A special place

I released my latest sweater pattern last night - Brier Island.

It's named after a very special place where the four of us have spent many happy summer days - Brier Island Nova Scotia.

This sweater will be in my suitcase next time we visit!

Presents!

I have 3 free patterns for you all as a gift from me to you on my birthday :)

The first is a new pattern that will (probably) remain free - Rhinecliff Cowl

It's a cowl inspired by the cables in my Rhinecliff sweater. The sample shown is knit in Dragonfly Fibers Super Traveller in Mermaid. This is such a nice yarn to work with and being bulky, it knits up in no time!

The second is a new hat pattern based on my Glühwein cowl - Spiced Wine

This was also knit in Super Traveller in Red Maple - I love this colorway! After my birthday is over, Spiced Wine will be $5.

The third is my revamped Hot Tea pattern -

I thought it would be so nice in the Swans Island Natural Colors Worsted I've been playing with so I updated the pattern to include directions for a worsted weight version. Once my birthday is over, it will go back to being $3.

Thanks for celebrating with me!

Birthday Eve

Before I start talking about how old I'm getting, here are my latest two patterns - both hats! These were obviously inspired by the bulky cowls I put out last month.

Applesauce -

and Eiskappe - 

Now about that birthday. I am working on my gifts to you all (remember last year I said that I didn't need anything and that I'd rather give presents to celebrate than get them? Still feel that way.) I only have until midnight to get my ducks all in a row, and I still have quite a bit of work to get done,. Check back here or in my Ravelry group around then to see what I've come up with!

Hello 2014!

I have to start with a picture. This is the sweater I just sent to my test knitters - I am ridiculously happy with it, although I am re-knitting it to get a better fit in the upper arms. I love love love this yarn - Miss Babs Heartland which I also used for Rhinecliff. So cozy!

Okay, now down to business - what do I want to accomplish this year?

Well, I've wanted to make St. Brigid forever. I finally got the book when it was re-released a couple of years ago. I've known ever since seeing some of the versions on Ravelry that I wanted to make some changes to it - more fitted, some shaping, lighter weight yarn - and after spending a couple of years exploring Barbara Walker's top-down, seamless method with simultaneously knit set-in sleeves, I am going to attempt a mash up of that technique with this pattern. It's going to be about a 9 month project. I have to fit it in around the edges of my design work. This month my goals are to swatch and come up with a plan of attack.

Other goals:
- as always, reduce stash. Really. This time I mean it. :P  I get great yarn support from some of my favorite dyers, I DO NOT NEED TO BUY SO MUCH YARN.
- release at least 1 design a month and at least 24 for the whole year.
- try to rein in my workaholicism a bit. Who knew? I've never had this problem before!
- start doing yoga again - and yes, this is knitting related! Yoga is so good for overworked knitting muscles :)
- walk at least 5 days a week (also knitting related - I have some of my best ideas when I'm walking! Plus it will help with the whole workaholic thing).
- lose 10 pounds (again, knitting related - having to model my own sweaters is great incentive!)

I will try to revisit these goals each month to see how I'm doing. Right now I'm going to go have dinner (low carb!) and a glass of wine :)