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patterns

Introducing Fibonerdy!

Apr 12th, 2013
by KKR.
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I’m a nerd… it’s not really a secret. Fibonerdy is an example of my soft spots for terrible puns, color, and interesting math concepts. Available now on Ravelry for $6.00USD (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fibonerdy)

It’s a Fibonacci-inspired crescent shawl, where the colors march along in a compelling 13-8-5-3-2-1 sequence. There is no short row shaping, and the versatile shape can be worn as a shawl, a cache-coeur wrap, or a generous scarf.

(This is cache-couer style; wrap in front and tie in the small of your back.)

This shawl is an exaggerated crescent worked in garter stitch from the nape outwards. The shape is the result of its long tab beginning, occasional increases at the center, and regular increases at each side. There is also a dropped yarn over at the edge to make sure it is soft and elastic.

Pattern calls for two skeins of fingering weight yarn; I used two skeins of Cephalopod Yarn’s Skinny Bugga – MC – Montauk Monster; CC – Leafy Sea Dragon. 75% of my MC and 93% of my CC were knit up in the sample shown; the edge is easily adjusted to be worked longer or shorter in alternate colors.  Again, available now on Ravelry for $6.00USD (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fibonerdy)

(By definition, the first two numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two. So, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc… I did take some small liberties, for the sake of design!)

His Golden Lair – Errata

Mar 27th, 2013
by KKR.
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Two diligent knitters have let me know about some small errors – Version 2.2 (and anything downloaded after March 26, 2013) has these errors corrected.

In anything before this version (2.2), there were three small errors in written instructions and one chart error.  Anything downloaded after Mar. 26, 2013 has been corrected.  The errors corrected are italicized as follows:

Written Instructions, SECTION III: COINS III CONT’D – R11: Kfb, k2, p5, *k3, p3* ten times, p1, m1p, p1, slM, p1, k3, p1, slM, p1, m1p, p4, *k3, p3* ten times, p2, k2, kfb.
Written Instructions, SECTION IV: COINS IV – R10: Kfb, k8, *p1, yo, p1, k3* thirteen times, k3, slM, k1, p1, yo, p1, k1, slM, k6, *p1, yo, p1, k3* thirteen times, k5, kfb.
Written Instructions, SECTION V: SCALES I - R1 (RS): Kfb, k2, p4, C2Ri, p3, *C3Rd, p3, C3R, p3* six times, C3Rd, p3, C2Ri, p2, slM, p1, C3Rd, p1, slM, p2, C2Ri, *p3, C3Rd, p3, C3R* six times, C3Rd, p3, C2Ri, p4, k2, kfb.
Charted Instructions, Chart E – Scales I – Row 1 updated to delete two extra purl stitches, one on each side of the center panel.

I hope this hasn’t caused any of you too much frustration!

K.

Feb 6, oooo…

Feb 7th, 2013
by KKR.
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Today, I felt wonky. Mostly because I had an appalling lack of sleep – I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: pristiq is turning out to be nasty to get off of. It was a skipped pristiq day yesterday, and what I’ve been doing is staying in a holding pattern with a given dose until I don’t have any side effects, then step down again.

Judging by yesterday’s insomnia, I shall be on two, off one for a while longer.

I’ll also be doing this for a while longer:

I’d forgotten how slow pre threading hundreds of beads can be. I apologize in advance for this one, but trust me: it’s going to be so worth it.

Wanna know what it’s going to be? Check in next week :)

Introducing His Golden Lair…

Jan 28th, 2013
by KKR.
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His Golden Lair is now available on Ravelry… (link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/his-golden-lair ).  I read the Hobbit as a child, and I clearly remember the cover illustration.  Smaug (the dragon) was coiled about his gold and he had one eye slitted open.  This shawl is inspired by that image – the cabled stitches form both stacks of coins and represent that narrowed eye.  They transition into scales, and the edges and overall shape represent his wings, spread wide and darkening the sky.

 

This is a more complex knit; the eyelet cables and patterning on every row couple with the rates of increase to create a shawl that is very balanced when complete, but not exactly predictable while knitting.  But as with many quests, the treasure is worth the effort!

It’s a nice size – not too small for me (at 5’11, I’ve got a pretty decent wingspan myself), and not too big for the petite, either.  From nape to point, it’s about 45cm/18″, and the inner wingspan is about 160cm/62″.

This pattern is both fully written and fully charted.  It begins at the nape, and has greater rates of increase on the edges than at the center, which creates a broad and shallow triangle.    Stitch counts are provided for every row, and the central spine and markers are bolded in the written instructions.  The ‘coins’ have been written as cable instructions, though if you are familiar with working twisted stitches, you may find them quicker and easier to substitute.

