CableKnot Scollar

I have a new pattern up on Knit Picks through their Independent Designer Program.


I'm excited that they are offering this program for several reasons...

• the Designer retains all rights to the pattern;
• Knitpicks has a phenomenal customer base through their website and catalogs which will provide a lot of exposure;
• the Yarn is provided;
• the project is returned to the Designer;
• photographic assistance is available.
• all monies for sold patterns go to the Designer.

I didn't think my photos were so great but they did use them.


I designed this piece a few years ago when the Greater St. Louis Knitters' Guild participated in the Fall Folk and Fine Arts Festival at Faust Park by holding their first Knit-Out. There was a scarf contest as part of the Knit-Out; the scarves were later donated to a Women's group.


The design was inspired by an idea in Knitting Over the Edge by Nicky Epstein in the section titled 'Cords' and the pattern named 'Love Knots'.


I used the Love Knots idea for a scarflet/neckwarmer that begins with intertwined cords , the cords become cable, the cables end as intertwined cords at the opposite end of the scarf and the cords serve as buttonholes for the ball buttons (idea for ball buttons also taken from one of Nicky Epstein's books - I love her creative ideas).


CableKnot Scollar was posted last week the Knit Picks website.


It is also available in my Ravelry Store.

Ariel Socks - Updated

The Ariel Sock Pattern is now available on Knit Picks through their Independent Designer Program.

This pattern has been updated with a redesigned toe - I think it looks much better.

This is the fourth time I have knit this sock design and it is fun every time, these socks really seem to knit quickly and fit very well (Stacey at Knit Picks tried them on for a photo for this blog post and told me that they fit her perfectly).  I really liked the new Knit Picks Stroll Tonal yarn.

Ariel Socks are worked cuff to toe, instructions are given for double pointed needles, and the stitch patterns for the panels on the front and back are charted but the two charts are very easy to follow as there are only 7 patterned rows/23 stitches/very few symbols.

 

Check it out on Knit Picks or in my Ravelry Store.

Almeara

In the latest Vogue Knitting (Winter 2008/2009) there is a pattern for a gorgeous pair of gloves, "Almeara", by Jared Flood (Brooklyn Tweed) and an accompanying article about Jared, "All you need is glove".

Here are my Almeara's knit in Elsebeth Lavold Angora which has been languishing in my stash for quite a while.  They were a lot of fun to knit and went very quickly, taking a little more than 4 evenings and less than three skeins to complete.

This yarn is heavier than the recommended yarn (Rowan Scottish Tweed DK), so my gloves are a little bit large and bulky but they are warm and fit over my rings - I love them!

The gloves start with an i-cord cast-on. That is a new cast-on for me and it is very cool.

I am glad to have it in my repertoire and can't wait to use it on future projects/designs.

Before blocking the fingers curl toward the palm since the palm side is done in garter stitch - that makes them look good without even having any fingers inside!

There are a number of errors in this pattern. Also there are a couple decrease rows that I thought could be worked better than the instructions given, although these may not have been errors. Here are my notes, bold/red are the changes I noted to the pattern. I think that most of these were quite obvious and many knitters would be able to make these corrections on their own without too much confusion.

Left Middle Finger

Round 4: k9, p1, k4, p1, k1

Left Thumb - Round 4 was omitted.

Round 4: p3, k8, p8

Right Pinkie

I thought the cables should be reversed:

Row 1: 4 st LC, k2, p1, k8

Row 3: k2, 4 st RC, p1, k8

Right Ring Finger

I thought the decreases should be worked:

[K2tog] 2x, [ssk] 2x, [p2tog] 3x, p1

Right Middle Finger

First sentence... 'work 5 palm sts',

would be clearer if it read: purl 5 palm sts'.

Round 4: k1, p1, k4, p1, k9

Decrease round ends with 8 sts.

Right Index Finger

I thought the Decrease Round should read:

ssk, [k2tog] 3x, [p2tog] 4x, p1

Right Thumb:

Decrease Round should read:

[k2tog] 4x, p1, [p2tog] 5x -- 10 sts.

Maybe in my next career I'll be tech editor.