Back In "The Loop"

Oh, I'm such a bad blog mommy! Once again I've fallen behind on tending to my posts, but with good reason! The little London certainly keeps me busy during the afternoon hours, along with all the business "to do's" that always seem to be increasing.

I've finally finished the swatch review for my third book with DRG Publishing- Circular Knitting Redefined Leave Those Straight Needles Behind, and this one is going to be a blast! I received such an overwhelming response from many talented designers, which made the selection process a challenge.

The swatch review went smoothly the first week of April, and now I'm feeling confident that all the yarns are either on their way to the designers, or have reached their destination, allowing me to rest just a little easier. But no resting just yet.... On Friday, a few of the designers alerted me that their yarns were either out of stock, or would not be available for editorial this time next year. Yuck! On a Friday? I just wanted to go to the beach! I had planned this all week. Oh well. Waking up each day at 5 a.m. to get work done has it's merits, but sometimes there's nothing you can do when a yarn emergency hits!

As is turns out, no yarns were delivered as I had hoped. I didn't get to the beach either. There's always Monday to start again.

Neck Shaping Dilemma Solved!

I've never been one for lace patterns, but I just can't get enough of them now! I'm working on a new lacy tunic, and I've been exploring many different combinations, and after weeks of "playing," I finally decided on just the right one! My chosen yarn for this project is Plymouth Happy Feet DK. This yarn is so smooth, and easy to work with. The lace pattern drapes beautifully on a size 6 needle.

So now, having decided on my chosen pattern stitch, I then moved onto the neckline. Of course my first thought is- "Keep it simple stupid." Do you think I did? Nope. No matter what I do, my mind keeps going around with different ideas, and then I turn a molehill into a mountain!

So here's was my quandary- My pattern stitch is designed in such a way, having three center stitches as the focal point. I wanted the center stitch to remain in the middle as a slipped stitch, with the two stitches on the sides to decrease out to form the V. My problem was- if I'm working both sides separately, I'm wasn't sure where to put that darned center stitch! I poured through all of my books, checked on DIY, Knitty, knitting.about.com, but found nothing helpful on the subject. As it turned out, the solution was quite simple- I placed that stitch on a safety pin, and worked each side of the neck shaping separately. Then later, I picked up the center stitch, and worked it into the neckband finishing.

Who'd a thunk that one little stitch could cause such a dilemma! But oh how nice it is to learn something new, and have those "ah-ha" moments!

It's All About The Swatch

Lately, I've been in a bit of a "lacy mood," and have been playing around with Schaefer Anne. I just love to work with this yarn because just one skein is 560 yards, making it the perfect choice for a simple lacy capelet. Just one skein, and you're done! The fiber content is 60% merino wool, 25% mohair, 15% nylon. It's also super wash, making it so easy to just toss in the washing machine. This makes my life so much easier these days with a baby around, and the colorways are all so exquisite!

I've been toggling back and forth between a few different pattern combinations. I've been drawing some of my inspiration from The New Knitting Stitch Library and the Knitting Stitch Bible. During my research, I was also lucky enough to come across this nice little Lace Workshop from Vogue Knitting.

With my Anne swatch below, I've been working with 2 strands held together on a size 6 needle, but I think this pattern would also be lovely on a size 3, single strand. If time permits, I'll try a new swatch single-strand, and let you know how it works out.

As I examine the swatch closer, I think a size 8 or even 9 needle might work to help emphasize the lace stitching a bit better. I also noticed that the lines of slipped stitches might also lie a little flatter as well.

All this swatching led me to my idea for a funky little "Florida Capelet," made in-the-round. My inspiration came from wanting to have a fashionable, light-weight wrap to wear for late-afternoon walk on the beach.

Yes this is an easy idea, but if I stick with the size 6, I'm looking at 265 cast on stitches. Yuck! Not to mention, this pattern requires total attention. So, if you miss one little stitch, you'll be instantly cranky. Not a good project for grabbing a latte at Panera with some knitting friends!

Back to the drawing board for some tweaking!

The Samples are Finished!

1:21 A.M. exactly. Still working during these wee hours, and amazingly, staying very focused. London went to bed not too long ago. He's been quite the busy boy, playing and banging on whatever he can get his chubby- gooey-cherub hands on.

The samples are finished! I thought it would be an earth shattering moment, but it was pretty ordinary. Once I wove in that last loose end, it was on to the next task.

I had to make 2 out of the 6 samples for the igottknits collection. My sample maker got pretty crazy over the past few months, so I had no choice. If I knit because I had to, I'd be a pretty grumpy gal. When a new idea hits me, I get all romantic and excited about knitting. I fantasize how I will sit on the couch for hours on end, watching something like "Fried Green Tomatoes" until I'm finished. Then reality hits-- I'm over it before I've even hit mid-chest because I'm onto the next idea. The excitement for me starts with the idea and designing. If I have time to knit something truly for enjoyment, without any strings or deadlines attached, it becomes totally engaging, but if it's knitting a new design, then it runs the risk of becoming a chore. It's best to keep this process all business- design it, then delegate it!

