simply purchase the pattern. The pattern will be $4.00 from now until June 1st. On June 2nd the pattern price will increase to $6.00.

Size: One Size

Finished Measurements: 52” (132 cm) wide x 17” (43 cm) deep

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Silk Cashmere, 55% Silk, 45% Cashmere; 400 yards / 365m per 55g skein, color: Green Lantern, 1 skein – NOTE: I used almost the entire skein. I recommend having extra yarn on hand just in case.

Needles: US 6 (4mm) 24 or 30” circular needles  or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 18 sts & 22 rows = 4”/10cm in Stockinette St- blocked, always take the time to check gauge

Other Materials: 9 stitch markers, tapestry needle

Price:  $6.00

 

Happy Mother's Day! I hope everyone is having a special day with their families.

The Three Graces ebook. Three Original Shawl Designs.

Price: $16.50 US

If you're looking for a little treat for yourself or are itching to cast on a new project, I've just published my new ebook, The Three Graces. The ebook contains three semi-circular, lace shawl patterns. Each starts at the top edge with a garter tab, and is worked downward to the bottom edge. The similarities end there. Algaea, Euphrosyne & Thalia each have their own personalities.

Aglaea starts with columns of eyelets and explodes into an array of cables and lace.

It is worked on US 8 (5 mm) needles and uses about 700 yards of fingering weight yarn. I used Three Waters Farm Superwash Merino Fingering in the Avacado colorway. For more photos and information see the Aglaea pattern page on Ravelry.

To purchase this pattern separately click below. To purchase the entire ebook scroll to the top of this page.

Aglaea

Price: $6.50 US

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Euphrosyne, the cover shawl from the book is a bit more sedate. The body of the shawl is composed of a leaf lace pattern, while the delicate edging is knitted onto the live stitches at the end.

Euphrosyne is worked on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles and takes about 625 yards of laceweight yarn. I used Fearless Fibers Laceweight Merino in Daydream. Sadly this lovely color is discontinued, but I suspect you will have no problem finding a color that suits you from her spectacular range of offerings. For more photos and information see the Euphrosyne pattern page on Ravelry.

To purchase this pattern separately click below. To purchase the entire ebook scroll to the top of this page.

Euphrosyne

Price: $6.50 US

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Playful Thalia starts with a body of eyelets created with double yarn overs. Just when you've had enough of all of those double wraps, it's time for the sweet, leafy border. The bind off gives a looped edge that echos the eyelets and adds a delicate touch to the shawl.

Thalia is worked on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles and takes about 450 yards of light fingering weight yarn. I used Anzula Cloud in Ducky (heh, love that name). I'm currently knitting a second Thalia in two colors. I hope to have photos to show you of that one in about a week. For more photos and information see the Thalia pattern page on Ravelry.

To purchase this pattern separately click below. To purchase the entire ebook scroll to the top of this page.

Thalia

Price: $6.50 US

Thank you to my ever-patient test knitters for all of their hard work; Karen, Cyndi, Emily, Maria, Janine, Brigette, Meri, Nichole, Emma & Kerstin.