Spring 2009 Issue is on the new platform!

This one is a biggie – it’s the first conversion of an issue from old to new.  Everything’s on one page, when you want to see a bigger image you just click on it and it comes up in the same window and there are PDF and print-friendly versions too.  Oh yeah and it’s mobile-friendly too for smartphones, tablets and desktops.  Take a peek here.

PDF and Print-Friendly Versions

Like I mentioned, the patterns all have PDF and Print-Friendly versions.  And you can choose what to show and hide as well.  If you want just a chart, ok.  Or, if you’re getting ready to go yarn shopping, maybe you just want the info section and the schematic.  The choice is yours!

Radio Interview on Ready, Set, Knit

I met with Kathy Elkins last week and had a great chat.  We talked about plans for the site, why I restarted the magazine, designer rights and listening to user feedback.  Listen to the whole interview here.

Keep up with Knotions

Want to keep up with Knotions?  Sign up for our Newsletter (you get a free Ravelry How-to as a thank you).   The first newsletter is going out this weekend – we’re focusing on New Fall Yarns and Patterns.  It’s been a lot of fun to seek out what’s happening and talk to shop owners and designers to see what they have in mind.  You might even find something new to you!

I know I’m a broken record, but I really do want to hear what you think.  So if you see something funky, or if you’d like it to do a certain thing – let me know!  That’s how PDF patterns got to the top of the list.

Until next time, I’ll catch you on the purl side…

As you may know, I founded Knotions in 2008 to distribute free knitting patterns, tutorials and reviews.  We’ve been live ever since but haven’t produced a new issue since 2009.

Fast forward 6 years and we’ve returned with the start of a new site, new logo, new colors, mobile-friendly, seo-friendly and social-friendly.

For now, the main pages are in the new site and I’m working on the patterns.  And of course, I’ll be taking submissions for new issues.

Read the blog articles to get more info on Knotions, the plans, why you’d want to publish in Knotions and a sneak peek at the new pattern design (spoiler alert – it now includes PDF and print buttons that let *you* select which images you want to print).

As you can tell I’m over the moon with the new site and I hope you are too!

I’ve already made several enhancements based on reader feedback so please let me know your thoughts and ideas.  Like I said in my first post, this is *your* site too.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Here are a couple of my new faves…

Skirts

• Maxi crochet skirt by Conceptcreativeblog – lacy and lovely; can be made any length
• Herringbone skirt by Elisa Sugishita – great texture and some of the projects show it more streamlined without the bottom ruffle.  Many do complain about all the double crochet though.
• Mauve by Kim Hargreaves – fun use of granny squares!

Blankets

• Happy Colours Blanket – Fun excuse to use lots of colors
• Hexagon Table Runner – Could easily be a blanket.  Love the portability of the hexagons.
• As-We-Go Stripey Blanket – Stripes, polka dots and picots.

Bags

• Crocodile Stitch Owl Bag by Amanda Chapman – Owls!
• ACCROchet Granny beach bag by ACCROchet – patchwork, lots of options, great size
• Granny Square Tote by B.hooked crochet – subtle texture – great every day bag

Jewelry

• Noir Necklace by Melody Maria Fulone – crochet thread makes it daintier and it’s a great excuse for a few pretty beads
• Julie Cuff by Robyn Chachula – I don’t like the bulk of cuffs but a lighter, flatter one?  I think I can…
• Lotus Flowers Cuff by creativeyarn – Another cuff but this one has a nice curved edge

Towels

• MOMogram Dishtowel by Maria Bittner – pretty towel and a great use of embroidery too
• Crochet Edged Tea Towel by Kara Gunza – buy a towel and put a pretty edge on it
• Dorothea / Daily Grind Dishtowels by Lion Brand Yarn – Stripes with absorbent texture

Looking through crochet projects opened a whole new world.  New designers, new designs, lots to get lost in.  One thing I needed to adjust to – the amount of yarn used.  A couple thousand yards for a blanket or a skirt wasn’t unusual.

But they are fun and pretty.

I’ll catch you on the (purl?) side…

That’s kinda what happened to me a few days ago when I ended up on Wink’s crochet blog.

