Bobble Me This!

Bobble me this!

Designed by

Christina S. Wilkins

A simple pattern with dramatic impact, Bobble Me This! is the perfect on-the-go project which is designed in two sizes, scarf (shawl).  With a bobbled edge incorporated into the design and an easy to remember mock lace cable pattern making up the length, there are no seams, just an enjoyable knitting experience.

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn (Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July in Colorway 7042 , Cascade 220 or Malabrigo Merino worsted), approximately 600 (scarf) to 850 (shawl/wrap) yards
• Size 5.0 mm (US 8), 5.5 mm (US 9) needles or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:

• 18 sts/4 inches unblocked stockinette, knitted flat
• 29.5 sts/4 inches unblocked across Lacy Mock Cables pattern
• 21.5 sts/4 inches blocked across Lacy Mock Cables pattern

Size:                      

• Unblocked – 6.25 (9) inches wide across Lacy Mock Cables pattern and 59 inches long
• Blocked the overall length is approximately 66 inches x 8.5 (12.5) inches wide

Ravelry Link

Glam Shots!

Stacy at The Knitting Nest in Austin is not only an amazing knit shop owner and friend, she is the mother of a professional photographer, Amanda Klaus.

On Sunday, I brought Jambo in for the specific purpose of taking some photos of it using Stacy's mannequin, but I forgot to bring my camera.  Smooth, right?

Fortunately, Amanda was there and, not only had her camera with her (I did say she was a professional, right?), she graciously agreed to take a few shots when I imposed upon her.

photos by Amanda Klaus

Even better, Amanda has agreed to lend her services to take some edgy senior shots for my Sweet One!

Thank you, Amanda!

Tiger Lily Cowl - Free Pattern!

Tiger Lily Cowl

Designed by

Christina S. Wilkins

Materials:
• Approximately 216 yards of worsted weight yarn (Malabrigo Merino in Tiger Lily shown)
• 4.5 or 5.5 mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge for size desired
• Stitch makers

Size:
• Medium: After blocking, 20 inches around and 10 inches tall
• Large (shown): After blocking, 24 inches around and 11 inches tall

Gauge:
• Medium: 24 sts/4 inches, after washing
• Large (shown): 20 sts/4 inches, after washing

This generously sized cowl is knit from the top down using circular needles.

The stitch pattern is comprised of 20 stitches. There are 6 repeats of the stitch pattern in each round. It is recommended to place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round, as well as markers between each of the pattern repeats.

Instructions:
Cast on 120 stitches, join in the round, and knit for one round. Begin Tiger Lily pattern.

Round 1: k6, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k5
Round 2: k5, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk, k4
Round 3: k4, k2tog, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, ssk, k3
Round 4: k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k7, yo, k2, ssk, k2
Round 5: k1, yo, k2, ssk, k11, k2tog, k2, yo
Round 6: k2, yo, k2, ssk, k9, k2tog, k2, yo, k1
Round 7: k3, yo, k2, ssk, k7, k2tog, k2, yo, k2
Round 8: k4, yo, k2, ssk, k5, k2tog, k2, yo, k3

After completing 6 repeats of Tiger Lily pattern: purl 1 round, knit one round, purl one round, *yo, k2tog* for another round, purl one round, knit one round, purl one round, and cast-off using elastic bind-off, knit-wise method. Weave in loose ends, soak, block, and enjoy!


Notes:
• CO = cast on
• Elastic bind-off, knit-wise: Knit 2 stitches, insert left needle through the front loops of those 2 stitches while they are on the right hand needle and knit them together, *knit 1 stitch, then insert left needle through the front loops of the first 2 stitches on the right needle and knit them together* continue until desired number of stitches have been bound off
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together as one (1 stitch is decreased)
• ssk = slip 1 stitch knit-wise, slip a second stitch knit-wise, then knit those 2 stitches together through the back loop
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• yo = yarn over

Tiger Lily Cowl is also in .pdf format and can be downloaded free from Raverly here.

Tiger Lily Cowl  09.17.2010 v.1.0  Copyright@2010 Christina S. Wilkins.  This material may not be reprinted without the permission of the author; this pattern may not be used to produce items for commercial purposes.  For reprint information or technical assistance, please contact:  ladywilkins[at]gmail[dot]com. 

Tiger Lily on the Prowl...

Cowl pattern in the works.

Yarn:  Malabrigo Merino worsted in Tiger Lily

Jambo!

As previewed in a snippet here, the second shawl in the Curious Creek Fibers Spectra Series (try saying that five time really fast) is complete!

1,200 yards of Meru (51% Wild Tussah Silk / 49% Merino Wool) lace weight yarn made from three skeins (400 yards each) in gradient colors.

I could not be more pleased with the design.

