Currently I am at critical mass of WIPs (works in progress). My usual goal is to have no more than three projects on the needles, and prefer only two. Right now I have six, seven if you count the project that I should cast on this month, since I signed up for the knit-along (KAL) as part of Malabrigo March.
The problem with all of these WIPs is that I cannot focus on one thing and progress is hard to measure. Luckily some of these projects haven't been touched in months and are hidden away in my closet so they don't stress me out quite as much. The only problem with the remaining WIPs is that they are all in sock or lace weight yarn. Projects where every centimeter is progress, and they are not small projects.
I like to keep knitting fun, but I am very much a product knitter. Sure I like the process, too, but it is the finished object that I am after! All the UFOs (unfinished objects) scattered around the house are starting to make me anxious. My goal for the remainder of March is to focus solely on one project and not touch anything else until April. It is less than a week, surely I can do it! Hopefully the yarn I ordered to swatch for some new designs does not come until the first of April!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Presenting...Belmondo.
I got done editing quicker than I thought! Currently I am waiting for my designer hook up at Ravelry, but I figured I would get the pdf up over here while I wait!
A brief description:
A triangular shawl worked in a lattice pattern from tip to shoulders, with optional fringe. An open and lacy stitch knit with a heavy worsted weight yarn on large needles creates a wonderful contrast. This deceptively simple stitch pattern is great for beginner to advanced knitters.
Perfect for those cooler spring days and to chase the chill off your shoulders when the air conditioner is turned all the way down. Transitions to winter wonderfully, when it can be wrapped around your neck to keep the cold wind at bay.
Available in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large. Or as I like to refer to them: Kerchief, Shawlette and Shawl.
Here is the pdf link: Belmondo
A brief description:
A triangular shawl worked in a lattice pattern from tip to shoulders, with optional fringe. An open and lacy stitch knit with a heavy worsted weight yarn on large needles creates a wonderful contrast. This deceptively simple stitch pattern is great for beginner to advanced knitters.
Perfect for those cooler spring days and to chase the chill off your shoulders when the air conditioner is turned all the way down. Transitions to winter wonderfully, when it can be wrapped around your neck to keep the cold wind at bay.
Available in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large. Or as I like to refer to them: Kerchief, Shawlette and Shawl.
Here is the pdf link: Belmondo
As Promised...
Here are some of the shots from my "photo shoot" today. Luckily the weather is so nice here right now. The bugs weren't too bad either.
I hope you like the pictures! There is a chance I may get the pattern up today, but tomorrow is more likely.
I hope you like the pictures! There is a chance I may get the pattern up today, but tomorrow is more likely.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
So Close.
I think I am just about finished with the editing on my pattern, woot! My test knitters have provided me with great feedback and more people than I would have thought are interested in the pattern. The final step is getting some killer photos and then it will be ready to leave the nest!
Today while out for a run, I found the perfect spot to grab some pretty photos of my shawls. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with me and it will be just as gorgeous as it was today, tomorrow. It is full fledged spring here in the South and the bugs are already out!
Stay tuned and I'll try to get the pictures up tomorrow and hopefully the pattern will follow shortly thereafter.
Today while out for a run, I found the perfect spot to grab some pretty photos of my shawls. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with me and it will be just as gorgeous as it was today, tomorrow. It is full fledged spring here in the South and the bugs are already out!
Stay tuned and I'll try to get the pictures up tomorrow and hopefully the pattern will follow shortly thereafter.
Monday, March 22, 2010
New blog, yay!
I have decided to take all of the crafty talk out of my running blog. Recently, I fell in love with knitwear design and I figured it would be nice to have a place solely devoted to that and a little soap and candle making occasionally.
Within the next week or so I will be releasing my first pattern, Belmondo. It is a simple knitted shawl done in delicious Malabrigo Twist on large needles. This pattern will be available free of charge here and also on Ravelry.
Here is an excerpt from my other blog, it gives a little back story about why I decided to start designing:
...(Ravelry) has also renewed and expanded my love for knitting. Not to mention all the wonderful folks that have encouraged me and pushed me to try things that I never would have. I think without Ravelry, I'd still be knitting simple scarves and very large, plain afghans.
