Well Hello Everyone!

It’s been a long time since we’ve updated our blog! What better way to get back to blogging than with some exciting news for us! Holly and I have developed a ‘Summer Flies Mini Shawl Sampler’
tutorial that we have used in teaching our Summer Flies classes and wanted to make it available for LYS or individuals to use.

Are you interested in teaching a ‘Summer Flies’ or ‘Autumn Flutters’ class? Or are you new to lace knitting? If so, this is the perfect teaching tool to get you started!

This pattern is intended to make lace knitting easy and enjoyable! Inspired by many of the questions that we received from our knitters and classes we have taught, this tutorial contains all of the stitches used in creating the original ‘Summer Flies’ shawl and most of the stitches contained in the ‘Autumn Flutters’ shawl. This sampler class generally takes 3 hours to complete depending on skill level. When class is complete, you walk away with a mini shawl to use as a guide for your full size project. **This is NOT a full size shawl.**

If this Mini Shawl Sampler is used for teaching a class, please download one pattern per student. Pattern includes detailed photos and instructions for casting on the ‘tab insert’.

We hope this is helpful and that you enjoy knitting this little cutie!!

First, hi everyone! I have been on an internet holiday and am glad to be back.

I have had a bunch of questions on the starting technique for Autumn Flutters, Summer Flies and Little Shells. Here is a little tutorial of how I like to do it. As always feel free to email me if you have any questions.

The way these three shawls are started can be broken down into 3 basic parts:  1. Casting on, 2. Knitting a small rectangle, 3. Picking up stitches along the rectangles’ edges. I’ll go through each step. Here are the basic directions: (I think Autumn Flutters, Little Shells and Summer Flies might be just a bit different but the method is the same)

Using the long tail cast on method, cast on 3 sts. Knit 6 rows. Pick up 3 sts from the long edge of the garter stitch rectangle, with an additional 3 sts from the cast on edge, for a total of 9 sts.

1. Cast on:

First cast on using any method you prefer. I usually use the longtail method, but backwards loop would also work.

2. Knit a small rectangle:

Here, I knit 6 rows in garter stitch. Then I turned the work length-wise in preparation for step 3.

3. Pick up stitches along the long edge:

Pick up the additional stitches by inserting the right needle through the back side, wrapping yarn and pulling through. 3 along the length (the long edge) and 3 along the cast on edge (the short edge).

When finished it should look just like this, a little ‘U’ shaped tab.

It feels like Autumn here in Texas and it was the perfect day to launch our newest pattern – Autumn Flutters! I want to say a special thank you to Holly and Jan for test knitting the shawl and shawlette patterns. Your time and talent is so appreciated! You did beautiful work! Its crazy to actually sell something! It was a little more complicated setting up to sell on Ravelry than I thought. Not so much Ravelry, but pay pal had some glitches. Once we got those ironed out it was cake. Ravelry is an amazing community with fantastic tools. I’m not sure if we would have been able to publish with out it. Oh! And I can’t forget the fabulous Malabrigo Sock! Gorgeous! Thank you Yarntopia! Abril was the perfect colorway to interpret this pattern!

Holly and I are on our way to houston to do a little yarn shopping. On the way out I saw this in my front garden! I haven’t seen a red dragonfly before so I snapped a pic.

Garden Visitor!

I finally finished my wispy cardigan by Hannah Fettig last week! I LOVE IT!! Its totally bananas (i watch to much bravo). I made a couple of modifications mostly because I have a hard time reading a pattern. lol. I have a bad habit of glancing over a pattern and then running with it, a process that only works out sometimes. I used malabrigo lace in lettuce.

Here is a list of modifications:

- .5″ ribbing on sleeves and bottom.

- Knit each sleave separate and kitchener  stitched live ends.

- used a p2tog stretchy bind off around the neck.

Its a fantastic pattern. You can get it and yarn at knitbot.com. I am sure another one is in my future. I am already mentally winding the yarn.

Hello. I took the cutest iphone pic of Gwynnie last night and thought I’d share.

She looks like a delicious little loaf of bulldog bread!

Autumn Flutters is officially off the needles and in the soak. I snapped a few quick pics – iphone again – I desperately need to get a good camera. It is shown here unblocked and measures out at 63″ x 19″.

Back

Pattern Detail

Front - with my new favorite pin

I think this should block out to be quite a nice size shawl. The pattern is written but It needs to be looked over by Holly and then knit again. We are thinking of offering this in 2 sizes and with and without the pleated edge.

But this picture made me laugh. Hope everyone else is having a better Monday than me!! <3

Little Shells has been up on ravelry for a few days now and I have seen several really lovely projects.  I am thinking about putting together a larger shawl of the same design.  One of the ravelry users suggested it and I think its a great idea.  Some people prefer a larger shawl and it is nice to have a variety of customization options.

My husband and I took a mini trip to Dallas on Tuesday and I used some scrap yarn from the original Little Shells sample to  make a mini one for Sophie during the trip. She really doesn’t like having her picture taken. The out takes are hilarious.  She gets all weird and google eyed.

I also snagged some super sweet Manos del Uruguay yarn (from our favorite local yarn shop) for a couple of projects my mom had designed. It’s a really nice thick 100% wool  with a really great plush but scratchy wool feel that reminds me of fall and winter. Check out the great earthy neutral colors. Eventually these skeins will turn into 4 scarves named after my brother and his friends.  Each will be a simple quick knit that will really show case the great yarn.  I really hate assigning genders to anything but these will lean more toward clean simple lines in earth tones and could be for anyone.  Hopefully I can corral my brother into modeling!  I think they will make great gifts for the holidays.

My mouse is hovering over the activate pattern button right now! eek. I’ve held on to this pattern for a while checking and re-checking. I think I have worked it over enough tho! These are the pictures I finally went with. I had a small bout of self criticism but I got over it.

My mom helped with the editing. I really love working with a design partner. Is nice to be able to ping stuff back and forth. She has been after me putting it out for about 2 months. I just couldn’t let go! I am thinking about posting a video showing how to start it off. That might be next on the list…

Holly and I have been beyond thrilled with the response we’ve received since publishing Summer Flies! We have had numerous requests for a fingering weight version which I am in the process of knitting now. I’ve added many, many more butterflies and more of the knotted openwork, which is my favorite part of this knit! I am calling it ‘Autumn Flutters’ because instead of the summer weight bamboo, this one is knit in a light fingering weight superwash merino and will be perfect for Fall. Stay tuned for more details!!

Autumn Flutters

Malabrigo Superwash Merino

Me & P caught up with family on the coast for a long weekend. I brought along my little shells shawl to finish knitting and to block. I think it turned out beautifully! This is my 3rd time knitting this one and the 6th time it’s been knit between Holly and I. When Holly gives the go, I believe this one is ready for publishing!

Shown in a soft pink Sublime.

Little Shells on the Needles

Little Shells Blocked

The Fam back from a sail!

Ahoy!

Capn' P and one of his deck hands!

All mates ashore!

A beautiful coastal evening!

Crabbing!

Wading and waiting......

Concentration and determination!

Too small to keep!

Do you see any?

Yummy success!!