Terry Ross Designs

Pssssssst! Get your sneak peek here!

2009-02-23T00:14:00.005-05:00

Hey you. Yeah, you! Want to get a sneak peek at something new and exciting? Great! Listen up and keep reading.

I'd like to unveil a working photo of one of my new designs called "Michigan Two-Season Boot Socks". This design will be featured in an upcoming book-- 50 Socks - 50 States. This huge multi-sock, multi-designer book will be released ONLY on CD, with special previews at the June TNNA show.

The publisher is Dr. Laura Andersson of Sirius Knitting Publications, also known as the Sock Guru of Crystal Palace Yarn. And not coincidentally, Laura is collaborating with Susan Druding of Crystal Palace Yarns, who will distribute the book.

50 Socks - 50 States is Volume 3 in the Friendly Socks series of books. If you aren't familiar with this series, it features multi-designer compilations and I know you will find some of your fave on-line designers within there. If you are familiar with these books, then you already know what a wealth of sock designs they contain.

The new CD will include sock designs covering the full gamut of imaginative sock fun including ribbing, beading, cables, cuffs, fair isle, intarsia, and lace. It will feature novel sock construction, directions for various sock knitting methods including top-down, toe-up, double-pointed needles, Magic Loop, and 2-circular needles. The designs encompass diverse sizes too! There are socks for babies, toddlers, children, teens, women, and men, as well as at least one holiday stocking!

Soon, you'll be able to find more pictures and details at the Crystal Palace Yarns Socks and More with CPY Blog, on Laura's blog, and on the Crystal Palace website. I'll keep you posted here on my blog as well as this project develops. Oh, and there just might be a blog tour as well! and you know I'll want it to make a stop here.

The CD-only release will run $19.95 (plus shipping, where applicable) and will be available at many yarn shops as well as directly from Dr. Laura.

The Shawl

2009-01-14T21:00:00.003-05:00

All blocked and ready to show you . . . my Adamas shoulder shawl.

I got no WIPs, I got no UFOs

2009-01-13T22:02:00.004-05:00

I got no projects on my needles at all. Not a needle in the house with any yarn on it. Can you believe it? I just finished my Adamas Shoulder Shawl/Scarf . . . a downsized and modified version of the original triangular version. It's blocking and I'll post a photo of it when it's finished.

I ended up frogging 3 long-neglected projects . . . all scarves. I don't like knitting scarves and I don't know why I always think it's such a good idea to start one. So, there aren't any languishing in bags any more. I keep having to tell Clapotis to shut up every time it begs me to cast on . . . it's just too much like a scarf and I'm afraid I wouldn't ever get it finished either.

It feels good to start a new year with nothing hanging over and the vast potential of fresh projects laid out before me. I've made a list of some of the things I want to make this year. Two things I'll be starting soon are Amused and the Mystic Star circular shawl KAL.

I finished my Curve of Pursuit Blanket this week as well, and over the holidays completed Vaila from Twist Collective. Here they are --

Oh yeah, and I also did a little shrug . . . a modifed version of One Skein Wonder, adding some 3/4 length sleeves. This is fantastic for wearing around the house on these very cold days we're having this winter.

So, off to finish up blocking Adamas and browse through the latest Verena magazine.

Feather in Her Cap

2008-12-04T10:33:00.003-05:00

And it's another hat! This one is called Feather in Her Cap. It features a much beloved pattern . . . Feather and Fan . . . and is sized for ladies M and L. The yarn used here is Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky in Blue Ming. This pattern is available on Ravelry and here on my blog, and will be added to my website soon.

Fini!

2008-12-03T19:07:00.003-05:00

A year after starting it, my beautiful Modern Quilt Wrap is completed. Abby and Emma are modeling it here for me. And so is the chair.

It was a very productive day, and I knitted up a ribbed hat from Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky in orange. It'll make a nice Christmas gift for a school mate, or if he doesn't draw a boy's name, Duncan would love to have it for himself.

Notice the snow? Yep, it's winter all right. It's been snowing most of the last 3 weeks. Now that the ground is good and frozen, it's not melting. Many parts of northern Michigan are having a worse go of it than we are, but we're not too inundated yet. We had a white Thanksgiving, and I'm sure Christmas will be plenty white as well.

So, I've been doing a lot of small projects lately. I've knitted another Meret for a Christmas gift for whomever one of the girls draws at preschool, and I have a little purse I designed for the other name they draw. The school is having a fundraiser this Friday evening, so I knitted up some hats, wristwarmers and a neckwarmer, then pulled several things off the shelves that I'd stockpiled for such occasions. All told, I think I donated 12 knitted items, one of my books, and Art donated two gift certificates for computer repair. Here are a few of the things I knitted up for the silent auction.

Winter Lace Slouchy Beret

2008-11-25T15:10:00.004-05:00

I've just completed a new design for a slouchy beret -- Winter Lace Slouchy Beret. Blocking opens up the lace pattern and gives the very relaxedslouch. For those who prefer a hat more along the lines of a tocque, then no blocking would be necessary at all, which results in a very textural and stretchy hat. Sized for ladies M and L, this was knit from Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky wool/alpaca blend on 6.00 mm needles. The rolled brim measures 20" (22") unstretched.

This pattern is available through Ravelry and here on my blog, and soon will be added to my website.

52PPII #26 Completed and some other stuff too

2008-11-23T17:10:00.004-05:00

I used my own Bella Catena Italiana pattern, modified the heel to incorporate ribbing, and modified the foot to ribbing as well. The yarn is Shibui Sock in Kiwi, knit on 2.00 mm needles.

I've also completed a sweater for myself since my last blog post -- the Sweet Pea Coat by Kate Gilbert, and purchased from Twist Collective's most recent issue. I wore this today, and got nice comments about it from two total strangers. It's certainly warm, and today was a good day to try it out.

I've been knitting hats too. These are all three from Woolly Wormhead's Mystery Beret, which has come to be known as "Meret". The girls and I all have matching hats now. So cute, and such a quick and fun knit!

52PPII #22, #23, #24, and #25 Completed!

2008-10-12T20:19:00.005-04:00

Here are my pairs #22, #23, #24, and #25 for the 52 Pair Plunge II completed so far in October, all on 2.25 mm needles. These newborn sized socks are for the baby hope chest of a friend who’ll be having a baby next year.

22 – Fiesta Baby Boom in White Zinfandel

23 – Dream In Color Smooshy in Lipstick Lava

24 – Opal Rainforest in Papagei

25 – Opal Rainforest in Marienkäfer

A study in berets . . .

2008-10-02T08:37:00.007-04:00

So I wanted to make the cute Bohemian Beret from Casual Elegant knits. The pattern calls for Cascade 220, of which I have none, but I do have tons of Crystal Palace Yarns wool. I choose some Aran Marl and set to work on the first beret to see how it would knit up and felt for me.

I was expecting to have my own unique results, knowing that so much about felting is just a pure and simple crap shoot. I knitted the pattern exactly as directed, and felted it as specified as well. The top of the beret felted very well and evenly; however, the band didn't and was quite large. No problem . . . I basted a nylon thread through the band, gathered it to my desired finished size and felted it some more. The band did come down to size, but then the top became just a smidge smaller than I'd wear. Although, it would make a great beret for a guy or someone who likes to wear a head-hugging style of hat.

So, next I made modifications to the pattern to see if I could get something that worked with both my head and my yarn. I decreased the number cast on, thus reducing the band circumference. I increased the number of rows in the band and just before the increase round so that there would be a bit more "forehead coverage". And I knit the hat 1" higher than specified before beginning decreases. This worked much better for my yarn, and I really love the results I got with the Crystal Palace Yarns Fjord in Periwinkle.

I'd definitely make this hat again, with the modifications. It's just too cute!

4 Pairs of Socks and a Sweater

2008-09-29T15:46:00.003-04:00

Well, I haven’t quit knitting socks… . though I haven’t posted in a while. I took a 2-week break from socks during August to knit Marnie MacLean’s Lily sweater, which I purchased from Twist Collective, and it turned out great!

During September, I’ve finished four pairs of socks –

Pair #18 (below, right knit from Tausendschon sock yarn in Sommerlavendel and my own design on 2.25 mm needles)
and Pair #19 (below, left knit from Wollmeise sock yarn in Pfauenauge/dark intensity in the same design as pair #18 on 2.25 mm needles)

Pair #20 (knit from Dream in Color Smooshy in Lipstick Lava and my own design on 2.25 mm needles for ladies 10” foot)

Pair #21 (knit from Elann.com Superwash Worsted in Canton Teal, remnants from my Lily sweater, on 4.50 mm needles sized to fit an infant)

And I have Pair #22 (also my own design, in Shibui Sock in Kiwi and knit on 2.0 mm needles) cast on and knit this far:

Dawn Leeseman is in the House! Casual Elegant Knits Blog Tour Continues

2008-09-12T00:47:00.009-04:00

Today, I’m happy to welcome Dawn Leeseman to my blog as part of the blog tour she and her co-author, Faina Goberstein have underway. She’s here to talk with us about felting.

