Lori Shrugged

I am finally finished.  After many test knittings and revisions, here is my newest originally designed knitting pattern:  "Lori Shrugged".

You can download my pattern at: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/knit-zilla-ravelry-downloads and you should be able to get it, without opening an account at http://ravelry.com/.  However, a ravelry account is free, and will give you access to many newly designed patterns, as well as a look at knit/crochet projects posted by many members.  You can also look up projects you are currently working on, and see what other's have found about the pattern, and the type of yarns used.

It took me a while to set up my Ravelry Pattern Store, because I am very "techno-challenged", but with some help from the nice people at Ravelry, I was finally able to do it.  I was surprised to find that 4 patterns were downloaded in the first hour they were available, and as of this posting, 10 have sold.  You may want to check out my other patterns there.  Some are free to download, and have been written about in previous posts.

I have gotten a lot of wear out of this little shrug.  Although it is cool enough to wear in the hot summer months, the cotton/linen blend yarn used, does not have enough stretch and recovery to be to my total liking.  It does stretch out a bit.

Although the sun is in my eyes, the shrug will prevent my back and neck from getting sunburned, which is always what happens.  After wearing it to several family functions, I received quite a few requests from other's who wanted one.  This gave me the chance to really give my pattern a good test, and several errors were found.

Here is Carissa in her's.  She has really enjoyed it.  The weather has gotten really warm in Idaho, so she has packed it away until fall.

This is Emily's.  She has been too busy to come over and try it on for photographing.  She wanted the long-sleeved version, which I like even better.  I'm sure she'll look really cute in it, when it is cool enough to wear it.  It is knit from an angora/merino blend, and although it is more stretchy than mine, it is warmer too.

Here is the back view.  You can see that the lace pattern continues in the back and down the sleeves.  The ruffle is knit all the way around, on a circular needle.  If this is a design that you would like to try, check it out on Ravelry, and of course, let me know what you think.

My sister's looks just like mine, and was finished and delivered right before her son's wedding.  Alex's was knit out of a heavier wool yarn, and she won't get it until her birthday.  It would be way too hot wear right now anyway.  Laura's is still on the needles.  It is being knit out of a cashmere/merino blend in ivory, and I think it will end up being my favorite.  Anyway, when Laura's is finished, so am I.   I'm sick of knitting the same thing over and over again. Happy knitting . . .

WINNER OF GIVE-AWAY

Today is June 30, 2011, and we have a WINNER from the latest Knit-Zilla "give-away".  The winner is AUDREY JACOBSEN.  I hope Audrey enjoys this little Braided Buttonband, which was knit from 100% alpaca yarn.  It is soooooo soft and warm, which is not really a concern right now, when the temperatures are well above 90 degrees.  But . . . that will certainly change when Fall arrives. 

The pattern for this Braided Buttonband, and the Lace Leaves Buttonband are availabe for sale at:  http://www.ravelry.com/stores/knit-zilla-ravelry-downloads  They are my original designs, and can be found, along with all of my patterns (some are free) at this same location.

Krista Tee

This little top has been in the "on the needles" section of this blog, for quite some time.  It is the first item I have finished for myself, this year.  It was finished back in May, but it took me some time to get it blocked and photographed for posting.

"Krista Tee"

Designed by:  Joan McGowan-Michael

http://www.whiteliesdesigns.com/

Knit Picks Shine Worsted (Black)

5 skeins

Size:  Bust 42.5" (West up 2 sizes to achieve gauge)

Needle size:  US 7

The pattern was easy to follow, but I was afraid the neck opening would be too wide and too low for my liking.  So . . . I widened the shoulders and raised the lace panel at the neckline.  It fits perfectly.

The reason I picked one of Joan's designs, was my desire to learn how to make knits fit in a more body-conscious way.  On this pattern, she simply had you switch to smaller needles for three inches at the waistline, to pull it in closer to the body.  This method worked great!

The sleeves also had an unusual shaping, which pulled them in tight to the shoulders at the top of the arms-eye.  I have ugly upper arms, so I lengthened the sleeves quite a bit (5 inches), which was an easy transition.  I'm sure I will get a lot of use out of this top, and I have purchased yarn to make one for my friend too.  Hopefully, I'll get to knitting it before summer is over.  Her's is going to be white, and since we spent time together when I was knitting this one, I'm sure she will like it.  Happy Knitting . . .

Reminder:  A drawing will be held on June 30, 2011 for the "Braided Button Headband" made in 100% Alpaca yarn, from a previous post.  The drawing will come from the "Followers" of this blog (see "Followers" section to the right).  If you are interested in winning, get signed up now.



