Thursday, August 09, 2012

This Week So Far


Hi Knitters,
This week has been a productive one. I finished editing book proofs yesterday which took hours on the phone with my trusty editor. With that off of my plate for a couple of weeks (the book pages will return to me again one more time for further work) I worked on a few projects needing to get finished.

Many months have passed since I started my first shawl design. I set it aside to work on more pressing projects. Last weekend I picked it up again to work on in the car as we drove to Chicago for a day of fun. I am calling this shawl the Quaker Ridge Shawlette due to the stitch pattern inspired by Barbara Walker's Quaker Ridging stitch pattern in a Treasury of Stitch Patterns.

This is honestly a super easy shawl and is perfect for first-timers or someone wanting a simple, generous shawl to work on. I absolutely am in love with this semi-circular shawl. The shawl is clean-lined and the perfect way to show off some gorgeous yarn in a clear and easy way.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Quaker Ridge Shawlette!


When we got home all I had left to do was add a ruffle and complete a beaded bind off which was no small feat. The ruffle and beaded bind off are completely optional. You could just do a few rows of garter stitch and bind off. This would look great, too.

It took many hours of ruffle knitting and bead placing, but I finally finished binding off and I even blocked the shawl yesterday. Voila! The finished Quaker Ridge Shawlette has now been wrapped around my shoulders early this morning.


Here you can see the beaded bind off close up. I used a flosser to place the beads. Click here for a great tutorial on how to place beads with a flosser.


Anyway, I am in love with my new shawl. It is so beautiful and drapey. The beads add so much. The pattern is coming soon. Plus, I am going to have a knitalong for the Quaker Ridge Shawlette early this fall. More details will be coming up!

The pattern calls for a sport weight yarn. I used 2 hanks of Madelinetosh Pashmina, which is 720 yards. I had 47 grams leftover at the end. The colorway is Forestry which is rich and gorgeous. I knit on US size 7 needles, 32-inch circular, at 5 stitches per inch in stockinette before blocking. The blocked shawl is about 70 inches across the top edge and about 22 inches deep including the ruffle. It is a semi-circle shape.

Let me know if you are interested in the pattern and/or the Quaker Ridge Shawlette knitalong!

Click here to see Pashmina!


This cardigan is my Ravellenic project so I am glad I finished it in time. It is a sample for my Vogue Knitting Live class coming up in Chicago on Oct. 28th. I just checked in with Vogue and my toy class is sold out and this baby cardigan class is almost sold out! Click here to find out more about signing up for the class and other classes.

I've already cast on another baby cardigan for the class in a heathered gray color that will have a hood, plus a different edging and closure. I have some yellow buttons that I may use for this gray hoodie.

I am using Quince & Co. Lark, which is a wool worsted weight, for all of these cardigans. I am in love with this yarn and company. Click here for Quince & Co. All of these patterns I am working on will be available to everyone in the future, not just students in the VK Live class.


I dug through my buttons to see if anything would work on the tiny striped cardigan but I am not seeing anything that clicks. I need 6 tiny buttons for this one. I may have to search for some new buttons somewhere.


I have just a few spinning photos to finish out the day. I have this hank of 270 yards of a bulky weight merino in the photo above. This is a very playful hank that I finished awhile ago. I can't remember  where the fiber is from. I started a scarf with it but then ripped it out. It wasn't quite right and now I am not sure what this will become.


I am also working on spinning up singles to make a 3-ply out of 8oz. of Sunshine Yarns superwash merino roving in the Desert Cactus colorway. It is very pretty with lots of shades of gray and purple and even splashes of rust and green here and there. It's really interesting because it looks so different in the braid compared to the singles on the bobbin. That makes it fun to spin. I have the roving divided into thirds and I am on the second bobbin now. I am trying to spin very thin since it will be a 3-ply in the end. We'll see what happens.


I'll leave you with a photo of TC and me in Chicago. We had lunch at an outdoor cafe, shopped and walked around the city. It was a fun-filled, and hot sunny day in the windy city.

Well, those are some of my happenings this week. Have you gotten any knitting or spinning done this week?
best, susie

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooohh, I love the beaded bind off! Looks like a lot of work, but the result is definitely worth it. Great colors, too.

Barb T. said...

I love the shawl, but I don't care for beads. I would be interested in the lovely pattern, a KAL, and a non-beaded bind off!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Susan, try as I might, I just can't keep pace with you!
The shawl is beautiful and I love all of the Madelinetosh yarns.
You will find the perfect buttons for the striped one. You always do.
Glad to see you took time out for fun. Saw your post time. Dogs got me up for a trip to the park at 4:30 this morning and I thought THAT was early.
Carol

Vicki Maynes said...

The shawl looks like a lot of fun and I want the pattern. I really love the sweater. I was looming for one like that but ended up just finishing the Odette Hoodie by Carrie Bostick Hoge. Now I am using Itty Bitty Hats to help me design a hat to match the sweater. I am always glad to see what creative activities have kept you busy!

Vicki Maynes said...

The shawl looks like fun and I would like the pattern. I wish I could take your sweater class, but it isn't possible. I just finished the Odette Hoodie by Carrie Bostick Hoge and now I am using Itty Bitty Hats to help me design a hat to match the sweater. I always love seeing what creative things you have been doing!

Vicki Maynes said...

