Designs by KN blog

Just as Tuesday was a Good Day, this was a very good week.  Besides the release of the Magnolia Vintage Capelet in the Classic Elite Yarns Web-letter, I heard from two publishers, created three more design submissions, finalized plans for one special project for a yarn company, and completed three FOs (guess I should be tired!)  Two of the FOs must remain hidden for now, as there is the possibility they will be published some day (in print or online) as the capelet was earlier in the week:

This design is doing well in the “fave” and queue department on the Ravelry pattern page, so thanks, everyone, for the positive reception!

One of the perks of having a design published in the CEY Web-letter is that your finished project is returned to you after publication.  The capelet returned home yesterday and I draped it on “Molly Mannequin” for one more photo session:

A close-up of the fabric in this capelet is currently appearing as the cover photo on the Designs by KN Facebook page.  If you look at the small profile pic (the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area outside Aspen, CO) against the backdrop of the capelet fabric, it appears that the mountain peaks were a subconscious influence (see more examples below.)

Other projects completed this week ranged from small accessories to baby blankets.  I finished up this cotton chenille version of Rippling Waves Baby Blanket:

The feather & fan stitch pattern must be the most popular stitch of all time.  Whenever I need to make a baby blanket, this is my go-to pattern for a knitted version. I had a quantity of NuMei Cotton Chenille in stash, so pulled out four balls of the color Snow Orchid for this one.  Although rather a trial on the hands and arms due to the inelasticity of the yarn, it’s very soft and is certain to become even softer after washing and drying.  It will make for comfy cozy swaddling of someone’s sweet baby.

As this week comes to an end, it will be just the beginning of another travel adventure for us.  Time for the annual ski trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado:

Steamboat Springs, CO ski area

It’s actually a ski/design “vacation” –  DH skis, I stay warm indoors knitting, crocheting, and designing!  Here are some of the projects created on previous “ski country” trips.  Notice how the colors and shapes in the mountainous landscape, trees, sky and snowy setting appear to have influenced the finished projects?

Mountain Peak Table Topper

Scrapper’s Stripe Afghan

Wooly Wave Scarf

Better Late Than Never Beanies

Cross-Cable Cap

Looking forward to this getaway and more inspiration for new designs.  Will be packing my bag with lots of blank journal pages, yarn, stitch dictionaries and knit/crochet tools to amuse myself while DH hits the slopes …

Hope to return with even more new projects to share.  Until then, keep warm and stitch on!

P.S. Almost forgot about another FO/new design. As long as the camera was out while photographing the returned capelet, thought I’d show how the Bold Button Neckpiece looks on a real human!

It’s a good day that starts out with the chance to announce the release of a new pattern.  Today is the day the Magnolia Vintage Capelet makes its debut in the Classic Elite Yarns Web-letter (Issue 276).  This is the seventh time I’ve had the opportunity and good fortune to work with the CEY Web-letter Team. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: besides their wonderful professionalism and gorgeous range of yarns, I love, love, love their style of photography and the natural background settings they incorporate.  CEY captures every angle of a design clearly and beautifully …

(all photos below copyright Classic Elite Yarns)

This capelet was once just a glimmer of an idea in my mind, and now I am able to share it.  Thank you again, Classic Elite!

In case you missed the first six DBKN designs that appeared in previous CEY Web-letters, here they are again, in reverse chronological order:

Chesapeake Bottle Gift Bag

Majestic Tweed Slouch Hat

Firefly Diaphanous Shawl

Cotton Bam Boo Sunscreen Stripes Cap

Provence Summer String Bag

Montera Cob Toque

Now, if only every day started out so well.  Hope you enjoy the new pattern!

Another milestone has just been reached: over 1100 “likes” on the Designs by KN Facebook page!  In appreciation of your continued support, here’s a new free pattern for your knitting enjoyment …

Bold Button Neckpiece

Once again, “Molly Mannequin” has come to my aid by “modeling” this newest creation.  It features Lion Brand Yarns “Baby’s First”, an oh-so-soft bulky cotton/acrylic blend. Never mind the name, it’s perfect for “big babies” too!  The stitch pattern provides texture on the outside (front) of the piece, with smooth stockinette stitch on the inside (back).  It’s worked in the round on double-pointed needles for a double-thickness piece with some heft, although it’s really light, soft and “squishable.”

