Archive for February, 2009
“Reclamation” Scarf Pattern available
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
OK, you talked me into it…
Reclamation Scarf Pattern
Super easy scarf that uses up an entire ball of yarn, with NO leftovers!!
These little scarves are the perfect solution to the “Just one hank of gorgeous yarn” epidemic that is sweeping through our yarn storage areas. Reclaim that unused yarn! All you need is one hank of any yarn…but you can make a larger scarf if you have more! Cast on at the point and knit to the longest edge, the scarf simply ends when you run out of yarn.
Needle size and gauge will vary according to the yarn you choose to use. For a lofty and warm scarf, use a needle that is close to the size recommended on the yarn label. For an open and lightweight scarf, use a needle at least one whole mm (two US sizes) larger.
*this pattern is not yet formatted in the true “Glampyre” style…so is $2 for now, and will go up to $3 when it’s all fixed up.
Posted in Uncategorized, Patterns | 3 Comments »
Knitting in the New Year
Monday, February 9th, 2009
With posts like this one from Annie, and this one from Shannon, I can’t help but think about the fair compensation for designers issue. I’ll admit that when I received the same letter from SoHo that Annie did, I thought, “Well, I’d better sign this or I won’t see ANY royalties.” I thought it was a little curt, but my overall impression was, “this is just the way things are.”
I checked my Ravelry profile, and out of 96 published designs, only 6 are magazine patterns. What that means is that this issue is very important, but it’s not something that directly applies to me in the same way that it does to someone like Annie who is in the magazines all the time, or to Shannon who is editing a magazine herself. My opinion is that designers should be fairly compensated for their work, and that if online pattern sales are happening after the publication in print…designers should receive a residual. I think that a lot of progress has been made in this area, and that we will only move forward as time goes on, thanks to my outspoken friends and colleagues.
After reading the above posts and posts like Julia’s 2008 wrap-up, I’m thinking a lot about my knitting life and where I want it to take me in 2009. Again, looking at Ravelry, I’ve published 96 designs. 50+ are in my books, some are in other people’s books, some are on my website, and very few are things that I’ve made for myself.
The Fates have lately been presenting me with situations (in life and in knitting) that indicate to me that I need to really take time to sit still and think. I need to really eliminate some of the clutter from my headspace.
I want to take time to cast on with luscious yarn and see where it takes me. I want to watch my daughter toddle more. I want to not be away from my family more than I’m with them. I want to figure out what my dreams actually ARE and THEN strive to meet them, instead of just barreling forward. I want quality over quantity, and I want to be HAPPY.
**NOTE: I edited this post to remove some of the more specific rantings…it’s been a rough last couple of weeks.
Posted in just chit chat | 2 Comments »
I’m addicted to knitting these little scarves!
Monday, February 9th, 2009
SO, I figured out a way to use up my little (cough-cough actually HUGE) stash of single hanks of yarn, and I can’t stop knitting.
I’m making little scarves that just keep going until the ball of yarn is all used up!
I tend to buy one skein of something that really catches my eye so often that I have a LOT of un-matching skeins. I’m not really the mitered-square afghan type (too big, too much time investment, and way too much potential for fug.)
I’ve picked up these single skeins because I love the color or the texture but have had no real intent as to what they’ll become. Until now.
It all started on the way to CHA…and has progressed to:
L to R: Malabrigo Silky Wool in Viggo, Tilli Tomas Rock Star and Disco Lights in Jade, Lorna’s Laces Pearl in Roadside Jerry.
I am making a larger one using Alchemy’s Bamboo in the Kai’s Goldfish colorway. The garter stitch base texture really makes this color GLOW! It’s actually much more hot red than that photo link makes it look.
The stitch pattern also makes it so that I don’t have to tie them. This seems like no big deal, but I really hate wearing a scarf when it has a great big knot at the back neck. How do you drive, wear a jacket, relax on the couch…with a great big baseball-sized knot back there?!
Yes, there are bigger issues in life…but I feel like I’ve solved one of my pet peeves.
WaHoo!
For a very Virgo-ish Virgo..elimination of peeves is a nice thing.
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
New Pattern Preview!
Saturday, February 7th, 2009
I knit this not long after Mazie was born, and have just had the pattern tech edited.
Lemongrass Bolero
© Stefanie Japel 2009
An easy-fit, no closure cropped cardigan with short sleeves.
Sizing:
S(M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
To fit: 32(36, 40, 44, 48, 52) inch bust
Yarn: 200(250, 300, 350, 400, 450) grams / [aprox. 221(276, 331, 386, 441, 496, 551, 607) yards worsted to heavy worsted weight, any fiber content.
Needle: US 8 (5 mm) (or size to achieve correct gauge) 24″ or longer circular needle, and DPN, long circ, or 2 circs for sleeves.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches square
Notes:
This sweater is worked flat on circular needles from neckline to hem, with the neckline trim picked up and knit on after the sweater is complete.
Different cast on numbers for S(M), L(1X), 2X(3X)
Stitches are cast on at underarm for 1X, 2X, 3X in order to control armhole depth
I’m offering a pre-release (at a discount!) while I wait for the print version of the pattern to be Glam-i-fied…
The is available in a very plain PDF format for only $4 here on the site and (soon as I can figure it out) as a Ravelry Download! When I get it back from the graphic designer, the price will go up to $5. (I have to pay Laura somehow!) 
$4
Posted in Patterns | No Comments »
new bamboo kits are posted
Thursday, February 5th, 2009
…a few more DK weight and several worsted weight kits are now available in my etsy store.