Their book, Casual Elegant Knits, includes four felted projects. There are a felted beret in two sizes, two large bags, and a smaller purse. The beret and bags are modeled by a man, however they are definitely suitable for a woman. One distinguishing feature in their felted designs the incorporation of edgings that help to tailor and define the shapes.

Me: Dawn, welcome to my blog! I’m so happy to have you here. As you know, felting is one my passions, along with sock knitting. I jumped into felting about 4 years ago. How about you . . . when did you pick it up?

Dawn: I had knit for about 10 years before I discovered felting in the 90’s, but did not really design a felted project until I started designing professionally. My first felted design is the Scalloped Tote written for Y2Knit in 2003. The top features a feather and fan lace pattern. I had never seen the use of any stitch pattern, especially lace, used in any of the published felted patterns and approached it from the “What If” standpoint.

Me: I love that you were fearless in doing something new with your Scalloped Tote design. I find being able to innovate something in a project very satisfying. What is it about felting that you find most satisfying?

Dawn: I love the way that the knitting is transformed into something totally different. I also like that it can be a bit unpredictable, especially when designing from a swatch that you have felted. However, what is also great about felting is that no matter what, you always end up with something. Even if the project does not turn out, you can always use your imagination to create something else, perhaps using the cut and sew method or simply using the fabric to make some flowers or trim for another project.

Me: Felting is not without its ability to strike fear into the hearts of knitters. What is it about felting that you consider to be the most challenging?

Dawn: That would be the flip side of what I like the most, that bit of unpredictability can be difficult when I want something very definite and the end product defies all of my predetermined calculations. Another challenge is when interchanging yarns; you can’t assume that a yarn with the same ball band information with felt in the same way.

Me: So tell us a little about your design process.

Dawn: Once I have determined what I want in my finished project then I choose the yarn type For the most part I like to stay will a basic wool and tend to steer away from my beloved novelty yarns. For the most part I like to use yarns that I know will give me good results time after time.

Me: One of the remarkable things I’ve learned about the designers I’ve encountered is how generous they are with sharing their knowledge with knitters. Do you have some felting tips to share with our readers?

Dawn: Of course! First, work in all ends to the wrong side and check your work for any dropped stitches before you began felting. Second, take care that you stop the washer before it goes into the spin cycle as this may set creases that cannot be removed. Finally, take the time to shape your damp project. For a felted bag I use a box covered with a plastic bag that is the same dimension as the finished bag, I like this form to fit snugly inside so that I get good definition.

Me: I’ve had my share of horrible felting-gone-wrong moments. I'm sure you have as well. Do you have any advice to offer about how to avoid the most common felting pitfalls?

Dawn: Oh yes, I have! Do not put anything in with your felting that sheds lint. This can be permanent. I used a towel one time to help in the agitation process and ended up with lint embedded in the felted fabric, I was unable to remove the lint and it spoiled my project.

Also, do not use yarn from your stash that you assume is wool without felting a swatch. I keep my yarn leftovers sorted in plastic containers. Some of the acrylic wool blends look so much like wool that somehow a leftover skein made it into my wool container; it was missing the ball band. I was trying to use up some stash and worked for hours on a bag. When I put it in the washer, I agitated for what seemed to be forever, and still no felting.

Me: Dawn, you’ve had some longevity in the knitwear design world, do you have any insights, hunches, or crystal ball gazings into what the future of felting will be and what trends we may expect?

Dawn: I have seen felting really evolve over the past ten to fifteen years. Designers are experimenting with so many elements of design. They are combining wool with novelties, and using unlikely stitch patterns with stunning results.

At first I thought it would be a passing trend, however I see that it has earned a place in the knitting world. I think that designers will continue to surprise and delight us in the future.

Me: Dawn, you and I have both designed some patterns for Crystal Palace Yarns. I think we both started doing some things for them at about the same time.

Dawn: Yes, we did. I began working with Crystal Palace Yarns in late 2004 after meeting one of their yarn reps, Marge Okuley. I had shown my portfolio to her and she liked my work. She recommended me to Susan Druding, the owner. Susan sent me some sample balls of yarn and I worked up some swatches and sketches. She liked my ideas and we have been working together ever since.

I have not done any felted projects for Crystal Palace, but have admired your work Terry. What are you currently working on?

Me: Thanks, Dawn! That makes me very warm and fuzzy!

Right now, I’m in the throes of the 52 Pair Plunge II and since June, I have completed 19 pairs of socks. As an added challenge, I've set myself the task of designing as many of the pairs I knit as I possibly can, so you can expect to see more sock designs popping up on my website in the coming months.

I’m fairly well serially monogamous when it comes to knitting, so I don’t have a whole lot of unfinished projects started. I have a Modern Quilt Wrap by Mags Kandis in progress, as well as a wrap of my own design cooking on the needles. And always a pair of socks! I have a few felting projects percolating in my brain, too. Always multi-tasking!

However, very near on the horizon, I see many of your felted berets from Casual Elegant Knits on my needles for Christmas gifts for friends, family, and teachers. I just love that beret! What can you tell me about it?

Dawn: Thanks! That is one of my designs. Even though Faina had not done any felting prior to the projects in the book, she gave me great input as to what she envisioned for our collection. She even test knit and felted the beret. It was her first felting project.

Me: Well, it looks fabulous! It’s a great way to assure beginning felters that they also can have that kind of success.

Congratulations to you both on such a great collection of designs, and on the publication of your book. Thank you so much for joining me today, and have a great time on the rest of your blog tour! I’ll be checking in tomorrow to see your stop at the blog of Liz Moreno.

Casual, Elegant Knits Blog Tour -- Here on September 13!

2008-09-05T10:20:00.006-04:00

I'm pleased to announce that my blog will be a stop along the way as Faina Goberstein and Dawn Leeseman tour the blogosphere talking about their wonderful new book, Casual, Elegant Knits from Martingale. This collection of gorgeous, knit-lust inducing patterns was released this past July, and I can't wait to talk to the authors here on my blog about it.

More specifically, we'll be chatting with Dawn Leeseman and I'll pick her brain about felting, which you know is a knitting subject close to my heart. Be watching my blog and tune in on September 13 to see what Dawn has to tell us about felting and about Casual, Elegant Knits.

If you are interested in following the tour, the schedule is listed below, along with links to the tour stops. The tour launched yesterday with the first stop at the blog of Lynn Hershberger. Pop over and see Lynn's interview with Faina and Dawn, and be sure to catch more of the tour at the sites below.

Schedule:

Lynn Hershberger
http://colorjoy.com/weblog
Sept 4th

Carol Sulcoski
http://www.goknitinyourhat.blogspot.com
Sept 5th

Cindy Moore
http://fitterknitter.livejournal.com
Sept 6th

Amy Polcyn
http://frottez.blogspot.com
Sept 7th

Connie Chang
http://www.physicsknits.blogspot.com
Sept 8th

Marie Grace Smith
http://www.mariegracedesigns.com
Sept 9th

Susan Lawrence
http://knittingasfastasican.com
Sept 10th

Marnie MacLean
http://www.marniemaclean.com/words
Sept 11th

Tikru
http://madebymyself.blogspot.com
Sept 12th

Terry Ross
http://terryrossdesigns.blogspot.com
Sept 13th

Liz Moreno
http://nephele.wordpress.com
Sept 14th

Donna Druchunas
http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/blog
Sept 15th

Jennifer Tallapaneni
http://www.pieknits.com/blog
Sept 16th

Kristi Porter
http://www.domesticsphere.com
Sept 17th

Joanne Seiff
http://www.joanneseiff.blogspot.com
Sept 18th

Simona Merchant-Dest
http://www.stylishknits.blogspot.com
Sept 19th

Pair #16 for 52PPII is completed -- Chainlink

2008-08-18T19:36:00.002-04:00

Pair #16 is finished. 2.25 mm needles, BMFA STR lightweight in Scottish Highlands, and my own new design called “Chainlink”. The pattern is still under construction and will be available soon. It will feature instructions for both top down and toe up construction, and be sized for Ladies M and L.

Pair #14 and Pair #15 for 52PPII Done!

2008-08-12T21:30:00.001-04:00

My pairs #14 and #15 completed in August are a contribution to a book project. Pair #14 is in Louet Gems Pearl in Sandstone. Pair #15 is in Louet Gems Pearl in Caribbean Blue. Both are knit from the same design (mine) on 2.25 mm needles. One is knit top-down and the other toe-up.

