My Turquoise Project

So, here is what I am doing with my hand dyed yarn. I tried out a few patterns, but since I don't usually knit with tonal/variegated yarns, it took a while to find something I was happy with. And, I think this really looks great, as the colors are interesting, plus the pattern really brings out the softness and squishiness of a DK weight merino.
This shawl might remind you of the Icelandic Sunrise Shawl, and at first, that was what I tried to knit. But, the purling part was not coming smooth to me and it was a bit of a struggle. I admit, I did not try the Norwegian Purl method, I went for a more easy option. So, my version doesn't have a single purl stitch in it, and each cluster has 5 stitches instead of 4. The effect though is very similar, shawl will be very very warm, it looks interesting and has a great texture. One minor problem - I ran out of yarn. Yes, I used both skeins and I still have a couple rows I'd like to do for finishing and a FRINGE. I think this one really needs a fringe for a nice, finished look. So, I am up to a challenge to repeat my dyeing adventure... we'll see how that goes...

Adriana's sweetheart blanket

 I know, it's summer. It is way too hot for wool. BUT.... you can always find a good excuse if you're looking for one. At least I can :)
I've been thinking about it for a while. My son has three hand knit/crochet blankets, my daughter inherited them, but she doesn't have one that would be just for her - a special one. And, since we are planning a trip to Latvia in August, airplanes are usually cold and weather in my homeland is often unpredictable, I finally knit her one. A true sweetheart blanket, since she is the sweetest little girl in the world!

lace baby blanket

The pattern is my own again, not particularly difficult, but it does require a good deal of concentration. This is a light blanket, perfect for traveling and for unexpected weather changes in summer / fall.

I plan on a test-knit starting next week. It took me a week to knit it without stress, so I believe the pattern should be out by the end of the month! (If you'd like to test knit, please, leave a comment and I will get back to You!)

Inese

My Sunset Shawl

Waterloo Sunset

It all started with yarn....
Around Easter time I was experimenting with some egg dyes and section died some mohair/merino yarn. I was planning a shawl with it, and cast when the ColourMart contest on Ravelry began. I was planning and playing around with stitches creating several versions of patterns, but when I started to knit... they just did not seam right. I wanted something flowing, something with clean, clear lines. So I started all over again and once again, this is designed "on the go"...
 
When I was knitting this shawl, I was thinking of the last year's summer evenings, that we spent near the beach. There is a playground for children, and we usually stay there till it's dark. Watching sunset every evening while listening to the sea and children play is my perfect ending of a summer day and I am so looking forward to do just that this summer, too! Just the thought of it makes me feel happy and puts a smile on my face. One of my test knitters named her shawl "Waterloo Sunset", and I looked up the song.... although this had not been on my playlist before, it surely is now. I'll be quietly singing it while watching my sunset and wearing my shawl...

Have a happy summer!
Inese

Waterloo Sunset - 2

You can find this shawl on Ravelry as "Waterloo Sunset",
a downloadable pdf version is also available here: $6.00 .

Snowcloud in the middle of the summer

This is an impulsive project, but I start to believe that these turn out the best... I am in the middle of testing another shawl - the Sunset Shawl. I will tell You the story of it, once the testing is complete, as I want to shoot a few more nicer photos, but here's a sneak-peak:

This is a colorful lace shawl, and my test knitters are trying out some very attractive color combinations, too. One of my favorites at this moment is a light white to beige color combination in a Scandinavian yarn called "Plötulopi". I have never tried it, but I love the look so much, that I ordered some of that yarn just last night....

The thing is, that I am an unbelievably impatient person, and I kept going through my stash again and again till I came up with something that is somewhat satisfying me till my Plötulopi arrives. I decided to use a light blue lace weight merino in combination with white kid-mohair for the body - the look is nearly glowing! I have a few options on how to go for the border with either changing the light blue to a slightly darker shade, or, most likely, I will change the white mohair to grey and keep the blue. Despite the generous size of this shawl (my first version measures over 2m wingspan), this is a very fast knit. The body knits up very quick, and the border offers enough interest not to get bored with it. This shawl will be done in no time.

Windcatcher

I am happy to announce the release of Windcatcher - airy, light, very delicate lace shawl. I have to say I am very proud of this pattern. Before writing it up, I did some research about what makes a pattern good, and tried to use all advice I found. Clear instructions, pleasant layout, big, clear, easy to read charts, most commonly used knitting symbols. I have received a very positive feedback from my test knitters, and I am in fact considering  doing a remake for the patterns I already have published to match the same standard.

All of my test knitters have voted this pattern suitable for beginner lace knitters, mentioning following reasons:

• easy to read lace in both - body and border patterns
• easy to memorize the pattern
• has no complex stitches
• easy to pick up and knit without getting lost in the pattern

I agree with them, but I would just like to remind that a beginner knitter and beginner lace knitter are not exactly the same things. This will be an easy project - even as a first lace project - for those, who are comfortable with knitting in general. As there are a lot of yarn overs, You will need to keep a steady tension for the pattern to look nice and even. That being said, it really knits up in a breeze, so it's one of those knits that are easily finished and less likely to stay in a pro-longed Work-In-Progress status.

One of my test knitters has added beads throughout the body of the shawl - right on top of each double decrease. It looks absolutely stunning! I love it so much that I might just end up doing another Windcatcher, beaded this time.


