Wednesday, July 23, 2008

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

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

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