Pair #11 for 52PPII Completed

2008-07-20T01:09:00.000-04:00

This is a design I'm playing with to see how I want to have the finished pattern turn out, so these will be one of a kind. But socks is socks, right? :-)

Fiesta Baby Boom in White Zinfandel, 2.25 mm needles. Back to the drawing board!

Slave to the Plurk

2008-07-10T19:41:00.005-04:00

This sock is dedicated to Plurkers everywhere. You know who you are. You are that soul who is glued to the computer, a slave to the progression of the timeline across the screen. Now you can wear those timelines around your ankles, like the exquisite shackles they are, tying you to your Plurk friends with a continuous strand of yarn. But then that’s pretty much what life is all about, huh? Being linked together with our friends.

You may choose to work these socks either top-down or toe-up. Instructions are given for both, and the chart will work for either version. The design features a standard wedge toe, a hybrid mini-gusset/short-row heel, and a turned hem cuff.

The chart features a combination YO/K2tog at each end of the purl “dialog box” motif to simulate friend avatars and message indicator graphics, however, you may simply replace those with K stitches if you prefer a design with no eyelets.

Additional modifications could include placing a bead in each YO (or on the appropriate K stitches, if you decide to omit the YO/K2tog stitches).

Regardless of how you decide to personalize your own Slave to the Plurk socks, I’m sure you’ll enjoy knitting this easy and quick design to commemorate your own abject servitude to the Plurk!

Oh, and you can Plurk me at this link. Come check out Plurk and be my friend!

Download the free pattern here from Ravelry.

Simple Pleasure, again . . .

2008-07-06T22:07:00.003-04:00

My 8th pair of 52PPII socks is my own Simple Pleasure. These are knit from Tausendshon sock yarn in the Klabautermann colorway on 2.25 mm needles. The pattern is available from my website, and also on Ravelry.

This is a great design for men or women and the 4-stitch pattern repeats over only 2 rows. Easy summer sock knitting

Boys To Men . . .

2008-06-24T13:34:00.003-04:00

Boys to Men is a new pattern, and my #7 pair of socks completed in the 52PPII. The socks shown here are modeled by my 7-year old, Duncan, and were knit from the Regalia remnants (50 grams of Wollmeise in Rittersporn on 2.25 mm needles, toe-up).

This is an embossed moss rib stitch pattern featuring a hybrid gusset and short row heel in three sizes to fit young child through adult men foot measurements. Experimenting with worsted weight yarn and larger needles would create even more sizing options.

Regalia . . .

2008-06-21T15:15:00.004-04:00

Regalia, my sixth pair of socks for the 52PPII is now off the needles and available to buy on my website, at Ravelry, and through the Buy Now button below.

Regalia is knit from Wollmeise Sockenwolle 100% Merino Superwash in the beautiful Rittersporn color using 2.25 mm needles. Knit top-down with a mirrored stitch pattern for the right and left legs, the motif is located off center. The heel is a standard heel stitch heel flap with a French heel. There is a standard wedge toe. The sock is designed for Ladies S (M, L) and features optional beading within the motif’s medallions.
The design is clearly charted, with no written stitch instructions given for the stitch pattern. Instructions for how to read the chart are given for those who have little or no experience with chart reading.

52PPII -- My Sanity is Debatable

2008-06-08T00:14:00.005-04:00

Yes, I've gone round the bend. Almost certifiable, I'm sure. I joined the 52 Pair Plunge II. The 2008 challenge to complete 52 PAIRS of socks between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009. If you know me, you're probably going, "Yeah, menopause hasn't been very kind to poor Terry. She's lost all reason. First it was adopting 3 kids after she was 45. Now, it's committing to knit 52 pairs of socks during the next year."

Oh, if you only knew. Not only will I knit 52 pairs in the next year, but I have challenged myself to design as many of them as possible.

And, since June 1, I've completed three pairs, nanny-nanny-boo-boo, and thank you! First was Flamenco, (OK, so I got a couple of days headstart and the rule is COMPLETE pairs during the year, so that is totally within the rules all you Type-As out there) then a pair for Abby from the Flamenco remnants.

And then just a couple of hours ago, only about an hour short of the end of the first week of the plunge, pair #3, which is Enchantress. Enchantress will be available later on this month when Meg finishes test knitting the model in the most lovely black Panda Silk to show the very mesmerizing stitch pattern. But for now, I knit through the pattern myself using Lime and Violet's Sasquatch Sock in the Violet's Spring colorway. Even though the stitch pattern is swallowed up by the beautiful hand dyed colors, I did get this pair finished, and what the hey . . . . socks is socks! :-)

So here they are, and just WAIT until you see the black Enchantress version!

Top-down or toe-up . . .

2008-06-05T12:59:00.002-04:00

Ana left a comment in the Koi Socks (thanks, Ana!) asking about whether the Koi socks are worked toe-up or top-down. The Koi socks are knit top down, but the stitch pattern would look exactly the same worked from toe-up, and is easily convertible.

Which made me realize I needed to put more information on the Socks page of my website to tell a little bit more about the pattern. I've incorporated a brief description for each pattern which you may find helpful.

In a nutshell, Flambeau, Gracious, Tangled Faeries, and Miss O'Hara are all toe-up construction. The rest of the socks are knit top-down.

Flamenco . . .

2008-06-02T21:26:00.005-04:00

This latest sock is called Flamenco, featuring lacy ribs and a central lace strip which runs from top to toe, and even down the center of the heel flap. It's knit top-down with a standard heel flap and gusset construction, and sized for Ladies Medium.

This sock is my first completed pair in the 52 Pair Plunge II.

Flamenco is available now from my website, from Ravelry, or directly from my blog by clicking the button below.

Simple Pleasure and Miss O'Hara . . .

2008-05-27T15:06:00.007-04:00

Introducing Simple Pleasure and Miss O'Hara to the sock pattern line-up on my website. Both designs are available from my website, from Ravelry, and also from the Buy Now buttons below.

Simple Pleasure is a ribbed sock knit top-down using a 4-stitch/2-row stitch pattern that continues down the heel flap. Great for men or women, and sized for adult S/M/L.

Many thanks to Meg Converse for test knitting the pattern, as well as the model socks for Simple Pleasure.

Miss O'Hara is quite a fussy little lady. She's very lacy, with some cables thrown in. Knit toe-up with a hybrid heel (small gussets above and below the short-row heel) and finished with a novel herringbone rib cuff.

Wadi . . .

2008-05-07T22:10:00.006-04:00

wadi A gully or streambed in northern Africa and southwest Asia that remains dry except during the rainy season.

Wadi is my new sock pattern available at my website, on Ravelry, and via the Buy Now button below. The texture is very pebbly and the hand-dyed yarn paints a river tripping across the stones of the dried river bed.

This sock is sized for Ladies M and L, and is shown here knit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock medium weight in the Lucy colorway.

(Digital only)

Beach Buddy Tote Pattern Now Available . . .

2008-05-01T13:21:00.003-04:00

The Beach Buddy Tote felted bag pattern is now available to purchase on Ravelry, at my website, and also via the Buy It Now button below. Enjoy!

$5.00
(Digital only)

Tangled Faeries . . .

2008-04-28T10:19:00.009-04:00

Yes, that's right . . . . another new sock pattern! This one worked up so quickly and was such fun to do. I cast on Wednesday evening and finished on Sunday afternoon. Take a look at Tangled Faeries.

The sock is knit from toe to cuff in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Jade colorway. There are cabled along each edge of the instep, which become horseshoe cables above the heel flap on the leg. Between the cables, a tangle of faeries play along the sock, to be topped with a lettuce leaf openwork bind off that is very stretchy as well as decorative.

The pattern is available now on my website, and at Ravelry. You may also buy it now by clicking the button below. I hope you'll enjoy knitting this fun sock for spring.

Diamond Strands . . .

2008-04-22T22:52:00.005-04:00

Diamond Strands is a new pattern now available on my website and on Ravelry. This sock pattern is worked from cuff to toe on 2.25 mm needles and incorporates a heel flap and gusset. The diamonds are created by working a two-stitch twisted combination of a knit stitch crossed over a purled stitch, and the seed stitch ribbing is carried down the heel flap.

The pattern contains sizing for Ladies M and L, as well as both written instructions and the charted design. The yarn used for the model is Shibui Knits Sock in Peony, which was purchased from The Loopy Ewe. Gotta love the Loopy!

Whistle Bait Socks . . .

2008-04-21T12:07:00.007-04:00

My latest sock design is now up on my website and at Ravelry. Whistle Bait is knit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock lightweight in the Thraven colorway. The pattern is sized for Ladies S, M, and L and combines nice texture with visual interest, an eye of partridge heel flap, and a nifty picot cuff. The pattern is written for top-to-toe construction and calls for 2.25 mm needles. Gauge is 8 stitches per inch and 11 rows per inch in stockinette stitch.

Thanks once again to Meg Converse for testknitting the pattern and the sample sock for me.

