Instant Gratification & Diversion Knitting

Sometimes when you're working on big projects that threaten to burn you out, you just need to do a little diversion knitting and give yourself some instant gratification.  Just a little project, something quick and easy, that breaks up the mind numbing 13" of stockinette stitch the big project requires, makes a big difference in your overall success completing projects.

My solution this time was a modified Pinwheel Purse, originally designed by Frankie Brown (pattern available for Free on Ravelry!)  This project actually killed three birds with one stone.  Not only did it combat my stockinette boredom, it fulfilled my Transfiguration homework, and gave me a cool new way to store my knitting notions!

"Dittany" Women's Hat PDF Pattern Available!

After much support (and demand) from my friends and the Ravelry community, "Dittany" is active and available for purchase.  This hat was inspired by my love for all things Harry Potter and Magical.  I'm especially proud of the embellishment I created for the top of this hat, a whimsical three dimensional set of flames dangling by i-cords from the hat’s peak.

"Dittany" has been posted to my website MyKnits.com and Ravelry.com for sale. Both MyKnits and Ravelry provide automatic delivery / download of the PDF file upon receipt of payment. If you are interested in purchasing "hard copies" please email me!

Oh, yeah... there was a request for this pattern to be produced in Baby sizes.  Watch for it!

Magical Inspiration!

Not that I needed inspiration for more designs...

I'm a huge fan of Ravelry.  (If you knit/crochet, and you're not a member, you are missing out.  Join today - it's free and loaded with not only a wonderful community of fellow stitchers & hookers, it has a HUGE library of both free and for fee patterns, and is an incredible resource for techniques, and so, so much more!)  While perusing a friend's completed projects, I ran across a project that had been completed for credit in one of the Ravelry Groups - HP Knitting/Crochet House Cup.  I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. I researched more about this group and decided to join.  Sadly, the sorting had already been done for the winter term, however, late joins are allowed to play along (just not for points).  It's actually a wonderful option and allows you time to learn the ropes.

Basically, it works like this.  You are a student at Hogwarts and you choose your classes.  You can earn credit for up to 6 classes per term.  Each class has homework, and to earn points you must complete a project within the assignment month and turn it in as homework.  Each homework assignment has certain criteria your project needs to fit into to qualify as completed homework. 

I chose to start with an Herbology project.  I read the criteria and used it as inspiration to design a project that qualified.  Much to my delight, a new pattern design quickly emerged.  (Had I not been in the designer mindset, I could have selected a pattern I wanted to complete that fit criteria and done that instead.  That is what most of the players do, and it's a great way to wrangle your WIP's and UFO's.)

And so, "Dittany" was born.

Pattern is in final tech-editing stage and will be made available as soon as it's done.

"Denise" is Coming!

Here's a sneak peek at my newest design... "Denise"

This design features some twisted stitches and fun cables, including a face framing braid.  Like my other designs, this one is knit back and forth, then joined in a circle.  Stitches are then picked up along the top edge and knit in the round to close the top.

Don't let the seeming intricacies of these patterns scare you off... each of my hat patterns are great skill builders, and are honestly much easier to knit than they look.  Remember, knitting is really only one stitch.  Everything else is just the front side, backside or twisted version of that one stitch.  You can do it!

Falling Temps, Falling Prices!

I had a theory that by the time I finished a scarf for myself, the weather would be too warm to wear it.  Thusly, I focused like crazy on that scarf and got it done fast in some mad witchcraft hope that it would speed the onset of warmer weather.  I finished the scarf just in time for nearly 60 degree weather.  That was last weekend.  Mother Nature has since decided to chime in and show me who's boss.

Now it's cold.  Really, really cold.  I'm talking about the coldest temperatures we've had in New Mexico since before I was born (NO joke!) and to honor knitters everywhere looking for affordable, stylish, warm knit patterns, I've just reduced the price on all of my hat patterns to just $3.00.

May you all knit something warm for yourselves!

"Brenda" is Coming!

I'm doing a final test knit for this very cool pattern I designed a couple years ago.  I gave the first test knit to my sister in law who reports that she uses it all the time and loves it still, therefore, I'm naming it after her.

Medallions and smocking details give this hat wonderful visual appeal!  The main body is knit horizontally and then joined into a circle.  Stitches are picked up around the top edge to finish the hat.  Brim edge rolls up to show face framing cable.  Braid embellishment is optional.

Like it?  Want to score a FREE copy of this pattern?  I'm looking for two (2) test knitters - just email me!