Tag Archives: Lace

May 10, 2013 · 6:00 am

A Glamourous Cravat!

I truly love quick knit projects and with all of the works in progress I have going, I casted on yet another one but this one was different, it was quick, easy and lacy.

I’ve had my lovely skein of Rowan Kidsilk Haze Glamour sitting on my desk staring at me wanting to be knitted up but I didn’t quite know what I should make out of it, especially since I only had one skein that measures 177 yards (162m).  After searching through countless patterns, magazine and books, I found the perfect design on the Rowan website, the Glamour Cravat, Scarf and Throw designed by Louisa Harding.

Knit this beautiful lace cravat, scarf or throw, a free download as  part of the launch of our new yarn Kidsilk Haze Glamour(super kid  mohair and silk). This pattern is from the Rowan archive, originally  designed by Louisa Harding and re-worked in Kidsilk Haze Glamour, this  knitting pattern is a simple yet elegant knit and is for the  intermediate knitter. ~ Rowan

Rowan Kidsilk Haze Glamour in Smoke

This pattern is a free download from the Rowan Member site that is available in four languages.  I also love the fact, that the designer included three sytle options:

  • Completed wrap measures approx 40.5 cm (16 in) wide and 220 cm (86½ in) long and requires 5 skeins of Kidsilk Haze Glamour
  • Completed scarf measures approx 21.5 cm (8½ in) wide and 173 cm (68 in) long and requires 2 skeins of Kidsilk Haze Glamour
  • Completed cravat measures approx 16.5 cm (6½ in) wide and 100 cm (39 in) long and requires 1 skein of Kidsilk Haze Glamour

Since I only had one skein, I decided to knit the cravat and modified the original design ever so slightly.  I did not knit the garter stitch borders and I added a section of garter stitch for the middle of the cravat, which will rest at the back of my neck.  My finished blocked piece measures 6″ wide and 38 1/2″ long, and has very nice lace points at each end.  This will be a great accessory piece this fall and winter to wear with my jackets and cardigans, adding just the right amount of feminine sparkle at the throat.  I plan to wear mine using a 1928 Company  Marcasite pin to hold it in place.

 

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For inspiration on how to use a skein or two  of Kidsilk Haze Glamour, check out my fellow Rowan Ambassadors and their projects:

What are your favorite lace one skein projects?

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April 25, 2013 · 6:23 am

Casting On and Casting Off: A Posies Shawl, A Angels Beaded Scarf and a Finished Handspun Shaelyn!

So on Monday I started Shaelyn by Leila Raabe and I found that I could not stop knitting this pattern!  It’s simple, it’s easy to memorize and it was the perfect choice for my handspun.  I’m quite excited too, I only had about a yard or so of yarn left and during the bind off, I was sweating bullets hoping that I would have enough yarn.   I’m very happy with my handspun too, I have a subtle variation of color and a hint of self-striping.  This was my second attempt at fractal spinning.

You can view my notes on my Ravelry project page.

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I had plans of knitting the  Lace Shawl  by Sharon Miller, but after two attempts, I have given up.  I’ve decided that I will use my stash of Rowan Fine Lace at a later time and will double it for a light fingering weight for either Brandywine by Romi Hill or Lyrica Euterpe by Romi Hill.  However, I have a lovely skein of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in my stash in smoke.  After looking through numerous patterns, I’ve decided to cast on Angel Pearls Beaded Scarf by Sivia Harding.  After looking in my bead stash (yes, I have one of those too and it’s Laura Nelkin’s fault), I came across the perfect bead to go with the yarn.

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Since I’m enjoying knitting with my handspun, I’ve decided to finally cast on a design by Anne Podlesak.  Posies Shawl requires approximately 400 yards of fingering weight and I will be using my stash of 411 yards of FatCatKnits spun together with Cupcake Fiber Company.  If for some reason I do not have enough yardage for the edge, I will use my 126 yards of Cupcake Fiber Company that I spun by itself.

Posies Shawl Photo Courtesy of Anne Podlesak

FatCatKnits Merino plied together with Cupcake Fiber Co. BFL

Cupcake Fiber Company BFL in the color of Winter Lake

Hopefully I will find the time over the next few weeks to get these two projects done.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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April 23, 2013 · 5:54 am

Casting On and Casting Off: Shawls and Lace

I seem to be in a shawl knitting mood, maybe it’s the aspect of lace, which I absolutely love and cherish!  There are so many beautiful patterns to knit, but right now I’m looking for simple and quick lace projects.  I’ve come across two patterns that will be just the ticket for me, and I can use stash yarn!

But first, here’s an update on my Cottonista Triangle Shawl ~ it’s finished!

