Knitting Update: January 19, 2018

I finished up my Bolt Shawl this week.  I knit mine using 2 colors of Aerten Sock (80/10/10 SW merino/cashmere/nylon) in Soot (dark gray) and Chimney Sweep (speckle dye).

Pattern design by Veera Valimaki.  I used approximately 260 yards/60 g of Chimney Sweep and 218 yards/50 g of Soot to knit mine.

Very fun construction - and a quick knit to boot.  It features garter stitch stripes, short row shaping, multidirectional knitting and some plain garter stitch.   I would categorize this more as a large scarf than a true shawl - it's not very big - but it was a blast to knit AND I got to use a couple of my favorite colorways for the Wooly Wonkapalooza "gray" prompt. 

Knitting Wednesday: January 3, 2018

I'm really going to try to make sure I do more scheduled posts here on the blog in 2018!  (Giving myself permission to slide a bit when I'm on travel but otherwise, I'll attempt to be better about posting here.)

This week, I'm working on a few different knit projects:

• I'm in the home stretch on the contract design sweater I've been working on for what seems like ForEVER. The plan is to finish that up this week.  I ordered and received the buttons I need to fully finish it post-blocking, and it'd be really nice to have that off my plate. 

• I am hosting a year-long craftalong over in my Ravelry Group - Wooly Wonkapalooza 2018.  Each month we'll have a different set of prompts to try to motivate everyone (me included!) to get some crafting done - spinning, knitting, crocheting are all fair game.  January's prompts are lace projects and/or gray.  I've opted to cast on Veera Valimaki's Bolt Shawl in Aerten Sock in Chimney Sweep and Soot.  Just a small start on this, but it's a start!

On deck, I've got new designs to work on for Filament magazine's spring collection.  I've got yarn in hand for 2 of those, and another project's worth en route, so I'll have plenty to keep my needles busy.  I think the first thing I'll likely tackle is a colorwork set - I've got basic charting done on that and I'll be able to cast on once I take a look at some gauge numbers. 

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: January 25, 2017

An overview of what I'm currently working on:

Sekret Knitting:

• Just about done the shawl sample I'm taking to Stitches West.  Worked up using a new speckled dye colorway and a tonal solid, this is a fairly easy elongated crescent-shaped shawl that I'll have as a featured kit in the booth.

• I have (I think) 2 more rows of increases to do for the cabled sweater I'm working on for a Filament magazine issue.  I'm working this one up in a yummy merino/cashmere/silk DK weight from Shalimar Yarns in the Water's Edge colorway.  

• On deck is the sample for the March Sweater club, which will be knit up in my Freya DK (100% BFL yarn).

I've got no personal knitting on the go right now, as I'm mostly just attempting to get thru the deadline knitting that I've got queued up for the next 2 months.  Once I get the shawl finished up, I'll cast on for a hat/mittens set that's for the same Filament magazine issue since those are a fairly easy project (comparatively speaking).  All of the above need to be finished up by the first weekend in March, so until I get to that point, I'm going to not put anything other than work knitting on the needles!

WIP Wednesday: June 22, 2016

All the details about my WIPs can be found in this week's podcast episode:

For the short version:
FOs: 

Caramel Latte Socks: Pattern by CC Almon. Yarn is MCN Fingering from 2IBH in the “Fauve” colorway.
Shetland Shoreline:  Pattern by me.  Part of the Knitpicks Joyful Lace collection.

WIPs: 
Heathered cardigan 
Talisman Shawl 
Handspun Cabin Socks 
Design for Austin Yarn Crawl/The Happy Ewe

WIP Wednesday: June 8, 2016

The newest episode (#17) of the podcast is now live:

Here's the Cliff Notes version as well of what I'm working on:

Sekret Knitting

• The Fall 2016 design collection shawl is done!
• I have 1 sleeve left to knit on the Fall 2016 design collection sweater - that's my priority knit this week. 

Personal Knitting

• I put sock #2 of the self-striping Valentine's Day sock pair on the needles.
• I'm chugging along on my Whirlwind Romance shawl a bit every day.
• I still have the Heathered cardigan on the needles - will pick this back up once the last fall design piece is done.
• I'm also working on a pair of Caramel Latte socks from the Coffee with CC collection.  Sock #1 is done - and I'm working on sock #2 (about halfway up the foot).

