Category: Ravelry

Posted in giftalong2018, Knit Equals Joy Designs, knitting pattern, Ravelry

Whimsy Tree with Buttons from Mom’s and Grandma’s Button Tins

Posted on by Carol

I know that some of you share with me an affection for the button tins that our mothers or grandmothers created over time, clipping serviceable buttons from garments that had reached the end of their usable life and saving those buttons for future use.  Some of you may have been fortunate, as was I, to inherit these tins.  I have memories of sorting through Mom’s button tins, and Grandma’s before her, as a child.  These days, I use the buttons to decorate some of my hand-knits.

After releasing the Whimsy Tree pattern, I had the idea of making a second tree using natural, undyed yarn, and decorating it with white, silver, and gold buttons from Mom’s and Grandma’s button tins.  I am so happy with the result.

I’m going to offer the 25% off introductory discount through the end of 2018, no coupon code necessary.  You can find the pattern here: Whimsy Tree.

The Indie Design Gift-a-Long on Ravelry is nearing the last week of this year’s GAL.  I was fortunate to have been interviewed by Stana D. Sortor (Fifinka on Ravelry).  Her website is Stana’s Critters, Etc.  Here’s one of her adorable designs, Chameleon Leon:

Chameleon Leon, design and photo by Stana D. Sortor 

If you’d like to read the interview, here it is: Interview with Designer Knit Equals Joy.

Wishing you all a joyous Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

xoxo

Carol

Posted in KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitting patterns, Ravelry

Gift-a-Long, More Favorites

Posted on by Carol

As promised, here are a few more not-by-me designs that caught my eye during the Indie Design Gift-a-Long on Ravelry. I’ve linked to each pattern, and each one is 25% off through 11/29/18, 11:59 pm EST with the coupon code giftalong2018.

Adult Modular Cardigan Jacket by Loraine Birchall (Woolly Madly Deeply).  Besides the lovely fit, the construction looks really interesting.  I can definitely see this as a workday staple:

Party Bones by Stephanie Lotven (TellybeanKnits).  You probably already know that I love the Day of the Dead:

Kicking Horse Mittens by Kate Bostwick (Cowtownknits).  I love this look:

Festive Forest Cushion by Sandra Nesbitt.  The colorwork is so clever and pretty:


Bunty MItts by Ella Austin (BomBella Designs).  Loving this 70’s vibe:

Of course, as a participating designer, I have patterns on sale as well.  They can be found here.  Edit: the sale is now over, but the GAL continues through the end of the year!  My patterns can be found here: Knit Equals Joy Designs

Check back tomorrow for my next group of favorites!  Happy knitting!!!

xoxo

Carol

Posted in Indie Design Gift-a-Long, KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitting patterns, Ravelry

The Indie Design GAL – some of my favorites

Posted on by Carol

Hi everyone!  I’ve been spending some time going through the sale bundles of all 349 participating designers in the Indie Design GAL.  It took quite some time, as I looked at the sale bundle of each one.  If you don’t know about the GAL, it’s a knit-a-long/crochet-a-long on Ravelry. It runs through the end of the year, with games, prizes, and a discount for the first week.

349 designers (including me) are offering from 10-20 of their designs at 25% off until Thursday, November 29 at 11:59 PM EST.

I am one of the participating designers, so you can knit any of my paid patterns (even if you already own said patterns) during the GAL to be eligible for prizes.  I’d love to see your finished projects in the GAL, if you feel so led to make one.

But I digress.  As I said in the first paragraph, I browsed through every single one of the designers’ sale bundles to find my favorites.  To be chosen as a favorite, the pattern had to be one that I’d like to make.  You’ll notice that there are very few socks or shawls included.  While I enjoy making those, I don’t seem to enjoy wearing them so much.  That’s also why there are none of those yet in my portfolio (although I do want to add some shawl patterns eventually).  Click here for my Bundle of Favorite Sales Patterns – GAL 2018. You should be able to view it even if you are not a Ravelry member.  To be clear, these are not my patterns but patterns of some of the other 348 designers.  EDIT: The sale is now over, but the GAL continues through the end of the year.