Finished Cottonista Triangle Shawl

Pattern: Cottonista Triangle Shawl by Franziska Collins
Yarn: 4 skeins of Fiesta Yarn Cottonista in Wind Surfer
Blocked Size: 29” x 60’
Started: March 9th
Ended: April 21st
Modifications: None

Now, that I have finished my  Cottonista Triangle Shawl, I decided that it was time to find a pattern for my 462 yards of sport weight handspun.  After searching the patterns in Ravelry, I decided upon Shaelyn by Leila Raabe.  This particular pattern has been in my Ravelry queue for some time and I keep coming back to this pattern.  Now that I’ve casted on,  I think this is going to be perfect to show off my handspun !!

Photo courtesy of Leila Raabe

462 yards of sport weight yarn – Heavenly Fiber BFL in Driftwood

Progress Photo

Progress Photo

 I’m also casting Lace Shawl by Sharon Miller using my stash of Rowan Fine Lace in the color of Vintage.  I’ve never knitted with lace weight yarn before so I thought this pattern might be a good one to get me use to this weight of yarn.  This shawl pattern has easy to follow instructions that would be perfect for beginner lace knitters and is free to Rowan members.  I think this will be perfect to wear all year round and the soft color of the Vintage will go with just about anything I have in my closet.

Lace Shawl by Sharon Miller

Do you enjoy lace knitting?

If yes, what’s your all time favorite lace project?

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April 6, 2013 · 8:44 am

Saturdays are made for WIPs!

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It’s so lovely to be on the patio this morning and I’m quite pleased with the progress I’ve made on my  Cottonista Triangle Shawl.  I’m just about ready to start with my third skein of yarn for this project and it’s beginning to look great!

So many of you know that I’m a major KAL junky, yes, it’s sad by so very true!  Not only did I join the  Capriole KAL, but as mentioned earlier I also joined the Game of Thrones Mystery KAL.  Clue 1 is all finished and this Sunday, clue 2 will be posted.  I was very happy to see I wasn’t the only one using pink for this KAL!

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This photo is one day old, so it doesn’t show the last repeat of the pattern.

I also received a yummy skein of Indieway Yarns single ply superwash merino for a prize I won in the last KAL I participated in.  I love the colors and it’s so squishy soft!!!  I’m thinking this will be great for a hat.

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What are you working on this weekend!

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March 9, 2013 · 12:47 pm

Saturday Joy!

I was quite thrilled a few days ago to learn that I won a Fiesta Yarns Twitter contest and had no idea what I had won, other than it was a kit.  Today, my prize arrive and I’m super excited!!!

The kit I won contains 4 skeins of Fiesta Cottonista Yarn (50% Peruvian Cotton 50% Tencel) in the color of wind surfer and the pattern for the Cottonista Triangle Shawl.  I can’t wait to cake my yarn and get started of this beautiful simple lace shawl!

Thank you Fiesta Yarns, you made me smile from ear to ear today!

Fiesta
Have a great weekend everyone!

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October 2, 2012 · 6:44 pm

Casting On and Casting Off: Woodburne, Aidez and Schooner!

I finished my Schooner shawl in two weeks, a record for me, and I’m so excited to have finally finished a shawl that is a decent size!  I took great pleasure in using yarn from my stash too and had to make a pattern adjustment due to yardage.  So instead of being a solid shawl as the pattern calls for, I ended up making this shawl in two colors.

The Facts:  This is a super quick bottom up shawl design that gives terrific results!  The directions were quite easy to follow, which included not only written instructions but charts for the lace stitch pattern.  Since I only had enough yardage in the Thistle for the body of the shawl, and because I felt I would run out before finishing, I decided to only knit 8 rows of the repeat for the last part of the shawl and ended with a the garter stitch top.

For those of you interested in this pattern, the Schooner by Lori Gayle is available in the  Classic Elite Quick Knits book, which also includes many other fantastic designs including those by Jared Flood.  This really is a great accessory book to have in your library and I will be doing a review over the next few weeks!

I promise to post a better picture soon but I was so excited that I had to share now!

Finished Size:  58″ long and 38 1/2″ wide

Yarn:  4 skeins (a total of 392 yards) of Louisa Harding Thistle in Berry and 2 skeins  (a total of 200 yards) of Blue Moon Ranch Alpaca in Chocolate Brown

Needle:  US Size 9

Currently on the needles is Aidez by Cirilia Rose.  As mentioned in an earlier post, I joined Kelly’s KAL over on her blog, Celtic Cast On.  I haven’t made much progress due to my shawl knitting but I can say I love the yarn I’m using and I love the stitch pattern.  I’m still on the first sleeve but hope have it done soon, as well as its mate. If I’m lucky, I’ll start working on the body this weekend!  For those of you interested, check out what the other ladies have managed to complete so far for this KAL – there’s some beautiful work!

