Vardon Vest

Sometimes I surprise myself - I didn't think I'd be done until August but in the midst of packing boxes and cleaning the house, I found time to publish this pattern - presenting Vardon Vest.  Available on Ravelry for $4.50...comes in 3 sizes (3, 6, 12 months).  

Radio Silence

I'm busy packing up one house to move to another.  My husband started his new job in Massachusetts on 6/25.  We got a renter last week for our house here who asked to be in by 7/31.  So, the kids and I went school shopping then rental shopping and landed everything in a few days.  The moving van arrives in 16 days.  Lots to do and not a lot of time so I'm taking a bit of a blogging break.  I'll be back with news of a new home and town and give you a picture of where I'll be knitting when I can get going again.  I do have a test knit going on that is looking good.  Hope to publish by end of August.

Happy rest of July and I'll be back in August when the dust settles!

Sneak Peek

I've been designing and having fun with color and texture.  Have written up the pattern and am putting it out to test knit.  More to come.

On the move front...still in limbo as we're trying to rent our home.  Found several good towns/schools to show the kids soon.  This limbo is killing me though.  I like to have a plan and can't stand when I don't know what is next.

Guess knitting is next, huh?

Ch..ch...ch...changes

Well, after a 9 month period of ups and downs and stress and frustration, my husband has landed an amazing job in the Boston area.  He starts in just over a week.  Which means a move is in line for us this summer.

When delivering the info to our two high schoolers (they had an inkling this was coming), they both had their concerns and wishes for the area.  Our son wants to keep pole vaulting and our daughter wants to keep riding.  I told them not to worry - I wanted to keep knitting and had already googled knitting stores in the area.  That at least made them laugh for the moment.

Lots to do in a little time...tears of joy, tears of sadness all around.  This space might be quiet but I'll post as I can.  I AM knitting - I cast on the Perry cardigan with some Cascade 220.  I'm also designing another baby sweater - a boy's vest.  I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I'll take all good thoughts (outside of Boston knitting store recommendations!).

My First Sale

I put a pattern up for sale on Ravelry on Sunday and last night I got an email that I sold my first one!  Can I tell you how excited I was?  I've wanted to do this for ages but have been filled with self-doubt that anyone would want what I think is pretty or functional.

The pattern is called Bamboo Shoots Blanket...it is lacy and lovely and perfectly soft and wonderful to wrap up a cherished baby.  You can link directly to it on my sidebar.

Now my brain is brimming with my next pattern idea...this is so fun!

Close up detail

Larger view

Crisp and clean when folded up

A Little Inspiration

A while back I knit a Camilla Babe Sweater - I love it and I had leftover yarn.  Friday evening with nothing on my needles I wondered if I could make a hat to go with it.  A little inspiration, a little research, a little math and Ta-Da!  Presenting my newest pattern which is for free...I called it Fanfare based on the Fan pattern.

I envision this cute hat being worn with the fan detail on the side.  I wish I had a baby to model it for me...hmmm I'll have to see who I can find.

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.

Absolutely precious

'

Okay, not the best photo but this is a precious sweater - it's Camilla Babe by Carrie Bostick Hoge.  I made it in the 6th month size using Ella Rae Classic Superwash.  Now all I need to do is find a baby for it!  My husband's niece is due in September but we don't know what "flavor" yet.  For now, it will be waiting for the perfect, precious baby.

Yesterday I had a particularly rough afternoon dealing with a flippant student.  I was cranky and tired as I went to pick up our son from high school.  As he walked toward the car he was carrying a foil covered plate.  When I asked what it was he handed it to me and said "you'll see".  As he drove me home (learners permit practice so I'm a passenger more than a driver these days), I opened it up and this is what I found.

My birthday isn't until May but they were making cakes in his food and nutrition class this week and he said "I figured, why not make you an early birthday cake".  Melt my heart, make my day, tears in my eyes, bad mood gone - poof!

He said he showed it to his math teacher who was aghast that he put my age on the cake...he explained that he loves to rub in my age whenever he can so this is another way he can have a little fun with what he calls his "old mom".  Got to love his sense of humor.

It Pays To Be Prepared

So, as I posted, I was slated for Jury Duty on 4/19.  I really was bugged about the "no knitting needles" rule so I even called the 800 number and posed the question to some guy who may have thought I was off  my rocker.  I tried explaining that there are different kinds of needles and circulars are very hard to use as any sort of weapon.  No luck there.

