Simply Crochet: Emma Lace Scarf

Emma Lace Scarf is a very special project for me.  It is one of the two projects I contributed to Robyn Chachula's newest crochet book Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day; and it is my first project I had contributed to any of Robyn's books. I felt honored when she asked me to submit to her book since she's one of the crochet designers whose work I have long admired. Furthermore, many talented crochet designers I love, and nearly all of them who I am friends with, have showcased their designs in this book.


The Emma Lace Scarf  was inspired by a leather belt in a Victorian style I saw on a runway couple of years ago.  I loved the ornate and romantic look of it and wanted to translate it into crochet. So I made a swatch in this beautiful stitch pattern initially not even knowing what I am going to use it for. The scarf is made in Lion Brand Yarn, LB Collection Superwash Merino (100% Superwash Merino; 306 yd 280 m/3.5 oz 100 g): #114 cayenne, with size G/6 (4 mm) hook. I absolutely loved this yarn, it was very soft and easy to work with. I was pleasantly surprised that this great value yarn is of such a high quality. I highly recommend it and will be using it for my own crochet projects in the future.

As I was working on the project, Robyn had realized having yarn sent to me that we used to live about 10 minutes away from each other before she moved away! What a coincidence. It is wild that we used to go to the same grocery store and did not even know it. World is so, so small. But I got a chance to meet her personally for the first time at TNNA and I have to note that not only Robyn is wonderful person to work with, but she's also very funny and I enjoy hanging out with her.

BOOK HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY
If you are running around in this pre-Christmas time trying to get everything done on your list, slow down and post a comment here on the blog.  Interweave Press made a great offer to one of my readers; I can give away one free e-book copy of the Simply Crochet to one of you. All you need to do is to leave a comment here on the blog. You have until tomorrow, December 7th, 2011, midnight ET, to be included in the drawing. I will randomly draw a person and will announce here on December 8th. Good luck!

Simply Crochet book offers designs divided into chapters according to how much yarn is needed to complete a project: 1 ball, 2-3 balls, 4-5 balls. In addition, the book provides tips from designers on how to work crochet projects on a budget and tips on how to manage our own yarn stash. The book is available in both paperback and as an e-book. You can pre-order it now. The e-book is available for download and the hard copy will be on sale December 7, 2011.

Simply Crochet Countdown to fun:
Here is the blog tour in its entirety

1ball projects

Dec 1 Iced Ascot by Rebecca Velasquez, http://rebeccavelasquezdesigns.blogspot.com/

Dec 2 Flapper Hat by Margaret Hubert, http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com/

Dec 3 Billows of Baubles Scarf by Sheryl Means, http://sherylmeanscrochet.com/

Dec 4 Twist Cowl Wrap by Linda Permann, http://www.lindamade.com/wordpress/

Dec 5 Mystic Cuff by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com 

Dec 6 Emma Lace Scarf by Simona Merchant-Dest, http://stylishknits.blogspot.com/

Dec 7 Diamonds and Lace Hat by Linda Permann, http://www.lindamade.com/wordpress/

Dec 8 Neck Lattice by Vashti Braha, http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/

2-3 balls projects

Dec 9 Botan Placemats by Marlaina Bird, http://knitthing.blogspot.com/

Dec 10 Tapestry Basket by Carol Ventura, http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/blog/

Dec 11 Blooming Beauty Purse by Tracie Barrett, http://traciebarrett.com/blog/

Dec 12 Nedburt Puppet by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 13 Natalie Shrug by Megan Granholm, http://loopdedoo.blogspot.com/

Dec 14 Giselle Vest by Simona Merchant-Dest, http://stylishknits.blogspot.com/

Dec 15 Sidney Cardigan by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 16 Annabel Shawl by Kristin Omdahl, http://www.styledbykristin.com/

4- 5 balls projects

Dec 17 Tallula Baby Top by Marlaina Bird, http://knitthing.blogspot.com/

Dec 18 Amelia Cardigan by Julia Vaconsin, http://www.juliavaconsin.com/

Dec 19 Float Vest, Float Cardigan by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 20 Linked Jacket by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 21 Dots and Dashes Blanket by Ellen Gormley, http://www.gocrochet.com/

Dec 22 Spa Shawl Top by Doris Chan, Spa Shawl Tunic by Doris Chan, http://dorischancrochet.com/

Interweave Crochet Accessories, 2011 - Preview is up

Interweave Crochet Accessories, 2011, the biggest issue ever with 59+ projects, is up for preview. This issue is really spectacular: It has 14 one-skein projects for last minute gifts, including mittens, cowl or hat. Of course you can find awesome shawls. My favorites are Lucille Shawl by Jill Wright worked in Bijou Spun Fingering Weight yarn by Bijou Basin Ranch, and Icarus Shawl by Tracy McCorcle worked in Brown Sheep Legacy Lace yarn.

