FishyKissKnits

Frost Flowers & Leaves Number 2

Because the original FF&L by Eugen Beugler shawl was knit for my sister-in-law for her 60th birthday, I decided to make myself one.  Since my grey hair has changed the colours I feel good in, I decided to knit this one with blues and purples.  I chose Sundara silk lace yarn, held double in the colorways Breaking the Ice (a limited edition) and Poppy (a permanent color).  I also used Handmaiden Sea Silk in 2 colors, but there were no names on the labels and I have had the yarn for so long that they are not listed on their website.  I am posting here some of the photos taken of this project.  Another side note - I didn't work all the repeats of the pattern - the original one was so large that I decided against the full size - but it is plenty big enough.

Completed Shawl

Closeup of Rosebud Edging

 

Closeup of Shading of Colours

Quick Cobblestone Update

Finally a photo to show off the Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood - see earlier posting below.  Here is my youngest son Nathan modelling (and enjoying) his new "Mom-made sweater".  The photo color is way too yellow, but for some reason I had trouble correcting it in Photoshop.

 

Frost Flowers Lace Cowl

My first published pattern.  Very exciting and VERY nerve racking!  I hope you enjoy it.

 

Frost Flowers Lace Cowl was designed for the Ravelympics using 1 skein of Sundara DK Silky Cashmere and 3.75mm needles.  I loved working with this yarn - it's soft and yummy and combining it with my favorite lace stitch was the ultimate in perfection.  This is a very quick knit.  I completed it within a day and that was a good thing because winter is definitely not over yet.

Free Pattern Download    download now

Errata - Please note, in PATTERN description, part of line 4 should read:  "Repeat stitches 1-36 of each row 4 times"  (not 1-32).  

YARDAGE NOTE:  Please be aware that several people have mentioned that they haven't been able to finish this project with 1 skein of yarn.  This can be caused by several things, (gauge, skein yardage, and wpi) but those interested in knitting this cowl should be aware of it especially if they aren't working with the exact yarn I used.

This pattern is for personal use only.

Pattern & images © 2010 Esther Budd.  

Ramping up for Ravelympics

I am totally psyched for this.  I've chosen 4 projects to work on for TeamSundara.   Two are easy and the other 2 more challenging, and I'm hoping that there will be time for a 5th as well.

Event - Designer Pattern - This project is to write a pattern for an item which might already be knit.  I've chosen to write up the pattern for my Willow Leaf Lace Scarf, and rename it slightly to Willow Leaf Scarf.  The finished object is modelled by my friend Janice and was completed in June of 2009.  The original was knit with Indigo Moon Creekside Green Mugo Silk, and trimmed with a Handmaiden silk that is discontinued.  I will knit a new scarf sample in Sundara Yarns' Silk Lace.  The colour is TBD, but I'm leaning towards Aurora Borealis and another contrasting colour.  The beads are added in the finishing, so I can wait to chose them.  Here is a photo of the original piece.

Event - Designer Biathalon - This will be the real challenge - from swatch to published pattern in the 17 days of the Olympics, completed and pattern released on Ravelry.  I have chosen to do a cowl in frost flowers lace (which is my favorite lace in the whole world!), using my favorite yarn Sundara DKSC (Double Knit Silky Cashmere) in color Twilight, which as you can see by the photo below is a dusty lavender.  Hopefully it will only use 1 or 2 of the skeins.  I'll call the design Frost Flowers Lace Cowl.  Here's the yarn which I plan to cake this afternoon:

Event - WIPs Dance - this project is a very pretty Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick crocheted in Colinette Jitterbug, color Toscana which I meant to give as a Christmas gift last December.  At some point I decided that it wasn't suitable for the recipient and madly rushed to knit something else.  I guess I totally forgot about finishing it, but there isn't much left to do, so it's perfect for this event.  A photo of my progress so far:

Event - Arial Unwind - this is a project that has been on the needles for way too long.  Something happened about 1/4 of the way into it - I think it was a disappointment with the yarn I chose.  It looked great in the ball, but not so good knitted up in stocking stitch.  Since the whole garment is stocking stitch - well, you get the logic in my decision.  After it's unwound and recaked, I will send it off to the first person to contact me who will agree to pay for the shipping (probably $15 from Canada).  The yarn is the same as used above in the Boteh Scarf, and there will probably 4 cakes, plus whatever is left over from the Boteh scarf and 2 skeins which haven't been caked at all.  I just want to get it OUT OF HERE!  A photo of the event object just prior to the start of the opening ceremonies:

 

GO TEAMSUNDARA AND GO TEAM CANADA!

Cobblestone for Nate

Now I'm working on the final stages of Nathan's Cobblestone sweater designed by Jared Flood.  This pattern is a joy to knit.  I'm using Sundara Yarns ASM (Aran Silky Merino) in the colour Brown Sugar over Buttermilk.  It's very close in coloration to the original photograph, and therefore really close to the colour Nate wanted.  This yarn is so soft and wonderful to knit with..... just bury me with my yarn.... that's all I ask.  Here's a photo of the WIP, and I'll post again after I finish and it's blocked.  Hopefully Nate will have someone take a pic of him wearing it when he receives it.

My next project is a smaller version, same pattern, for my 4 year old grandson who requested a RED sweater like Zaidie's.  So, of course I have to oblige him.  Found a lovely yarn by Cascade Yarns at my LYS Shall We Knit called Venezia and the red is really gorgeous.

So here are the promised photos of the work in progress.