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Friday, December 20, 2013

Pro-Hats-ination!

I just noticed that I haven't posted in this blog for almost a month!  I will tell you why--Christmas orders!  Now that I'm almost done with my last order, I can start thinking about what my family and friends are going to receive!  This is what I call (since this morning when I thought of it) "pro-hats-ination," mainly because I'm going to be knitting at least one hat a day until (and through) the 25th!

Side note: it's kind of funny, knitting things semi-professionally, and a friend asks how you're doing.  "Oh, just tying up loose ends...literally.  That is what I'm doing.  I'm taking loose ends and tying them up."

So speaking of loose ends, and family you would like to knit for, I'd like to announce my 40% off pro-hats-ination sale!  If you enter the code "prohatsinate" when purchasing any of my hat patterns on Ravelry, you get 40% off, through Christmas day!


The eligible patterns are: 

OK!  Get cracking!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Rattlebone

The Apocalypse has come, and the first question on everyone's mind is
"What should I knit?"
This is the premise to Alex Tinsley's upcoming book, Doomsday Knits (available for pre-order) from Cooperative Press.  When Alex came up with this idea, I had just the design!  I'd made up a stitch pattern while waiting at an airport that looked like an odd mix of a ridged backbone and a run in some stockings.  Either way, it looked creepy in a cool way.


Alex came up with the name Rattlebone (you can find it here on Ravelry) and I love the tribal, shamanistic styling that accompanied them in the photographs by Vivian Aubrey.


The book is separated into chapters that each depict a different apocalyptic situation.  Rattlebone is in the section named "Wasteland Vagabonds."  I love it!


I love the rusty color of the Malabrigo Arroyo colorway, Glitter.  Also, when you hold a rusty doughnut, it might come off on your hands.


These gloves look amazing with yesterday's pattern, Forager, by Alex herself.  They would also kick  punch ass with a tank and your favorite skinny pants.

Speaking of the previous patterns in the blog tour, let's give them a shout-out, OK?  These are some seriously formidable designs!
11/20 - Wayfarer 
11/19 - Oryx 
11/18 - Ditch the Tech 
11/17 - Bulletproof 
11/16 - Utility Corset 
11/15 - Oh Bondage! 
11/14 - Thrumivator 
11/13 - Ozone 
11/11 - Fission 
11/9 - Oxygenate 
11/8 - APOCKETMITTS 
11/7 - Ringmaster 
11/6 - Fennec 
11/4 - Desert Warrior 
11/3 - Circuit 
11/2 - Grom-mitts 
11/1 - Fatigued 
10/31 - Fallout 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Foxversation Piece


After a long, patient wait, this pattern is now available on Ravelry!  Apparently one has to be speedier with these things, because the name "What Does The Fox Say?" was not used when I first started testing, but now a number of (adorable) patterns shows up in the search.


 Hense the name, "Foxversation Piece."  I must say that this hat has, indeed, sparked many a conversation in cafes, the train, and most recently, Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago.  Also, it inspired me to make my first-ever animated gif!  Yay!  (I love the Internet.)


So if you like it, make sure to  on Ravelry!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Jen Marek Photography who is the new name is knitwear design photography, according to me!

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Design Binge Update

Whew!  I designed and knit and designed and knit and have come up with the following pieces:
First up is Kedzie, a mock-slouchy hat that can be worn and not blown off your head during this gusty October in Chicago:
 Next up is Altgeld, a sporty beanie that works equally well for men and women.  I love the sort-of art-deco feel I got from the texture!
The last hat of the mix is the Dearborn Cloche, with a pure silk lined brim and linen-stitch "ribbon", with a tweed alpaca-silk-merino blend for the body:
 For a fun little accessory, conceived by Grace and engineered by moi, the Bomber Collar using Skacel's new Caribou yarn!  Everyone who sees and touches this can not believe that it's knit, but they never want to stop touching it, either!
 And it wouldn't be a Sarah collection if it didn't involve at least one shawl!  This is a bottom-up shawl with a beaded picot cast-on and a simple lace stitch.  Oh yes, and it is a silk-cashmere blend, so it's amazing to wear!
None of these patterns are ready for publication, but if you'd like a free printed draft with your yarn purchase, come by booth 320!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Vogue Knitting Live: Making Samples!

Yesterday my friend Grace & I went through boxes of yarn for our booth (mostly hers, but I'm helping!) and we had a great time sorting, scheming, squealing, and sighing. I fully admit that the Art Yarns evoked involuntary yelps and giggles from my lips.

Upon sorting, we had to decide which yarns to create into samples, and what we could knit up (and design!) in two weeks out of this:
Over the next two weeks I'll be posting my progress and linking to the new designs as I finish them!  Because of the time constraint, the photos will be not-too-fancy, but hopefully good enough to give you the idea of what they would look like, knit up!  Then, after VKL, I'll bribe my trusty photographer to get some real, publish-worthy photos, now that she's spoiled me with what those actually look like!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Fire District

Fire District is a new shawl design that starts out with a short-row-shaped garter-stitch body which then fans out into lacy flames  with beaded tips.
The crescent shape drapes perfectly over the shoulders
Because of the long wingspan and garter-stitch body, it can also be worn as a scarf.
 It can also make you feel fancy!
 And people will always be touching it so they can see the details.


Thank you so much to Jen Marek Photography for these images!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Autumn is Here!

Oh, the joy of temperatures under the 70's!  Both shawls I knit this summer, and the hats, hoods, and cowls, can all be enjoyed.  Why not knit some of your own?  Here's a small collection of small items to get you back in the swing of things:

CyCowl
It's still warm enough to ride your bike outside, but with a little nip in the air, let's make sure you're still keeping yourself warm.  With special straps that feed through the loops of your helmet, you can keep your face covered and your brain safe! It's a free download!

Catalpa
This hat is top-down and uses twisted stitches in place of cables.  This is one of my favorite hats to wear--so soft, cozy, and a wicked-quick knit!


Logan Boulevard
Just like the street, it starts in the round, and then it turns!  This is a multi-gauge hat that will get you noticed (especially by other knitters..."What did you do here?")!  You'll find this super satisfying!


Chopin Chapeau
This design was thought up while I was dancing to Black Bear Combo at the Chopin theater in Wicker Park, Chicago.  It's fantastic for using up leftover bits of yarn, and feels so great on your head. 


Condurat
The Condurat cowl, knit in brioche stitch (photo tutorial available in pattern), and intentionally twisted at the beginning, is a super cozy piece to keep you bundled up this winter!


I hope these patterns prove useful!  I'll continue to post more as the season continues!