Biohazard Blankie

Biohazard Blankie

Another new pattern posted!!

Biohazard Blankie
A fun tunisian crochet blanket for a baby with parents who have a sense of humor! Or, use the biohazard chart to make a sweater, hat, felted bag, cross-stitch project, or feel free to knit the blanket or use regular crochet. 
Gauge- 4 st per inch
Yarn- Lily Sugar and Cream
Size- 40" square
$0.99 

Sarah Top

Sarah Top
Sarah is a fun piece with a touch of elegance. It is beautiful by itself on warm days, or it can be layered over a long sleeve tshirt and jeans for a modern take on the classic sweater vest, or under a blazer for the workplace or a night out. Sarah is a racerback sleeveless top with a deep and thick cowl neck. It is knit from the bottom up, beginning with ribbing from the mid-hip to the empire waist. Ribbing all the way up to the empire waist allows the fabric to hug curves and create a very flattering fit. Because of the way the cowl is shaped, Sarah easily fits a wide variety of shapes and bust sizes.

$3.99 

Braided Socks

Brand new pattern is out today!

Braided Socks

Braided Socks are knit toe up with a cable and eyelet pattern that begins at the toe, and a unique braided cable on the back of the leg beginning at the short row heel. The pattern is only a 4 row repeat, making it easy to follow. The leg is ribbed between the pattern stitches for the best fit.

The instructions are written to allow the knitter to customize the size by fitting at the ball of the foot, the heel, the ankle, and the calf. The smallest sizing would fit a small adult woman, and can comfortably be sized up to a large woman’s foot or medium man’s foot.

Please Note: The pictured sock shows the pattern stitches beginning above the toe, however the pattern is written so that the pattern begins right at the toe, with increases worked into the pattern stitches.

$2.99   

Free Shipping!

Start your holiday shopping early (and get it over with early too!) Whether you're shopping for a gift for a fiber or vintage enthusiast, or shopping for supplies to make gifts, take advantage of free shipping!

Until Thanksgiving, I'll be offering free shipping to all US addresses with the coupon code FREESHIP. Just enter the code during checkout on etsy.

Projects

First of all, I finally got around to uploading a photo of my wedding veil in action!

Here's a roundup of other projects in progress. I've been working on my Sarah Top, the next pattern I'll be writing up for Knit Picks. Its going swimmingly so far, can't wait to get past the ribbing and see how the fun part works out! Stay tuned.

I'm also working on lining my dad's camera case for him- I need to hand sew the lining in.

I started my Irish Diamond Shawl, FINALLY! I've had this in the queue for about 4 years!

I spent an evening working out double knit entrelac for my color sampler scarf- which has now become a color sampler moebius cowl. It'll be gorgeous, and the double knit entrelac is not nearly as tricky as I expected.

The "A" in sailing is now finished on my cross stitch

I've been working through a few repeats of my backstrap belt

Lastly, I finally remembered to take a photo of attempt #3 at my penguin vest, though I haven't actually worked on it in a couple months.

Pucker Up Hat

I finally got my newest pattern finished and published! Its a really quick knit, cute hat, and it would be really cute in a hand painted yarn. Enjoy! 

Pucker Up Hat

Pucker Up is a perfect hat for Fall or Spring because it’s very lightweight and breaths well. Its 3-dimensional texture keeps it interesting to knit, and nice to pull out at the end of Winter when you still need a hat, but are tired of wearing one- Pucker Up is there with fun texture! It knits up quickly, but looks more complicated than it is.

Measure the head around the widest part to determine size, sizing is given to fit each head size with a beanie style fit. If you prefer a “slouchy” fit, cast on and follow ribbing instructions for your head size, then increase in the last ribbing row to the number of stitches given for one size larger.

Pattern uses simple short rows (no wrapping and turning!) And includes instructions both for knitting back backwards or turning the work to create the short rows.

Gauge- 22st/4inches, #3 and 4 needles
Yarn- Knit Picks Stroll Sport 120-210 yards
Size- 18", 20", 22", 24", 26"
$1.99

Scratching the Itch

Its been hard to do much knitting these past 6 weeks. Leaving Boston that quickly was so chaotic and fast paced that there was literally no time to knit, and then on the long drive from MA to FL, I thought I would get a ton of knitting done- normally, I love knitting in the car! But I was so worn out from the previous weeks, that all I could do was sit and stare out the window. The first 2 weeks in Florida were fast paced again- so many things to set up, build, and unpack. Finally, this week, I've had some solid knitting time. And now I'm feeling the itch again, and having to employ all of my willpower to keep from ignoring everything else and knit, all the time.

I think during the chaos of moving, I put knitting out of my mind, forced myself not to think about it because so much needed my attention. So as soon as I let myself pick up the needles again... all of those 6 weeks of not knitting came flooding back. All at once. Hopefully there will be a lot of knitting in my near future!