I am happy to announce that all of my knitting from here on out is only for fun! I'm working on a bolero that I had hoped to include in my new collection, but it will now be my plane project on the way to TNNA.

Pattern Writing Frenzy

The clock is tickin' for TNNA! Yesterday, I had a small knot in my throat wondering if I could get it all done. A few things side tracked me yesterday, which made me a little anxious to say the least! I took a breather, and came back to things with fresh eyes. I started working on my new igottknits patterns at about 10 P.M., right after the little tikester went to be for the night. To my suprise, before I knew it, it was 3:30 A.M. I was amazed at my level of focus, and the amount of work I got done yesterday! It's amazing how some days we can spin our wheels, and other days we're like well-oiled machine. Those days are nice indeed!

Yesterday's progress has really brought given me a new found confidence about being ready for TNNA. I'm leaving on 1/16. I think launching 6 new patterns is pretty impressive, since I started the patterns during the summer, before the baby was born. Not too shabby.

In the midst of all of this, I'm also happy to announce my first book as editor for DRG Publications is coming out next month- Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat and Sock Knitters. I haven't received my copy yet, and I'm waiting with baited breath!

Wonderful World of Onesies!

Ok, I have a really good excuse for not writing lately....my new obsession: Onsies! Now that I'm 33 weeks pregnant, the "nesting" instinct has kicked in. I'm really excited about making new things for my little bambino!

I will say though, having a boy has really created a "design challenge" since I just LOVE creating things for girls. This challenge has been the perfect solution to help me expand and think about new things. Designing for boys has always been very foreign to me, but my creative juices are finally flowing!

I started with this very basic onesie, but this just doesn't give justice to my new ideas that incorporate more textural stitches, embroidery effects and multiple color combinations. Let's just consider this one the "prototype," and a prelude for what's soon to come!

Lovely Lime Sun Dress

Back from Cape Cod. I didn't realize how much I needed a vacation! It was so therapeutic and energizing. The cooler weather was such a refreshing change from Florida!

Here's the latest update on the sundress design: As you can see from the swatch to the right, I'm working with 3 different yarns, and they are simply so soft, lightweight and perfect for a toddler.

Project Details:
Yarns: "Kid Seta," color #488 by Madil, "Extrafine," color #15 by Mondial, and "Holiday," color #405 by Cascade.

Needles: US Size #6/4.25mm, 29" Circular Needle

I'm double knitting with the Extrafine and Kid Seta, which adds just that little bit of extra softness to the Extrafine, which can be seen in the stockinette portion of the swatch. The contrast yarn, which is a slightly lighter lime green, is worked in the Holiday.

The dress is worked in the round, starting at the bottom, working all in the wavy stitch pattern. Before embarking on this project, I was playing with different stash yarns, and things just didn't "click" until I decided to use these 3 yarns. Then, I was inspired to make something completely different then what I set out to do. Over and over again, I come to the same place.....IT'S ALL ABOUT THE YARN! I've tried to work up new ideas with my stash yarns, sometimes only to waste hours in frustration because I can't get the yarns to behave the way I want to, or the design isn't "popping."

All I can say is: Plain and simple- forget the yarn diet- Spend the money....buy the best yarn you can find!!

Until tomorrow....

Baby Sweater Woes

I've been working on a new design for a baby cardigan hoodie, and my plan was to keep things simple. No big deal, right? Nope! My biggest problem is the yarn. I've worked up several swatches in Cascade Holiday and Plymouth Encore D.K. I would like to stay somewhere around 4 1/2 stitches per inch, but I just can't get the right consistency in the look of my stitches. If these yarns were worsted, it would probably make all the difference.

I'm so unsatisfied! I've already knitted the sweater up to the armholes, only to rip the whole thing out. This has happened twice mind you.

I'm trying to not be so darn hard on myself, but I keep thinking that I'm doing something wrong because my stitches don't look good, and I'm not getting the look I want. Maybe my yarn approach is all wrong. The thing is, I just love working with these two yarns. They work up so nice, and I've already used them on 4 of the patterns in my line. Maybe the needle size is just a lost cause. I used a size 5 originally, which works up beautifully, but on a 7 or 8 no matter what I do, either the stitches look wimpy and uneven if knitted with one strand, or if I double up, it's too stiff and bulky! I think the best solution is to walk away. Not everything is going to work, and designing is a very tedious task at times. Chalk it up to a great learning experience.....time for bed now. Tomorrow's another day.