Size Matters Not

Felted hat pattern here. Yoda robe improvised.

Happy Halloween!

Patternum Novum: Jenica Pullover

Photo Copyright Interweave

The Winter 2011 issue of Knitscene is out and there, on page 20, is my own contribution, the Jenica Pullover. Jenica is knit from the top down in one piece with a body shaped with darts, a big, gypsy ruffle, and a plunging back -- high drama, let me tell you.

And speaking of high drama...I knit this sweater only a couple of weeks after coming home from the hospital with Daniel. The upside was that he was pretty much sleeping all day so I had plenty of down time in which to knit. The downside was my massive case of baby brain. I put a tremendous amount of faith into a gauge swatch that just didn't seem right and, completely in denial until the end, I knit the entire sweater (sans ruffle) before realizing it was practically to my knees. No amount of blocking was going to fix this particular problem so unraveling we went and, somehow, I was able to finish on time. I still don't know how.

Jenica comes in five sizes, to fit 32.75 (37, 40.75, 45, 48.75)" bust, and calls for Shibui Knits Baby Alpaca DK and Shibui Knits Silk Cloud held together (maybe the most heavenly yarn combo ever). You can see more photos and get more information on the Knitscene website here.

And even if Jenica isn't your cup of tea, I still recommend checking out this issue. There are some stunning projects from great designers in there and I am honored to be alongside them.

Local Designers Night at Nine Rubies!

Wow, where to even begin?! I've been back at work for a little over a month and, unfortunately, only seem to be getting more tired as time goes on instead of getting used to it. We are lucky to have a great little sleeper so it's not like I'm getting up in the middle of the night to feed Daniel, but somehow I myself have lost the ability to sleep later than about 6am, even on days I really need it. Does this ever come back? I suppose I could try to go to bed at 8pm, but I'm not convinced I'd actually fall asleep. Plus, that's when I get to knit! (And, um, watch all those trashy reality tv shows I've become addicted to since they are all my tired mama brain can handle.)

But quite a bit has been going on in my knitting and crafting life and I feel like I have a big backlog of posts and things to tell you all. Let's hope I can get them all out before they become completely irrelevant!

So first things first. Who's planning on going to Interweave Knitting Lab in San Mateo next weekend? I'm bummed not to be taking any classes, but my knitting gals and I will be roaming the marketplace floor on Saturday.

AND, on Friday night, Nine Rubies (a yarn shop and sponsor of the event) will be hosting a Local Designers' Night from 5-7pm. I'll be there along with Carrie Sullivan of Irish Girlie Knits, chatting and displaying our designs. If you're in the area, please come say hi! (Also, how cool does this exhibit look?)



See you there?

Patternum Novum: Keravnos Shawl

Just before returning to work a couple of weeks ago (which, even though I'm only working part time now, has me wishing there were an extra, say, 6 hours in the day), I completed another collaborative project with Tess' Designer Yarns for their booth at Vogue Knitting Live. Introducing...

Keravnos - $6.00 via Ravelry (no account is needed)



Finished size: 46"/117cm wingspan, 22.5"/57cm height

Yarn requirements: 1 skein of Tess' Designer Yarns Kitten (65% Cashmere, 35% Silk, 325 yds/297m per 100g skein)

Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) circular needles, at least 24”/60cm in length

Gauge: 26 sts & 30 rows = 4"/10cm in Stockinette stitch; 17 sts & 23 rows = 4”/10cm in Zigzag Lace Trellis



Keravnos ("thunderbolt" in Greek) combines two stitch patterns: Zigzag Lace Trellis and Arrowhead Lace (both from Barbara Walker's Treasury of Stitch Patterns). Combined, they create a geometric, modern, and wearable piece.



Keravnos is knit from the top down and takes exactly 1 skein of Kitten (which, let's be honest, is the softest yarn I've ever felt). Instructions are included on how to enlarge the shawl, which is easily done if you have extra yarn you'd like to use up.



This is a great project for beginning lace knitters and is fun to knit! The lace patterns are uncomplicated and simple to memorize and the pattern includes charts and written directions for both.



It's not too early to start thinking about holiday knitting...Kervnos is a wearable one-skein project -- the perfect gift!