A little abashed

Carolyn has been emailing us - she was not happy paying for shipping from one of our vendors for just one pattern. This is definitely a dilema - pay several dollars for the shipping of just one pattern?

Ultimately she did order the pattern and tells us she was really happy with it. She's going to make this hat for as many family and friends as she can before Christmas. Yay! We don't know if she ordered other products from our vendor - but these days we have found that you can find deals with online yarn shops that can make it extreemly attractive to do business over the internet - be it one pattern plus a shipping coupon, or shipping discounts for x amount of dollars spent. We all love to touch the yarns and it's frustrating to have to trust that what you order is what you want. A reliable shop will spell out their terms so that you know, before you press that CONFIRM key, what your options are if you are not happy with what you receive. Carolyn has come away as a happy camper!

So far, our vendors have proven to be most obliging. But you can understand a policy of No Returns on patterns. After all, there are some folks out there who will order a pattern and copy it, then want to return it.

At 2Askew, we fully support our vendors' terms of sale.

However - if you find a flaw in one of our patterns, please address your concerns to us. We do our best to publish complete, understandible and accurate patterns. If you find errors (Carolyn received an older version of a pattern that has since been updated, and was quick to tell us so! We're truly grateful for her input!) or omissions we will happily try to explain/correct/or do whatever necessary for you to be able to complete your project. We've all been there with trying to understand a pattern! Jeanne and I have lots of experience with communicating with knitters - sometimes one word will make all the difference in comprehension. We promise to keep the "errata" part of our site as current as we possibly can.

Happy Knitting, Happy Holidays, and please help to keep us on our chameleon toes!

Ciao!

Allison

Back from Italy

Buon giorno!

We had such a marvelous trip to Italy. I was inspired by all the knitted hats and scarves I saw. Also inspirational were the fall colors and textures of the countryside and cities. A surprise not to see one knitter, though! I wonder if they are all knitting at home, not out in public as you'll see in the U.S. on busses, trains, planes, cars and in restaurants and parks. I also never saw a knitting store, but we were in the older cities, looking at cathedrals and museums.

Brought plenty of yarn along with me, however, and got some knitting done on the plane to Milan and while we were driving on the Autostrada. The check-in guy at the Malpenza Airport (Milan) suggested that I would not be allowed through security with my knitting, so the flight home was knitless...so sad for me! But I'm reading a great book and they showed us plenty of movies on the 10 hr flight to Atlanta. Check out the pictures of the Alps from our plane once we took off - snow in Milano on Monday, 11/24, and once we got above the clouds, the view of the peaks of the Alps was so stunning!

Here are some pictures of the wonderful sights of Florence,

Tuscany

and San Gimingnano (I would move there in a heart beat!) It's also part of the Tuscan area, near Siena.

Happy knitting! Enjoy these pictures and look for my latest designs - washcloths in lace and cable patterns to be knit as gifts and/or to work up as samplers. The lace cloths will be a separate pattern from the cabled ones, and I'm working on 6 cloths per pattern.

Ciao!

Allison

At last!!!

At last the new 2 Askew Designs site is up and available! I still have things to learn, but it is looking so much better! Thank you Amber, of Never Ender for your help on this project; you have been great to work with and your creative ideas are amazing!

Our front page is going to have the most current designs and we are also working on a Free Patterns page. It will be at the bottom of the patterns page and the first pattern is going to be the Fair Isle leg warmers, WAHOO! Our logo is also up and running and I am currently working (while Allison is in Italy visiting Katie) on our business cards and brochures with the new logo. We chose the Chameleon for his/her versatility in design and adaptation. Of course the knitting needle is self explanatory.

Please let us know what you think and stay tuned for more of 2 Askew Designs. Thanks for your support!

Inspiration!

Well, I love to knit, of course it isn't obvious or anything :) I also, love to be at work, Jimmy Beans Wool and I really have it rough, touching all the amazing yarn we carry; what a tough life I have. On Wednesday of this last week, Allison, was doing her Drop Ins class at the shop and one of her students wanted to learn to knit up some leg warmers, and then Victoria my coworker decided to get on the leg warmer band wagon too! So of course I just can't stand to be on the side lines and I picked some worsted weight yarn in a variegated color and a contrasting solid and went to work. What do you think of the result?






