Evelyne....again

One of the first designs I came up with (if you can call it a design), was a simple lace scarf for my MIL. At that time I hadn't yet discovered bulky and superbulky yarn, so I swooned at the thought of all things lace! I still love lace, but the "bulkies" give me such awesome instant gratification that I keep forgetting my first love. Anyway, I just wanted to share a few pictures of this sample of my Evelyne scarf, handknit by my friend Sara (a friend I made in college in 2001!).

   

As always, I'm so grateful for my partnership with my fellow small business owner and photographer extraordinaire, Kwaku of Nkadu Photography, and my ready-for-whatever go-getter model Lilia!

I hope you enjoyed the photos, and see you next week!

Throwback Thursday - Colliding Stars Scarf pattern

A year or two ago, my friend Melissa of Colliding Stars (who just got two adorable baby hats that I wrote about here), asked me to knit a lacy scarf for her. At the time, I had just lucked into a huge stash of Classic Elite Waterlily yarn, and quickly whipped up this lacy scarf for her using a diagonal lace stitch I had fallen in love with recently.    

Now that the temperatures are heating up and we are very clearly heading into summer, I thought I’d pull it out so you could also whip up your own Colliding Stars scarf.

   

I'm thinking this pattern would look great in cotton yarn (I have some Classic Elite Sprout yarn that would work perfectly for this! ).

With this scarf, you can stay cool when out in the sun, and wrap up all comfy-cosy when indoors in air-conditioning. Check out the pattern instructions below, or easily download the pattern PDF from Ravely here: Colliding Stars Scarf.

See you next week!

Colliding Stars Scarf

Finished Dimensions

8in x 80in

Yarn

Classic Elite Yarns Waterlily (100% extra fine merino; 100 yd [91m] /50g): #1919 Petunia, 2 skeins

Needles US #13 (9mm) straight needles

Notions Crochet Hook E/4 3.50mm Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Gauge Not important

Notions 2 stitch markers

Abbreviations k2tog - knit 2 stitches together wyif - with yarn in front yo - yarn over

Pattern Instructions Cast on 21 stitches (or a multiple of 5+2 stitches, and 4 edge stitches)

Setup

Knit 2 rows, keeping 2 edge stitches on each side separated by the stitch markers. Knit the first stitch on each row and the slip the last stitch purlwise on every row to create a selvedge.

Diagonal Ridges Pattern (Edge stitches not shown)

Row 1: K2tog, yo, *k3, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 5 sts, k5. Row 2: P2, *K3, p2; rep from * to end. Row 3: K4, k2tog, yo, *k3, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last st, k1. Row 4: K1, *p2, k3; rep from * to last st, p1. Row 5: *K3, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. Row 6: K2, *p2, k3; rep from * to end. Row 7: K2, *k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to end. Row 8: *K3, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. Row 9: K1, k2tog, yo, *k3, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4. Row 10: P1, *k3, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.

Repeat pattern until scarf is as long as you would like. Knit 2 more rows and bind off all stitches (or until there’s one stitch left on needle if you want to work the optional crochet edging).

Optional Crochet edging 1. Switch to crochet hook, chain 4 stitches, and sc to first selvedge stitch on the side. 2. Sc into next stitch, chain 3, and sc into same stitch. Repeat row 2 all along one side of scarf and cast off.

Finishing Instructions Weave in all ends. Soak/wet scarf and block to desired dimensions, making sure to open up eyelets so the scarf is light and airy.

Gifts Ahoy!

I love gift knitting more than I like knitting for myself. This past holiday season, in the midst of all the crazy hours I pulled to fulfill some of my knitting orders, I was able to squeeze in some gifts for my son's teachers at his former school. They were a great bunch, and the care and love they showed my little poopoola left a lasting impression on me. I wanted each scarf to be a different design for each teacher (since they work in the same school). Armed with my all-time favorite superbulky yarn, Loops & Threads Cozy Wool, I set out to craft individual gifts for these rockstar teachers. Let's take a look.

I knit this first one using the Mid-December Easy Knit Infinity Scarf pattern from A Crafty House in a rich, Forest Green color.

I went with my trusty Procragratification Infinity Scarf pattern in Sapphire Blue for the second scarf (you guys aren't tired of seeing it yet, are you? :P )

For the third scarf, I went with a recently discovered pattern that I've fallen in love with - the Columbia Cowl by Cirilia Rose.

