The Sock Report

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.

Two Color Thalia

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.

We're going to knit a Mystery Shawl!!

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

The Three Graces

 

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.

Nefertem

Introducing Nefertem. Previously exclusive to the Loopy Ewe the pattern is now available as a PDF to everyone. Named for the Egyptian god of beauty and healing,  Nefertem is worked from the center top edge and increased outward to create the semi-circular shape. The border is adorned with lace that features a lotus motif and a delicate scalloped edge. The lotus flower is common in ancient Egyptian art. The god Nefertem is usually depicted wearing a lotus headdress.

This small, semi-circular shawl has been a favorite of mine since I first designed it for the Loopy Ewe sock club last year. I have had many requests for the shawl pattern as a PDF and I am happy to say that the exclusivity period has ended.

The body of the shawl is worked in easy-peasy stockinette, then just when you think you've had enough of the mindlessness that is our beloved stockinette you get to launch into a tricky bit of lace. The 24 row lace pattern gives a delicate touch to the shawl followed by a simple crochet bind off. Even for those of you who are not familiar with crochet this bind off should be easy and is explained in the pattern.

NEFERTEM

Sizes: One Size

Finished Measurements: 51” across top edge, 19” from top edge to base of curve

Yarn: Approximately 375 yards fingering weight yarn.
Sample in Madelinetosh, Tosh Sock, 100% Superwash Merino, 395 yds/361m per 114 g skein. Color: Midnight Rendezvous, 1 skein 

Gauge: 14 sts & 26 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette stitch, blocked.

Needles: 1 set of US 8/5 mm or size to obtain gauge.

Other Materials: tapestry needle, size C/2.75 mm crochet hook, 13 place markers included in these there should be two sets of 4 for “A” and “B” place markers

Price: $6.00 US

The lotus lace pattern is given in both charted and written form.

 

Unsinkable

Unsinkable is the result of a collaboration between Anne Podlesak of Wooly Wonka Fibers and myself. We were talking about strong women in history and Margaret "Molly" Brown came up. I was born on the 50th anniversary of the Titanic disaster - the iceberg was hit at 11:40 pm on the 14th of April (my birthday) and sank in the wee hours of the 15th. As a result I have always been fascinated by all things Titanic. Since both the Titanic and I confront big anniversaries this month it seemed appropriate to design a pattern to commemorate the events of April 14-15, 1912 and honor Margaret Brown.

Anne sent the perfect yarn for the design. We were thinking about the cold North Atlantic and icebergs when we discussed the design and color. I think she nailed it when she combined an icy soft blue/green color with her Avianrhod Sock yarn which has a delicate metallic thread that gives just the right amount of shimmer. An added bonus is that this yarn is delightfully soft. This was my first time using a yarn with a metallic thread and I was very surprised at how soft it is. I honestly worried that it would be itchy but it is not. Not at all.

My goal with this design was to choose a stitch pattern that gave the impression of a wildly churning sea. After a fair amount of swatching I think this one fits the bill. The lace border is knit first, then the body is worked with short rows in stockinette. The pattern contains both charts and written instructions for the stitch pattern and instrucitons are given for working short rows.

Unsinkable

Finished Measurements: 78” wide x 10” deep

Yarn: Wooly Wonka Fibers Avianrhod Sock, 75% Merino Wool, 20% Silk, 5% glitter; 425 yards/389m per skein, color: Iceberg, 1 skein

Needles: US 8 (5mm)  or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 15 sts & 27 rows = 4”/10cm in Stockinette, blocked, always take the time to check gauge

Other Materials: 10 stitch markers, tapestry needle

Anne is offering kits with with pattern and yarn. But you can also purchase the pattern here or on Ravelry from me and enter the coupon code on the pattern to have the cost of the pattern deducted from the kit if you decide to purchase it from her later.

Price: $6.00 US

Updates

Have you noticed that my website has a new look? I've wanted a cleaner look and to organize things a bit better for a long time. Since I didn't have the techy skills to pull it off myself I called on the talents of the fabulous Carrie Coker Bishop. I'm so excited about the new look she created for me and hope you will all find it easier to navigate.

In knitting news I'll be teaching a colorwork class at All About Ewe in Clark, NJ on March 22nd. There's still space in the class, if you're interested head over to the All About Ewe website for more information and instructions on how to sign up.

And finally, I leave you with a teaser for a collaboration between Anne Podlesak of Wooly Wonka Fibers and myself:

 

Zelkova

Zelkova has been a long time coming. I finished knitting this sweater more than a year ago. Then I decided to make a second one to make sure my numbers with the first one were correct.

(This gray version is made with Plymouth Yarns Worsted Merino Superwash and is a size 38".)

Then there was test knitting - thank you Karen, Jill & Lisa. And tech editing - thank you Jaya. And then there was me sitting on the pattern, not sure why, I guess I wanted to be sure that everything was just so.

(Pre-button photo)

Finally I decided that today is the day. With the mild winter we've had Spring is already in the air here in NYC and this pattern with it's three-quarter sleeves and leaf lace panels makes me think SPRING.

I loved working with The Fibre Company's Road to China yarn. This is some seriously soooooft yarn. Seriously. Soft. Now I might start sounding like a broken record on the Fibre Company's colors, but you cannot find a bad one in the bunch. I love this dusty, yet lively green. It mixes very well with most of my wardrobe, so my Zelkova gets worn a lot.

