Digging through the stash for so many amazing patterns!

Ok, around my birthday...I tend to splurge on yarn and patterns. I had been pretty good and then...there is an awesome brown or an amazing coral yarn...or there is a fabulous pattern (yes, I do pay for patterns). My birthday funds were spent on yarn. In the end it means that there won't be new clothes in my closet or more activities aside from a fun run in March. The splurges stop now...then a pattern or two later...stop!  Here are the paid patterns that I tempted me too much:

Breaking Plaid by Carissa Browning...I've been seeing pictures of these cowls popping up on Instagram. I'm excited to employ the stitch in some lovely scarves to send to family.

Hands Entwined by Xandy Peters...isn't this gorgeous! I love Xandy's stitch techniques and being a fan of her other patterns, I can't help but fall in love with this one too.Purchase of this pattern in the first year supports Handspun Hope, which employs marginalized women in Rwanda. Here is a picture of Xandy's sample.

Twin Peaks Cowl by Xandy Peters...for the love of stripes and contrast!
Huldra Swater by Tatsiana Kypryianchyk of Lilla Bjorn Crochet...I'm in love with the yoke and the fabulous drape of the short sleeve version. I have some whirl waiting to be used :). Here is a picture of the short sleeve for Tatsiana's sample.

All You Need is Love by Swift Yarns...such an adorable hat and once again the profits go to charity. The proceeds go to Girl Up, a UN Foundation that focuses on empowering girls, fighting gender inequality, and social injustices.

The main reason that I'm attempting to curtail my spending is that my hubby and I are putting our funds this year aside for a down payment. We're paying off debt and trying to get solid feet on the ground. It's the down payment that makes the process difficult. Tapping retirement to buy a home really scares me.  At least, there is still hope and that feels good in itself.

With the yarn splurge, my four year old fell in love with some red alpaca. The yarn is set aside for a specific project and there isn't enough for what he really wants...a big blanket. I've been looking around for scrap happy projects. I have an awesome corner to corner crochet pattern with an Incredibles theme, but I definitely don't have enough red. Maybe a vintage style chevron/wavy blanket would be nice. Strips or modular pieces would be best to eat up my stash. Any recommendations?

I'm feverishly working on a test sweater. I need to make a hat and a puppy dog too! Also there's 55+ hours of work, paying attention to my kids, and regular household stuff each week. The fun never stops :)

Have a great week and happy crafting!

Creative Juices and Beautiful Patterns/Yarns

During my work busy season, there are all of these amazing ideas that pop up in my mind. I want to have time to put that all into action, but if I'm lucky, I jot down the idea in a notebook and move on.

Also, I've been so inspired by so many lovely patterns and yarns. Some are brand new and others that I'm so very excited about again!!!

Check out these pretty skeins from Salt River Mills Suri Textures (http://www.nasurico.com/). The North American Suri Company has some interesting information and it's great to know that local alpaca enthusiasts can participate in this group.

Anne Lange's Fish and Seaweed Socks. Such a fun sock pattern and the colors Anne picked are fabulous.

Rowan Yarns' Hildis:

PomPom Mag has two lovely sweaters that I'd love to make from their recent spring publication:

Carolyn Carter's Water Clover and Emily Greene's Ginkophyte:

I'm so inspired by Yarn of New York's new brown and teal yarn colors!!! So gorgeous.













After finishing another test, I'm already into another. I chose to use the pattern yarn and it is so lovely!!! I generally don't buy luxury yarns. For some of these tests, it's a real treat.


The one for the test is in Cranberry Harvest, and then I'm hoping to make one for myself in Fiesta Red. Aren't they lovely?

Ok, this is a very short post. I hope have a great week and happy crafting.

Addressing it...

First, I want to address the big discussion around the fiber community. Racism is real and everyone deserves to have their voice heard.

One step I can take is to share some resources to increase you're awareness of the diverse community to help you find more voices. Please share in the comments if there are additional avenues for learning more and supporting diversity in the knitting community.

