Contrast and Complement

Contrast and Complement shawl

Finally, it's been published!

I've had the idea about this shawl since last winter. But as it sometimes happens with good ideas, it takes a while until they get to the point of a completed project.
I got some super nice extra fine merino this spring, when my favorite yarn seller - Colourmart - had put up sets of matching colors for sale on their e-bay site. These greens were meant to be together, and so I started the shawl. It might sound a little crazy, but I did not actually have a written plan for it, just the idea of how I wanted it to look in the end. And, I think it came out really, really nice! :)

The pattern is being tested on Ravelry, at Free Pattern Testers group, a few projects are still in finishing lines. My test group is really great, and have given a lot of input in this pattern. (I probably say that about every test, but... well, knitters are generally very nice people :))

While my original shawl was knit from top down, I have designed the pattern so that it can be knit both ways, top down and bottom up, each of both having it's advantages. I know I prefer the top down, I just tend to finish projects faster, when the stitch count is decreasing :D

I plan to start another shawl, and I have started a Knit-A-Long in 11 shawls in 2011 group on Ravelry, if You'd like to join. The pattern is available as an instant download, the regular price will be $6,00, but ontil November 10, 2011 it's on special offer for $4.00.You can get it here , or find Contrast and Complement on Ravelry.
Some more photos:

Darling Blankie pattern release

My daughter Adriana and her Darling Blankie

Finally, I have gone through the pattern one more time, and I think I am quite happy with it. Most test knits have been finished by now, too - the blankets are gorgeous!!!! So here is the pattern! :) It includes both - a chart and written instructions. My test group has been simply amazing, and I think the pattern has improved a lot thanks to their feedback and Josephine's advice. Their projects should be soon linked up to the Ravelry pattern page, have a look!

If You knit for charity, please, message me up with the charity you support and I will happily gift You the pattern! (let me know your e-mail address or Ravelry username, so I can send it to You)

The pattern is available for USD 3,50 as an instant download here -buy now and on Ravelry as "Darling Blankie". My usual copyright policy applies, You can find it here.

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!

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!