My sister in law Heather is expecting, and I’ve been working behind the scenes on something for my new little nephew to snuggle in when he arrives:
A bright and warm blankie for someone who is sure to be a bright and warm little boy.
Category Archives: knitting
New Pattern: Wood, Stone, Straw & Bone
When I designed this shawl, I was inspired by the colors of wood, stone, straw, & bone- colors that are a reminder of nature’s perpetual beauty and of our own transient presence on this earth.
The Wood, Stone, Straw & Bone shawl is worked flat from the top center out, increasing each right side row to gradually form a triangular shape. The finished size can be easily adjusted by working more or less rows of the main color sections.
The pattern can be purchased via instant Ravelry download HERE or you can visit the Ravelry pattern page to add it to your favorites or queue it HERE.
MATERIALS:
Sport weight wool yarn – approximately 453 yards/414 meters total (328 yards/300 meters of the main color and 25 yards/23 meters of each of the five stripe colors)
Sample shown in Cascade 220 Sport (100% Peruvian Highland wool; 164 yards/150 meters/50 g) in the following colors:
• Main Color (MC): 8010 Natural
• Stripe Color 1 (SC1): 4002 Jet
• Stripe Color 2 (SC2): 8400 Charcoal Grey
• Stripe Color 3 (SC3): 4010 Straw
• Stripe Color 4 (SC4): 8012 Doeskin Heather
• Stripe Color 5 (SC5): 9408 Cordovan
US 6/4.0 mm 32”/80 cm (or longer) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle for weaving ends
Crochet hook size G/6/4-4.25 mm for attaching fringe to the shawl
GAUGE:
19 sts by 35 rows = 4”/10 cm in stockinette stitch
Gauge is not crucial but will affect finished measurements and yardage
FINISHED SIZE:
40”/101.5 cm wide along top edge and 20”/51 cm long from the top to the center point, not including fringe
Insta April
This April, Joey and I were up to our usual escapades and getting out to enjoy the pretty spring weather a little more. I bought some pretty yarn for a new knitting project, enjoyed some wine on a Friday afternoon at work, and spent some good times with good friends at our favorite bar. We spent a weekend at the Ranch and met my parents’ sweet new cow dog, Camo, and had a fabulously fun time at a Louisiana-style crawfish boil with the band. My friend Felicia and I did a woodsy photoshoot for my new knitting pattern and we came across a snake while trying to get a good shot. I started up my new knitting project while sitting at Redwood Studios and listening to some really great violin being recorded for one of Joey’s new projects. We have had plenty of new bunny sightings in our back yard and one time Henry even sat next to me, the two of us spying on them together. Joey invented a delicious new apple flavored New York Whiskey cocktail for the bar that I named The Big Apple Sour, and I got to listen to a sneak preview of the new Midlake album that is coming out later this year. I marveled at the prettiness of brown speckled eggs in my new egg tray, and had an epic fail when I attempted to bake my own pizza dough. Joey bought me a pretty gardenia plant to cheer me up after the pizza incident, and we spent many an afternoon on the tennis courts having a blast and enjoying each other’s company. And as always, love was all around us.
Whiskey and Wool
I am working on a sort-of secret knitting project right now; a gift for someone I love. I realized yesterday that my deadline for finishing this gift is closer than I thought, so I’ve taken to working on it anywhere and everywhere. Last night I even worked on it at the bar during happy hour. A classic cocktail in one hand and my knitting in the other- it wasn’t a bad way to spend the evening!
Sneak Peek: Wood, Stone, Straw & Bone
I’ve always found a sense of peace when spending time in nature– a walk in the woods reminds me to slow down and helps me become re-centered. I designed a shawl that was inspired by the natural colors I often come across on these walks– the colors of wood, stone, straw & bone. The lightweight yet wooly shawl is perfect for keeping the chill away when you are walking through the woods.
My lovely friend Felicia was kind enough to model the shawl for the photos and I am finishing up the pattern and having it tech edited. Stay tuned for the pattern’s release!
Spring Pattern Love
I wanted to share a few patterns I’ve been ogling on Ravelry lately:
Sperry by Amy Miller
Sperry by Amy Miller is a classic fitted raglan sweater with trendy stripes and a pretty shirttail hem. I think the choice of a springy, robin’s-egg blue is perfect for this time of year (as are those great 3/4 length sleeves).
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig is another robin’s-egg blue, 3/4 lenth sleeved sweater I’m in love with right now. This one is lightweight and would be perfect to wear over a spring or summer dress in an overly air-conditioned office during the summer.
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Boxy by Joji Locatelli caught my eye with its oversized slouch factor paired with slim fitting dolman sleeves. I’ve been seeing this shape in lots of tops lately and I love this relaxed and breezy look for spring and summer.