I’ve also taken the plunge and signed up for Carol Feller’s new KAL, featuring her latest and loveliest creation, the  Woodburne Cardigan.  When I received Carol’s newsletter today,  I knew I had to knit this gorgeous cabled cardigan.  I have high hopes of using yarn from my stash but can’t seem to make up my mind.

If you’re interested, this KAL will be starting mid-October, so there’s plenty of time to purchase your pattern and get your yarn ordered!

Courtesy of Carol Feller

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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September 19, 2012 · 4:15 am

Yarn Along: Knitting With a Bit of Reading!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

I finished up my Fantasia shawlette over the weekend and I love the way it turned out.   For a first time in participating in a mystery KAL, it was truly a lot of fun!  I started working on Kernel by Bonnie Sennott and I also casted on Schooner, a lovely design by Lori Gayle (shown in the photo above).  I plan to work on both of these projects throughout the month of September and then will start on m Mom’s cardigan.

I finished up Mockinjay yesterday morning and have to say that I was rather disappointed in the final book to the Hunger Games series.  I think the first novel of this series was by far the best, but that’s just my own humble opinion.  I have since started reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati.  While I’m only on the fifth chapter of this book, I can already tell I’m going to really enjoy it.  The beginning reminds me so much of James Fenimore Cooper’s “Last of the Mohicans” and I already have found myself drawn to the main characters.

So, what are you working on and what are you reading?

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September 1, 2012 · 8:34 am

Progress on my Fantasia KAL – Clue 3

While my sweet husband was peacefully sleeping this morning, I decided to work on Clue 3 of the Fantasia KAL.  I love how this shawlette is beginning to transform and I can’t wait for the final clue to see how it will end.

This clue included the addition of nupps, which gave a look of berry clusters.  While my nupps are not the best, I’m quite pleased with the overall result.

I have to admit that I’ve been bitten my the “mystery kals” and as a result have joined in two others, the Mystery KAL ‘Out of Darkness’ by Boo Knits and the Myrtle Mystery KAL by Mia Rinde

Silly me, what was I thinking! Oh well, keeps my hands and mind busy.  I plan to cast on both of these projects this weekend .

What are you working on this holiday weekend?

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August 30, 2012 · 6:39 am

Now available to everyone … Honey Hugs

Inspired by the warm rich honey tones of this yarn, I envisioned sunny fields of wheat, waving in the wind. This is a bottom up shawl design that uses short rows to give a slight curvature that will hug your shoulders to keep you toasty warm. ~ Tina Sanders

I’m so pleased and excited to announce that my Honey Hugs shawl is now available to the public.   Honey Hugs was designed for the Yummy Yarn Studio Wrapped in up in Yummy Yarn Club 2012.  The pattern includes full written and charted directions and has been test knit and tech edited.

The Facts:  This is a bottom up shawl design that uses short rows to give a slight curvature that will hug your shoulders to keep you toasty warm.   The first section of the lace pattern is super quick and very easy to memorize. As you progress to the second section, you will start forming a slight arrow looking design. The last four rows of section two increases to 250 stitches and then decreases to 216 stitches.

This design is knitted back and forth on the circular needle, includes a lace pattern and short rows to provide a very gentle curve. The curvature of the design drapes nicely on ones shoulders and will stay in place. A chart for the lace pattern is included and note that all stitches on the wrong side are purled.

Materials:   This project will require approximateley 500 to 550 yards (457 – 503 m) of Aran weight yarn or yarn to match gauge of 10 stitches and 8 rows = 2 inches in Stocking Stitch, a sizeUS 9 (5.5 mm) 29” circular needle, stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Finished Size:  21” (53.3cm) from mid-point x 60” (152.3cm) wide.

This pattern is available for $6.00 USD

Enjoy 30% off today through the end of Labor, Monday September 3rd – no coupon required at check out!

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August 24, 2012 · 1:11 pm

Progress on my Fantasia KAL – Clue 2

It’s been a wonderful day off so far  and I’m happy that I was able to get just about everything done I wanted to today so I could enjoy my afternoon with knitting.  Since it was still cool enough to sit outside on the patio, I took my lunch and knitting outdoors to finish up Clue 2 of the Fantasia Mystery KAL.

This is my very first mystery KAL and like a great mystery novel, I’m starting to see the “plot” unfold but I have to admit the suspense of not knowing what the end result will be is killing me!

As you can see, Clue 2 has given leaves to the shawlette and I’m anxious to see what will be next.  Sigh…. another week to wait for the next clue!

 

What are you working on today or this weekend?

 

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