WIP Wednesday: May 25, 2016

This week's podcast episode is now live wherein I talk about all the things (and I mean ALL the things) that I've got on the needles right now:

For those of you just here for the drive-by version, I'm working on:

Sekret Knitting:

• Fall 2016 design collection sweater #2: I've got the body just about done on this.  I have half the front to finish shaping at the neckline and about 14 rows to knit of the back.  Sleeve #1 is done, so I plan on working on sleeve 2 this weekend.
• Fall 2016 design collection shawl:  On the needles currently.  I just cast this one on (it's not even mentioned on the podcast!), but it's my focus project this upcoming week. 

Personal Knitting:  A caveat that I have several things at the 99% done stage - I'm waiting for Stash Dash 2016 to start on Friday (05/27/2016) to cast those off to be able to count the yardage.

• The Lizzie Shawl: I have 1 repeat of the knit-on lace edging to do and then this is done!
• Hermione's Everyday Socks:  I have just the final toe decreases to finish and then these are done!
• Espresso Macchiato Socks: I have 1 final heel to knit and then these are done!
• Handspun Targhee socks:  New to the line-up.  I'm not using a specific pattern, per se, but just a plain vanilla sock over 60 sts with size US 2 needles. 

• Whirlwind Romance shawl: Cast this on using one of my oldest stash yarns, Lisa Souza Sock!, 100% SW merino wool.  I'm using some silver-lined clear beads for this.

WIP Wednesday: April 27, 2016

For all the details, my newest podcast is now live:

All the show notes are available on the main website page.

For the drive-by version, I'm working on:

Sekret Knitting:

• The fingering-weight sweater for my fall 2016 pattern collection.  In Harrisville fingering weight shetland wool. 

Personal Knitting:

• A pair of French Vanilla Cappuccino Socks for the Coffee with CC KAL hosted by The Knitting Broomstick podcast.
• Ongoing Cozy Memories Blanket/mitered square scrappy blanket squares.
• And I'll be casting on The Lizzie Shawl for the Jane Austen KAL also hosted by The Knitting Broomstick. 

WIP Wednesday: April 6, 2016

Episode 9 of the Wooly Wonka Fibers podcast is now live!

But for the digest version, here's what I'm working on right now:

Sekret Knitting:

• Gradient handspun project for Spin-Off's Knit and Spin special edition - this is just over 1/3 done.
• 5th anniversary project for The Yarn Guys.  Casting this one on today!
• Fall 2016 collection project with The Woolen Rabbit Pearl. This is 1/2 done.
• May colorway of the self-striping sock yarn colorway for the shop.  Also 1/2 done.

Personal Knitting:

• Drachenfels Shawl using Wooly Wonka Ceridwen Sock.  About 2/3'rds done. For the Inside Number 23 and The Knitting Broomstick Harry Potter-alongs.
• Heathered cardi using Silky Wool.  I have about 10 rows left to finish the yoke. For the Tiny Paper Foxes make-along.

Spinning:

• Finished bobbin #1 of singles of the merino/bamboo custom blend that was the March Wooly Wonka Fibers club package and working on bobbin #2.

WIP Wednesday: March 9, 2016

And here's what I'm working on this week!

Sekret Knitting:

• More by the skin of my teeth than I'd like, I got the final magazine deadline project out the door.  (And no, it wasn't overnighted but I have issues about paying the Post Office a gazillion dollars to ship something, so I just power knitted for 2 days and shipped it out Thursday a.m. so it would arrive Monday via regular Priority Mail.)  Whew!
• I've moved onto a design I'm working up for Jen at Spirit Trail Fiberworks for her booth at Maryland Sheep and Wool.  While I can't share the design details with you, I can show you the fantastic colorway she sent me to work with.  This is on her Sunna fingering weight, which is a 75/15/10 blend of superwash merino/cashmere/bombyx silk.  She will have some of this colorway (Angel's Trumpet) up on the website shortly if you don't have plans to attend Maryland and want to pick some up.  It's a seriously beautiful yarn and I'm thrilled with the design so far.  This will be a summer/warm weather garment, with a bit of lace and minimal finishing that you can toss on for all sorts of occasions.  I'm just about finished all the upper portion of the bodice and I'm ready to start the lacey bits.  My plan is to have the sample finished by March 18th, so I'm focusing primarily on this right now. 

