glowing jars

I got an awesome package of canned yummies from Helloyarn Adrian! I got quite a haul, because the two of us had agreed to do a jar swap earlier in the summer, and then she happened to get my name for the awesome Can It swap that Earthchick Stacey organized.

What we have here is two pints of canned goodies: Vanilla Sweet Pickles (um.. the jar was full when it arrived. Ahem.), cranberry ketchup, spiced cider and husk cherry jam, and apple paste (with instructions to eat with cheese... yes ma'am! When Adrian says to eat something with cheese, it's best to listen, I think).

I taste-tested everything last night, and it's all delicious! YAY for can swaps! Thanks so much to Adrian and Stacey! I sent out lots of swap goodies this morning (including an embarrassingly late cowl for a cowl swap), too - it was really fun to send out some fun packages to friends!

swatching

I love swatching. Getting to know the yarn, the stitch pattern, trying something new. So much possibility in beginning. This stitch will be the main part of the Rinconada mitts; I'm now working on different rib patterns for the cuff that will flow nicely into this. I do most of my knitting in the morning, right after waking. Looking forward to waking up to these!

28 seconds of very good advice, plus: ROCK

some words of wisdom:

and now for some St. Vincent:

rinconada canyon: inspiration

Hiking in Rinconada Canyon yesterday afternoon was beautiful... it's so quiet this time of year, and there are not so many people out. All the greens of the brush and grasses and purples and whites of the flowers have faded to their winter yellows and golds by now. It's a lovely hike, but it is getting cold and windy. I've started a new project out of neccessity: fingerless mitts. I always hike with Charlie, so having open fingers is helpful, but my hands were just so cold! I need a little help. I'm using Bijou Spun Tibetan Dream sock yarn - a fingering weight 100% yak down yarn. It's so squishy and soft! I have it in two natural colors - cream and brown - but I only have a photograph of the cream:

I'm winding up the brown right now. I don't have a picture but it's interesting: the cream is this lovely matte natural color, but the brown has a definite sheen - I hope it shows up in photographs. I think they'll look really pretty together in a slipped-stitch pattern (I also think they'll feel great on the hands that way; seriously, the squish factor is high). Jacob has the morning walk shift with Charlie, and it's even colder when he goes out, so he's getting a pair, too. I'm looking forward to swatching!

p.s. thanks for the Simple Things love over on Ravelry! It's been really fun to see all the hearts and watch the queue numbers grow! :) To anyone who knits it - I sure hope you like it! There are already some new projects in progress that are so, so pretty. Yay!

simple things shawlette pattern

I'm excited: the Simple Things pattern is ready and published! You can check out the projects already completed and in progress by the test knitters and some early purchasers (thank you!!) on the Ravelry pattern page.

This is a simple little shawlette, designed to use just one skein (360 yards) of a particularly lovely handpainted yarn. Worked from the center top down, it’s knit in easy stockinette stitch with increases along the edges and a center spine. Garter eyelet ridges along the bottom edge prevent curling and add texture while still letting the yarn draw focus.

A handy small traveling project, it's also good for beginners who want to try a shaped shawl and eyelet work without a lot of complicated patterning.

Worn draped around your shoulders as a small shawl or tied around your neck as a triangular scarf, Simple Things is versatile and easy to throw on with just about anything and add a little color, softness, warmth, and handknit goodness to your day.

Simple Things is available for purchase for $5.00 through the "buy now" button below.

materials needed:

yarn: 360 yards (329 meters) fingering-weight (4-ply) yarn; shown in Pagewood Farm Alyeska Hand-dyed Sock Yarn; 360 yards (329 meters); 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 3.9 oz (113 grams) colorways: Harvest (brown version) and Misty (grey version)

needles: 1 US 4/3.5 mm circular needle, 24” (or size needed to obtain gauge)

notions: tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch marker (optional for confident knitters after the increasing pattern is established, but especially helpful while working the garter ridge section)

gauge:

19 stitches and 28 rows = 4”

finished size:

46” from point to point along top of shawl, and 17” down center increases from the top to the point

please note: though getting exact gauge isn’t crucial for this project in terms of fit, it was designed to use nearly the entire 360-yard skein of yarn called for. Please have at least 350 yards to use for this project and check your gauge (blocking your swatch) especially carefully if you are close to the required yarn amount to help ensure that you won’t run out. You can also easily subtract a few rows before the garter eyelet ridge section for a smaller shawlette, or add additional garter ridges for a larger one, to help you get the very most out of your chosen yarn.

notes about this pattern purchase

You are purchasing a pattern in pdf file format, and will be able to download your pattern via a link that will be emailed to you once your payment is completed. All payments are processed by PayPal and you can use either your PayPal account or a credit card to pay. The pattern is delivered by Ravelry but you don't need an account in order to purchase. This pattern may be used to make items for personal use, for gifts, or for charitable donations. This pattern may not be used to make items for sale. You may print this pattern for your own personal use only. You many not distribute this pattern in any hardcopy or electronic format, for free or for resale.

If you have any problems with your purchase or any questions about making this pattern please email me and I'll be happy to help you! Thank you so much!