Category Archives: pattern design

Knitting, tinking, knitting Stardust Nebula

Posted on January 26, 2025 | 7 comments
it shawlette standing in a knit art installation by Sarah Divi
Posing at Sarah Divi’s art installation at VKLive

I finished my current design project in a hurry so I could wear it at VogueKnitting Live last weekend. But I had 15 g of my pooling yarn left, and I still needed to make a video tutorial on how to make the assigned pooling stars, and the shawlette needs re-blocking anyway so I can take product photos…

so I tinked the bind off and the last couple rows, and put it back on the needles. I added 18 more rows at the wide end, about 3 inches longer and 1.5 inches wider, unblocked.

tiny ball of yarn on scale, weighing 0.5 grams

Yarn chicken is so much better when you have a scale to keep track. I won!

two cats on a bed, with knitting

I had great helpers. Caturday knitting in bed is great, even when it’s work!

Video tutorial is done. Shawlette is blocking, again. Pattern has gone to tech editor and test knitters. It’s still called Stardust Nebula for now. We shall see. If you’d like to be the first to know when this pattern is published, sign up for my newsletter here!

In the meantime, here are a couple book recommendations from me. I like to read while I knit; I can control the pace, unlike television. I usually read fiction, but the last two books have been nonfiction. First off, The Wide, Wide Sea by Hampton Sides. It’s the story of Captain James Cook’s final journey from England to the South Seas to Alaska to the South Seas again. I knew he died at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii, but this filled it all in for me.

Captain Cook monument at Kealakekua

We were at Kealakekua Bay last month. I didn’t want to hike 2 miles down and 2 miles back up (you can also get there by boat), so I settled for seeing it across the bay from Hikiau Heiau at Nāpo’opo’o Beach, a place that Cook had visited (and been mistaken for a god). Apparently he was mortal, after all.

The other book is The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. It’s the story of Stéphane Breitwieser, who stole more than 300 artworks from museums and churches across western Europe in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Fascinating true crime.

What are you reading and knitting? January is flying by!

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VogueKnitting Live NYC wrap

Posted on January 21, 2025 | 7 comments

I had a quick weekend in New York City, teaching at Knitting Live by Vogue Knitting (the official name, but we mostly still call it Vogue Knitting Live). I taught five classes, saw friends old and new, checked out the market, and came home! Thursday to Sunday, bam. Some pictures to amuse you:

Mount Hood at dawn as seen from an airplane

I left Portland at dawn Thursday, and enjoyed the view of Mount Hood. I arrived in time for the teachers’ meeting Thursday evening, and saw lots of teacher friends.

I didn’t remember to take photos in all my classes, but here are a few.

Cutting a steek in knitting

No one ever goes home sad from my steeking class! It’s empowering, and you know everything you need to finish your two Sheepy Steeky Coasters.

knitter with brightly colored knitting

Maria has one cut down, one to go. I’m teaching this class again this coming weekend at Hook and Needle Fiber in Vancouver WA. Come snip with me!

Two smiling women, one holding a copy of Brioche Knit Love book

Barbara was in my Tink Drop Frog (fixing mistakes) class, but I think she really wants to fix brioche mistakes. She ordered a copy of my Brioche Knit Love book on the spot.

Entrelac knitting

All ready for Minerva entrelac class, with step-outs at the ready. This is how we stay ahead of the students in class.

Many smiling knitters at Vogue Knitting Live

So many smiles!

The marketplace was hopping, with fashion shows and interviews on stage, and lots of beautiful yarn and clever products.

Maker’s Talisman Necklaces by Birdie Parker Designs

My favorite thing: Talisman necklaces by Birdie Parker Designs. A stockinette themed charm, semi-precious stone, crochet hook, hand-made silver darning needle, and two stitch markers.

stitch marker and cable needle necklace

Remember my DIY cable hook holder? This is next level.

Knitted wreath with wool locks knit in
Sweet wreath with wool locks knit in from Long Island Yarn and Farm

There are art installations outside the marketplace (which is on two floors). Here’s a taste:

Crochet art by Will Chatlosh
Dragon soft sculpture
Dragon by Going Gnome
Ellie D’Eustachio is a textile street artist
Beam me up with fiber artist Sarah Divi! Loved this fun display.
Sara Elizabeth Kellner’s knitted Victorian Housecats

And it’s not VKL NYC without an iconic escalator video!

