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

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!

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