I am absolutely smitten by Annie Modesitt's Jazz Bag worked in Trensetter Yarns Cha Cha & Merino VI Solids. This bag requires basic sewing knowledge, but the result gives you a very unique, designer-like bag for fraction of the cost.

If you ever wanted to learn how to crochet, this is a great issue to get because it includes a guide to crochet basics. You can learn how to do four basic crochet stitches, how to croche in circle, how to make granny square motif, small flower motif, or four-color spiral motif (really cool!). You can learn how to join seams and even learn how to make Freeform Bag. 

Fancywork Cloche Hat

You can find also my new crochet hat pattern in this issue, the Fancywork Cloche hat worked in Alpaca With a Twist Socrates. The wavy texture of this hat is created with front post single crochet stitches worked every other round on the wrong side. The hat is worked in joined rounds.

The pattern is written in 3 sizes so it can be made for anybody: a small girl as well as a teenage daughter, or a hip mom. And since it takes only one skein to make, it is a great last minute gift project.

The Fancywork Cloche hat is also a great project for learning how to work post stitch. You can watch video on how to do it below.

Portland Fashion Week 2011: Imperial Yarn

At the beginning of this year I met Anna Cohen, internationally recognized sustainable designer and creative director of Imperial Yarns. She had paired with Imperial Stock Ranch to create her first in-house hand knitwear collection of patterns called The Imperial Yarn Knit Collection.  At the time I met her, she was looking for hand knitwear designers to work as a technical designer/interpreter for her collection of hand knit patterns for Fall 2011.

This was my very first time to work with a fashion designer; and I was very excited about the opportunity. Anna had built and led successful apparel company from 2005 - 2008, making sustainability her priority in her designs. Working with Anna has been a great experience for me. The process of bringing her designs to life was slightly different from what I have done in the past; and it had taught me a lot.  To work on this collection for Anna, among other things, had taught me about sustainability in the US; something I really have not thought about much before. Moreover, Anna's designs are beautiful, fresh with nice silhouettes and she's a pleasure to work with. All the designs in the collection are worked in yarns of Imperial Yarn that are unique, soft and very comfortable to knit with. The yarn is produced by Imperial Stock Ranch, a 140-year-old, family-owned ranch based in Shaniko in central Oregon, that is known for its mindful and sustainable ranching and land-management practices.

I have worked on three designs for the Fall 2011 The Imperial Yarn Knit collection and two designs for the Spring 2012 collection (pictured below). These designs are available in knit-it-yourself kits that are made 100% in the USA including the pattern and Imperial Stock Ranch's wool.

This Imperial Yarn Knit Collection was presented at the Portland Fashion Week 2011 this month. You can see the whole collection on the runway below.

Winter Luxe Cardigan (Fall 2011)

Winter Luxe Cardigan (Fall 2011)

Essential Sweater Dress (Fall 2011)

Simona Circle Bag (Fall 2011)

Tank Top and Bag (Spring 2012)

Fall 2011 season - Three Covers!

Last week I have received the new issues of Interweave Crochet and Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 and my patterns are on the cover! Oh my, how exciting! In addition, my first pattern for Classic Elite Yarns is also on the cover of the new booklet 9154 Atelier featuring four patterns in Inca Alpaca yarn .

















 On the cover of Interweave Crochet Fall 2011 is featured my Lace Canopy Cardi Wrap. This is a combination of a cardigan and shawl in one garment, which can be worn open with shawl fronts, closed with a big belt, or with one or both shawl ends tossed over your shoulders for extra warmth. Elegant lace edges the shawl fronts. It is worked in The Fibre Company Canopy fingering (50% baby alpaca, 30% merino, 20% bamboo; 200 yd [183 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): gray. This yarn is so beautiful to work with and becomes even softer after blocking. I'm looking forward to using this yarn again. I wrote the pattern in generous 8 sizes in a range of 30 1/2 - 59 1/2" chest circumference.

