Tyrian Loop, Knitscene Winter 2013

Tyrian Loop is a lace beaded loop that was just published in Knitscene Winter 2013!  I'm really happy to be included in this issue along with two of my super designer friends, Dilettant Knits with her lovely pattern, Black Cherry Pullover and Rock & Purl was the featured designer with several patterns, Stereo Mittens, Hi-Fi Pullover, and Victor Shawl!

Here's my own photo of the loop focusing on texture...

And from the Knitscene site...

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

A bit about the Tyrian Loop:
It comes in two sizes 48 (21 1/2)” circumference and 7 (10)” tall; shown in size 48”
Yarn 
Malabrigo Arroyo (100% superwash merino; 335 yd 305 m/100 g): #872 purpuras, 1 skein 
Gauge
21 sts and 38 rows = 4” in Geometric Lace patt 
Tools 
• Size 4 (3.5 mm): 32 (16)” circular (cir) needle 
• Size 10 (0.75 mm) steel crochet hook 
• Marker (m) 
• Tapestry needle 
• 180 (112) 4 to 4.5 mm Rocaille beads with silver centers

This loop (or cowl) has a fun geometric lace pattern, uses an i-cord as a foundation and bind-off, and includes beads that add eye-catching pop.


And, just a bit of pride in my pals' work...

Dilettant Knits, Black Cherry Pullover

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

Rock and Purl, Featured Designer in the issue designed a whopping 4 projects for this issue...

Stereo Mittens

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

Hi-Fi Pullover

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

Victor Shawl

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

and Quadraphonic Cardigan

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

Upcoming Knits Winter: Top Secret Sneak Peek!

I've been busy lately!  The knitting wave has rolled over me, and it's still washing it's yarny goodness at my shores.  But, while I'm working on these knitted lovelies that are meant for publication, I'm not allowed to share the project in progress.  So, I've settled on giving you all a sneak peek of what I'm working on...

That's all I can show for now, but at least you can see the lovely textures and colors I'm working with this season.  As soon as these two projects are published, I'll be posting right here!

Also, this week I'll be heading over to Denmark to visit during a wool festival... this one.  I'm really excited!  I'll let you all know how it goes.

My first loaf: Whole Wheat Bread

Well, I don't know how many of you have ever baked your own sandwich bread, but I have way more respect for bakers now.  This loaf of bread took three days to make... mostly because I started too late at night twice in a row.

The most difficult part was making the most efficient time of the process, but the recipe from Cook's Illustrated March-April 2011 Issue is really enjoyable to follow.

Here's the ingredients list, but what really makes it is the process...
Biga
2 Cs bread flour
1 Cs warm water (100-110 degrees)
1/2 tsp instant or rapid-rise yeast

Soaker
3 Cs (16 1/2 ounces) whole-whet flour plus extra kneading
1/2 C wheat germ
2 Cs (16 ounces ) whole milk

Dough
1/4 C honey
4 tsps table salt
6 tblsps unsalted butter, softened
2 tblsps vegetable oil

It's too long to explain here (and you can find the whole process online here), but in short there are independent rising times, dough flattening, folding, rolling, more rising time, pizza stones, and finally water in the oven so the crust browns, but doesn't burn.  The bread is delicious.  For me, it was absolutely worth the trouble, and I'm enjoying every bite!

Double Wedding Ring Quilt, Autumn Colors

Today, I'm showing a double wedding ring quilt I made for a friend who was married earlier in August.  I was stumped as to what to make for this sewing buddy and when the double wedding ring quilt challenge came along I thought it was kismet.  I rolled with it.

the pieced top, not yet quilted

She tends to like colors found in fall leaves: coppers, golds, and rich, warm reds, so I dug into my stash and came up with silk fabric I had been holding onto until a special project came along.  I have to admit I was daunted by the curved piecing and the multiple seams.  And the plaid silk, while being lovely to touch, feels like paper to sew, and it shows every mistake you make.  I tried to match the plaid too!  That was a fun challenge since I was using leftover fabric, but I think it worked reasonably well considering!

I am not actually sure how I completed the piecing for this quilt, but somehow I did it.  I should read up on how others have completed the task so I can get a bit better at it for next time.  ((This is really the year of the wedding in my world!! Six weddings?!  And I'm just counting the ones I'm attending.))

I was really proud of  how nice the binding came out!  Hurray! For successful research and applying skills learned from YouTube!

Pattern (free!): Double Wedding Ring From the Girlfriends collection by Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom for FreeSpirit
Fabric: silks from stash, quilting cotton from stash, orange bias binding from Stoff & Co.

Columbina Camisole, knitted top pattern

Here's a new pattern out for August, my birthday month!

The Columbina Camisole was named for the delicate two-colored flower, and this simple two-colored camisole with lace edges is perfect for summer picnics. It’s also a nice travel project as it is worked flat from the bottom up. Lace is added from a provisional cast-on down to the bottom edge, and upward from open stitches. The lace edging is easy to memorize and can be blocked as rounded scallops or soft waves.

Skills required to complete the project:

• provisional cast-on
• knitting
• decreasing/increasing
• picking up stitches

The pattern does contain links to resources on how to do the provisional cast-on among other techniques.  And, if you'd like to know more about it, or purchase the pattern to make it yourself, it's here on Ravelry, and soon to be on Craftsy and Patternfish too.

The main knitting is very machine knit friendly, and lends itself to a very quick machine knit, and then the finishing lace can be completed by hand.

Happy Summer!