Sneak Peek from the Czech Republic

I am finally in the Czech Republic! I arrived the day before yesterday and I am glad to be finally here. It was a long trip as always, but luckily we got to sleep on the plane for about 4 hours and then on the bus for about 2 hours (they did not even wake us up on the borders between Austria and the Czech Rep. for passport control!), so we lasted through the day OK well to the evening hours and adjusted pretty quick to the time change (some 6 hours ahead of US East coast).

My mom and my sister with her 3 boys came to visit us the very first day of our arrival, so it was very nice to see my family after some 10 months. I managed to unpack pretty much all my luggage that day (and let me tell you it's a FEW pieces - one too many in accordance to some people). But I had some presents I wanted to give to my family and the way the airline restrictions are these days on the weight of each piece of luggage, I had to pack and repack and rearrange and weight and re-weight my luggage several times (it's a few day process!), so after all was packed I did not know what was where - there was no particular order to anything. And I used to have a good system for packing, since I've been doing it for many years now: I used to pack related things together for each person, so I knew where exactly to reach for things. Anyways, this way as it is now, I had to unpack everything in order to find all the presents I brought with me. But at least I have everything done and can finally relax. Well not exactly. I had brought 2 projects with me for 2 different publications and I will need to work on those while I am here, so I'd better get to it. I'd like to finish it before my husband comes here, so we can have nice vacation together without me having to knit, but I'm afraid that it's not going to happen; we'll see.

SNEAK PEEK

As I mentioned before, I have been working on my last project for Mission Falls DK Wool Booklet. I had been raving about how great it is to work with this yarn and how the colors are amazing. You can see a preview of a project #2. It will be available for release in Fall 2008, I believe. If you got a chance to go to TNNA you could have seen this and the other project there; for the rest you will have to wait till fall.

You can also see a sneak peak preview on Stefanie Japel's blog since she is also working on this booklet. Hers are worked from neck down, as far as I can tell from the pictures, so the booklet seems that it will be a great collection of patterns to knit for fall.

Leaving for the Czech Republic

Maybe some of you noticed that I have not been posting much in the past month. This was mainly due to the fact that I had many projects I had been working on and was trying to finish for 2 different publications before I was leaving for summer for the Czech Republic. I thought that I would manage to finish everything before I go, but it did not happen. Two of the projects I finished and sent off - some you could have possibly seen in TNNA as I was told they were there on display. But I still have 2 project I am taking with me because some of the yarn was not available for delivery in time for me to finish it, so I will be working on them in Europe.

Mission Falls DK Wool Booklet

I have been working on a new booklet for Mission Falls Yarns using their new DK Wool yarn. I feel privileged to work on this booklet together with Stefanie Japel and Galina Carroll. I love working with this yarn: it is a pleasure to work with because it is so soft and becomes even softer after washing. I did not know it was possible to have a wool so soft. If that was not enough, the colors are just amazing!

Strung Shells Top - Interweave Crochet Summer 2008

Today I have gotten my issue of Interweave Crochet Summer 2008 in the mail. I was very excited about getting this issue because it features my very first crochet garment design in this magazine. It's a great honor to be published next to Robyn Chachula, Amie Hirtes, and other great designers. You can see the preview of the patterns here.

The Strung Shells Top is a simple and easy design to work on. It is worked up in a vastly accessible yarn Patons Grace. This top is very versatile. Initially I designed this top as a "Falling Leaves" pattern just by using different color combination - see a swatch below. I like how just changing a color can change a garment from summer top to fall.

Vote on the Cover

New issue of Knitter's Magazine Summer 2008 is coming out soon. Now you can cast your vote here and guess which cover the Knitter's Editors will choose. I am flattered and excited that one of my designs - the Marigold - was chosen to be considered to appear on the cover! You can see a picture on the left.

Marina - Leaves Top

Over the weekend I have knitted the Marina - Leaves Top for my eldest daughter. Below you can see some pictures. It is worked in Caron's Simply Soft (great inexpensive and washable/dryable yarn - great for kids) . It was a quick knit (about 7 hours for this size). It's worked in round; it's a seamless knit with no sewing necessary; you just have to weave in ends!

Name: Eliska's Leaves Top

Pattern: Marina - Leaves Top

Size: 10 yrs

Needle and yarn

Needle: US 8 / 5.0 mm

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

How much? 1 skeins = 330.0 yards (301.8m)

Color: Plum Wine #9722

Reversible Hat and Scarf Set

Today I have been working on reformatting one of my patterns. I took some new photos of it which shows better the product. Here it is:

This is a PATTERN for an easy to make hat and scarf set with interesting stitch using only purl and knit rows creating totally reversible fabric, so you get 2-in-1 hat and scarf set! The hat is worked in a round on circular needles all in one piece including the I-cord with "ball". No sewing necessary. The scarf is worked from side to side in rows.

SIZE:
Hat: S/M (M/L)- head circumference 21" (23").
Scarf: S/M (M/L) - 63" (69")x 6" (6")
Size shown: M/L on 21 1/2" model head circumference

MATERIALS
The yarn is MEDIUM - Worsted/Aran weight
The yarn used in the M/L sample is Caron Simply Soft yarn - 1 skein of each color Grey Heather (MC), Soft Blue (CC), and Sage (CC).

NEEDLES
S/M:
Size US #6 (4.0 mm) circular needle 16" long (for hat), 32" long (for scarf), one set (5) dpn needles US size #6 (4.0 mm), and 2 dpn needles US size 5 (3.75 mm).
M/L:
Size US #7 (4.5mm) circular needle 16" long (for hat), 32" long (for scarf), one set (5) dpn needles US size #7 (4.5 mm), and 2 dpn needles US size 6 (4.0 mm).