Here is a project update:

My Pucker Up Hat- that I really thought I was going to knit on the drive to Florida, and didn't. And then did knit in the span of 2 days this week, because I couldn't stop! Pattern coming very soon to ravelry and Knit Picks!

Entrelac Socks- this progress is mostly from the ravellenics, but I'm just now posting a photo. Both socks are now past the heel, and so should be quick knitting from here on. I also got my penguin vest re-started during the ravellenics, and (hopefully) successfully on its way (this time) but I didn't get a photo.

Cross stitch- also from the ravellenics, some good progress on my big cross stitch project at the moment.

And finally, 2 more hexipuffs, from some time waiting around when I finally remembered that it was in my purse!

Settling In!

The last 6 weeks have been crazy, but also very exciting. First, there was the chaos of last minute wedding planning, the week in Yellowstone, the wedding itself, and then immediately after we got home, we had to start packing! Ryan is now working for Space Florida, and so after a whirlwind move, we're starting to settle into our new Florida home. I'm working on two new patterns for Knit Picks to be released soon, and everything left in my etsy shop is still available for sale.

Let the Games Begin!

I'm taking stock in preparation for the Ravellenic Games- 2 projects recently finished: R2D2 and a gorgeous shawl! I love love love the way the shawl turned out!

That leaves me with 8 WIPS currently: 2 weaving, 1 cross stitch, 2 socks, a vest, a scarf, and my hexipuffs. I decided to stick with WIPS wrestling as my sole event for these games, because we are moving in August, so if I can finish off some things, I can replace them with brand new projects to fill the in-between time when the yarn stash is packed up.

Realistically, they aren't all going to get finished! For one thing, the hexipuffs are a never ending project, so they are just hopeless. For another, I'll be doing a lot of my WIP wrestling in cars during my wedding trip, and weaving doesn't really work in that context. The scarf and cross stitch are also pretty slow going, and still near the beginning. So that leaves me with 3 projects I hope to finish during the Olympics!

For knitting at home before and after the trip, my penguin vest, which I still love despite not having touched in ages. Its a bit bulky to bring with me travelling, but its perfect for knitting on the couch and watching the events.

For mindless purse knitting, perfect for travel and for working on while listening to relatives talk, Ryan's socks. Nearing completion, and perhaps done in time to be a wedding present! Ooh, maybe he'll even wear them to the wedding! That would be fun.

For travel knitting when I can focus on my work, the entrelac socks. One sock is about 1/3 done, the other is only at the toe. It would be great to finish these too and leave me with 3 more empty project bags!

Changes and Discounts

After a lot of soul searching and reflection, I have decided to refocus my efforts on pattern design, and for that reason I will be closing down other aspects of Knitolution at the end of August. More of my stock and supplies will be posted soon as I clear things out, but please enjoy 10% off your purchases with code BLOG10! Thank you. http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitolution

Crocheting, and Crocheting

I'm so tired of making amigurimi! Fortunately, I'm also very closed to finished. In the last month I've finished Chewbaccas, Vaders, and Zoidbergs.

Also for the wedding, I busted out a kippah to give Ian for marrying us, and a pair of corsage cuffs knit with wire for our mothers.

Now that I'm finally really really close to being done with wedding crocheting and knitting, I'm trying to bust out birthday gifts for my parents in time to wrestle some serious WIPS when the Olympics start! I'm hoping to finish Ryan's socks, my entrelac socks, and make some serious progress (finally) on my penguin vest.

Shame on the USOC, and mini skeins

If you haven't heard, the USOC (US Olympic Committee) has decided to go after Ravelry for the Olympic fan event, the Ravelympics. Read the full cease and desist letter here. The thing knitters are taking issue with (mostly) is not the claim of copyright infringement (which it is, technically) but both that the USOC is wasting time and money attacking a group that is not making any money from their Olympic themed event, but also that the USOC is claiming that knitting is denigrating and offensive to the spirit of the Olympics. I've loved watching the Olympics for my entire life, but if the USOC does not apologize for insulting knitters and our desire to participate in the Olympic spirit, then I will not be watching the Olympics this summer. Want to let the USOC know what you think? Knitter or non-knitter, post on the USOC facebook page in support of knitters engaging in the spirit of the Olympics (and spending many hours knitting while watching the games!)

Meanwhile... I posted 6 different sets of mini skeins on etsy yesterday. Mini skeins are perfect for adding a little bit of color to a project, stripes, or of course, for the Beekeeper's Quilt or any of the other scrap yarn blankets, scarves, etc.

