A Quick Neck Job. . .

Today I spend the day trying to finish up more custom work. This project involved finishing the front, knitting the collar and sew it all together. The pattern was quite old (I think from the 70's). There were 5 stitches that were cast off  right at the tops of the raglans that needed to be sew into the edge of the sleeves, somewhat like a wee saddle shoulder.

I love the way this looks - when the sweater is lying down, it looks like there are already fitted shoulders with in the sweater! I'm going to have to remember this when I want to do another raglan.

Mary's Cardi - New Pattern Now Available!

Today is the day that I am launching my new pattern: Mary's Cardi. I have added it to Ravelry and it is available for purchase in pdf download form here or through LYS' that carry the Done Roving Yarns.

This is a fun sweater to knit as it is knit in one piece to the sleeve openings, then you add the sleeves and work a raglan yoke. I wanted to create a sweater that was more multi-use.

So many times I see ladies at the store that say, "Well this baby is going to be a spring/summer baby  . . ." Therefore they won't knit something other than a baby blanket. This sweater is for all year round - during a mid-summer's night or worn with a long sleeve top underneath.

It's designed to use 1 skein of Frolicking Feet from the Done Roving Yarn company. It was such a pleasure working with this yarn! Incredibly soft and has wonderful drape! Thanks to Paula at Done Roving Yarn for providing yarn for this pattern!

I will be releasing a toddlers-teen version and an adult version of this pattern in different weights of yarn. So keep tuning in - I will definately post about it!

I teamed up with Cheryl (and Mary!) to have her take some very sweet pictures for this new pattern. Huge thanks to Cheryl for taking the time to help me out!

Silk & Cashmere Pillow

Sewing took up the morning today. I took some photos of the latest pillow that I've sewn.

Diana had some really nice samples of cashmere from a sample shade card that she used to sell cashmere blankets from the now defunct Needful Yarns. She didn't want to just throw out all that nice cashmere! So I told her that I would do something useful with it. I ripped out all of the sample squares and trimmed them to the same size. Then I sewed them all together. I couldn't decide what fabric to put around the outside . . so I took a gander through all of the fabric that I have in my yarn office (which, apparently, there is way more fabric then I thought!)


I found a piece of fabric that was left to me from David's Granny. It was a silk fabric that slightly shimmered when it moved in the light. I'm not normally such a fan of red, but this was just the perfect application for it! It has an envelope opening for the back as it will be easy to get on and off.

All Sewn Up!

Just finished sewing up this cute little sweater for one of our customers. I had to finish knitting the collar on it and there was exactly enough yarn to finish! Oh the stress! I find it quite funny that people always start to knit faster as if that will make the yarn go farther or that you could out knit it the length. Although I shouldn't laugh too hard as that was me trying to see if there would be enough. I ended up with 2 inches remaining!

The Moss Stitch Cowl is Now Available on Ravelry

The Moss Stitch Cowl!

 I just uploaded The Moss Stitch Cowl pattern for purchase here and on Ravelry! I've been putting this off for 2 years - why? I have no idea . . .
This pattern was designed for my beginner knitting class for their second project. I wanted them to knit something that was

A) Something fuctional but fashion forward.

B) Something that would help them to identify the difference between knits and purls.

C) Something that would have both moss stitch and stocking stitch.

D) Something that would introduce them to knitting with nice yarn at an affordable price point - because no matter what your level of knitting (beginner to expert) you deserve to have decent yarn that doesn't make your skin crawl while you are knitting it. And yes, it does exist at all different price points! :)

It's a basic moss & stocking stitch cowl made from luxurious baby alpaca. The pattern includes instructions for working flat and in the round so when my students decided to tackle working in the round they already had a pattern that they were familiar with. It only takes one skein of yarn and a few hours of time to make. This cowl will be an instant hit in anyone's wardrobe. Enjoy!