• Next in the design queue will be the Heroines shawl for May 1st.  I've got the yarn dyed for my sample and have the basic construction plotted out.  I need to tweak charting before I start knitting, but that'll be my focus project for the end of March. 

Personal Knitting:

• I'm still working on the sample sock(s) for the self-striping colorway for April.  I should have the first sock finished up at least in time for my podcast next week.
• And I cast on Kirsten Kapur/Through the Loops gorgeous Seastripes shawl pattern.  I'm knitting this with a handspun gradient that I spun last year with fiber from Hilltop Cloud.  I'm a wee bit farther along than this picture shows, but still working on the garter stitch section at the top of the shawl and just enjoying the knit.  I'm saving this as a relaxing and fun project for weekend knitting, so no real goals or timeframe on it.  I'll just work on it over the course of the month and see how far I get.

WIP Wednesday: February 17, 2016

For all the details, please see the podcast, episode 5, which is now live:

Otherwise, for the drive-by version:

Sekret Knitting:
The only deadline project I'm working on right now is the final sweater due March 8th.  I'm about 2/3rds of the way up the body to where I need to cast off for the underarms and then shape the rest of the garment top.  I've got sleeve 1 started, and I'll get that and the body finished up for sure this week, and hopefully get sleeve 2 cast on (and done if possible), which will just leave the front bands/collar and finishing to do when I get home!

Personal Knitting:  The only things on the needles right now are self-striping sock yarn samples.  I'm cutting myself off from any other personal projects for a bit while I finish my deadline knitting with the carrot that I get to start a new handspun shawl project if I can free up those needles.

WIP Wednesday: February 10, 2016

Sekret Knitting:

• I finished up the second Heroines Club shawl and blocked it.  I even shot photos for it yesterday and my tester is finishing up her version. 
• I'm halfway up sleeve #1 of the current sweater project, and I've cast on for the body.  I had some detail at the bottom hem I needed to fuss with regarding numbers, but that was less painful than I thought it might be (easy in fact), and so I am now cruising along on the body.  This is my focus project for the next couple of weeks. 

Personal Knitting:

• I finished my Dewberry cowl and love it!  It's soft and drapey, and was a quick fun project that used up some handspun.  What's not to love?  My version used a sportweight yarn - the pattern was written for Aran, so it's a bit smaller than the original.  I'm actually thinking I might knit it again in a heavier yarn just because.

• With Dewberry off the needles, I cast on a Quaker Yarn Stretcher with my recently spun Mirro Lake colorway BFL from Three Waters Farm.  I'm a bit farther along since this picture was taken - I knit on this during the Superbowl this weekend, and it's a quick and easy knit as well, so I made a lot of progress on it. 

At the rate I'm going, I'll probably have this finished up this weekend as well, and I've selected a more complex pattern to knit up with a gradient skein of handspun for my next on-the-needles project. 

• I have finished up the March self-striping socks colorway - those will preview on the podcast on Monday.

WIP Wednesday: February 3. 2016

For those of you following along on the antics via the Podcast, Episode 4 is now live!

For those of you here for just a quick drive-by update, here ya go!

Sekret Knitting:

• Sweater #2 of 3 is finished!  Sample is knit, blocked, buttons are on and it's ready for photography.  The draft is off in the capable hands of my TE for review as we speak.
• So I'm working on sweater 3 of 3.  Just started the first sleeve and I'll be working on the sleeves this week while I am finishing up the last bit of...
• The second Heroines Club Shawl pattern.  I'm in the final repeat of the biggest lace pattern, so hoping to have that off the needles by the end of the weekend and blocked!