Lavender Shoulder Warmer

On Mother's Day, I was given a beautiful, lavender lace dress.  It fit perfectly, but the 3/4 sleeves were sheer lace, and my arms are not my best trait.  So I went to http://ravelry.com/ in search of a small jacket or shrug, that could be worn over the dress.  I found this great knitting pattern, designed by Laura Chau:

“Shoulder Warmer”

Designed by:  Laura Chau

http://www.cosmicpluto.com

Size:  L (Bust 40”)

Needle size:  5mm (US 8) and 5.5mm (US 9)

Knit Picks – CotLin DK Yarn (Whisper)

6 balls

Here is the finished product, modeled by "my body double".  I lengthened the 3/4 sleeves, shown on the pattern, to a bracelet-length sleeve.

It was knit from the top-down, with a raglan sleeve.  I always think a raglan sleeve is flattering.  It gives the shoulder-line a perfect fit.  The wrap-around ribbing was picked-up from the body stitches and ribbed in two-size needles (US8 for 2" & US9 for 3"), to allow the border to flare-out on the body.  The back-neck can be worn rolled over a bit, or it can be worn up on the back of the neck.

 After the cast-off, it had a tendancy to overstretch at the ribbing edge, making it flare away from the body and not hold it's shape, so added a loose crocheted edging to pull it back in.  I think this occurred as a result of the type of yarn I selected.  The yarn is a linen/cotton blend, which I thought would be cool for the Summer.  The yarn had no natural stretch to it, so it had no stretch and recovery, other than what was knit-in.  In the future, I do not plan to switch to the larger needles, if I am using the same type yarn.

The yarn was purchased on-line, and as you know, not all computer monitors portray color in the same way. I took a chance that the yarn would match the dress.  Purple tones are always difficult to match, but I got lucky . . . it worked out this time.

Here I am wearing the finished product.  I was really happy with the outcome.

Flabby arms are always best hidden, rather than flapping around in the wind.

My husband was getting a little creative with the camera.  I really was not preparing to go under the limbo stick.  I hope you knitters will purchase this pattern and give it a try,  It is the perfect little Summer cover-up, even worn over a tank top or cami. 

I am blocking the Krista Tee (shown in "on the needles" to the right).  It should be ready for posting next week.  And, I am know working on the 5th test-knit of my new original pattern (Lori Shrugged).  I'm having a little difficulty getting my Store set-up on http://ravelry.com/, but I hope to have everything resolved soon.  When that is accomplished, I will post pictures of the new pattern.  By that time, I should have 6 of them knit, so I should be able to show you samples of several sizes, knit in several different type yarns.  Happy Knitting!

Meet Cocoa Bean and Licorice Whip

The time has come . . .

We have purchased our first two Alpacas.  Please meet:

Cocoa Bean

&

Licorice Whip

These two gals were purchased from Crooked Fence Alpacas in Mona, Utah  http://crookedfencealpacas.com/, where Steve has been learning about the alpaca business, and how to care for these cuties.  They both look a little naked, as these pictures were taken on shearing day.  The fleece from both is currently being milled into our first 100% alpaca yarn.  I can't wait!  Cocoa Bean is expecting, and will deliver in August.  Licorice Whip is Cocoa Bean's daughter, and is currently being bred, for her first cria (baby alpaca).

This is a hank of alpaca yarn from the Crooked Fence Mill, which was given to Steve for me to try out.  It is 100% natural in color, and is the softest yarn I have every used.  It has no itch, as unlike wool, there is no lanolin in alpaca fleece.

Once the hanks were wound into balls, all of the fun began.  I designed two separate Button Headbands.

The first is knit up in a continuous, lace leaf pattern.

This headband was given to Linda, at Crooked Fence, for her generosity in giving me the yarn to try, and for her patience in helping Steve to start learning the business.  Although I'm sure she could have knit it better than me, I know that knitters never receive handknit gifts.

The second headband, was designed in braided cable pattern.

This one is for YOU.  It is my next knitting "Give Away".  A drawing will be held from all of the "Followers" of this blog, on June 30, 2011.  Get signed up, as I would love to ship this little "softy" to you.

The knitting pattern for these two Button Bands is available at:  http://ravelry.com/, along with some FREE knitting patterns from past blog posts.

I am currently on the fourth knitting of my newest design (I gave you a peek at it in the last post), and as soon as I have all of the bugs worked out of the pattern, it too will be available on http://ravelry.com/.  I should soon have my Ravelry Store all set up.  If you decide to give one of my knitting patterns a try, I would love to hear from you about the content and understandability of the same.  Happy Knitting!