Unrumpled

Lace looks so unimpressive while you're knitting it ...

The rumpled stitches are like ugly ducklings, awaiting their transformation ...

But once lace gets a good soak in wool wash and is blocked, it's an ugly duckling no more. How I love that part of the process! It never fails to make my heart leap just a little (sometimes a lot).

This is a new cowl design I'm working on, knit in Fibre Co. Meadow, a light fingering (almost laceweight) yarn. Usually, I like to audition a few yarns for a design, to get a feel for what fiber content and weight might be best. But once I made a couple swatches with Meadow, I felt no need to look at other yarns. Without a doubt, this rustic blend of merino, baby llama, silk, and linen was "the one." 

There's still some work to do on the pattern, plus photography, but it won't be too long a wait. Look for the pattern in early April.

P.S.  Did you know that free patterns are one of the rewards for my Patreon page? For a pledge of $2 per month, you'll receive a coupon code for one free pattern of your choice. For a $3 pledge, you'll get two free patterns. To learn more and see the progress of my Stitch Journal 2017 project, follow me on Patreon.

We're KALing!

The Shawls Etc. KAL started just last week, and already quite a few beautiful projects have been cast on. We've also been discussing podcasts, why we love knitting shawls, knitting in public, and other fun stuff. It's off to a great start!

Among the projects folks are making for the KAL: Firehouse Alley Cowl, from knit.wear fall 2016, which I knit in the soft and springy Elsa Wool Cormo Fingering (2 skeins, or about 900 yards).

This wide, lace-and-texture cowl is knit flat from a provisional cast-on. After blocking, the two ends can either be grafted or joined with a three-needle bind-off.

Hop Brook is another popular KAL project—which I knit in the very same yarn (yes, I love it that much!). This shawl takes just one skein (or about 450 yards). A pleasing mix of garter stitch and lace, it's knit from one end to the other, gradually increasing to the center, then decreasing. 

Next week, we'll have a Jeopardy-style Trivia Tuesday in the KAL, where free patterns will be given away. There will be another Trivia Tuesday later on, too. The KAL goes until April 20, so everyone can work at a comfortable, not-stressful pace. Hope to see you!

Pattern Update: Golden Valley Shawl

Pattern update news! Golden Valley, originally published on New Year's Day, has been expanded to include both fingering weight and sport weight versions.

I knit the new fingering weight sample of Golden Valley in Anzula Squishy, a blend of merino, cashmere, and nylon. It's so light and airy—perfect for spring and summer.

If you've already purchased the pattern, not to worry—a new, expanded pattern PDF will appear in your Ravelry library, ready for download.

Golden Valley would be an ideal project for the upcoming Shawls Etc. KAL in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group. Not up for making a shawl? That's OK—knit a scarf or cowl instead.

The KAL starts March 15 and continues through April 20. In addition to several lovely prizes, we're going to have pattern giveaways on Trivia Tuesdays. Hope to see you!

Shawls Etc. KAL Starts March 15

Save the dates! We've got a new KAL starting soon in the Ravelry Blue Peninsula group.

The Shawls Etc. KAL starts March 15 and ends April 20 — five full weeks to knit any of my shawl, cowl, or scarf designs. 

I hope you'll be able to join us. Pop over anytime to chat and see the prizes, including something new: Trivia Tuesdays!

Meanwhile, today I'm blocking the new fingering weight version of my Golden Valley Shawl, knit in the Hippo colorway of Anzula Squishy. Later this week, I'll update the pattern to include yardage, needles, and dimensions for both fingering and sport weight yarns. If you've already purchased it, you'll get a free pattern update in your Ravelry library.

Until then, have a great Sunday — and happy knitting!