Feb 24

New Socks

Look what I am wearing to work today
New Socks

I just finished them last night, and just could not wait to wear them. They feel very comfortable and bouncy in my steel toed shoes.

Feb 21

No New Pattern Monday

No, your calendar is not wrong. Yes, yesterday was Monday. No, there was not a new pattern published. Why, you ask.

Remember, when I first started publishing my patterns, I researched far and low copyright and licensing laws in the US. I learned a lot, and based on that wrote my current statement that is now printed on every one of my patterns. Guess what, Friday I learned that I was wrong, I WAS WRONG. See, I have no problem admitting it (unless you talk to Maksim, then I am never wrong, shhh). So instead of formatting and polishing my new pattern, taking and editing pictures, I spend my weekend in researching the laws again.

For the next few days I will be working on editing my existing patterns to include new copyright notice.

Why would this  important to you? Because there will be no more restriction on finished items made from my pattern!  I will write more throughout post on it later, but for now let me distract you with a pretty picture

That totally worked, right?  This wonderful picture was taking by an amazing photographer, Terry, at A Pretty Pixel.  I am sure you recognized this hat – Baby Brie.

Feb 14

Arianna Baby Blanket

I designed this blanket for Arianna, when she was born.  It’s a very easy blanket with repetitive stitch.  Originally I was not planning on writing up a pattern for it, but I’ve been asked a few times to make it available. So here you go!  A special thank you to Christine for nagging me long enough ;)!

Yarn: Light worsted weight yarn in pink (MC), white (CC1), green (CC2).  About 600 yds each.

Sample was made using Caron Simply Soft.

Hook: US H/8 (5.00 mm).
Gauge: is not crucial for this project
Notions: yarn needle

Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
Dc – double crochet
Sc – single crochet

Stitch Guide:
Cluster: (2 dc, ch 2, sc) in specified st

Pattern

With MC, ch 125 (or another multiple of 4+5 sts).

Row 1: Cluster (see Stitch Guide) in 4th ch from hook and every 4th ch across, dc in last ch, turn – 30 clusters.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), cluster in each ch-2-sp (middle of cluster from a previous row) across, dc in turning ch-3, turn.

Repeat Row 2 – [2 times in CC1, 2 times in CC2, 4 times in MC, 2 times in CC1, 2 times in CC2, 2 times in MC] 4 times.

Fasten off CC1 and CC2.

Edging:
With MC, work 1 rnd of sc evenly around the blanket, working 3 sc in each corner.

Ruffles: Join CC1 along any side.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, [[dc in next st, ch 1] in each st to next corner, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in the corner st] around, dc in remaining sts, sl st into second of  beginning ch-3.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st into ch-1.

Copyright does not restrict your right to sell finished items made using this pattern.

Feb 09

Things I am Working on

Have you noticed, I did not blog much in the past two weeks?  {Insert excuse here} I’ve been crocheting some (some is an understatement of the year!) new things and percolating even more in my head. 

I just have two hands and very little free time.  As most designers, I have a more ideas then time to work on them, so I work on several different projects at the same time.  Or may be I am just kidding myself, and in reality just have a short attention span and get bored very easily… Or both.  Probably both.

Let’s the show and tell begin!

Last week I worked on a prototype for a baby cardigan.  I have been debating to make it into a hoodie or not and so far I really like it as a cardie.  Here is a picture of it in a very beginning stage.  It does not look like much right now, but trust me, you will go gaga over it, when you see the finished version.  This cardie has a very special name and a very special meaning.  I will give you a hint, the smallest size would be for micro preemie.

Baby Cardie Prototype

I have not made shawls in while. A while back I made two and even wrote a pattern for it, but as most of my old patterns they will only be published if I rewrite it!  Recently I got a craving to make a triangular shawl in some gorgeous fingering weight yarn.  I got this wonderful yarn at Stitches East – Malabrigo Socks – that I did not want to make into socks.  It just been sitting in one of my project baskets, wound into a ball, beeing sad and disappointed, other yarn were making fun of it.  It’s time to become something beautiful, my friend!  You will make a great shawl or at least a shawlette, depending on the yardage and my patience. 

Shawlette

It traveled with me to Vogue Knitting life.  I worked on it in the train and while listening to a lecture on designing for a knitwear industry.  So far I really like it!  The color works beautifully and it’s so soooooft. I am at the point of changing stitch pattern.  I have not worked on it since the picture was taken, it still looks like  that.

Remember Chocolate Raspberry? I finished it! And wore it to Vogue Knitting Life. I am going to keep it a secret a bit longer, just because I could. Do you know who complemented on it? Debbie Bliss!

And if I was not busy enough, I started a new pair of socks.  I wanted something cozy and handmade to keep me warm in my steel toed boots at work.  I had some yarn I got on sale at Michaels (or ACMoore) before I became a yarn snob addicted to the expensive stuff.  I am loving the stitch (linked double crochet) and can’t wait to finish and wear them.  I am not loving the colorway thought, how is blue matches the rest of it? how? 

