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! ♥
I purchased your beautiful Drachenfels Shawl pattern from your Ravelry site, and can’t wait to get started. I live in an area without a yarn store, so I have to rely on Michaels or Hobby Lobby for my yarn. My problem is I can’t figure out what yarn to substitute for the Rosy Green Merino Joy. I can’t wear wool, so I need a synthetic. I don’t want to order online because I want to be able to see the color in person. Is Sport Number 3 the same as the Joy? Or would DK number 4 be a closer match? Rosy Green is 5 ply, but all Sport yarns that I have available to me are 4 ply. I hope you can help me I’m anxious to get started!
Hey Elizabeth, yarn weight classification can differ a lot depending on brand or region. If you go with a yarn that has a similar weight and a similar yardage (around 350 yds per 100g), that should work roughly.
Thank you!
A question concerning Drachenfels color changes: do you recommend carrying the new color from stripe to stripe when changing from one color to another? Or cutting each new color at the end of the row as one knits the stripes and then weaving all the tails in later? I’m unsure because of the type of edge for finishing when completing the shawl. I found some beautiful Chesapeake yarn for your pattern, started it last night and can’t wait to wear it!
I am almost finished with my Drachenfels shawl! I’ve never done an I cord bind off, is there a video or article that you can recommend to help me along? Elizabeth