KAL Giveaway Winner!

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for participating and congratulate everyone who’s managed to finish their shawl, whether or not it was during the KAL period! (Hint: clicking any of the photos will take you to the Ravelry pages of the makers)

twiglee’s Sweet Summer Rays Shawl

Special mention to NMStacey who got a late start and knit her hands off to get as close to finishing the shawl as she could before time was up!

AdrialysHC’s Sweet Summer Rays

The shawls in the KAL were all knit in awesome colors, some from Candy Skein and others not, but I really like how the textural differences really pop with different yarn choices

moritz52′s Sweet Summer Rays

And now, the part I know everyone is interested in, the giveaway!  According to the group thread, we had 10 participants who finished and posted pictures in the group before time was up, and the winner, chosen by Random.org, is:

kolorswkrayons

I love this version of the shawl, I love the colors she chose and that, even though she had to bind off with a separate color, it all looks so deliberate and funky!

I think it’s so awesome how international the internet, knitting and Ravelry are, I know to be on the lookout when I visit Australia and keep my eyes open for a Sweet Summer Rays shawl!

Omlair’s Sweet Summer Rays Shawl

Have you made this shawl yet?  Or used any of Candy Skein’s yarns? (They’re fabulous, you totally should).

Another Class In The Books!

The past 2 weekends I’ve spent Saturday afternoons doing something I totally love to do – teaching knitting students a new technique!

I taught stranded color work using my Fresh Chroma Slouch pattern at Yarn & Coffee in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Seeing the hat worked up in so many different color choices – raiders, classic, modern – they all look great and give the hat totally different a feel.

One of the hardest things to learn when taking on stranded knitting is learning how to float the yarn at the correct gauge.  A little blocking really does wonders for a stranded work, but if your floats are too tight, no amount of blocking can work out the puckering that is likely to occur.

My next class will be based around my Sweet Summer Rays shawl and will give beginners a good shawl experience!  It will take place on June 1st and 8th, from 1-4pm.  If you’re in the area, call Yarn & Coffee to sign up!

Sweet Summer Rays KAL

Today’s the last day of the KAL!  If you’re participating, and heck, even if you’re not, check out all of the gorgeousness that’s happening over in our Ravelry thread.

I love seeing so many colorful versions of this sweet simple shawl!

Don’t forget to upload your finished shawl pictures to the thread to be eligible for the giveaway by the end of the day, the winner will be announced on Friday!

Slow the F*ck Down

Sometimes I get a little high-strung.

Sometimes I get a little stressed.

Sometimes I get a little depressed.

Sometimes I just need a little reminder.

My peace cranes hang in my window and they’re colorful and happy and sometimes they make the rest of my office look pretty too.

Just your friendly reminder, slow the fuck down every once in while.

Pattern Release: Drift Cardigan

Another seekrit revealed!  Today I’ve released the Drift Cardigan.

With an easy-to-memorize and fun-to-work lace motif being highlighted on the fronts and back, this is more than your basic raglan sweater.  Dropped stitch details accent the lace and keep the cardigan squarely in the Spring and Summer seasons.  The boat neck gives it a bit of extra sophistication and the shape gives a lot of options for ways to wear it!

This sweater is knit from the top down with raglan sleeves, so there are no seams to sew and just a few ends to weave in! 

You can download it directly from Ravelry, Craftsy or Etsy and get started on your own version!

FO Friday: A Scholarly Cardi

I told you earlier that I had finished this sweater, and I have!  Maybe a few days after I had originally told you I had though…I’d forgotten that I needed to knit and sew the band piece (kind of an integral part of the design, no?).  But! It is still done and it is purty

This yarn was totally fabulous to work with and made knitting the sweater fun!  I love the deep purple color and the slight halo it gives.

I don’t get to keep this version, it’s going have a life at Yarn & Coffee in Santa Fe, where it can be loved and petted and tried on by many a knitter.

Pattern: A Scholarly Cardigan

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino

Mods: None.

Joining up with Tami!  What did you finish this week?  At least the week is finished, so even if your crafts didn’t bring you any end products, you’ve got the weekend to start anew tomorrow!

Free Classes!

I’ve gushed about Craftsy’s classes before (and I have a few backlogged in my own folders that I need to finish)!  If you haven’t pulled the trigger, I really encourage you to try some of their *Free* Classes!  Yes! They have those!  Free! Classes!

The next 2 free Craftsy mini-courses I’m going to take are:
1. Short Rows – because they’re a totally useful technique to have in your back pocket

2. Modern Buttercream – because I love cooking and want to try something different

Check out all of the other free Craftsy mini-courses by clicking here.