The shawl looks like a lot of fun and I want the pattern. I really love the sweater. I was looming for one like that but ended up just finishing the Odette Hoodie by Carrie Bostick Hoge. Now I am using Itty Bitty Hats to help me design a hat to match the sweater. I am always glad to see what creative activities have kept you busy!

Holly in CT said...

I am in the pattern and/or the Quaker Ridge Shawlette knitalong. I have just the yarn for the project marinating in the stash!

Holly in CT said...

I am interested in the pattern and/or the Quaker Ridge Shawlette knitalong and have just the right yarn marinating in the stash.

Susan Cooper said...

I would love the pattern..can't wait until you post it!

Sara said...

I agree with rewolluzza - I love the beaded bind off! I took a class over a year ago on beading but I've still been too intimidated to try it. This beautiful shawl may just push me over the edge! Of course I'm in for the KAL!

Katie said...

I just designed a little project that uses Quaker Ridge- it's such a nice stitch pattern. The beads on the edge of the shawl must give is such a nice weight.

Congrats on finishing your book proofs, that must be a good feeling!

Will Knit 4 Ewe said...

anxious to see the new book....new spinning wheel came this week...made of cherry....by Scott Mack (see him on Etsy) and absolutely loving it...the leather brake makes all the difference...so portable and tension is perfect.....your daughter is lovely.....blessings on all you do...Sue Kern

Unknown said...

Lovin' the pattern. Looks like a small little something to keep my lap warm while knitting this fall. Very interested in the pattern, KAL, etc. Will most likely dye my own to knit with! Once again, thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Love it! I would definitely be interested in a KAL. I think I might even dye up some yarn inspired by your Madelinetosh color. It's gorgeous!

-Jackie

Sheila S. said...

I love the Quaker Ridge Shawl and am definitely in for a KAL. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Messy Karen said...

love your pretty shawl. love the beads. very interested in pattern &/or KAL.

Jennifer in Ohio said...

Lovely knitting and designing!

You might want to check out this site for some buttons; one of my Rav forums has been oohing and aahing over their stuff:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ayarina

Susan B. Anderson said...

Jennifer in Ohio! Thank you, I just ordered some buttons from this etsy shop:) They are really cool and sweet and handmade.

cockney blonde said...

Absolutely love your shawl. The colour is so rich and the beads give it a magnificent finish. Really would love to have a go at this. Stunning, x

Jo Anne W-M said...

It must be mother/daughter outing in Chicago time. My daughter and I spent two days there recently after she finished her summer program at Indiana U. You two are adorable - like two peas in a pod.

keatime said...

Thanks for the link to the tutorial on the beading, I will definitely try it. I am also in for the KAL!

Anonymous said...

The shawl looks beautiful. I'm thinking through my stash and hoping I have something I could use.

The yarn is especially pretty, too, though....

Can't wait.

DC Alane Knits

YarnOnTheHouse said...

Love the new shawl! I may have to join in on this one. :)

-Ve

dana said...

i just love beads on the edge of a shawl. and everywhere else too.

i can just imagine how cozy your new dsign would be, especially knit with the pashmina. that yarn is one of my favorites.

Stefanie said...

The beaded BO is so neat and cool! What a beautiful result you got.
That lil' cardi is so sweet. You are such a pro w/sweaters/cardis and shawls besides toys. Love your handspun. Love the pic of you and TC. She has really grown up...sigh.

Karen said...

The shawl is lovely. I love the beaded bind off. Having recently participated in your Patchwork Sock Knitalong, and having so much fun, I will definitely be interested in a KAL. I am hoping to make both sisters shawls for Xmas and your beautiful shawl pattern will be perfect!

Karen said...

The shawl is lovely. I love the beaded bind off. Having recently participated in your Patchwork Sock Knitalong, and having so much fun, I will definitely be interested in a KAL. I am hoping to make both sisters shawls for Xmas and your beautiful shawl pattern will be perfect!

Unknown said...

That baby cardigan is so pretty and cute!

Suzanne said...

I love the new shawl design and would definitely be interested in knitting the shawl and including the beads. I have never attempted that kind of edging but with your guidance, I'm up for the challenge. Thank you for sharing all of your fiber finishes.

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

The beaded bind off is gorgeous - I always love the look of knitting with beading, but often don't have the patience to make it myself :)

I love the picture of you and your daughter - all your children are so sweet!

Hind DP said...

The Quaker Ridge Shawl looks beautiful, I especially like the color. I would definitely be interested in a KAL.

Looks like great fun hanging out in Chicago, it's so special to spend that time with your daughter. I know one of my favorite things to do is hang out with my girls.

Sarah in Houston said...

WoW you have had a productive week. I would love to do the shawl. The beaded bind off looks like lots of fun. Wish I could come to your class, but I have taken several on Craftsy so I know you are a great teacher. Just love my Wee Ones.

Anonymous said...

One of my recent projects was a fun striped sweater with all my Spud & Chloe leftovers:

http://blueberryhillcrafting.com/2012/07/29/color-stripe-sweater/

But mostly I've become obsessed with shawls lately - just finished the Rue Shawl with Quince & Co yarn in linen, two more off the needles waiting to be photographed, and a third on the needles - I can't stop!

Debbie said...

I would love to do the shawl and try that beaded bindoff!

Debbie

mcsix at embarqmail dot com

Sharon said...

I ordered my yarn, looking forward to the KAL. Now waiting for the pattern.

idiosyncratic eye said...

That shawl is absolutely gorgeous and has tempted into the KAL. Agh, I can't believe I'm doing this!!!! ;)