Enchanted Garden

Over the past months I've been giving you a few insider shots into the design process of my newest patterns. Talk about a huge weight off my shoulders, because at long last it is time to show off the Enchanted Garden.

The ebook contains 6 patterns that are all inspired by an Irish garden with a Gaelic theme. This enchanted garden entices you to enter where soft clovers dapple the diamond-shaped walkway. An elaborately curled wrought iron gate is left exposed by the climbing ivy that ascends an ancient stone wall. Time-honored memories seem to resonate here among the flowers.

Cosan is the Gaelic word for path. The diamond clover stranded colorwork pattern evokes a feeling of walking through a garden path surrounded by wild flowers..

Trean is the Gaelic word for strong. The wrought iron gate stranded colorwork pattern gives a sense of majestic strength and yet has a classic beauty all it’s own.

Dreap is the Gaelic word for climb. The ivy trellis stranded colorwork pattern is fun and playful. As the ivy climbs along one side, the trellis climbs the other.

And if your interested, but don't want to splurge for the whole ebook? You can buy each pattern separately. I would pay special attention to the pattern notes that talks about yardage, because if you want to make the matching piece you might not need to buy more of the secondary colors.

Intro: Dreap

Another inside look at the second pair of designs of the Enchanted Garden ebook:

Dreap  (Gaelic meaning: climb)

The ivy trellis stranded colorwork pattern is fun and playful. As the ivy climbs along one side, the trellis climbs the other. The infinity scarf starts with a provisional cast-on. The stranded color is worked in the round with purl edge to allow the scarf tube to lay flat. Ivy shows on one side and trellis on the other. The mittens fall in line with the same theme. The cuff is a simple one-by-one rib, but the yellow is introduced to give a little pop of color and for the budding flowers that grow. These buds are applied to both pieces after completion with modified embroidery technique called the French knot.

Sketching for my patterns has become a true passion for me. My ideal photo shoot will be to mimic this pose. Although It wont happen because while in the middle designing this pattern I came to harsh reality that a double thick color work infinity scarf would set the wearer on fire and also make it too bulky to actually wear comfortably. So, ultimately the pattern became a cowl instead. Yes, the knitter can customize the pattern by adding more length, if they so choose.

Intro: Cosan

I would like to give you a sneak into my design process. Since for as long as I can remember, drawing has always been a part of my life. With the Enchanted Garden, I wanted to showcase my sketching and illustration skills a little bit by drawing the knits on models.

With that I give you an inner look at the first 2 designs of the Enchanted Garden ebook:

Cosan (Gaelic meaning: Path)

The diamond clover stranded colorwork pattern emulates a walking path through a garden surrounded by wild flowers. The Tam starts with an icord edge, then transition into the colorwork hem which then widens for a traditional slouch effect. The matching convertible mittens would also start off the same way allowing for a cohesive look. Worked from the wrist to fingers and constructed with a flip-top, the button down style allows for easy access to fingers.

Synergy Mystery Knit-Along

** Tap ** Tap ** Tap **

Is this thing on??

I've got some fun things happening over here and I believe it will help me jump start this blog again. I've been struggling with how much to tell and what to tell. It then leads me to not say anything. And to be honest That is just No Fun at all.

So instead of struggling, I'm going to let you in more. Unless my designs are going to be knit for a true publication which holds every designer under a vial of discrete silence, I'm letting you in to my self publishing world.

This leads me to my latest exciting project. A couple of months ago I was cleaning out the store space under the stairs and found my box of Barbie, GI-Joe and Jem dolls. My daughter squealed at the top of her lungs in delight. The dolls are from a '80s cartoon series Jem and the Holograms. I instantly knew I had to design something based on my daughter and the classic show.

That brings us to today where I have a pattern ready for the world, but why launch a pattern just to send it out. Why not break up the pattern and do a Mystery Knit-Along!! The pattern works perfectly into this scenario and what a better time to launch this MKAL but during my daughters birthday month.

The pattern is a little girly, a little punk and Totally Outrageous!! Need some help with colors? No problem. I founds some fantastic outfits from the show and paired up color combos to inspire ideas.



Are you sucked in yet? Well, take advantage now and buy the Synergy Mystery KAL pattern from now until the end of August for just $3.00 because come September 1st the pattern price will go up to $6.00

Join in on the fun by participating in the Knifty Red Designs group.



Grab the avatar for your project page. Tag your project with synergyMKAL. We'll have separate threads for spoilers, so keep a watch out. I'm looking at getting a prize together for all those who post finished projects.

Purchase the pattern now and you will get the preliminary download to get you started and prepared for August 1st.

Clue Release Dates are scheduled for:
Clue 1 - August 1st
Clue 2 - August 8th
Clue 3 - August 15th
Clue 4 - August 22nd

So come on and join in on the fun.

FO: Done With Thrums

This will complete the third pair of thrummed mittens. I'm done. The fiber prep is killer. I don't plan to make another pair... like ever. Well, I guess I shouldn't say ever, but as least not for another year.

I had to get these done for Miss Mac. This winter has been mild, but has decided to show up...so just in time to keep her fingers warm.



