Indie Designer Revisited

Designer: Susanna IC
Website: ArtQualia
Rav ID: zuzusus
Some Great Designs: zuzusus's Rav designer page
Original Indie Designer Post: September 5, 2008

I've profiled over 100 indie designers, and I have to tell you, my memory isn't that great. But, over the course of the past couple of years, as I've flipped through numerous knitting magazines (both in print and online), I've always had this design-gut-recognition feeling and wee bit of a thrill when I see a Susanna IC pattern. They're always recognizable through their delicate, feminine design, beautiful shape and classic feel.

Way back in September 2008, when I first profiled this very talented designer, she had a handful of lovely patterns which were all self-published (without even a blog or website!)
Now, she's been featured in Interweave, Twist Collective, Knit Circus, Knitty, Knit Picks, Yarn Forward, Knit on the Net and has her own website, ArtQualia Designs.

That's a lot of hard work, and an incredible talent!

It was difficult for me to choose which of her pieces to feature in this post, but I thought I'd share a recent one, Gweneria, published in the Winter 2011 Knitty.
This piece looks so cozy and perfect (especially for all the snow I see falling outside at the moment).

I'm very much looking forward to having that design-gut-recognition again when I come across the next beautiful Susanna IC pattern!
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Check out Susanna IC's group on Rav!

March; Or, My Efforts to Blog More

I've decided to challenge myself: Can I actually post a post every day in March?

And I mean, every day.

As in, no "I'm tiiiired. I just want to sleep/knit/eat!"
No!
Discipline, I tell you. I will have discipline.

And, interesting things to say!

Anyone else want to give it a go?
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Image: An adorable wild canary.
Didja know they're all green and stuff? It's true.
Selective breeding over many years has modified canaries into all sorts of different colours. types, shapes and talents (some are bred specifically for their fantastic singing abilities).
Image copyright Alan Manson

Amie Mitts

Pattern: Amie Mitts
Yarn: Mini Mochi, two skeins (approx. 550 m total)
Needles: 2.5 mm dpns
Gauge: 8 sts and 10 rows = 1" on 2.5 mm needles in stockinette
Sizes: one size

I really love these mitts. They were inspired by a gift from a good friend
(and here's the original ones).

These mitts are a long-cuffed, lightweight, versatile accessory that will carry you through Autumn, Spring and Winter. They can be worn pulled up over your arms, or scrunched down around your wrists to keep the cold wind out of your cuffs.
(that's how I usually wear them!)

I've gotten quite attached to my Amie mitts. They come out with me every day now (but, with the weather beginning to think about Spring, I fear their days are numbered!)

They're wonderfully soft and light, but still give my hands the warmth they need.

Wear them with your friends in mind - I always do!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Linnéa Öhman
Blog: Viffla
Rav ID: Viffla
Some Great Designs: Viffla's Rav Designer Page

Today we're going to look at a designer who has, so far, shared only one pattern. But it's a really sweet one!

Elin, pictured right, are the lovely (and free!) first pattern by the talented Viffla.
I can't believe there's only 30 projects for this knit (to date).

This project looks like the perfect way to show off a few adorable buttons (thanks for giving me the excuse/reason to go button shopping!)

I'm really looking forward to any more designs Viffla may share in the future.

Introducing Little Seasonals!

I'm very excited to announce a new publication that a good friend of mine mousewife and I have put together.¹

It's "Little Seasonals", and this first edition contains patterns designed for Spring.

The idea behind this project is to give knitters a selection of season-appropriate knits that are indeed, little.

The two patterns I've contributed are the Frühling Wing Mitts and Shrug, pictured below.

Hannah has designed the lovely (and awesomely named!)
Gauntlets of Flirting (+10 to Coolness) and Shrug of Flirting (+10 to Hotness).
I love a well-named knit!

You can head on over to Lulu.com to download the eBook, and check out the projects on Rav.

There will be three more editions, for Summer, Autumn and Winter, so stay tuned!