Beach Buddy Tote . . .

2008-04-03T19:49:00.004-04:00

This new tote was a little break for me last week. I've been concentrating on developing sock patterns lately, and trying to branch out into other garment design as well, and I decided to take a breather and go back to a favorite old standby -- felted bags.

Late last year, I committed to designing a bag for the June Bag-a-Holics group monthly knitalong. I thought that I'd get busy on that last week and get the project finished and off my plate well in advance of the deadline, and so this design, Beach Buddy Tote is what resulted.

A serendipitous thing happened though. Just when the bag was finished and the pattern was ready to go, the person who had committed to designing the April bag was unable to make that in time and a call went out to see if another designer had something ready. Et voila! Beach Buddy to the rescue! It was a pleasure to be able to pitch in and offer the pattern two months early and help out a fellow designer.

This pattern will be available for sale on my website and through Ravelry beginning May 1.

Lacuna . . .

2008-03-17T13:23:00.003-04:00

la·cu·na [luh-kyoo-nuh] –noun,
plural -nae /-ni/
1. a gap or
missing part, as in a manuscript, series, or logical argument; hiatus.
2. Anatomy. one of the numerous minute cavities in the substance of bone,
supposed to contain nucleate cells.
3. Botany. an air space in the
cellular tissue of plants.

A new sock design debuts today -- Lacuna -- knit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock lightweight in Stonewash. It is a great casual Friday look with jeans, featuring a seed stitch heel flap and a seed stitch toe.

The pattern is available for sale now from Ravelry, and will be up on my website for sale soon. Stay tuned for more sock patterns coming soon!

Give a Friend a Hug . . .

2008-03-10T15:45:00.004-04:00

Here's a quick knit when you want to give something to a friend to warm her heart and her neck at the same time -- I'll Take a Hug -- a new design I'll be writing up and putting on my website. My friend Nancy, who has a wool allergy, doesn't like to be cold, so I knew just the thing for her. I started this last night from 1 ball of Lion Brand Jiffy in the El Paso colorway. The neckwarmer took less than one ball worked on U.S. size 10 (6.0 mm) needles. Three large funky looking buttons keep this warm and snug against the neck. The 18" rectangle is worked to produce diagonals at each end. Watch for the pattern on my site soon.

Another member of the Koi Collection . . .

2008-03-07T10:17:00.007-05:00

The Koi Collection grows today with the addition of a quick to knit little neckwarmer. It uses only about 125 yards of worsted weight yarn. It's shown here in Lorna's Laces worsted in the Aslan colorway. One nice feature of this design is the I-cord edges that are knit on as you go -- no applying afterward! This makes a nice non-roll border for a very tailored look. Click the photo to enlarge it for a better look. This pattern is available from my website for $5.00 and goes great with the socks and hat. It'll have a new member of the family joining it soon, so be watching for that pattern too.

Another new sock pattern is featured on my webpage as well -- Conversational. Here it is knit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock lightweight in the Azure Malachite colorway. This pattern costs $5.00 and features a nicely textured rib, as well as some openwork. Many, many thanks to Margaret Converse for testing the pattern and knitting the model for me. Doesn't she do beautiful work?

The Koi Collection . . .

2008-03-05T10:27:00.005-05:00

Today I want to show you some designs which are part of the Koi Collection. Within this collection will be socks, a hat, fingerless gloves in two weights of yarn, and a neckwarmer. Shown here are the Koi socks, Koi hat, and Koi gloves (worsted version). When the other two items in progress are completed, I'll upload the entire collection to my website for sale, and also to Ravelry.

The stitch pattern is very easy to memorize and gives lots of texture and interest. I just love these socks. The way it worked up in the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock mediumweight Little Bunny Foo Foo reminded me of koi swimming in a school, hence the name.

I also loved the way the Fiesta Boomerang yarn knit up in the hat and worsted version of the fingerless gloves. Another version of the gloves in fingering weight yarn is in the hands of my lovely and capable test knitter, Denise. I'm currently knitting the neckwarmer myself. More on those later!

Gracious . . .

2008-03-04T14:19:00.006-05:00

I'm very excited about my newest sock pattern, Gracious. This pretty and feminine sock is a motif I adapted and compiled from a couple of different stitch patterns. I've just posted it on the Shopping page of my website and on Ravelry as well. This sock is knit from Dream In Color Smooshy in the Petal Showers colorway, and the pattern is sized for ladies small, medium, and large. I hope you'll enjoy this little beauty and it'll soon be adorning your feet.

Calorimetry . . .

2008-02-20T21:34:00.005-05:00

What a fast and fun little knit this was! I've been in such a fast and furious design mode lately that I thought I'd take a few hours and knit something that someone else designed. So, Calorimetry (from Knitty.com) it was. I used some yarn remnants to knit this up and just love how it turned out.

On my design needles (and the needles of my test knitters) are 3 pairs of socks and some fingerless gloves. Just off the needles are another pair of fingerless gloves and a hat. Lined up as soon as one of my test knitters finishes socks is a cute little neckwarmer. Soon, I should have several new patterns up for sale on my website and posted at Ravelry as well.

Fini! . . .

2008-02-05T12:04:00.000-05:00

And they are finished! My friend's socks are finished. Now the suspense begins to build as I wonder "Will they be that perfect fit I was striving to achieve?" Stay tuned . . . . I'll give these to her tomorrow and we'll see then.

Off to work on some of the other half dozen designs that are swirling around in my head.

Knitting Socks for a Good Friend . . .

2008-01-28T11:47:00.000-05:00

I have a wonderful friend. She's smart, funny, accomplished, curious, generous, focused and we just enjoy letting one another be who we are. Can you believe she doesn't KNIT? And, she has a wool allergy.

I love to knit for people I love, and of course you know I love to knit socks, so I've wanted for quite a while to knit her some socks. Finally, I'm doing it. I'm using Panda Cotton from Crystal Palace Yarns in the Sable colorway, which she chose from the colors I had on hand. And I designed a motif specifically for her, deconstructing and recombining various stitch patterns I liked.

Here's a peek at the socks. I'm increasing the gussets, toe up, right now and hope to have these completed by Wednesday when she's here to have dinner with us.

My nifty homemade knitting bag . . .

2008-01-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

Nifty and cheap, that is. Jules posted a comment to my last entry asking about the bag and the two strands of yarn feeding from the openings. Yes, I made it. I simply took a shopping bag (whatever size works for you best, this is one that works great for 2 socks at once on 2 circs) and applied two 1/4" grommets to the side.

If you are extremely ambitious and have two pairs of socks going at once, and your bag is large enough for the 4 balls of yarn, then put two more grommets on the other side of the bag. Three pairs at once? Put one additional grommet in each of the side gussets for a total of six holes.

This really works well to keep the yarns tangle-free, and also is a great place to pop the sock into when you are taking a break from them. The handles make it so portable and also serve as a means to hang them on a peg or the back of a chair.

Got to love those shopping bags, right? Just one more reason to get out there and shop, shop, shop. Good for the economy and good for your knitting!

Knitting Resolutions 2008, an unbridled year of knitting . . .

2008-01-01T19:31:00.001-05:00

un·bri·dled [uhn-brahyd-ld] –adjective
1. not controlled or restrained: unbridled enthusiasm.
2. not fitted with a bridle.

Since I took up knitting seriously in early 2005, I've subjected myself to various imposed or self-imposed knitting deadlines, constraints, and requirements. None of which I've regretted and all of which I've enjoyed. Is there even such a thing as bad knitting time?

First, there was a sampler afghan which was part of a knitting Bible study. Then various other learning projects I did to teach myself different techniques. And then very soon, designing felted bags for Crystal Palace Yarns, and then launching my book planning, knitting, and publishing. Along they way there have been knitting exchanges, special projects for CPY, the always-present knitting for holiday gifts, and the many designs that come to mind in odd moments of the day.

I realized a few weeks ago, in the midst of another non-knitting-related mini-crisis, that there is very little in my life over which I have absolute control. Tag, knitting! In 2008, you're IT! I can control you when I can't control anything else around me. I need to control you. I need to make you more precious, more intimate, more mine. I need to possess you.

I resolve that 2008 will be the year in which I only knit when I want to, as much or as little as I want to, with what I want to, for whom I want to, and why I want to. Whew! All that being said, I realize it sounds so selfish! Yet, it also feels so liberating! It feels empowering. It feels new and somehow forbidden.

When I want to design a pattern, I'll do it. When I want to knit mindless washcloths, I'll do it. When I want to luxuriate in sock yarn and tiny, perfect stitches, I'll do it. When I want to do another book of collected patterns, I'll do it.

I promise myself not to feel guilty about saying 'no'. I promise myself not to feel guilty about saying 'yes'. I promise myself that I'll enjoy each and every stitch that slips past my fingers, whether fruitless or fruitful. I promise myself to enjoy the miles of yarn I've collected and to knit with abandon, with purpose or without, and with senses fully engaged in the moment when each stitch is birthed from left needle to right.

