Quicksilver

Posted on 5. January 2015

Hey all, a Happy New Year to you!

We’ve spent some wonderful, lazy holidays at home – hosting guests, cooking awesome food, listening to music, playing with the kids and just enjoying each other’s company, and after these past two weeks I really feel my energy tanks refilled. I’m itching to cast on all the things and I’m looking forward to the new year and all it’ll bring us, fiber-wise.

What about you? Are you ready for some selfish knitting, now that all the gift knitting is (hopefully) over?

If so, Quicksilver might just be the right thing for you!

I just released the pattern and it’s available in English and German directly via Ravelry. And we’re doing a knit-along (KAL), too – so if you feel like knitting in company, hop on board on share your progress.

Working on a new design is always an exciting process – and it’s never the same! Some designs come easily, some make you think hard, some have you crunching numbers and others just happen inbetween – just like Quicksilver did. I’ve had five beautiful skeins from Sun Valley Fibers at home, and for a couple of weeks, while I was working on other designs, they were just lying in our living room. I looked at them a lot but never really spent time thinking about, planning the design, and as soon as my other work was done, the magic happened: I chose three colors, wound them into balls and almost instantly started knitting. I so enjoyed this shawl that I spent every free minute on it, so after only a couple of days I was ready to bind off.

It really had something magic about it, the entire process, and so I’m not surprised that Quicksilver soon became one of my favorite shawls. Although the color combination is quite unexceptional, it goes pretty well with most other pieces in my wardrobe, and and silky yarn with all its drape is a pleasure to wear.

There are many Quicksilver projects on Ravelry already, so if you need some color inspiration, take a look there!

Here are some details about the pattern – and if you like to, come join us in the KAL. I’d love to welcome you there!

Yarn

Sun Valley Fibers M/C/S (75% Merino, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk; 100 g / 400 yds [366 m])

1 skein in color „Stormy“ (color A)

80 g / 320 yds [293 m] used for sample
1 skein in „Waterfalls“ (color B)

82 g / 328 yds [301 m] used for sample
1 skein in „Golden Harvest“ (color C)

74 g / 296 yds [271 m] used for sample

Needles

US 6 [4.00 mm] circular needles (47“ [120 cm]) or size to obtain gauge

Notions

1 removable stitch marker (optional)

Gauge

10 sts x 20 rows = 2“ x 2“ [5 cm x 5 cm] in garter stitch, blocked

Finished measurements

79“ [200 cm] wingspan along top edge and 23.5“ [60 cm] width

New, old collection: Easy Lace

Posted on 21. December 2014

I’m so excited to announce the release of a new e-book – well, kinda new.

The last couple of months I’ve been working on a re-write of three of my very first designs. Grand Bazaar, Sihaya and the Stole of the Seas all offer an easy way to approach lace knitting if you’ve never tried the technique before, while the finished shawls have a beautiful touch of sophistication and elegance. They actually look way more complicated than they are!

I chose a wonderful yarn for my new samples: Breathless by Shalimar Yarns, a luscious blend of merino, cashmere and silk with an amazing drape. It’s been hard to decide on colors because all of them are great, but I finally went with Driftwood, Tawny and Petal – all three of them make up for both, a subtle office shawl or an elegant evening accessory.

It’s been enjoyable working on these old patterns. Like finding an old childhood toy with many wonderful memories associated to. It’s been like beginning to play with it again…

And I’m really happy with the new patterns – they’re more beginner-friendly than before and try to take you by the hand and guide you through the process. I’m trying to make you lose your fear of lace knitting (should you have any!), because actually, it’s only a couple of holes, nothing more. :)

To celebrate the release, I’m currently offering a Christmas special for all three patterns as well as for the entire e-book: If you gift any of these to a friend (“send as gift” on Ravelry), I’ll gift the very same item to you, too!

That way, you and your friend will both be able to work on the same pattern – you can even start a Mini-KAL for it!

This offer lasts from now on through Dec 24 – Merry Christmas to all of you! ♥

Favorite places: Atelyeah

Posted on 3. December 2014

I’ve spent the last weekend at the Atelyeah in Mönchengladbach to teach a couple of classes. It’s been such a great time and I want to share some photos and impressions with you.