• Listen Episode 4 of the Fiber Muse Podcast from Aroha Knits
• Read the recent New Yorker article "All Knit Up in Sweater Instagram"
• Follow #diverknitty on Instagram (I've found so many creative people to follow and support)
• After finding ways to follow the diverse community, financially support the talented individual (consider supportive comments on posts, sharing the awesomeness with friends, purchasing patterns, purchasing yarn, supporting via Patreon, researching the designers and magazines for inclusive policies, etc.)

These are merely positive first steps to learn, share love, and support. Inclusion is critical and diversity brings beauty. Be self aware and start the change in yourself. What's always difficult is to feel like you're doing enough, but if you take the time to stand up for what's right in your circle and community, you can shape change an influence others.

One thing I found super cool about the submission process for PomPom Magazine is that there is a place to indicate your unique background because they support diversity.

I submitted a second design last weekend as I had indicated, and now I'm already to get my testing game on. I'm finishing my sweater for IrmianDesign and yarn is on the way for a new test from Francois Danoy of Aroha Knits. I'm so excited for the yarn (yes, I bought some...oopsy). I'm hoping the yarn arrives today because I don't know if I'll be patient if I have to wait until Monday to swatch.

Snowmageddon has hit the Pacific Northwest. While Seattle is being battered, Portland seems to be hit with modest snow and ice (in some parts...none!). I went on a walk today, took it slow, and enjoyed how quiet things seemed. We'll see what becomes of the rest of the weekend.

 Stay safe and warm. Happy crafting!

Submitting a Pattern Design Concept

Did I do it? Yes, I did! Also, this is my 100th post! Such an exciting time for me :). Only a few weeks until my two year anniversary of this blog...

I started writing this post before I hit send on the pattern design concept. I thought this would be helpful motivation. From last week's post, you might have gathered that I'm going through waves of feeling capable and then waves of feelings that I should shift to something else. I'm trying to propose three patterns to PomPom Magazine, but I think sticking with two is realistic. I know that my chances are slim, but why not shoot for something awesome.

Once I know for sure about the pattern selection and assuming it's a "no," I'll post my sketches and samples. It will be time to do a bit of hustling and test knitting. Maybe I'll even sell a pattern.

I received my comments from my tech editor on my hat design, and let me tell you...there were a ton!!! She has very helpful comments and things to explore.  Check out Lisa Beth, my helpful tech editor, at Meanest Mommy Knits. I made the majority of my fixes today, but plan to rework things more tomorrow morning to have simpler instructions and stitch counts added. I also found a few of my own errors that I plan to fix as well.

I have about a third of a skein left from knitting two samples of my hat idea in Potion Yarns' lovely "Inconceivable" colorway (check out Johanna's awesome 50's inspired colorways she recently released). There is still enough yarn for another hat if that was my desire. Having it as an accent color for knitting seems more fun for now.

The next hat I want to knit is Madness by Leslie Anne Robinson. I want to knit one for a very kind colleague who loves 1920's style and one for myself too. I keep reading that it's a very speedy knit. I'll plan to make the first one for me, so that I can work out the pattern on random yarn and then make hers second when I've mastered the techniques. Here is one of Leslie's well styled photos of the sample.

I'm frantically knitting my test for Irmian Design and am finally onto the sleeves. I'm excited because the sleeves should be pretty quick compared to the body. The tubular cast off was a good reminder of how much I don't enjoy doing the technique, but the results are great. I've never been a big fan of the Kitchener stitch, which is essentially what you do in this bind off. What do you think of the Kitchener stitch?

I'm drawing up ideas for a summer/fall top, and I feel super excited to get that moving. I still am stuck on the lovely herringbone stitch, but I also want to have an option for a different stitch. Texture is something a truly love. Maybe some brioche or something else that will create interest in a lovely tee. Some color blocking would be fabulous. Possibly, some coral is necessary too...since it's the 2019 Pantone color of the year!!! I'm also excited to use some summer yarn blends. Linen on deck!

Happy crafting, and be sure to check out the #fiberuarychallenge and #yarnlovechallenge2019 on Instagram for lots of fun this month.

