In Dreams

When the cold of Winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain

But in dreams
I still hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again

When the seas and mountains fall
And we come, to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And back again

Sign ups open today for the In Dreams Mystery Shawl KAL from Sunflower Designs. Button over there on the sidebar or on Ravelry...

As last year, $1 from each purchase goes directly to Knitters without Borders.I was going to wait until January, but the need for aid in Haiti is so pressing, with the Cholera epidemic, that I am hoping, with YOUR help, to send a nice fat donation to Knitters without Borders for Christmas.

Sign ups will run through Friday February 4th. Cost is $9. First clue will come out that day. Subsequent clues will come out every other Friday throughout February and March.

The In Dreams Mystery KAL concludes our journey through the Fellowship of the Ring and serves as a bridge into the themes & incredible art of the Two Towers. The shawl will be triangular this time, so a bit of an easier knit than Evenstar, if only in sheer volume of stitches. The design is a secret of course, but I can tell you it will be based on the design of Galadriel’s crown.

Shawl will take 1200 yards of laceweight, and require an advanced intermediate level of skill; no expertise required, just patience. Written & charted directions.

I am doing mine in Unique Sheep Eos in Gradience color Abalone. Yummy stuff!

This time around, clues will be distributed through my download provider & also through Ravelry for those who wish to download them there. More specific information, along with a swatch will be forthcoming in January, as we get further into our adventure...

Until (in dreams) we meet again...

Perseverence

"Men perish because they cannot join the beginning with the end."

-Alcmaeon

We are coming to the end of the 0ne year and the beginning of the next, so the above quote seems particularly apt this time of year.

I was actually looking for a quote on persistence.

I have spent the last two days immersed in Herbert Niebling's wonderful designs, along with those of other German lace doily & tablecloth knitters. Yes, I know most of them are not available in English, but they are charted and they are such masterpieces, I wanted to learn from them.

With the aid of an on line translator and a lot of patience, I am swatching and learning oh so much. the charts look nothing like the final piece. They are complex, visually exciting, and intimidating.

When I saw this motif in a set of curtains, I knew I had to adapt it for Mithril.

This is the yarn I am using for my model: Filature Di Crosa Giolello: a lovely laceweight mohair with a gold filament. You can also get it in silver if you prefer.

Originally repeated as an edging, I split it in half and subdivided it. By flipping it diagonally, I designed a really special closure panel for the vest. Beading will be concentrated in this area.

I added to the lace openwork to curve upward into a neckline & added a placket that curves around the front and top. This might seem easy, but figuring out where to add the stitches to achieve this result took twelve hours & three different swatches in some stash yarn I had. (I didn't want to waste any more of the real yarn in experimenting)


You can really see the diagonal nature of the motif in this yarn. The diagonal line will continue in stockinette for the front opening & round its way to the back.

Now that this part is done, I am moving on to designing a complementary design for the back, either at the hem or yoke (haven't decided yet- weigh in through the comments if you have an opinion)

This is the final design for the Fellowship of the Ring Series. Even as I am finishing this final design, I am firmly ensconced in initial design work for the next leg of our journey.

The Two Towers

Mystery KAL
In Dreams
triangular shawl based on Galadriel's Crown
in Unique Sheep Gradience


$9

(one dollar of each purchase goes to Knitters Without Borders)

February 2011 - Sign ups open December 15th

Series
$45
Coming April 2011 - Sign ups open March 1st

eight patterns, cost $56, if purchased separately

Helm's Deep (shoulder warmer in Rowan Lima)
Emyn Muil ( cabled lace kerchief in MadelineTosh Lace)



Ringwraith (lace stole in Blue Moon Geisha)



Tree Beard (lace smoke ring in Filatura's Giollelo)
Balrog (mosaic cowl in String Theory Caper Sock)



Rohan (fair isle cape in Knit Picks Pallete)



Eowyn (twisted stitch. lace up gauntlets in Woolen Rabbit sock )



Elven Woods (lace ruana in Unique Sheep Gradience)

Sign ups for the Mystery Shawl KAL open on December 15th. And though sign ups for the series won't open until March 1st, I am offering through Christmas, at the request of some of my knitters...

Sunflower Designs gift certificate
good for the entire Two Towers series
$52
includes In Dreams Mystery KAL

Purchasers will receive a gift certificate in the form of a pdf, which can be printed out for wrapping & placing under the tree.

So, those of you who wish to put an entire year's worth of happy knitting on your Christmas list, can now do so. Button is on the sidebar, and I will try to get something up on RAV in the next few days.

And now I had better skedaddle; time's a wastin' & I need to get Mithril & In Dreams out to my test knitters.

Later gators...

Clarity

Knowledge, without common sense, says Lee, is folly; without method, it is waste; without kindness, it is fanaticism; without religion, it is death. But with common sense, it is wisdom with method, it is power; with clarity, it is beneficence; with religion, it is virtue, and life, and peace.

-Austin Farrar

Apparently, my software is a Reader's Digest sort of condensed version. Incomplete directions in the Galadriel's Mirror key for bobbles & wrapped stitches could use a little clarification.

Bobbles are 5 stitch bobbles. K5 in stitch by either:

• k,p,k,p,k or...
• k front & back twice, k1

Turn & knit 5 back on wrong side
Turn & knit 5 on right side
Turn & k2tog, k1, k2tog
Turn & sk2p

Wrapped stitches are knit either before or after wrapping (both ways work)

Sorry for the confusion - new version of old software...

