Oh, Canada!

My newest design, the Butchart Gardens Shawl, was inspired by a beautiful Canadian yarn and a world-famous Canadian garden. When I travel, my favorite thing to do after visiting local yarn shops is to tour local public gardens.  I fondly remember Butchart Gardens near Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC as having the most spectacular colorful flower borders.  And so, it was only natural that Butchart Gardens came to mind when I was trying to think of a name for the spectacular flower bordered shawl that I just finished making.

The shawl is knit in Handmaiden Fine Yarns' Sea Silk, a fingering weight yarn that I just started carrying in my online store. The yarn has gorgeous drape and is a joy to work with.

As I was finishing this shawl, news erupted of the terrible wildfires near Ft. McMurray. I was moved by the pictures on TV, and the idea came to me that perhaps my Canadian inspired shawl can help me do something to help Canada. I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from pattern sales to the Canadian Red Cross. I am also starting a knit along for this shawl in my Ravelry group, hoping that we can get a large group going and make a healthy donation.

Interestingly, and just by chance, the name of the
colorway that I used for my prototype is Phoenix.
Let us hope that is prophetic, and a sign that Ft. McMurray will soon rise from the ashes.

This link will take you to the Ravelry pattern page.

All American Baby - Go Team USA

I thought I would show a little patriotic spirit in honor of the Olympics, so I designed this cute little sweater for new members to the American team.  The pattern is available as a Ravelry download here.

I had intended the sweater to match my All American baby hat, but of course, I changed the yarn (a little heavier gauge of 100% cotton) and I decided the stripes really needed to be 4 rows wide rather than 3, so of course, I had to re-write and re-knit the hat too.  I am pleased with the result.

I had to borrow a child from the daycare at work to perform modeling duty.
Actually, I borrowed two little friends.  My first model, is quite a big boy, and a bit big for the sweater (sweater = 12 month and model #1 = 18 month).

My second model was a  better fit, but he made it quite clear that he does not like to wear hats!

Midwest Fiber and Folk 2011, Bubble Wrap, and more

I had a great time, as always, at Fiber and Folk last weekend. Sales were good, perhaps a little too good. I was there by myself, and I was so busy on Friday and Saturday I had trouble keeping up with the pace at times. I apologize to my customers out there who had to wait. Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Some of the excitement in my booth was generated by my new shawl pattern: Bubble Wrap, that you see above. I love this pattern! Except for the fan border, which I admit is a tad difficult (but beautiful!) the pattern is easy to memorize and fast to knit. I love the texture and the fact that it is totally reversible.

The sample that you see here was knit in Blue Heron Rayon Metallic--absolutely gorgeous yarn. The pattern worked great with the handpainted yarn, but I think it might look even better on a solid yarn or kettle dyed semi-solid. I plan to start a knit along for the shawl soon and I will be curious to see it in different colors.

Bubble Wrap is just one of several new patterns and kits that I am planning to introduce. I have new patterns and kit ideas at various stages of development for:

a cute cell phone holder
women's gloves
a dressy summer top
a viking knit bracelet kit

Hopefully, at least one of these new kits/patterns will be ready for my next show, which is just around the corner at the Knit and Crochet Show in Minneapolis at the end of July.

Yikes! I'd better get knitting!