Finding the Motivation to Keep Going

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. After the holiday season January can be a tricky month. Personally, I'm trying to take a breather from my day job and try to get myself ready for a tough few months. My kids have appointments and there is plenty to do for the cub scouts. With so many things, keeping up on the same project or two can be daunting.

Sending off my pattern to a Tech Editor last week felt like a big win and I received compliments on one of my samples at my knitting group last Sunday. I've already determined a few errors in the pattern I sent her. Also, I'm coming up with a summer and fall knit idea that I can start swatching for as soon as I'm done with my second sample of the hat. It's easy to get sidelined or to want to focus on other things. Trying to get ready for an 8K and keeping up on household things definitely get in the way.

PomPom Magazine announced accepting proposals for fall of 2019. I'm totally excited and also do not expect any of my ideas to be approved. My goal is to propose my hat idea this weekend. Next weekend a crocheted sweater, and the following week a knit cardigan. If they don't take any, I can draft up the ideas for self-publishing. PomPom is where I found the fabulous pattern for the my first completed WIP of 2019!!!

How do you stay on task? How do you stay motivated?

I have critical day job work goals at work each year. Making them happen is important, but the day to day work gets in the way. There are a couple of that I've been willing to let go of and others that I'm keeping aiming towards. With a new staff excited to join me, I'm getting some much needed assistance. Hope is still there :).

The pros and cons to test knitting. It's critical to keep your motivation going when testing someone's pattern. I've worked on large and small projects. Currently, I'm working on a pullover for Irmian Designs. It's the pattern I was discussing last week. The timeline gives me a little shy of 4 more weeks and I've made good progress.

I'm coming up with some fun ideas for my second design self published. Based on my timeline, it would come out in June. A summery top sounds nice, right? Some stripes? Color blocking?

Knowing that my day job and family come first, it's going to be a tricky year to keep up on the fun stuff. Stay motivated!

Have a great week and happy crafting!

5,000 Views! Already?!?!!!

Thank you to all of you who have stopped by to check out my blog. My hope was to have 5,000 views by the second anniversary of my blog and it's happened a couple of months early. Thank you!!!

Maybe my goal for my third year should be 10,000 views. Please help me make it happen. There will be lots to celebrate over the next few months. My 100th post is so very close, the eighth anniversary of my local knitting group, I sent off my first pattern to go through a tech editor today with the plan to have testing done in February, and publishing in March. So many things!

Ethan was happy to try on my prototype hat over the weekend. What do you think of the colors in the yarn...aren't they pretty?

Here is what I'm excited to be knitting over the next couple of months!

Check out the Bubbles of Joy mystery knit along that begins on February 4. There is a 20% off discount if you purchase by January 31 and a bonus pattern too. I had bought Kristina's pattern collection last year, so there was this lovely mystery knit along waiting for me. I'll enjoy this in place of the Rose City Yarn Crawl Mystery Alongs.

Another knit along that I'm excited for is the Lokken Cowl or Lokken Kerchief KAL. The designer, Megi Bercl, is hosting it on IG as she often has done in the past. I purchased the shawl pattern years ago with the Interweave Accessories magazine from 2012. There are so many awesome patterns in the magazine and I had a personal goal to knit all of them. I was able to complete the first two and start a third before I became distracted. Lokken has been on my list for some time and I'd love the excuse to finally pick it up. She is encouraging thicker yarn, which would be great for a more substantial accessory. Oh...what yarn to choose!

Of course, I was drawn to a test knit so it's unlikely that I'll be able to follow the KALs that I highlighted above...thankfully, I'm so excited for the sweater that I'm testing. There are a handful of designers that I jump on the opportunity to test for and Irina of Irmian Designs is on that list. I'm also super pleased to have yarn in my stash to make it work. Stash diving for test knits is an absolute blast...especially if you find colors that truly highlight the design.

I found another fabulous designer that I'm now following. Sandra of Nomad Stitches has created some very lovely work. I'm drawn in by her crochet patterns. Check out the Totum Tee. She is currently based out of Spain and I totally dig her style.

Please buy me one of her patterns...pretty please.