I chose the simple but always stunning Drop Stitch Cowl by Abi Gregorio for the fourth scarf, knit in an alluring Velvet Purple colorway.

And last but not least, the scarf that I knit last, late at night, and which I call the ToNoRi LaNiLaMi...for...Totally Not Original Late Night Night Last Minute scarf. Teeheehee. I originally started out knitting the original cowl version as outlined in the Katy Cowl pattern, but changed my mind halfway through and added buttonholes and large, coconut shell buttons. I fell in love with the finished product, knit in the breathtaking Thunder colorway, and wanted to write up the pattern and share it with other knitters. Then I discovered that I would be reinventing the wheel if I did so, because there's already a gorgeous version of it written up - The Woodland Cowl by Kalurah. I guess great minds think alike? :P I still love the pattern though, and might end up making a few more of them.

So, what do you think? I loved knitting each one of these scarves, and from the reaction of the recipients, I think they liked them too! Which scarf is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.

Have a lovely week!

Prepping for the holiday season: A photoshoot teaser

I cannot believe that it's already October! This year really just seems to be galloping along at breakneck speed, and I find myself barely managing to keep up with it. That said, I applied for and got into the Bazaar Bizarre Holiday Fair again this year (woohoo!!), to be held in San Francisco on Dec 7-8. Please save the date so you can come hang out with me, if you are in the Bay Area! I'll have chocolates! :)

In preparing for the fair, I worked with my friend Kwaku of Nkadu Photography to get some update photos of some of my yarny lovelies, and I am so excited to tease you with a couple of these photos!

I write a lot about the Procragratification Infinity Scarf, but I have a secret love affair with it's cousin, the Pompom Hurrah Scarf that I'm happy to reveal today. How beautiful is this scarf on my stunning model?

Now I have a question for you. What other color combinations should I make the Pompom Hurrah scarf in? It's such a pretty scarf design that I want to play around with even wilder color combos! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. And to help, here's the color palette that I currently use for my chunky scarves.

I'm so excited to hear your color combo suggestions, and see how many of them I can actually make! Let's do this! :)

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week.

Color Flow Chunky Cowl Giveaway Ends Tonight, 11:59PM PST

I hope you are all enjoyed the long weekend and are having a great week back on the daily grind. Just in case you forgot, here's a quick reminder that the Color Flow Chunky Cowl Giveaway ends tonight, 11:59PM PST. There are many ways to enter, so go ahead and enter via the Rafflecopter widget in the Color Flow Chunky Cowl Giveaway post or the Rafflecopter giveaway below. There will be 3 winners, and each person will receive one of these cowls pictured below! So go ahead, leave me a comment on how you'll style the Color Flow Chunky Cowl, or what other colors you'd like to see them in. All the best and have fun!!

A NiseyKnits giveaway

It is...hand knit cowl giveaway time!!

I've been playing around with ideas for new collections this fall, and I think I've found one that I like. I've been wanting to create a quick accessory where I get to use a lot of different colors in my work. I'm quite excited at how this initial sample turned out. This chunky cowl slips over your head very easily, and keeps you warm and cosy without requiring multiple wraps. The color flows and changes add a touch of fun and versatility to the cowl. I'll provide the option for users to pick what three colors they'll want in their cowl. If you have a few minutes, I would love your input on this new line.

GIVEAWAY

So what do you get for sharing your thoughts with me? Once you participate, you'll be entered into a giveaway to win one of 3 prizes!! Oh yeah!! To enter, follow the instructions below. You can enter as many times as you want from 8/22/2012 to 9/04/2013. The 3 winners will be chosen randomly and informed within 48hrs after the end of the giveaway.

PRIZES

• The first sample of this new collection (pictured above), which I'm tentatively calling the "Color Flow Cowl Collection". (If you have a better name, please feel free to suggest it in the comments below.
• One of my drop stitch cowls (they are very warm, ultra-stylish, and add very little bulk to your wardrobe). One winner will get the Aster-colored cowl and another winner will get the Thunder (Teal)-colored cowl.

Thank you so much, and I can't wait to read your comments and ideas. Enjoy the rest of your week!

To enter to win this great giveaway I’ve included a Rafflecopter form below.  Give it a couple of minutes to load up if you don’t see it right away.  You have a variety of options to enter…do one or all it’s up to you.  Any extra entries simply give you more chances of winning. Thank you so much and good luck!

