Sidebar Activity

I know entirely too many people having babies right now - nothing wrong with babies but boy something is in water.  Funny but after Hurricane Irene and then again after the October snowstorm when people in our area lost power for a week each time, I told my husband "just wait - 9 months from now there will be a bunch of babies".

Babies are fun to knit for - fast easy, etc.  I also realized that when I look at patterns I too could design some.  So I did some research, found this cute butterfly stitch pattern and was inspired...so in the sidebar you can see I published a new pattern called Farfalle Cardigan.  Farfalle in Italian means Butterfly.

I also got a bit wild while swatching and designed a new ribbing pattern which I really love.

The detail of the ribbing I designed.  

Butterfly (aka Farfalle) detail.

Ravelry was a huge help - I recruited some test knitters who made the pattern and gave me input.  You can see their versions here and here.  I published it last week and already have 58 favorites!  Do take a look at it - any input you might have would be greatly appreciated.

This has been quite a learning curve - even just getting it on the sidebar and having the link work and having it linked properly on Ravelry.  This is a free pattern - next learning is how to charge for a pattern.  I already have one lined up - a baby blanket.  Did I mention I know a bunch of people having babies??

Wish Lists Work!

Big Box from Webs

Back in April, I sent my sisters a wish list from the Webs annual sale.  You see, my 50th birthday was coming up and I figured I'd like some fiber and why not have them find something on sale.  My birthday was last Sunday (mother's day which is ironic as I was born on mother's day) and on the Friday before the big day, the big box arrived.

Now when you make a wish list it is a wish not a shopping list...my sisters were amazing (I have 3 but only 1 is a knitting and understands what this gift really is for me) they ordered EVERYTHING on my list.

I'm set for a year a of knitting - now onto the pattern selections - how fun!

 

8 Skeins Cascade Eco +

8 Skeins of Cascade 220

Enough Silky Wool for a Sweater

8 more skeins of Cascade 220!

In My Ears Latest Edition

I know I've been quiet from a knitting standpoint.  I don't have a lot on the needles right now - just a baby blanket I've designed.  I also have a pattern being test knit by 4 people and hope to release it soon.  I'm substitute teaching full time til the end of the school year and the workload requirement is VERY different than day to day subbing.  I'm "on" during the class as I'm actually teaching and as a result, my knitting is suffering majorly.

I am, however, still keeping up with my podcasts and I've discovered a new one I want to share with you.

The Yarniacs Podcast...with Gayle and Sharlene.  They live in California and have a wonderful banter about their knitting.  Their segments are fun too - they always start with "what are you wearing" and they talk about whatever handknit they are sporting that day.  They discuss what they are knitting and what they are "stalking".  I love the "stalking" segment as they tell about  what patterns they are currently obsessed with and why and their thought processes as they work towards actually starting the stalked pattern.

Check them out - you'll feel like you've pulled up a chair at a knitting group with good friends.