I Know It's Been A While...

but, I swear I have a good excuse! So, first, I finally released the pattern for Reesh, YAY!  You can find it here for download!

Also, I hae a new test right now for an item I'm calling the "Cotton Candy Tank" which I'm hoping will be available in June! As of right now, I'm working on a fall collection which I think you guys are really going to like, I'll keep you updated as I work!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

So,
I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Kirsten Kapur's Through The Loops and she was celebrating her birthday (Happy Birthday Kirsten, if you read this) and her blogiversary and it hit me that I never really paid much mind to my blogiversary. So, I signed on to the blog and would you believe that I've been here for almost a year and a half! I can't believe it! It feels like it was started yesterday. My first blog post was about sock (my first pair to be exact) and now I'm designing and it feels fantastic to know that I can design my own knitting and I can't wait to get better and better. So, while I missed the last blogiversary, I will make sure not to miss this one and to note the new milestones that I hit at that time.

Cap of a Different Caliper --- New Pattern!

Hey All,
So, I know I've been away for a while, but it's for a good reason: I've been creating new patterns and I'm happy to introduce you to A Cap of a Different Caliper.
Here's the slouchy version




And the fitted version (thanks for the photo Jennette)

This great cap is worked in the round with a twisted rib brim and lovely caliper cables. A special thanks to all of my test knitters for all of their help and invaluable input, you guys were great! Get this pattern and make your hat today!

Test Knitting!

I love test knitters! They are so fantastic because they take on your project knowing full well that your pattern might be a mess, but still lovingly knit up your creation. I always get nervous and excited when a pattern is finished and ready to be test knit: nervous, because I always think the pattern makes no sense and excited because, honestly, there's nothing like seeing someone else's fabulous finished object and thinking that you have a successful pattern on your hands. I have two patterns being test knit right now and I have to say a great big thank you to all of my test knitters. You guys are a pleasure to work with and have made pattern writing so much easier! Without you, who knows where all the fabulous independent designers would do!
If anyone reading this post is interested in test knitting, I have one open test knit for my Reesh Pullover that needs two more testers for sizes XS (32") and XL (46"), if you're interested, then pay us a visit in the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry

Dad... I love you!

So, some of you might know that my dad has been having some health issues for the past year. He had bypass surgery in March of 2010 and a few other problems, but on Friday night he gave us the scare of a lifetime. My dad suffered from a stroke on Friday evening, right in front of my eyes. One minute we were speaking and he was fine, and within 10 seconds he stopped being able to speak clearly and his right side froze. Of course, I called 911 and he went straight to the hospital where he was given a very dangerous medication that has plenty of terrible side effects that could show up in the first 24 hours of administering said medication. So, my mother and I sat and waited to see how much damage this sad silent killer would cause. I'm very, very happy to report that my father, who on Friday night, could not speak, move his right side, or recall how to spell his own name, has made a full recovery with no damage done to his speech or limbs. I was almost positive that Friday night would have been the last time I saw my father and I am so thankful to have him back home with us, where he belongs. I know that this has nothing to do with knitting, but I really felt the need to share... :o). However, don't think that while sitting in the room with my father I didn't manage to get some knitting done...lol. You know I did and I even started a new design for a cute hat... look for it soon. Thank you all for reading and I'll talk to you all very soon!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm happy to report that the Hugs and Kisses Pattern is now live and available as a free download through Ravelry!



download now
Happy Knitting!!!

Finding Old Favorites

So, last week I decided to do some late winter cleaning. As I started to clean out my drawers and closets, I was amazed at how much junk one could accumulate. I mean seriously, I took out 7 bags of garbage! CRAZY! But, I also came across something very special that I had forgotten about, the very first hat I ever knit. It was Flicker by Kim Hargraeves (LOVE HER WORK!). See, this hat is especially special because this pattern book was purchased during my very first visit to my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) and it was the first project I decided to undertake, so you can imagine my surprise when I came across it in the bowels of my drawer as I was tossing things away. A lot of things from that drawer didn't make it, but this hat is a definite keeper and perhaps a renewed favorite!


You can tell by the smile on my face that I'm in love with it!

Cables and Lace

So, as you all know I've been working on design number 2 and not that I like to toot my own horn, but I'm in love! The Reesh Pullover is definitely turning out to be a winner. Now, I'm not done knitting it, but since I'm so in love I wanted my readers to be in love too; so, I've decided to tease you with a couple of sneak peak photos. Now, these are not of the entire project, but rather just a couple of select photos of some of my favorite elements of this pullover.

