New Patterns and New on the way!!

The holidays are getting closer - strange but true.  In fact, if you enter a store it is a confusing situation as we are purchasing halloween candy next to the Christmas decorations.  Trully.  Anyhoo, if you want to give your loved ones a special hand made project you may need to start now.  Or you could be like me which means that in November and December you are rushing around like a maniac trying to get everything done.  I have spent many an all nighter trying to finish off that one special gift.

If you are a knitter then knitting takes time and of course selecting that special yarn can take some time.  Here are my favorites for quick but great gifts!!

For beginner knitters try these projects -
Rap -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28255829@N03/4000139002/

Edith's Garden -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28255829@N03/4044269281/

For advanced beginners or intermediate
EverGreen -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28255829@N03/4009075262/


Twisted Vine -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28255829@N03/3103159331/

Or if you would like to try to knit a leafy sweater -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28255829@N03/3673887524/
Take a look - http://www.knitchicgrace.etsy.com/

Happy Knitting!

Good News and Bad

Well, today I learned my sweater Dream did not make it into the Twist Collective.  Oh well, maybe next time.  This is bad and good all at the same time.  I love the sweater so creating it was a plus.  I will self publish it and that could be good.  Also, it just means I have to design more to try again.  Also a plus because I love to come up with new items.  So even though Dream wasn't chosen it may be just what was suppose to happen.  By the way they wrote a lovely note so I hole no crabbiness and only hope to be able to find the nitch that makes it in.

Here is a pic of Dream -

Dream is knit in merino lace - snorkle from Knit Picks to be exact.  It was a challenge I created for myself.  Could I create a sweater that was made from one ball of lace?  Well I had just a bit left over.  Course it will depend on the size you make and how aggressively you block but it worked and I love the lacyness of it. 

I also finished writing my latest scarf pattern - EverGreen.

EverGreen is a panel of lace sections cast on and off to create leaves that eventually will cascade up creating a wonderfully nature inspired design.  I really like this one.

I am selling the sample as well on my etsy store if you would like the scarf but are not able to knit.  Anyone by the way can  knit.  You just have to give it a try!!

This scarf is alot of fun and can be knit in any type of yarn or for any length.  Just tack, block and off you go. 

I also approved my proof for my new book - Twisted Leaves A Collection of Scarves to Knit -

It is composed of several of my favorite scarf patterns all in one book.  11 patterns in all for 22.00.  If interested here is the link

https://www.createspace.com/3401440

Fingers crossed :)

Now I am working on Lissette.  Lissette is a twist on the feather and fan look and I love the sweet lace look it has.  I think it looks really vintage and european hence the name.  It reminds me of Lisbon where some of the most beautiful lace is created.

Any hoooo, off to knit and write a pattern.  Hope that the book sells and hope my new patterns offer knitters enjoyment!!  :)

Happy Knitting!!

2 scarfs down - what else to work on - oh ya the green sweater :)

Well it has been a productive weekend.  I completed my beginners scarf - Rap

This is a great fun scarf.  It is easy with all knits and purls and only 2 fancy (so called) stitches in order to create the opening to slip the wrap tie through.  The scarf is reversible - a plus.  It can be done in any type of worsted weight or bulky yarn - another plus.  It is a stash buster and a gift giver.  I like it.  It fits nicely and is so warm and comfy. 

The second scarf is BeechNut.  This one has been in the background.  Originally the edging was different but, I thought it might be too complicated and not user friendly.  I just decided this weekend to change it to it's current form.  I like it.  The wavyness and drape is great.  The warmth is fabulous.  The alpaca - not my favorite.  I seem to be allergic - see other posts.  But this one is a blend so it didn't bother me as much and I do love the softness -  Here is a picture

You can see the leaf edging and the fancy cables with eyelets.  I really like the vintage look it gives off.  Or at least I think it does.

So now I am looking at a whole 7 more days off what to do?  I did get some Red Heart aloe sock yarn - I thought I would try it.  But I also have sooooo much yarn I could have a yarn store of my own.

I know I have that green sweater, which is close to having the body done.  But, then what???  I would like a nice crewneck or v neck for work.  Maybe I will use my favorite color from Knit Picks lace yarn - snorkle.  I love the name, I love the color.  It is great.  Not really blue, not really turquoise it is perfect for me.  Hmmmm  will have to keep thinking about it.  I also have some pedi socks to finish and another sweater in Plum Zephr to finish.  I have a great cone of Jaggerspun that I would love a long long sweater - may be a fun lacey cardi.

Any way off to knit the green sweater...  Happy Knitting  :)

New Scarf for beginners

I finished a new scarf today on the train ride in.  I like it.  It is cozy.  Very easy stitches so hopefully it will give beginners something to do :)  I hope to have it ready to go for this weekend but, who knows what will happen...

Tonight my train was late due to a medical emergency.  Very sad I hope she is alright!!! 