The Atelyeah was founded by Michaela Drosten in 2012. Coming from a travel-intensive job in the textile industry, she wanted to create a place of rest that allows anyone to work in a peaceful and creative atmosphere.

The studio is located right in the center of Mönchengladbach, in an old Wilhelminian style mansion. It’s fun to walk through the single rooms and discover what’s there.

Michaela offers a fantastic variety of yarns and fabrics, lovely notions that make your heart jump in excitement and her great knowledge of fiber crafts that’ll answer any question you might have.

I felt warmly welcomed and enjoyed the atmosphere at the Atelyeah. It is such a special place, and surrounded by all this beauty, it’s easy to feel inspired.

The first class was my „Shawl Construction“ workshop, where we cover different shawl shapes and how to achieve them. I brought many of my samples in and everyone had a blast looking at them, touching them and trying them on.

Photo by Baghiera

Time went by quickly, and after a break (when Michaela’s husband served a fantastic minestrone for everyone), we all felt empowered and eager to learn more about Colorwork Shawls. This course covers different colorwork techniques and some basics about how colors play together and how you can achieve a certain look.

Photo by Baghiera

Again, having so many sample shawls at hand was great for everyone! It’s one thing to hear about a certain technique, maybe even try it out on a small swatch, but seeing an entire finished shawl that’s made use of that technique, seeing the pattern’s effect at large, is something completely different.

If you’re interested in one of my workshops, please take a look at this site with upcoming events I’ll attend, and if you’re living close to Mönchengladbach, drop by at the Atelyeah for a very inspiring visit!

Thanks Michaela for hosting me – it’s been wonderful and I’m looking forward to coming again next year!

Photo by Bagiera

Wintermute

Posted on 21. November 2014

I’m so excited to announce that a very special project just went live today!

Intertwining cables and a whisper of lace edge Wintermute, a luscious semi-circular stockinette shawl that’s knit from the center out, with no need to pick up stitches.

(photos by Kristin Perers)

Susan from Loop, London and I have been plotting this project since July this year and I’m so happy that the big day has finally come today and we can bring this pattern to you.

In the beginning, there were only two skeins of yarn – but what yarn! Kismet Fiber Works Refuge is one of the most luscious fibers I’ve ever worked with. It’s not only soft – it’s heavenly. It hugs you and cherishes you, and the beautiful colors Angie and Stephanie have dyed up are a pure pleasure to look at. This is not an everyday yarn, nothing to use thoughtless. It’s a very special treat and it makes Wintermute the perfect accessory to bring a touch of glamour to your outfit.

Wintermute is worked from the top down, with a main part in stockinette stitch that allows the subtle hand dyed variation of the yarn to shine in all its beauty. The cabled border is then worked across – but you don’t have to pick up any stitches. (If you’re like me, picking up stitches is none of your favorite tasks…) Instead, the cable panel is worked straight onto the live stitches, and a playful double yarn over adds a hint of lace to the edging.

Wintermute is available for download from Ravelry in English and German, and if you’re living close to Loop, London, you can also drop in there to get your copy. (That way you could also get your hands on Refuge and enjoy all the beautiful color variations they have in stock!)

Oh, and I think I haven’t mentioned this before: I’ll come to Loop in January to teach a couple of workshops! There are still some spots open for my Colourwork Shawls Class on Sunday, Jan 11, so if you’d like to enhance your colorwork skills and knit up a mini version of one of my shawls, sign up today!

In the meantime, I’m excited to see some beautiful Wintermute FOs come to be! Share your progress with us in my group on Ravelry – we all love seeing what you’re up to! ♥

Ropedance, a Woolfolk adventure

Posted on 9. November 2014

I was thrilled when I heard that Kristin Ford was starting up a new yarn company, and when I first got my hands on some Woolfolk yarn, I was smitten.

If you’re following me for a while already, you know how deeply I love neutral colorways, and the ones I had in Tynd, the fingering weight yarn, really spoke to me. Add a softness that you only know from cashmere – and voilà, there you have a yarn you want to knit with all the time.