I didn’t know Wink and that makes me sad.  She was talented, creative, inspiring…and she took her life last month.

Ugh.

Trying to stay positive, it seems fitting that I make something from her blog in tribute of her talents.  The Crochet Squares Bag just had me.  All those colors!  And it’s useful!  With a fun lining!  I’m in.

I found a few skeins of Noro at my LYS – purple, blue, turquoise, orange, pink and green.  How could I go wrong?

Can I tell you?  I’m in LOVE with this!  The colors, the speed, what I think will be the FO.  I can’t wait to get more done.

Of course, I’m already looking at other crochet projects – more bags, blankets, shawls, skirts and even a couple tops.  I’m not sure where this is going to go but I’m loving it right now.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Lately my mind had been on hoodies.  I wear them a lot – I practically live in them on the weekends.  Perfect thing to spend my time on, right?  Plus, it passes the Rhinebeck test.  I’d love to walk around the fairgrounds in a newly-knitted hoodie.

I started a Charleston Tea but in worsted instead of sport.  After 20ish rows it’s clear – I don’t like it.

The cables are pretty but the designer is right – they should be in a thinner yarn.

Ok, back to the drawing board.  Here are a few hoodies I’ve had my eye on for this Fall.

The first 6:

• Sundog by Melissa Schaschwary – ok, not a hoodie but I could add one.  Although that cowl neck is awfully cute…
• Nutkin by Melissa Schaschwary – also not a hoodie but it could easily get one on it.
• Briquette by Alicia Plummer – it’s hard to see but there’s an asymmetrical line of rev st st on the body.  I’ve learned that asymmetrical doesn’t look good on me so I’d make it symmetrical.
• Fickle Heart by Justyna Lorkowska – the cables and lace make this one a nice feminine option.
• Miranda by Josee Paquin – I like how she’s designed the kangaroo pocket to work right in with the cables.  Plus I already own the pattern.
• See You There by Joji Locatelli – the central texture and back are pretty and the sleeves have a bit of detail too.

And the second 6:

• Gytha by Jennifer L. Appleby – I love the mostly-solid but with splashes of color in the hood, arms and bottom of the bodice.  Maybe my gateway stranded project?
• Luminen by tikru – look at the cool way the pocket is incorporated into the cabling.
• Mariah by Jodi Green – yep, it’s back on my list again.
• Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie by Kirsten Hipsky – and not just because I’ve been working my way into some yoga.  Look at that back cable detail.
• Piscataqua by Alison Green – the pic looks pretty simple but it’s another one with a back cable V detail.
• Basic Chic Hoodie by Bonne Marie Burns – Bonne Marie has several hoodie patterns but this one stood out to me because it’s mostly st st but with some lacy details.

Thoughts on the designs:

• Top down raglan – I like the fit, the try on as-you-go, the knitting style (once you get done with the yoke it feels like you motor through) and it fits my body shape well.  If the design isn’t top down raglan I’ll likely mod it so it is.
• Worsted weight – they all are made with worsted weight.  A hoodie is a good amount of knitting and it’s supposed to be warm.
• Most have cables or lace – something to keep the knitting interesting – but they aren’t overly fussy.  I like that.
• Pullover or cardi – I’m undecided about this one.  They both have their advantages.  I’m still terrified about putting a zipper into my knitting and I don’t really like the look or function of buttons on a hoodie.  Hmm – maybe magnetic snaps?

What do you all think?  What did I miss?  What would you pick?  I’m a bit earlier than normal for my typical fall planning but I might actually get something done this way.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

I’ve told myself I should join Camp Loopy.

Well this year I did.

There’s a challenge each month.  First month is to knit up at least 400 yards into a project.

I picked my yarn – Malabrigo Mechita in English Rose.  I love the color variations!  And since it pretty much matches my blog you know how I feel about the color.