I finished my last class at 5 pm on Sunday, and scurried to the airport. It was snowing lightly, and I was worried about my flight home. We ended up with a 3 hour delay for plowing the runways and de-icing the plane.

De-icing, us and the neighbor plane

I was relieved that we actually took off!

Hello 2 AM Portland!

I love teaching at VKLive. It’s a big vibrant show, with something for every knitter, at all levels. Definitely something to experience!

Now it’s back to work. I need to finish writing the pattern for this shawlette, which I enjoyed wearing this weekend. I think I’m going to remove the bind off and use the rest of the yarn to make it just a little bigger, now that I have time.

If you want to know when the pattern is published, sign up for my newsletter! You’ll be the first to know, and you’ll also get the subscriber discount of 25% off. Sign up here.

I hope you had a great weekend, too!

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Posted in events, Knit, pattern design, travel

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Do as I say…

Posted on January 15, 2025 | 11 comments

Not as I do. Was it ridiculous to knit til 1:30 am on Monday night/Tuesday morning so I could soak and block my new shawlette?

A gray and white brioche knit shawlette featuring assigned pooling stars and a syncopated caramel colored edging

Deadlines. I’m headed to New York early Thursday, and I knew it would take two days to dry completely. So, it was worth it to me! I want to wear it at VKLive this weekend. I still have to write the pattern, but that will have to wait until I get back.

detail of a gray and white brioche knit shawlette featuring assigned pooling stars and a syncopated caramel colored edging

I love this color combination. It’s from A Chick that Knitz, Hibernation and Caramel. The shawlette still needs a name. Starstruck? or Stardust? Stardust Nebula? Help me decide.

Oh, also in the “Do as I say, not as I do”: Remember to take breaks and stretch when you’re on a knitting marathon! I can feel a little achiness in my forearm tendons. I’m giving my arms a break for a couple days. Time to pack!

Want to know when the pattern is published? Sign up for my email newsletter and you’ll be the first to know! You’ll also get a coupon for 25% off the pattern; its a subscriber benefit.

Soon!

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Yarn review: MDK Atlas

Posted on January 8, 2025 | 2 comments
two skeins of Modern Daily Knitting’s Atlas yarn in shades of blue

I’m playing with Modern Daily Knitting’s Atlas, a worsted weight 3 ply Rambouillet. It’s bouncy and round and fun. The spin and ply aren’t particularly tight, which makes this a bit fluffy! It’s described as a light worsted weight so I thought it would feel thinner while knitting, but it feels substantial and squishy at the same time. Not quite as soft as merino, but nice and wooly.

brioche knitting in shades of blue, brioche pastiche hat

I need some new Brioche Pastiche samples, so what better way to test drive a new-to-me yarn? I’m loving it so far.

Atlas is USA grown and raised. I don’t see the words superwash anywhere, so I’m guessing it would also felt/full nicely. But I’m not about to try that with my brioche hat! Maybe something for a swatch later.

I have so much knitting and related work to do before VKLiveNYC next week! So I’ll be over here, knitting and writing and packing and…

Peekaboo Shawlette (brioche plus assigned pooling/algorithmic knitting) and assigned pooling yarn

By the way, if you’re planning to take advantage of the introductory discount for my Peekaboo Shawlette, use discount code PEAKING for 15% off through Ravelry or Payhip by January 10, 2025!

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Both Sides Now sighting

Posted on January 6, 2025 | 2 comments
Colorful yarn and a peek at a brioche knit shawl

I was tickled to see my Both Sides Now Shawl peeking out under a pile of yarn in an email from Knit Picks.

screenshot of Knit Picks yarn sale

A green version of Both Sides Now is on the website.

Colorful yarn and a peek at a brioche knit shawl

I received another email this morning. It’s like seeing your kids out in the world. Sweet!

I’m not sure how long the sale lasts, but if you want to buy some Hawthorne, here’s the link.

Woman wearing Both Sides Now brioche shawl

Here’s Both Sides Now, available for purchase on the Knit Picks website. It was on the cover of their brioche book several years ago. So pleased to see it again!