Pattern: Frühling Wing Mitts
Source: Little Seasonals - Spring eBook
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll
Needles: 2 mm and 2.75 mm


Pattern: Frühling Wing Shrug
Source: Little Seasonals - Spring eBook
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll
Needles: 2 mm and 2.5 mm

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¹ Mousewife is the alter-moniker of Hannah Poon. I profiled her and her lovely designs here on a recent Indie Designer Day.

Miss Robu's Fantastic

Just a quick post to show ya'll my newest wee pattern.

Pattern: Miss Robu's Fantastic download now
Yarn: 160 m of handspun
Gauge: 5 sts /1"

Inspired by this lovely hank gifted to my by an awesomesauce friend this Christmas, this cowl knit up at lightning speed (the whole lifting the slipped stitches thing gets addictive!)
The Mock Honeycomb stitch makes for a sproingy fabric, great for keeping the cold off your neck on a chilly day.
Enjoy!

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Nakia Casey
Blog: Nakia Knits - My Knitting Blog
Rav ID: nakiacasey
Some Great Designs: nakiacasey's Rav Designer Page

A cool piece of colourwork can really turn my crank.

Check out nakiacasey's totally cool Rowr Mitts. These cute little pieces would look lovely peeking out from the bottom of your coat sleeves. I'm already envisioning them in a parade of various colours.

Being a big fan of the fingerless mitt, I think these are going on my ever growing list of to-knits.

Thanks for sharing, nakiacasey! I'd love to see more of your designs :)

Indie Designer Day

Designer: Summer Star
Blog: Stardust: a soul, searching
Etsy Shop: StarGrrl spinworks: Handspun yarn
Rav ID: StarGrrl
Some Great Designs: StarGrrl's Rav Designer Page

A recently published design by StarGrrl caught my eye back in December.

See the pictured Thorin's Hooded Cowl, in her own handspun.¹ I love how functional and versatile this piece is. A scarf/cowl and hood in one. It just might be the perfect winter accessory.

I'm also really digging the historic flair this piece embodies. The tassel on the hood is fantastic (and I think, might just be, the very best way to do a tassel!)

This is StarGrrl's first design. I can't wait to see what she'll create next!

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¹ Her handspun is available at Amethyst Cottage.

Cinnamon Grace; Scarf Extraordinaire

Ever since I profiled MrsMK a while back, I knew I wanted a Cinnamon Grace of my very own.

A hank (or, more like half a hank) of madelinetosh Merino Light in perfect Posy took about two weeks to knit into this sweet little scarf.

A happy and unexpected side effect of knitting this pattern is the great spiral the ends of the scarf curl into. That and the picot edging, along a very simple lace detail, make for an accessory that's feminine, but not overly so.

This is the way to do picot, my friends!

(Incidentally, I'm learning here. Picot made it on to my "disdain" list. I've been keeping my eyes open and brain whirring for approaches to integrating said design detail successfully into a new pattern!)

(Incidentally #2, I did get a snow day yesterday! New projects are in the works.)

Snow Day: Supercell Yarn Storm

This wee squirrel looks adorable and rather cheery, but he's gracing this here bloggy because of the impending snowstorm round these parts.

The talk's all about getting a snow day...oh, the things you can do with a snow day!

If you're lucky enough to experience this possible day of cozycomfort bliss, I've a few fab suggestions:

-whip up a warming drink with this delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate from Knitted Bliss

-follow the suggestion from BabyCocktails and get knitting something snuggly

-break out those board games! It's been so long since I've played something (non-electronic).
Incidentally, what's your favourite board game? I have as of yet to invest in any. But, methinks my first purchase needs to be Scrabble.

-create a looming stack of to-read books by perusing one of the many top reads lists on the interwebs. I checked out this one. I've only read eight of these books. For shame!

Wish me luck! My snow day counts on my place of work declaring it so. If I'm cloistered in tomorrow, I'll be whipping up a yarn storm (along with a mug of that Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate!)