Here is a look at what I’m working on these days.
FINISHED
Both the Thorin Cloak and Twisty Lollipop Boot Cuffs patterns are finished and released!
The Thorin Cloak is a simple top-down seamless hooded cloak. Textured cable panels run from the beginning cast-on to the bottom just inside the front seed stitch edging. The bottom of the Thorin Cloak forms a high-low hem that adds length to the back while conserving yarn. The hood uses an optional simple tuck method to avoid the pointy hood syndrome. Named Thorin Cloak because the textured cable panels evoke the armor Thorin Oakenshield wears under his cloak in The Hobbit movies. The Thorin Cloak is available through Ravelry and Tallgrass Knitting (my Etsy shop).
The Twisty Lollipop Boot Cuffs use simple knits, purls and cables to evoke the swirls of the gourmet lollipops. These cuffs are quick and easy to knit. They are also a good introduction to cables. Plus, boot cuffs are so versatile! Wear them above your boots on your calf, fold them over the boot tops to drape down or wear them lower with ankle boots. Cables written and charted. The Twisty Lollipop Boot Cuffs pattern is available through Ravelry and Tallgrass Knitting (my Etsy shop). Plus, I’m excited to say this pattern is available through the Knit Picks Independent Designer Program too!
ON THE NEEDLES
Pictured from top to bottom and left to right: Gemstone Shawl, Orchid Tee, sleeveland for that upcoming worsted weight top-down sweater, new hat cast, upcoming cowl that I can’t show since I’m in the middle of submitting it and another new hat design that I can’t show either.
The Gemstone Shawl test knit (Ravelry link) is started and I’m loving the tester projects! One tester has decided to add beads to her shawl – because gemstones sparkle – and it is glorious!
The Orchid Tee test knit (Ravelry link) is getting closer and closer to done. We now have two completely finished tester tee!
I’m stuck in sleeveland on that new top-down worsted weight sweater. After that I’ve just got the neckline and finishing for this sweater…….and all of the written pattern drafts and tech editing. This one is scheduled to start into testing in July for a Fall release.
I cast on another hat. I’ll just let you guess which pattern it might be. 🙂
And I’m busy working on submissions! The tricky part about submissions is that they take up sooooooooooo much time (plus not a little mental strength to send your hard work and ideas out into the world for potential rejection) but in order to meet publication requirements I can’t share all the reasons that I love the designs with you. Instead, you get pictures of piles of yarn or close-up shots that don’t show many details. Let me just say this – I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the submission that goes along with the pile of yarn in the first picture here. And due to the nature of this submission requirements, the pattern is already written and complete. That means if my submission is rejected, I’ll be self-publishing this design lickety-damn-split. I also really love the hat in the second pic….and I see that one going into test knitting late this summer if the submission is not accepted.
And finally, I’ve been applying for some office jobs. As any knitwear designer can tell you – income from just releasing your own designs (no matter how many hours you put in and how consistently you release) is not enough. And with so many talented designers submitting these days, that income is spread further around. I love this work but we’re getting ready to help two teens go to college. Plus, I want to save up for an RV and some travel! All of that means I want an outside job and income. I’ll still be designing, freelance writing and handcrafting gifts for knitters. The way I arrange my days will definitely be changing but I’m confident I can make most of the pieces fit.
I do believe I’ll need to do fewer blog posts and instead let subscribers know what I’m up to in my newsletter. As always, you can sign up here for my newsletter to see what I’m up to, receive new pattern updates, find exclusive discounts and get the first word on any sales I might run on my patterns. Please be kind to yourself and others.
