Thank you all for some wonderful suggestions! I saw so many new things in the lace motif after reading all of the comments: umbrellas, cathedral windows, flying birds-- what fun! The fact that I've decided to stick with the name "Carlotta" is more a reflection of how I've come to think of the pattern, and the memories I have of a day spent at Villa Carlotta, than a choice based on the merits of each suggested name. So I've decided to give two free patterns away: one to Jeanie, because I thought the name Azalee was especially beautiful, and one to Aimee, because after reading her comment, I could actually see the sandhill cranes in flight across the top of the beret (all on a collision course towards the center, but that's neither here nor there!). I've finished the chart for the hat, but I'm thinking I will write out the directions as well-- I encourage the use of charts (and prefer them myself), but I realize that some knitters would rather follow written-out instructions. So I would guess that the pattern will be finished within a week or two, and I will email it to the winners as soon as it's ready.

because it was a gorgeous day, because I'm still waiting for yarn for a project for the spring 2009 issue of Twist Collective, because it was more appealing than the idea of sitting down and writing out the patterns for this jumper and that hat (although I did a little of that, too). It's kinda tricky using the self-timer and getting the right things in focus and the light levels in the right ballpark; it would be a lot easier with a shutter release cable, or a wireless remote control. Or a photographer. Or a model. *Sigh*. Jack (or Jill) of all trades, as they say....

Thanks to my wonderful test knitter (hi Terry!) I now have Florins to fit both of my boys, and plan to have the pattern finished and ready for purchase by the end of the week!

Until now,  the Wyvern pattern has been lacking photos of its own sample garment, instead substituting a photo of the Dragon Skin child's sweater-- a less-than-satisfactory alternative, I admit.  No longer!  My first attempt at hiring a Test Knitter has proven a success:  not only do I now have a Wyvern in Size Small, but I have several insightful suggestions for improving the clarity and knitter-friendliness of the pattern (thanks, Terry!).  Happily, I have no further errata to report, but I have already modified the pattern text slightly, and as soon as I can get some modeled photos, I will be emailing an updated version of the pattern to all those who have previously purchased it.     

(Not bad...?)

(Oggi ho fatto un esercizio: ho fatto la traduzione senza dei dizionari. Chiedo scusa per tutti i sbagli!)

I've finished the pattern for Etrusca, but in pursuit of perfection, I'm giving myself a few days to proofread it.  Not that I mind giving out a few free patterns, but I do so hate to make mistakes (ask my husband

To be quite honest, the Hearts of Oak pattern is not the speediest knit around, especially when worked on US #3 needles.  The unblocked fabric is fun to look at in different lights, and its almost crunchy texture invites you to grasp a handful and squeeze-- but even so, it seemed to me that I knitted endlessly on Selva before finally reaching the point where it was time to start the waist decreases. I had swatched the "ribbon" stitch pattern I used for the top of the skirt, and measured the swatch stretched to determine whether a zipper was necessary:  I decided no.  As I progressed toward the waistband, decreasing steadily in the plain purl sections at the sides, I instead started to worry that the waistband would stretch out of shape:  the "ribbons" weren't quite as firm as I had hoped, and of course the reverse stockinette wasn't firm at all.  That's why I decided to add the elastic to the waistband. In the case of this pattern, the sizing was dictated by the stitch pattern:  the difference between sizes is two repeats or 20 stitches (or 2 1/2 inches) at the hips.  Having said that, it is easy to change the frequency and number of waist decreases to customize the fit for a larger or smaller waist in relation to hips. Filatura di Crosa "Zara" is a great choice of yarn for this skirt; it has tight twist, lots of resilience, and seems to be fairly durable (standing up well to frogging).  It also comes in an extensive palette of colors.  If another yarn is substituted, I would encourage using something with similar characteristics.  A quick glance at yarndex suggested these as possibilities (note that I have no personal experience with any of them):  Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK or Extrafine Merino DK; Dale of Norway Falk; Classic Elite Classic 150; Debbie Bliss Rialto DK; Louet Gems Opal; or Knit Picks Merino Style.  Note that for most of these (as for Zara), the suggested needle size is larger than US #3, and the gauge thus looser than the 6 sts to the inch I got in stockinette stitch with #3s.  SWATCH!