cosmicpluto knits!

it’s a monday

First of all, thanks for the awesome reception of my new patterns, Tiverton and Innisfil!. I’m really happy to be self-publishing again, and I’ve even got a couple more things nearly ready to go. It might be March but there’s still a lot of snow and ice on the ground here. I can alllllmost feel the hint of spring in the air, but my many layers and down coat say otherwise. The change to Daylight Savings on the weekend will be nice for more light in the evenings, although the time change always throws me for a loop.

I’ve pretty much been on vacation this last week, but that means I’ve gotten lots of knitting done! I’m working on a top-down triangular shawl that’s nearly done, but boy those last few rows are loooong.

Out for a walk the other day I went into a yarn shop and “accidentally” purchased a sweater’s worth of yarn. Whoops! The good thing is I’ve already cast on and I’m loving it.

This sweater is actually one that’s been out in the world for awhile – Sheepcote from Twist Collective! The sample I knit for the magazine was * ahem * considerably smaller than I am, so I’m knitting another one for myself. I’m using Manos Silk Blend, and so far I’m having a great time – it’s so nice to knit something and not have to be doing math and writing notes all the time! Plus I’ll have something to blog about.

Reading: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis. I have some issues with this series (character and writing) but the story is enjoyable and engrossing.
Watching: The Walking Dead, season 1.
No wonder I’m having post-apocalyptic dreams lately!

hey look, a finished object

Time is just slipping by and I’m finding it so tough to get back to blogging! I have so much to share. First up is a piece that’s been getting a lot of wear lately – it’s just a plain, black, triangle scarf.

Also? It’s 100% cashmere.

Ooooh, so soft. The pattern is just a basic top-down triangular shawl with 2 knit stitches at the edges and yarn over increases at the beginning, middle, and end of every right side row. I finished it off with a wide border of seed stitch.

I got this yarn ages ago at Rhinebeck, it’s 100% cashmere from Jojoland. I used 3 skeins of fingering weight, held double on 5mm-ish needles.

Now that it’s chillier out, I wear this scarf pretty much every day, wrapped around like this. It’s my new favourite thing.

uxbridge shawl

The shawl that I designed for Tanis Fiber Arts’ Year in Colour last year is now available for individual purchase!

UXBRIDGE SHAWL
This sweet shawlette is perfect for that special skein of sock yarn you’ve been holding onto. The rick-rack lace pattern looks great on both sides, and doesn’t compete with variegated yarns. The fact that it’s cashmere is just the icing on the cake!

SIZE
One; 56” / 142cm from tip to tip, 20” / 51cm deep at center

MATERIALS
Yarn
1 skein Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label (400 yds / 385m per 4 oz/115g skein; 70% merino wool, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon) in ‘autumn sun’ colourway

Needles and Notions
US 6 / 4mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer
2 stitch markers
tapestry needle

MORE INFO
The Ravelry page is here.

3 page PDF pattern includes both charted and row-by-row directions. Payment through Paypal, download through Ravelry (no accounts required).

After I sent the original off to Tanis, I knit another one for myself out of Dream in Color Starry – so fun with the sparkles, and just one skein is plenty!

Draupner Shawl

I’m a little behind in posting this, but if you’ve looked at my Ravelry store in the last few days, you’ll have noticed another new pattern!

DRAUPNER SHAWL

This unique shawl features a fun scalloped edging worked with short rows in Garter Stitch. Lacy columns keep the body of the shawl interesting to knit, while the elongated Garter Stitch pattern shows off handdyed yarn to great effect! A gentle curve in the body of the shawl ensures that it wraps nicely around your shoulders or neck for a comfortable fit.

Technical Editing by Alexandra Virgiel.
Knit in Viola Merino Fingering. Available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/violaviola

SIZE
One Size; 52” / 132cm across top edge of shawl, 13” / 33cm deep at center, including scallop. Each scallop measures approximately 6” / 15cm across and 3” / 8cm deep at center.

MATERIALS
YARN
Fingering weight yarn, approximately 700 yds / 640m.
Shown in Viola Merino Fingering (100% superwash merino; 400 yds / 365m per 3.5 oz / 100g skein), 2 skeins in colour Sea Storm.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 stitches and 30 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in stockinette stitch

MORE INFO
The Ravelry page is here, and there’s more photos there too!

3-page PDF includes photos and abbreviations. Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$5.00 CAD

TFA Year in Colour: Uxbridge Shawl

Awhile ago Tanis emailed me, asking if I’d be interested in contributing a pattern for her new yarn club, the Year in Colour. Every other month you get a skein of fingering weight yarn in either merino or merino/cashmere/nylon, and a one-skein pattern to go with!

My month was September, and here’s my Uxbridge Shawl.

This shawl features a stretchy lace mesh and ruffled edging in Tanis purple label – it’s so soft, and I love the colour! The pattern will be exclusive to the club until 2012, but you can still sign up for the Year in Colour and receive all the past yarns and patterns together!

FO: peacock feathers

Peacock Feathers Shawl
Pattern: Peacock Feathers Shawl from Fiddlesticks
Yarn: teal laceweight cashmere, purchased from Skaska designs at Rhinebeck 2008
Needles: 2.25mm (I wanted a smaller shawl)
Started: January 2009
Finished: June 2011

Yeah, it took me a long time to knit this. I started it on my trip to Asia in early 2009, but it languished for ages after I got back. I would pick it up and work on it furiously for a few days, then set it aside again for months. The pattern is very well written and easy to follow, but it’s still hard for me sometimes to find time to knit something that isn’t work and especially something with so many charts!

I’m really happy with it. I think it’s one of the prettiest things I’ve ever knit.