Next up is the pattern choice.  The color variations say garter stitch to me.  I’ve narrowed it down to 4 shawls:

• Pennae by Hilary Smith Calis – 2 colors, stripes and lace should keep me interested.
• Antarktis by Janina Kallio – simple but effective and the use of the mesh stitch allows it to get bigger than most 400 yard shawls.
• Meridian by JumperCablesKnitting – simple with the addition of a second color divided by a row of eyelets.  I’ll be able to use up the whole skein and then add as much of the second color as I want for added length.
• Mrs. Blandings by Casapinka – Stripes and simple lace between the panels blend 2 colors beautifully

Which one do you like best?  Any others that you’d recommend?  Of course I cycle between the 4 (and have bouts of “omg I *have* to add this one too”) but I’ve been keeping to these 4 for a few days now.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Looking back on last year’s knitting I realized – sometimes I start something just to see if I can.  I plot and calculate, determine yarn amounts and placement.  Knit a bit.  And then stop.

I’ve finally admitted that sometimes this is just what I need – and those projects are never really meant to see an FO state.

That’s a big step for me – to admit that sometimes I’ll NEVER complete a certain project.  Or maybe better put, that completing a project might not leave it in an FO state.

Coming to that realization has freed me with my knitting – and if you’ve noticed I’ve already finished more projects this year than last.

So you’ll likely see some process posts around here that are all about some kind of challenge – how to make a yarn work, how to calculate for an in-between size, how to knit a funky stitch – something that makes the project a puzzle.  And when I figure out that puzzle I may just put it aside or even frog it.

Here are a few puzzles I’ve started recently (clockwise from 2 o’clock)…

Echo Flowers (in blue TML)

I’ve been wanting to try Estonian Lace for quite some time.  I needed to see what all the fuss was about those flowers.  I’m pretty sure I won’t be going ahead with this one though – I don’t see having many opportunities to wear it and it doesn’t feel like a good use of my time.

Budleigh (in teal Miss Babs Windsor)

The asymmetry or the twisted sts and cables got me and I love the color.  But I haven’t picked it up in a month.  Still undecided on this one too.

Fossil & Bone (in peach TML)

This is a double whammy – I didn’t know what to do with this shade of yarn and I wanted to tackle those nupps.  Now that I got through a full repeat I really like it and may keep going.

I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done on each of these and learned something new in the process.  Time will tell if you see these pop up again.

Do you ever do that?  Start a project just to see if you can?

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Goals – 2015

Knitting

• Knit 6 pairs of Mystery KAL socks – I’m on schedule and finished the second sock at 5 PM yesterday – just in the knick of time.  I’ll do a proper FO post but I did want to show you I’m really done.

• Knit 3 things from stash for the Stash Down KAL –  Done!  I finished my Wood Hollow mittens and handspun socks this month and my Weigh It Shawl last month.
• Finish Paul’s Chicago Bears socks – I meant to work on my handspun socks while in Vegas but brought the wrong needle size so I had no choice but to work on the Chicago Bears socks a bit more.  I’m just to the gussets.

• Finish Paul’s Pismo hat – he loved his last one and he deserves a new one.  I guess I’m not too terrible of a wife because the whole hat is k1tbl, p1 ribbing.  Still no progress on this one.
• Finish Raspberry Tart – I’m less than a full sleeve away.  Same here – nothing to report.
• Add other colors to my knitting – yellow and maybe some blue or green.  I’m so happy that I made the Lucy Cowl and now I keep thinking of new color combos to add to my wardrobe.  I love it when one part of my life helps improve another.

Blog

• Post twice a week for the next 3 months –  I’m still at once a week but not giving up on this one.
• Post more recipes and nutrition info – Posting recipes is a lot of work – photography and often several meals before it’s just right.  I’ll post as soon as I have something worth posting.
• Make 20 comments per week on other blogs – Still need to get better at this, but I have started Instagram and like and comment on that a lot too.  And ps – you can often get sneak peeks at what I’m working on via my Instagram feed.

