Admin – Page 5 – Windswept Knits

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Admin

Wide-Neck Sleeveless Toddler Tunic

New Pattern Release!

Our Wide-Neck Sleeveless Toddler Tunic is now available for purchase on Ravelry!

An A-line tunic with a light flare over the tummy and hips; perfect for little ones exploring on warm summer days. Design is pictured in Caron Simply Soft. This is a great project to use those soft variegated yarns found in the big-box stores.

The seed stitch borders keeps the acrylic from rolling and most of those yarns are machine-wash and dryer-safe – great for little ones learning to walk, crawl, explore and generally getting into messes. But any worsted-weight yarn will do providing it fits the gauge. If you want to go with a lighter-weight knit, you could use a lighter yarn and larger needles – just be sure to check your gauge!

All knitting patterns are sold through Ravelry. Once payment is complete, your pattern will be emailed to you immediately. You do not have to be a Ravelry member to purchase through Ravelry, but we highly recommend it as it is a vibrant community of knitting and yarn enthusiasts.

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Admin

First Circular Shawl

Even though I design my own patterns I still patterns by other people – there are so many talented designers out there, how could I not??

I’m always looking to try something new, improve my technique and learn new skills so I am VERY excited to start my first circular shawl. I’ve knitted several half-circle shawls but never a full circle before.

I just started the Evenstar Shawls by Susan Pandorf (available for purchase on Ravelry.com). It’s a beautiful shawl inspired by the Lord of the Rings which is one of my favorite books (and yes, I like the movies, too). Actually, since my husband has to work late tonight, I’ll probably pop Fellowship of the Rings into the DVD player and this once my little guy heads to bed.

I also had to learn my first circular cast on for this project, which, since I don’t know how to crochet, was completely new to me.

My finished piece will come out a bit different than Susan intended because I couldn’t track down a laceweight yarn that wasn’t wool. I’m allergic to wool. You don’t want me to knit with it. It’s not pretty. After half an hour I get hives.

Swatches - size 3 (top) and size 5 (bottom) needles — Swatches – size 3 (top) and size 5 (bottom) needles

So I’m knitting the shawl in a DK weight cotton – Kertzer’s Down to Earth Cotton in 0035 a pale pink. It’s nice to wok with and affordable when you have to buy 1500 yards worth! I also had to increase the needle size. The pattern calls for lace-weight yarn on US size 3 needles. I knitted the swatch and blocked it but the more complicated pattern designs (a 7-fold increase inside a k3tog) were murder on size 3 needles as those are the recommended size needles for this yarn. I knit the swatch again last night on size 5 needles and life was MUCH easier. And frankly, after blocking, it looks better, too.

Here are my swatches – you can judge for yourself, but I’m going with the larger needles for this lace shawl.

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Admin

Testing the Waters

I’m trying out a new motif – and so far it’s looking good! Can you tell what it is?

If it works out as planned different versions of this motif will be worked into a lace shawl and a scarf.

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Admin

Nearly Done!

My latest pattern is nearly done!

Literally, I’m waiting for the blasted thing to dry so I can photograph it and finalize the pattern.

Here’s a tantalizing hint of it, blocked and drying. I have to say I LOVE my new blocking wires. So much easier, so much faster and no more of those annoying scalloped edges you can get sometimes from pins.

Please don’t judge it by the colors you see here – the horrible yellow of the foam pad washes out everything. I’ll post pictures of the finished piece so you can truly see the colors.

I use foam floor pads to pin on – like the kind you see in children’s playrooms. Actually, that’s exactly what they are. I ordered them from Amazon after a friend recommended it to me and they are soooooo much easier than the giant piece of cardboard I used to use. And they are much easier to put away too, which makes my husband happy!