Author: tabitha

What Happened to August??

August was a very successful month for getting some of those pattern ideas out of my notebooks and onto the needles. The process is almost as liberating as clearing off my needles. Unfortunately, the process of writing patterns is a little more complicated than finishing WIPs so “Design Month” may last through September as well.

I am happy to report that the first of my new patterns is complete.
May I introduce you to

Arwen Slipper Sock

These delicate little slipper socks look like something Arwen Evenstar might wear on the cool evenings in Rivendell. They’re perfect for keeping those elven toes toasty in the winter.

Special thanks to Tina aka AzKnitter for the pattern name. It is perfect, I loved it from the time I read her comment. I have a copy of the pattern just for you as a thank you. I also want to say thank you to Barb, Sue, Linda and especially Lynn who helped so much with the test knitting and pattern editing. You guys ROCK!!! I mean seriously ROCK!!

This is an outrageously quick knit that’s perfect for gifts. Several of the test knitters are planning to give these as Christmas gifts this year. I admit that there are a couple of people on my gift list who will be receiving a pair too. Construction is top down, with heel flap and gusset, and standard decreased toe with grafted closure. Instructions are suitable for all but the beginning knitter.

$3.00

add to cart

I have three more patterns with test knitters so they should be available in a couple of weeks.

For one final bit of business, the winner of the contest is Deb who posted her entry via email. I will be emailing you a copy of the Arwen pattern. I will email you the others as they are finalized. Congratulations and thanks for participating.

Clearing the Drawing Board Month Continues

I am so excited. I have two patterns with the tech editor and test knitters and a third that will be there by tomorrow – Friday at the latest. All three should be a reality soon. I love seeing my ideas end up in written form that someone else can read. It is also a lot of fun working with test knitters. They are the most helpful bunch. It is helpful to know if the words you wrote convey the meaning you intended. Oftentimes, they do not. So a big thank you to all the lovely test knitters who were willing to knit an untried pattern to help me improve my pattern writing skills. Thank you so much.

But Clearing the Drawing Board Month ( which may actually last for two months but we won’t mention that) doesn’t end with three patterns. No, I still have another half dozen ideas in varying stages of completeness that you will be hearing about quite soon. I can’t believe I had that many design WIPs floating around in miscellaneous notebooks.

One final reminder. The blog contest ends Saturday, 29th of August so get those comments posted. Surely some of you are more creative that me when it comes to pattern names. And there is a thick stack of prize patterns up for grabs. Put on those thinking caps and post those comments.

From Wrestlemania to Design Mania

Since I spent the month of July wrestling all the WIPs off my needles, I decided to dedicate the month of August to getting some of those my design ideas off the drawing board and onto those now-empty needles. I am pleased with my progress. I have several designs ready to share with you now.

First is an easy slipper sock

This is a quick and easy knit that would be great for a gift.

Another slipper sock.

This one is the two color variation of my Amber Waves pattern.

It too would be perfect for knitted gifts.

The next sock is great for a man because it has a bold pattern that isn’t too frilly.

The pattern even works with variegated yarns.

An Easy Striped Scarf which was written for the Homeschool Kids group on Ravelry.

And a finally a dishcloth

The patterns are in process – either being written up, being test knit or being edited. I hope to have them all available very soon.

My problem, as always, is coming up with names for my patterns. So how about a contest. Leave a comment to suggest a name for one of the patterns between now and 29th August. I will choose one winner using a random number generator. The winner will receive a pdf copy of all of these patterns as well as a copy of the pattern for the Bright Copper Kettles towel and wash cloth set (the mate to Raindrops on Roses Bath Set). I will post the winners name here on 31st August and you will have a week to contact me through Ravelry or my website to give me an email address to send you the patterns. If you prefer, you may leave you email addy in the comments.

Finish Line

WIP Wrestlemania 2009 ends today. I am happy to report that I met all my knitting goals for this competition. Sadly, some of these items ended in the frog pond.

I completed a total of eight projects. Even though four of these projects were frogged, I still have a great sense of accomplishment. WWM09 gave me the courage to rip projects that were not working and the incentive to complete those that had been languishing.

You have already seen photos of Hey Teach and the Raindrops on Roses Bath set. Here are my latest completed projects.

Swan Lake aka Mystery Stole 3
(it’s blocking so better photos will have to wait till later)

and Big V Vest

I frogged

Soljoy Potamomus because the yarn needed to be reconditioned after remaining partially knitted for so long.

Prince of Wales socks– the light sucking splitty yarn was more than my eyes could handle,

Firestarter socks – got tired of trying to adjust the pattern to match the gauge of the yarn, and

Diminishing Rib Cardigan – the yarn was just not compatible with the pattern.
I will spare you any more photos of wiggly yarn.

Now I find myself in the curious position of having no project on the needles. My needles are all naked. Oh dear, what shall I do with myself?

Halfway There

Today is the middle of my month-long struggle against the WIP. I am happy to report that not only is half the month over but half of my WIPs have been conquered.
I originally listed 8 WIPs that I wanted to get off my needles this month. I am happy to say that as of today four of those WIPs have been beaten into submission. You have already seen Hey Teach and Firestarter. Here are my latest FOs

Another Bath Set
Raindrops on Roses

This one have been OTN since September. Not a world record for knitting speed on this project. But it is complete and ready for gift giving.

Prince of Wales Socks
FROGGED

Just cannot deal with this Black Hole light absorbing yarn. It is also splitty so the combination has made for endless hours of frustration. Time to set this yarn free.

Here is an update on the remaining 4 projects

Mystery Stole 3. Now 75% complete. It is moving along very nicely. I hope to have it ready to block by the weekend. I decided not to rip back and change the transition rows for two reasons. 1. I didn’t want to recondition lace weight yarn. 2. I lost the pattern for the variation for the alternate transition. I am thinking that eyelet row is not as bad as I had originally thought.

Big V Vest. Back is complete and Left front in progress. Pretty fast knit so I might actually complete it by the deadline. I have been reserving this for TV and travel knitting

Potmatomus Socks. Still were they were. Haven’t started working on this one yet. Worried that I will have to recondition yarn to reknit the section that I plan to rip.

Eggplant sweater. Still were they were. Haven’t started working on this one yet. Still dreading that tubular cast off.

Princess Buttercup also completed another project. She made a scarf for her doll Amanda.

Amanda is rocking that scarf

But the sheep likes it too

When I wasn’t knitting or reading for the summer reading program at the library, I have been sewing. Here is a dress I sewed for Princess Buttercup