Wednesday 20 May 2015

Fantastic Custom Labels

I found Ikaprint on Etsy (don't you just LOVE Etsy) and placed an order through their website.  They produce custom labels of AMAZING quality.  You can upload text, see how it looks on your screen, and order everything online.  It takes about a month to receive the labels but considering that they ship from France, the whole process is relatively quick.  They offer labels with a fold line at the bottom, so the top two raw edges can be stitched into a seam, especially useful if your knitting skills are better than your sewing skills. You could put care instructions on the back if you'd like.  I tell everyone to "hand wash/lay flat to dry" all of the hand knits, but a reminder on the label isn't such a bad idea. 


www.ikaprint.com

I'd love to see your labels if anyone has a favorite!

Tuesday 12 May 2015

Summer Seed Tank

This easy-to-knit tank top features an all over seed stitch which provides enough texture so the tank top can be worn without a bra.  The straight, easy design is flattering, easy to wear and easy to knit.  Without shaping, sleeves nor neckline finishing, this knits up quickly and is a great project for the warmer weather.  The combination of tween cotton and seed stitch makes for a nicely textured fabric which supports the jagged or "stepping" look of the front and back neckline edges.  





Skill Level - Easy

Sizes:  Women's XS (S, M, L, XL)  (Shown in Size XS)
Finished bust sizes 29 (32, 36, 40, 44)" or 74 (82, 92, 102, 112) cm

Yarn:  2 (2, 3, 3, 3) balls Kraemer Tatamy Tweed DK (pictured in color Cherry) or 500 (500, 750, 750, 750) yards of DK weight cotton/acrylic blend.

Needles:  US Size 4 (3.5 mm)

Gauge:  21 sts & 33 rows = 4"/10 cm over seed stitch

Other Materials:  Stitch holders

This fun pattern is available as a downloadable PDF for $3.99

For more pattern details:  Link to Pattern  

To start knitting now:Click here to BUY NOW 


At your service!  As always, my email is included in the pattern, so if you have any questions while knitting, please email me.  

Monday 16 March 2015

Lace and Braid Cardigan


This lightweight, elegant cardigan combines cables and lace specifically designed for airy, wonderful alpaca. It’s long length provides generous coverage and works equally well with a skirt or jeans. It feels like air but is amazingly warm and cozy.

There are so many time-saving features in this sweater and you’ll find that it knits quickly. The worsted weight and lace patterns use relatively few stitches. The button bands are worked as you go so there’s no need to pick up stitches and work them at the end. The pattern is rhythmic and can be memorized. The buttons are easy to align with no measuring. And there are no charts!  It is worked flat, from the bottom up with no side shaping.

Sizes: Womens’ XS (S, M, L, XL) Finished bust sizes 32” (35”, 38”, 44”, 50”)  (Pictured in size XS)

Yarn: 10 (10, 11, 12, 12) balls of Classic Elite Inca Alpa or 1100 (1100, 1210, 1320, 1320) yards of worsted weight alpaca

Needle Size:  US 6 (4 mm)

Materials:
Stitch holder
Cable needle
Stitch markers
6 buttons (approx. 16 mm - but it’s best to wait until your cardigan is finished before buying your buttons so you can find the perfect size for your buttonhole)


Skill Level - Intermediate

 This lovely pattern is available as a downloadable PDF for $5.00. 

For more pattern details:


To start knitting now, 


At your service!  As always, my email is included in the pattern, so if you have any questions while knitting, please email me.

Turtle Cardigan

Sometimes you just get tired of coats.  And sometimes you want versatility.  This long cardigan could be worn as a cardigan or short dress. The center back is worked in tracks of the turtle pattern with circle motifs along the sides that are worked with twisted stitches. The front features narrower tracks of the turtle pattern in symmetrical fashion. A row of slipped stitches accentuates the sides and sleeves.
Using bulky yarn, and easy stitches, this piece works up quickly despite the length. With long sleeves and easy fit, it’s easily worn over shirts.  

It uses approximately 2 and 2/3 skeins of Cascade’s Ecological Wool. If you don’t like weaving in ends, this yarn is for you. You can knit the entire back on 1 piece of yarn.

Materials Needed: 
1350 - 1434 yards of bulky wool
Size US 10 needle
Size US 7 needle
Size US 10 circular (24”0 for the button bands)
6 Buttons (wait until you've finished your cardigan before buying your buttons so you can make sure they look and fit perfectly with your buttonholes)
Cable Needle


Sizes:
S/M (36")
L (40")
XL (44")

 
This pattern is available for $4.99.  Click on the link for more details on the pattern including yarn, sizes and gauge, and a link to download the PDF. 




And Happy Knitting!