My Clover Camisole is a simple knit with just a bit of lace to keep it fresh and feminine.

(c) Interweave Press

I-cord meanders around the neckline and arm holes to form straps. Beads are added just to be pretty. (and really are completely optional)

(c) Interweave Press

It’s knit Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy which will keep you cool all summer.

(c) Interweave Press

The preview just went live today. You can preorder the print version, or if you cannot wait, the digital version is available now!

My latest project is a tough one. I love it, I love the concept, love how its turning out, but I cannot seem to get motivated to work on it. There have been many distractions. For example, I made stitch markers, I started playing tennis again, I started running again, I got a drum carder, and I cannot stop thinking about sewing skirts.

Sewing Supplies

Here is my pile of supplies. I’m so excited and ready to get started! Really, I just need to make this my reward for finishing this project…but…I need skirts now…or something…

So…
Last year I stumbled upon something called The Summer of No Pants and I have been thinking about it ever since. I would like to have my own “Summer of No Pants” in 2012. I’m not hosting a contest or doing anything like that. But I really would like to only wear skirts and dresses this summer.

In order to accomplish this, I will need to make some skirts! Well, of course I could buy them, but one of my goals is to become a better sewer. I want to make some of my own clothes, and what better way to start than with skirts?

So far I have two books dedicated to skirts as well as a few patterns I have picked up over the years. I have everything from the basic of basics to frilly and fancy. I will make skirts!

When?
I’m currently under a tight deadline, then the sewing will begin. I want to have skirts ready for when summer arrives and spring is practically here – so I best get started soon. Will you be joining me in my Summer of No Pants?

Something that has brightened my mood of late has been getting my Etsy shop reopened. Years ago I sold handspun yarn and stitch markers at Knittin’ Pretty. Then I became a knitwear designer and the Etsy shop languished and closed…until now. The last few weeks have been a buzz of new product development!

Branch Pendant

I have been working day and night (to the dismay of my knitting) developing new stitch markers and matching pendants. Each marker or pendant features one of my original pieces of art on a lightweight durable plastic disk. Art ranges from modern abstract swirls to irresistibly cute sheep and owls. All drawn by me and printed onto these tiny disks.

Sheep Markers

Each piece is handmade and thus is unique in that no two have come out exactly alike. Stitch markers are on the large side, about the size of a penny. Pendants are about the size of a quarter.

Red Flowers

The shop is now stocked with plenty of both markers and pendants. Make your knitting pretty with custom stitch markers. Make yourself pretty with beautiful handmade pendants.

Fun Owl Markers

Every time I see these owls I smile

Size: One Size
Measurements: 52” 132 cm circumference and 8.5” 21.5 cmwide
Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh dk (100% superwash merino; 225 yds 206 m/100 g): MC: alizarin and CC: antique lace; one skein each
Needles: US #8 5 mm
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” in st st, UNBLOCKED
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle

At the start of every new year I like to think back on the year closing. 2011 was a big year for me. Here are some professional highlights:

• I finished the Crafty Detour CSI: Most Wanted collection of patterns
• I started a new job for The Alpaca Yarn Company
• I was published in Interweave Knits Fall 2011, Jane Austen Knits, Knit Magazine Issues 38 and 41, Universal Yarns’s Designer Collaboration Program, and the Woolgirl Sock Club
• I taught at the annual Knitters Day Out event
• I started wholesaling patterns to yarn shops
• I joined TNNA as a designer

This year I have some goals. I don’t like to say they are resolutions…because they aren’t. I don’t want to make promises to myself that I cannot keep. But somehow, having goals seems much more do-able.

• Self-publish a collection for fall
• Exercise more – We just ordered an elliptical for our home and I plan on using it at least 3 times a week
• Stop taking everything so personally
• Eat better – Both hubby and I are committed to trying to eat healthier meals this year

What are your goals for the new year?

Tiny Treasure is a sweet little drawstring bag that can hold little gifts, secrets, treasures, maybe even a tiny project.

Tiny Treasure

I designed it for my upcoming knitting with beads class. A small project that covers two ways to add beads to your knitting. I used just 27 grams of sock yarn for this tiny bag including the icord and pom-poms.

Pom-Poms

Aren’t pom-poms awesome? I want to put them on everything now.

The Collection

The whole collection is available via Ravelry as an e-book for $17 or as individual patterns. This collection includes Circuitous, a lacy shrug, Sweet Retreat, a ruffle edged shawl, Suburbanite, a slouch hat, and Wave Runner, a lace edged tank top. Each pattern uses the 100% linen yarn called Flax by Fibra Natura.

Circuitous

Sweet Retreat

Suburbanite

Wave Runner

These patterns and e-book are now available in my Ravelry store as well as here on my blog (click SHOP).

I will never knit a hexipuff.

There are several reasons, some justified and some are me just being snarky. Mostly, I don’t think I would ever finish the thing. Too many stupid puffs to make. I would get a basket of 20 or maybe even as many as 100, but this would not be enough, and I would just get bored and never finish.

Instead I found this gem: Juggling Hexes by Wendy Harbaugh

Reasons why I love this:

1. Crochet is fast
2. Even with sock yarn these babies are almost 3″ in diameter making finishing much more of a possibility
3. No stuffing
4. No seaming/sewing/tying, these are join as you go – I understand that the hexipuffs don’t need to be sewn, however, you still have to go back and join them in the end
5. No annoying video associated with it (ok this is just me being snarky)

And so I’ve started. And I’m in love.

The Start

So far I have completed 17 hexagons in 2 days. I’m using left over sock yarn scraps as well as handspun yarn scraps. Every hexagon has a memory of a project.

Glamour Shot

Each hex takes about 20 minutes and uses a very small amount of yarn. I mean to make one, rip it out and see just how much yarn…but I haven’t been able to bring myself to that yet.

No Sewing!

And while there is no sewing or joining, there are ends to weave in. I have been very good about stopping after every 5 or so and weaving in the ends quick. Another nice thing about crochet is that its basically self finishing, and so weaving in the ends is super simple.

Ah well. Part of me is sad that I couldn’t keep this commitment, and part of me is not upset about it at all. I really had simply run out of interesting things to post about. And so, I started inventing things to blog, and it just wasn’t working out the way I had hoped. I would rather delivery quality over quantity; thus, I stopped posting.

The truth of the matter is, I don’t have much to share in a large format such as a blog. I plurk and tweet throughout the day about the small things, but a blog feels bigger somehow. Most of the knitting I work on anymore is contract work that I’m not allowed to show you until publication. I share those things when they come out, but in between…I guess I’m just boring!

The most interesting thing I have to show you is something I just started working on last night and cannot put down.

awesome sauce

I will leave this bad phone picture up as a teaser and post more about it tomorrow when I can take better pictures in daylight.