What have I been up to?...

Spinning...



and more spinning...



These lovely bobbins are 2 out of the 3 I'm spinning in Frabjous Fibers Blue Faced Leicester (BFL) in the color Olive Tree. It's the first time I'm trying this method, but once it's all grown up I'll have a 3-ply yarn. Kind of excited about it.

Come join the fun: Indie Design Gift A-Long!

Some amazing things have been happening behind the scenes with the Indie Designers. There are 170 designers putting on a Gift-A-Long from November 1 - December 31. During the next 15 days (Nov 1 - 15) you can choose from nearly 3,000 patterns at a 25% off when you use the code “giftalong”.

Once you’ve picked your Gift-A-Long patterns, you can join a relevant Knit-Along/Crochet-Along. All of my self-published patterns are eligible for the discount, even the ebooks! What is even better is that there are prizes. Yes... PRIZES!! So go right now and participate in the threads ... From what I'm hearing there are some cool things you can win.



So whether your knitting that gift for a family member or yourself, it's totally worth it to get involved!

FO: WendyKnits Summer Mystery Shawl 2013

Pattern: Summer Mystery Shawl 2013 KAL by Wendy Knits

Yarn: 1 skein of Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace in gold

Needle: US 7 circular

Started: July 31, 2013

Finished: September 11, 2013

Notes: Didn't change a thing. It was a perfect knit. There are three sizes available and I went for the largest one. With over a 1000 yds, I knew I wanted to use as much as I could. I still have plenty of leftovers!! The final blocked size was 80 inches wide and 40 inches in height.




These shots where taken at the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville. I'm so in love with this location. It is on the short list for future photo shoots.

A Little Something...

That needs to be finished is the Wendy Knits Summer Mystery Knit-along... ready for blocking...



And then BAM! with a 80 inch width and a 40 inch height... it looks like I'll need to grab another set of blocking boards...

FO: Jacob's Woobie Monkey

It's been a long time coming, but I've finally put a face on the lingering project for an online sweetheart who had an adorable baby boy named Jacob.




I personalize the blanket with the initial J using a stem stitch embroidery technique. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I'm shipping this in the mail in hopes that Jacob adores it as much as I do.

The only downside to making something so cute...getting asked by everyone if I can make them one too! I love each and everyone of you out there, but there is no way that will happen.

Want to make one? Sure, go here to buy the pattern for the monkey!

Lace makes me happy.

Lace makes me happy., a photo by mommy_of_mac on Flickr.

This has been on the go with me for some time now. I don't get much non-design knitting now days, but when I do, it's lace.

Pattern is WendyKnits Summer Mystery Shawl 2013 KAL.

Stitches 2013

Another year, another Stitches. Specifically another Stitches Midwest.



The haul that I brought home is sooooo full of goodies, that it just makes me smile. I did notice that I heavy on the Green this year and how can you not fall in love with these precious gems.

Major highlights: 6 skeins of Madelinetosh Pashmina in the Forestry colorway from the Webs booth, 8 skeins of Glenfiddich Wool in the Spruce Heather colorway, Another Crafty Girl, Miss Babs, 2 lace silky baby camel skeins from Cephalopod Yarns, buttons, beads, blocking mats, signature needle, Cloud Lover fiber, 10 skeins of Silky Wool in brown and Erin Lane bags.

 I'm having such a great time playing with all my goodies. What a great weekend, full of friends, fiber and food.

Spoiler: Clue 1 Synergy MKAL

Clue 1 was released Thursday and it's so exciting to see the colors everyone is working with. Check out the fun in the Synergy MKAL - Clue 1 Spoiler Thread!

I've also decided to join along. My desire was to have two color combos showcased in the final release of the pattern and what better why to the join along with everyone else!

I didn't divide my yarn, so this might be an utter disaster! Yet so far so good!



Stay tuned for Clue 2 - released this coming Thursday, August 8th!

Synergy MKAL Clue #1

Synergy MKAL Clue #1-have you casted-on? #synergyMKAL, a photo by mommy_of_mac on Flickr.

Pattern has launched today! Have you casted-on?

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: Color Affection

Pattern: Color Affection by Veera Välimäki

Yarn: 3 skeins Miss Babs Yet Lace Weight color combo

Needles: US 5

Started: August 12, 2012

Finished: December 3, 2012

Talk about the hottest knitting pattern around. If you are ever around a bunch of knitters, yarn store or perhaps Stitches... you're going to see one and want one. AND if your me... totally cast one on the minute you hit the Miss Babs booth. WHY? because they have the colors already selected for you. Super easy, just grab and go. No thinking involved.



The minute I saw the green I was in love. Wear this all the time and it wasn't until I just finished my last project that I totally realized I hadn't blogged about this one.