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Introducing Peekaboo Shawlette

Posted on January 1, 2025 | 1 comment
Peekaboo shawlette featuring brioche rib and assigned/algorithmic knitting
Peekaboo Shawlette

The Peekaboo Shawlette is a 2 color brioche shawlette, knit flat. It features assigned
pooling/algorithmic knitting motifs that peek between the brioche ribs. When your pop color arrives, you begin a Peekaboo motif, which is worked over the next several rows.

Right and wrong sides of Peekaboo shawlette showing reversible motifs
Right side and wrong side, both lovely

Peekaboo is reversible, with a different motif on the “wrong side”. Choose 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn, one of which should be dyed for assigned pooling. I used A Chick that Knitz Singles Fingering.

assigned pooling yarn and peekaboo motif detail

Gauge is not critical, work to get a fabric you like. A video tutorial for the Peekaboo motif is provided in the pattern. Most of the knitting is simple 2 color brioche.

Peekaboo Cowl featuring brioche rib and assigned pooling/algorithmic knitting
Peekaboo Cowl

You know I love brioche, and you know I love assigned pooling! I’m thrilled with both the Peekaboo Cowl and this new Peekaboo Shawlette.

The Peekaboo Shawlette pattern is available on Ravelry, link here. It is also available on Payhip, link here. Use coupon code PEAKING for 15% off on either site through January 10, 2025.

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Kona aloha, 2024

Posted on December 30, 2024 | 4 comments

We spent a week in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii earlier this month. This is a favorite place of ours. The west coast is on the dry side of the island, and we see more rocky lava than beach. We stayed in a different condo complex this year, the Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club. Still oceanfront overlooking lava rock and the ocean.

two wine glasses and a hawaiian sunset overlooking the pacific ocean

We made it in time for sunset. I woke the next morning at 5 am, after moonset and before sunrise, so I had the joy of watching the Geminid meteor shower around the setting Orion constellation. I saw 12 meteors in the 45 minutes before the sky began to lighten. This was the only morning the Geminids were visible; on subsequent days there was too much light from either the setting moon or the rising sun.

Rainbow over the Pacific Ocean as seen from Keauhou/Kona, Hawaii

I love hanging out on the lanai. I saw kayakers, canoers, dolphins, waves, and this beautiful rainbow.

Makole’a Beach

Our complex was just south of Mākole’ā Beach. It has tide pools, black and tan sand, and Ke’eku Heiau, a restored temple.

Ke’eku Heiau at Makole’a Beach, Kona Hawaii
West end of Ke’eku Heiau
carved statues at the end of ke’eku heiau
Statues at the east end of Ke’eku Heiau
Looking past Ke’eku Heiau towards Kahalu’u Beach
Looking north past Ke’eku Heiau towards Kahalu’u
Spiny sea urchins
Spiny sea urchins
yellow tang fish in the waves

One morning I saw schools of yellow tang in the waves!

Sunset at Makole’a Beach
Sunset over tidepools at Mākole’ā Beach

It was a great place to watch the sunset, but I think I like sunset on the lanai even more.

Kaloko Honokohau lava field
Aloha Costco!

We explored more of Kaloko Honokōhau National Historic Park. The park ranger advised starting the loop with the lava field and ending with the more pleasant beach and petroglyphs. Good advice; a mile over lava rock trail wasn’t very pleasant. Glad to have my hiking poles.

Kaloko Fish Pond

The next feature was Kaloko Fish Pond. This was built by native Hawaiians for raising fish. The ocean is to your left. The rock wall has been rebuilt; it’s impressively level.

The trail continues along part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which follows the coast. It eventually comes to Honokōhau Beach, which is my favorite place to look for honu (green turtles).

Four Hawaiian green turtles basking in the sun
hawaiian green turtle (honu)

I wasn’t that close; this is zoomed *and* cropped!

The trail continues on to Ai’opio Beach, which has a fish trap and heiau, another favorite place for turtle spotting. The trail then heads back up towards the welcome center and lava fields, while passing a petroglyph field.

Petroglyphs at Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Park

I see people, a long gun, a fish hook…what do you see?

A piece of knitting being held in the air with the ocean in the background

Of course there was knitting on the lanai. Heres a sneak peek at my latest design project.

It was a lovely relaxing week, and we came back ready to tackle Christmas and Hanukkah prep. Which was good, because I hadn’t done any beforehand!

