It's been awhile since I've posted on my design process, so here are some progress notes and photos for a design I am now working on.

While at VK Live I was swatching for a cowl; I wanted to use a lace stitch pattern with decreases and yarnovers on every round, to keep the knitting interesting, and to generate a lot of movement and texture within the stitch pattern. I decided to use Spud & Chloe Sweater, a worsted-weight superwash wool/organic cotton blend, for its soft, squishy hand, great stitch definition, ease of care (machine washable), and neck-friendliness.

The original stitch pattern (above) was from a Japanese stitch dictionary, with the motif staggered (note the resemblance to "Frost Flowers," which has the same petal-like sections), and with rows of garter stitch inserted between lace pattern sections. I wanted the garter stitch rows to form continuous waves, so for my first swatch, I got rid of the staggered repeats. This resulted in double yarnovers on some rows, which I didn't like, so I added a stitch between repeats. I also decided to try a double decrease at the "peak" of the diagonal decreases, instead of having adjacent left- and right-leaning decreases. But I didn't like the garter stitch rows at all-- it seemed like there was just too much texture going on for a small piece like a cowl-- so I frogged that swatch.

For my next swatch (left), I got rid of the garter stitch rows. I liked the smoother overall look much better. I also worked some decreases into the stitch pattern, to make the finished cowl narrower at the top than the bottom: there are decreases on every row for the first few rows, and then on every other repeat. If you look closely, you can see that I also experimented with different double decreases at the center of the swatch: right stitch on top, center stitch on top, left stitch on top-- but I didn't really like any of them. So I decided to go back to adjacent decreases at the "peaks"- I thought this would give more defined shape to the petal-like areas. 

Third swatch! I liked the "petals" better in this one, but halfway up the swatch, I added a purl stitch between them, to give them even more definition. I also added ribbing at the bottom, to soften the angles formed at the bottom edge by the abrupt decreases in the first few rows. Getting there... but now I realized that the decreases I had worked into the pattern were not decreasing the width of the repeat fast enough for my purposes-- I wanted the finished cowl to be about 28 inches in circumference at the base, and about 16 inches at the top-- about a 40% decrease.

Last swatch: instead of decreasing two stitches on every other repeat, I decreased two stitches on every repeat, and added additional decreases just before the top ribbing. The only thing I didn't like about this swatch was the purl stitch halving the bottom center section, so I decided not to begin the purl column until the "petals" first meet in the middle (see photo below). Close enough! I decided on a cowl with six pattern repeats and got started.

I did a little more tinkering with the top edge: at first the decreases before the ribbing were too drastic, creating a turtleneck effect, so I ripped back and re-did the top edging a couple of times, before arriving at the final version. I then wet-blocked, shaping the cowl to accentuate the curves in the bottom edge.

Hmmm... too wimpley? I do mean wimple-y, not wimpy, as in too wimple-like. Or maybe that's not such a bad thing. Thoughts??

Then...I started thinking about using the "cowl" as a capelet instead, or maybe the yoke for a sweater....

 Thanks to everyone for your comments. I did not expect that virtually everyone's favorite lace project would be a shawl or stole! But perhaps I should have-- after all, a shawl is perfect for showing off beautiful lace stitches without worrying about pesky things like shaping, armholes, etc.

I was also touched by how many lace projects had a very special story associated with them-- including that of Robin in VA, who is the winner of Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting. Robin, please email me your mailing address so I can get your book in the mail to you! 

Actually, this giveaway is due in equal parts to (1) my absentmindedness and (2) a sudden attack of competitiveness-- I'll explain.

But first, I have to mention that I just returned from VK Live in New York, and it was a very successful trip on many fronts (although thanks to my failure to take a single photo there, this post will have no photos-- sorry). First, I got to spend lots of time with Connie and her family-- and incidentally, my next giveaway will be a copy of her wonderful book, Textured Knits.

Second, I got a chance to chat with Melissa Wehrle and Ysolda, both of whom I had been lucky enough to meet before; I also got a chance to meet a number of fellow designers for the first time (in no particular order): Cookie A, Tanis Gray, Laura Nelkin, Kirsten Kapur, and Shannon Okey. AND I met some truly legendary knitwear designers/authors: Norah Gaughan, Shirley Paden, Mari Lynn Patrick, Lily Chin, and Debbie Stoller. 

Third, I was able to take several classes, from Mari Lynn Patrick, Lily Chin, and Shannon Okey, and attend a couple of lectures, by Norah Gaughan and Debbie Stoller. Although lecture styles were very different, I enjoyed them all, and learned something new from all of them. 

Which brings me to the giveaway. During Debbie Stoller's class on lace knitting, she mentioned that she would be giving away a copy of her latest book, Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting, to the person who was first to answer a lace-related challenge. I immediately decided that I would win that book; I am not sure why, because normally I'm not super competitive, AND I also already had the book in my knitting library (the absentmindedness I referred to earlier). Long story short, I won.

Honestly, giving this book away is really for my own benefit, because I feel kind of guilty for grabbing a prize for a contest which I probably should not even have taken part in, considering how much I've worked with lace patterns over the last few years. So leave a comment telling me about your favorite lace-related knitting project, and maybe you'll be a winner! (Deadline: Monday January 23rd at 10 am.)