It’s part of a loose collection of knits inspired by the Hobbit and Tolkien – Knits For There And Back Again.  I knit the original in Verdant Gryphon’s Mondegreen (http://www.verdantgryphon.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=117) , in a color named ‘You’re Giving Me Sexy Gherkins’.  It’s an intense, complex yellow green – what it makes me think of most is the color of extra-virgin olive oil.

In the interest of presenting options to knitters, my testknitter (the amazing goodgrieflucy) used Aslan Trands “King Baby Llama & Mulberry Silk”.  It’s also very nice, and has great sheen and drape… but honestly, not a spot on the Mondegreen!  Splurge on the hand-dyed!

 

I published a tad earlier than the rest of the collection – I’d like to claim it was an organized teaser, but really: I was just plowing through my to-do list, and missed that small detail.  It’s now available on Ravelry, for $6.00 USD, ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/his-golden-lair ).  I’m so very happy with this design; as I said, it’s more complex than most of my designs, but well worth the effort.

The Continuing Saga… Or Should I Say Yarn?

Jan 15th, 2013
by KKR.
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So, this blog might seem like it’s all about meds, for the next little while.  Trust me when I say this is not all that my life is about; I’m just trying to document my experience and put the information out there, because maybe it will help someone else.

There’s still manic tonnes of knitting going on.  Trust me.  I did a bit of a stash survey, and I’m officially on a yarn fast for a while.  I was unofficially on a yarn bender for the last quarter of 2012.  Anyways.

I’ve begun the skip a Pristiq periodically plan, and I think that the skipped Pristiq days result in a migraine that arrives at about midnight.  Dreaming about having a migraine, only to wake up, with a migraine?  It kind of sucks.  On the other hand, I can take Advil before bed, that lessens the migraine.  It also seems to monkey with my natural circadian rhythms, which is something I remember from when I started on the Pristiq.

Maybe I’m just extra-sensitive to this drug, but honestly, I’m not sure I would have started it if I had know that the extrication process would be so… complex, and the effects it would have on my focus.  The ringing in my ears is getting less, and varying on the days that I skip the Pristiq, so I’m hopeful that that’s going to go away forever once I’m off of it.  I did have a hearing assessment, and it turns out: I have crappy hearing.  This isn’t a huge surprise, there’s terrible hearing on my dad’s side of the family.  I can’t hear high notes at all, really.

Sadly, I can still hear that awful SQUEAK PHOEEET of the plastic flute.  If only it were an octave higher…

I’m not discounting the depression I was feeling (that I’m not feeling, now).  My mood is stable and positive, I just can’t focus for… hey, I need a new cup of tea.  And I should change the load in the washer.  What should we have for supper?  I think I need to wash the towels, too.  Right, this needs to be dusted.

Which is how I end up in my upstairs bathroom, holding a piece of frozen halibut, feeling thirsty.  I’m confident it’ll pass, and I’m trying to adjust my reality a bit to allow for hey, did I set the pvr for Downton Abbey?

Depression is hard to understand or explain, if you’ve never suffered from it.  It’s hard for me to clearly remember it, or put it into words.  I’ve just deleted several hundred words that were doing a terrible job of trying to explain it.  This is my last try:  You know those things at the gym, that are half a spongy ball, with a hard surface, and you can balance on them, to work your core muscles more (or something, I’ve never touched ‘em)?  Imagine that you’re trying to balance on one of those all day, everyday.  Except instead of balancing your physical body, you’re balancing your emotions.  It takes a huge effort to recognize anything positive, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t enjoy things as much as you know you should.  That can trigger guilt, or self-loathing, or more apathy.  Everything feels deeply exhausting, and nothing feels good.  It’s not as simple as ‘feeling sad’.

Anyways, on that note, I should go investigate the silence… oh wait, they must be playing sleeping babies.  They just woke up.  Good, I can keep ignoring
them letting them play, and work on the final edit for His Golden Lair, my Smaug inspired shawl.

Winter Blooms, Popping Up All Over The Place!

Dec 24th, 2012
by KKR.
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Maybe not all over the place… but then again, maybe!  The charming Ellen of Earthfaire is now carrying Winter Bloom as a kit.  If you’re not familiar with Earthfaire, and you like beaded knitting… well.  You’re missing out.  She has a selection of unique and spectacular patterns, kits, and beads, and I’m delighted to be a part of it!