Personal Knitting:

• I finished my Hogmanay Shawl.  If you are interested, you can find all the details on my Ravelry project page here.  A very successful project - I love how the pattern worked up in handspun.  I was able to use just about every yard of the skein too - win/win! 

• Having that off the needles, I cast on my next handspun project - the Dewberry Cowl by Hilary Smith Callis.   This one I'm knitting up in a handspun gradient in the Iceberg colorway that I spun up on Falkland from the shop.  Currently, I'm through the first 2 pattern sections and about to start section 3. 

• And finally, I'm still cranking thru samples of self-striping sock colorways.  I have a half-dozen of single socks right now, since I'm trying to keep ahead of new colorway releases, but this summer when things are a bit quieter (or sometime soon!) I need to get mates knit up.  Drives me crazy to have half-pairs of socks finished.

WIP Wednesday/New Podcast Episode

If you'd like to cut to the chase to hear what I'm working on, my newest podcast edition is now live on Youtube:

Or you can also catch it on Podbean here.   I'm still working on iTunes.  It does not want to play nicely with my Podbean account and I cannot figure out why.

However, if you are just here for a drive-by recap, here 'tis!

Sekret Knitting:

• Sweater #1:  I'm just about ready to put the body on hold so I can begin sleeve #2.  Sleeve #1 is done.  My plan is to try to get sleeve #2 finished this week and get the whole sheebang joined together so I can knit the remainder of the body and yoke. 
• Sweater #2:  I need to get sleeves on the needles this week for this one. 
• Sweater #3: On hold until I finish sweater #1.

Personal Knitting:

• I'm still working away in bits and bobs on various striped sock samples for the shop.
• I also started Jen Lucas's Hogmanay Shawl out of handspun.  This is for the Handspun KAL I'm hosting for 2016.  I've knit Chart A and now 8 repeats of Chart B.  I'm just picking this up as I have time/interest and will be working on it all month. 

WIP Wednesday: November 25, 2015

Sekret Knitting:

• I'm in the home stretch on the first Heroines Club Shawl pattern for 2016.  I have a couple more hours of knitting time to put in on it, and it'll be done and ready to head off for tech editing/testing.  I'm looking forward to sending this one out into the world - it's a really fun set of gradients!
• The yarn just arrived yesterday for the next deadline project, which will be a fair isle/stranded knitting garment.  Lots of knitting to do on that with a pretty short deadline, so I'll be focused on that for the next couple of weeks. 
• Waiting on yarn for 2 other deadline projects that got accepted for Fall 2016 publications - one is small-ish and the other is a men's garment, so I have plenty on the deadline knitting front to keep me busy for a while. 

Personal Knitting: 

• Because I suffer heartily from the Cobbler's Wife syndrome (as in... I knit constantly, and hardly ever have knitwear to wear myself), and I needed a new hat, I cast on for a Felicity Hat in some of my oldest stashed handspun yarn.  This is a blend of wool and mohair (60/40 maybe?) in the Winter Dawn colorway, which is kind of a dusty mauve/purple colors.  When I purchased it, or even when I spun it, is lost in the mists of time - it's VERY well-aged stash.  It was sometime pre-Ravelry and it's been waiting for a project. 

• I haven't made any further progress on it, but just to show an updated picture of my Mesa Verde shawl, here it is.  I've got another repeat and a half to do to finish it up and may work on this a bit over the holiday weekend if I have some spare knitting minutes. 

I've got a bad case of startitis right now.  I suppose that's what one does when faced with mountains of deadline knitting?  I'm trying valiantly to suppress the urge to cast on new quickie projects - that's what I've been in the mood to knit right now (and maybe a fallout from a lot of larger deadline projects?).  I also have 2 WIPs, which is a rare occurrence for me.  One is the mystery shawl from Kirsten Kapur from this summer.  I think I have clues 4, 5 and 6 left to knit.  The other is a pair of socks which I've gotten as far as the cuff and maybe 1-1/2" down the leg on.  Both of these are holdovers from many months ago - like last spring (socks) and summer (shawl).  I generally don't like to leave things on the needles this long.  I am strongly considering frogging the socks and starting over with something else.  I'd like to finish the shawl, but I may have to wait a bit on that and try to work on it after December 20th when I'll need to have 2 of the 3 deadline projects (other than the Heroines shawl), finished.