The Winter Bis 2011 issue of Knitty came out in December; look for my design, the Alata pullover! Alata is short sleeved, worked entirely in the round, and perfect for wearing over a turtleneck or blouse to ward off winter chill (or fall or spring chill, for that matter). I used Malabrigo Worsted yarn, which is an absolutely wonderful soft, squishy wool; it also comes in a gorgeous palette of kettle dyed (semisolid) colorways. But of course substitute yarn choices are practically endless; a wool/cotton blend would also work beautifully.

By the way, "Alata" is not actually a lazy way of saying "a lot of"; it's Italian for "winged." Doesn't the lace cable stitch pattern look like wings? The way they fan out to the left and right reminds me of the winged skull design common on many Colonial-era gravestones here on Cape Cod.

Thanks everyone for all the comments! I love Madeline Tosh yarns too-- in fact I'm working on a self-published sweater pattern right now, using Tosh DK. Also high on my list right now are Cascade 220 (so many colors!!), Malabrigo Worsted, Spud & Chloe Sweater, Spirit Trail Fiberworks Minerva, Swans Island Worsted...and on and on. But I'm always looking out for new favorites, so I'm intrigued by some of companies you mentioned: Scarlet Fleece, Shepherds Wool, Mountain Colors, Sunday Knits, Miss Babs, Fyberspates....

Anyway, the winner is...Kirsty, who loves Socks That Rock! Kirsty, send me an email with your full name and mailing address, and I will get your prize in the mail (sorry but delivery is NOT guaranteed by Christmas at this point). Thanks again to Jennifer at Spirit Trail Fiberworks for the lovely Verdande yarn, and Happy Holidays to all!

I was so looking forward to the Interweave Knits Accessories 2011 special issue (and only partly because two of my designs are included) that I couldn't wait for my complimentary copy-- I purchased one as soon as it became available. And now that I've received my complimentary copy, I don't really need two!-- so I've decided to give one away.

This issue has lots of great accessories for year-round knitting; my contributions, the Serpentine Cowl and the Corinthian Tam, are among the items geared towards cold weather, but there are also some lovely shawl and sock patterns.

AND also included in the giveaway: one skein of Spirit Trail Fiberworks new "Verdande" yarn, a soft and springy worsted-weight blend of superwash merino, cashmere and silk, in the "Sapphire" colorway. I used their "Minerva" yarn, a merino/silk blend, for the "Vespa" hat pattern, and just fell in love with the gorgeous "Plums" colorway, and how the subtle shade variations enhance (rather than obscure) a textured stitch pattern. I met Jennifer, the owner and dyer, at the Spirit Trail booth at Rhinebeck, and she kindly contributed the yarn for this giveaway. At 220 yards, it's even enough to complete some of the projects in the magazine.

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment telling me your current favorite yarn (or two or three, I know it can be hard to choose just one!). Comments must be posted no later than midnight on Sunday, Dec. 18th.

I love designing and knitting hats, and I would love to love to wear them, but it doesn't always work out so well-- tams can be hard to position properly; snug stocking caps can give you hat head; your ears are too often left out in the cold; and that ponytail-- what to do with it? So the Vespa Hat addresses all of that! It's shaped like a helmet, so there's really only one way to seat it on your head; loose-fitting, so your tresses are not compacted; and it has both earflaps and an optional ponytail hole.

AND the pattern is written for worsted weight yarn (and shown in the lovely, lightly variegated wool/silk Spirit Trail Fiberworks Minerva*), so it works up quickly. Click here for more info!

*Those skeins of Minerva are hefty, at 240 grams and approximately 530 yards; one skein is enough for 3 hats-- or maybe I should design some coordinating mittens....

More de-stashing! As with previous yarn sales, I don't have the time to haggle, so all lots can be purchased only in their entirety (except as noted), and prices are firm (and well below retail); a $7 Priority Mail shipping charge (domestic USA only) will be added to all lots of yarn sold. 

AND I will donate all proceeds to Americares. By proceeds I mean what you pay for the yarn, minus shipping.

If you are interested in a particular yarn, send me an email at knititude@gmail.com, with your name, mailing address and the yarn you would like to purchase. The first person to email me about a particular yarn will have first dibs on that yarn (assuming Paypal payment goes through).

In no particular order:

1) Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed (wool/silk/cashmere) in the wintergrass colorway. This yarn is now very hard to get in the US, although I hear it is still available in Australia. Originally around $9 a skein, and I have TWENTY skeins (I was thinking of making a sweater coat). $80 plus shipping, or in this case only, I will split the lot into two lots of 10 skeins, for $40 each.  SOLD

2) Berroco Seduce (rayon/linen/silk/nylon) in color #4437, retail around $8 a skein, 6 skeins. Great for a dressy warm-weather top in a simple stitch pattern. $23 plus shipping.

3) Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (superwash wool & nylon), color #27 Black Purl, retail around $11 a skein (these are 50 not 100 gram skeins), 4 skeins. $20 plus shipping.  SOLD

And there are still a few yarns left from previous sales: Alchemy Synchronicity, Classic Elite Premiere, and Karabella Empire Silk. If you want to purchase one of these you may subtract $5 from the listed price.

 Well, I have not heard from Erin N., so unfortunately I have to pick a new contest winner. Not so unfortunate for the new winner of course, and that would be...Lilea! So Lilea, please email me at knititudeAT gmailDOTcom, or send me a Ravmail (username: knititude), and give me your mailing address-- and Happy Holidays!

 Here's a preview (note optional ponytail hole!):