Fringe Madness!

This week, my pattern Taken by the Wind was released in Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories, and I rejoiced that my fringey-shawl-baby was in the world. I've been thinking a lot about yarn fringe since I designed this thing, so a post about fringe seemed appropriate for this stop on the Holla Knits Blog Tour!

Remember that time I went pom pom crazy? This was much less strange.

Here we go! Here are some ways to make fringe and tassles that I found on Pinterest. Did I succeed? Did I fail spectacularly? Let's find out!


1. Your basic pull-through yarn fringe
Technique here.

This is essentially the technique I used for my fringed shawl, although they show multiple strands being pulled through each spot, and I only did a single strand in each spot (and the spots are very close together). This gives a nice, even layer of fringe without too much weight or too many gaps.

Ok, looking good! This is the simplest, most straightforward way of applying yarn fringe to something knitted or crocheted. Time to take things to another level...

2. Fancy knotted fringe
Technique here.

This one takes the strands a step further-- we're going to knot the fringe in a way that hopefully looks nice and finished and not like something that got caught in a vacuum cleaner.

Eep I'm tying knots in my precious shawl!

I really like how this turned out! I just worked the knots over the center point of the shawl for the photos. While I am not going to tie the entire shawl (at least today), I really like this technique! It's simple, looks fancy, and is a fun way to kick the fringe up a notch.

4. Fringe-as-you-Garter Stitch
Technique here

It needs a trim when finished, but you get the idea.

This is my favorite technique for fringe when you're just plain knitting-- making a length-wise scarf and leaving some yarn on each end of each row to create fringe. I knot the yarn as I go (the technique mentions just pulling it tight) to make sure things are secure.

Best thing ever for scrap knitting!
--

My fringe exploration is far from over, but that will have to do for now. I really want to try the knotted fringe again, and would recommend it to those playing along at home. It was surprisingly fun and pretty quick.

More Holla Knits blog tour to come! Check out the schedule below for posts and prizes!

May 18: Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories Issue Launch

May 19: The Sweatshop of Love / Knitted Bliss - pattern giveaway, issue giveaway

May 20: Ruby Submarine - fringe tutorial

May 21: Handmade by Stefanie - pattern and yarn giveaway

May 26: Doog Knits - kit giveaway

May 28: Canary Knits - issue giveaway

May 29: Laura Reinbach - pattern giveaway

June 1: Gynx Yarns Podcast - pattern and yarn giveaway

June 2: Ruby Submarine - issue giveaway

June 4: Rock and Purl - giveaway

June 8: Handmade by Stefanie - Take 5

June 9: Hands Occupied - issue giveaway

Taken by the Wind -- New Fringe Shawl pattern!

It's finally here! I have been so excited to share this one with you. My new shawl pattern is inspired by springtime magic and... Stevie Nicks!

Taken by the Wind is a lightweight shawl knit in a loose gauge (for the body) with a lovely lace border and miles of loooong fringe. The fringe part is optional, but really, why wouldn't you want to fringe the heck out of it?

(By the way, don't miss my upcoming post on fringe techniques on Wednesday, part of the Holla Knits Blog Tour!)

No fringe... still adorable!

Feelin' like a superhero

A little short-row shaping, a little lace, a lot of fringe... this one is a lot of fun! Perfect for throwing around your shoulders on a blustery spring day or chilly evening. Witchy magic for any time, any place.

About to jump on my broomstick in 3... 2... 1...

I hope you enjoy this flight of fancy!

The pattern can be found here, click the pic and then scroll down to purchase for $4:

 

Styling Cape Vertigo

Have you been tempted by all the amazing cape styles out there this season? I know I have. Capes are a warm, stylish, practical way to stay warm when dressing up or down. They are very versatile and it can be a little intimidating to know how to wear them. 

In honor of the Holla Knits Selfish Knitting pattern sale, let's take a look at three different ways of wearing my Cape Vertigo pattern, shall we?

The first thing you should know is that Boots are a Cape's best friend. Got some boots? You're more than halfway there to creating an awesome #capelyfe look.

   

Look 1 - Like a Boss: Cape + Jeans, Jacket, Boots

Can't touch this.

  

Wear your bad-assest boots, leather jacket and snug jeans. Wrap the cape loosely around your neck starting with one end and fling the other end over your shoulder.

...Or center the cape on your neck, gathering the length into some cozy ripples. Let it hang.

Look 2 - Sweet n Cozy: Cape + Dress or Skirt, Boots, Legwarmers or Tights

Wear a sweet skirt or dress, legwarmers or tights, and your favorite boots. Wrap the cape flat and tight around your neck, keeping the rolled collar exposed, for a smooth shoulder warmer.

  

Look 3 - 70s Office Glam (just go with me here): Cape + Dress Pants, Blouse, Gold Belt, Gold Bracelet, Gold hoop earrings, Attitude

Just drape it on top, casual-like. Yeeaaah girl. Now swagger.

