Category: crafting

  • macro lace preview

    The “macro lace” Malabrigo cardigan is just off the needles – the picture of efficiency today, I took some photos right away, uploaded them, and here they are!

    These are just some kinda rough photos so you can see the shape. I’ll be taking proper photos to go with the pattern soon. The finished pattern probably won’t be available for a couple of weeks though!

    macro lace cardi, back

    Oops, it’s upside down in the photo. But this cardi-shrug thing is reversible from bottom to top, so you can wear it either way! It is dolman-sleeved, which is pretty polarizing, but I happen to be quite pleased with the shape for this particular piece. Plus, it’s super easy.

    319.365 - macro lace cardi, front

    It’s not really a cardigan in my book because it doesn’t close in the front (although you could make the ribbing longer so it would close). The Malabrigo makes this super comfortable, it’s sort of like wearing a blanket around your shoulders but way more stylish!

    The pattern is forthcoming and will be out in July. It will probably have fewer sizes than my usual because the fit is pretty generous and would look great on a variety of body types. Don’t worry though, it’ll still have at least 5 sizes! And the sleeves will be totally adjustable to fit whatever your arm size is.

    I’m a 35-36″ bust and this took 4 skeins of Malabrigo. It’s not quite seasonal considering that the weather just decided to start warming up dramatically here, but would be a great summer knit in a cotton or blend!

    macro lace, back

  • more milkweed

    First up, there are a couple of small omissions in the written instructions for Milkweed, in Chart D. Rows 64 and 66 were missing a yo, and Row 68 was missing a k6. These have been corrected, and you can download another version on Ravelry called “MilkweedShawlJune18”. I tried to send out a notification from Ravelry, but I don’t think it worked! Anyway, the chart remains the same.

    Now some photos of the prototype version that I actually knit first, out of Koigu.

    koigu milkweed prototype

    I used 2 skeins and had very little leftover. This one is still a bit smaller than the Casbah one because the koigu is thinner.

    milkweeds

    It was a case of me thinking I could remember what I knit after the fact to write the pattern, when I really couldn’t! So I ended up knitting up the Casbah one and writing down the pattern row by row as I went.

    I really love the Koigu version for the colours and the squishyness (yay garter stitch), but the pattern is somewhat obscured.

    koigu milkweed

  • milkweed shawl

    I wouldn’t normally like to post two finished patterns so close together, but I’m just so excited about this one! Also, since it’s isn’t a sweater, it’ll give the non-sweater-knitters something to get in on the action ;)

    I love this small shawl – I’ve been wearing all my triangular shawls scrunched up as scarves for years. The original idea for this project was to use 2 skeins of Koigu that I had, and I knit a prototype in up (you can see it in a previous blog post) but I haven’t managed to take any finished photos! I will, just so you can see it in a more variegated yarn. This blue version is knitted in Handmaiden Casbah and is bigger than the Koigu version.

    Milkweed Shawl

    Milkweed Shawl

    This little reversible shawl is super quick to knit and perfect to drape over your shoulders or wrap around your neck for that little bit of warmth (especially against over-zealous air conditioning!).

    Perfect for that special ball of sock yarn or handspun that you’ve got hidden away in your stash. And if you don’t have one of those, pick some up!

    Technical Editing by Kim McBrien.

    Milkweed Shawl

    SIZE
    54 inches / 137 cm across straight edge of shawl; 19 inches / 48 cm deep down centre.

    MATERIALS
    350 yards / 320 m of fingering weight yarn
    Shown in Handmaiden Casbah (one 115g skein).

    3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles, at least 24 inches long
    tapestry needle

    Milkweed Shawl

    PATTERN NOTES
    Shawl is knit from the centre back neck down in garter stitch (all rows are knit). Both charted and written directions are given.

    7-page PDF pattern contains 6 charts in full colour.

    Payment by Paypal (balance or credit card; no account needed) and downloads by Ravelry (no account needed).

    $5.00 CAD

    Note: As of July 5, 2010, sales tax will be added to this price for all Canadian residents only. The rates are: British Columbia 12%; Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador 13%; Nova Scotia 15%; and everywhere else in Canada 5% GST. Tax will be added in the Paypal payment process.

    Milkweed Shawl