Sweetly Random Post

My beautifully wonderful friend Susan made these delicious little muffins at a recent knitting group meetup. Don't they just brighten your day?

So, I am curious - how often do you get together with your knitting cronies?

It can't get any better

It cannot get any better than this delicious yarn from Sweet Georgia. It just can't. Smooth, even yarn with colors that are reminiscent of vintage photographs. The owner, Felicia, is positively delightful and you can see how much she loves what she does. Luxurious fibers, an amazing palette, and a large variety of weights takes Sweet Georgia from 'indie dyer' to 'can't-resist-ultra-fabulous-indie-yarn-company." There, I said it. Take a peak - drool a little - you can clean up the keyboard later....

Merino Silk Aran

Cashsilk Lace

Superwash DK

I'm plugging away at Secret Project #1 using the Superwash DK right now. The stitch definition is amazing. My fingers would do a happy dance if they were the dancing kind. You can look forward to 3 designs from our collaborations before the Fall.

Dude.

Color me in love. Seriously. So much in love, that I have to rave over these for a little bit. Humor me -
Since receiving back in February, I've been putting my new Addi Lace Long Tip Clicks through the ringer and I just have to say that they have performed beautifully. The tips are sharp enough to handle just about any sort of cable or lace I throw its way, making specialty stitches (such as nupps) a breeze. The join, while not as smooth as butter, doesn't snag any of the finer yarns. This aspect, especially, is a big deal for me - I can't tell you how many hours I have spent trying to free a lace-weight yarn from other interchangeable needles that start to unscrew.... which points me to the best part of this set: the needles "click" into place - it connects so easily! AND it doesn't come undone!

I really debated whether to go with the shorter needles (and I might eventually get those, too), but I tend to work larger items that don't demand a smaller working circumference. So, when that hot pink cover looked at me, I couldn't help but get weak at the knees and say "yes." 

My one critique is mild - the oils on my fingers or the yarn (?) seem to wear the sizing information off of the cables and fades the stamp on the needles. Overall, not a big deal for me.

Its an expensive set, but at this point, I can proclaim that it is worthy! Haha! Find a distributor near you and give them a test.

Summer for the wee tots

With warmer air, blooming flowers, and those Spring showers, I know that Summer is just around the corner. If you are anything like me, you might want to get a move on knitting those warm summer items for the kiddos!

I have two patterns in my design portfolio that you might enjoy ...

SORELLE FELICI

buy now for $4.75

In fact, I am offering up this little number for half price! From now until May 4th, use coupon code SUMMERTOT for 50% off! That's only two weeks! Share this code to your heart's content, but only one use per customer. :) 

This sweet little tank was designed with my charming daughters in mind, two happy sisters who love playing together in the bright sun of summer. “Sorelle Felici” is pronounced ‘sor-rehl-lay fell-ee-chee,’ which is Italian for… you guessed it, Happy Sisters.

The tank skirt is worked in the round and then divided to work the front and back in rows. To be able to knit this top, you should be able to knit, purl, follow simultaneous shaping instructions, decrease, measure armhole depth, seam shoulders together, and know (or be able to learn) Twist 2 Front (a cable stitch).

SKILL LEVEL: Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate

SIZES
Child’s 18mo (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)yr – Instructions are given in the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
This is a close-fitting tank, so choose the chest size that is ¾ to 1 inch larger than actual body measurement.
Chest: 19 ¾ (21 ¾, 23 ¾, 25 ¾, 27 ¾, 28 ¾, 30 ¾) inches
Length: 12 ¾ (13 ½, 14 ¼, 14 ¾, 17, 18 ½, 19 ½) inches

YARN
MC Green Strings by Sugarbubbie Invigorate Superwash Merino DK (100% superwash merino; 280yd/256m per 4oz/56g skein) in Chrysalis; 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins
CC Green Strings by Sugarbubbie Invigorate Superwash Merino DK (100% superwash merino; 140yd/128m per 2oz/113g skein) in Pink; 1 skein

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
24 length-inch length US 5 (3.75mm) circular needle
US F (3.75mm) crochet hook
Tapestry Needle

LUCY

I love this little top and it is a piece inside the FABULOUS book More Knitting in the Sun: 32 Patterns to Knit for Kids. In addition to my design, you will find ALL SORTS of cute knits for your kidlets this summer. The book is available on Amazon, as well as many local yarn stores, so be sure to grab a copy.

