Happy Holidays to you and yours!
See you in 2012!
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The day has finally come. The Flower Market Shawl pattern is now available for purchase on Ravelry (you do not need to be a member of Ravelry to purchase the pattern)! It’s a perfect shawl for the changing seasons! It is a really fun knit and I had a blast designing it!
The Flower Market Shawl is a triangular shawl with a garter stitch border. It is knit from the center back to the bottom edge, with increases at each edge and along the center stitch. The finished size is approximately 51 inches x 30 inches. The pattern includes both chart instructions and full written instructions. It has been test-knitted several times without issue.
I want to give a shout-out to my good friend Heidi who helped me design a logo to use on this pattern (and all future patterns). She really did an awesome job (and graciously put up with me changing my mind on things every 5 minutes). I’m thrilled to have something to represent Freckles & Purls so beautifully! Thanks, Heidi!
Posted in design, knitting | 2 Comments »
I’m working on a new design for a lace shawl and I’m thrilled with how it’s turning out! I’m almost finished with it! The charts are done and I’m in the process of converting them to written instructions. Then it’s off to test knitters, etc and then available to YOU! I’m shooting for an early October release so stay tuned!
Posted in design, knitting | 2 Comments »
How can the one thing I’m completely obsessed with not bring me joy? It’s the question that I think all knitters and crocheters have asked themselves at one time or another. It usually happens when a week (or more) has gone by and we realize we haven’t picked up our needles or hooks at all.
Of course, there can be many reasons for this lull/hiatus. One is life. Life sometimes (most of the time?) finds itself getting in the way of the fun stuff. Another hurdle can be the loss of interest in current projects (this plagues me more than I care to admit). Or maybe we put down our hooks and needles because of lack of inspiration. There just aren’t any patterns out there “calling” to us. Or maybe there are other hobbies or interests filling up our free time.
Or maybe, like in my case, it’s all of the above.
I’ll admit that after my last post (has it really been 3 1/2 months?) I found myself in my own funk. I found myself doing a lot more reading and a lot less knitting. And I finally got myself an iPad, and, boy, is that thing a big time-sucker. It has games to play! Books to read! Movies to watch! I’m not really sure I even put it down at all that first week.
But, thankfully, babies continue to be born, and that’s always a kick in the butt to put down everything else and return to my yarn. And, without fail, when I do return, I remember just how much joy it brings me, and the love affair is rekindled.
So I do have two finished projects to show that I recently gifted to some expecting and new parents.
This is the Vintage Crocheted Blanket that I made for some friends who are expecting their first baby VERY soon! We don’t know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl so I decided on this gender-neutral, brightly colored blanket, and I love it! And they do, too! Project specs and more photos of the blanket are here.
I also finished a sweater for Geoff’s boss who has a new baby girl at home. Project specs and more photos are here.
We are slowly adjusting to summer down here, and the oppressive heat definitely tends to dictate what projects I work on (for some reason, finishing a 100% wool sweater when it’s 100 degrees outside just doesn’t sound appealing to me). So of my current works in progress (WIPs), I find myself working mostly on the Sunny Spread. Crocheting blanket squares is definitely doable in this heat. And who knows, maybe I’ll have it finished in time for cooler weather (barring any more funks).
What are you working on this summer?
Posted in crochet, knitting | 5 Comments »
I feel like a bear coming out of hibernation. Spring has definitely sprung down here and I am loving it! I get to open up the doors (and the two windows in the house that aren’t painted shut) and enjoy the warm breeze. Of course, Spring always inspires me to do some Spring Cleaning so I have been doing more of that and less of the fun stuff like knitting. Also, the house across the street from us burned last month (thankfully everyone got out safely!) and it really got me thinking about all of the “stuff” we have accumulated over the years and how important it really isn’t. So there has been this overwhelming need to purge purge purge. It’s also kicked our butts into really developing an inventory of the items we have (that is, those that survive the big purge) and make sure our insurance is up to par! While our neighbors lost pretty much everything, they were fortunate to have great insurance and the rebuilding of their home started TODAY! Lots to be thankful for!