Relax by Ririko
Relax by Ririko has a similar shape as Boxy and also has the dolman style sleeves that quickly narrow to a fitted 3/4 length. This looks like it would be perfect for wearing with brightly colored ballet flats to go to a lazy saturday brunch.
Can you tell I’ve been itching to cast on for a springy sweater lately? I have a few other things in the works that have to be finished before I’ll let myself start yet another new project, but these are definitely on my to-knit list.
New Pattern: Zip-n-Zag Bag
A perfect accessory for Spring, the Zip-N-Zag Bag is a zippery, zig-zaggy, tassely pouch perfect for stashing your makeup or a small knitting project on the go.
BUY IT NOW via instant Ravelry download or visit the RAVELRY PATTERN PAGE for additional details
MATERIALS
300 yards/275 meters of worsted weight yarn in two contrasting colors (150 yards/137 meters of each color)
• Sample shown in Berroco Vintage Worsted (50% acrylic, 40% wool, 10% Nylon, 217 yards/198 meters/100g) in #5145-Cast Iron (Color A) and #5102-Butter Cream (Color B)
Needle A: Size US 8/5.0 mm 16”/40 cm circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Needle B: Size US 5/3.75 mm 16”/40 cm circular needle (or 3 sizes smaller than above)
Tapestry needle for weaving ends
Stitch Marker
9”/23 cm plastic zipper
Fabric for lining, cut to 9.5”/24.5 cm wide x 12.5”/32 cm long
Sturdy thread for sewing zipper and lining
Sewing needle
Pins
GAUGE
22 stitches and 25 rounds = 4”/10 cm in stranded colorwork pattern, worked in the round on larger needles
FINISHED SIZE
Approximately 9.25”/23.5 cm wide and 6.25”/16 cm tall
TECHNIQUES USED
Provisional cast on, knitting stranded color work in the round, basic bind off, three needle bind off (instructions included), sewing in a zipper, sewing in a fabric lining, making a tassel
Insta-March
March was a busy and music-filled month. We kicked things off with the 35 Denton music festival, where Redwood Studios played host to tons of bands over the course of three days, and the next weekend we went to the SXSW music festival in Austin, where Joey played a showcase with Israel Nash. We were introduced to Laura and Israel’s brand new baby and spent a couple of great nights around a giant fire pit while the guys made some great new music. I went to a fabulous ladies’ champagne and tea party, and knitted a new wooly hat while I was sick in bed with bronchitis for a couple of days. We also saw the first signs of spring with budding trees, blue skies and an Easter celebration, where I tested out my crafty cooking skills by dyeing Easter eggs and baking bread. Next up: I’m looking forward to April’s nice weather, Joey’s birthday and getting back into some knitting!
Hofsós Hat
If you haven’t seen Stephen West’s latest KAL collection, Westy’s Besties, you should probably drop what you’re doing and go take a peek. I’ll wait.
Gorgeous, right? Well, it would kind of have to be when its a collaboration of Stephen West designs, Brooklyn Tweed Yarns, Cirilia Rose styling and Jared Flood photography all set to the amazing backdrop that is Iceland.
The pattern I fell in love with the most is the Hofsós Hat, which has really interesting construction and amazing textures. It is knit using three different colors of yarn, with two strands of alternating colors held together throughout. While I didn’t have any LOFT on hand, I did have three shades of Palette in my stash that are similar to the ones used in the pattern, so I went ahead and cast on using those.
The pattern was so addictive because each time I finished a section I couldn’t wait to start the next one and would just keep on going. It even rekindled my love for seed stitch, which is a stitch pattern I love for its look, but hate for its tediousness while knitting. Using two shades of yarn just amplified the textural aspect that I love so much that my mind is now whirling, wondering how I can put this to use in other ways.
As soon as I cast off Joey tried it on and then I tried it on. And even though I made it for Joey, I told him we’d just have to share this one.
Insta February
February was a month where Joey and I both found ourselves working hard. He has spent lots of time working at Redwood Studio- recording music and in the down time finishing some of their last bits of studio construction. They are putting the final touches on the “apartment” side of the studio, so that out of town musicians can have a place to stay when they record an album there. They held a grand opening event, with two of the artists they have been working with performing live for a small crowd. The night had a magical energy about it and it was so good to get to finally share the fruits of our labor with others and see them enjoy it so much.
I’ve been working on drafting patterns for a few of my latest designs and also making a big office move that has sapped lots of my nightly knitting energy. (Hello, exhausted 9pm bedtimes and doggie snuggles!) I celebrated a birthday and also celebrated the release of my pattern and article in Pom Pom. We’ve had some house guests the past week- a good friend from our NYC days who has since moved to CA, and a new friend from England, who are both in town to record at Redwood.
Things are good. Things are good.
Love Is All You Knit 