FO: Diantha

My most recent completed knitting project is Diantha, which was offered by SusannaIC as a KAL.

This shawl is crescent shaped,  knit from the bottom edge up, and incorporates beads, Nupps, and short rows. As a bonus, it has directions for three different sizes, ans covers lace through worsted weight yarn.

The knitting experience doesn't disappoint, providing you with enough of a challenge to engage but not overwhelm.

I knitted mine in At Knits End Sparkle Ewe lace, which produced a lovely,  slightly drapey fabric with an elegant shimmer. 

It's a Sock and Shawl Knitting World

Thanks to my usual slacker tendencies when it comes to posting,  I have failed to keep you updated on my knitting life. Mostly it's been socks and shawls ( yes, my usual).

Over the last few weeks, I'd say the most interesting socks I've finished are the Achilles Heal socks from Knitty. The heel on this one was unique and a lot of fun to knit once you got your stitches organized.  FYI, I worked over 4 DPNs and had the needles meet where markers were called for, and used a marker to show the start of the round and the end of the heel. Right off the needles, I didn't like the way the instep and heel sat, but after washing and blocking,  it was fine. This is a great project for handpainted yarn. And as a bonus, they knitted up fast.

On my needles now, I am finishing up the SusannaIC January Mystery Shawl, which is looking fabulous.  I am planning on finishing that up today. For socks, I am working on a pair of my own design that is a combination of ribbing and lace.

On a more personal note, I haven't been getting as much knitting done as I'd like due to chronic migraines over the last month. I've started seeing a chiropractor and am getting some real relief,  so I will hopefully be more productive.

Wordless Wednesday

Passing It On

While this might not be the world's best picture, it is still representative of something vitally important to me, namely, the passing on of the major love of my life (behind my family,  of course) . Knitting is a major player for me. It keeps me sane, happy, and occupied in a productive manner.

Abby is eight now, and we have tried teaching her to knit and crochet several times, with no success.  Today she was home sick and came with my sister to do laundry, and out of the blue,  asked to try again, and this time it worked. Aside from some tension issues, she is doing great. I couldn't be prouder!  Even my four year old nephew knit a row with assistance.

This is just one of those great days that will stick with you forever.

Ewe Want Luxury

I had the good fortune to purchase a skein of At Knit's End 100% cashmere yarn some time ago, and, not wanting to let any of this yarn go unused, decided to design a scarf pattern to use up every precious inch.  The yarn I used is lace weight, but the scarf can be adapted to any size. It is a lovely little lacy knit, perfect for holiday gift giving, or for your own personal use (my favorite option).

The pattern linked here doesn't have a finished object picture yet, but one will be coming in the near future. Enjoy! download now

Wordless Wednesday

Fountain of Love Cowl

I am happy to announce that I have a cowl pattern on Ravelry, the Fountain of Love Cowl. You can get the chart by downloading the pdf. Enjoy!

Fountain of Love Cowl
by Kim Degener

This is a simple but elegant cowl, designed with alot of texture. The lace pattern is easily memorized, and provides a quick and enjoyable knit.
Photo credit [model-Abby Rose Degener/photographer-Sandra Degener]

SIZE
This is a standard one size fits all
MATERIALS
Knit Picks Stroll [75%superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 231yd/m per 50g skein]; color: Majestic; 1 skein
or fingering weight yarn of your choice

1 set(s) US #4 24" in circular needles


notions required
Crochet hook for picking up stitches
1 stitch marker for marking beginning of round, 3 stitch markers if you want to mark the end of the repeat

GAUGE
The gauge for this isn't very important. As long as you use a stretchy cast on and bind off, this will fit most people.

PATTERN NOTES


PATTERN
CO 128 stitches using stretchy cast on of your choice (simple cast on shown here).
Knit in stockinette for 3 rows
Begin chart. Each line will be knitted four times in the course of a round.
Repeat chart four times or until you reach your desired length. Knit 2 more rounds and bind off using a stretchy bind off of your choice. The bind off here consists of: knit 2 stitches, pass both stitches back to the left needle, and knit together through the back loop. Knit 1 stitch, pass this stitch and the previous stitch back to the left needle, and knit through the back loop. Continue in this manner until all stitches are bound off.


Chart: Fountain of Love lace
Round 1: k2, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2
Round 2: k all stitches
Round 3: k3, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k4, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k3
Round 4: k all stitches
Round 5: k4, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k4
Round 6: k all stitches
Round 7: k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, k2, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1
Round 8: k all stitches
Round 9: k2, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2
Round 10: k all stitches
Round 11: k3, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k4, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k3
Round 12: k all stitches
Round 13: k4, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k4
Round 14: k all stitches
Round 15: k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k6, ssk, k2, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1
Round 16: k all stitches


FINISHING
After binding off, weave in all loose ends. Soak cowl in cool water for 20 minutes, and roll in towel to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry, stretching cowl length wise, versus side to side, to preserve texture.

You can buy this pattern in PDF format, with the accompanying chart, from my Ravelry Store, for $3.