First KAL!

I am so excited to be running my first KAL! I saw other designers run these and have always wanted to join in the fun but never had the guts or time. Well, here is my chance!
The patterns eligible are the Zigzag Infinity loops - lucky no 7 and no 10 - both feature patterns reminiscent of Missoni.

Join it here"! We have prizes!

no 10 released!

Last night I released my no 10 infinity loop! It's been a work in progress, I tell ya! I have included two versions of the stripe arrangement in it.

This is the first one

and the second one

I would love to hear what you think! Just think of all the color combos! I chickened out and made one in grey-black palette, but if you're bold, then sky is the limit! The pattern is also available as part of the Zigzag Infinity ebook, which also includes lucky no 7 infinity loop.

How to hide color changes when knitting stripes or chevron tutorial

Time sure flies! It's already almost fall which means fall knitting, evenings by the fireplace and cold mornings. Just in time for this, I have prepared this tutorial to showcase the little trick I use to hide color changes when knitting chevrons in the round. You could also use this for knitting stripes in the round, but it works better for chevrons.

This possibly exists elsewhere (nothing new under the sun!) but since I use this in my chevron tube scarf patterns, it's nice to have it handy here.

I have called it "lift the stitch just knit, knit it together with the next stitch", since this is basically what you will end up doing literally.

Step 1
This is the starting point. Say you got to the spot where you need to do this trick

Step 2
Lift the stitch you just knit and place it on the left needle as shown below

Step 3
Insert your right needle into the stitch just lifted and the next stitch on the left needle

Step 4
Knit them together

Step 5
And move to the right needle as you normally would. And voila! you're done!

Hope you have enjoyed this and found it helpful!

My visit with Elena Nodel from Anadiomena Adventures (warning: yarn porn)

Last week I had the lovely Elena Nodel from Anadiomena Adventures over for a visit. Elena has branched out to yarn dyeing side of things recently and I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of her yarn. Just look at these gorgeous colors! All have been assigned projects already and I can't wait to start working with these lovely yarns.

Merino Light in Dusk, Raven and Polar Bear

Sweet merino DK in Chilly and Rainy Day

Lace in Celadon and Mauve

news!

Quite an eventful day today so I simply had to make a blog entry...finally! First of all, Elann is featuring my v lace on their web site with the new shipment of lustrado! Quite exciting for someone like me...especially because V lace was of the reasons why I started knitting again after a 20 year hiatus. You see, I was always obsessed with bell sleeves and zigzags and since I couldn't find anything like that in the stores...well, I had to make it and the rest is history. The pattern was 2 years in the making and some days I didn't believe I would ever finish but in June 2012 it was released and garnered quite a bit of attention. So overall, I would consider it a success.

And last but not the least - new pattern release! Something squishy and bright - my spine cowl! Cables, Malabrigo - oh my! hope you like it.

Half a year gone by

And no updates. I haven't knit much in the last few months, thankfully the obsession returned full force at the end of October. Since then I have been pretty busy trying to finish up some old WIPs and working on new patterns. The newest one is rib-it cowl, which I am hoping will be joined with more textured cowl patterns soon.

Lost mojo

For the reasons I would rather not announce at this point, I completely lost my knitting mojo. I look at my office which is a mess and overtaken by my stash as my three WIPs sit and look at me sadly. Two cardigans and 1 simple lace scarf. I still visit ravelry daily and favourite patters, and chat, but I just can't make myself knit! Who would have known? Mojo, please back? Please? On the other note I have more time now - time that is spent reading and browsing online. I have almost finished all the books I planned to read, so it can't be that bad, eh?