I promise myself to let creativity off the leash. I promise to try not to be afraid of that creative muse! I promise to embrace knitting as a function that is as involuntarily as breathing, knowing that each breath is a precious gift and so is each stitch, each garment, each swatch, each mistake.

Yes, I'm looking forward to 2008 and to what it brings. Will being unbridled be as productive as being bridled? Will it be more so? In the end, does it really matter?

Cheers! And may all your knitting this year be unbridled!

But wait! there's more . . .

2007-11-27T17:16:00.000-05:00

More patterns, that is. I did get them photographed, finally, and posted for sale on my website. And so here there are . . .

Fashionista is a slip stitch pattern using three colors of bulky yarn and US size 13 (9.0 mm) needles. It's roomy and well balanced, and I love this bag!

Strike! is a trio of felted bowling bag style purses sized small, medium, and large with pockets on both front and back. It's also knit with bulky yarn and US size 13 (9.0 mm) needles. Knit them all . . . they'll bowl you over!

My Color Wheel Hexagonal Bag was originally designed as a gift for my Bag-a-holics swap partner and I decided to write up the pattern and include it in the collection as well. This is a good bag for using up worsted weight yarn remnants. It's knit with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn held together and a US size 11 (8.0 mm) needle.

Pillars of Fire . . .

2007-11-26T00:23:00.000-05:00

Well, perhaps you thought I'd deserted my blog, but here I am. It's been over two months since I last posted, and I've been furiously knitting various projects. It's been crazy busy around here since my last blog entry and doesn't show much sign of letting up any time soon.

Pattern and photos removed due to sale to a Sock Club.

An Explosion of Flowers

2007-09-18T16:02:00.000-04:00

I've had a productive week this week. I managed to learn how to install the html needed for a Paypal cart on the Shopping page of my website, and so now my book and the patterns I've been working on can be purchased directly from my site. Pretty neat! The Flambeau socks are there, as well as the What a Croc! scarf and my Thank You felted bag.

The newest member of the pattern family is the bag you see here, called Flowers Go Boom! since it's an explosion of colors, techniques, and shapes. The bag is knit in black and gray alternating stripes into a nice satchel shape. The flowers are crocheted and then felted. After blocking, they are beaded with some sparkly glass and metal beads, then sewn to the bag. I just LOVE this bag, and it's been getting some nice positive attention on Ravelry since I posted it there. I'm really excited to see if that attention converts into some pattern sales.

My Knit and Chat exchange partner, Tish, received the package I sent, and I'm so happy that she's thrilled with the Diamond Fantasy Shawl, the Margarita! bag, and the shawl pin. Wear them in good health, Tish!

I sold some of the Flambeau sock patterns this week to another Knit and Chatter, Carol, who owns a yarn shop called Never Enough Wool. thanks, Carol, for the order. I hope your group enjoys the pattern!

Long time, no blog . . .

2007-09-12T20:56:00.000-04:00

It's been a flurry of activity around here the last 3 weeks. School started back the day after Labor Day. Duncan is starting on his first soccer team. And the kids and I all have the usual back to school cold and sniffles.

We moved the girls out of their cribs, finally, and into toddler beds and they're liking that a lot.

I'm getting lots of knitting projects done as well. I got my Knit and Chat Fall Exchange parcel mailed out and I'm waiting to hear that my partner has received it. I sent the shawl I was debating about earlier in the blog, as well as a bag I designed. And a nice little shawl pin I picked up from an Etsy shop. And one of my books and a kid's scarf pattern I designed.

Speaking of the scarf, here it is. With my beautiful son modeling it. It's a crocodile and the scarf will be for sale on my website soon. The pattern is called What a Croc! It's a fun way to drape a reptile around your neck. Raised stockinette stitch scales on a field of reverse stockinette stitch form the body and tail, with a crocheted edging all around. The eyes are actually little craft jingle bells sown into the eye sockets, and the nostrils are bobbles. there are even some fearsome teeth! There is a similar pattern by Morehouse Farm which appears to be a simple garter stitch alligator, and they sell their pattern as part of a kit, apparently, and in two sizes so check them out.

Another project design I completed is a gorgeous bag I'm giving a friend as a gift for treating us to such a lovely time in San Francisco during the summer. I was inspired by the design on a thank you card I picked up in a Papyrus store in Atlanta and decided to render it in wool, and many times larger. Here's a photo of what I've been calling the Thank You bag. I'm working on another one in a different colorway and I'm going to offer the pattern for sale on my website as well . . . as soon as I finish knitting
the second colorway.

Oh, and I completed my August sock of the month a couple of days into September, so not bad all things considered. I knitted the Carolina sock in Socks That Rock medium weight Sherbet. Here they are too.

I also designed and knitted a dishcloth, my first experience in laying out an actual knit/purl design so that it makes a picture. The pattern is an angel, and it can be downloaded from free pattern page at my website. Here's the photo of the Dishcloth Relay Angel. The cloth was designed to go along with a dishcloth relay planned on my favorite knitting forum at Delphi -- Knit and Chat.

So, I guess that's all for now. Be watching the Shopping section of my webpage for the bag and scarf patterns to become available, and just follow the link in the right hand column to my free patterns to pick up a copy of the Angel dishcloth.

Later!

Thanks, Alison, for the fun interview!

2007-08-22T23:16:00.000-04:00

Alison Lee recently interviewed me for her Craftcast podcast, and I had such a great time talking to her. The podcast is up now and you can check it out. Please visit Alison's website where you can download the podcast, or check out (and even subscribe) her podcast at Itunes. She's interviewed some amazing crafters, and it is such an honor to be included among them.

Thanks, Alison! What fun it was chatting with you!

And for those who wonder how to find Knit and Chat at Delphi Forums . . . here's a link for that. Tell Carol Ann I sent you!

My interview . . .

2007-08-19T23:26:00.000-04:00

Recently, I was very honored to be interviewed by Kim Stevens who has a podcast called Knit Therapy. We met at the Charlevoix Fiber Festival several weeks ago and recorded the interview, which is now available from Itunes and also from her podcast website. Kim also blogs, so check her out there as well.

Kim is a great person and another Michigander. The interview was fun and Kim made it easy to chat with her about my knitting and my book. I didn't come off looking like nearly the idiot I thought I might. Thanks, Kim, for being such a great interviewer!

I've also done another interview for a podcast called Craftcast, hosted by Alison Lee, and that was a lot of fun too. That one should be available soon as well, and I'll post information about it when it's out.

So, if you'd like to take a listen at me chatting about my knitting, visit Kim's podcast site and download the MP3 file or go check out the episode at Itunes.

School Bus Scarf, the pattern . . .

2007-08-17T16:19:00.001-04:00

For those of you checking here as a result of my friend Jules's blog entry about the school bus scarf she knitted, here's the link to the pattern. I hope you'll enjoy knitting this for your little ones!

Just click here to go to my Free Patterns page, and then scroll down until you see the school bus scarf picture. Click the photo to download the .pdf file for the pattern.

Edit: The school bus scarf pattern has been removed from the free pattern page.

The end is in sight . . .

2007-08-17T10:28:00.000-04:00

The end of my Knitting To Do List, that is. Well, at least the end of the immediate short range To Do list. I cast on last night for the last CPY project that is hanging fire. After it's knitted, felted, and finished, I can finalize all the photos and patterns and get this batch out to Susan. Then, I can regroup and think through what needs to be done next.

I'm excited about this current pattern for Crystal Palace. It's one they'll offer for free download. The pattern is done in two colorways -- a dressier one and a more casual one. I can't wait to show them to you when they are done. If you haven't done so yet, hop over there and take a look at my Margarita! bag that's been put up on the website recently. It's definitely a cool summer refresher.

Weather here is a bit cool today, but gorgeously sunny. This is the time of year in northeastern Michigan when you can just begin to feel autumn in the air, and see the first streakings of color in the maple leaves. School will start on Tuesday after Labor Day, and by then, it's definitely jacket weather here.

I love this time of year, with the bit of coolness in the air and the promise of the rush of summer slowing to a more manageable pace. The pull of that urge to pick up some soft squshy wool and just knit for hours grows stronger and stronger as the days become cooler.

My Montego Bay scarf is cast on and moving right along. I'm about a third of the way done with it. I've decided to incorporate some beads in the trim at each end. I think it'll be really pretty when it's done. I'm using Socka Colori Disco yarn, which has a bit of silver glitter in it. I haven't worked on the Moonlight Sonata Shawl in a few days, but I'll get back to it. I'm enjoying having a few projects to switch back and forth as I work on them.