Hope you enjoy this new accessory design.  It’s presented with heartfelt thanks for all of you who share the passion for knitting and crocheting.  If I’d had a great big heart button on hand when finishing this piece, I would have used it to convey my gratitude!

See the complete DBKN pattern database here

… anything could happen, anything could happen, …”  The lyrics to that song are in my head this morning after hearing them yesterday coming from the TV in the family room, while I was busy in the kitchen. The melody in the background somehow made its way into the subconscious.  Very apropos to the design-frenzy mode I’m in right now.  Anything can happen!

As posted on the Designs by KN Facebook page, I literally dreamed up a design while sleeping Monday night.  On Tuesday morning, I couldn’t wait to see if the dream would become reality. To my amazement, the project turned out even lovelier than imagined.  I entered it in response to an invitation to submit designs for the Stitch Craft Create project.  Design frenzy continued throughout the day and I was able to produce three projects total.  It will be a long wait to see if any of them are selected.  Even if none are, at least I’ll have three new designs ready to share at some point in the future.  Anything can happen.

As you may or may not know, I worked in our local library technical services department for twenty years.  In the position of catalog librarian I had the good fortune of handling brand-new books (including knit and crochet titles), placing information about them into the library’s online catalog for access.  Over time, I amassed a personal library of craft titles. Even though knit/crochet books were available through the library, I usually ended up purchasing my own copy for a home library.  I’m glad I did, because now that I’m retired if I choose to browse/read, I can just walk over to my own bookshelf and select one.

Since it’s been so cold this week in Colorado and since there are no baseball/football games now and it gets dark early, a typical routine after dinner has been to grab a book, a cuppa hot tea and read about knitting/crocheting until I fall asleep (no wonder I dream about it too!)  This week’s grab bag of titles chosen at random from the shelf have been interesting and educational:

Yarn Stash Workbook by Laura Bryant

Couture Crochet Workshop by Lily Chin

The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design by Shannon Okey

Wrap Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd

Speaking of wraps, the one completed last week garnered compliments on FB, Ravelry and Flickr.  I love it when yarn from stash matches well with one of my “older” patterns for a successfully completed project:

Something Special Wrap in Fiesta Yarns “La Boheme”

A Christmas gift to myself was “Molly Mannequin” since my live-model (DD) is living further away now.  DH plans to do more photography after he eventually retires, and wants to set up a little loft studio to practice photographing my knit/crochet projects.  For now, I do the photography by grabbing our little Canon PowerShot SD 1200 IS camera and capturing my own views.

Speaking of photos, anything can happen with those too.  Last Friday was “United in Orange” day in Denver, CO in support of the Denver Broncos playoff game Saturday (too bad they blew it and lost.)  That morning I just happened to turn my head to look out the window for a second, and saw this awesome sight:

The morning sun was highlighting the branches of a tree against the backdrop of an approaching snowstorm, turning them orange. I named the photo “Broncos branches” since it was taken on “United in Orange” day.  It’s one of my favorite photo-capture moments of all time. Anything can happen if you just keep your eyes open for opportunities, same as with designing for publication.  Watch for submission calls, pay attention to the guidelines/rules/deadlines, do your best work and send your ideas out there.  As I said at the end of this designer spotlight interview, “you just never know.” Anything can happen.

Back to wraps … I was up early today so started work on a new crochet project.  This is one of my personal favorite patterns, an oldie but a goodie in the Designs by KN collection:  Shortie Shell Capelet.  It’s a quick-crochet project that results in a soft, light-as-air shoulder wrap. I really do love everything about it, so have made several over the years:

I’ll leave now to go crochet, but here’s one more example of “anything can happen.”  On our trip to Hawaii last summer, we stopped at a sidewalk ice cream shop in Kona.  Just as we were leaving I noticed a bright green gecko on a nearby railing.  Actually there were two of them, coming up to drink out of their own little tea set on the deck …

Keep that camera handy!

ETA:  today’s completed Shortie Shell Capelet in Red Heart “Symphony”

P.S. On a recent out-of-state trip with DM, we happened to watch an episode of the XFactor semifinals where the group Fifth Harmony performed, you guessed it … “Anything could happen!”  No wonder this song stuck in my head.  Watch their performance on YouTube.

