WIP Wednesday: November 4, 2015

Sekret Knitting:

• Still working on the first deadline project.  I've knit about 1/4 of it and started in on the second quarter.  That's my primary project right now.
• I have the Annika sweater up to the point I'm ready to bind off for the front neckline and sleeves.  If I have bandwidth, I'll see if I can get that done this weekend, but I'm in the throes of a LOT of dyeing right now to get ready for the Kid N Ewe show in Texas next weekend, as well as finishing up some other custom orders. 

Personal Knitting:  Hey! I have something!  I decided to cast on a Mesa Verde Shawl in a darker colorway using some (ancient) stash Rowan Scottish Tweed.  I picked a dark heathery chocolate brown with flecks of blue and yellow and a dusty mid-range blue.  I've knit 2 of the repeats so far and it looks like: 

I'm taking that with me to knit night tonight!  (And if any of my readers are interested, I'm hosting a KAL for Free Spirit Knits over in my Ravelry group from mid-November through the end of January 2016.  You pick the project from any of the ones in the book - so you can customize it to what you like best.)

And... I finished up the embroidery on the seam lines of the patches on the Bertie's Year - January this week, and just started the snowflakes.  I won't likely get anything done on this until I'm back from Texas, so this one will be on hold for a couple of weeks.

Pattern Releases

I have a metric tonnage of catching up to do with pattern releases now that Free Spirit Knits has gone live, so I'm devoting a post solely to new designs today.  Grab a seat and some nice fall-themed beverage - I've got a bunch.

First up, my newest stand-alone release is my Mina Jacket, which is knit from the lovely Brigantia yarn from Spirit Trail Fibers.  This fitted jacket has a large cable panel up the back with integrated waist shaping, a relatively plain front with just a small cable at the front openings, and then a textured/cabled pattern for the set-in sleeves.  You can opt to make it with or without the front waist/bust shaping, but I like as a trim little layering piece for fall.  You can see this beauty in person in Jen's booth at Rhinebeck this year!

Next up are the currently released patterns from Free Spirit Knits, which is now available both via Amazon and via Interweave.  (Interweave's site has a downloadable ebook available, as well as the print version.  Links to both Amazon and Interweave sites in the individual pattern links to follow).

I just released the Saguaro Blossom Hat, knit from less than 200 yards of worsted weight yarn with a fun cabled pattern on the top reminiscent of the large night-blooming flowers of the saguaro cacti in Arizona.

Then there's the Three Sisters Shawl, knit with Lucent fingering weight from my friend, Kim at The Woolen Rabbit.  This is a great lace project to keep you occupied this fall.  Several fun lace stitch patterns for the body, and a knit-on cable and lace border.

If you are looking for a slightly smaller lace shawl, I've also got my Tres Flores Shawl available. This one is knit from 3 herby-green shades of Jamieson and Smith's jumperweight wool, but it would be lovely in a solid color, or even knit up with a gradient!

I've also released the pattern for the Petroglyph Socks, knit from the wonderfully soft and warm sock yarn blend from my friend, Terry, at Snowshoe Farm Alpacas in Vermont.  These are sized for both men and women, and would be a great project to start now and gift over the holidays.

Finally, my Aspens Cardigan, which is here just in time for fall leaf season in the mountains.  One of my favorites in the book, as well as the cover image, this fingering-weight project has leaf lace motifs in a large center panel on the back, as well as trimming the front bands and centered on the sleeves.  Knit from Brooklyn Tweed's Loft, it's a wonderful season-spanning wardrobe builder.

Whew!  That's a whole lotta knits to review at once.  More to come as I have another 12 patterns to release from The Book, as well as several more stand-alones to roll out in the next month!

The Book!

I've got great news to share!  My upcoming Interweave Press book, Free Spirit Knits, is now available for preorder via Amazon.

It's been a while in the making, but I am so pleased with everything about this book - the styling, photography, layout could NOT be better.  My editors have done a brilliant job pulling all my visions together into a beautiful book.

So if you would like to grab yourself a copy, as a thank you, I've also got available a standalone pattern I just released today - Jewelflower Cowl.

This is a single-skein, fingering-weight cowl - the sample was knit with one skein of Wooly Wonka Fibers Nimue Sock, which is 50/50 silk/merino, and has a lovely drape.  If you preorder a copy of the book, and then shoot me a copy of your receipt either via email (anne(dot)podlesak(at)gmail.com) or via P.M. on Ravelry (where I am bunnyspinner), I'll gift you a copy of this pretty lace cowl.

I'll have more details to come over the next couple of months before the book hits bookstore shelves about specific projects, but I think with 20 projects and a combination of garments and acccessories, there'll be something in this book for everyone!