I am getting so excited about next week.  I am off on vacation all week.  Which means I can finally catch up with my facebook messages.  I can knit knit knit until I can't knit no more.  And I won't have to worry about installing patches, answering questions or trying to be organized in a sea of my own chaos.   I will miss my friend Cindy, who I haven't been very nice to this week so I will have to do something to make up for it.  We are all stressed to the max and time is always running out.

I found a great book today in a sale bin so I was happy at the end of the day and my new Iphone arrived course I have to get it going.  Right now it is a beautiful paper weight.  I can't wait to see what it does!!!  maybe there is an app for knitting???? 

Right now I am watching Runway models.  I haven't watched the runway episode yet but that will be in a few..  Can't wait. 

Still working on the green sweater but, it is getting closer.  I like it. I think it will be a nice addition to my warm weather wear.  I have so much yarn but, I had to go to the craft store for a project I was doing for my friend Juliet.  While there I found some sock yarn with aloe in it.  I am going to try it out and if I like it I will make socks for my friends this Christmas.  Yes I am adding stuff to my chaotic life.  Anyway got to get ready for the runway!!!!  off the work on the sweater and watch the fun.. Have a great night:)  and happy knitting

New Pattern Fingerless Gloves - super super easy!!!!

So I finished the fingerless gloves named - Beaute.  I think they should work out well.  I am happy with them.  They are not knit on double pointed needles so for individuals who are a bit shy of the double pointed needle they are perfect. 

They are also fun to knit and a super quick project.  I knit them while playing bingo as I mentioned in a previous post.  I like the color and the yarn worked out well although I may not be able to keep them.  I am sort of alergic to certain types of fibers.  For example, I knit a sweater for my friend made from Misti Alpaca.  I loved this yarn, wanted it, needed it and then I knitted with it.  Day after day my eyes ran.  It was such a difficult project, I just couldn't wait to be done.  I still think Misti Alpaca is a beautiful yarn.  But it is not one I can knit with and enjoy my project. 

I have worked with Classic Elites Alpaca Sox and I didn't have the same experience.  I love the loftiness of the Classic Elite one.  Beaute is made with Mohair which is just as tuff on my eyes.  But, I didn't feel it all of the time so it was a bit easier.

I also finished working on my first book.  It is a collection of my leaf scarf designs.  We'll see how well this works out.  You never know...  It was alot of work and I hope I did it correctly.  Here is the cover

With everyone having difficulty keeping up with the bills, handmade gifts are a great substitute for the expensive brand name gifts.  I have always believed in handmade gifts.  I think they mean more.  Hopefully this is the type of knitting book that people will want and find extremely useful.  I hope they will want to knit every scarf.

Oh well, now I can focus a bit on the green sweater and see what else I come up with.  I still have the Jade Sapphire to decide what to do with.....  :)

Happy knitting to all..

ColourMart Cashmere Blend - Fabulous

The scarf came out soooo soft and wonderful.  I am extremely pleased with the yarn.  I think I may use the rest to create a cardigan if I have enough. 

I started some cute fingerless gloves yesterday while playing video bingo with my friend.  We had alot of fun but, no winning :(

I had the opportunity to visit an Asian market today and got a few fun things.  Other than that I am going to finish the gloves and post them hopefully tomorrow.  I think they will be a nice pattern for beginners or intermediate beginners.  Hopefully they will turn out as I imagine.

Off to knit

Scarf washing now!! Yay now what to make??

Ok so the cashmere is taking a bath as we speak and I am going to work  on the pattern in a few.  I have to finish that green sweater but, I love to work a bunch of projects at once.  I guess my mind never stops.  So on Tuesday, my friend Cindy and I went to Newbury yarns in Boston.  We were treated wonderfully and of course I could not leave without some type of yarn.  I selected Jade Sapphire's Lambswool.  It terrifically soft and it is a pale green.  I will need to see what I can create with this dainty lace yarn. 

I also still have tons of lace from knit picks and some mohair from Colourmart.  I am thinking right now about some fingerless gloves but, which yarn to use for those.  I think I need something with a soft look to give off a slightly romantic feel.  I am still working on it though.  When choosing yarns, I try to think about what I want the end product to look like.  So I will have to look through my stash and see what I can come up with. 

In the meantime I am excited to finish working on my pattern Swirl.  I am still writing up the pattern but, I hope to give knitters a new idea of what they can do with 1 or 2 balls of great sock yarn.  Swirl is created with Classic Elite's Alpaca Sox and it is really fun to work with.  The bloom helps the sweater and I can see knitters getting very different looks with this sweater from fluffy to sleek depending on their yarn selection.

Here is a photo of Swirl -

Hopefully, I will have the pattern listed this weekend along with my cashmere scarf which I am leaving a surprise for today.

Off to block - my favorite!!!  :)

Happy Knitting!