GAUGE
To achieve either of the sizes, adjust needle size to get the following gauges:
17 (15.5) sts and 40 rows = 4"/10cm over the Pattern Stitch

You can buy the pattern through Ravelry's purchase download or in my on-line store here.

More Sizes for Lace Cardi

I have heard from many of you about your liking the Lace Cardi (#20) from Spring VK, and I feel your frustration with having the instruction only in one size. Unfortunately, the way the lace stitch count and decreases worked, it just mathematically did not add up to make it in more sizes. So what I’d suggest to those of us who are bigger than the 34” is to use slightly thicker yarn and thus getting a smaller gauge per inch. I have created a chart where you can find the size closer to yours and the gauges needed to achieve it, while using the same pattern as printed in Vogue Knitting.

DISCLAIMER: The instructions below are only informative guidelines. You may try to use them to achieve the result similar to Lace Cardigan featured in VK. Be aware that these were NOT tech edited and have not been test knitted. Some measurements may differ because your row gauge may be different, so you may need to make changes to fit it to your body measurements.

I'd tried to calculate the measurements to best of my abilities, but since your row gauge might (and most likely will) be different, I'd recommend to make the sleeves first, since they are going to be slightly wider than in the pattern (see the schematics below). Then when you make the body, adjust the underarms height so that you can fit the sleeve caps in comfortably.

To achieve following sizes, you should work it in the gauges (# sts = 4") as you can see below.

SIZE (inches)	36 3/4	37 1/2	39 1/2	41 3/4	44	46 3/4
Waterfall patt (# sts = 4")	21	20	19	18	17	16
Lace patt (# sts = 4")	24	23	22	20.5	19.5	18

You should get following measurements for the sizes as you can see in the schematics (click to enlarge them):

To achieve the measurements in the schematics, I made a few modifications to original pattern.

Under RIBBED WAIST: .... work in k3, p3 rib for "3 1/4, 3 1/4, 3 1/4, 3 1/2, 3 3/4, 4)", .... Then work in waterfall patt for (5 1/2, 5 1/2, 5 1/2, 5 1/2, 5 1/2, 5 3/4)".

Under BACK: ..... bind off for armhole as written in the pattern; then work even until armhole measures (6 1/2, 7, 7 1/4, 7 3/4, 8, 8 1/2)". (then work neck and shoulder shaping.)

Under FRONT: .... work underarm shaping as written in the pattern; AT THE SAME TIME, after underarm measures (1/4, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2, 1 3/4, 2 1/4)", from the neck edge bind off .... (work the front neck shaping)

If you have any suggestions or changes that might help others to make this cardi in the larger size, please let me know. I hope these basic guidelines will help you to work your size successfully.

Trully a Spring Day

What a beautiful day today. It did not start very pretty though; it was pouring and dark and cloudy in the morning, but by noon it got hot and sunny. I ran some errands during early afternoon - the regular grocery stores and stuff, and when I got home, I have received my bargain yarn I have gotten on Elann.com. Here are some pictures and stats.

Name: Pegasus
Brand: Elann

Weight: Worsted / 10 ply (9 wpi)

Yardage: 93 yards (85 meters)

Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)

Gauge: 19.0 = 4 inches

Needle size: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Fibers: 52.5% Mercerized Cotton, 47.5% Viscose Rayon

Texture: Plied

1. There is a semi-metallic quality woven into this yarn that makes it really stand out.

Machine wash?: yes, Machine Wash Cold, Gentle/ Dry Flat

Name: Camila

Brand: Elann

Weight : DK / 8 ply (11 wpi)

Yardage:123 yards (112 meters)

Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)

Gauge: 23.0 = 4 inches

Needle size: US 3 / 3.25 mm

Fibers :50% Cotton/ 50% Linen

Machine wash? yes; Machine Wash Cold, Gentle/ Dry Flat

Name: Peruvian Quechua

Elann

Weight : DK / 8 ply (11 wpi)

Yardage: 122 yards (112 meters)

Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)

Gauge: 22.0 = 4 inches

Needle size US 4 - 6 or 3.5 - 4mm

Fibers: 65% Alpaca, 35% Tencel

Texture: Plied

Unfortunately I did not have time to put my hands on it today. When I get a new yarn, I have to knit a swatch at least in Stockinette stitch, just to feel how it feels and behaves. I have a few designs in mind for the Pegasus, but first I must swatch it to know how it will work. I got only one ball of each of the Camila and Peruvian Quechua just for that reason of making a swatch to see what I can do with it. I read about the yarns on Ravelry and wanted to try them for myself.

Time to go to bed...

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.

Long Vest (VK S/S 2008) Details

OK, so I finally got my Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting. I have noticed that the details of my Long Vest (#6) are not very easily seen. This is unfortunately by the nature and color of the yarn. When I took my pictures at first with flash to portray the true color of the vest, I could not see the detailing either. Then I turned the flash off, and the detail became visible and those are the picturess you can see here; though, the color appears more as a plum brown. The color in reality is just like you can see in the magazine.


The yarn used in this sample is Conjoined Creations Dance Party.
The retailers in your area carrying this yarn are listed here. I would recommend using this yarn. Please make a swatch. Measure your gauge before you wet block it; then measure your gauge after you wet block it. This yarn stretched about 30% lengthwise for me. After checking your after-blocking gauge, use the row gauge for measuring the lengths given in the pattern. E.g. if you after-blocking your gauge is 4.5 rows per 1" (2.5 cm), and the pattern says work until piece measures 7 3/4", it would mean you knit until you have worked 7.75*4.5 rows = 34 rows. This might not measure the 7 3/4" at the time of knitting; but it will once you wet-block it.