Galadriel's Mirror

An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië

For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars, from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds, and all paths are drowned deep in shadow; and out of a grey country darkness lies

Well, this one has been a long time coming, hasn't she? I just hope she was worth the wait!

This pattern is not included in the Fellowship of the Ring subscription as I found the right pattern after putting the collection up for sale. Subscribers will get a $2 discount code, just as they did with Rivindell & Goldberry.

GALADRIEL’S MIRROR $8

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING COLLECTION
from the needles of Susan Pandorf


Size: 70 inches wide at top; 32 inches long at center
Materials: 3 skeins String Theory Blue Stocking
(color: Alexandrite) or 1260 yds fingering weight yarn
size 4 (US) circular needles or to obtain gauge
medium crochet hook (for edging)
Gauge (blocked): 6 st = 1 inch
charted pattern - experienced level

A symmetrical (mirrored) smocked pattern composed of twisted stitches and bobbles is reminiscent of Elvish runes. This central pattern opens up into an intricate section of diamonds & leaves, before the lacy border repeats the runic pattern in openwork. this border increases in number of stitches, giving the shawl its lovely ruffled lower edge.

The pattern is charted, due to its complexity, but written directions will be available upon request. Caveat emptor: they go on for many pages

I recommend using a fingering weight yarn rather than laceweight, as this will best show off the textured nature of the stitch pattern. It also provides a little extra warmth for the chill winter winds we all know are coming.

I used String Theory's Bluestocking - a lovely BFL blend in Alexandrite. I love how the other colors shimmer within the blue just like visions under the surface of Galadriel's mirror. This pattern is best suited to a shaded solid yarn. Another good option would be Dream in Color. They have many wonderful blue options. Just try to stay away from anything too variegated as you want the pattern to shine through.

I hope you enjoy the pattern. I have wanted to do a pattern based upon this concept form the very beginning of the conception of the series. It is such a beautiful, mystical scene, yet one that holds such power as well. We do not always see what we want, when we gaze into our futures. We often see challenges, as Frodo did.

What will you see, when gazing into Galadriel's mirror?

May the blessings to come and the promise of future joys outweigh the challenges and sorrows sure to be there as well...

Simple Gift

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Sometimes we get so caught up in all the hustle & bustle of the holidays, that we forget to breathe. We have alist a mile long of gifts to buy & parties to attend, & cookies to bake. And don't even get me started on the subject of Christmas knitting!

We forget to stop & smell the poinsettias...

I had a lovely retreat over the Thanksgiving holiday, spending a few quiet days in our cottage in the north woods of Michigan with my husband and parents. No kids. No grandkids. No pets. No crowds of shoppers. Just us and some much needed breathing space.

So what did I do with all this leisure time? I played aggravation, watched old movies, and knit on something mindless. Something easy. Something...simple.

SIMPLE GIFT

Materials:
3 skeins Malabrigo Worsted (model in Pearl)
Or equivalent yardage other worsted weight yarn
size 9 (US) needles Gauge: not important


DIRECTIONS

Using size 9 needles, cast on 57 st (or any multiple of 4 plus 1 st).

Rows 1, 3 & 5: p2, k1, * p3, k1; rep from * to last 2 st, p2
Rows 2 & 4: k2 tog, yo, p1, *yo, sk2p, yo. P1; rep from * to last 2 st, yo, skp
Row 6: k2, p1, *k3, p1; rep from * to last 2 st, k2

Repeat these six rows until desired length, ending last repeat with row 4. Bind off loosely.

Finishing

Weave in ends. Soak & Block to desired dimensions. (Mine is 18 by 78 inches) Cut 12 inch lengths of yarn & knot 4 strands in each hole at end of scarf.

And it's reversible!

This may well be one of my favorite FOs - quick, easy, softer than soft, warm enough to guard against the bleak mid winter, stylish enough to toss on for a nice accent to my winter cardigans.

Sometimes what we need is right in front of us. Just keep it simple...

All I Want for Christmas

Every body stops
And stares at me
These two teeth are
Gone as you can see
I don't know just who
To blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve
Is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas
Is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth,
See my two front teeth!

Gee, if I could only
Have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you
"Merry Christmas"

Things were so quiet around here in the last month, that I have actually gotten emails asking if I was alright. Everything seemed to be "in development."

But now, everything is ready! And I will be rolling things out on a regular basis. It is tempting to throw it all out there today in a big gush, but first things first...

Thanks to the generous hearts of Fellowship knitters, I can now offer Legolas as a stand alone pattern for individual purchase.

This little kerchief has a lot of fans & they have been clamoring for the pattern to become available to those who missed out on the series subscription. I polled the Fellowship to make sure no one would be offended if I did this, and to a knitter, they all said, "Not at all - the more the merrier!"

I love knitters...

LEGOLAS $8

SIZE:
main portion measures 18” deep by 34”wide, with 18” tails
MATERIALS:
250 - 275 yards (229 - 251 m) DK weight yarn
Sanguine Gryphon Dance (Sword Dance) used for sample
Size 6 (US) needles
Gauge: 4 stitches = 1 inch in lace pattern (blocked out)

Tomorrow brings another free pattern; I did mine in MMMMMMMMMMMMalabrigo. Here is a sneak peek.


Saturday, I will post Galadriel's Mirror (finally! this pattern has been in development purgatory for months)

Sunday, I will open sign ups for the next mystery KAL: In Dreams, and put a button on the sidebar for purchase of gift certificates with a discounted price for the Two Towers series.

Anything else you want for Christmas? Just let me know.

Back to the workshop...