Through the Loops!

Lavalette

My apologies for taking so long to get this pattern published.  Life has been pretty hectic since school ended for the year.  Three kids with jobs, two kids with band rehearsals in NYC, golf with DH (hey it's practically the only time we get together these days) & other summer activities keep me running in a million directions.  Another reason for the delay is explained below, please read on.

The Problem
Just as I was getting final revisions from my trusty test knitters a comment on Ravelry alerted me to another, very similar shawl - the Show Your Colors Shawl by the talented Amy King of Spunky Eclectic fame.  When designing I try my best to avoid creating projects that are too close to those that are already out there.  I check the Ravelry pattern databases, but with close to 4,000 shawl patterns listed on Ravelry it is difficult to check every one.  Somehow I missed Show Your Colors. 

By this time a lot of work had already gone into creating the pattern for Lavalette and a number of you were asking when it would be ready.  After a few days of angst and emails to trusted friends I came up with what I thought was a good solution.  I felt there were enough differences between the two patterns that there is room for both Show Your Colors and Lavalette, but wanted to make sure Amy agreed.  So I wrote to Amy explaining the situtation and proposing my solution.  Amy was very gracious in her repy and agreed to my idea.

The Solution
As you may know from my efforts with Dr. G's Memory Vest, raising money for Alzheimer's and dementia research is a cause I really believe in.  I am very proud of the amount we have raised so far - a little over $4000.  My father would have been 80 years old on July 22 and I would very much like to hit $5000 by that date.

I will offer Lavalette for free but would like to suggest that you make a voluntary donation to Alzheimer's and dementia research.  You can make your donation by clicking the "donate" button over there at the top of the left side bar.   The download link is at the bottom of this post, no need to email me to get the pattern.  If you make a donation and want Dr. G's too you'll need to send me an email - go to the Dr. G's Memory Vest post for details.

Heartfelt Thank Yous
A huge thank you to Amy King for her understanding and kindness.
Thank you also to my test knitters - Melissa, Andrea, Mai, Elizabeth and Julia for being thorough, patient and most of all volunteering their time and energy to help me make my patterns the best they can be.

Lavalette

Sizes:  One size

Finished Measurements: 64” across top edge, 28” from center back to bottom point, blocked.

Needles:  US 7 (4.5mm) or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 14 stitches and 26 rows = 4”(10cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked.

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Cashmere-Silk; 45% Mongolian Cashmere, 55% Silk; 400 yards per 55g. Skein; Colorway #19 Robin’s Egg, 1 skein.  (The coral shawl in the photo above is Lacey Lamb in colorway NY214.)

Additional Materials: 
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers

Lavalette on Ravelry

Download Lavalette.pdf (1966.1K)

Smudge Kapur 2000-2009

Our sweet Smudge left us on Tuesday.  On Monday evening we noticed that his breathing was very labored.  At the vet on Tuesday an x-ray showed a tumor that filled almost his entire chest cavity.  It is amazing that he seemed as healthy as he did up until his last day.  He even enjoyed lettuce and parsley from the garden on Tuesday morning.

Smudge was an impulse purchase from a pet store.   My kids were in kindergarten and second grade at the time and I had decided that they were ready for a pet.  I had gone to the store that day while the kids were in school, planning to check out the guinea pigs.   When I arrived there was Smudge in all his tiny sweetness and I was caught, there was no way I could leave without him. I really never expected him to become such a part of the family.  Rabbits have a lot of personality and he endeared himself to us very quickly.  Anders (DS) particularly loved his bunny.  He could not pass his cage with out stopping to say hello or taking him out and carrying the little ball of fluff around the house.

We'll all miss our bunny very much.

Petite Purls

I've just returned from a trip to Sonoma and Pebble Beach with my husband where we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.  Too many rounds of golf and glasses of wine later I am exhausted. 

