Tag: knitting

Posted in giftalong2016, Indie Design Gift-a-Long, knitters, knitting, knitting patterns

So I Went Pattern Shopping the Other Day…

Posted on by Carol

As you know, I’ve been participating as a designer in this year’s Indie Design GAL. Previous posts, here and here. Last year during the GAL, I was madly working on getting The Wayfarer Hat ready for publishing. This year, however, there’s a bit of a lull, and I might actually be able to knit someone else’s pattern.

So…a few days ago I went pattern shopping…just in case! And here’s what I found…

Spate by Jane Richmond. I love the cables on these mitts, as well as the length of the mitts and the folded top cuff. Beautiful! It’s knit in worsted weight on size 7 and 8 needles, so it should be a quick knit. The samples are shown in Sincere Sheep Bannock, which is 100% Targhee wool.  I loooooove Targhee! It is sproingy and it’s perfect for texture!

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© Nicholas Kupiak

Skógar Mitts by Christelle Nihoul. This pattern is from the Colors of Iceland Collection. It’s shown knit here in a yarn called (Vi)Laines Précieuses, a fingering weight that is 70% Wool, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere goat.  This length of mitt always appeals to me, and I love the button detail. This color of green has been making me swoon recently.

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© Christal LK

The Ghost Ranch Cowl by Jessie Ksanznak caught my eye by the way that it mimics woven material through the use of slipped stitches. It could be a lovely addition to my wardrobe.

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© yarnovernewyork

Julia Trice’s Yukiya Pullover has been in my Ravelry favorites for a long time. I love its fluid lines and use of color.  It’s so flattering! The yarn it is shown in here is Shalimar Yarns Paulie (60% Merino, 20% Camel, 10% Silk, 10% Cashmere). Wouldn’t that be lovely against the skin? I really, really want to find the time to make this!!!

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© mindofwinter

Next into my cart went Bogvine by Miranda Grant. Again, there is that wonderful mitt length. This yarn is Cephalopod Traveller (100% Merino DK) in the colorway Bog of Eternal Stench (!). The colorway is perfect for the mitts. And I love the way the mitts are staged…also perfect for the piece.

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© Miranda Grant

My final pattern purchase of the group was Demeter Tank by Ashwini Jambhekar. I have long admired Ashwini’s designs. This is worked in a fingering weight 100% Merino on size 2 and 3 needles. This would be a lovely addition to my work wardrobe, and those cables and eyelet leaves would be a great deal of fun to work. This is definitely in my queue!

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© Ashwini Jambhekar

So, yeah, I went shopping! Lots of hours of fun and satisfying knitting here, with beautiful results. The 17,000+ patterns that are available for the GAL can be found here. Remember, the GAL goes through the end of the year and there are lots of great prizes. Enjoy!

xoxo

knit equals joy

~all participating GAL designers have given permission for their photos to be shared on social media.

Posted in giftalong2016, Indie Design Gift-a-Long, knitters, knitting

Indie Design GAL – Sale Thru 11/30!

Posted on by Carol

The Indie Design GAL on Ravelry is continuing in full force.  If you missed my last post, I wrote all about the Gift-A-Long here.

The most important piece of information right now is that the 25% discount on each designer’s discounted bundle of patterns goes through this Wednesday, November 30th, at 11:59 pm (EST). The coupon code is giftalong2016. So be sure to take advantage of this special offer before it’s gone! My sale bundle is here.

If you are up for a challenge, you might be interested in Taming the Opadoo. The Opadoo is the 8-armed Gift-A-Long challenge, in which one completes at least one project in each of the eight GAL categories. Sounds like fun!

Additional ongoing fun activities during the GAL include these two threads: Designers Alphabet Soup and Designer Hunt Game. Both of the games allow you to get to know the indie designers better – and each winner receives a coupon code for a free pattern.

As of this writing, 247 projects are posted in the finished object thread. It’s a great place to look if you want inspiration for your next project. Designers hail from 32 countries, and GAL group members, from 66 countries. If you enjoy stats, here is a thread full of them.

That’s most of the new news about the GAL! More to come later!

picmonkey-collage8

xoxo

knit equals joy

Posted in giftalong2016, Indie Design Gift-a-Long, knitters, knitting, knitting patterns, Ravelry

GAL Infographic

Posted on by Carol

Sharing, again, the amazing infographic created by Kimberly Golynskiy of Around the World in 80 Skeins.  It’s a great reference with everything you need to know for the Indie Design Gift-A-Long. It starts tonight – come join the fun!!!

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Posted in giftalong2016, Indie Design Gift-a-Long, knitters, knitting, Ravelry

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2016

Posted on by Carol

Once again I’m excited to be participating as a designer in the Ravelry-wide Indie Design Gift-A-Long! (This post will be heavy on links to Ravelry; be sure that you join Ravelry if you haven’t already – so that you can follow the links right through to see what all the fun’s about!)

