Friday, September 24

Julia's Lace

100_5456
Sometimes my brain screams “NO MORE SOCKS!” so I am forced to come up with a new use for the many skeins of fingering-weight yarn lying around. I hold a deep love for lacy shawls, yet I needed something simple and worthy of year-round wear. Thus, Julia’s Lace was conceived - a stylish scarf that merges the cozy essence of triangular shawls with interesting, yet not overwhelming, herringbone lace. 


To knit this scarf, you need to be able (or eager to learn) to read lace charts, follow simultaneous instructions, use the cable cast-on, knit, purl, decrease, and work back and forth in rows. For those interested, I have a quick tutorial video of the Cable Cast-On at my blog.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

SIZE: One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: approx 85 inches (216 cm)
Width: approx 3 inches (7.5 cm) at the narrowest part and 9.75 inches (24.75 cm) at the widest part
Note: measurements are taken after blocking

YARN
Fingering weight yarn* (435 yds/100 g per skein); 1 skein
* Sample project was completed with Monsoon Designs Dreamy Sock 40% wool, 40% bamboo, 20% nylon; 435yd/398 m per 100g skein; color: Green for Colleen

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
24-inch length US 6 (4.5 mm) circular needle
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers (optional)

GAUGE
Note: Gauge is not critical for this project, though fingering weight yarn is recommended for a nice drape.
Approx 16.5 sts/22.5rows = 4” in chart pattern after washing and blocking

The licensing for “Julia’s Lace” is for personal use, but finished items MAY be sold for profit. You may not sell, copy, or otherwise redistribute the pattern.
$4.50
100_5455

Wednesday, September 22

A Week of Premiers

Fun things are debuting this week, so it is quite exciting around here. Well, for me at least. Mr. Goat smiles appropriately when I tell him to.

First, my Studio Shop Grand Opening is tomorrow! I needed a shopping cart that was simple, flexible, and allowed me the room to display my creativity when... well, when creativity strikes! 8pm EST on Sept 23 - lots of handspun goodies and patterns!

Julia's Lace, a lovely and unique scarf, has been hovering on my desk for eons until she smacked me, saying, "put me out there, woman!" Julia is definitely of the sassy sort. Some of you may not know who she is, but I'll happily share that story another time. In the meantime, look how pretty her scarf is ....

For $4.50, you are getting a fun to knit pattern. I'll list more info and purchasing details tomorrow.

Aaaaaaand, last but not least, the November issue of Creative Knitting Magazine is out! My two patterns make a nice addition to the issue, I [humbly] think (the pictures are courtesy of Creative Knitting Magazine - thanks for the use, guys!)

Sunday, September 12

Cable Cast-On Tutorial

In anticipation of my new pattern, Julia's Lace, (a fabulous scarf), I've created this little bitty video tutorial of the Cable Cast-On. Have fun learning and let me know if you have any questions.



The Cable Cast-On is great for casting-on at the beginning of a piece, enabling you to maintain a pattern motif, choose your own length, and retain shape. The edge is firm, yet elastic, with a great look. It is quite difficult to actually be sloppy with this technique. Ruth, over at Knitting on Impulse, has a very detailed explanation of the advantages, look, and disadvantages of this cast-on.