While I'm still somewhat coherent (I only got a few hours of sleep last night so by noon I expect to be a babbling fool) I did want to write a quick post to tell you about Petite Purls.  Luckily this brainchild of Brandy and Allegra speaks for itself.  If you've got little ones to knit for you're going to love this new online knitting mag and it's darling free patterns.

I'm honored to have one of my designs in the first issue.
Charmingly modeled by the adorable Wesley, I give you Pembroke:

For more pictures and details go to Petite Purls. (And on Ravelry.)
A huge thank you to Wesley and his mom Justine for his smiles, blueberry eyes, rosy complexion and that killer red hair.  I could not have asked for a more adorable and cooperative model!

Lavalette Twins

Thank you to everyone who left comments and entered my Lavalette Shawl contest.  I was blown away by the number of comments.  You have all been on some wonderful trips.  A common theme was about the spirit of vacation and spending time with those you love.  I've drawn the winners.  I'll get to that at the end of this post.

Clearly my two girls, pictured above, love each other.

Perhaps I should qualify that.  Most of the time they love each other. 

As I was reading about all of your wonderful vacations, I was busy knitting a second Lavalette. (See it on Ravelry)

This second Lavalette is worked from Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb in colorway NY214.  I love the richness of the Lacey Lamb colors.  As with the first, I knit this shawl on US 7 needles so it is very open and airy.  Even more so than the first one, since Lacey Lamb is much finer than Jade Sapphire Cashmere/Silk.  I'm not sure if you can see the difference in the photo below but it is really evident in person.  The coral shawl is a bit smaller too.

Okay, now for the bit you've been waiting for, the winners.  Since there were so many of you I decided to have one grand prize winner, who receives the Jade Sapphire Cashmere Silk yarn and five other winners who win a free copy of the pattern.  The winners are (insert drum roll here)  Grand Prize:  Mai!  I'll send the yarn out to you today.  And the winners of the Lavalette patterns are:  Jean Bigaouette (blogless), Kim, Lisa, Allison and Cayli.  I have sent an email to each one of you.  You will each receive a copy of the Lavalette pattern once it is ready.

Thanks again to everyone who commented!

Jeanne

Summertime finds me thinking of light, portable projects that are easily tucked into a travel bag.  Finished shawls are perfect to keep the chill off on a cool summer evening.  This explains the number of new shawl designs here at TTL. 

Named for my mom, who taught me to value handwork of all kinds, "Jeanne" is worked with an easily remembered stitch pattern throughout the body and is finished with bold leaves along the bottom edge.  Thanks to the efforts of my test knitters, Amy,  Caryl, Christine and Christine, the pattern for is now ready.

Sizes:  S, M, L

Finished Measurements:  52 [59, 66]” across top edge, 26[29.5, 33]” from center back to bottom point, blocked.

Needles:  US 5 (3.75mm) or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge:  18 stitches and 34 rows = 4”(10cm) in stitch pattern

Yarn:  Schaefer Yarns Anne; 60% Superwash Merino, 25% Mohair, 15% Nylon; 560 yards per 4 oz. Skein; Bluebell,  1 skein.

Approximate Yardage:  400[475, 550] yards

Additional Materials: 
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers

Find it here on Ravelry.

Price:  $6.00 US

It's Been Too Long

I am a very bad blogger.  I just realized this morning that my last post was on 5/1. 
As a way of saying 'thank you' for sticking with me despite my delinquent ways, and in celebration of Memorial Day Weekend (the start of the summer season here in the US), I've decided to have a contest.

The photo above shows my latest design, Lavalette.  (See it on Ravelry for more details.)  I sent it out for test knitting this morning.  I expect the pattern to be ready in 2-3 weeks.  What does this shawl have to do with the contest?   I've got an extra skein of the yarn, Jade Sapphire Cashmere Silk.  If you haven't felt this yarn you are missing out.  The stuff is heavenly!

The winner of the contest will receive the skein of yarn (enough to knit the shawl as seen in the photos) as well as the pattern once it is complete.

