Ceili Shawl

This one is special. I have no idea why, but this particular shawl speaks to me. Of Spring and Flowers, Light, Sunshine, and Hope. Of course, it helps that the photography emphasizes that, but I digress...

Ceili Shawl is a lovely, soft piece with a stunning panel of lace that surrounds the border, as well as travels up to the back neck. It is worked flat, from the bottom, with a delightful combination of eyelets and cables. The result is almost ethereal, like a beautiful dance of Springtime fairies.

SPECIAL PRICE: To celebrate Ceili Shawl’s grand introduction, get it for only $4.50 (That’s $1.50 off regular price)! No Coupon Code Needed - discount is taken off automatically! Sale ends at midnight Mountain Time on April 13th. 

Just hit this little ol' button to get your copy now ...

My patterns are filled with beautiful photos, easy to read text, eye-catching layout, and everything you need to know in order to complete the project. Ceili Shawl has both written and charted instructions for your own preference!

skill level
Intermediate

finished measurements
72” / 183 cm wide, 21” / 53.5 cm deep

yarn
480 yd / 439 m Fingering Weight CYC #1

Sample shown in:
Shibui Staccato Sock (191 yds / 175 m per 2 oz / 50 g ball; 65% superwash merino, 30% silk, 5% nylon): #104 light blue, 3 skeins. {Just so you know - I LOVE Shibui's Staccato Sock and HIGHLY recommend it!}

needles
Size 6 US (4 mm) 32”/ 80 cm circular needles
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct finished gauge.

notions
(2) Stitch markers, tapestry needle

finished gauge
16 sts and 28 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette Stitch, heavily stretched during blocking.
Please note that while gauge is not critical to the finished piece, it does affect the finished size of the shawl and amount of yarn used. Adjust this in your planning.

Did you know that Ceili has a sister shawl? Corrina Ferguson of Picnic Knits and I partnered up to bring you two amazing shawls at the same time - she's designed the stunning Lawsonia:

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!! Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win BOTH Ceili Shawl AND her sister shawl, Lawsonia! And if you head on over to Corrina's blog, you'll find that you have ANOTHER chance to win! Two shawls, two chances to win! Can't get any better than that! :) Winner will be chosen at random on April 16th. Yay!

Simsbury Debut

The Winter issue of Twist Collective made it's appearance this week and I am honored to be a part of such a beautiful collection with my piece, SIMSBURY -

© Jane Heller (you are AWESOME!!)

 Each design in the issue begs to be knit and is easily styled for the Winter wardrobe. I am particularly drawn to Fiona Ellis' Granville and Glenna C's Burrard, with their stunning use of cables and comfort. Faina Goberstein's Astra, Julia Trice's Esme, and Amy Miller's Dressage are enchanting, too! The models and photography (thanks, you guys!) are stunning throughout every page. You will not be disappointed one bit!


Simsbury came about because I wanted a sweater that would be perfect for layering, something simple yet with beautiful details that draw the eye. It had to be perfect for curling up in front of the winter fire (sipping cocoa, immersed in a page-turning book) or for showing off with cute jeans at the ice skating rink with the beau. I'm pretty sure I achieved that in this piece.

© Jane Heller (seriously awesome photography)

The design features a plunging v-neck that showcases itself really well, but would highlight layered pieces beneath. The main body and sleeves are worked in Stockinette stitch, for a faster workup, but it is the hem, cuffs, and pockets that are the real heroes - delicate, yet firm, the twisted stitch and eyelets draw the eye in.

When I swatched for Simsbury, I quickly discovered that the yarn needed a good twist to uphold the integrity of the twisted stitches, yet stand well on its own in Stockinette stitch. In addition, a subtle vintage coloring (where the color softly fades in and out) would really make the lace pop. 

© Jane Heller - super mad photog skills.

When Glory Days yarn arrived in the mail from Briar Rose Fibers, I was awed by the HUGE skeins of luxury that filled the box. 500 yards skeins of fluffy yarn nearly made me want to swim naked in it (i did not, but a girl can dream!)... The results were amazing; beautiful texture, comfort, wearability, but most important, a fun project for any level of knitter.

I truly love this Simsbury and I hope you do, too - now hop over and check the whole issue out.

PS. Thanks to Twist Collective and Jane Heller for the use of the photographs. Remember not "borrow" the images from my blog, as they are copyrighted. 

Anderson

Janel Laidman and the rest of the crew outdid themselves with their premier online magazine, The Sock Report. I mean truly, I haven't seen such a stunning collection in one place in a long time! And then, I heard about the magazine's sister issue, Skein Theory, and was invited to submit a design for it's debut, which happened this week! Again, I am blown away by the beautiful photography, stunning pieces from outstanding designers, and a comprehensive, well-thought-out layout. There's even a FANTASTIC zipper tutorial in the first issue. So, what are you still sitting here for? Go check it... oh, wait, first I want to tell you about my own design in the magazine!

Presenting ANDERSON .......

©Rustling Leaf Press

 The yarn, graciously provided by Sweet Georgia Yarns, was divine. Smooth, tight twist. No splitting. And a fabulous warmth that makes the finished piece so comfortable.