The patterns for this and the Ahsante Shawl (below) will be available very soon!

Oslo Calling

With all the knitting I have done in recent months, it occurred to me last night that I have not done any selfish knitting in a while.  I have the yarn and several projects sorted out, but there are no projects on the needles for me!

Unfortunately, there is only one on the needles as a gift for the husband.  That probably means the delight I enjoyed in having sweaters for the family (including Susan) to open on Christmas morning will not be repeated.  In a way, that is actually good news because, other than Susan, I do not think the rest of the family was as pleased or excited about the handknitted items as I was.  They did not get much wear, if any, either.

Again, I must state that Susan is the exception.  She is such a wonderful friend to knit for because she wears it, praises it, and shows it off to everyone.  Thus, dear Susan is always on the list for projects.

To remedy the knitting for me situation, I checked the queue this morning and decided on this:

Pattern:  Oslo by Elsebeth Lavold  from Designer's Choice - Book 21: City(e)scapes Collection

I love the shape of it and the set-in sleeves.  Raglan is easy, but does nothing to minimize my broad shoulders.  I can see me wearing this over a dark skirt and heels, as well as with jeans and clogs. 

My yarn choice is that old stand-by:  Malabrigo Merino Worsted.  This time in Cognac:

While I wait for the pattern to arrive, I think I will go ahead and cast on for the sweater I swatched here.

Between the both of those, that should do for me a while!

Anyone else hearing the call of the sweater?  It is September, after all!

Snippets!

Lolly was right, lots of things are going on when Feisty is quiet.

First off, the classes at the Knitting Nest have been going extremely well.  I cannot convey how much I am enjoying the interaction and enthusiasm of my class participants.  It has been exciting and rewarding.

Last night, I covered my first Thursday evening class.  It was Beyond Basic Knitting.  I felt like we accomplished a great deal and was heartened when a couple of people who were there for Knit Night signed up for the next class! The next Beyond Basic Knitting will be offered on Sunday, October 3rd from 2 - 4 in the afternoon.

The next class I am teaching is Socks Your Way! from 2 -4 on Sunday, September 26th.  This is a class for those with basic sock knitting experience who want to be able to convert patterns from cuff down to toe up or vice versa and who are interested in learning different heel methods (short-row, under foot gussets, etc.,), as well as different cast-ons, bind-offs, and two-at-a-time.  It will be a fast-paced class, but there will be supplemental written materials, too.

Stacy has a schedule of the September classes here.  The calendar for October is full of different classes, too.  It is here.  I have several set up for October.  In addition to the Beyond Basic Knitting on October 3rd, there is the Bobble Me This! scarf on Thursday, October 14 from 7 - 9; the first of a two-part Pi Shawl (Ahsante) class on Sunday, October 17th from 2 - 4 (the second part will be on Sunday, November 7th), and another Socks Your Way! class on Thursday, October 21 from 7 -9.

If anyone is interested, just give Stacy a call at 512-291-8866.

Wow.  It looks like I better get busy!

Below are the sample for some of these classes:

Bobble Me This! Scarf

Ahsante Pi Shawl

All the patterns will be available in the coming weeks.

In addition to the classes, I have been designing and knitting quite a bit.

The second shawl commissioned in the Spectra Series for Curious Creek Fibers is a triangular shawl called Jambo (which is "Hello" in Swahili).  All of Curious Creek yarns garner their inspiration and names from reserve and game parks across the continent of Africa.  In honor of this tradition, each of the shawls in this series has been given a Swahili name.

Here is a snippet of Jambo. Please forgive the presence of the lifelines and note the shawl is still in progress and has not yet been blocked; however, I just LOVE how beautifully the fluted lace edging is knitting onto the body of the shawl.

The Knitting Nest will be offering Christmas kits which will be available for pre-order in October. These kits will include a skein of hand-dyed indie yarn, a coordinating project bag, an exclusive pattern, and other little goodies. These will be offered in three different colored kits:  Regal Purple, Christmas Red, and Christmas Green.  The Regal Purple will feature a scarf pattern, the Christmas Red has a festive sock pattern, and the Christmas Green will have a triangular shawl.

Here are a couple of previews of the Regal Purple "Flurries" scarf and the Christmas Red "Festive" sock.  I hope you like them as much as I do!

Okay, now back to knitting and pattern writing!

Hope everyone is doing well and fine!

The Pesky Circular Cast-On - Solved

Some patterns use a circular cast-on to have a lovely starburst center that is then worked outward. The cast-on directions that I've seen/read have been confusing at best. This video has taken the mystery out of it! Unlike many tech vids, this one uses good background, good yarn color, and good direction. (A rooster makes his point, too, near the end.)



For those of us who are not highly skilled knitters this technique can open up pattern options that we hadn't considered. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!