”Adorned with ruffles and a bit of lace, this quick knit makes a sweet top for your charming tot, and big girls will love it, too! The supersoft yarn and easy-to-wear silhouette will make it a favorite any day of the year.”

FIINSHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 23.5 (25, 27, 29, 30, 32)”
Length: 13 (14.5, 15, 17.25, 18.75, 19.75)"

SKILLS USED
 Basic increasing and decreasing, picking up stitches, simple lace

Legato & Sonatina

Two pieces from my shawl eBooklet "The Crescendo Collection," are now available as individual patterns. Yay!

LEGATO is a light, airy crescent-shaped shawlette that is stunning with a unique cable design and lace. But, don't be intimidated - the cable is actually quite easy to work and with a pattern that includes BOTH written and charted instructions, this piece will be an instant favorite.

buy now for $5.99

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Measurements:
11” / 28 cm deep by 50” / 127 cm wide at the top

Suggested Yarn:
400 yd / 366 m Fingering Weight CYC #1
Sample shown in: 1 skein Anzula Squishy Fingering (385 yds / 352 m per 4 oz / 115 g ball; 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon) in Wine

Needles:
Size 6 US (4 mm) needles
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct finished gauge.

Notions:
2 Cable needles, tapestry needle

I love SONATINA, another crescent-shaped shawlette. It highlights rich colors beautifully and with only simple decreases and yarn overs, the pattern knits up quickly and easily (all while making it look so complex!).

buy now for $5.99

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Measurements:
58” / 147 cm wide, 14” / 35.5cm deep

Suggested Yarn:
375 yd / 343 m Fingering Weight CYC #1
Sample shown in: 1 skein Western Sky Knits Seacell Merino (375 yds / 343 m per 4 oz / 115 g skein; 70% merino, 30% plant fiber) in Lagoon

Needles:
Size 7 US (4.5 mm) needles
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct finished gauge.

Notions:
Tapestry needle



The entire eBooklet collection (five beautiful shawls) is available for immediate download for $12.95, so be sure to check it out!

I am serious about gauge

I am so serious about gauge, in fact, that I am determined to reach out to every knitter everywhere. I started with the "Make it or Break it Gauge Workshop" at Recycled Lamb. And now? Now I am going global and using Knitscene Magazine to promote my message. Wink.

Summer, Knitscene Magazine

In the just-released Summer issue of Knitscene, I've written a great (in my humble opinion) article entitled "Measure Gauge the Right Way." I bet most people are as confused about this aspect as they are about the idea that there are TWO different kinds of gauge!

...

I just shocked you there, didn't I?

Well, go buy the issue and read that article. You'll learn the difference between the two gauges, why each is important, how to properly measure each, and how to calculate the differences. Highlight it. Re-read it. Learn it. Live it! I am confident that it will turn that knitting path ahead of you into a whole new direction. 

Oh, and definitely let yourself ooh and aah over the collection of designs from Sarah Wilson (aka The Sexy Knitter). Seriously, her designs will wow you (and since you now know about proper gauge, it won't be wishful thinking to start knitting some!).

May issue of Creative Knitting

Yours truly has two designs in the newest issue of Creative Knitting: Adrian & Cynthia, two cardigans that you will LOVE wearing as much as you enjoy knitting.

Both pieces move easily between relaxed and sophisticated, without overwhelming you with shaping work. The highlights, in my mind, are the collars - they just add that extra punch of style. I had fun (and some stress) deciding how best to add the lapel to 'Adrian,' so I hope you enjoy the construction of it, too.

Creative Knitting Magazine is filled with tons of beautiful patterns by other amazing designs - seriously, I think this might be one of my recent favorite issues. DEFINITELY go buy one today... or, if you aren't up to the outing, subscribe digitally.

PS. Thanks to DRG/Creative Knitting for allowing me to use the photos.