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long (GAL) is a HUGE knit-a-long/crochet-a-long (KAL/CAL) with tons of discounted patterns (during the discount period) and many, many prizes to be given out during the six weeks of the GAL!

The Designers

335 independent designers from all over are participating. You can see who they are here – with pictures indicative of their work. My post is here: #203.

The Discount – 25% 

From November 22nd at 8:00 pm (EST) through November 30th at 11:59 pm (EST) each of 335 participating indie designers will offer 25% off a bundle of patterns with the coupon code giftalong2016. How will you know which patterns are eligible for the discount? Each designer’s post includes a link to his or her Indie GAL bundle of sale patterns. My sale bundle is here.

The Prizes

There are over 100 physical prizes (pictures here) – I’m donating patterns for The Wayfarer Hat and Passport Mitts along with two skeins of Mmmmalabrigo Arroyo to make them with. Check out all the fun and lovely prizes!

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Additionally, each of the designers is donating 6 electronic coupons for free patterns. That means at least 2,000 patterns will be given away over the six weeks of the GAL!

The KALs/CALs

The GAL is divided into eight KALs/CALs, divided by type of project: head, hand, feet, kids, garments, shawls, neck, other.

When the GAL begins, there will be a thread for each KAL/CAL, and in that KAL/CAL, prizes will be given out, games will occur, and there will be lots of fun, chatter, and admiration of knitting (and crocheting).

The KAL/CALs will begin November 22nd at 8:00 pm (EST) through December 31, 2016 at 11:59 pm (EST).

Which patterns are eligible for prizes?

You can make any paid pattern by any participating designer to be eligible for prizes. While no more than 20 patterns will be in the discount bundle of any designer, all of the designer’s paid patterns are eligible for prizes.

Some amazing indie design volunteers are putting together Pinterest boards that will allow you to browse through the GAL-eligible designs by type, and they are also putting together some bundles that will allow you to use Ravelry’s advanced search to look through the sale patterns and all of the eligible patterns. These boards and bundles will be coming soon.

Will you join in?

I hope you’ll consider joining me for this fun and inspiring six-week GAL. This would be a great time to whip out some spa cloths or fingerless mitts for gifts (or for yourself)! Like the Ravellenic Games, the camaraderie is a powerful motivator to finish projects. The possibility of prizes doesn’t hurt either!

Questions?

Feel free to ask me here or in my Ravelry group, or ask over in the GAL group.

Check out this awesome infographic made by Kimberly of Around the World in 80 Skeins . Isn’t it amazing?

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If we don’t touch base again between now and then, have a very happy Thanksgiving.

knit equals joy

Posted in colorwork, knitting, knitting patterns, pattern, PepperMitts

PepperMitts

Posted on by Carol

Dear Knitters,

I’m thrilled to share my latest pattern with you: PepperMitts.

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PepperMitts are knit in worsted weight yarn on size 5 and 6 needles, so they work up very quickly. The colorwork repeat over four stitches and four rows is easy to memorize.

The pattern is written for three sizes with the following circumference at widest part of hand (above thumb gusset) for each size:
Small: 6 3/4 in.
Medium: 7 1/4 in.
Large: 8 in.

Length measures about 8 1/4 in. for Small and Medium, and about 9 in. for Large.

Pattern includes both written and charted instructions, and both are used together.

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I’m so looking forward to wearing mine during the Christmas season. I am also going to make a pair in a wintry, pale blue and white. I can’t wait until the yarn arrives!

Here you can see the mitt made with all the ribbed sections in red:

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The pattern will be on special for the entire month of November. Follow this link for 25% off the usual price of $4.00.  No coupon code is necessary.

Thank you to Main Street Designs in Jackson, California, for letting me use their beautiful shop to stage the mitts. It’s a lovely shop and definitely worth a stop if you are ever in the California Gold Country!

Many thanks also to amazing tech editor Tabitha (Tabitha’s Heart ), who always makes my patterns better!

I also am very grateful for test knitters who are willing to work through my patterns to find errors and to find places where I can clarify my instructions. I’m sending out a huge thank you to my friends Meg, Jen and Heather who tested this pattern – they did a bang-up job! Jen came up with the pattern name, too, and I think it’s perfect!!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and spend a few minutes with me. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxox

knit equals joy

Posted in knitted blanket, knitters, knitting, yarn

My favorite blanket – on size 50 (US) needles

Posted on by Carol

AFGHAN 3This is one of my all-time favorite knitting projects.  You may think it looks somewhat old and ratty, and you’d be correct.  It’s just well-loved.  Actually, part of the reason is looks a bit beat up is because of one of the yarns I used, but more about that in a bit.

I love it because it was really quick and easy to make.  I made it when I was a fairly new knitter.

I love it because it is super-warm and comfortable, but because of the construction, it breathes and I don’t  get overheated.