My New Socks

 This was the first sock, by now I have this one finished and the second one is just missing a heel.  Stay tuned for finished pictures.

There also have been few submissions for a super secret publication and a yarn company.  But ssshhhh. Keep your fingers crossed.

Feb 07

Ursula Bear Hat

Remember that pattern that won a second place in Crochet Pattern a Day?  Yeap, this one!

The original version was available only for one size, 3-9 months.  I been asked several times to make it available in different sizes, so I did.  A new version of the pattern is available in six sizes from newborns to adults.

Finished Measurements: 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22)” circumference to fit average newborn (3-9 months, 9-18 months, child, teen/adult S, adult M/L) with 1-2″ of negative ease.

Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton (100% organically grown cotton; 103 yd [94 m]/3 oz [85 g]; CYCA #4): almond, 1 skein.

Yarn substitution: heavy worsted weight yarn.

Hook: US I/9 (5.5 mm).

Other materials: yarn needle, stitch marker (optional).

Gauge: 12 sts and 14 rows = 4″ in single crochet.

$3.00

This pattern has been professionally technically edited for quality, accuracy and clarity.

Jan 31

Slouchy Pompom Hat


Slouchy hats with pompoms are big this season.  They look the best in color transitioning or variegated yarns with long transitions of color.

This hat has an unusual construction for a crochet hat because It’s worked from the bottom up, where as most hats worked from the top down.

It’s a simple hat suitable for beginner, but will entertain advanced crocheters as well. The edging is worked in front post and back post double crochet, and the body of the hat is worked in crochet seed stitch.

This Slouchy Pompom hat was inspired by the knitted Slouchy-Pom Hat by Breean Elyse Miller. The original pattern can be found here: http://www.breeanelyse.com/blog/2010/11/30/slouchy-pom-hat-pattern.html

Finished Size: 16 (18¼, 20½)” circumference to fit average child (teen, adult) with 1″ of negative ease.

Yarn: worsted weight yarn.  The sample was made using Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool (100% washable wool; 1¾ oz[50 g]/122 yds [111 m]; CYCA #4): #7899, 2 skeins.

Hook: US H/8 (5.00mm) and US I/9 (5.50 mm).

Notions: yarn needle, stitch marker (optional), small pompom maker (1-1.5″).

Gauge: 14 sts and 13 rows = 4″ in seed stitch with bigger hook. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

$4.00

Jan 24

The Fastest Cowl

by Ann Goldman and Anastasia Popova

This pattern was born as a collaboration between Ann and I.  She got this absolutely gorgeous delicious handspun handdyed yarn at the sheep and wool festival from a woman who raises angora bunnies.  All of her yarn was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.  She hand spins and dyes the yarn from her own bunnies in small batches.

Ann wanted to make something easy using the two skeins that she had.  I suggested to make a cowl with an open stitch to show off the yarn better.

Why is it the fastest cowl?  Few days ago I made a cowl for a coworker and used this pattern.  It took me 45 minutes and it looked gorgeous!

Hope you enjoy this pattern and make a good use of your gorgeous yarn.

 

The Fastest Cowl

This pattern has not been tech edited. If you find any mistakes please let me know so I can correct them ASAP.

Size: one size fits most adults

Yarn: gorgeous variegated bulky yarn (200 yds), MC, and worsted weight yarn for the edging (20-20 yds), CC.

Orange cowl was made using Angoraonline.com Handspun Handdyed in Pumpkin Wool and Patons Classic Wool in orange.

Purple cowl was made using Manetto Hill Yarnery Carnival in #4 and Caron Simply Soft in Purple.

Hook: US J/10 (6.00 mm)

Gauge: 14 sts and 7 rows to 4″ in main st (dc, ch 1).  The gauge is not very crucial for this project.  Just keep in mind that if it’s tighter you might use more yarn for the same size.

Notions: yarn needle, stitch marker (optional).

Pattern:

With MC work 61 foundation sc.  Being careful not to twist, join with sl st into first sc made to work in the round.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as dc here and throughout), [dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st] repeat around, sl st into top of ch-2 – 31 dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, [skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] repeat around, sl st to the middle of ch-3 – 31 dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next dc] repeat around, sl st to top of ch 2 – 31 dc.

Repeat Rnd 2 and Rnd 3 until piece measures 7″ from the edge, or you run out of yarn.  Fasten off, and weave in the ends.

Top Edge:

Join CC at the top edge of the cowl (the narrower of the two, usually the last row made).  Ch 1, [skip next st, 7 dc in next st, skip next st, sl st in next st] repeat around.  Fasten off, and weave in the ends.

Lower Edge (optional):

Join CC at the other edge of the cowl.  Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch 2.  Fasten off, and weave in the ends.

 

 

Copyright does not restrict your right to sell finished items made using this pattern.