Finished Model: Tress Gradient Poncho

Have you got to work with any of the new gradient yarn sets? These sets come in multiple skein sets, each skein a slightly different color from the next. When you knit them up, this is what happens:

The shawl started out with a dark pink, red. Every time I changed skeins the color was slightly lighter. The result was a fun poncho that will be great for extra warmth that won't fall off your shoulders. If you make this pattern, please send me a photo of the finished item, I would love to see it! This one stayed in the same color family, but what about one that transitions from one color to another? That would be a fun way to have your best color at you face, but still be able to use another color. Pattern is available on Etsy at Linda's Wearable Art Emporium.

I hope you didn't miss my last newsletter. Lindsay Lewchuk was kind enough to let me interview her for May's edition. Reading her answers you will see that sometime we all struggle with something, but if you keep working on it great things happen. Sign up to get June's edition in your inbox.

When Is a Knit Skirt Not Knitted?

Or, what does a knitter sew?
As you probably know by now, I love knitting. If I'm not knitting, I'm thinking about knitting. What you may not know is that I learned to sew long before I learned to knit.

Jo-ann's Fabric Store had a sale on fabric, the same time I decided new wardrobe pieces would be nice. Starting with skirts seemed like a easy way to get back into sewing.

Sewing is so much faster then knitting! The fabric and pattern were purchased Monday, Size chosen and two pattern pieces laid out to cut Wednesday night. Cutting the fabric, and all the sewing was completed Thursday. Then the new skirt was worn Saturday. Usually in this amount of time you would have had the swatch knit!
The pictures:

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"Knit My Skirt" Book Review

After winning a copy of Knit My Skirt by Candace Eisner Strick on the Yarn Thing Podcast by Marly Bird, I had to share my favorites with you. The book title links to the Ravelry page where you can check out all the skirts, these are just some of my favorites.

Randomly:

The designer's last name, Strick, means knit.
Many reasons why people don't think they like knit skirts can be fixed by knitting the right size skirt. The rest are fixed by knitting these skirts.
Many of the patterns are shown with variations. This is a great way to see how yarn choice affects the garments, and will give you ideas for your own skirts.
As soon as I got this book (only a week after winning, Thanks XRX books!) I started matching my yarn stash with skirts. I want to knit and wear most of the skirts in the book. The others have given me ideas for skirts to knit.
The skirts are divided by method of knitting, top down, bottom up, or side to side.

Top Down

This is the author's favorite way to knit a skirt, with more than half the books in the pattern knit this way. Top down is very useful if you have aged yarn in your stash and want to use all of it, and can't get more.

My In the Groove Skirt
Love the slanted hem line, deep ruffle, and ability to use fun yarn.

My Swirling Skirt
Such a fun hemline, and great use of texture. Plus I love the color.

Side to Side

My Ruffles Have Ridges
Color changing yarn does all the work! Can't decide if some yarn I have will be for this one, or the next.

Bottom Up

My Look At It From All Angles Skirt

This skirt has it all! Great colors and fun hemline are just some of the reasons I love this skirt. 

Which skirt is your favorite? 

I recommend getting this book, not just for the great pattern, but for all the tips and help for making skirts you will wear and look great in. Please check for this book at your local yarn store. If you purchase it here, on Amazon, this affiliate link will give me credit.

Stay tuned for when is a knit skirt not knit?

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Carnation Shawl pattern in the works

Remember when I said I had lots of new ideas? Today I get to show you the swatch for one of them. This is just a swatch, the final shawl will have the edge stitches on the both sides, and the ends will both have the borders. I can't wait to get started on the sample! The pattern just needs a little more polishing, and as soon as I can get a sample for photos, the test will go up. Sign up for my newsletter, or join my Ravelry group to be the first to hear of new pattern tests. This ones working name is Carnation Shawl, but it might not stick.

This one will be a rectangular shawl. You start with the garter based edging shown, work the shawl following three separate charts, then work the edging again. Do you  think it would be okay to begin the testing with only part of the model shawl knit? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

Monet's Favorite Scarf Model Release

In February I was knitting this beautiful scarf, Monet's Favorite Scarf by designer Linda Lehman. I highly recommend the pattern (link to Ravelry page above) to anyone that is going to want a cable and lace warm scarf for next winter. 

You knit both ends in the pattern stitch, then the center of the scarf is knit in 2X2 ribbing for wearablity and warmth.

Pattern for Monet's Favorite Scarf is also available here in the Wearable Art Emporium on Etsy.

Knitting Happening

As you know, I love knitting a little too much sometimes. When people ask me to knit a project for them, saying yes comes so easy. I promise when this current batch of projects is knit up I will work on mine patterns. Several are in the planning stages waiting for my hands and needles to be free.

I'm excited about the yarns these proejects will have. One is a bamboo alpaca blend. Also coming are bright cheerful yarns from a favorite dyer.

We are also going to be moving this summer, so i'll have a huge sale on stitch markers. Stay tuned!

While you are here, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter. Pattern suggestions and craft tips delivered to your inbox monthly.

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Winter Knitting

Winter is such a great time to be a knitter. What a better excuse to stay inside, drink something hot, and play with yarn, then a huge snow fall. This area, like many others this weekend, saw record snowfall, with some ice.

Last winter I was working with some nice winter wear, perfect for knitting and wearing this year also. The first is Plymouth Yarn 2874 Aran Pullover in Galway Worsted. 100% wool, this will keep you warm on even a cold day. Don't you love the heart shaped neckline?

Next is one of my new favorite yarns, Plymouth Yarn's Homestead. This is 2877 Vest make it for the men in  your life. Because it is an aran weight yarn it will still be a fast knit.

What have you been working on?

Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, click the tab above. The questions sent to designers have resulted in some fun and informative answers. The first will be sent out soon!

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Snowflake Shawl Testing, New Pattern, Newsletter

Things have been happening here at 100Creations. This month I had a pattern released in a magazine, opened my own group on Ravelry, started testing a shawl pattern, began building a newsletter, and of course knit every spare moment. 

Ravelry Group

My Ravelry group is 100Creations by Rachel. Please join  me there for test knitting opportunities, patterns releases, and sales. Currently testing is being done on the Snowflake Faroese Shawl. It is a top down shawl with shoulder shaping that allows you to adjust fit and placement of the snowflakes.

Join me in the testing thread to join in testing, or ask for an earburn when the pattern is published. Hat patterns are also being developed, with the hope to start testing them soon.

Pattern Release

The February 2016 issue of I Like Knitting magazine includes my Intertwining Cables Scarf pattern. 

Unlike typical cabled scarves that feature orderly lines of cabled stitches, this beauty showcases two side cables that hug the lines of the center cable. The effect is a complex-looking scarf that is as fun to knit as it is to wear.
(from the February 2016 issue of I Like Knitting)

Newsletter

I'm starting a newsletter. Beginning with a monthly issue, it will feature a designer interview, tips and hints, pattern suggestions, and current projects. Knitting and crochet designers and patterns will be included. Feel free to suggest designers that you love. Sign up here, or on the newsletter page here on my blog.

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