Cables:


and Lace:


Look for the test knit of this to pop up in the next couple of weeks and then for the pattern release in April. Also, leave your comments as I always love hearing your opinions. Now, back to knitting... time for sleeves!

Snow!

Well, here on the East Coast, we've been slammed once more by some major snow. I mean MAJOR snow; 19 inches in NYC to be exact. So, I've gone ahead and taken some lovely pictures for you viewing pleasure.




Now, to the knitting. I know I said I was hoping to attend Vogue Knitting Live, but unfortunately on Sunday, I woke up with a raging case of bronchitis and I'm still not 100%. However, from what I've read, it was a great success and I can't wait to attend next year. I also heard that they'll be having another event in September in L.A. While I was sad that I was unable to attend, I was happy that I managed to get complete some of my knitting. The first is this striped sweater which was just something I knit on a whim.

Now, I know there are knitting needles still present in this photo (look at the neckline), but I promised you that this is now finished and blocked. The second finished object is my mom's coat. I have to admit that I'm happy to be done with this one, not so much because the knitting was difficult, actually the knitting was not that hard at all. The seaming, however, is a different story. It just seemed that there were no clear directions on how this ought to be seamed and then when it came to the sleeves, it was really quite strange. I'm still happy to report that this was a great success and looks beautiful! Here's the Welted Coat from Vogue Knitting's Fall 2010 issue.

I can't quite figure out why all my pictures come out slanted... lol. I alway think I'm holding the camera straight and then I upload them to my computer and they're always slanted. Who knows maybe one day I'll get it right. Oh well. Right now, I'm working on my newest design (finally!) and I have to say I love it! Finally, February is just around the corner, which means Hugs and Kisses will be available as a free download!

HELLLOOOO OUT THERE... DON'T WORRY I'M STILL HERE!

Hi Everyone,
I know it's been a while, but I've been busy knitting. I really have to figure out how to work that whole knitting and blogging at the same time thing figured out. I've been busy knitting my mom's coat and then there's been the pumpkin pie sweater, and another striped sweater which I finished, oh and let me not forget the socks and the new design I've been working on and cat on yesterday. OMG, I've become one of those people! You know the kind. The one who has 8,000 things on her needles all working at the same time, but not really finishing anything... NOOOOOO! Oh well, I better get used to it. Just to recap where I'm at, the coat is actuall almost done, just a few more seams and we'll have pics. The striped sweater is also done, yay! Pumpkin Pie is being worked on slowly as we have 3/4's of the first sleeve done and in terms of the new design, like I said, I just cast on. Finally, the socks... well, these socks have been a long running project, but I did manage to complete 1 sock and cast on and knit a little of the second sock, but I have to admit that it might take 6 months or so to complete...lol, we'll see what happens. Okay, so now that we've got that all out there I'm hoping I'll have some FO's up here soon. Oh and how could I forget; Vogue Knitting Live is this weekend (I know I'm so excited). I'll be going to the Market Place on Sunday hopefully, I can't wait to see how everything will turn out. FUN FUN!

So Much to Do...

Since I've decided to take on designing my own pieces, there have been so many knitting project going on. For one, I have testers knitting up the first design, the Hugs and Kisses Cardigan (Rav. Link). There have been a few mistakes in the pattern, but for the first time, nothing too major I hope. Secondly, my mom actually asked me to knit her something. This was a shock to me because generally she hates when I knit in front of her. Not because she thinks I'm doing something unproductive, but she feels that it can be construed as rude when I'm sitting with her and knitting because I'm not giving her complete eye contact. It's not a big deal, but the request for a knit did come as a shock. So, when I asked her what she would like she, of course, picked the biggest garment I've knit to date... lol Go figure! So, what is this mystery knit. It's the #10 Welted Coat by Irina Shabayeva from the Fall 2010 issue of Vogue Knitting.

So, I've been knitting this in Knitpicks Suri Dream in the natural color (her choice). The fabric is definitely lighter than that shown in the picture, but it's looking great and it's almost done! However, I don't think that's because I'm a speed knitter or anything, trust me I'm not, but rather I think it has to do with the fact that it's knit on size US 11 needles, which helps ever so slightly.
Finally, I'm still designing away and will have some sneak peaks of a new pullover design soon. (yay!) Oh, and stay tuned for the Hugs and Kisses pattern to go live soon.

Why, Hello 2011!

So, 2010 was not a good year for me personally, but I'm not going to dwell it. Nope, not me! Instead, I'm going to say hello to 2011 and stay optimistic that it will be a fantastic year! Here's wishing you all a Very Happy New Year!