Growing up I was always doing something creative, but my ultimate goal was to be a fashion designer. Once the time came to actually make a real decision about my future, I chose the safe route and went to college for a "real" profession. Not like that lasted, as I had always felt too constrained while at school. The next best thing for me being a makeup artist and colorist, it was a more stable job, but still had that creative flair.
For the past three years I have been completely immersed in the running world, from coaching marathoners to working as a buyer for a running store. That is where the excitement and the possibility was sparked for me again. Looking at the futures lines, apparel that I had to decide on now, but wouldn't actually be in store for 6 - 8 months, I wanted to try designing again.
During my first design efforts, I always had to depend on someone else to bring my ideas to life for me. Mostly it was my mother that ended up at the sewing machine, while I told her that it wasn't quite right and she explained to me that it couldn't work the way I wanted to do it. Ah, but now I have the ability to create my own garments and even if they don't work out, I'll be the one that makes that call after much trying.
For the past 6 months I have been sketching up all the little ideas that pop into my head, waiting for the time when I would be a confident enough knitter to start knitting them. Last week, I was lying in bed and could not sleep. I had an idea that would not go away, so I got out of bed and jotted it down. Upon waking in the morning, I got to work while I waited for the kettle to boil for my coffee. After two days of frenzied knitting, there it was, finally my little idea came to fruition in a finished object.
It is not a magnificent jacket or intricate sweater, just a bulky shawl with fringe, but it is mine! Something that I created from an idea in my head. Of course, that is not to say that it is wholly original or not inspired by other designs, just that for me this shawl means everything. It is the culmination of more than a decade of secret dreams and with one little spark that wouldn't fade, I realized that I could do it and that I didn't have to worry if I couldn't do it until I tried.
My tune may change once I try to tackle that notebook full of scribbles, but I do feel like I could conquer the world right now.
Within the next week or so I will be releasing my first pattern, Belmondo. It is a simple knitted shawl done in delicious Malabrigo Twist on large needles. This pattern will be available free of charge here and also on Ravelry.
Here is an excerpt from my other blog, it gives a little back story about why I decided to start designing:
...(Ravelry) has also renewed and expanded my love for knitting. Not to mention all the wonderful folks that have encouraged me and pushed me to try things that I never would have. I think without Ravelry, I'd still be knitting simple scarves and very large, plain afghans.
Growing up I was always doing something creative, but my ultimate goal was to be a fashion designer. Once the time came to actually make a real decision about my future, I chose the safe route and went to college for a "real" profession. Not like that lasted, as I had always felt too constrained while at school. The next best thing for me being a makeup artist and colorist, it was a more stable job, but still had that creative flair.
For the past three years I have been completely immersed in the running world, from coaching marathoners to working as a buyer for a running store. That is where the excitement and the possibility was sparked for me again. Looking at the futures lines, apparel that I had to decide on now, but wouldn't actually be in store for 6 - 8 months, I wanted to try designing again.
During my first design efforts, I always had to depend on someone else to bring my ideas to life for me. Mostly it was my mother that ended up at the sewing machine, while I told her that it wasn't quite right and she explained to me that it couldn't work the way I wanted to do it. Ah, but now I have the ability to create my own garments and even if they don't work out, I'll be the one that makes that call after much trying.
For the past 6 months I have been sketching up all the little ideas that pop into my head, waiting for the time when I would be a confident enough knitter to start knitting them. Last week, I was lying in bed and could not sleep. I had an idea that would not go away, so I got out of bed and jotted it down. Upon waking in the morning, I got to work while I waited for the kettle to boil for my coffee. After two days of frenzied knitting, there it was, finally my little idea came to fruition in a finished object.
It is not a magnificent jacket or intricate sweater, just a bulky shawl with fringe, but it is mine! Something that I created from an idea in my head. Of course, that is not to say that it is wholly original or not inspired by other designs, just that for me this shawl means everything. It is the culmination of more than a decade of secret dreams and with one little spark that wouldn't fade, I realized that I could do it and that I didn't have to worry if I couldn't do it until I tried.
My tune may change once I try to tackle that notebook full of scribbles, but I do feel like I could conquer the world right now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)