I Ran Out of Yarn

While working on my latest project, a little ballet outfit for MaryJayne, I ran out of yarn. Admittedly I started with left over yarn, but when I went to the store to get more the same color (dye lot was not an issue) was nowhere to be found. My next step I guess will be to look on-line. If you are anything like me once I walk away from a project and lose momentum my eyes start to wander to other possible projects. My lesson...always make sure you have enough yarn before you begin...seems like something I should know, but apparently I am a slow learner on this particular point.

Button Choice is important

Buttons can make or brake a finished project.  MaryJayne's Swing coat is a wonderful example.  Simple buttons are not at all a bad thing, but if you want to dress up or dress down an item...buttons can change the look of a garment completely. 

The buttons here are more casual and make the coat a better spring garment because of their flower motif. 

These buttons dress up the coat.

Size makes a big difference too.  Obviously you need buttons that fit the holes and the size of the garment.  The larger the buttons the more attention they will receive as well. 

Next time you go to the store to pick out buttons for a finished knitting project...remember the buttons can change the garment.  It may be worth spending a few more dollars to get the right buttons, and the right buttons may not always be the expensive ones.  Don't be afraid to bring your finished project with you to the store and hold the buttons up to the item.

MaryJayne's Easter Basket

My little girls love to have their dolls share in the joys of any and all holidays with them.  Therefore, MaryJayne's Easter basket has been created.  It works well for MaryJayne of course, but the larger version works well with 18 inch dolls such as American Girl Dolls.  My girls couldn't wait to fill the baskets for their dolls just as the Easter Bunny fills their baskets.  I assume we will have some dolls joining in our Easter Egg hunt this year!

Springtime is for Lace

As the weather warms up I think of lace!  There are so many complicated lace patterns that are just breathtaking, and so many simple lace patterns that are gorgeous even though the pattern doesn't require a PhD in knitting.  My yellow shawl/table runner is ready to make it's springtime reappearance, but I want to knit something new in lace.  A light little lace jacket could be used through the summer.  I have never before designed clothing with sizes.  Could I find a one size fits all to start?  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, here is some lace to inspire. 

Pattern Testing

Through Ravelry I am having my first pattern tested.  I chose to have my MaryJayne pattern tested because it is a complex pattern, and I wanted to have some additional projects posted for it.  The process is wonderful so far.  Ravelry offers a group where designers and knitters can come together.  As a designer I offer my pattern up, and the knitters apply to test knit for you.  The knitter receives the pattern free of charge, and I receive feedback.  So far all the feedback has been very helpful and nobody has found any glaring errors in the pattern! 

Designing One Pattern Leads to Another

While working on MaryJayne, (I promise to discuss something other than MaryJayne before Christmas) I had a wonderful time designing her clothes.  As her inspiration was my two grandmothers and one is very fashionable, it makes sense that her clothes were an important aspect of the design.  My first "dress" I simply cast-on and started to knit.  I had no idea what type of clothing I was designing for this poor little doll.  It turned into a coat very quickly.  As I knit I developed MaryJayne's swing coat.  (The pattern will be out in the next month or so for the coat.) The coat grew from a few garter stitch rows to include bell arms and quite a flare in the body.  I love the coat so much, as do others who have seen it, that I have decided to write the pattern for the MaryJayne's Swing Coat for children and adults too.  I guess knitting the coat for the doll didn't lead to an entirely new pattern, but it lead to a new idea...designing the outfit for life sized people.  I just love how knitting opens doors you don't expect when you cast on....

How to use the Checklist

I introduced with the MaryJayne pattern a little cheat sheet if you will, that I have been creating and using myself with patterns.  I often find I am either marking all over a pattern or keeping a piece of scrap paper with notes on the steps I have completed, unless I create one of these nifty little checklists.  The checklist is not the pattern, it is simply an abbreivated list of instructions with a place to check off the row or round after completed or tally up K12 rows....in case someone calls you and you come back to find you can't remember if you were on row 5 or 7. 
My abbreviated instructions may not make sense to everyone, and I encourage you to write in your own little notes.  Hopefully, however, it will help you keep track of where you are in the pattern.  If you have any questions on the checklist, please let me know.

Introducing MaryJayne

Meet MaryJayne!

Inspired by my grandmother Jayne's love of dolls and my grandmother Mary's fashion sense, MaryJayne would love to have a tea party with you!

Additional clothing patterns will be on the way very shortly!  I am having almost as much fun designing her clothes as I did designing her.  The pattern includes the doll, her pink dress and of course her Mary Jane shoes.  I will be posting design tips over the next couple weeks and sharing the things I learned along the way making her. 

As for meeting her namesakes....So far Jayne loves her, and Mary has yet to meet her.  I'll report back on their first meeting.  

Dolls in Progress

Keep in mind the bald dolls and those lacking clothing are incomplete.  This photo shows my progress on shaping MaryJayne.  I am having a blast, but again creating quite a doll collection.

MaryJayne

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I am currently designing a doll.  The concept for this project came primarily from my grandmothers.  One loves dolls and the other has a wonderful sense of style.  I wanted to combine those two elements and create a stylish doll incorporating the work ethic and appreciation for handmade items I believe were valued while my grandmothers were growing in during the Great Depression.  I have loved every minute of this project and have admittedly been a bit obsessed from the moment I put pen to paper and yarn to needle.  My lovely doll has a growing wardrobe, several hairstyle options, and her various shapes and the techniques used to create those shapes have created to a growing pile of dolls my daughters are coveting.  I plan to “release” her to the world in late September, and I have of course named her after my grandmothers, Mary and Jayne. 