The one great thing about this kind of project is it only takes one skein of Cascaded 220 and 2 oz of fiber. It all comes together quite nicely, but be aware that if your thrums are thick you could run out of fiber.

Below 0 = Thrummed Mittens

This will be my third pair of Thrummed Mittens. With the drop in temperature comes the want for mittens. It got up to 16 degrees today, but this morning was a negative number with the windchill. The mittens alone go super quick. Making of the fiber thrums themselves is a tedious journey that I'm ready to be done with.

Parade of Finished Objects...

Over the holidays it was seriously intense around here. Not only was I working on launching the new blanket pattern but I had plans to Knit. All. The. Things. The original plan was to knit something small for most of the little people in my life. And to be honest, I had done a fair job. More things got added to the list, while others fell away.

Monsters for each of my SIL boys. They are at that perfect age (4 and 2), where a stuffie is still kinda cool and then add the "monster" bit in and we are talking winner-winner-chicken-dinner!




My son then saw these little guys and... well, lets say things got weird. My 6 foot 4 inch, 17-year old son... reverted back to his 3-year-old self. He said in the most sweetest voice, "I want one." Which just took me by surprise. I was planning on knitting him a hat, but since he was requesting, I just couldn't say no.

Thus, there was the red and black monster



New slippers for Mac because she grew out of her last pair.



Then there was this moment in late November that my husband wore out his slipper, so that got added to the list and now he has warm toes.



I purchased a thrummed kit from a vendor at Vogue Live Chicago and finished them pretty quickly:



I was then hooked. A quick jaunt to The Fold and was now making more mittens... a pair for Grandma in blue.



Then there was the Lined Beanie for Grandpa Larry made out of some left over gray Berroco Vintage yarn and some green/black Noro yarn for the stripes.



There is more to talk about, but *sigh*, I'm done for now. Perhaps I will pick up blogging more often. I miss it.

Gannon Pattern & Contest

I hold a special place in my heart for my Grandma Pat. A teacher of Irish decent who loved a Manhattan and a Kit-Kat for happy hour. Gotta love that!

I bear the middle name Patricia, which comes from her. Yet everyone called her Pat. She was kind and always had a smile. I think happy hour had a lot to do with it.



While in the design process of making these cables pieces, I thought to myself, she would have really like these. It then seemed a perfect fit to make them blue, in her favorite color of course.



I'm really excited to launch this pattern set and just in time for my Grandma's birthday Month. So in honor of her and the month of May, I'm running a contest and a discount on the pattern. You can purchase the pattern for just a buck by clicking the link which will take you to Ravelry.

I'm also giving away two skeins of the Simpliworsted yarn to a random commenter on this post. You have until May 17th at midnight to enter to win. I'll pick a name by the random number generator and post the winner that Friday (May 18th).



The yarn is super fabulous to work with and you can get any one of the pieces completed with these two skeins.

Cheers Grandma! Here's to you!!

FO: Mac Mitts

So, you know Miss Mac wanted her own pair of Tourbillon Mitts.... with Hearts! No problem sweetie.



Pattern: Tourbillon Mitts by Kris Carlson (me)

Yarn: 2 skeins of Smart by Sandnes Garn in pink and purple. Approximately 20 yards of Ambrosia by Knit One Crochet Two

Needles: US 2 dpn

Started: January 2, 2012

Finished: January 24, 2012



When I finished the first one and she tried it on her first reaction was "Itchy!" ~oh boy. Well, that's when I decided to add a cuff liner in the most softest yarn I had in my stash. Ambrosia. It's like heaven. 

Brookstone

I'm proud to announce that Kollage Yarns has just released one of my new designs for their spring collection. Say hello to Brookstone.

I was really inspired by the colors of Kollages Sock-a-licious yarn. The variegated yarn has so much depth and it married beautifully with the solids. The window pane design allows the colors to fade and transition giving it a delicate touch.

The yarn was an absolute dream to work with... Sock-a-licious is a fingering weight merino, silk and nylon blend. Seriously? You can't go wrong with merino and silk!!

The Brookstone pattern set is consisted of a tam, cowl and mitts which is perfect for those cool spring mornings. What is even better is that all you need to complete the full set is one skein in each colorway.

I couldn't have done this project with out the my crew. Huge thanks goes out to Knitterary and Amy at Writing Weaver for their fantastic efforts and tight deadlines. You guys are the best!

If you're interested in purchasing the Brookstone pattern you can find it for pdf download on Patternfish.

FO: Tourbillon Mitts

Pattern: Tourbillon Mitts by Kris Carlson (me)

Yarn: 3 skeins of Sandnes Garn Lenett in yellow, white and blue

Needles: US 2 dpn

Started: August 5, 2011

Finished: December 31, 2011



I loved designing this pattern and hated having to mail it off to the publication, so I cast on for my own pair. The yarn is a lighter weight and it is a more snug fit, but it works and I love them.

Day 38-365: Celtic Mittens

Latest take-along project are a pair of Celtic Mittens. I've changed the pattern just a bit to have a thumb gusset which fits better on the hand. The numbers work out, so I'm giving it the Thumbs UP!