Let's continue to pretend I've photoshopped the remote shutter out of my hand.

Look 4 - On Your Lap: Cape + Sitting Down

The coziest lap blanket of all time.

Get in there.

Cape Vertigo is on sale for $4 this week! Head over to the Holla Knits site to get the pattern at a discount this week only.

Finishing up the KAL

My Knit Along with Ewe Ewe (and you?) is wrapping up! Today is the final official day of the Double Deco KAL and I posted about it over here.

I am in love with my new Double Deco wrap!

I knit really loose and it is HUGE.

It's officially cold in Chicago, so I have been using it constantly. Stay warm, fiber friends!

Great TV Knitting

I don't think it's a secret that many designers watch things while knitting. I can only do this when the work is not very "think-y" and doesn't require many visual check-ins... so, garter stitch is the absolute perfect thing to knit knit knit while my attention is elsewhere.

Before you get too jealous of all the lazy, wonderful times I am having watching television, I'd estimate this is probably 10-15% of my worktime... and I usually do it at night after dinner.

While knitting my new Double Deco for the Knit-Along, I have been watching Hannibal and just started Outlander. These are verrry different shows (note to self/everyone: don't watch Hannibal before bed!) and shouldn't be watched back-to-back or whiplash may occur. I MEAN:

"I have feelings for you maybe" 

"I consider you my only friend and maybe also want to kill you and maybe you also want to kill me and maybe we just ate someone together and hey are you hungry cuz I got some nice flank steak in the freezer..."

So.

But hey! Back to the knitting. This is the tops when it comes to letting those stitches fly.

If you still want to join the Double Deco KAL, it's not too late! Check out the Ravelry thread, pick out your colors, download the pattern, and get started. 

If you're already knitting along (or crafting something else) while you watch something, leave a comment and let me know what you consider the perfect TV/movie/knitting combination!

Double Deco Knit Along!

This is exciting! I'm leading a KAL for one of my favorite recent patterns, Double Deco. 

 

Starting Wednesday October 1st you can knit along with us, learning tips and tricks along the way... and in the end you'll have your very own gorgeous wrap.

Head over to the Ewe Ewe blog to find out how to join in. There's a coupon for 25% off the pattern price!

Once you've got your materials, join us on the Ewe Ewe blog and/or the Double Deco KAL forum on Ravelry!

Here are the colors of Ewe So Sporty I'll be using for the new version of the shawl. What do you think? If you're having trouble choosing colors, check out my color combinations blog post!

 

Octo Shawl all purty and finished

The colors, they are strange.

It's no secret at this point that I am a big fan of all things Grellow (grey + yellow). This color combination was what inspired my Kitefish Shawlette, and as soon as I designed the Octo Shawl I knew I'd make a grellow version at some point. 

With my grellow Malabrigo Lace in hand, and the addition of a purpley deep mauve, I got started on this version for the Octo Shawl KAL last fall. Deviating a little from the stripes in the pattern turned out to be very fun (whew!) and I adore how it turned out.

Blocking this shawl is really satisfying. Is it weird that blocking is my favorite part of the process?

Eight pins, that's it!

Double Deco Shawl knitting pattern!

I'm so excited to share this with you: My new knitting pattern Double Deco is now live on Ravelry!

It was designed with Ewe So Sporty which is just lovely to work with. A soft, springy merino sport weight and it's washable... can't beat that.

Tina (my dressform) can't help being bootylicious

This shawl is looong, perfect for wrapping yourself up on these chilly afternoons. It's a simple knit (deceptively so) with a bold graphic style. The knitting is mostly very very easy garter stitch (knit stitch forevaaah!) -- If you can increase (kfb), pick up stitches, and knit, you're good to go on this. TV knitting at its finest.

Like wings!

There are so many ways to wear this. And think of all the 4-color combinations you could do! I want to make a more pastel version at some point. 

Thanks to Heather Walpole at Ewe Ewe Yarns for the yarn and inspiration.

I hope you enjoy this fun pattern!

Double Deco Shawl knitting pattern

$6

Binding off the Octo Shawl

Stretchy bind-off, lots of stitches.

I can't wait to block this thing!

The curled points remind me of soft lambs' ears or flower petals. Malabrigo Lace is so lovely. 

The fun curlies alllmost make me want to leave it as is, but blocking tends to be my favorite part. 

If you're working on the Octo Shawl, share a pic here!

Octo Shawl KAL

It's been interesting and fun to re-knit my Octo Shawl pattern for the Knit A Long. Enough time has passed since I wrote the pattern (last October, actually) that I've had to actually read the directions!

This time I am going a little wacky with the colors and stripe placement.





















Gloriously unplanned.

Stay tuned for more as the shawl unfolds... check out the other baby octo shawls that my fellow knitters are working on!

If you'd like to join the KAL, stop by here!