In between spring cleaning and purging I have been doing a bit of knitting! I’ll give you a peek into a couple of projects I’ve started since we last spoke. One is a pair of mittens. I know, just in time for Spring! But seriously, at the rate I’m going, they’ll be finished just in time for Winter. They are the Potpourri Mittens from the Fall 2008 Vogue Knitting.
I’ve also started a Chevron Scarf for myself (again with the cold weather knits as Spring arrives!). It’s my current “mindless knitting” project and I’m digging the funky stripes.
And I have a little sweater for a baby that just recently made her debut into the world. I don’t have any good pics of it “in progress” but I’ll finish it soon and hopefully get some good ones then!
I’m also gearing up to teach an Entrelac class at my local yarn shop next month. I haven’t taught a knitting class in SO LONG and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got to get my butt in gear and knit some class samples soon! Time is whizzing by! Those in the Hattiesburg area interested in taking the class can call Teresa at The Yarn Basket to reserve your spot! 601-582-7272 Saturday, April 16 11am – 1pm! Just $25 per person (plus materials – 10% off)! Come join the fun!
Happy Spring, Everybody!
Posted in knitting, life | 2 Comments »
Happy New Year!
I hope that 2011 is treating you well! I certainly can’t complain!
A few months ago I was approached by the editor of Spool Magazine about featuring my Entrelac Scarf pattern in their Winter 2011 issue. I was, of course, thrilled to share the pattern with an even larger audience of needleartists and was excited to get the issue last week in the mail, hot off the presses.
I’ve talked about Spool before and will continue to sing its praises. This issue in particular is packed with a lot of fun projects to knit and crochet and even a cute baby quilt that is perfect for the new quilter (like me!).
Look for it at your local fabric or yarn shop, order it online, or subscribe at SpoolMag.com.
And many thanks to my amazing friend, Heidi, who took a most excellent photo of the scarf for the magazine.
Posted in knitting | 6 Comments »
Oy vey, I started this post back on Nov 17 and am just now getting around to finishing it and posting it! I guess the holidays are here for sure because it seems my days are filling up with things to do while at the same time feeling like they’re getting shorter and shorter! I can’t believe it’s already December!
I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I ate too much and drank too much (in the true spirit of the holidays). And I’m going to be doing it all over again in just a few short weeks! Thank God for Spanx.
So let’s catch up on the exciting life and times of yours truly…
I finally got my iPhone 4. I think I mentioned months ago how I wanted one but was going to hold out for the white ones. (Heh heh heh.) Since I did not see an end to my wait (and my Blackberry was getting buggier by the day) I caved in a bought a black one. And so began my love affair (along with my addiction to Angry Birds and Words with Friends – I’m KnittingAllison, by the way. Start a game with me!).
When not absorbed in iPhone games I have been knitting and crocheting and have actually finished a few things (and started a few more…)
I finished Geoff’s vest and we think it fits him ok. It may be a tad too snug but we aren’t sure as it hasn’t really gotten cool enough for him to wear it for any length of time. But I liked the way it turned out and really enjoyed the pattern. Info about the project can be found here.
I also crocheted a quick Vintage Trivet from Linda‘s book Crochet Adorned. I am loving this book! So many great things I want to make! My project info for the trivet is here.
I also started my Que Sera, a Chevron Scarf for my mother-in-law and my Echo Flower Shawl. Oh, and I started (and finished!) a crocheted shawl called the Elise Shawl which is finally blocking as I type this (it’s only been three weeks since I finished it… I am really on the ball over here). I’ll try and get some good pics when it’s finished drying!
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Along with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I am knee-deep in knitting classes! My tech editing class is going great and I am learning so. much. stuff. about pattern writing and grading and design. And the shawl design class I’m taking with Stefanie Japel just started! I can already tell it will be such a great class. Money well spent! I hope to be cranking out some great new patterns in 2011!