WIP Wednesday: December 2, 2015

Sekret Knitting:

• I finished the shawl for the Heroines Club January kit.  That is off to my TE and test knitter. 
• I started the big stranded garment knitting deadline project this weekend.  I've got 1 sleeve about half-knit and I've started on the body, with about 2" of that finished).  I'm going to get sleeve #1 done completely and cast on for sleeve #2.
• I have 2 other deadline projects, 1 large, 1 small, that I'm waiting on yarn to start. 

Personal Knitting:

• The handspun Felicity hat is done!  It's maybe a wee bit dense with this yarn (which is more like an Aran then a worsted), but it's SUPER warm because of that and the mohair content.  This was a really quick and easy project.  I only used half of the yardage of this handspun, so I could either knit another hat, or might knit a pair of gauntlet-length fingerless mitts, or a pair of mittens.

• I also finished my Mesa Verde Shawl #2, which I knit out of Rowan Scottish Tweed from deep stash.  

Pattern Releases

I have a metric tonnage of catching up to do with pattern releases now that Free Spirit Knits has gone live, so I'm devoting a post solely to new designs today.  Grab a seat and some nice fall-themed beverage - I've got a bunch.

First up, my newest stand-alone release is my Mina Jacket, which is knit from the lovely Brigantia yarn from Spirit Trail Fibers.  This fitted jacket has a large cable panel up the back with integrated waist shaping, a relatively plain front with just a small cable at the front openings, and then a textured/cabled pattern for the set-in sleeves.  You can opt to make it with or without the front waist/bust shaping, but I like as a trim little layering piece for fall.  You can see this beauty in person in Jen's booth at Rhinebeck this year!

Next up are the currently released patterns from Free Spirit Knits, which is now available both via Amazon and via Interweave.  (Interweave's site has a downloadable ebook available, as well as the print version.  Links to both Amazon and Interweave sites in the individual pattern links to follow).

I just released the Saguaro Blossom Hat, knit from less than 200 yards of worsted weight yarn with a fun cabled pattern on the top reminiscent of the large night-blooming flowers of the saguaro cacti in Arizona.

Then there's the Three Sisters Shawl, knit with Lucent fingering weight from my friend, Kim at The Woolen Rabbit.  This is a great lace project to keep you occupied this fall.  Several fun lace stitch patterns for the body, and a knit-on cable and lace border.

If you are looking for a slightly smaller lace shawl, I've also got my Tres Flores Shawl available. This one is knit from 3 herby-green shades of Jamieson and Smith's jumperweight wool, but it would be lovely in a solid color, or even knit up with a gradient!

I've also released the pattern for the Petroglyph Socks, knit from the wonderfully soft and warm sock yarn blend from my friend, Terry, at Snowshoe Farm Alpacas in Vermont.  These are sized for both men and women, and would be a great project to start now and gift over the holidays.

Finally, my Aspens Cardigan, which is here just in time for fall leaf season in the mountains.  One of my favorites in the book, as well as the cover image, this fingering-weight project has leaf lace motifs in a large center panel on the back, as well as trimming the front bands and centered on the sleeves.  Knit from Brooklyn Tweed's Loft, it's a wonderful season-spanning wardrobe builder.

Whew!  That's a whole lotta knits to review at once.  More to come as I have another 12 patterns to release from The Book, as well as several more stand-alones to roll out in the next month!

WIP Wednesday: August 26, 2015

Sekret Knitting:

• Super happy!  I finished up my Mina Jacket for Spirit Trail Fiberworks.  Photo shoot this Saturday, and the draft is with my TE and my tester can tackle her version shortly.  Feels good to get this deadline project off my plate and it came out beautifully.
• Next on the deadline list is the cardigan for Bare Naked Wools.  I'm knitting this up in the fingering weight Stone Soup, a yoke-neck patterned cardigan using several of the yummy natural colors this yarn comes in.  I've got the body done up to the armpits, and I've finished sleeve #1 and joined that to the body.  I'm working on sleeve 2 this week and I'd like to have that finished to point I can start the yoke next week. 
• I'm also working on a shawl project for an Interweave collaboration book - this one is on the needles and I'm working on it as I fit in bits and bobs of free time.

