Talya's Smoky

Just finished this...a quick evening knit.

For a dear friend,

Talya!

Suri Shetland

Everyone says this is an easy pattern.

I didn’t really believe them.
But now I agree.

It’s awesome.

Lace that I can knit anytime, anywhere!

WOOHOO!

p.s. This lace looks so funny unblocked! Combined with my yarn choice, my husband is sure that I am now really crazy. Knitting a bumpy fur ball, in July, no less!

on Ravelry

On the HOMEPAGE!!!

Blue Sky Alpacas

I still can't believe that my pattern won!

And now is being featured!

I am so grateful to Susan for letting me

know about this contest,

and encouraging me to just get started!

.

.

p.s. my camera is broken, so bear with the lack of photos, please!

Otherwise you would see me, wrapped in Cinnamon Grace

even though it is over

90 degress today!!!

Contest Winner!

Cinnamon Grace has been chosen as a winner!

I am thrilled and excited and just can't wait to get my hands

on my new prize yarn!

Cinnamon Grace

Pampering your neck in luscious baby alpaca, and indulging your fashion sense with graceful ruffles, the Cinnamon Grace is a delicious blend of scarf and shawl, versatile as the spice itself.

Finished Size:
72 inches long by 9 inches wide
Yarn: 4 Skeins Blue Sky Alpacas Melange
100% baby alpaca, color 804, cinnamon,
50 grams/110 yards
Needles:
US#3 40 inch cable needle
Notions:
2 stitch markers
tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 20 stitches= 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch

Set up: (increasing every 4th row)

Cast on 2 sts. Knit 2.
Turn work, (WS) K1, cast on one (backwards loop cast on), K1. (3 sts)
1.(RS) knit
2.(WS) knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise.
3.(RS) knit
4.(WS) increase row: K1, cast on one (backwards loop cast on),
knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise

Continue in pattern until 11 stitches are on your needle, ending with Row 4.

1.(RS) knit
2.Knit 2, place marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise.
3.knit
4.knit 2, lift stitch below the next stitch on left needle and purl, place marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise

Increase Pattern Part One:

1.(RS) knit
2.(WS) knit 2, slip marker, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise
3.(RS) knit
4.(WS) knit 2, slip marker, lift stitch below the next stitch on left needle and purl, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise.

Continue in pattern until 29 sts on needle.

Increase Pattern Part 2:

1.(RS) knit
2. (WS) knit 2, slip marker, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise
3.(RS) knit
4.(WS) repeat row 2
5.(RS) knit
6.(WS) knit 2, slip marker, lift stitch below the next stitch on left needle and purl, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise

Work pattern 7 times. (36 sts)

Center Panel:

1.(RS) knit
2.(WS) knit 2, slip marker, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise.
Work as established (without increasing) for 17 inches.

Decrease Pattern Part One:

1.(RS) Knit until 4 sts left. Knit 2 together, Knit 2
2.(WS)knit 2, slip marker, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise.
3.(RS) knit
4.(WS) repeat row 2
5.knit
6.(WS) repeat row 2

Work pattern 7 times (29 sts)

Decrease Pattern Part Two:

1.(RS) Knit until 4 sts left. Knit 2 together, slip marker, Knit 2
2.(WS) knit 2, slip marker, purl to 2nd marker, slip marker, knit until 1 st left, with yarn in front, slip one purlwise.
3.(RS) knit
4.(WS) repeat row 2

Work pattern until only one stitch remains between stitch markers.

Ending:
1.(RS) Knit to first marker, remove, slip next stitch to right needle without knitting it, remove 2nd marker, put slipped stitch back on left marker, being careful not to twist it, then knit 2 together. Knit one.
2.(WS) Knit
3. (RS) Knit
4.(WS) Knit

Work ending until 3 stitches remain on needle (ending with row one).

Ruffle:
Pick up and knit in each garter stitch bump until you reach the opposite end, then pick up and knit three stitches in beginning cast on.
1.Purl
2. * Knit one, yarn over * repeat to end.
3. Knit
4.Knit one, * yo, knit 2 together * repeat to end.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until work measures 1 ¾ inch (or 5 times.)

Picot Bind-Off:
Cable cast on two stitches, then bind off 4 stitches. Repeat until 3 stitches remain, cable cast on two, bind off five.

Finishing:
Weave in ends and lock gently, in a semi-circle shape to flatten the ruffle.
Gently pull or pin each picot bump.
Photos and Pattern Copyright Katie Harris 2009. For personal use only.

Happy Mom's Day!

I truly had a wonderful day with my family!

(wearing my favorite summer shrug,

which I designed and knit earlier this spring.)

Lilacs in May

A capelet on the needles by Norah Gaughan.....

and the smell of lilacs blooming in the warm rain....

Loopy Lace Scarf

Loopy Lace Scarf
What fun to knit!!!
Light and lofty alpaca,
honey-comb lace with an easy-to-learn pattern,
this scarf is bliss!

Green Cable Capelet

Green Cable Capelet

I love this capelet! It turned out just as I envisioned, and it only takes one skein of Cascade Magnum!! Shown here in the colorway Lichen, I find that it is the perfect blend: enough details to keep the knitting interesting, but intuitive once you get the cable started, and picot edging and seed stitch borders. The back is gracefully curved, neither pointy or completely straight across, and best of all, this is a quick weekend knit...anywhere from 2-6 hours!

Inspired Ideas

Creativity flourishes in a place of peace.

.

.

.

Of course, my role-model in all things creative,

my great-grandmother,

created lasting heirlooms and gifts for her two daughters,

as a working single mother.

She made Christmas dresses for them out of one of her own.

She gathered and saved, using all she had.

Her thrift/glamour sensibility would be right at home

here in 2009!

Smoky

An easy lace spiral beret,

Smoky combines simple knitwork

with high style.

Knit in the round with

luxurious sock yarn in gorgeous colors,

this hat will be your new favorite!

availiable for free on Ravelry!