Thank you

Thank you guys for offering to test knit for me. As of now, I have enough knitters to try the new pattern. The pattern will be available in my Etsy store as soon as we're done testing it.

One More Test Knitter Needed

The pattern for the Bell Sleeve Shrug is done. I have offered couple knitters the opportunity to knit this garment for free in exchange for feedback on the pattern. I have one knitter to test-knit the size 4 yrs. If you'd like to test-knit the shrug in sizes 12 yrs or 14 yrs, please contact me. You can just leave a comment on the site; I will get back to you.

Please see previous posts for further information on the project.

Bell Sleeve Shrug Pattern in works

Today, I have been working on the pattern for the Bell Sleeve Shrug. Now I just need to proofread it and find some test knitters. If you'd like to try the pattern and would be willing to give me feedback on it, please contact me and I'll send it to you free of charge. This is a fast knit; it should not take longer than a week to complete. I'd be most interested to have somebody knit the size 14 yrs or 4 yrs. Below are the measurements for each size

SIZES:
4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) yrs

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Back 9 3/4 (11, 11 3/4, 13, 14, 14 3/4)"- measured from underarm to underarm; it's supposed to have a tight fit.

Gauge:
17 sts and 23 rows = 4" square over St st with US size #8 (5mm).

You will need Aran weight yarn and circular and a set of 5 dpn needles size US #8 (5mm).

See other information 2 posts below this one.

Day Spent on Brownies Project

Yesterday we had gone to visit our Czech friends. We had great time and so did the kids. We came home quite late, so today we took it easy and hung around the house.

My kids go to Brownies troop and on their next try-out they are doing Stitching. So I have picked to volunteer this Try-It. I have bought some felt and we'll be working on making Brownies purses and heart pouches for whatever (bonbons, messages, etc.) . And me being a pattern writer, I have made step-by-step picture instructions of what we'll be doing. I hope this way it will be easier for the kids to know what to do; and if necessary they'll be able to finish it at home should we run out of time at our meeting. Below you can see the simple projects.













Swatching
Today I have been also re-working some swatches for felted bag using Patons Classic Wool Merino. I have finished it on Friday, though when I was felting in in my washing machine, my neighbor came over and I got distracted and over felted it. Ugh! So I am doing it again because I feel this is going to look quite nice if done properly. The yarn knits up and felts quite nicely if fabric is knitted; though I tried another swatch that was crochet and that one did not felt so good. I think the crocheted article must take much longer to felt than knitted fabric.

Men's Socks
I am still working also on the men's socks; I have about 4 more inches to go. So hopefully it will done soon. I can't wait for my hubby to wear it. They should be pretty warm.

More pictures

I wanted to share some pictures of my daughter's shrug she was begging me for for longest time. I finally made it for her before Christmas; and she's been wearing it since. It is a rather quick knit worked from top downwards all in one piece without any sewing involved. The sleeves flare a bit at the ends forming bell sleeves style. To finish, stitches are picked up along the neck, front, and back edges to knit the edging on. I have started writing the pattern for this, but got busy with other projects over the holidays. So I have to get back to it; and hopefully I will make it for the February pattern of the month.

Bell Sleeve Shrug info:
Sizes: 4 - 14. Pictured in size 10.
Yarn: 3 balls of Caron Simply Soft Shadows 3oz/ 85 g; 150 yd; autumn color.
Needle size: US #8 (5.00 mm) circular needles and 1 set of 5 dpns.
Gauge: 15 sts and 25 rows = 4" square over St st with US #8 needles.

I liked working with the yarn; it was nice and soft. But when my daughter started to wear it, it started to pill on the sleeves somewhat. Yesterday I machine washed and dried it; and it did not shed or pill at all (which I was pleasantly surprised); only some of the pill on the sleeves stayed. But the yarn is a good value for the money and is great for the kids.

Happy New Year Everybody!

It's been a while since I wrote anything on my blog, so I want to take a moment and wish you all happy, healthy and productive new year 2008.

December flew by so quickly for me that I did not even notice that I have not blogged a bit. Many things happened work-wise that I will have to go bit by bit in the upcoming blogs. I've been designing and swatching as usual. I really enjoy this time when I am dreaming up stuff; on the other hand, I have so many ideas that I get overwhelmed sometimes and have to try to turn my mind off. I just do not have enough time to work on all my ideas. and that's what's probably overwhelming. Anyways.

Scarf with Hood
I'd like to share with you a new pattern, which is published in a new book Vogue Knitting on the Go: Cables: Mittens, Hats & Scarves. The pattern is for a Scarf with Hood. The pattern info is listed below.

Pattern Information

Hood measurements: 10 1/2” x 13 1/2
Scarf measurements: 8 1/2” x 60”

Needles: US 8 / 5.0 mm

Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft Aran

10 skeins = 950.0 yards (868.7m)

Color: #1 oat

Gauge: 19 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in St st

This book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com here.

I loved working on this scarf. The yarn is so soft and yummy, you just want to cuddle in it. I have to make one for myself; it will definitely be used a lot in this time of a year. Below you can see the scarf from different angles. Unfortunately, in the book you can see only one pictures, so here you can get a closer look of how the scarf is made.













Man's Socks
I've been working on a pair of socks for my husband. I am using the Regia sock yarn - the design line Kaffe Fassett. I really like how they are turning out. I knitted one just to see if it will be big enough for my husband, and it fitted well, so now I am working on the other one. I will not post any pictures yet, since I am deciding if I should submit the pattern to Knitty.com. I will know once I am finished if I do it or not. I have to say that I really like working with this yarn; I am using US #1 size needles and despite the small size, the socks are coming along rather quick.

Girls Shrug
My daughter have been begging me to knit her a long sleeve shrug for over a year, and I never seemed to find time to do that. So at the begging of December I have made her one. I have also started working on the pattern, though, I have not finished it yet. I am trying to make it again in a wide range of sizes. I have to look for the pictures, I will post them in my upcoming blogs.

CROCHET
In past few months I had been brainstorming new ideas for garment designs, and some of the ideas that came to my mind where hard to be completed as knitted projects. So I have been brushing up on my crochet skills - and truth be told - I am learning tons of new tricks and stitches, and it's opening totally a new world to me. I had gotten myself a few crochet stitch books for Christmas, ye! I like listing through them because I get quite inspired. Right now I have finished a new pattern for a publication; and I am very pleased how it turned out. I hope they like it too.

Anyways, it's nice to be back. I have also skipped on my KNIT TIPS. I have to say that I am running low on ideas for the tips. So if you have any problem with your knitting, let me know, I will try to answer it and possibly turn in into a TIP.