NOTE: You have to choose your entry option (i.e. Comment, Facebook like etc) to get entered.

A NiseyKnits giveaway

Some Sheila love

The past few months have been rather hectic around here, so I haven't had the opportunity to knit as much as I would like. It's also summertime, so it's a little difficult staying indoors playing with wool when it's so bright and beautiful outside. What I have been doing though, is playing around with knitting different versions of one of my simplest patterns, the Red Sheila scarf. What do you think of them?

The scarves will be listed in the NiseyKnits Etsy Shop shortly.

Which of these scarves is your favorite? Let me know in the comments section below. Enjoy the rest of your week!!

It's been a long time...and some WIPs

I've missed my blog, and you my lovely friends! How is everyone doing? I hope it's warming up wherever you are, and you can see a glimpse of summer. Woohoo! My family traveled for the whole month of May, and I had intermittent access to the internet, which is why you haven't seen much of me. As I mentioned in my last post, I hope to make it up to you soon. Now that the weather is warmer, I'm sure you are wondering how knits can still be relevant. I used to think that way, until I realized that it's a good time to knit lacy items (like some of the works in progress I'm going to show you). It's also a wonderful time to plan for the second half of the year.  The Christmas holiday season is my busiest time, as people are looking for gifts for their loved ones. Plus, it's getting cold!! Brrr!!!

Anyway, during our travels I didn't get to knit as much as I thought, but I still got a few items finished. I worked on a few Berry Lacey scarves, finished a wrap using a modification of Christine Vogel's Drop Stitch Scarf pattern, and also finished two of the buttoned infinity scarves. Here they are.

I would love to hear what  you think of these scarves. What other colors would you like to see them in? Please leave a comment below and let's have a chat. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

Evelyne Revisited

It's a new month, and time for some new things! Or in this case, some new old things. Evelyne was one of the first patterns I designed, and is named after my MIL. I hadn't yet planned to be a knitwear designer, and thought any photo is better than no photo. So I listed the pattern on Ravelry with this photo:

I took this photo indoors....and at night. Tsk tsk tsk. Now I know better, and I was able to get a professional to take some better photos of the shawl for me. Thanks to my friend Sarah for knitting the new sample for me. As always, I'm thankful to Lilia for being such a professional model, and to my friend Nana Kwaku (who I've been bugging to take photos for me for years!) for going above and beyond what I even imagined. Check out some of the new photos of the Evelyne shawl. It's free! I never offered a PDF copy of the  pattern because I didn't have pretty photos, but that is going to change shortly.  I'm so excited!

This new sample was knit in KnitPicks Aloft Sky colorway. It's so soft and light that the stole looks ethereal! I just love how it turned out, and now I want to knit Evelyne in as many Aloft colorways as I can. I never learn do I?

Be on the lookout for a PDF of the Evelyne pattern, for those who would like a copy for your records. Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Yay!! A finished project!

This month has been a little slow for me in terms of actually having some finished projects to show you all. What with the frequent bouts of sickness we've had, and getting my store ready for the Val's Day flash sale, I haven't been able to finish a lot of items. In fact, right now I'm working hard on completing some custom orders so I can get to work on my spring line and plan ahead for fall/winter. It also means I haven't had time to come up with any new designs. :( Anyway, I finally got the chance to block a pink version of my Sunehri Shawl (knit in Malabrigo Merino Worsted). I finished knitting this shawl way back in November, and I had hoped to have it ready for the December Bazaar Bizarre Fair. However that didn't happen, and I only got to block it last week. Here it is now, in all it's pink glory. Let me just say that I'm not usually a fan of pink, but I could get down with this shade of pink, for sure!

I am glad I finally got this blocked and photographed. Maybe I'll even be able to get a photoshoot with an actual model wearing the shawl? That would be fantastic. This shawl is now listed in my Etsy shop here if you would like to take it home with you. :)

Stitches West update

Oh, and I was only able to make it to Stitches West on one of the days (Friday). I met up with my friend Katharine for lunch and then went to the market to browse. I noted down a few booths I wanted to visit on Sunday, but then life happened and I wasn't able to make it. Boohoohoo! I spied some delicious-looking yarn at Becoming Art and Sweet Fiber Yarns. I think I might have to order a few skeins for my next shawl designs.