Of course now I have to do the second warmer, but this knit up so quickly I think it will be a breeze.

Hello.....anyone there? Or are you busy trying to figure out the politics these days???

So here we are, right close to election day. and we have these awesome Politically Correct hats. Honestly, I have my opinions and Jeanne has hers, and our friends have theirs and our husbands might have an opinion or 2.

My knitting classes get just a teensy bit political (but not until we all know where we all stand, being in the same room, setting at the same table) and we pride our Nevada selves on being a civilized lot, for the most part. My students are told, "No swearing in knitting!" I am happy to report that if there is a bit of cussing, it's not over which of 3 senators or Alaskan govenor you favor, but which left-leaning decrease do you prefer?

Being the teacher, I get to have my say (and why!) and so the sheep must follow =0)

Beautiful fall colors here - yes, in Nevada! - and I hope you enjoy some of the posts. Hummingbirds have departed, but the quail are ravenous. We're hearing some calls from raptors and not being able to identify them. Smallish, and more color to them than the usual browns/grays. If we can capture them on camera, you'll be the first to know and perhaps help us to identify.

In the meantime, Happy Knitting.

Allie

P.S. - watch for posts regarding my travels to Italy! Coming up in November!

Did I Mention that Christmas is Coming????

Here's the latest! A Fair Isle Christmas stocking that my most beginner students, with direction, are able to manage. I am proud of them since they are "getting" the 2 styles of knitting using a color in each hand. Before you write in and tell me there are many more than 2 styles of knitting, don't bother. I know that! In fact, I've been teaching "Portuguese" knitting. And I've reviewed a book that talks about "Andean" knitting which is pretty much the same as the Portuguese style.

Ahem.

Most of us are pickers or throwers and here in Nevada, that's what we do.

The stocking was born from the need to develop a Fair Isle instruction class, and since it was close to Christmas-time (2002) this is what I came up with. I can't thank my students enough for their input on this pattern, and fellow Chameleo Jeanne gets the prize for her input. Watch for tips offered on our website, http://www.2askewdesigns.com/ for explanations to the tricky stuff on this and all of our patterns. I look forward to establishing an FAQ section. Oy. We are such newbies, still.

It's fall here in the Great Basin and I've got some lovely pictures taken this month. First of all, 10/10 and it's snowing. I mean SNOWING! Poor hummers at the feeder, but it warmed up, they seem to have had their fill, and as of today, I haven't seen them for at least a week. Unlike some of us (me included), they can take a hint and be gone.

Taos Wool Fest - what a fun time and our patterns were a smash! I did my damage and bought some lovely camelid fibers - mind you - I've been on a "fiber diet" for some time now. But as you know, when you're on a diet, you're allowed to cheat a little while away from home and that's just what I did. =0) As soon as I can upload some photos, you will see them here. If my DH were to say, "Let's move to Taos", I'd say, "Race you to the car!"

As always, Happy Knitting from your Chameleon buddies -

Allie

Not your Grandmother's Pocketbook!

Well, I have finally surrendered and Amber, of Never Ender, has been brought on board to help me create some Website Templates and make the site more a place you will want to visit. Between Jimmy's, knitting, and teenagers; I am bushed! I can't wait to see what Amber has up her cyber sleeve for us.

This little guy is the beginning of our much awaited logo! There is still some tweaking going on but I think we are getting somewhere! Let me know what you think of
him.

On the knitting front my newest pattern The Contemporary
Pocketbook is just being proofed and should hit the shops in the next couple of days.




Happy whatever to all of you and a good night! Oh wait it's not even Halloween yet, um, BOO!

Tiny Bubble Socks

Well they are here at last! My Tiny Bubble Socks and I have had such fun with these, as so many people have asked what is that pattern you are doing? It looks so hard! It is a very simple pattern and knits up quickly. You should be able to memorize the repeat in no time.

I wish you all happy sock knitting and am glad that Allison is now back from Taos and I hope she will let me come and pet all of her treasures. She has done some marketing on this trip and 2 Askew Designs will begin to show up in more LYS's!! Yeah Allison, thanks for your hard works.

Taos Wool Festival, here we come!