Personal Knitting:

I actually have something finished!  Go me!  This is my 3S Shawl (a free pattern on Ravelry).  I knit this up as a show sample for the Salida Fiber Festival in 2 weeks out one skein of my Arianrhod Sock in the gradiant colorway "Hollyhocks" (new for the show).

I think this is one of my all-time favorite colorways and the skein worked perfectly for a nicely sized single-skein shawl.

I added in a row of eyelets every 10 rows of garter stitch and then I did a picot bind-off, as I like how that edging looks and it allowed me to get a little scalloped edge action going, which I also love. 

Come visit in the booth if you'll be attending Salida and you can see this one in person for yourself!  (I'll have this colorway  available then as well!)

WIP Wednesday: August 19, 2015

Sekret Knitting:

• I finished up the sweater jacket for Spirit Trail Fibers this week, and it's on to my TE and tester, with photography to come at the end of the month. 
• I've been focusing on the Bare Naked Wools sweater.  I've knit up half of one sleeve, and I'm through the waist shaping decreases.  My goal it so get this knit up to the armpits and try to finish that first sleeve this week.  I've set myself a final deadline of September 15th to have this done so I can get all the behind-the-scenes tidbits completed in time to ship out in early October for Rhinebeck.
• I also want to get the project for the Interweave book under good way, so that's also on the to-do list.

Personal Knitting:  I've just been working on the single-skein 3S Shawl sample I'm knitting for my booth out of 1 skein of Arianrhod Sock that I dyed in the Hollyhock colorway.  This is a 5-color gradiant, and I've knit colors 1 and 2, and working on color 3, so about halfway through the skein. 

This is my mindless project, so I'll just get done what I get done on it, but I'd like to get through color 3 and into color 4 this week. 

WIP Wednesday: August 12, 2015

Here's what I'm working on this week:

Sekret Knitting:

• I'm in the home stretch of the Mina Jacket I'm working up for Spirit Trail Fibers.  I'm finishing up the shaping on the second sleeve cap, and then I just have the front bands to do (still waiting on buttons).  The rest of the garment is put together and just needs a block to be done then.
• I started the cardigan I'm designing for Bare Naked Wools using their Stone Soup fingering weight.  I started the first sleeve and that's about two-thirds finished.  This will be my main focus project now for the next couple of weeks. 
• I had a project accepted for an Interweave Press compilation book, so I've got the yarn for that dyed and I'll work on charting and a pattern draft this week as well. 

Personal Knitting:  Since I'm heading off to vend at the Salida Fiber Festival the second weekend in September, I wanted to get a show sample knit up in one of my new gradiant colorways.   This is "Hollyhocks" and I'm knitting up the free 3S Shawl pattern by Amy Meade.  This is a simple garter stitch and eyelet shawl that's an elongated triangular shape and takes about 1 skein of fingering weight yarn.  Simple, fun and hopefully a quick knit. 

WIP Wednesday: June 10, 2015

This week I'm working on:

Sekret Knitting:

• The next Heroines Shawl project, which is not-quite halfway completed.  I'm taking this with me on the plane to Austin, so I'm hoping to have the main body finished and maybe even start on the edging. 
• The Spirit Trail Fibers sweater, which I'm sort of waffling about the cable motif on the back, so this piece will likely get frogged and restarted.  
• A summery cowl for The Yarn Guys in a super-soft pima cotton fingering-weight yarn, Pandora.

Personal Knitting: 

• The Through The Loops mystery shawl.  I've worked thru clue 1, and clue 2 just released Monday.  You can see the details on my project page on Ravelry here, in case any of you are working on it and not quite this far along yet.  I'm using Wooly Wonka Arianrhod Sock in Azalea for the main color and Dusk for the contrast color.  (side note: I really want to make a sweater for myself from Azalea.  I should just get off my keister and dye up the yarn for it.)

• The ongoing gradiant socks.  One is done - I need to knit another inch or so and then I can start on the heel flap of #2.