I'm still deliberating about what to do with that Diamond Fantasy Shawl. Gift it? Or keep it and wear it myself and gift a different project? Or gift it along with another (more perfect) project as a sort of "sorry I'm human" apology gift? I think I'm leaning toward Option #3. What would you do?

Did I mention that I have two completely potty trained little girls? YAAAAAYY! Even through the night, both Abby and Emma are staying dry. It's big girl panties all around here at the Ross home! Or, as Abby and Emma call them, "pretty panties".

Now, that's cause to celebrate!

What do you do when . . .

2007-08-14T12:03:00.000-04:00

You get something all knitted up, finished, and start blocking it and then discover that the black yarn you used, all the same yarn from the same company was apparently from different dye lots? Last week, I finished the Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Sivia Harding. It's gorgeous! Of course, being black and having been knit mostly at night after the kids were asleep, I wasn't even thinking about there being the possibility of the last 2 inches being a more bluish black than the more brownish black that the rest of the shawl is. You can almost notice it in the photo, but you can definitely see it in person in full sunlight or under fluorescent lighting.

Disheartening, to say the least. I had planned this as a gift, but now, unless someone can tell me an easy way to overdye this so the black color evens out, I may have to just keep it for myself and go to Plan B for the gift. Draped in the right way, and particularly in less than full sunlight, the color difference isn't apparent, but still, I don't feel I can gift someone with less than perfection. Are any of you that way?

I finished some other projects since my last blog entry, and started some others. I got more bags done for Crystal Palace, but haven't got hardware, etc. installed yet. So I need to do that, photo them, and then get the patterns written up and the whole shebang mailed out. I have one more bag to knit and felt for them, which is an alternate colorway of one of the just completed ones.

I designed some Golf Club Covers for my father-in-law. They turned out well. I used 2 strands of some leftover Lion Brand Wool. And then as I was looking them over, discovered on the 5-wood cover, a purl in the ribbing where there should have been a knit. He won't care, probably won't even notice, and if he did wouldn't think anything about it, but I know. Dang, dang, dang! The most maddening part about these recent knitting boo-boos is that I don't usually do stuff like that. This must be a sign of having too much going on all at once, which is certainly the case around here these days.

Another project I got underway is the Moonlight Sonata Shawl by Shui Kuen Kozinski which I downloaded from Elann. This is going well in Briar Rose Sea Pearl. What a treat this yarn is -- merino and tencel. Gorgeous hand, lovely color, and great to knit up. Here's a photo of the work in progress. I've worked through three more pattern repeats since that photo, and have 5 more to go, for a total of 10 in all, unless I decide to make it longer.

I'm getting that itchy urge to cast on a pair of socks. I'm thinking about doing one of Gigi Silva's designs, either the Carolina, Last Queen of Naples or the Kaylee. Anyone made either of these? What do you think? And I'm also wanting to cast on for Amy Singer's Montego Bay Scarf from the Summer 2007 Interweave Knits.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! And much procrastination about finishing up those handbags!

Beautiful Fleece Artist Sea Wool!

2007-07-28T22:43:00.000-04:00

Recently, I received some Fleece Artist Sea Wool in the Hercules colorway from Sheri at The Loopy Ewe. (Thanks, Sheri!) It is so beautiful, soft, and luscious! I just finished a pair of socks from that yarn. The colors are so gorgeous, I decided that just plain old stockinette was the way to go. Take a look for yourself!

I did something new with the toe. Rather than have the toe decreases placed one stitch in from each side, I decided (inspired by the way Colin did his toe increases on a recent pair of socks) to keep a set number of stitches in the middle of the toe and have my decreases slant toward them instead. Here is what the toe looks like when you do that.

Don't you just love having a newly finished pair of socks?

Now, I MUST get back to working on some purses!!!

Solstice Slip

2007-07-26T21:06:00.001-04:00

Solstice Slip
Originally uploaded by TerryRoss

Just a quick note to show my completed July socks . . . . Rockin' Sock Club Solstice Slip.

Accidental -- the dishcloth that wanted to be a purse

2007-07-12T18:22:00.000-04:00

Here is the link to my pink bag. The file is in PDF format and the purse is called Accidental. Just scroll down until you see it, then click the photo.

Happy knitting, and be sure to let me know if you knit it and where I can see YOUR version!

Every day brings a new surprise

2007-07-12T13:55:00.000-04:00

Sometimes in knitting life, you have a happy accident. This week, I intended to knit a dishcloth. A pretty, pink little thing with some nubs on it that would make good scrubbers. And, I wanted to play around with knitting a square in the round. Yep. A square in the round.

Well, the idea was a good one. The technique is a good old tried and true method of casting on enough stitches for the perimeter of the square and then making double decreases at each corner until you get to the center, and then pull the remaining stitches tightly together. The happy accident happened when I chose to cast on too many stitches with a yarn that was too heavy. Twice as heavy, as a matter of fact. I used Peaches and Cream Double Weight Worsted Cotton yarn.

The hapless dishcloth turned out to be 17.5" square when finished. So, it quickly metamorphosized into a very cute, very pink, very nubbly envelope style shoulder bag. I lined it, gave it a cute button and crocheted button loop, and attached a nice long cross-the-body length shoulder strap. As soon as I get a minute to do it, I'll write up the pattern and post it on my free pattern page.

Here are some photos of this little cutie. Well, not so little. It's 12.5" wide and 11" tall.

The back of this bag has the center rosette I made just before binding off.

There's a cute flower design button, and the straps were put on simply by attaching the purse loops through the stitches at the top of the bag.

The lining is a double thickness of a floral printed organza.

So, there it is. I'm pretty happy with this happy accident!

Reveling in Ravelry

2007-07-05T07:53:00.000-04:00

Everyone I know who has become part of the new Ravelry community is completely in love with it. Like thousands of others, I signed up for the beta version a couple of months ago when I first heard about it. And a few days ago, I received my invitation to join. I've spent lots of time over the last several days entering information into my little Ravelry cubby and making some acquaintances there.

What is Ravelry? For those who have not heard of it yet, it's an amazing new online community for knitters and crocheters. And more than a community, it's a wonderful collection of organizational helps like a place to inventory your fiber stash, needles and crochet hooks, and track and display finished objects and works in progress. You can also queue up projects and organize yourself into the future.

The creators of Ravelry are a couple, Jess and Casey, who birthed this fabulous new concept and then set about growing it to some maturity before setting it loose on the public at large. They are doing a great job of that, incorporating member suggestions for improvements daily, hourly, and sometimes almost minute to minute. They keep members informed in the Forum section of the community and solicit feedback for improvements there.

They've created an environment where beginning yarn crafters can rub elbows with more seasoned knitters and crocheters, and where designers can incubate projects and relationships. They are really making the best of what the 'net is all about -- networking.

I've noticed a personal impact for myself already. Just seeing the amazing works of others is motivating me to do more. And already I've made contacts with people whom I might not otherwise have the chance to know, including some of my favorite knitting podcasters.

One of those people is Sharon, who has the She-Knits podcast. If you aren't familiar with her podcast, you can check it out at either Itunes or her podcast site. You don't need an Ipod to listen, you can just download onto your computer and listen.

Sharon has a thing for felted bags, just like I do, and it's been great having a chance to get to know her a little bit, and I'm looking forward to knowing her better.

Aren't we living in an amazing time? A time when we can reach out across states and countries and meet other people who are more like us than we realize? And then to become friends with them, helping one another along the way? Just goes to show you that we are creatures that crave interaction. It's what we were built for, and even as our world becomes more and more modernized, mechanized, and computerized, we find ways to use all that to create and nurture relationships.

Anyway, check out Sharon and her podcast, and if you think you might be interested in Ravelry, check that out too. And when you get there, look me up. I'm always pretty easy to find.

Have a great day!

Wave your Stars and Stripes!

2007-07-02T12:29:00.000-04:00

You can fly your colors with my new bag design, and if you knit fast . . . even by the 4th!

Here's a bag I designed for the July bag of the month at the Yahoo Bag-a-holics group. The pattern is available for purchase at my website Shopping Page. The cost is $4 for the PDF version, which will be e-mailed to you upon payment.

Socks for Sale . . .

2007-07-01T11:43:00.000-04:00

OK, so here's my very first ever for-sale-to-the-public sock pattern. It's called Flambeau, and I hope you'll like it. Here's a photo of the sock, knit in Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton, a blend of bamboo, cotton, and elastic. The pattern requires 3 balls of Panda Cotton, or 390 yards of fingering weight yarn for a ladies size US 7.5 (ladies medium).

If you'd like to order the pattern, please visit the Shopping Page of my website. The pattern costs $5 and will be e-mailed to you in PDF format.

What a Trip!

2007-06-30T23:59:00.000-04:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I last blogged. It hasn't been because I didn't want to . . . it's just been. . . well . . . . frenetic.