I'm so happy to be leaving Reno this Wednesday and be on my way to Taos, NM. Traveling with Patti, my sister-in-law, and Patty, our cousin. Both are avid knitters and spinners and having 6 days to spend with them doing all we can that is fiber is something we've been saying we'd do for a long time, but as we all know, life gets in the way and we have kept putting it off. Til now! Zero minus 2 days and I can't wait. I've ordered a Taos Wool Fest t-shirt for myself, not knowing if there will be any left by the time we get there, so I can look like I belong =0). Dragging bags of fiber and yarn behind me might also leave some clue....I'm suspending my "fiber diet" for this weekend. My stash can always use a little enhancement, and finding new yarns to work with helps with inspiration for more patterns.

I've contacted some of the vendors who will be selling their wares in Taos to give them a heads up that I'll be stopping by with our patterns for them to look at. Knowing from first hand how hectic it is to be at a show, I'm trying to be as gentle and respective of their time constraints as possible. I just want to show them our product, leave a card, generate interest for our fledgeling operation, and be on my way. Picking up an order or two would be a welcome bonus! AND - Jeanne promises a new pattern for me to bring along! I can't wait to see it!

Patti is from Reno and we look forward to weather a little cooler than here. Patty is from Houston (recovering from Ike and grateful that she and her husband were out of power "only" for 4 1/2 days!) and hoping it's not too cold for her Texan blood! Gallery hopping and sheep watching will do all of our souls some good.

For those of you unfamiliar with this great fiber event, go to www.taoswoolfestival.org And hoping to meet up with some of you there!

As ever, Happy Knitting!
Allison
www.2aksewdesigns.com

Oops!

OOPS! Well, I made a mistake and I am sorry to all you who may have had troubles over this mistake. I think I caught it early enough and have emailed everyone who purchased their patterns from Jimmy Beans Wool, but just in case here goes:

Herringbone Shawl/Scarf

The yardage for the scarf should be 250-410 yards in worsted weight yarn

PM after the first 2 sts and then after every 15 sts thereafter.

Begin Pattern as follows:

Row 1 (RS) p2, *M1, k3, p2, p3tog, p2, k3, M1, p2* repeat * * to end
Row 2 (WS) *p4, k5, p4, k2*, k2
Row 3 (RS) p2, *M1, k4, p1, p3tog, p1, k4, M1, p2*
Row 4 (WS) *p5, k3, p5, k2*, k2
Row 5 (RS) p2, *M1, k5, p3tog, k5, M1, p2*
Row 6 (WS) *p6, k1, p6, k2*, k2

Send me your pattern with your mailing address and I will send you a revised copy:

Jeanne Giles
Pattern Replacement
P.O. Box 93
Reno, NV 89504

You can also email me for more information info@2askewdesigns.com

Please don't blame Jimmys for this mistake it is mine and mine alone. I am currently working on getting an Oops page up on our site 2 Askew Designs
but I had a bit of trouble getting the transfer to work this morning. Keep your eyes peeled, as that will be where we will post any mistakes we may make.

I really am not a webmaster, but will limp along as I can. I would rather be knitting (of course)! So it's off to work I go this morning to touch and feel wonderful yarns and get more ideas for new patterns. Phew! Life is tough for me, hee hee! Happy Knitting! Jeanne ;-}

Fall is fast approaching!

Inspired by a new colorway from Lorna's Laces, which is the blue & silver colors of the University of Nevada, Reno, designing a hat and handwarmers came to mind. Perfect for chilly days at a football game, the hat & mitts feature welts done in reverse stockinette stitch. I'm really liking the flat crown of the hat, topped with an i-cord knot, and the shaping of the thumb gussets on the handwarmers. I worked these from the top down, so the gussets are decreased rather than increased, and I think that makes for a nicer line along the thumb. The handwarmers are mostly done in a 2x2 rib, so one size fits most men and women. And if that's not enough, they are also in 2 lengths - the usual short version ending at the base of the fingers, and a long version - you double over the hand part to reveal fingers, un-double to cover them for warmth.

Sometimes it's hard to plan ahead, with our temperatures in the 90's and the tomatoes and squashes ripening nicely. But as knitters, you know that cooler weather is on it's way and you don't want to be caught by surprise with no new handknitted items to keep you warm!

By the way. Christmas is coming too!!

Happy Knitting!

Allie

Learning Curves and Fiber?