It’s based on an article in the February 2008 issue from Knit ‘N Style by Leslye Solomon titled They’re So Big!!! about knitting with large needles.

This afghan was made with 7-9 strands of yarn knitted together at once, using 500-600 yards of each yarn. I cast on 36 stitches and worked in garter stitch. Whenever I got tired of any one yarn, I cut it and tied on a new different yarn.

My fancy system of keeping the yarns from tangling was to place each ball of yarn in a Ziploc bag, cut off one of the bottom corners, run the end of the yarn through the resulting hole, and seal the bag.

My rule in purchasing the yarns was that they needed to be white or off-white. Since I really knew nothing at the time about different yarns and their characteristics, it made shopping pretty easy. Yarns used included these (and I imagine many of them may now be discontinued): Bernat Satin Sport Solids, Lion Brand Moonlight Mohair, Lion Brand Jiffy Solid, Lane Cervinia Le Fibre Nobili Imperiale, and Bernat Soft Boucle. I also used something resembling thick and thin roving – but I have no idea now what it was. That was the yarn that pills so badly – but it surely did make the blanket warm and cushy soft. I also remember buying a yarn that was a raw silk blend.

There’s not much more information on my Ravelry project page, but here it is if you’d like to take a look.

I really do love this afghan and sleep under it every night. Using size 50 needles (25 mm) was a kick in the pants!  Working in garter stitch and changing out just one yarn at a time made things pretty easy. Changing a yarn when I started to get bored kept the work interesting. It’s definitely something to keep in mind if  you’re looking for something unique and different to make!

knit equals joy

P.S.  For reference, the largest needles in the photo are the orange needles, which are size 35 (19 mm). Size 50 needles are BIG!!!

Posted in fiber festivals, knitters, knitting, Rhinebeck, Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday: Rhinebeck

Posted on by Carol

…a selection of random images from my trip to Rhinebeck.
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Felted artwork by Delly’s DeLights Farm

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…and in a few days, I’ll write about the yarns I chose and what makes them special.

Posted in Carol E. Herman Designs, knitters, knitting, knitting swaps

Autumn Mini Swap

Posted on by Carol

Just for fun, here’s the recap collage of the Autumn Mini-Swap recently concluded in my Ravelry group. It was a fabulous fall swap, and the projects and swap packages were fantastic!

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knit equals joy

Posted in colorwork, knitting, knitting patterns, Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkins

Posted on by Carol

October has me in a pumpkin state of mind ~

Pumpkins (375x500)
by cascott
leelas-mini-pumpkin
by leelaswann
kims-boo
by kimmery
colorwork-grouping-2-jens-465x360
by jenb69
jens-colorwork-pumpkins-360x534
by jenb69
paulas-1024x751
by PLC1
jens-colorwork-pumpkin-4
by jenb69
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photo, pumpkin, and hand-carved wooden apple core by torunnb
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by torunnb
Colorwork Mini Pumpkin with Fall Leaves
by me
DSCN5379
by me
Jen's Patch and Candy (281x378)
jenb69’s Patch and Candy (I’m not sure which pattern it is)
paulas-pumpkins
by PLC1, as is featured photo
all photos used with permission

knit equals joy

Posted in knitting, knitting patterns, Spa Cloth

Race Day Spa Cloth

Posted on by Carol

The Race Day Spa Cloth is here! It’s one of the new patterns in the Folk Tales Spa Cloth Collection , a collection of fun-to-knit and lovely spa cloth patterns knit side-to-side. Quick to make, they’re the perfect go-to patterns when you need to whip up a nice gift – just add a lovely bar of soap. Of course, it’s always a good idea to make a few for yourself, too!

The stockinette and lace pattern in the Race Day Spa Cloth reminds me of pennants one might see on the day of a big race – like the one between the Tortoise and the Hare. This cloth is knit sideways, using pima cotton to create a soft, luxurious and pampering facial cloth, like all the cloths in the Folk Tales Spa Cloth series.

This is one of my favorite spa cloth patterns. I love the look of just a little bit of stockinette alongside the garter stitch and the lacework. Some lovely cloths have been knit so far.

I love this cloth, striking in red:

By Ratch
Knit by Ratch, photo used by permission

This cloth is knit beautifully and staged elegantly!

By WillowandTwist
Knit by WillowandTwist, photo used by permission

This cloth was knit by my friend Torunn. White cotton yarn shows off the stitch pattern so well! Torunn hails from Norway and staged her spa cloth with a traditional Norwegian bowl she painted (did I mention how creative she is???) and a troll doll!

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Knit by torunnb, photo used by permission

Follow this link to buy now or find the pattern in my Ravelry Store.  Also available as part of the Folk Tales Spa Cloth Collection – get all 6 spa cloth patterns for a great price!

I hope you will enjoy the Race Day Spa Cloth pattern!

knit equals joy