Zelkova

Finished Measurements: 30 [32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52]” at bust.

Shown in size 36” with 1” of ease on my girls and about 2" of negative ease on me.

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4”(10 cm) in stockinette on larger needles Be sure to check gauge

Yarn: The Fiber Company Road To China; 65 % baby alpaca, 15% silk, 10% camel, 10% cashmere; 69 yds (63m) per 50 g skein, color: Malachite 9[10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16, 17] skeins

Needles: One pair US 9 (5.5mm) 32” circular
One pair US 9 (5.5mm) DPNs
One pair US 10 (6 mm) 32” circular
One pair US 10 (6mm) DPNs
or size to obtain gauge

Other Materials: 8 Markers in two colors - 4 “A” markers and 4 “B” markers, scrap yarn, 8[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9] 3/4” buttons, tapestry needle

Price: $6.50 US

 

In other news: have you heard about JKnit? This nifty little app allows you to download patterns directly to your iphone, ipad or ipod touch from their database either in PDF or jknit format. There are patterns from many talented designers - both free and for sale.  You'll even find a few of mine.

Lispenard

Just in time for Valentine's Day - a lush red cowl, Lispenard.

Worked in one piece and joined with buttons, Lispenared is long enough to wrap once, twice or even three times around the neck. Sofie likes to wear it long, I'm a double wrapper.

I designed Lispenard with the luxurious Acadia Yarn from The Fibre Company. This yarn is right up my alley - soft, drapey, tweedy and available in a GORGEOUS range of colors. It easily took me an hour to choose which color to use. My Lispenard has seen almost constant wear since I finished it in early January and the Acadia has held up beautifully.

I named the pattern for Lispenard Street a street in my new neighborhood. The back entrance to Pearl Paint is on quiet Lispenard Street, allowing my girls and I to shop for paints, canvases and other art supplies without fighting the chaos on Canal Street. On a somewhat related note a favorite Saturday outing for Sofie & IJK is doing what they affectionately call the "Pearl Trifecta" - hitting all three pea(u)rl stores in one day - Pearl Paint, Pearl River Mart, Purl Soho. This is easily accomplished since they are all within walking distance of one another.

Lispenard

Size: One Size Finished Measurements: 13”/33cm wide by 61”/
155cm long (unbuttoned)

Yarn: The Fibre Company Acadia, 60% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk; 145 yards/132.5m per 50g skein, color: Maple, 5 skeins

Needles: US 9 (5.5mm) straight or circular needles or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 20 sts & 25 rows = 4”/10cm in Lispenard pattern- blocked, always take the time to check gauge

Other Materials: 6 stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle, 6 - 3/4”/19mm buttons

Price: $5.00 US

Thank you to my fabulous test knitters Angela, Emma, Laura, Maria  & Monika!

Extra Yarn

Before I had kids I had an idealized image of my future self as a mother reading to my children. Twenty years after my first was born I can report that the reality of reading with them easily equalled those early daydreams. Happily my kids all developed a love of books early on. One of Anders first words was 'book'. When I was pregnant with my girls and on bedrest to avoid early labor he would bring book after book to me to read to him. Sofie wouldn't go anywhere without her copy of Raymond Briggs Then Snowman and the stuffed toy that accompanied the book. When someone was having a cranky day or they were all fighting with each other, I would sit on the couch with a book and start reading out loud. Before long I'd have three sweet kids snuggling up to me, all completely engrossed in the book -- the object of their quarrel forgotten, the crankiness gone. IJK had  such a love of books that when she was three or four she went through a period of sleeping with 20 or so favorites in her bed. Books continue to play an important part in their everyday lives, so when I was asked to review the book Extra Yarn I decided that a guest post from one of my children was in order. The following is IJK's review of the book Extra Yarn  - which, for the record, charmed me as much as it did her.

Harper Collins sent us a book. It is an amazing book.  It is a book everyone should see.  And I will stress this, do not just read it, SEE IT.  Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, with illustrations by Jon Klassen, has a surplus of many things.  As the name may suggest, the book has a surplus of yarn, but it also has a surplus of whimsy, a surplus of generosity, a surplus of beautiful illustrations, and a surplus of cute.  To be clear, this is just the right amount of each of these things.   

Children’s books can be saccharine and simplistic.  Extra Yarn does have an easily understood story and a heartwarming ending, as well as images that rely on simple shapes and a limited color palette.  However, these are done to perfection, and are far from the bejeweled books I have seen on many a bookstore shelf.  I may not be a child anymore, but I still fell in love with those mesmerizing illustrated pages that I certainly would have stopped my mother from turning when I was younger. 

The inside flap says this book is for 4 to 8 year olds.  I disagree completely, and am of the opinion that this book is for anyone who is creative, curious, and wants to be inspired.  The only reason I was left heartbroken after I finished reading is because I hadn’t created it, and I can only wish I will one day think of something so gorgeous, witty, and fun.

If you are a fan of illustration, have kids, or love EVERYTHING IN SWEATERS, this book may, just possibly, deserve a place on your bookshelf, preferably at eye level.  This blurb may make me seem ridiculously, uncharacteristically positive, as I am a person who has perfected the art of the death glare, but I swear, it knocked my hand-knitted socks off.