If I’m 100% honest, pens and inks and notebooks are really my second favorite analog tool. Any of you who know me, know that my first and favorite analog tools are my knitting needle(s). I’ve always found knitting soothing. It’s a way for me to exercise some creativity, and turn off the technology and at this point, it’s a weird day that I don’t know at least a few rows.
Over the last year or two, knitting has become an even bigger part of my life. While it has been a cherished hobby since I was a child, in the last two years it has become a career and a calling. I’ve dipped my toes into marketing for craft companies, sample and commission knitting, technical editing of knitting patterns and even pattern design. Today I want to share two of my newest (free!) designs with you.
A few weeks ago I released a shawl knit out of one of the softest yarns I have ever worked with, Manos del Uruguay Alma. The yarn is a fingering weight singles yarn of supersoft merino. The shawl itself is light and airy, and so squishy and warm. I took two colors: Mercy (dark orange) and Inspiration (melon) and combined them into a color blocked shawl with fun wedge shaping (worked in short rows). I’m delighted and thankful that Ana helped me by shooting some photos! The Salmon Run Shawl is now available for free if you sign up for the Eucalan Newsletter. (Eucalan is a delicate wool wash perfect for keeping hand knits clean).
The second pattern I created this fall was just released this past Friday. Last fall I learned about Lion Brand’s Hat Not Hate campaign. Lion Brand asks knitters to donate blue knit (and crochet) hats and teams up with schools around the country to distribute hats to students in October of each year for National Bullying Prevention Month.
This year I was inspired to design my own pattern that anyone can use to knit hats for yourselves, for Hat not Hate or for any other charitable cause in your area. I selected my yarn for this one carefully – Ana’s and my dear friend Christine dyes gorgeous yarns at Treasure Goddess Yarns. I selected her “Swimming with the Fishes” colorway because I wanted a bright, beautiful hat.
Undaunted is now available for free on the Knitter’s Pride blog (no need to sign up for this one!)
Thanks for letting me gush about knitting – I’ll get back to pens and inks and notebooks in my next post!
Two gorgeous projects – well done! I enjoy knitting too but am strictly at the simple rectangle or square end of this skill set. Love the colours you’ve chosen too. A pen in that dark orange and pink combo would be very appealing.
Ooooo you’re right about that pen!
OMG, those are both GORGEOUS patterns and quickly will be added to my Rav queue! I love your colorways and color choices. Be proud that you get to showcase your two loves.
Thank you so much!
What a gorgeous shawl! And you did an awesome job on what looks like to me to be a difficult project. I also knit, but haven’t knitted in a couple of years. Got overwhelmed trying to make a sweater; that was my grail goal. Well, I got really bored and stressed out and put away all my yarns and needles. However, I got the urge to knit again recently, and bought some baby velour teal yarn. Found some of my favorite patterns online again and soon I’ll be knitting a scarf and mittens. I’ve decided to only knit what’s fun. So – on to a moebius cowl and mittens on circular needles. I guess I just had to share my little knitting story, since you shared your passion and good fortune. So happy for you!
I found this blog of yours a lot and I really enjoyed your blog !!
This blog has really made me more enthusiastic about learning knitting.