The two patterns I purchased immediately are these two:

Autumn Oak Leaves by Irina Ferrer (Davydova) – because I love everything Fall!:

Petal Drift by Christelle Nihoul – I have admired this ever since it was published:

I’ll share more favorites throughout the GAL, and if I am able to actually work on something by not-me, I will definitely share here about it.  I hope you will check out the GAL; it might be just the thing to encourage your gift-giving knitting (and crocheting, too)!

 

Posted in Indie Design Gift-a-Long, KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitters, knitting, Ravelry

The Indie Design Gift-a-Long (AKA GAL)!

Posted on by Carol

The Indie Design Gift-a-Long (GAL) starts at 8:00 pm Eastern Time tonight (11/23/18).  The Indie GAL is a Ravelry-wide knit-a-long and crochet-a-long that starts this evening and runs through 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) New Year’s Eve.  This year, nearly 350 designers are participating, which means that they contribute coupon codes for pattern prizes as well as offering 10-20 patterns each at 25% off for the first week of the GAL.

There are TONS of prizes (both electronic prizes and prizes like YARN), games, chat…it’s an all-around fun time and a great inspiration for starting (and maybe completing) holiday gifts (for others, or possibly for yourself).

Designer and podcaster Sarah Schira (AKA Imagined Landscapes, designer of the adorable gnomes that took over the GAL last year) has put together a great video describing the GAL and how it works.  With permission given to all of us to share, I’m sharing it with you.  It’s a very clear and engaging explanation of the GAL.

To Recap:

Sale Dates:  Friday, November 23 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time to Thursday, November 29 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.  The coupon code is giftalong2018.  Look for the GAL sales bundle on each designer’s page or view and/or search the giant sale bundle in the GAL group.

Find my sale bundle on my designer page, here: Knit Equals Joy Designs.  Bundles are found on the page above the single patterns.

GAL Dates:  Friday, November 23 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time to Monday, December 31 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

The GAL group is super-well organized, and has answers to any questions you might have.  I hope you will come check it out!

Posted in Knit Equals Joy Designs, Knit-a-Long, knitting, knitting patterns, Pumpkin-a-Long, Ravelry

Pumpkin Party

Posted on by Carol

The Fall colors have been great, the pumpkin spice lattes have been tasty, and the knit pumpkins have been a blast! I couldn’t wait any longer to share these beautiful pictures with you.

The Knit Equals Joy Pumpkin-a-Long goes through Halloween – which means it’s still possible to knit a Wee Pumpkin before the end of the PAL – you can make one while handing out treats Halloween night!  The Wee Pumpkin pattern is just $1.25 or is free through November 10th if you have purchased any of my other pumpkin patterns.  Look for the “free” promotion to return again in early 2019.

Three Wee Pumpkins by Carla, knit in different yarn weights
Wee pumpkin knit by and jumbo pumpkin grown by Elaine
Jen has a sweet pumpkin patch. I spy Large Colorwork Pumpkins, a Colorwork Pumpkin, Mini Colorwork Pumpkins, and an Autumn Spice Pumpkin
Large Colorwork Pumpkin by Carla
Large Colorwork Pumpkin by Jen
Back of Large Colorwork Pumpkin by Jen
Large Colorwork Pumpkin by Carla
Autumn Spice Pumpkin by Kathy

Autumn Spice Pumpkin by Elaine:

Wee Pumpkin by Ginny

I hope you enjoyed the Pumpkin Party!

Many thanks to these knitters for letting me share their photos with you.

Knit Equals Joy

Posted in Knit Equals Joy Designs, knitters, knitting, knitting pattern, pattern, Pumpkin-a-Long, Ravelry

Wee Pumpkin – Pattern Now Available

Posted on by Carol

Hello, dear knitters!  Wee Pumpkin is here!

I wanted to write a pattern that would not only be cute, but would also be easy and quick to make.  This pattern is all three.  This diminutive pumpkin measures about 1 inch tall and about 1.5 inches in diameter.