The design came about after seeing some lovely angled pieces on the runway. I wanted something that was loose and comfortable, but interesting in the workup. I had wished for a deeper apex underneath the buttons, but in order to make the sizing accessible to as many sizes as possible while maintaining the same esthetic across the board, I had to sacrifice a bit of the depth. I love the final result, though, and hope you do, too!! 

Anderson offers 7 different sizes and is worked in a worsted weight yarn for quick knit (while also making it perfect for the Fall season). Feel free to hop on over to Skein Theory Magazine to purchase your copy today for $6.50. Or, while you are at it, buy the whole pattern collection for only $16. Or better yet, for only $24, you can get the entire digital collection AND the print booklet version when it comes out!

©Rustling Leaf Press

©Rustling Leaf Press

Somehow, though, I bet you want to win your own copy of the digital collection PDF, don't you? How'd I EVER guess?!
So, easy peasy - leave a comment, click "DO IT" and then "I COMMENTED" on the Rafflecopter widget thingy below (which ensures I have your email address), and I'll pick a winner on Monday morning via random.org. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marietta Stole

I am so excited to announce the release of a new design, published in collaboration with Sweet Georgia Yarns - Marietta Stole made her debut today!

Marietta Stole

Something lovely and soft, silky and lacy… that’s the Marietta. Deceptively easy, with eyelets and decreases flowing into a cable-like pattern, this piece is an absolute must for dressing up or winding down. The same was knit in Sweet Georgia's CashSilk Lace, which is a delicious yarn that flows so delicately and beautifully across the needles. As usual, I have included both charted and written instructions to accommodate all levels of knitters.

I am also thrilled about the photography! You've gotta give me a hand for that - I definitely think my style is becoming clear and my skills improving, don't you? It helps to have a stunning model (thanks, Amy!!). 

Ok, back to the pattern. Here's the knitty gritty....

Yarns suggested

Sweet Georgia Yarn CashSilk Lace

Gauge

23 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Marietta stitch

Needle size

US 5 - 3.75 mm

Yardage

800 yards (732 m)

Size

18.5" wide x 57" long 

You can get to the pattern, available for CAN$6.00 (that's about $6.25 for us USA folks) by CLICKING HERE. And if the beautiful design and stunning photography wasn't enough incentive for you, how about a Coupon Code good for $1.00 off! Use code THMARIETTA for your deal - good for only a limited amount of time!

Introducing the September Cowl

 

I'm thrilled to introduce a new design for you guys! With Fall just around the corner, you need a sophisticated, pretty, and SIMPLE cowl design for your knitwear wardrobe. September answers each of those needs.

I had originally envisioned the piece knit with a bulky yarn, but after swatching for a bit, I discovered that the lighter DK weight gave it a much lighter feel and was gentler on the body.

 
Flecked with easy cables for a lovely texture and beautiful style, this cowl is suitable for just about all types of yarn. Because it is worked in the round, it is quick to knit! The pattern includes both charted and written instructions, so there isn't any guessing - a great beginner introduction to cables, yet fun enough for the intermediate knitter.

$2.99

 

Here's the pertinent data:

finished measurements
32 ¼” / 81.25 cm cirfumference, 18” / 45.75 cm length

yarn
600 yds / 503 m DK Weight CYC #3
Sample shown in: SMC Select ‘Extra Soft Merino Opera’ (136 yds / 125 m per 1.75 oz / 50 g ball; 96% superwash merino, 3% polyester, 1% polyamid): Natural, #05325, 5 balls.

needles
Size 6 US (4 mm) 24-inch circular needles. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct finished
gauge.

notions
Cable needle, tapestry needle.

finished gauge
21 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in September Stitch. While gauge is not critical to the finished piece, it does affect the amount of yarn used. Adjust this in your planning.

$2.99

 

I hope you enjoy this little piece. AND! Because I am so deeply grateful for your support, you can purchase the cowl for a limited time price of .99 cents (regular price is $2.99). No coupon is needed; the discount is taken off in your cart. The sale price is only good until Sept 3rd, so buy before then! Thank you so much!

Some Finished Projects

I finally managed to get my lace scarf done, though I can't seem to come up with a cool name for it.

Felt Bowls have been on my project list for TLC's upcoming "Farmer's Market" themed stocking in August. They are so much fun to make, easy to whip out, and my kids like wearing them as hats (groan).

Before....



After....


Large Felted Bowl Pattern
Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Size 11 needles
Tapestry thread
Washing machine for felting

Instructions:
CO 64 stitches
Knit in the round for desired length (I worked these to about 5 or 6"
Start Dec Rounds:
Rnd 1 - *K2tog, k6; rep from * to end of round (56 sts rem)
Rnd 2 - Knit
Rnd 3 - *K2tog, k5; rep from * to end of round (48 sts rem)
Rnd 4 - knit
Rnd 5 - *K2tog, k4; rep from * to end of round (40 sts rem)
Rnd 6 - knit
Rnd 7 - *K2tog, k3; rep from * to end of round (32 sts rem)
Rnd 8 - knit
Rnd 9 - *K2tog, k2; rep from * to end of round (24 sts rem)
Rnd 10 - knit
Rnd 11 - *K2tog, k1; rep from * to end of round (16 sts rem)
Rnd 12 - K2tog all the way around (8 sts rem)
Cut yarn about 10" long and weave into last 8 sts. Pull tight and secure end.
Felt and shape to desired size! Easy Peasy!