On the cover of Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts my Ashbury Mitts are featured with Grace Ahkrem's Peace Street Hat. The Ashbury Mitts are worked in Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness (75% yak, 25% bamboo; 180 yd [165 m]/56 g): natural cream - lovely, lovely yarn, my favorite from Bijou Basin. The mitts are worked top down in a round with center Hearts stitch studded with miniature bobbles. The pattern is written in 3 sizes.

Included in the issue is also my Forever Scarf worked in Classic Elite Princess (40% merino, 28% viscose, 10% cashmere, 15% nylon, 7% angora; 150 yd [137 m]/50 g): inc charcoal (MC), and keepsake pink (CC) colors.

Lastly, the Belle Epoque is worked in Classic Elite Yarns Inca Alpaca . It is a simply shaped cardigan knitted in a drop stitch pattern, worked sideways in two identical halves from sleeve cuffs to center front/back. Right and left halves are sewn at center back. Stitches are picked up and worked down for bottom rib.Pattern is written in 5 sizes.

American Girl patterns - knit testers needed

The past week was super busy for me; thus no postings. Besides the fact that my youngest daughter was turning 5 and I was heaving 2 birthday parties planned for her, I had also decided to participate in a cookie swap on the same day as one of the birthday parties. I made some Czech cookies my grandma used to make - coffee bean cookies. It took me close to 3 hours to make 8 dozens of them! I am really not the cooking/baking type of girl who enjoys the process because things usually don't go right and I get frustrated easily. It would be much more fun for me if I was making it with somebody than just standing in a kitchen by myself or heaving my kids argue over who is going to do what. It would be nice to do it with my grandma or mom or my sister, but those days are gone since they do not reside in the same country with me over the holidays. Anyways, cookies are done - I made 3 more other kinds as well (just needed to do it for the tradition's sake!) - I did have a better luck with no major mishaps.

NEW - American Girls (or 18" doll) patterns

Also I was knitting, of course. That was more fun for me. I had made three outfits for American Girl dolls for my kids. I enjoyed these quick projects very much. I thought they turned out well - if I say so myself, so I decided to write the patterns for them. Now I am offering the patterns for free to a a few of you knitters to test the pattern. So if you'd like to make one of the sweaters, and have 3 - 4 hours to devote to this project in the next week or so, please contact me. I will e-mail you the pattern for you to knit from. What I ask in return is to give me a feedback on the pattern and that you do it in timely fashion, lets say within a week of me sending you the pattern. In your message, please let me know which of the patterns you'd like to make as well.

Candy
All the sweaters are worked from neck down in one piece with no need for seaming. The hats are also worked in a round. You'll need between 135 to 160 yds of medium weight (worsted) yarn - great way to use your leftover scrap yarn! Further, you'll need US 6 (4.00mm) needles - circular and/or double pointed needles, F/5 - 3.75mm hook and 5 buttons (for Rubine & Candy), tapestry needle, 4 stitch markers, and stitch holders (or some scrap yarn).
Cotton Candy
Rubine

Project update and some pictures...

I worked on this jacket in spring 2008. I almost finished it before the summer, but was unable to sew the buttons on yet and a cable that goes around the outer part of the collar. But I think I like it better without it. I modified the collar, since I did not like the big collar on me as it was pictured in the original pattern. Second, I did not fully how the construction of the collar as described in the patter, so I knitted a collar support to mimic the shape of the collar and then sewn it from the back of the collar to body (see pictures below).

Project info

Name: Cape Collar Jacket

Pattern:#16 Cape Collar Jacket by Vladimir Teriokhin from Vogue Knitting (Winter 2007/2008)

Size: S

Needle: US 8 / 5.0 mm
Yarn: Bernat Soy Natural Blends
How much?: 14 skeins = 1876.0 yards (1715.4m)
Colorway: oatmeal

Unfortunately, I did not make the best yarn choice for this cardigan: the soy yarn has become rather heavy and stretched the cardigan to a great length. It still looks OK, though I might shorten it at waist one of these days.

Give me some crochet, please ...