It is knit flat, seamed using mattress stitch, then shaped, basically by cinching up the top and bottom.  Add a little fiberfill (I used cotton balls for the prototype, since I was on vacation when the inspiration hit), add a little stem, and you have a wee pumpkin.

They’re just the right size to make an adorable little gift.  Very quick to knit, too.  Mine was done, beginning to end, in under an hour.  My friend Missy knit two in about 40 minutes.

The pattern for this little cutie is for sale in my Ravelry store for $1.25.  It is available for free with the purchase of any of my other pumpkin patterns (past purchases also count). No coupon code is necessary.  This promotion will run through November 10th, then look for it to return again early next year.

This wee little pumpkin also qualifies as an eligible pattern in the Knit Equals Joy Pumpkin-a-Long (PAL), which continues through October 31.

Get your Wee Pumpkin pattern today!

Wee Pumpkin photo at top of page, knit by and photo credit Carla Scott, used by permission.

Tiny Pumpkin

Torunn's Wee Pumpkin
Tiny pumpkin by Torunn Borgen, used by permission
Val's Wee Pumpkin
Wee pumpkin by vmquint, used by permission

Continue reading “Wee Pumpkin – Pattern Now Available” →

Posted in Knit Equals Joy Designs, knitters, knitting, knitting patterns, Ravelry, Spa Cloth

Spa Cloth KAL

Posted on by Carol

Hello friends!

The Wibbly Wobbly Spa Cloth knit-a-long continues in my Ravelry group through May 15, 2018.  Knitters have been creating lovely spa cloths, like these:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Two weeks are remaining in the KAL, plenty of time to make your own Wibbly Wobbly Spa Cloth! The pattern is available here: Wibbly Wobbly Spa Cloth.

Did I mention that there are prizes? Prizes will be awarded randomly from the completed spa cloths. Here are a few of the great prizes:

Prize 1
Knitted Wit Victory Aran in Winter’s Night, 100% Merino
Button
One of a Kind Button
Ultra Pima Fine
Skein of Cascade Ultra Pima Fine (similar to pictured, not caked) & 1 Free Spa Cloth Pattern (any of my spa cloth patterns).

Please come check out the Knit Equals Joy Ravelry group and the knit-a-long. The more the merrier! And happy May Day (what’s left of it)!!

xoxo
Carol

Posted in knitting, Ravellenic Games, Ravelry, Team Knit Equals Joy

The Ravellenic Games – the knitting we do while enjoying the Winter Games

Posted on by Carol

The Ravellenic Games are going strong on Ravelry.  Team Knit Equals Joy is going strong at the Ravellenic Games.

Our team is small but mighty with 30 members currently on the team roster.  Members can join our team at any time throughout the games, and are welcome to make any pattern they like.

The mass cast-on occurred last Friday in tandem with the Opening Ceremonies of the PyeongChang Olympics. Since then, 14 projects have been completed by our team.

My goals for the Games are to finish the Colorwork Tee (it’s back!) and to make another sweater out of this beautiful Donegal Tweed:

Tweed

We’re all knitting away through the end of the Games. We’ve got a great collection of prizes; winners will be chosen randomly at the end from all the finished projects by our teammates.  Prize info is here in my Ravelry group.

I’ve  also put together a lovely prize package and will choose a winner randomly from among those team members who make one of my patterns:

Feel like challenging yourself and having fun while doing it? Come check out

Team Knit Equals Joy

 

Posted in knitting, Ravellenic Games, Ravelry, Team Knit Equals Joy

The Ravellenic Games 2018: FAQ

Posted on by Carol

The Ravellenic Games = awesomeness! But what do you do? How do you participate? This list of FAQs will help you navigate the waters and have a fabulous time.

