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).

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!

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!

WIP Wednesday: Starting New Things!

Casting on for a new design that’ll be released in June!

I love the subtle color changes in this yarn and how light and airy it is – it’ll be a perfect little summer accessory, but I can’t tell you too much, hehe.

Joining in with Tami, as usual!  What are you working on this week?  Summery things I hope!

 

Pattern Release: Spring Crinkle

I’ve been teasing you with pictures of this for a little while now, and I’m happy to say that today’s the day!  Emily from LMS Studio Arts and I have worked together in the past and she’s so much fun to collaborate with!

The Spring Crinkle Slouch was designed using some 50% Superwash Corriedale/50% Nylon yarn from LMS Studio Arts dyed in the Giddy Gherkin colorway.  I *love* this yarn.  I love this colorway.  I love that it’s mostly a solid with little tonal effects to it and specks of blue throughout. 

I love that the stitches are so well defined on two fairly different needle sizes.  I love that it has some grip and won’t fall off my head from being too smooth.  I love that it shows off the ribbing and the lace texture equally beautifully.

The pattern is now available on Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy. 

WIP Wednesday: A Scholarly Cardigan

First off, I want to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday!

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The past two weeks-ish I’ve been spending some time here and there working on a new version of the Scholarly Cardigan to hang out at Yarn & Coffee!

I’m down past the sleeves and minimal back shaping and am getting into the knitty gritty of the textured section.  This pretty purple color in Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino is going to be perfect – it’s heavy enough to withstand the texture and keep the wearer warm, but with short sleeves, the cardi won’t be too hot for summer.

The project page for this version can be found here.

Oh, and are you signed up for my colorwork class this (and next) Saturday at Yarn & Coffee?  We’ll be making one of my latest patterns!

FO Friday & Off On Another Adventure

I finished something earlier in the week and it’s been blocking out beautifully.

This is one of those seekrit things that you’ll see in August, so I can’t share too much, but it’s fun and colorful and fabulous!  Look at those little safety pins, don’t they look like little soldiers?

Linking up with Tami, check out more FOs or share your own.

I’m off on another trip this weekend and I won’t be back until Tuesday, but as next week is the 4th Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, you’ll still have some things to read starting Monday!

Do you have fun weekend plans?

WIP Wednesday: The Skies Aren’t Grey, But The Yarn Is

Definitely springtime here in New Mexico – the winds haven’t stopped in weeks.  We don’t get the “April Showers” that other states get (nor do we get flowers) but we do get lots of sunshine.  This week I’m working on another seekrit design in shades of grey.

I love this yarn, the colors are so spring-stormy with their tonal greys and a hint of purple.  Graphic textural changes and simple lace patterns will bring out the best in this yarn I think and I can’t wait to show you how this design turns out!  Although, you’ll have to wait till later this fall

Linking up with Tami!  What are you working on this week?  Do you get rainstorms where you live or is spring something else entirely?

WIP Wednesday: Plans

Happy Hump Day!  The weekend is closer, the work never stops, and my cold seems to dissipating some, thank goodness!

This week I’m working on a long-standing project that needs to be kept seekrit:

And working on planning some fun things for later this month!

And don’t forget, if you haven’t signed up for the KAL yet, it starts on Monday!!  I’m pretty excited for that

Linking up with Tami, as usual!  What are you working on this week?