Upadate: The USOC issued this response to the flood of angry comments from knitters. As many others have pointed out, this is a pretty lame attempt at apologizing for what was clearly NOT a form letter but a very personalized, detailed, and demeaning letter. And really, to show YOUR support of ravelry, WE should send you hand knitted stuff? Knitted Olympic themed stuff from those patterns you asked ravelry to remove?

Update again: The USOC updated their apology to be a bit more contrite, and said they would no longer consider legal action against Ravelry. Hooray for the power of knitters! In 48 hours we were put down, responded, and received two apologies from a powerful organization! I am so thrilled and impressed, and I love Ravelry and the community it creates more than ever.

The Sound of Slipping

The sound of finished projects slipping to the floor after the last bound off stitch that is! After spending a marathon memorial day weekend knitting 6-8 hours a day, I finished the 2 blankets that had deadlines at the beginning of June. While in Colorado for a friend's (gorgeous!) wedding, I finished my own wedding veil (finally!) and shortly after returning I finished the Wall-Es. In between all of that, I've made some good progress on Ryan's socks in spare moments, and I've started on the Boba Fetts. At least without the blanket deadlines looming over me the amigurimi feel like they are going faster!

The biohazard baby blankie: A chart that I will eventually get converted from paper to electronic form and posted, because, well, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out! The parents were also thrilled, and that's what really matters.

The wedding blanket for the friends who got married in said gorgeous wedding- they love it, and it did indeed come out big enough for both of them to cuddle up under, so I did my job! They loved it so much that they sent photos, during their honeymoon!!, of them cuddled under it in a cabin in the mountains. Also, they took it on their honeymoon! Way to be appreciative knit recipients friends. Rest assured your future babies will have many handknits to wear!

My wedding veil! I know, isn't it gorgeous?!? When I first bound off, there was a little moment where I held it up and went, "seriously?!? THAT'S all the knitting I get for all that work?!?" and even after blocking its still a pretty small shawl, for having worked probably close to 100,000 stitches over the last 18 months! But it really is beautiful, and I got a little weepy when I tried pinning it on with my dress (sorry, none of those photos until after the wedding), and I'm quite proud of it if I do say so myself. I am, however, also swearing off cobweb yarns for the foreseeable future!

Ryan's socks are really coming along, and aren't they just charming? Also, he is a very willing foot model. Always a plus.

The first Boba Fett off the hook! Its adorable, and I love it, but I am really really really tired of crocheting little space toys. I really can't wait to be done with that.

New Worsted Wooly and Chubby Bunny

Lots of new colors posted recently! In Worsted Wooly, Endor: Endor's inspiration is pretty obvious- the lush greens and browns of the forest moon! 

In Chubby Bunny, 3 new colors. First, Keukenhof: Keukenhof colorway is inspired by the riot of colors in Holland's famous tulip gardens, during the spring tulip festivals. This colorway is a complex rainbow, with colors ranging from almost black to bright orange, magenta, and blue and overlapping into many subtle shades.

Undersea: Undersea colorway is inspired by the high contrast and bright colors found when snorkeling in shallow waters on a bright sunny day. The brightness of the yellow, blue, and green makes this a very cheerful yarn.

Earth Day: Earth Day colorway is inspired by the beautiful shades of green blanketing the earth. It ranges from deep navy blues to a range of bright and dark greens and hints of yellow. 

Dyeing and Knitting

I've been hitting the dye pots again now that its warm enough to leave windows open and properly ventilate my dye space! Two new colorways of Shirley have hit the shop in the last week, Andromeda and Keukenhof.

Meanwhile, I've been knitting on all the deadline knitting like crazy! Its been successful though, as I now have two half finished blankets and several more Wall-Es to show for it!

The Wall-Es are up to 4.5 and have been holding conference on my living room floor today. This is one of the more complicated amigurumi I've made, and therefore takes a little longer than the others. (the veil is also coming along but there wasn't an obvious enough difference so I decided not to post a new photo)

Blanket #1, the wedding blanket, is HUGE and is half done, which is fortunate since the wedding is (eek!) less than 2 weeks away! I really hope I manage to finish it in time!

Blanket #2, the baby blanket, is significantly smaller, but also due in less than 2 weeks, so I'm chugging along hoping to somehow finish both. I love how the biohazard symbol is coming out, and I love the afghan stitch. This blanket makes me giggle every time I pick it up (baby... biohazard... snorgle!) so I've decided to write it up when I'm done for all the other unconventional parents out there who want to get a chuckle out of their baby preparation.

Between deadline knitting, when I've had a chance for mindless relaxation knitting I've gotten a couple more hexipuffs done.

Shop Update

Some of the things currently in my etsy shop: Especially Viva la Knitolution tshirts, perfect to show your knitter pride during the summer! They also make great gifts. Available in several colors and sizes, and I do take custom orders for different sizes, colors, and to print other things like bags. Lots of other stock- including spinning fiber, yarn, and handspun!