(But there’s no cashmere in Woolfolk. It’s all Merino – read more about the story behind this all here.)

So – what to do with these wonderful shades I held in hand? A shawl of course!

I wanted something that really did the yarn justice. Something that carries a certain kind of beauty. Not too loud, not too funky. Rather something subtle, something that’ll hug and warm you and that’ll make you feel, well, better.

Starting out from this idea of elegance I had, my thoughts were quickly drawn towards dancers. Combining this with some understated stripes (aka ropes), and the idea was born.

The wonderful palette Woolfolk offers did all the rest, and I really enjoyed shifting the colors in this shawl.

Adding short rows to create little “knots” was a little detail that adds some interest to both – to the finished shawl as well as to the process of knitting it.

A sideways triangle – my very favorite shawl shape for its wearability – does the rest to make Ropedance a sure staple in my wardrobe.

As the weather in Germany is currently really not very kind, I’m wearing my Ropedance constantly and I just love how well it goes together with so many things in my wardrobe. (And, surprisingly, it’s a perfect match with my antique pink leather jacket!)

Did I get you excited a bit about Ropedance and Woolfolk?

We’re just starting a knit-along (KAL) for Ropedance in my Ravelry group. Hop on board for some great company on the way, and for lots of inspiration.

Hope to see you there!

Tau

Posted on 15. October 2014

Hiya knitters,

I’m having a great time. Fall has fully arrived to Germany which means it’s time to dig your handknits out! The temperatures in the morning are low and the air is crisp and fresh. You definitely need a jacket or at least a warm sweater and a shawl to go outside. And yes, it’s layering season – in the afternoon, it gets so warm that you need to get rid of all those clothes and walk around in a light tee.

The perfect weather for a thin-yet-cozy cardigan, and just in time for that, Tau is live.

I really love that sweater! The bright yarn (it’s Madelinetosh Sock, colorway Gossamer) allows for the texture to shine, and honestly, grey is going together perfectly with just about any other piece in my wardrobe. I’ve worn Tau with jeans and with skirts, all buttoned up or the first or last couple ones left open. It’s amazing how the entire look of the cardigan changes – it’s just as easy to dress it up as down.

And these buttons! ♡ I love that military look.

Are you thinking about casting on your own version of Tau? The pattern is available on Ravelry, and we’re just doing a knit-along in my group. Join in for some inspiration and let us know what yarn and color choices are on your mind!

Drachenfels – a project together with Rosy Green Wool

Posted on 7. October 2014

Oh my – it’s been a while since I posted last. I’ve had some busy times, and now I’m just dying to show you what’s new.

I know a lot of you had been waiting for this pattern to be released, and I’m glad to announce that it’s live at last – say Hi to Drachenfels!

I deeply love everything about this entire project, from A to Z. Not only is the finished shawl a wonderful piece, big and cozy, and ready to hug you on a cold day, with rich and saturated colors that play together perfectly. The creation process itself was so great as well and I truly enjoyed this collaboration with Rosy Green Wool.

When I met Rosy and Patrick first a couple of years ago, I instantly fell in love with the yarns they’re producing. One of the softest merino yarns I ever saw, in a beautiful palette – and what is best: Both yarn lines they offer are fully GOTS certified, ensuring organic farming and environmentally and socially responsible textile processing. Talking to Rosy and Patrick, you cannot fail to notice that this issue is close to their hearts and that they’re truly standing behind this philosophy.

Apart from that, they’re the loveliest persons one can imagine, and I enjoyed the exchange in the pattern development process a lot.

Drachenfels is available in English and French directly via Ravelry, and in German as a printed booklet, beautifully made up, via the Rosy Green Website.

And if you need some color inspiration… here are some of the gorgeous Drachenfels projects that have been knitted during the test knit.

Ania’s version, made up in neutrals – what a wonderful composition! (Find Ania on Ravelry as AniaBKnits)

And Janine’s Drachenfels, with strong contrasts and colors (find her on Ravelry as NaneR):

The project list on Ravelry is long already – if you need even more inspiration, hop on over and take a peek at what other knitters have done so far.