Frequently Asked Questions – General

  1. The Ravellenic Games?? In a nutshell, Ravelry members have organized a site-wide knit-a-long that takes place during the Olympics. This forum is home to the 2018 Ravellenic Games. Cast-on occurs during the Opening Ceremonies (or any time thereafter), and projects must be completed by the Closing Ceremonies. There are events (categories of projects) and laurels (types of techniques). When you complete and post your project as directed, you will receive virtual awards and laurels, which you can proudly display on your project page and/or your profile.
  2. When is the event?   START TIME:  Friday, February 9 starting at 20:00 in PyeongChang’s time zone.   ENDING TIME:  Sunday, February 25 at 23:59, PyeongChang time.   The 11 posts in this thread have starting times for everywhere in the world.  Here in the Pacific Time Zone, I could cast on at 3 am this Friday morning.
  3. What are the rules? The rules are to pick a project that will challenge you, and to have fun!
  4. Do I have to watch the Olympics to participate? No, not at all.
  5. Do I have to be on a team? No, you can be a participant without a team.
  6. Can I be on more than one team? Yes. The rule is that each project must be associated with no more than one team.
  7. Why would I want to be on a team? A team is like a virtual knit night. We will exclaim over your projects, cheer you on if you falter, and dance a happy dance when you cross the finish line.
  8. Why would I want to be on Team Knit Equals Joy? We are really good at the above! And we have prizes! Read more below.

FAQs – Team Knit Equals Joy

  1.  How do I join Team Knit Equals Joy? Our team thread is here. You can post and say you are joining, or just join the conversation at any time. Tagging your project with ravellenics2018  and teamknitequalsjoy2018 will automatically designate you as one of our ravthletes.
  2.  Do I have to knit a Carol E. Herman pattern to be on Team Knit Equals Joy? No! You can knit any pattern you like. But knitting my patterns will give you extra chances for prizes! 😀
  3. What about prizes? We already have a queue of physical prizes like yarn, project bags and the like for our team. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the Games via random number generator and will be chosen from our team’s finished projects. We have a prize thread started here.
  4. What if I have questions? Post them in the team thread, send me a private message on Ravelry, or ask below.

If you are reading this, you are invited to join Team Knits Equals Joy. I hope that you will consider it. We have so much fun, and an event like this really does provide a lot of inspiration, incentive and encouragement to learn a new technique, finish a languishing WIP (work in progress), or even to frog something you never are going to make and free up that yarn for something else.

Hope to see you there!

~knit equals joy

Posted in Knit Equals Joy Designs, knitting, Ravellenic Games, Ravelry

Team Knit equals Joy – The Ravellenic Games 2018

Posted on by Carol

Cover photo by Jörg Angeli on Unsplash

Team Knit Equals Joy is joining the Ravellenic Games! The Ravellenic Games – a fun way to connect with other knitters and to challenge your own skills. They take place during the Olympic Games but, of course, are not affiliated with those games.  The goal is to challenge yourself to begin and complete at least one project between Friday, February 9 and Sunday, February 25 – and to have fun doing it.

15 events cover just about any type of project you want to make:  Alpine Afghan Combined, Bag Biathlon, Cowl Curling, Aerial Unwind, Super G(arment), Hat Halfpipe, Cross Country Living, Mitten Moguls, Short Track Scarf, Shawl Skating, Sock Hockey, Sweater Skeleton, Freestyle Spinning, Toy Bobsleigh, and WIPs Dancing. Curious? More info about the events here: 2018 Medal Categories.

The Ravelry-wide event awards virtual prizes. Generally these are a graphic you can post on your Ravelry profile page and on your project page. Pretty fun to post those prizes proudly!

We will have prizes in our Knit Equals Joy team, too…real prizes like yarn, bags, patterns… Prizewinners will be chosen randomly from those posting pictures in our finished objects thread. Projects may be made from any patterns, not just mine.  However, we will again have a special event (outside of the official events) called Event Knit Equals Joy (tag = eventkej). Anyone completing any of my patterns will be entered for a prize package, drawn by random number generator from all the completed (and tagged) eventkej projects.

As it gets closer to the actual event, I will be posting more information , both here and in our Team Knit Equals Joy thread.

We would love to have you join our team!  It’s like a giant KAL, and so much fun. Come join Team Knit Equals Joy here!

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

 

xoxo

knit equals joy