I am on a Scarf Binge

You may recall a previous post about my new scarves, both the one I knit and the one I bought for myself. Well, cursed Ravelry turned me on to the Chevron Scarf Pattern by Joelle Hoverson:

Image from Ravelry user twoleftsocks

And now I have spent many a countless hour in front of my computer screen trying to track down just the right combination of multicolor sock or hand-dyed yarn to make the most beautifully striking Chevron Scarf ever.

I have 3 batches of yarn coming.

One of them is bound to work.

I am obsessed.

On a related note, I discovered delicious handspuns from etsy seller rivulettecraft today:

Multivitamin

Margie's Choice

Dreamin

¡¡¡YUMMY, YUM, YUM!!!

PS. Pears are Back!

In case you haven't visited my shop lately, I recently added a batch of Mini Pears. These are even minier than before (about 3 1/2" high) and I have a batch of medium-sized pears on deck. They just need some little leaves added and then they will be posted!

See My Scarf

I found this gorgeous handspun from SeeJayneKnit Yarns some time back and just had to have it. The colorway is amazing! Teals and purples and golds and burgundies...gorgeous! I knew that I wanted to knit up a chunky, warm winter scarf with this stuff so here it is:


Similarly, I have had my eye on Tolani scarves for some time now. Admittedly, the fact that they have become hopelessly linked to candids of Jessica Alba made them a bit of a turnoff. However, when I saw this number on ebay, I just had to spring for it:

Image from Shop Intuition

And, yesterday I placed my order for the Jane Origami sweater kit from Perl Grey:

I just cannot wait to get started on it. It is sure to be a lot of fun if not a bit of a challenge...Looks like it should be nursing friendly, heh? Speaking of, I may not get a chance to get started on this one if it doesn't come soon...

Another Cropped Raglan for Meeee!

I went through several patterns (casting-on, knitting a few rows, etc.) before coming to the conclusion that none satisfied my desire quite like the one I had in my head. After many measurements and calculations I casted on with some trepidation; hoping that it would fit and turn out alright. Here she is! Knit in Araucania Nature Cotton; a lovely shade of blue-green. The gorgeous ceramic button is from Veronica Buttons.

PS-Contact me through my shop if you are a 40" bust and want the super easy pattern FOR FREE!!!

Peruvian Disco Revisited

Okay, so I frogged her and started over again with smaller needles. Here is the finished product. Adding the ruffles at the ends really made her! I love it even more than I thought I would and I am not so sure that I want to part with it...

My First Pattern

I came up with this little Jo cap over the weekend. As it is a simple design that can be completed by a beginner-intermediate, I decided to post it to my shop at the fantastic price of only $1.50! Check her out!

My New Favorite Sweater

A top-down seamless raglan with one button, elbow-length sleeves and cropped length.

I purchased this gorgeous Noro Taiyo at one of my favorite yarn stores (Grafton). My plan was to make a simple, neutral, everyday, throw-on cropped cardigan that I could wear during and after pregnancy and in almost any season. Here is the final result, and I am so pleased with it!

Pixie Unfelted Cloche

I realize that felted wool hats aren't exactly four seasons accessories, so I decided to get back to my roots and work on altering some of my designs for unfelted fashion. Here is a prototype of a slightly altered Petal. I just love the effect I got from holding three different yarns from my stash together: a wool blend, pima cotton and hemp. It is still a bit too heavy for summer...I would probably have to do something more open and lacy. This one I may keep, I just love it!

An Homage to Other Felters

I discovered the work of Lorraine Linton today through her new etsy shop, and was positively blown away by her designs! I have never had the patience to master intarsia or duplicate stitch with any degree of skill; a shame really because the felted effect is gorgeous! Inspired by my find, I decided to put together some images of work by knitters/felters who are far more talented than I. Enjoy!

Both by:

Into Knitted by Lorraine Linton


Pillow designs both by Marta McCall
patterns available at TinkKnit.com

Sold bags from Simple Sandy's etsy shop

Petal and Sophia coming Saturday

Stay tuned...new hats to be added to my shop next weekend!

Sweet Sophia

Asymmetry and drama.

I am on a roll! Meet Sophia; the first of many I am sure. This prototype is in an olive and raspberry wool. The asymmetrical brim can be worn a number of ways as you can see.

Look Familiar?

A few months back, I previewed the bottom edge of this "maternity babydoll/tunic." But, alas, it took me so long to get her finished that she will now have to wait and be a "postpartum babydoll/tunic." But isn't she cute?

Darcy Gets a Name Change

I posted these little lovelies to my etsy shop last night. Somehow the name became Chelsea in spite of myself (pregnancy brain)! So, Chelsea she is! More colors coming soon...

Hello Beautiful! (The Darcy)

Finally, inspiration strikes! This design just hit me yesterday morning. Hand knit, felted with removable pin of handmade felt beads. This one is a variegated coral and beige wool. I have one in olive and teal on the needles and another in eggplant and chocolate on deck...

I hope to have several posted to my etsy shop sometime next week.

Mini Neck Vine

I am playing around with designs for knitted necklaces (and stepping away from the felteds). Here is my newest neckvine; a shorter version meant to be worn as a lariat/necklace. I can't decide if it needs something more or if it is perfect as-is...

Materni-Me, Me, Me!

So I am 14 weeks pregnant with my second child. Luckily, I am about a month earlier to the due date of my first, so I have a lot of clothes that I can use again. However, this being my second pregnancy I started showing almost immediately, so it appears that I need more winter-spring transitional pieces this time than I did last.

Searching for cute affordable maternity clothes either in stores or online is practically impossible. You are faced with either cheap ugly things, boring simple things, or lovely, gorgeous, unique pieces that cost more for one item than your entire wardrobe. I have had a little bit of luck with sale items from Lauren Kiyomi, and Old Navy is perfect for everyday tees, tanks and jeans, but I still cannot locate that perfect maternity brand that fashions beautiful, affordable, and special items for expecting mommies.

At my wits-end , I decided to take matters into my own hands; literally. I have been working away the past few weeks knitting my own original, custom designed transitional maternity pieces JUST FOR ME! (And I haven't made a thing to sell.) Whenever I design garments I almost always work off of an ancient top-down raglan sweater pattern using it as a guide for shape and sizing. Plus: No seaming, no sewn in sleeves; yay! Please forgive the photos that I had to take of myself. Also please bear in mind that this is not necessarily the context under which I would wear these pieces.

The first is a puffed, capped-sleeve bolero in this fabulous pine green:


Second is this slightly cropped one-button (button yet to be added) cardigan with 3/4 kimono sleeves:

And finally, the bottom edge of what is sure to be the most fabulous maternity baby doll/tunic ever. I promise to share as soon as it is finished. Both the baby doll and cardigan above were knitted using Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton; my most favorite yarn for garments.

Enjoy! And if you just have to have one or more for yourself, I might be willing to take commissions...