Personal

• FitBit – I finally took it out of the package and I think I might be hooked now.  My goal is now 6,000 steps per day.  I’ve learned how hard that is for me to do with the cold weather and icy streets.  I’ve started housewalking just to get them in (although I’m only hitting my goal 2-3 days/week right now).  A few things I’ve started to increase the number of steps I get in are:
  • using the bathroom further away from my office – adds about 400 steps
  • take the long way back to my office from meetings
  • take breaks while knitting to walk around the house – I hit my goal yesterday even though I spent hours sitting and knitting
  • supermarket runs can add 1-2,000 steps!
• Eat Well – I’m still enjoying lots of desserts and need to get back on track.
• Lose 8 pounds – I gained 2 pounds this month.  I’m clearly not happy about this but interestingly, it WASN’T my trip to Vegas.  I was down 1 pound after returning from Vegas and I think I know why (thanks to my new BFF the FitBit).  I walked a TON in Vegas – and even hit my highest number yet – 11,000 steps.  This tells me I need to find better ways of staying more active in the winter months.

Goals – throughout the year

• Check in each month – assess, acknowledge and adjust.  Doing it right now.
• Make an editorial calendar – I haven’t made a formal calendar but I have been working on plans for posts, interviews and reviews.

So, for February I think I did pretty well on the knitting front – 3 FOs  – and split on the personal goals – yay for the FitBit, boo for the eating and weight management.

March Goals

• Make Sock #1 for the March Mystery KAL.  Sock FOs are so addictive!
• Work on 2 UFOs
• Really write the Editorial Calendar
• Lose 2 pounds – I hope the weather starts to improve so I can get out and get moving.  And I’m going to need to do more housewalking if not.
• I was tempted to put another FO on the list for this month but I’m not sure I can do it with all my personal commitments.

How are your goals going?

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

• great way to use up partial balls and leftovers
• fun excuse to use an unusual pop of color
• great reason to buy that pop of color (oh c’mon – I know you all love an excuse to shop for yarn.  blame me.)

Here are a few chevron designs that have popped on my radar lately.

• Chevron Delight Infinity Scarf – grays aren’t my thing but the design works so well
• Chevron Keyhole Scarf – I love being able to put a scarf on and not need to futz with it
• Chevron Scarf – larger swaths of color make for a more modern look
• Chevron Scarf – this one has eyelets
• Chevron Scarf – overlapping decreases give a pretty aesthetic
• Chevron Scarf – the columns of decreases are so tidy in contrast to the zigs and zags

• Chevrons All Round – the textures are great
• Favorite Scarf Ever – another take on the ubiquitous scarf, this one with a tidy edging
• Garter Stitch Chevron Scarf – no purls!
• Hypernova – Shawl and Shawlette – love the radiating design
• Rumple Scrap – the volume really makes a statement
• Monster Mitts – how fun would it be to look at those all day?

I can see myself wearing any of these patterns.  I like the thought of using “my” colors plus something else fun or different.  I browsed Design Seeds for a bit of color inspiration and came away with these 3 palettes that are me with a little something extra.

What do you think?  What colors would you try to branch out?  Yes there’s lots of purple, lavender and pink but also some orange and aqua thrown in too.  Definitely pushing me to try new colors and stay true to myself.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Specs…

Lucy Cowl by Heidi Hennessy

My Rav project

I used an entire kit of Pepperberry Knits Fun Size Bundle in Urbanite

This was a fun little project – all stockinette in the round.  The original pattern uses even stripes repeated twice but I did uneven stripes to change it up a bit.

In the beginning I used a random stripe generator but then I switched to just deciding on the fly.  It kinda looks like something I’d get at the Gap.  Strong colors with some shades of gray thrown in too.

I used the Magic Knot to join the colors so I didn’t have to weave in all those ends.  Total lifesaver and the joins don’t look too bad.  Here’s a view of the joins (I flipped the cowl so you could see the wrong side).  I just made sure all the joins were in the latter half of one of the repeats so I could.  If you do this type of cowl, do yourself a favor and use the Magic Knot.

I can’t stress this enough.

The cashmere is awesome against my neck and I think I might pick up another bundle at some point.  I like the different colors and the small lengths (approx 40 yards each) made for fun decisions.  If I had more yardage for each I probably would have gone with more of my shades.  It was fun to be forced out of my comfort zone.  And hey – it’s even one of my goals!

I’ll catch you on the purl side…