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I hope I’ll be able to pop in here again before the end of 2010 (if the holidays and classes don’t swallow me up!). Until then, I’ll leave you with a snuggly picture of my snuggly dogs doing what they do best. Happy Holidays!
Posted in crochet, frank, knitting, olive | 3 Comments »
I first discovered Spool Magazine last week on Linda Permann’s blog and I knew I had to have it! I subscribed immediately and got my first issue on Saturday (talk about getting it to me quickly!).
Spool is a quarterly, tabloid-sized (11×17) magazine printed on heavy (i.e. quality) newsprint. I actually love the larger size of Spool. I enjoyed spreading it out on my dining room table (with my mug of hot tea) and leisurely leafing through it as I would the morning paper. And what I love best is the variety of needle arts it covers (cross stitch, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, crewel, embroidery and more!). I’ve dabbled in almost all of those (and the others I’ve wanted to try). This magazine is perfect for inspiring me to learn something new!
Each project has full-color pictures and charts along with a wonderful introduction to the designer behind it. Linda is featured on pages 18-19 with a great write up and a feature of her book. And of course she shares instructions for a super-cute set of crochet covered hangers (which I have to make for myself!).
In addition to the different projects and patterns there are book reviews, a featured shop and great articles. I especially enjoyed “I Like This So You Might Too” where readers share their favorite things (from books to superheroes).
If you are lucky enough to live near a shop that carries Spool I would encourage you to pick up a copy ($4.95). And if you’re like me and not so lucky, please consider subscribing or purchase a single issue online (and encourage your local shops to carry it!). At only $18 for a one year subscription (in the US), you definitely get your money’s worth. Canadian and International subscriptions are also available.
Visit spoolmag.com to subscribe or purchase single issues.
Posted in reviews | 4 Comments »
…but that’s not what this post is about.
In the week and a half since taking a crochet class seldom could you find me without a hook in my hand. It’s a whole new world that I am eager to explore!
I’m diving into my Ravelry project queue and finding all of the crochet projects I added weeks and months and years ago (before I even knew how to read them).
First up was the Queen Anne’s Lace Scarf, which practically flew off my hook. I love it! More pics and project info here.
Then I started this afghan, and I am totally in love with it. I love the color and sheen of the yarn I chose. I think it gives it a real “vintage” feel. And I can crank out the squares now without looking at the pattern, which makes it perfect for watching TV. Project info here.
Oh, and I also finished that dishcloth you saw a piece of in my last post.
I am quite enjoying being bi-crafty. The {yarn} world is my oyster!
Posted in crochet | 2 Comments »
Remember this post when I went on (and on and on) about wanting to learn crochet? I took the advice of Linda (and if you’re wanting advice on crochet, she’s definitely the one to listen to. I mean she’s written a whole book about it!) and signed up for a crochet class at my local yarn shop. The class was this past Saturday and already I am “hooked” (ha ha! get it?!). Oh, and I got a non-knitting friend to go to the class with me and now she’s “hooked” as well! I’ve brought another yarnaholic into the world! [insert evil laugh here] My next goal is to get her knitting, too!
Taking a class was definitely the best thing for me. I had tried teaching myself from books but nothing ever stuck. I would always have to flip back and forth trying to remember all of the stitches and would end up frustrated. It is so much better when you have a person there to talk you through the stitches. Because of that, I could focus on the steps of each stitch and actually remember them (which is kinda the point).
My show and tell consists of a little flower I made in class on Saturday (after doing my practice swatch with all the stitches). Then there’s my first attempt at a granny square I did last night and a dishcloth in progress (and yes I know I was griping about not wanting to crochet dishcloths the rest of my life but this one is fancy. It has two different stitches in it! Fancy!)
So now I’m starting to feel more confident about reading crochet patterns (and understanding them!). Those of us in class decided we wanted an advanced class so the instructor is coming back in a couple weeks for that. Very nice!
I’m excited to see where this new craft takes me!
Posted in crochet | 1 Comment »
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