I'm posting early this week and am excited to keep the crafting hobby going. Happy crafting.

Are you still on track with your New Year's Goals?

I'm of the mindset that New Year's resolutions are a good thing. Taking the time to reassess your live, where you are, and where you hope to be is a natural path to progress. Keeping in mind what you can change is important too. I like goals that lead to action. Results from such action must come from consistent little baby steps. Celebrating the little victories is just as important the ultimate goal.

What are your goals for 2019 and what progress have you made?

Yarn Over New York has a great FO make along. I was so happy to post my first FO of the year, which is the sweater I featured last weekend and wore on Sunday. Check out Jessie's group on Facebook for more more info.

I've dug through my paper patterns to try to find the pattern for a crocheted spring poncho that I started ages ago. I had to dig out the yarn, and I'm a little worried that it looks funny, but that's what experimentation is all about. Yet, my next finish off will be a hat for my younger son that I had started for my nephew, but thought it was too big.

Although I'm not buying patterns, here are the ones I'm excited about. If anyone would like to buy me any of these recently released patterns, I'll make it my next project. I'm also welcoming any yarn too...(please ignore my yarn/pattern addiction pleas).

Pickles' Pangolin

Stephen West's Deco Drape

VERSACIKNITS Stepwise Shawl

Do you start a lot of projects in January? I love to...thinking about the year ahead and utilizing my stash is a blast. I was watching Potion Yarn's recent YouTube Video and I felt inspired to add one of Susanne Sommer's patterns to my cast on for this month. I've been eyeing her patterns for a long time and thought I had purchased a few. Looking at my Ravelry Library, I realized that I actually haven't purchased any...eek! However, I had seen free headband that she designed last month and it was in my queue. Guess what I'll be making this week. This would be so helpful when I'm running in winter. Now to pick colors.

One goal that I highlighted last week was to design four patterns this year. I had schedule to take three days off of my busy day job (Wednesday - Friday), but things didn't quite go to plan. I looked at my husband and asked if he'd care if I didn't publish any patterns. He encouraged me to keep trying. I had an idea to use an Estonian type overlay that is lovely for a shamrock themed pattern. I'm gearing up for the local Shamrock Run and thought it would be a great idea for some accessories. I made one prototype and wasn't thrilled.

I then stared at some hand-dyed skeins of special yarn and wanted to come up with patterns to make the yarn shine and the pattern fun. I can't remember who in Instragram said that the herringbone stitch would be the next big thing, but I've loved this stitch for a longtime. I'm all about experimenting with my favorite stitches and herringbone is is fabulous with crazy fun skeins of yarn. What do you think of the stitches? The yarn is from Potion Yarns, it's her Dragonfly base in the Inconceivable colorway.

Do I have any takers as testers? I'm debating about a private Facebook Group or Yarnpond. What do you think? I'm planning to retool a few things in the pattern and to have the pattern ready for tech editing this week along with see who's interested in testing. Maybe I can have the pattern up in March!!! The hat is so light and airy that I think it would be a great accessory for spring or fall. I was super happy that my four year old wanted

Another goal was to not buy yarn, so I asked my husband if I could have a monthly yarn club for my birthday and he agreed. It's one mystery skein a month...just one skein a month... I'll post about the first skein when I receive it next month. The theme is stars of the silver screen (1920s - 1960s). Check out January's page(only a few days left to order). This is a club where you have to actively order the next month's yarn, so you're not locked in.

The other critical adjustment I'm making to my life, not a goal that I had set at the beginning of the year is to train up for an 8K (4.997 miles). I signed up earlier in the week, and I have nine weeks to get ready. I started yesterday.  I'm using Verywell fit's beginner schedule to give me a good idea as to how to prepare. I live in a very hilly neighborhood so the runs are difficult. The actual race on March 17, is pretty flat in comparison. To be clear, I'm not doing the 15K or half marathon. That's a very difficult and hilly route (I've done it twice...but that was a few years ago). I've never faced one of these races well conditioned, so wish me luck.

I hope you're having a great start to 2019 and I look forward to posting more ASAP! Happy crafting.