I hope your holidays are merry and bright. Looking forward to new adventures in 2025!

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Berroco Wizard yarn review, Minerva entrelac

Posted on December 29, 2024 | 2 comments
Minerva entrelac scarf knit with Berroco Wizard yarn
Minerva entrelac scarf

I’ve enjoyed playing with this new-to-me yarn. This is Berroco Wizard, 85/15 Superwash Wool/Nylon. It’s a very light and lofty chainette, classified as bulky. Recommended needle size is 10-10 1/2 (6-6.5 mm), but I’m using a US9 because I like the fabric better. I knit til nearly the end of the ball, and the result is a short scarf, but long enough to cross over my chest. Based on the light and lofty fabric, I decided that this version would be a great Minerva scarf instead of a cowl. You get to see more of the entrelac fabric if it’s not doubled up around your neck.

I’m planning an entrelac class at Hook and Needle in Vancouver, WA on March 29, and I wanted to see if this yarn they carry is appropriate. Why yes, it is. If you’d like to learn to knit entrelac with me, you can do so in person at Hook and Needle, and also at Vogue Knitting Live in New York City on Sunday, January 19. Minerva is bi-coastal! You can use this lovely yarn for a scarf, or you can use a gradient yarn for a different effect. The pattern gives instructions for both scarf and cowl.

entrelac knitting

Or a different color changing yarn for a short or long cowl. Knitter’s choice!

About the Berroco Wizard: I loved knitting with it. It’s very airy, so the fabric is pretty fluffy in hand. That’s the other reason I wanted it as a scarf rather than a cowl; it wants to drape itself artfully. Sometimes you have to let the yarn tell you what it wants to do! I highly recommend it; it’s fun to knit.

Are you looking forward to learning new things in 2025? I know I am!

PS: The Wizard colorway is called Fluorite.

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Yarn, yarn, yarn

Posted on December 10, 2024 | 4 comments

I finished the knitting on this entrelac piece, but I haven’t decided if I want to seam the ends for a loop cowl, or keep it as a shortish scarf. The light and airy fabric doesn’t want to be a single loop, so I’d have to make sure it’s long enough to be a double loop. Or I could leave it as a shortish scarf, held with a shawl/scarf pin. I think that would show more of the little squares, which is the whole point of this piece! So I may have just talked myself into a scarf. Onward!

I’m still on my brioche + pooling kick. Yarn Snob’s Black Orchid is so pretty! I chose Silver Fox to go with it, but after I started knitting the two together, I’m not so sure about the combo. The black is really more like a deep dark purple, and the gray feels “cold” next to it. It doesn’t help that I haven’t actually seen my knitting in daylight! But I think I’d like it better with Winter (cream) to warm it up a little. I’ll have to take one more look in the morning before frogging. I do have Winter waiting in the wings.

In the meantime, I also have this yarn from A Chick That Knitz; it’s Hibernation, with a choice of either Caramel or Silver Fox (yes, another Silver Fox!) to go with it. I’m starting with Caramel, but as you can see, everything is up in the air until the swatching is done.

Are you gift knitting for the holidays? I’m shopping my samples; that takes a lot of pressure off!

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You’re not the boss of me

Posted on November 12, 2024 | 9 comments

You know I love assigned pooling. And I love brioche. Test knitting is under way for my new shawlette.

I’m designing another shawlette using brioche and assigned pooling, and the pooling was starting to…pool! At the ends of the row, over and over again. This left a big center with no stars.

Highly annoying.

So I frogged back to where there were just two stars at each end, and then I skipped a bunch of yarn so that the next star would be in the middle of the row.

It took me two tries to get it right, so I’m glad I didn’t cut the yarn first. I’ll leave this big loop on the back until I’m fully committed.

I think of assigned pooling as a dance between the yarn’s suggestions and what I want. But ultimately I’m the boss. If we have a disagreement, I WIN. I make the rules for this game!

Have you tried assigned pooling? Who’s the boss of YOUR knitting?

Oh, one more thing!

thrumbelina thrummed slipper

I’m teaching Thrill of the Thrum, my Thrumbelina thrummed slippers, this Sunday at 2 pm at For Yarn’s Sake in Beaverton. Come learn how to make and knit fluffy thrums into your knitting! This is an in-person class, the better to get a feel for those squishy thrums. Register here.

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