At the moment the lace part is done in charts only, I might also add written instructions later on, if there are requests for that.
While I have done both my shawls with a relatively small needle, I am a really loose knitter. Normally I'd suggest using a needle size US 3-6, 3mm-4mm, or even 4,5mm for a fingering weight yarn. I have calculated the pattern for 5 different sizes, it is easy to adjust the size as you knit.
Here are a few more photos:

This shawl is available as a pdf file download for $6.00
You can also find Windcather on Ravelry.
Happy knitting!
Inese

A Diamond For A Girl

Diamond for a Girl is a simple shawl with a lace edging featuring unusual diamonds. This is the perfect everyday shawl for all those, who love lace, but usually tend to keep it in the closet till 'special occasion'.... well, I do that, too, I have to shamefully admit (and promise myself to wear one of those next chance I have :)). So I designed this shawl - simple, feminine, classy, with just enough of lace at it's border to add that special something you are looking for. The pattern comes in various sizes, you might want to go a size up or down depending on the yarn weight you use. Despite the fact that most of the shawl is a simple stockinette stitch, I would say this pattern is for those, who have already done at least one lace project. The pattern is not difficult per say, but it does require a good amount of concentration at certain rows, thus adding a bit of a challenge and interest after all that mindless stockinette.... This pattern is for sale and you can  for $3.50 as a downloadable pdf file. You can also find Diamond for a Girl on Ravelry - this pattern has been test-knitted and there are a few projects of other knitters to see this done in different yarns and sizes.
I hope You enjoy knitting it! And I really appreciate all the shared projects - they give great inspiration!

I Heart Lace

Finally, this simple, feminine shawl is also available as a design for those, who want to knit one. For me this was a new experience regarding test knitting. I'll admit - I was nervous. But my test knitters happen to be amazing people, who pointed out a lot of useful things. Once again, I was reminded that things that seam simple to one person, might create confusion to others, so I got a chance to improve the pattern to be easier to understand for everyone. It is one thing to design something new, and an entirely different thing to write it up in a good pattern. I am also very proud that it has been chosen as a KAL of the month for beginner lace knitters - I believe they will enjoy this project. If you feel like joining, visit the Ravlery group for beginning lace knitters Scary Lace and find a thread called Newbie Korner Kal. You can find I Heart Lace on Ravelry, or download now the pdf file, it is free! That is my gift to the fellow knitters on my birthday :) Happy knitting, and I hope to see a lot of beautiful shawls!

Fun Felt Egg Cozy Pattern

These are fun and a very quick project.
For a pdf version download now 

Things You’ll need:

A little bit of 100% wool yarn, worsted (super-wash will NOT felt)

DPNs or double point needles

Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Crochet hook
Meter

Rubber gloves for felting

Liquid dish soap for felting

Gauge: 4 st = 1 inch

Finished size after felting: ~4.5 inches tall, 3,5 inches - cozy + 1,5 inches - 'tail'. It fits over the whole egg.

Knitting.

Cast on 30 stitches and split them on 3 needles – 10 stitches/needle. Knit in round for 11 rows.

Row 12: k2tog, knit till the end of needle, repeat for each needle.

Repeat row 12 till you have 2 stitches left on each needle.

Then k2tog, put down the free needle, k2tog, put down the free needle, k2tog. You’ll end up with 3 stitches on one needle. Knit I-cord for about an inch.

Next row: knit back and front of the loop in all three stitches. You’ll have 6 st on the needle now. Knit two rows like if you were to do 6 st I-cord. Then slip the stitches on a crochet hook and pull the loop through all of them. Make one single crochet to tighten the “ball”. Make another single crochet to join the row where you increased I-cord from 3 to 6 stitches. Cut the yarn, weave in the ends.

 The un-felted cozy measures about 3.2" wide and about 5" tall including the 'tail'.

Felting.

Felting is done by using hot and cold water, while agitating the item with the rubber gloves and a drop of detergent. Start with hot water, soak your cozy, add some detergent and start working it with the gloves, don’t let it cool down. After a while, shock the cozy placing it under cold running water, wash out the soap and check progress. Repeat as many rounds of this as needed, every wool felts different, every color of the same wool felts different….
I only needed two cycles for this one:

result after felting cycle #1

result after felting cycle #2

Once you are happy with the result, dry the cozy with towel, gently squeezing out excess water. Shape it and leave to dry. Do NOT use a hair dryer! (ask me now I now it….)

That is it!

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I-cord - knit 3 stitches, do NOT turn work, just slide them to the right side of the needle, knit 3 stitches again, slide again, knit 3 st again… etc

k2tog - knit two stitches together

When Less Is More...

I found that a simple knit triangular shawl with a lace edging is very appealing and sometimes even more than a complicated lace... Why? Because it is so easy to add it to various styles and combine it with everyday outfits, creating a really classy and elegant look.
These are my latest lace shawls:
The Red Lace Shawl:

It is done in simple stockinette stitch, adding a lace border that features hearts. A few more pics:

 I might just write up a pattern for it, I really love how this came out....  For now, You can purchase the ready shawl at silverliningknits.etsy.com

And here is the Fuschia Lace Shawl:

It's a fairly simple border, but it also looks nice. I have used this border for my Deep Purple shawl, but I simplified it a little this time. I have added this shawl to my shop at silverliningknits.etsy.com

Winter Sparkles - textured shawl

Finally released!!!
My textured winter shawl pattern is  finally out for everyone to purchase. My test knitter said the pattern looks like sparkles, so it got the name.

The released pattern has both - written instructions and charts, and it should be easy to understand even for those, who are just beginning to knit. It took me just 4 evenings to create it while watching TV - after a few repeats the pattern flows really easy! If you want to make one like these, look up Winter Sparkles Shawl on Ravelry.com or
Happy knitting!