She has put together a variety of kits that include the yarn, beads, and hard copy of the pattern; links are below.  I have to say, if I had to pick between them, I’d have a tough time!  There’s three colors kitted right now, in different yarns…

http://earthfaire.com/winter-bloom-shawl-medium-blue-ella-raebeads-p-6084.html

http://earthfaire.com/winter-bloom-shawl-canopy-plumbeads-p-6073.html

http://earthfaire.com/winter-bloom-shawl-forest-green-ella-raebeads-p-6079.html

Introducing Winter Bloom

Nov 29th, 2012
by KKR.
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I’m not always fond of winter… but I do think it’s lovely!  Inspired by thoughts of snow and hoarfrost, I designed this small shawl in two slightly different shapes, a shallow and slightly more curved shawl.  It’s now available on Ravelry, here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-bloom-3 , for $6.00USD.

Both versions use a single skein of fingering and about 255 beads.  The grey version is the shallower of the two – it’s worked in Sweet Georgia’s CashLuxe Fine, and it’s a really lovely yarn.  There are beads placed using a small crochet hook to slip the bead over a completed stitch.  They make the “berries” in the pattern’s name.

  

The turquoise is more curved, and I chose Cascade’s “Heritage Sock Yarn”, and I was pleasantly surprised by it!  My most excellent test knitter did a beautiful job on with it, as always.

The shawl begins with a garter stitch crescent (with written instructions, and no short rows!), then you choose one of two shapes, and knit from the charted instructions.   (Sorry, for brevity, I chose to include the two shape options, but not the written instructions for the lace edging.)

It’s available from my Ravelry store, at this link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-bloom-3 for $6.00USD.  There will also be kits available at The Loop, here in Calgary, http://theloop-kensington.com/ .

Sometimes I Wonder Too.

Nov 23rd, 2012
by KKR.
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I photograph a lot of finished objects in my backyard.  I’m sure that my neighbours must occasionally wonder – I know one of their dogs is sure confused by me.

Today, you can clearly see on my face that I was wondering what I was up to, too.  It was very bright, and quite cold.  Well, it was only -10C, but that seems pretty cold in a t-shirt!

Yeah.  Suffering for art.  Minor frost bite and terrible squint lines!

I have a hard time not making faces in photos… clearly I failed.  Badly.  In at least these two.  But the shawl looks great; enjoy your teaser of Winter Bloom.

The good news is that the others photos look great, and I hope to have a new pattern to release tomorrow!

Introducing Ottavia!

Nov 4th, 2012
by KKR.
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This is Ottavia, and much like the eight child of an Italian family must occasionally be, she’s been a little overlooked.  I published her shortly before we left for Rhinebeck, and things were a bit of a furor.  So, tardy but lovely, please meet Ottavia!  She’s available in my Ravelry store here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ottavia-shawl for $6.00USD.

Ottavia is five-eights of an octagon, knit in an aran-weight yarn.  She’s really lovely, both as a generous scarf or a shawl.

The purple version is knit in Tanis Fiber Arts’ Green Label Aran Weight (Dove); the orange is the luscious Oban by Curious Creek Fibers (Autumn In New York).  In both cases, I used three skeins of 187m/205yd.

I can’t say enough good things about the yarns or the shawl.  I loved them all.  Actually, I would have liked to knit the purple Ottavia, but goodgrieflucy (the amazing) knit it up for me, despite its, er, purpleness.  Sorry A_____.

Ottavia is, in some ways, Escalope’s big sister; however she has an additional eighth and it would be easy to increase the size (providing you bought another skein of yarn).

Hm.  I may very well go and snuggle up in the Oban Ottavia… the house is cool tonite and it’s my bedtime.  Again, the pattern is available here for $6.00USD: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ottavia-shawl .

PS: Bonus for the LSG hoars, 15% off any of the patterns in my Rav store with the code LSGLOVE12 .

Introducing Rufino!

Oct 6th, 2012
by KKR.
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This shawl has been in form or another for a while - I knit the original for our Italy tip, but the edging rework took some time.  It’s all ready to go now though!  I’m delighted to introduce you to Rufino, available to knit in fingering OR heavy laceweight, from Ravelry for $6.00 USD buy now

 

The laceweight version uses about 550m/600yds, and I chose Cephalopod Yarns “Nautilace”.  That stuff is GORGEOUS.  I’m a little envious of my test-knitter, goodgrieflucy, but I have a couple more skeins just for me to use :)

This shawl is more about texture and less about open-work – the laceweight shawl could probably be blocked larger yet, but I wanted a gentle block so that the garter stitch texture wouldn’t be lost.

The fingering weight shawl uses just one 385yd skein of fingering weight yarn; it’s very satisfying.

There is no clear imagery in this shawl, and the minimal yarn-overs mean that it will be easy to wear.

It also has a slightly exaggerated (but symmetrical) rate of increase, so each triangle that makes up the shawl is slightly more than a 45 degree triangle.  This means that the shawl lends itself to draping and wrapping, and will stay put over your shoulders.

Again, Rufino is avaialble for $6.00 USD in my ravelry store – here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rufino-shawl . Happy knitting!

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