Changes in Yarn Weight and Needle Size

I am designing my first doll.  I have found a basic shape I like, and while looking for the perfect shape I have been experimenting with yarn weight and needle size.  I love how the change in needle size or the change in yarn alters the finished project.  By the time I’m done I will have a sizeable doll collection.  If you know anyone who needs a hand knit doll, please let me know. 

New Projects

Where to begin.  I have two new patterns I am working on at once.  Both have been in my idea book and floating in my head for quite some time.  One is a pillow incorporating not quite intarsia and change in stitch to add texture to present the design.  The second is a doll, named after my grandmothers MaryJayne.  I have two complete early versions and at least two in the works still with alterations to the pattern.  I have been knitting to the point where I expect my needles to go up in flames at any moment.  More on the fun design process of these two projects to come.

My First Lace Pattern is Here

I finally finished not only the knitting but the pattern write up for my first lace pattern!  I posted it this evening on Ravelry, and I have already sold one copy of the pattern!  I love the way it turned out, and I hope you all agree! 

Great as a Wrap

Great as a Table Runner

The Pattern is Available Under Shawls.

Lace, Lace, Lace

I have the promised pictures of my first lace pattern.  It is coming along slowly but surely. 

Of course my beloved stitch markers are keeping me company as I go!

Pattern Brainstorming

How do patterns emerge?  Mine have come about from a variety of inspirations.  Some patterns come from practical needs.  I needed a new kitchen rug, hence the striped kitchen rug was born.  The perfect dishcloth came about through trial and error as I made dishcloths to fill my needs.  The car and duck washcloths started as baby gifts, and my current lace shawl/table runner (still in production) started with my desire to work on lace and my love of the color yellow for spring.  While working on my current pattern (the yellow lace) I have let my mind wander and the idea of a fleur de lis lace shawl is emerging and a simple lace shawl in a wonderful pink novelty yarn is forming.  My mind and design notebook are full of ideas, and I only hope to have time to get to at least most of my ideas.  Where do find inspiration for your knitting?

My First Lace Pattern

I have begun designing my first project in "lace." I picked a border that I liked and a simple lace stitch and put the two together.  So far so good.  My first glitch, however, (okay my second, I did have to rip out and start over when my edging on one side was not coming out correctly and I figured out I needed to make sure I was doing the right stitches on the Right side and wrong side of the finished piece and adjusted the pattern accordingly) is deciding as I work the project, do I add a different lace pattern in middle of the project to simply change things up, or do I Keep It Simple?  Keep it simple is a good motto with most craft projects, but with lace is simple good or maybe not so good.  I will probably just keep it simple, because as I stated, this is my first lace pattern.  But the urge to add more is one I constantly try to decipher.  To add more or keep it simple?  If anyone has the answer to this age old dilemma, please let me know.

I've Made Another Discovery

I’ve made another discovery!  One that I am sure someone else made ages ago, but once again forgot to tell me.  I wonder if it was made by the same person who discovered the perfect dishcloth but forgot to tell me?  My big current revelation is a garter stitch scarf knit from stretchy sock yarn.  I know…huge discovery!  I’m using Pattons Stretch Socks a superfine yarn made from 41% cotton, 39%wool, 13% nylon and 7% elastic.  Elastic is great!  On my size four needles this is not a “quick” scarf.  I feel as if I’ve been working on it for ages truth be told, but it keeps me busy and has made a great grab and go project.  (See The Simple Joy of the Garter Stitch Scarf posted April 13, 2011.) 

The ah-ha for me with this project is multifaceted.  First as I just stated it has kept me busy for quite some time (both a good and a bad thing).  Second the stretch and drape of the fabric I’m creating is just luscious in my opinion.  Third, it creates a scarf that works well in warmer limits and feels more sophisticated than a bulky winter scarf.  If you are a scarf knitter, and if you knit, who doesn’t knit a scarf now and then, I strongly recommend grabbing some stretch fine sock yarn on your next trip to the yarn or craft store.  Grab thus smaller needles and make this light weight wonderfully draping scarf.  And if you find out who discovered this gem before I did, please let me know.  I am sure he or she could save me some time by revealing his or her treasure trove of discoveries and save me the time and aggravation of finding them myself. 

The Perfect Dish Cloth has been Found

I have done it!  I have found the perfect combination and created the perfect pattern for the handknit dish cloth.  In my opinion (and the opinions of others who sell hand knit dish cloths), nothing beats a handknit dish cloth.  My new combination (somebody else has probably already found it, but failed to tell me) uses a strand of cotton yarn and a strand of acrylic yarn to maximize absorbancy and scrubbing power.  What more could you ask for in a dish cloth?  I like my dish cloths fairly small, but you could of course increase the size if you like a large towel size to do your dishes.  When it gets dirty you stick it in the wash and it comes out looking like new (until you have washed it so many times and used it so many times it shreds and falls apart…then knit a new one).  Enjoy my great revelation, and happy dish washing!  The pattern is available for free below or on Ravelry.  
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-perfect-dish-cloth