Knit your own Moonraker – along with us!

Posted on 12. August 2014

Don’t you just love this gorgeous Moonraker Trin-Annelie came up with?! I’m pretty speechless. It’s simply amazing.

It’s so inspiring to see what wonderful ideas knitters are having and how they combine these with a very personal sense of colors. Seeing photos like the ones Trin-Annelie took is just about the most rewarding thing for me.

Do you feel inspired, too? C’mon and join us in the Moonraker Knit-Along!

Into the Magic Forest

Posted on 31. July 2014

Hey all, today only a brief post, because we’re prepping for leaving! We’ll be going to France for a week, and wow, I’m so looking forward to this!

But of course, this means there are tons of laundry to do up front, a million things to shop for, and as if that wouldn’t be enough, we’ve had builders in the house the whole day. No news from the thumb front, though. (Although – maybe it got a wee bit better?! I’m not sure.)

Anyway – let’s do some knitting content!

I’d love to show you a new design of mine that was published in a special edition of Interweave – the Enchanted Knits 2014 collection. Into the Magic Forest – a little aside from my usual path, but a project I’ve loved from A to Z.

If you follow this blog already longer, you know that I have made baby blankets for all my three children, and I enjoyed knitting every single one of them. Just like a pregnancy, knitting a blanket takes time. So many hours to spend, hands busy and thoughts wandering off to the new baby that is soon to arrive, weaving good wishes and blessings into the fabric.

Our youngest child, a girl, got a circular baby blanket because I just wanted to try out something different, and I was so surprised how very handy this blanket came in. It had just the right size, there were no corners to tuck in anywhere, and the round shape had something very harmonic and peaceful about it. Throughout my daughter’s first year the blanket was a constant companion, keeping her warm and safe, and later the kids used it as a small picnic blanket. So when I came up with this design, it clearly had to be a circular blanket as well, and I just loved the idea of little owls sitting next to each other, guarding the newborn as you bespell your little nocturnal sweetie to sleep.

(And isn’t that a cutie on the photo? It’s my neighbor’s youngest son Max and we did that photo when he so tiny that he easily found place in this small basket. Now he’s already a year old and carries that basket around…)

Here’s the cover of the Enchanted Knits magazine. Click to see the entire collection on Ravelry and browse all the other fairy-tale inspired designs!

Favorite things: Julie Asselin Hand Dyed Yarns

Posted on 30. July 2014

Hey all, welcome to today’s blog post!

No news regarding my hand, except maybe that it got a little worse. It’s kinda hard to rest your hand with three little ones around, you know, but I’m still very confident that it will soon go back to normal.

As promised, I want to show you some yarns I got here. I had actually planned so do some swatches, but well, my hand. I do think the photos of the yarn alone will be enough to make you want to get your hands on this, though.

I’m talking about Julie Asselin, a young dyer from Canada, who is currently rocking the fiber world with her colorful creations.

All her yarn is sourced in New Zealand and the USA, spun in North America and dyed by Julie herself. She puts a clear focus on offering the best quality yarn, and does everything to ensure you’ll receive a product you’ll love.

Speaking for me – I absolutely DO love this!

Here’s her Fino, a heavenly soft blend of Merino, Cashmere and Silk.

And Fino Simple, the same blend, but single-plied (oh, how I love these single-plied yarns! And this color!)

The picture above is already a couple of weeks old and shows the beginning of a shawl I’m doing in collaboration with Julie. It’s such a joy to knit this yarn up and I’m looking forward to being able to knit again to get back to this beauty!

Also, if you take a closer look, you can see all the glorious fuzziness of Fino Simple.

Have I gotten you interested in Julie’s work yet? Check out her blog or hope over to Ravelry and take a look at all her yarns. While you’re at it, browse the project lists and enjoy a true color explosion. :)

Thanks so much, Julie, for the chance to start this great collaboration!

See you all here tomorrow for another post – maybe the last one before we’re leaving for our little trip to France! (Or simply keep your fingers crossed that we got wifi there!)