Well, I have made an effort to learn something new today and hopefully it will benefit 2 Askew Designs. I learned how to 'trace' an image, so that I can change the appearance and create our long awaited Chameleon logo! It may only take me 6 more months to actually get there, but there I will get. As Elizabeth Zimmerman is my witness I will never go hungry again!! LOL! Please don't hold your breath on this one; you may faint.

On the knitting front I just finished the pattern for my 'Silky Herringbone Shawl & Scarf' knit up in Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb. My beautiful daughter makes it look so lovely (but of course I am partial :)! It is one of the most scrumptious yarns around! Sooooo soft with it's 50/50 Silk and Wool blend, it is like knitting with butter. Now it is a bit pricey, so for those of you who would like to knit just the scarf version, I have included that in my pattern too. It should be available at my favorite knitting store, Jimmy Beans Wool, by the 1st of August.

I think this pattern will be a good starter lace project for any of you who would like to branch out a bit in your skill level.

Happy Knitting! Jeanne ;-p

What's new?

Allison has finished her Politically Correct hats! They are so awesome and here are the specifics. You will be able to purchase the pattern from Jimmy Beans Wool

Just in time for Election Year - Your Politically Correct Hat! Inspired by some of Allison's students who leaned in one direction and their spouses in the other, she thought the "Head to Head" hat might be a fine idea for these couples to wear the hats to let the world know just where each of them stand! Techniques used: Fair Isle, duplicate stitch. Finished circumference: 19" women's, 21 1/2" men's. Uses 16" circular and double pointed needles, size US 8, 110 (130) yds main color, 50 yds each contrasting color in a worsted weight yarn and 5 sts/in.

Of course they are red, white and blue! She knit them up in Berroco Pure Merino.

Yes, Dannette, there is a pattern coming for the bag, really, really I promise!

I have been honored with a small win for a sock pattern that will be published by Lorna's Laces soon! Look here and you will see the chosen sock.

I am also, working on a shawl knit in Lion and Lamb by Lorna's (yes I do like their yarn) and that should be done real soon.

I am excited to say that Allison should soon have her terrific shrug done, in a couple of gauges I think. Right now she is working on it in Rowan Damask, yummy!

Well, that's it for the moment happy knitting, crocheting and spinning to all!

Holy Cow!! Flying pigs...

Ok, so I can't quite see the flying pigs, because I CAN'T get our website to upload! UGH! I have put out a desperate plea to a great gal (Amber) who I hope will have pity on me and help me get this Hic Up cleared up....and until then I guess I will just knit.

So heres the current project list:

Allison is working on the most amazing Shrug pattern for 2 Askew Designs and I can't wait to see the finished product. There are a couple of other things she has swimming around in that designer brain of hers, but they are top secret! (Stay tuned :)

I am working on a shoulder bag pattern and of course a new sock pattern. I also, have visions of a twisted rib sweater. That will be a long term project and I hope to have that ready for release by the fall. I am having my first baby blanket test knit by one of my wonderful customers! It is in Knit 1 Crochet 2's Ty Dye and 2nd
Time around cotton. Yummy!

The socks to the right, are my most recent finished pattern and are called 'Luscious Loungers' you can find them at Jimmy's of course! Jimmy has also started her own blog and it is really shaping up.

Well, for now I better get back to begging Amber for her help! Please, please help Amber!

Phew!

Hi all,

Well, I am trying to get back on the web Design horse and it is going a bit slowly. Please stay tuned and as soon as the site is up I will let you know. Until then, here are some of my contributions to 2 Askew Designs

These are my Fish Scale socks and are shown here in Jitterbug Toscana! I had a lot of fun working on them. You can currently purchase the pattern at www.jimmybeanswool.com

Bulky Earflap Hat & Basketweave Watch Cap

We're furiously knitting away in working out our designs! So far, Allie has 2 hat patterns, both in men's and women's sizes. The Bulky Earflap Hat is very easy and goes quickly (I knit one up in the time it took to drive from Hilo to Kona on the Big Island of Hawai'i!)










The Basketweave Watch Cap is done in a sportweight yarn. Lots of ribbing, but that doubled-up brim definitly keeps your ears warm! Suggested for an advanced beginner. Let us know what you think of these designs.

In the works are entrelac socks and a cuff-to-cuff shrug.

Happy Knitting!

--Allie