June 20 through 25, we were in San Francisco where I had meetings with both Bare Escentuals and with Crystal Palace Yarns. You can read all about the Bare Escentuals part of the trip in my post at BE Addicts Forum in this posting. It was an amazing trip and we were treated like royalty.

The CPY part of the trip was just as productive. As many of you know, I've been designing projects for Crystal Palace since the spring of 2006. The week before we went out there, I found out about a huge new project for which they want me to design some bags. So, I got busy and ended up taking 12 completed projects out to Susan. Some of them are the regular projects for free download on their website, and the rest were for the new project. I'll tell more about that when there's more definite information on the final details.

While we were there, we got a chance to go to Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39. We took the kids to the aquarium there and they got to pet some fish. They had a great time, and we also got to see some sea lions, ride the carousel, and just enjoy the fantastic weather.

It was a hectic 5 days, but the travel went as well as it can when you are traveling with 3 kids (2 of whom are smack in the middle of potty training). We're glad to be home, and I'm still trying to catch up and make the house look like the luggage didn't throw up all over it.

On my knitting needles, or should I say just off the needles, is a new sock design that I think I'm going to offer for sale. Be watching for more particulars about how to order either a download or a hard copy of my new design called "Flambeau" using Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Cotton sock yarn.

Next for the needles? I'm not sure yet. I'm waiting for a box of yarn to arrive from CPY, and that'll give me all the raw materials I need to do several more bag projects for them. I guess I'd better get myself down to business sketching them out, huh?

What a week . . .

2007-06-10T19:40:00.001-04:00

Man alive, what a week! The small church we've attended since it started up 3 years ago imploded. What a mess. We chose to remove ourselves from the fray and asked to have our names erased from the member roster. On to something new now and hopefully less volatile.

Duncan's kindergarten graduation was on Tuesday. Look how handsome he is in his little cap and gown!

And then I got a lot of work done on my Crystal Palace projects. I finished up the third of three and it's blocking dry, and all that is left to do on the projects is the finishing work. I also worked up another that's in the machine felting right now. It's part of a special new project I'm doing with CPY that'll launch this fall. More about that when I have more details and can release the information.

Book sales seemed to pick up a bit this month so far, maybe as a result of TNNA in Columbus. CPY took several of my bags with them to display in their booth, and they also are promoting my books. They have them available to sell to local yarn shops and online stores that purchase their yarns, and so they give the books a great boost whenever they set up a booth at one of these conventions.

CPY has some luscious new colors coming out in their Fjord and Iceland yarns, and a new bulky weight yarn called Kaya which is like their Taos yarn, only double in weight. I'm working up something with it now in a gorgeous colorway.

It's good to be back in the CPY saddle again after having several months off while I was getting my book launched and getting some other things caught up. I think having my yarns and stuff organized, visible, and easy to access has been a big motivator for me to start designing some new things to make with all those yarns.

So, here we are at the beginning of a new week. It has to be calmer than last week . . . . right?

I've been busy, oh so busy . . .

2007-06-02T23:54:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy couple of days since my last blog entry. Yesterday was Abby's birthday, and so we celebrated last night with cake and presents, just the five of us at home. Here's birthday girl blowing out her candles. She was having a "Shirt Optional" kind of day.

The last several days, I've been working on getting my new yarn studio in shape, and I'm almost done with that. There are still a few of Art's things in there, but they are slowly but surely being moved down to his shop in the basement. I still need to put another couple of smaller shelving units in the room (after he gets his stuff out), put the stuff on them and then I'll be done.

I've been spending time reorganizing my yarn and stuff as well. Here are a few photos of the work in progress. This photo shows 8 feet of shelving along one of the walls. The yarn supplies are there, as well as some laser paper, envelopes, and other miscellaneous office and mailing supplies. I totally love these mesh baskets. I just can't get enough of them. Also, I'd love to find just the right size bookcase so I could put it in the room as well to hold my collection of knitting books.

The next photo shows the view as you enter the area. The desk, computer,and printers will stay, but you can see I've commandeered the file cabinets and drawer storage for my knitting goods. The former owners used this room as a guest bedroom, and it has an attached half bath. We've always used this room as a home office. The space is about 12' x 12'.

This shot shows the cedar closet. At first, I thought I'd use it for yarn storage, but I decided I'd rather have my yarn in plain sight than any more office supplies.

Next, you see how I've sorted and labeled my yarns. If you can't see it clearly, this tag, which I tied onto the mesh with yarn (appropriately enough) says, "CPY" in the blue section, with "Fjord" in the top orange block and "Solid and Print" in the bottom orange block. Aren't those yarn balls pretty?

Here's another shot of some miscellaneous felting wools.

So, I'm pleased with how this is all shaping up.

On my needles, I'm an inch or so away from beginning the heel on my newest sock design, which is toe up. Still working on the Candle Flame shawl as well.

I haven't managed to knit very much the last couple of days. But I did manage to get a glorious nap in this afternoon. Art took all the kids out today for several hours, and so I hunkered down for a 2 hour nap. After that, I plugged into my Ipod for some knitting podcasts and worked some more on my knitting studio organization. It was a great and productive day.

To cap off the day, I fried up a bunch of chicken . . . some for us for dinner, and some for tomorrow for a wedding shower/potluck luncheon for a friend. Art picked up breasts and thighs while he was out (both boneless). Very, very tasty!

So, that's the news from here. Stay tuned for more adventures!

I guess I wasn't running fast enough . . .

2007-05-31T13:46:00.001-04:00

Because Jules tagged me and I'm it! OK, here are 8 random facts about myself that you may not know (depending upon, of course, from which context you know me)!

I'm the oldest of five siblings, married to the oldest of five siblings. We each have 3 sisters and 1 brother.
In 1974, I and my four sisters turned our birthdate age on our birthdays. I was 18 on January 18. Annette was 9 on July 9. Sissel was 7 on November 7. Kim was 3 on May 3.
I didn't knit for 40 years after I taught myself to do it. Then I took it up and started designing stuff.
I used to teach puppy kindergarten.
I used to be a part time court reporter in a law firm.
I once shared a table in a Japanese restaurant with the now deceased actor, Jim Varney. I once sat on an airplane next to actress Gina Hecht. I waited at a Chicago street corner once for a light change next to David Morse and his dog.
I can't stand yard sales. They give me the creeps.
My family are 3-generation funeral directors. My mother and grandmother are both licensed directors, as is my brother, and as were my father and grandfather.

So there!

Socks and School and Sneezy Noses

2007-05-30T00:09:00.001-04:00

Thank you to everyone who has written to me to say how much you like my Bella Catena Italiana socks. I'm already working on a new sock design, a toe up pair which I've cast on already. I've charted it out, swatched to see how the design plays, and now I'm just getting into it to see if it emerges from the needles as I see it in my head. This is definitely a challenge.

I really admire those who can design socks in a way that seems so effortless, and which result in such beautiful work. And then write a pattern that is coherent, correct, and also covers a multitude of feet. My socks are off to all you talented designers! I'm SOOOOOO not worthy! Oh sure, I kind of know my way around a felted purse, but socks! That's a different knitting skill set altogether.

School is quickly winding down here in northeast Michigan. Duncan has tomorrow, then a field trip on Thursday, another day in class on Friday, then Monday will be another field trip, followed up by kindergarten graduation on Tuesday. Quiet knitting time may become quite an elusive thing around here after that.

The girls have had some allergy symptoms the last several days. The pollen count here has been really high this spring, and it seems like allergies have been at an all-time record worst. We're going through tissues at a rate which would certainly please the makers of Puffs Plus.

Abby is having her third birthday on Friday, and so I need to get geared up for a birthday cake and a couple of gifts for her. She's been going around telling me "It's not my bir-day yet. My bir-day Goon fust."

Which rapidly approaches.

Well, back to those toe ups!

Bella Catena Italiana

2007-05-28T21:06:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know that the sock pattern is now ready for download. Here is the PDF pattern for Bella Catena Italiana.

Enjoy!

Pretty, pretty socks . . .

2007-05-28T12:46:00.001-04:00

Well, I've just finished my latest pair of socks using the Italian Chain Rib stitch. So pretty and feminine, and the lacy rib is so stretchy. I did a plain stockinette stitch heel flap so there would be nothing to distract from the beauty of the stitch pattern. Here's a photo of the completed socks. I'll work up the pattern and post a note about it here in a day or two letting you know where you can download it, if you like.

Now, it's on to work on the Candle Flame Shawl from my sock yarn remnants.

We're having a lazy Memorial Day holiday here. Art and Duncan just got back from a little tennis game, and the girls are just about ready for naptime. My next adventure involves working a bit more on the "clean out the office closet" project. I'd like to get that done today. Maybe.

Happy Memorial Day to all!

Squirrel Cuisine

2007-05-25T23:28:00.001-04:00

If I'm going to get a blog entry done today at all, I need to do it now, don't I? It was a good day today, and a busy one.