No way could I have projected how well this year has started out as far as FOs are concerned. It’s only the first full week of January and I’m up to about six already.  Guess the flu and illness are indirectly responsible (DH has been sick so haven’t needed to cook dinner; DM is sick so haven’t needed to accompany her to appointments; our aged cat is now gone so haven’t had to do as much round-the-clock care.)  DD has contributed to the FO compilation with special-knit requests that motivated me to complete them quickly.

The most recent FO is this vivid blue Summer String Bag. I’ve had the yarn in stash since 2005 (Brown Sheep “Cotton Fleece” in color Blue Paradise) and decided to finally turn it into something useful.  Apples were on the grocery shopping list the day I completed the bag, and they came in handy not only for healthy eating, but also for colorful photo props:

The bag is a blue version of the original red one that appeared in the CEY Web-letter, Issue 139:

Photos by Meg Myers, copyright Classic Elite Yarns

Not only is it useful for carrying bread, fruit and groceries, it also comes in handy for yarn and as a flexible travel tote as well:

The popularity of the bag continues on Ravelry, with over 1900 “faves” and 250 projects completed in all colors of the rainbow.  Thanks, everyone!

Prior to this enjoyable crochet day, I had the luxury of a full day of knitting. For that one, I created a project for DD which at this point must remain an “invisible FO” as it turned out well enough for a design submission.

Before that productive knitting day, I had some additional free time to crochet a couple of chain-mesh scarves for DM.  These are versions of the Liquid Gold Chain Mesh Scarf pattern worked in different yarns and styles, just for fun:

“Smoothie” Scarf in Deborah Norville Yarns “Everyday Soft Worsted Prints” (colorway: Smoothie)

Star Light Moebius Scarf in Universal Yarn “Star Light”

The first FO of the new year was this Glitter Stripe Scarf for DD, in Loops & Threads “Impeccable Glitter”:

You can read details of its construction, plus view more photos of these scarf projects in previous posts here and here.

Another project is this version of the Something Special Wrap, in Fiesta Yarns “La Boheme” (colorway: Burnished Red):

This is the same yarn used for my Night Out Shawl design which appeared in the November 2009 issue of Creative Knitting magazine:

Photo by Matthew Owen, copyright Creative Knitting/DRG Publishing

Fiesta Yarns was very generous in providing yarn for the shawl project at that time, and two leftover hanks have been protected in storage until now.  As with the Summer String Bag above, it’s time to turn them into something useful!

ETA 1/12/2013:  It’s a wrap! Made smaller overall (approx. 19″ w. x 54″ l.) on size 13 needles, as yarn supply was limited:

Not so much in the FO category, but completion and closure in a way … my Feather Openwork Beanie has been published in the booklet “Quick & Simple Knit Hats & Scarves: 14 Designs from Up-and-Coming Designers!”  There is a “Look inside! First Pages” preview excerpt on Amazon.com, and the hat appears there if you scroll through the first few pages.

Photo by Corrie Schaffeld, copyright F+W Media/David & Charles

Also the Clamshell Arm Warmers free-pattern-with-yarn-purchase (Premier Yarns/Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted) leaflet is available through Herrschners (see this post for details.)

Photo copyright Premier Yarns/Deborah Norville

Here’s icing on the cake of completion … the first mail delivery of 2013 included a check for a project finished, dispatched, accepted and scheduled for publication in the fall.  I could not have projected such glad tidings to start the year.

Once again, thank you for your continued interest in DBKN patterns … and for all those “likes” on the Designs by KN Facebook page.  You are appreciated!

DH came home Friday with the flu. I have to say that scarfing it up is way better than throwing it up (thankfully, he has so far avoided that unpleasantness.)  Other than checking on him frequently and offering fluids, it has been a very quiet weekend.  Now that our old cat Patches is gone (see previous post) the absence of her “voice heard ’round the world” plus DH’s long sleeping bouts as he tries to recover have given me hours of peace and quiet.  Thus, I’ve been scarfing it up! In an effort to stay healthy, I’ve been eating a lot of fresh fruit and chicken soup whenever taking a break from scarf-making.