Bonus Photo



The Year of Stash Socks is doing mittens for the month of February and you know I can't resist cables!! With 696 members and growing its got some serious activity going in this Knit-along. Come on over and check them out and the pattern Celtic Moonrise Mittens.

FO: Postwar Mittens

Don't you just love a dedicated blogger? or perhaps I'm just crazy... outside I go for a photo shoot.



Pattern: Postwar Mittens from Twist Collective Winter '08

Yarn: 3 skeins of Dale Baby Ull in 3 different colors

Needles: US 2 bamboo DPNs

Started: January 8, 2009

Finished: February 2, 2009



Comments: Highly addictive. The class was excellent and I'm so happy to have learned how to catch the floats. I can totally see myself pumping another pair of these incredible mittens out. I think perhaps I'll move to metal DPNs for the next pair as the bamboo was a little nerve racking.

The only unloved aspect would be the thumbs, but in the end it didn't bother me enough to not want another pair. I even made mine custom with this:



Yep, That's RED 2009 on my thumbs! How freakin' awesome is that!

Best Cheesecake Ever

I seriously wish the Internet would catch up and get taste-o-vision so you could partake in the awesome goody-ness that is Blueberry Cheesecake. I know several of you are going to be mad at me for not posting a photo, but seriously... it's that good and nobody is happy with a photo of an empty pie plate.

My dear friend Knitterary knows how to throw a party and when it was deemed Winter Blues Bash... Well hell! Blueberry cheesecake is a must. I did a little research and then saw this recipe that had 74 reviews and 96 percent of the reviews would make it again, Perfect!

I would like to mention when you make the topping, go for the full 10 oz jar of fruit spread, as you can never have enough;)

In knitting news, the Pea Coat is all seemed up and will be lined soon. I don't want to post any more photos until it's complete and I have my photo shoot. I do have to say that I'm really falling in love with it again. (you were right TT;) The issue was lining up the belts properly so that one side isn't lopsided and the collar isn't distorted with my right side on my chest and the left up by my ear.

Postwar Mittens are almost complete with only thumbs and binding off for the tips:



I know I'm going to try and block these, but is there any suggestion on how to do that? should I do it on a tall glass?

The Cable Lagoon Socks are coming right along. I've modified my own pattern and done the heel flap gusset instead of the short-row heel as it's my preferred method. I've got plenty of yarn, so no need in worrying about running out.

Busy Days

I sometimes wish that I could win the lotto. sigh, it would be nice to have all that free time to do What. Ever. You. Wanted... instead of working EVERY day until you shrivel up and croak. Not like I'm bitter:P

So, while I'm stealing a quick moment from my ever lovin paid job, I wanted to post about my current projects.

Pea Coat from Hell! is in the middle of being seemed.



As of this very moment. I don't like it. Perhaps I'll feel different once I get the collar on and finish the lining.

Lets move on... Cable Lagoon socks are to the point of creating the heel. I love this part as it means it half way done.



Postwar Mittens are to the thumbs and I'm super excited to get these going. We have one more class to finish the thumbs and then I'll have my first FO of the New Year.



In other news, my dear friend and shop owner Trish cast-on my St. Brigid for me, so now I'm all ready to jump start that project come February.



Tata for now... I hope my work schedule will lighten up soon, but just know I'm still Knitting!

A Good Student

Thursday is my next class on the Postwar Mittens and my homework was to be to the thumb. Once I reached that section of the pattern, the fit seemed a bit short so I then added an additional repeat.

Then of course when I saw my SnB buddy start her second mitten... I new I had to keep up just a little to make sure I would have these mittens done before spring.

A Little Obsessed

Do you see?
How lovely can it be?
A warm mitten for me?

The other night I was reading Thomas The Train Rhyme stories to Miss Mac and now sometimes I get stuck in rhyming things. Does this happen to anyone else?

Anywho... I started the Postwar Mittens Class at Nana's Knitting Shop and became so deeply in love that I could not put it down.

I also have to show off Little Hunter who is quickly turning 3 months old. He reminds me of when Eric was little and how the facial expressions could just about make you tinkle in your panties.

Exploring Color Options

If you haven't see the Twist Collective online magazine...go take a look. When I saw the winter series, what popped out most for me was the Postwar Mittens.

So I was completely thrilled to see that Nana’s Knitting Shop was scheduling a class for this pattern. After begging to be allowed into an already filled class I went off to pick out my colors. It was a bit hard, but this is what I came up with:



After getting several "Great Pick" comments I took it home and then started to ponder if I had chosen the right set. My geeky-ness will now seep in and show you how concerned I am about these color choices.

I drew up a quick sample of the chart needed to plug in my colors and this is the result of the main color selection with dominate green:



Not bad, but what if we flip colors for a dominate brown:



Then I was thinking the yellow was not being used enough, so how about this:



Yuck! Definitely not that one. Now my concern at first are for the powerful contrast of the brown against the green. What if I went with a darker green instead:



Then of course I had to flip that and see:



Then I realized that the picking of the darker green was actually more like the original colors in the pattern. That isn't really what I wanted to do, not that I don't like it, it's just that I want my own version, see?

What do you think? Should I have the green or brown be the dominate color?