I met some friends for lunch today. What a good time. I met two new ladies who came along, and so we were 6 all together. Lots of laughing, lots of other talking of things of more import. And sweet potato fries. What fun! I'm always amazed when you get a few women together and begin hearing about their dreams, experiences, and talents. It always strikes me that women together, combining their gifts, become a power with which to be reckoned.

Of course, it's not like you can just up and run out the door when you are an old woman with young children. It's a logistical exercise of military proportions just planning how to get bathed and then made up. I did manage to shower and wash my hair before the girls got up this morning. And then after their breakfast, I plunked them in my bathtub while I put on my face and clothes. Even so, it took from 7 this morning to 10:30 to get the three of us in shape to exit the house and drive the 45 minutes to (first) Grandma's for a drop off and then to the place where we met for lunch.

I did manage to squeeze in a trip to Wal-mart to stock up on some summer clothes for the girls before I needed to pick them up and head back north to get Duncan from Kindergarten.

It was a beautiful day today. After yesterday's heat, today was a breath of cool, fresh air. Sunny and in the 60s mostly.

I got a few more rounds done on my socks today, but nothing to write home about. My June TSV from BE arrived today. Cute, cute, cute bag. I can't wait to get a chance to try out the colors in the kit.

Tonight at dinner, Abby told me that big girls don't eat squirrels. Emma told me that she DOES, in fact, eat squirrels. And Emma also says that squirrels eat lady bugs. Duncan asked me what squirrels taste like. I told him, "Chicken."

I've got to keep a closer eye on those three!

Italian Chain Rib Sock Update

2007-05-24T11:55:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd take just a minute to pop in and post a photo of my socks. The heels are turned and I'm headed down the foot through the gusset decreases. This photo illustrates how stretchy the stitch pattern is. These socks are being knit with #1 needles on 60 stitches from Opal solid sock yarn. I'm getting about 12 rpi and 10 spi for gauge in stockinette in the round.

More later!

2007-05-23T21:56:00.000-04:00

Quiet time . . .

All the kids in bed, and finally asleep. Quiet. A glass of wine. Time to catch up on some DVR'd programs which have gone unwatched until this chance.

ahhhhhh!

It was a pretty productive day. Lots of laundry is fresh and clean and put away. I got a chance to make some progress on my socks -- I'm ready to turn the heels. And I was able to begin culling through some things in our home office to donate to Duncan's school. Office supplies that seemed like a good thing at the time, but have gone unused. The school will be able to use them.

The home office is one that we've used for our business since we moved in here twelve years ago. Art fixed himself up a place in one of the basement rooms a few months back -- computer work benches and all the gizmos he needs for the business (it looks like the console of the USS Enterprise down there. I think it actually glows in the dark.) -- and moved some of his stuff down there. And said the home office would make a great knitting studio for me. And he'd be moved out of it by December. And it will make a great space for my knitting/book stuff if I can ever get the rest of his stuff evicted. Today was the first attempt at that.

In that room is a large cedar closet the former owners built and used for storing winter clothing and I think some furs. We had floor to ceiling shelves built into it when we decided to turn that former guest room into an office, and so once I can get them cleared of the things that are in there, it'll make great yarn storage. I'm excited at the prospect.

So, tomorrow is the day the housecleaner comes. After a year, I still have mixed feelings about it. Love, love, love the clean house at the end of the day. Guilt, guilt, guilt over not doing it myself. Note to self: get over it. And on Friday, a nice lunch planned with some friends while the girls visit Grandma for a bit. I'm looking forward to that.

I also got a chance today to do a little online yarn shopping, amid all the other stuff. I picked up some things from The Loopy Ewe. Some Claudia Handpainted, some Schaefer Anne, and some Louet. I've never knit with any of those three, or even seen them in person, so I'm eager to get my hands on them. And, I ordered a few patterns from Cookie A's site. What a pleasure to be able to order them, download them, and get that instant gratification. I really enjoy knitting Cookie's patterns. She's a gifted sock designer. I've done her Monkey socks, the Baudelaires, and the pattern she did for one of the Socks That Rock monthly club installments last year.

I can't even imagine being able to design socks like hers.

And on that thought . . . back to the peace and quiet at the end of the day. Cheers!

2007-05-22T08:25:00.000-04:00

Heroes . . .

Did you catch the season finale of Heroes on NBC last night? What a phenomenal way to end the season. I thought it was a great blend of resolving the immediate issue of the explosion while leaving so many open possibilities for future season episodes. My thoughts about this turn to questions that are just tickling my brain with anticipation for next fall's new episode.

Molly mentioned a person who she didn't know how to find. She said he wasn't like the bogeyman, but that he could see her. Who is this person?
Could that person be Charles, who could see Peter when he went back to re-visit his first day on the job with him and saw his mother speaking with Charles?
Charles spoke of the importance of love, and of course in the end we see it was Nathan and Peter's love for each other that brought about the solution to the explosion issue. Does Charles know something about Peter's background and history that we don't know yet and which explains more about the Peter/Sylar issue?
Such as, my favorite pet theory, that Peter and Sylar are fraternal twins separated at birth, and epitomize good and evil in the world?
Notice how Charles told Peter as he was wheeling him into the apartment, "Call me Charles"? and how Mr. Bennet told him toward the end of the show, "Call me Noah"?
Is there a spiritual/biblical analogy to be drawn by the Noah reference, as in Noah Bennet is the modern day Noah who brings the heroes through worldwide destruction in order to cleanse the world of evil and start fresh?
And what is up with Mama Petrelli? What an evil old crone she's turning out to be . . . or is she?
Is Sylar really well and truly dead? What was with all the stuff flashing in his eyes as he expired?
And what about the explosion in the sky? Peter can regenerate. Nathan can fly. Could Nathan have take Peter up far enough, then flown away to a safe distance before the explosion? I believe we'll be seeing them again. Do you?
And last but not least . . . Hiro in 1600's Japan, the one army gathered to one side, the lone samurai on the other, the solar eclipse . . . are we about to learn that his father, Mr. Nakamura, is the ancient samurai Kensei?

What a lot to ponder, huh?

So, I didn't get a whole lot of knitting done yesterday. I did a bit more on the shawl, maybe another pattern repeat or two, and did a solitary round on my socks. Maybe today will be a better knitting day.

Duncan has only 9 more days of school, and then summer vacation begins. That brings a whole new dynamic back into the household. The girls are accustomed to having things go their way and according to their schedule, and they have gotten to like it that way. With Duncan home all day, I'm curious to see what that does to their little routine.

Speaking of the girls, Emma has discovered the ability to poop for M&Ms. What a breakthrough! Two of those tiny little M&M minis is sufficient motivation for her to "go big stinky" in the potty. Hallelujah, since two year old poop just isn't cute any more!

It's another pretty day here, with sunshine and clear skies and temperatures that will probably be in the 70s. That's a warm day in northern Michigan. Summer is that few days in mid-July when the temperature may reach into the 90s. Other than that, it's pretty much like this. Of course, we have been known to need the gas logs running on July 4th before. You just never know.

I noticed this morning that sonny-boy is out of clean socks, so I see a load of laundry in my future, probably several loads of laundry. Abby just zinged through here clutching some Bob the Builder goggles, with Emma hot on her tail screaming, "Mine! Mine!" Yet another opportunity in the never ending instruction that if you want something, "Ask her politely to give it to you."

Where is that Hero with the power to impart peace and calm when you need him?

2007-05-21T09:27:00.000-04:00

And so it begins . . .

both my day and my blog. I'm an old woman with young children and the start of this day pretty well sums that up. It's Boniva day. Got to protect my aging bones. And then there's potty training the girls -- our two 2 year olds -- Abby and Emma. Well, Abby is going to be 3 in a couple of weeks. Emma won't turn 3 until November.

Boniva and potty training. The parentheses around the rest of my day today.

I'm not sure what the day, or this blog will bring. My life has been unpredictable in its entirety so far. I'm going to do some knitting. I'm going to eat breakfast as soon as my "wait an hour after Boniva" sentence is up. I'm going to pick up our son Duncan at kindergarten this afternoon. Oooh, the Schwan's guy comes today . . . time to stock up the freezer.

So for knitting, I have a couple of things going right now, and a few more things I really need to be doing for Crystal Palace Yarns. I cast on some socks for myself. I love knitting socks. I love wearing handknit socks. After the first pair I made for myself a bit less than two years ago, I started designing my own. This particular pair is based on the Italian Chain Stitch from one of Barbara Walker's books. The shawl is the Candle Flame Shawl that I'm knitting from my sock yarn remnants. I love my sock yarns so much I can't bear to part with even the remnants, and so I decided to knit a shawl for myself using up what I've got from the many pair I've done. I'll probably have enough to make more than one project from these pretty little odds and ends.

OK, time's up and off for breakfast.