FO: Wingspan

Pattern: Wingspan by Maylin Tri'Coterie Designs

Yarn: 1 skein of Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball

Needles: US 5 circular

Started: January 11, 2013

Finished: March 24, 2013

Notes: The final depth is shallow, measuring from bind-off edge to a point at 9 inches.

My gauge measures 6sts per inch, which to be honest I didn’t even check. Wanted something mindless to work on. I love it. Just wish I had an extra ball so I could make it longer. It’s barely long enough to keep my neck warm. Made it to 10 points and bound off with only 1 gram to spare.

I’d totally make this again. Would adjust it to allow for deeper points and have plenty of yarn to make this go further.



If you ever get a chance, check out the long list of finished objects on this project list. Some very awe-inspiring projects that make you drool.

Survey - Hand Measurements

I’m currently working on some intricate designs and would love to gather some data from my awesome testers by having you take a quick survey. I’m hoping you’ll grant me a little bit of your time by taking hand measurements.

I’m finding there is a lack of standards of measurement used for hands. Really hoping that gathering these numbers will generate a more accurate standard within my own patterns. In my own personal findings, I purchase XL woman gloves and sometimes go up to a Medium men. Yet the charts on websites have me listed as a Small, which I know not to be true.

Please record your measurements in cm. This can help with a more accurate reading. Keep the measuring tape slack, not loose or tight.

Below is a diagram with the locations of the measurements:



Circumference
A: Palm (widest part of the palm, across knuckles at a slight angle)
B: Thumb (wrap knuckle and cross tape so the 0 marker lines up with the edge of the tape below)
C: Wrist (below palm where the hand bends)

Length
D: Thumb to Wrist (hold tape with pointer finger and thumb, measure to wrist where hand bends)
E: Thumb to Knuckle (tip of thumb to knuckle)
F: Finger Tip to Wrist (middle finger to wrist where hand bends)
G: Palm to Wrist (top of palm where fingers begin to wrist where hand bends)

Additional Information:
1: Age (Adult or Child)
2: Sex of persons measurements

You can reply to this post or visit the Knifty Red Designs survey thread on Ravelry... Thanks so much for your time.

WIP: Wingspan

It's a random Wednesday and I figured I'd share with you my latest work-in-progress.




I carry this lovely bit in my purse to work on at open moments when I get a chance. It's a great portable project for on the go. I'm working it on size US5 needles and the yarn is Crazy Zauberball.

The project so far is pleasing. I'm hoping the finished project will be long enough to wrap a couple of times around my neck because the depth of the scarf is a little shallow.

A Sweater for Eddie

It was around Thanksgiving time when my husband announced that he wanted a sweater. sigh. The next day it just so happened that I was on my way to The Fold with some knitting buddies. While there I looked over yarns to get some ideas. The only problem with this tactic is I had no pattern and not a clue as to his chest size. So, I didn't purchase anything that day, but went home to quiz the hubby about the style of sweater.

His answer? "I don't know." Great.

So, I log in to the Ravelry pattern search, did a selective search on worsted weight men's pullovers and it came up with about 350 or so pattern ideas. I sat him in front of the computer and told him to browse.

What happened next was really my own fault. I should have just chosen a sweater and been done with it. He would have loved anything that I picked, but I wanted him involved. Why? Why on earth would I want him involved...Yeah, get this... my husband then proceeds to judge all the men wearing the sweaters. sigh. He's bald. He's fat. I stood there shaking my head. Really? I know he was pulling my leg, but to think that a sweater would make him look bald is laughable.

He then picked a pattern, Able Cable. Next was picking yarn. I knew this was going to be the hardest of all. So, I asked: what color? I should have just pick one, but no...I'm a gluten for punishment. He told me that he wasn't sure what color it was. Huh? How is it possible for a former press-man not to know what color? So, back to the pattern search. I pulled the list back up and had him review the searches again. He found the sample in question. Guess what he found. A variegated yarn. ::Gasp:: Right??? There is no way in hell I was knitting a variegated sweater, especially one with cables.

I told him that the yarn was expensive and would cost up to $200 to make. That shut him down because if there is one thing I know about my husband, he's cheep. Not so much on everyone else, but totally when it comes to himself.

I then went stash diving and had a couple of options, but since my husband is baby when it comes to "softness" I picked Princess. The yarn is just about the loveliest yarn ever with a blend of cashmere and angora. I haven't told him the name of the yarn yet. I'm saving that little bit for later. It should be hilarious to see his expression;)



I started with the sleeves since it makes the project seem to go faster. Plus how can you not do them two at a time? Makes matching all that more accurate.

The only disappointing part is I thought I had 13 balls. It seems that I only had 11. I most likely used up two skeins for something else and didn't record the adjustment in my Ravelry stash. This then means I'll most likely will be purchasing a few more to finish this project. Oh well. At least I know in the back of my mind that I'll be able to wear the sweater too:)

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.