Patterns

Morrison Wrap

Posted on by Virginia

Dan and I have pretty different work schedules, so we don’t always get to have dinner together. Last night we made one of the usual items (stir fry with peanut sauce) but made it “fancy” with some candles and wine. It doesn’t take much around here!

Dinner for 2

It was a busy knitting week, and I am happy to report I have finished knitting this lush wrap. Let me introduce Morrison Wrap, another in my series of scarves and wraps named for female authors I really like, this one after the incomparable Toni Morrison. Here is a great piece on her. I find her books so profound, moving and beautifully written, I think she will prove to be the greatest author of our time. Reading her work is not easy, but an emotional/spiritual pilgrimage. Anyway, a big wrap for a big author!  It measures 80×21 inches!

Morrison Wrap

The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca’s Alpaca Silk, which is so drapey and soft I never want to take it off!

Morrison Wrap

I am mostly a jeans kind-of person, but I think this would look really nice dressed up.

Morrison Wrap

With everyone around here going south for their winter vacations I am happy to report I will be too! I think it’s best to manage one’s expectations in this department, say if you went to Mexico and it was cool, you would be pretty disappointed, so I am playing it safe and going to Chicago and Davenport next weekend. I will hope for 30’s! Poor Dan will have to stay here in the cold weather as this trip is for my dear niece’s wedding shower, a ladies-only event, so my sister and I will be meeting up and celebrating with her! I can’t wait!

February Cheer

Posted on by Virginia

I recently tried the new yarn from Spud & Chloë, called Stripey Fine, which is every bit as wonderful as the Fine, which is one of my favorites. The colors are fun and coordinate beautifully with the solids, which was the inspirational starting point for my new patterns.

First off, a little sunshine for your feet: Goldberry’s Socks, named for the mysterious and lighthearted character Goldberry from The Lord Of The Rings, whose singing is like the sun shining out from grey clouds. Her presence is uplifting and comforting as these socks are in the middle of winter.

Goldberry's Socks

Goldberry's Socks

With Clearwater Cowl, I was going for the comfy Saturday feeling, wearing your favorite jeans, whether hanging out or running errands. It’s also a perfect weekend project, as it knits up quickly, and you could easily finish it over a movie or two. Or, in my case, several episodes of our household favorite, Jeeves & Wooster.

Clearwater Cowl

 

So Much Knitting, So Little Time

Posted on by Virginia

Scandes Mittens

It has been a busy knitting week around here! I have been enjoying my new mittens I finished recently.

Scandes Mittens

The pattern is by Adrian Bizilia, who I think is a master of mitten design!

Kierna Foley Test Knit - Complete

I do a lot of test and sample knitting, and most of the time I can’t show anybody since it’s top secret stuff. But, this week I finished test knitting this beautiful shawl for Kieran Foley, and I can show it off! It was a fun one to work on. I also finished testing a lovely sweater, but that one is top secret.

And, I just published another new pattern in my own series of scarves named for authors I like a lot—this one named for Isabel Allende.

Allende Scarf

Project Roundup

Posted on by Virginia

Dan got a new birthday sweater this year, made with Icelandic lopi yarn. It was the first time I had used this yarn, but it won’t be the last!

Stryta

Stryta

Other news, a new pattern: Anchee

Anchee Scarf

Anchee Scarf

And off the needles, some Mod mittens for a friend’s birthday!

Mittens

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2014 Winter Light

Posted on by Virginia

Winter Hydrangea

I always get reflective this time of year, setting goals, making lists, feeling the urge to clean and start fresh in many areas of my life. Last year I thought about starting to publish some of my own designs, and unlike most of my resolutions I am happy to say I actually stuck to that one! It’s been an exciting process and one I am really enjoying. It has given me another way to think about my love of fiber, yarn and knitting. I am so grateful for all the support I have had to give this a go!
I published two in this last month of the year, between the hustle and the holidays. The Chester Creek Cowl and Terrestrial.

Chester Creek Cowl

(Pattern details for this cowl can be found here.)

Terrestrial Hat

(Pattern details for this hat can be found here.)

I also started posting here on the ScratchCraft blog, having been in the background most of the time. Who knows if we will both write some posts, or how that will shake out, it’s still evolving.
I am looking forward to what 2015 will bring. I’ll make the usual pledges toward fitness and diet, friendship and trying new things. How about you, what do you want 2015 to hold in store for you?
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