Before I left for the Czech Republic, I had bought a new book - DoubleStitch by Erika and Monika Simmons. I loved most of the designs in it: the designs are very hip and fresh, and give me a new look at crochet. Most of the designs have very simple constructions and are easy to make. Even though I like many of the designs, unfortunately, most of them are not very wearable for me - I'm not that young of a chick anymore; and most of the designs are targeted towards to a younger, more daring wearer. Regardless, I fell in love with the Gypsy Duster and I wanted to make it so bad, but I had to wait until I was done with all my knitting projects for publication. I took the book and allocated yarn with me to the Czech Republic, hoping that I will have some extra time to work on it. After the knitting marathon, I had to give myself at least a week off; and then, in the middle of the summer, I started to crochet. It was coming along rather quick; and it was nice to work for a mere pleasure for a change. And since there was no rush (not like one needs a coat in the middle of a summer!), I have finished it when I got back to the States.

When crocheting, I was worried a little about the size because it looked rather small for me at first; but then when it was finished, because of the yarn weight and nature of the stitch, the coat stretched to fit perfectly. I have omitted the ties since it was hard to get in and out of the coat while just throwing it on to go the bus stop and back; but the eyelets are there if I ever wanted to use the ties. I must say it like it both ways - with the ties or without.

Project info:
Gypsy Duster

Needle and yarn

Hook: 6.0 mm (J)

Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream Confectionary

How much? 1 skeins = 710.0 yards (649.2m) of each color. Colors: 1 skein of White & 1 skein of Natural.

Faded Ribbons - Knitter's #90, Spring 2008

I wanted to share with you a new pattern of mine that is published in the upcoming Spring 2008 issue of Knitter's magazine #90. It is a very easy pattern to work - all the knitting is done in straight lines. The 2x2 Rib pattern around the waist gives this top a nice body fitting waist shaping. The sample is worked in Universal ROZETTI Alora . The yarn feels very light and airy; and it is perfect for a summer knit like this.

Bell Sleeve Shrug #3

Yes, I have just finished another Bell Sleeve Shrug! So now each of my girls have one of their own. They really like to wear them a lot, even though my girl in this pictures was not in the mood of taking pictures, can you tell? This time I used different yarn yet again. See the info below.

Bell Sleeve Shrug #3
Pattern: Bell Sleeve Shrug
Size: 8 yrs (she's 7 yrs old)
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft - 1 ball!
Needles: Us #8 (5 mm)

Couple of days ago I have sent a few proposal to a mag publisher for summer issue. I love the swatching and sketching and designing part, but I always dread doing the administrative part of it: the actual scanning of everything into the computer, filing and making comprehensive proposals themselves, printing, packaging - in short, the office work. So I am always happy when that's done; and now I can hope that they like one or two of the designs.

I have finished all three shrugs for my girls. I have also finished the Men's Ladder socks - though I have not finished writing the pattern yet. I am still debating if I should send it to Knitty or not. I am itching to post the pictures and put the pattern on Etsy. I'll see what kind of pictures we can take of it because, honestly, I think you have to have awesome pictures (plus of course a great pattern to go with it) in order to be considered for being published in Knitty. But there's still time, I think the due date for submission is March or so. I should check it out, just to make sure not to miss the deadline.





Teriokhin Cape Jacket
Now I have started working on my next project for me. I really like a few designs in the new Vogue Knitting magazine. I chose to work on the Cape Collar Jacket (#16) by Vladimir Teriokhin. I love the silhouette and the style of the design. I like the collar on the model; but not for me, so I will modify it to make it not so wide, more traditional width. I am about 20% through the project and it's coming along rather quick, since I am actually following a written pattern! So this is a fun and pleasure knitting for me. I am using different yarn; I bought Bernat Soy Natural Blend. I love the drape of it. I am using US #8 (5 mm) needles and I am getting the same 19 st per 4" gauge as they are with #4 needles. I guess the yarn they used in the sample must be very soft, fluffy yarn, since it's also medium weight yarn; or the sample knitter knits very loosely. At left you can see some pictures of the jacket in progress.

Bell Sleeve Shrug #2

This weekend I was testing the new pattern Bell Sleeve Shrug. I made it for my youngest daughter in size 6yrs. She is only 4 years old but wears size 5/6.









Bell Sleeve Shrug #2
Size: 6
Yarn: Red Heart Ltd. Soft Yarn Solids
Needles: US#8 (5mm)

Now I am going to work on the size 8 yrs because my middle daughter want one too.

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.