Just leave a comment on this post, telling me about your favorite summer vacation.  I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner. 

You have until Saturday, June 6th.  I'll announce the winner the following week.

PS.  Be sure to check back here on Tuesday (5/26).  I'll be releasing the pattern for the "Jeanne" shawl that day.

Rainy Fridays

Thank you all for your overwhelming response to Ulmus.  If anyone is interested there is a knitalong for the pattern in the Through the Loops group on Raverly.

I finished my latest shawl design yesterday.  It is knit using Schaefer Anne that Laura so kindly sent me to design with.  The colorway is bluebell.  The shawl took one skein of Anne.  I love this yarn for lace.  The yardage is generous enough to get a good sized shawl, the colors are amazing as we've come to expect from Schaefer, and it blocks really, really well. 

I'm sending the pattern to test knitters today, so hopefully it will be ready soon.  You'll find more details on the project page on Ravelry.

I'm off to MDS&W tomorrow.  If you're going and you see me, say "hi".

For now, I'm off to play golf in the rain.

Ulmus

Thank you for all of your kind blogiversary wishes.  The past three years have been an amazing ride thanks to all of you.

My new shawl pattern "Ulmus" is now available.
The body of Ulmus is created with a simple two row slipped stitch pattern, alternating two colors of Malabrigo Sock, or any fingering weight yarn.

The shawl is edged with a delicate lace pattern, worked entirely in one of the two colors used for the body.

This is a great stash busting project for those of us who have overindulged in sock yarn.  If you can't find just the right combo in your stash, treat yourself and buy new yarn.  If you haven't tried it yet, Malabrigo Sock is a pleasure to knit with.  As we have come to expect from Malabrigo it is oh so soft.

A huge thank you to my skilled test knitters Caryl, Mai & Julia.

 

ULMUS

Sizes:  S, M, L

Finished Measurements:  [33, 46] 68” across top edge, 14.5[19.5, 31]” from center back to bottom point, blocked.

Needles:  US 5 (3.75mm) or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge:  20 stitches = 4”(10cm) in slipped stitch pattern

Yarn:  Malabrigo Sock Yarn, 100% Superwash Merino, 440 yards per 4 oz. Skein. 
Color A:  Abril 1 skein. 
Color B:  Indiecita 1 skein (Possibly 2, I had only a few yards left.)

Additional Materials: 
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers

Price $6.00 US

Three Already?

Through the Loops turns three this month.  It is so hard for me to believe it's been that long!  I've met so many amazing, inspiring, brilliant, generous, beautiful people through this blog.  It's impossible to imagine my life without it.  Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments.  I wish I had the time to reply to each of them.  Know that I read and cherish every one.

To celebrate and say "thank you", I have designed a new beret pattern.  Narragansett is free with the purchase of any of my other patterns from now until May 15th.  When you purchase a pattern you will receive two downloads, the pattern you bought and Narragansett.

This beret has been on one or the other of my girls heads since I bound off.  It went to New England with us on the "Great College Hunt of '09" last week.  DD#1 models it here as she excitedly discovers that Tealuxe sells "Bubble Tea".

DD#2 wore Narragansett as she read "Great Expectations".  She loves to wear her berets all day long, indoors and out. 

Narragansett Beret

Yarn: Any light worsted weight - I used handspun

Needles:  US 5 & 8 (or size to obtain gauge)

Size:  Will fit any head 20-22" or you may work it at a tighter gauge for a smaller head

Go to my pattern store to purchase any pattern and get the download for the Narragansett pattern along with the purchase.

See the pattern on Ravelry.

Thank you again for all of your support & kind comments!

Drunk on Jelly Beans

If you need to amuse yourself today make a bunny.  Christine Mantiz's pattern is fun, fast and very adapable.  I plan to make a few more in various sizes and with varying ear shapes.

You can even make him a scarf.

Just don't let him overindulge on jelly beans.  It's not a pretty sight.

More details on Ravelry.

(All photos by DD#1 - IJK)