Yesterday morning’s project was easy and quick, a Liquid Gold Chain Mesh Scarf in Premier Yarns/Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted Prints.  The colorway is “Smoothie”, so of course it has to be the Smoothie Scarf!

I like making chain-mesh scarves in different yarns, just to see what will happen.  This one was fun — the yarn is so soft and the changing colors were cheerful and bright.

Last evening I checked in with DM and found out she also has the flu — respiratory version, or at least a bad cold.  She is getting through it but sounded miserable on the phone from congestion and coughing.  She was on my mind as I crocheted another Liquid Gold Chain Mesh Scarf just for her.  A couple weeks ago she had asked for “a little something to tuck around the neck when I wear my green coat” so here it is:

This version is made with Universal Yarns “Star Light” on a size H/8 (5 mm) hook.  I worked the Liquid Gold Chain Mesh Scarf to a shorter length (24″), gave the piece a half-twist, then joined the ends with slip stitch. It was a very soft and sparkly project, due to the glistening thread running through the yarn:

Last week I finished a glittery scarf for DD (who appears to be remaining healthy — we must fend off the flu together!) You can read more about the creation of the Glitter Stripe Scarf in the previous post:

I had yarn left over so asked if she wanted a matching hat, or if she just wanted to return the extra balls to where she bought them.  No …  “Could you please make me some boot toppers?”  (as DH said so eloquently later on “What in the world are boot toppers?”)  Apparently a fashion statement that’s all the rage right now, but I have yet to make or design any.  Now that I’ve finished scarfing it up, I guess my next project will focus on kneecaps!

Until next time, my sympathies if you have been hit with this widespread flu epidemic.  If you’ve managed to avoid it, stay well and keep on scarfing it up!

The new year began with the happiness of completing the first FO of the year, but also with some sadness.  DD called from Michaels the other day (during their yarn sale) to ask if I could make her another scarf “like the Harry Potter one we worked on together several years ago.”  She selected 2 balls each of Loops & Threads “Impeccable Glitter” yarn in the colors Blue Diamond and Sterling.  I worked on it while watching college football bowl games on TV the week between Christmas and New Year’s, finishing it up yesterday:

For this version I cast on 40 stitches on a size 8 (5 mm) 16″ circular needle, joined and knit round and round from end to end, working alternating color stripes of 24 rounds each.  After reaching the desired length of about 70″ (she wanted a long scarf), fringe was added at each end.  She loves it and apparently so do others who’ve seen it, as there was already an offer to buy it!

Although it’s quite basic, simple, and a great starter project if you’re interested in learning to knit, this scarf will forever be a special one for DD, since yesterday we had to say goodbye to a beloved member of our family …

Twenty-two years ago we relocated to Colorado.  A few months after moving in to our new home we acquired a kitten for DD, who was 10 years old at the time.  DD is now 32. Yesterday, at age 22, our old-lady cat Patches went to cat-heaven.  We are all sad at the loss of the longest-lived pet we have ever owned. You will be missed, dear, sweet, runt-of-the-litter, cat-with-9-lives, screamin’-mimi companion …

In this photo taken several years ago, there were five members of our cat family … now we are three.

Patches & Toby (both lower right) are gone, but we still have Andrew, Bill and Jasmine to comfort us.  A sad start to 2013, and yet we move on … from end to a new beginning.

My next knitting project will be another pair of these knit Clamshell Armwarmers.  Last week I placed an order for more of the yarn I was supplied with for this design, Premier Yarns/Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted.  This “free pattern with yarn purchase” is offered through Herrschners. My order arrived promptly the day after New Year’s, and I plan to get started on them later today (after all, there are a few more college football bowl games left to watch!)

ETA 1/4/13: while working on these I noticed discrepancies in the printed pattern from what was originally submitted when I designed them, so have notified the publisher and posted errata/clarification on my website here.  This is the colorway “Toasted Marshmallow” — love the name & the softness of this yarn!

Two other pairs:

I’m excited about the prospect of new knit and crochet projects to work on in the months ahead, new designs to create, and new patterns scheduled to appear in print in 2013.  There are six so far, but it’s only the beginning (if my dreams come true!)

Best wishes for a good start to your new stitching year.  Thanks again for your continued support of Designs by KN and the free pattern database.