What’s New?

I’m so happy to be writing this post! I’ve really missed my written Wednesday works-in-progress posts since I started the podcast. Don’t get me wrong…I’m enjoying the podcast and exploring a new way to communicate but honestly, I’d way rather write than edit video! 🙂 And while we’re on the subject, many, many thanks to everyone who has been hanging in there for the podcast. I know it’ll get better as I learn, but I sure appreciate your support right now while I fumble along.

I have been working so very hard and this is such a very good thing! I’m trying hard to hit the deadlines I set for myself and, while not always successful, I’ve been a pretty good girl! I’ve published two sock patterns this month, Sugar Cubes and Clementine, and have two more up my sleeve. That will make a total of four published paid-for patterns, plus my Free Pattern Friday patterns this month. That’s a whole lotta knittin’, a whole lotta writin’ and a whole lotta very helpful and supportive people! (Test and sample knitters, you know who you are 😉

Here are a few little hints at things to come:

Sweet Onions Socks

I’m so happy with these (and so happy they’re done)! It seems that, no matter how well one prepares and troubleshoots, it’s impossible to get things right on the first crack. I think I’ve knitted these socks half a dozen times…or maybe it just feels like it. The idea with these was to make a pattern to use with self-striping or variegated yarns. You know, the yarn we all love because we can let it do all the work while we knit vanilla socks. Except vanilla socks get boring. So! I thought I’d add a little action down each side while maintaining those flat plains of color where variegated yarns really shine. I enjoyed it while knitting the self stripes of Lana Grossa Meilenweit Extrem Tono, but now I’m kind of intrigued about how they’d work up in a solid, letting the cable work really strut. Hmmm. Maybe after Sock Month is over, I can knit a solid pair in a really funky color. For now, however, these fabulous pink & orange stripes will have to do! Sweet Onions makes its debut this coming Friday along with an encouraging BOGO pattern deal 😉

Fair Haven Picnic Blanket

I was in Fair Haven last week visiting Miss Laura in the forest. Ahhhh….it was lovely. The first couple of nights were really cold! I was so grateful for my woolies…I even wore a hat to bed! In between eating barbeque and ice cream, I managed to get a good bit done on the Fair Haven Picnic Blanket which will be our Free Pattern Friday offering over the holiday long weekend. The color combination pleases me very much. I feel I need to add some pink, though, (“Cerise”, to be precise) and I’m crossing my fingers that the extra yarn will arrive from Knit Picks in time. Gosh, it’s been fun to knit. It’s especially great because it doesn’t sit in your lap while you’re knitting on those hot Saturday afternoons.

Picnic Socks

I didn’t realize it at first, but the Meadow Stripes colorway from Patons Kroy works beautifully with the Picnic Blanket palette without being too matchy-matchy. Imagine my delight! Once again, they’ve been knitted at least five times, but I’m in love with this sweet design. They work up quickly because of their shorter length. Patons Kroy is put up in 166 yard lengths…perfect for a shorter sock. Once again, I’m reaching for simple stitch patterns and combinations to keep things interesting while working with self-striping yarn. They are currently unphotographable and so will have to remain secret 😉

FPF #18

This is a sneak-peak of what’s in store this Friday. I won’t say what it is, but I’ll hope to hook you with the pretty colors. Tune in to Free Pattern Friday for further details.

Bags!

What do you suppose these are? Why, Project Bags, of course! I’m working very hard towards having my little shop open by June 24th. Rather than wait for the entire line I’d planned to be completed, I thought I’d start with the first three styles and add on as time permits. I’m really quite excited about them! I’ve got one of all three styles out for a test drive as we speak and so far so good.

If I ever hope to get the little shop configured and running, I’d better go! See you tomorrow with a really cool yarn fixation I’ve been having…