So, I thought I'd pull out some old needlepoint to take with me then I had a lightbulb moment.  I went to the library and got out some books on learning to crochet.  I could take my few hooks, some yarn and learn and experiment.

Wednesday afternoon rolled around - 5:45 I went online to see my status and lo and behold, I didn't have to report.  A shout of joy went through the house, I was able to keep my week long sub job going and I've since returned the books to the library.  It pays to be prepared.

Speaking of being prepared, there is a teacher who I was going to cover for while she went on maternity leave at the end of May.  Her due date was May 28...her baby arrived April 18.  Guess he didn't get the memo on the due date.  Mom and baby are fine (he was a whopping 5 lbs, 15 oz at 34 weeks).  I am starting the long term sub job on Monday - yikes!  Not quite prepared for that!

Dipping My Toe in the Pond

 Those of you who have read my blog for a while know that I have basically designed several sweaters...I've never been afraid to change a pattern but our daughter pushed me into new realms with her ideas.  So, I created for her and for me and for others - these are a few of the things I've done but never written down.

Then one day I wrote down a pattern (Saphira Scarf) and put it on Ravelry as a free pattern and did nothing more.  This was simple but I loved it and wanted to share it.

The other day I tried to figure out how to add more patterns and had to fix my Ravelry Designer Name so it linked with my Ravelry ID.  Now they are linked and when you go on my info page you see I have a design page.  Watch this space...I just designed a baby sweater and after having it read through by a few savvy people, you'll find it on my new designer page.

I'm working on changing my one (soon to be 2 patterns) to a downloadable PDF.  Who knows what's next...I need to figure out if what I design is something salable.  Time will tell.  You can tell me too!

Time to Educate the Legal System

I've been called to jury duty next week...I know it sounds unpatriotic but I hope like hell that my number doesn't come up and I don't have to go in.  There are several reasons for this:

1. I had a horrific jury duty experience in NYC when I was in my 20's. 
2. I have a sub job that day and I need the sub pay more than I need the jury duty pay
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY...THEY DO NOT ALLOW KNITTING NEEDLES!!!

And I quote:

Are there any items I should not bring to court?
Jurors may not bring disruptive or potentially dangerous items into the courthouse.
A disruptive item includes, among other things, electronic items such as a portable radio, television, CD, MP3, tape player or camera not attached to a cell phone or computer.
Potentially dangerous items include, among other things, weapons of any kind, pocket knives and sharp objects such as tools or knitting needles.
If you have any questions about what to bring, contact Jury Administration at 1-800-842-8175.

Is it me or is it time for us to educate the legal system about knitting needles.  They're allowed on airplanes why can't they be allowed in the jury duty room.  What am I going to do without my knitting in a waiting room environment?  I know...you say "read a book"...tried that last time and it is just too noisy.  I am going to pump up my iPod with knitting podcasts.  I have some antique needlepoint I could bring in...so bulky though.  Oh, how about I get out a learn to crochet book and bring that with me.

This could be valuable knitting time WASTED by a bunch of bureaucrats who have no idea that knitting is HUGE and we NEED it in times like this.

Okay, end of rant...would love it if you all kept your fingers crossed that I don't have to report for jury duty otherwise I might try to educate them on the need for knitting...

Oh, The Places You'll Go

Lately I've been listening to the Subway Knits podcast - Marie has a wonderful segment called "Swatch and Learn".  Whenever I listen to a podcast, I often go to the blog and read the show notes and follow the links.

In her March 26th post, she talked about a website that has all these wonderful stitch patterns.  So I let my fingers do the walking and I found Knitting Fool and the wonderful resource of lace patterns.  There is so much there I could spend days.  Thanks Marie - you've taken me to a new place and I'm loving all the places podcasts have sent me.

The Soon To Be Favorite Blanket

I finished my Ten Stitch Spiral blanket today - the other day my daughter asked if she could have it while we were watching TV.  I told her that I was still working on it and when I'm done it will be MY blanket.  For the next few days I kept referring to it as MY blanket.

It's done, it's on the sofa and my bet is that the kids will be fighting over MY blanket.  I got a lot of little skeins out of my stash and created something warm and fun for the whole family - even though it is MY blanket.