I is for Icelandic Lace

Several years ago I stumbled across a picture of a beautiful shawl and it was the thing that tipped me over to wanting to learn to knit so that I could some day make one for myself.  I knew the basics of knitting at the time, but I did not know how to do any stitches or patterns beyond the basic knit and purl stitches.  This shawl was the motivator for me to learn more.  Since then, I have learned so much and have developed many skills in knitting - but I have still not knit this lovely shawl.  Maybe once I join the A to Z challenge in 2017 I will be able to update you with my progress pictures and my completed Thórdís Shawl (or Icelandic Lace as it is frequently also called)

Here is my inspiration picture:

H is for Herding Cats

H is for Herding Cats - my collection of knit patterns that feature cats.  I started with a cowl and did it up in both a double knit and a stranded version.  The double knit is far more popular but the stranded is also doing OK.

Once the cowl was done I worked out the pattern for the hat.

Then I got going on mittens which have to be revised a bit before I can release the pattern.

And finally I will be designing a pair of Herding Cats socks (both double knit and stranded).

Once all of the patterns are done I will likely be releasing an e-book.  Right now the cowl and hat are available as individual patterns.

G is for Grafting

Argh!! The scheduled post did not work again...  I seriously have to figure out what I am doing wrong!!

G is for Grafting of Kitchener stitch.  I think I am one of the oddballs out there because I actually enjoy doing this!!  I suspect it also has become a thing of necessity since I enjoy knitting top down socks and need to close up the end of my toes!  It took me some time to remember the rhythm of doing this stitch but now I think I can do it in my sleep (well almost in my sleep!)  

F is for the Four Seasons

I am working on a set of designs right now that inspired by the four seasons.  The theme of the four designs is mirrored cables (with a bit of lace thrown into one pair).  I currently have three of the designs all done and almost ready to be published (after I do the editing of the patterns).  The fourth and final design is in the works now and I hope to have it ready for testing in the next month or so.  Once the four are ready I plan to release them as a e-book (a first for me!!)

Here are the first of the Four Seasons:

Spring

Summer

Autumn

E is for my Etsy Shop

I posted about this topic a year ago and thought it might be good to do an update and reflection to see how things are going. I opened my Etsy shop over a year ago and have added several things to it - mostly yarn, patterns, and paintings (just a little eclectic aren't i??).  Over the past year I have had minimal sales and minimal attention in the shop.  I suspect some of this may be because I have not recently updated it, nor have I added anything new recently.  I also wonder if the Etsy market is over saturated and that it maybe does not get the same attention it used to?  Either way, I have a bunch of things listed and over the past year have sold a grand total of 8 items.  I think I have made enough in sales to go out with the hubby for a nice meal and that's about it.  Oh well...  I also have more things to add to the shop so I plan to work on that once this semester at university is done and I have a bit more spare time.

D is for Dyeing Yarn

Edit:  I had this post scheduled to post yesterday mid morning and clearly I did not set it quite right as I look this morning and find it did not post as it was supposed to.  I will have to figure out what happened and what I may have done incorrectly!!

I recently tried dying yarn and it is so much fun!!!  I think part of the fun is not knowing exactly what you will get once the yarn is all dry!  That is part of the adventure!!  I suppose it is more important if you want to replicate what you did, but for me I am happy just to see what comes out of the dye pot.  I have tried several methods and found found things I like and don't like about each. I suspect that is part of the fun and attraction - seeing what parts I like!!  I have used some of the yarn I have dyed to make a few things and I like how they turned out!  Here are a couple pictures of my own dyed yarns:

C is for Cables

I love knitting cables!!  They make for such an amazing detail in patterns!  At one point they seemed impossible to do and my mother-in-law taught me how to do them and my first thought was "that's it???"  I have not turned back!  After some time knitting cables with a cable needle I decided to take the plunge and learn how to do them without a cable needle and that made them even quicker and easier to do!  I have incorporated cables into many designs I have created.  Here are some samples:

Chain Link Fence Cowl

Cable Madness

Paths Crossing