I'm on a roll this month, please say hello to my new pattern Thara Cardigan.

I have only made a few round-yoke cardigans, but I find them to be a flattering style.  A simple shape and body made interesting with rib and garter stripes.

Thara is worked in one piece from the top down, making the body shaping and length easy to customize.  Want to learn more?  Check out the pattern page.

Also, Thara is part of the Simple Elegance Collection.  Four pieces to mix and match, all worked in the luscious Knit Picks Galileo yarn. 

I love knitting cables, and lately I've been having fun using honeycomb cables.  After making my husband a cowl of honeycomb-filled diamonds, I ran with the idea and designed a hat and gloves for myself.

I am happy to introduce to you the Roelle Hat and Roelle Gloves.  Simple two-stitch cables have a dramatic impact when they are used to fill triangle and diamond shapes. 

The hat has a nice beret shape, encouraged during the blocking process, which doesn't smash down my hair.  The crown shaping is cleverly hidden in special decrease cables, so the result looks seamless.

The gloves feature concentric diamonds on a background of honeycomb.  The rib-filled diamonds on the palms of the gloves add extra elasticity.

Through February 18th, receive $2 off when you purchase both the hat and glove patterns.

One of the biggest difficulties I have in publishing patterns with third parties is the long wait.  I hurriedly churn out a design and then wait.  And wait.  And wait.  Finally, usually six or seven months later, I get to introduce my pattern to the world.  

So once again, the long wait is over.  I am happy to finally share with you the Dealla Cardigan.

The Dealla Cardigan is part of the Knit Picks collection Celtic Journey.  Featuring a cabled medallion on the upper back and cabled bands, edgings and waist, the Dealla Cardigan is a rich and luxurious knit.

Make it in a jeweled color for an elegant look, or a bright color for an unexpected twist. Any way you make it, the Dealla Cardigan will be the pièce de résistance of your wardrobe. 

Dealla is not for the faint of heart; it utilizes a sizeable chart and knitting in multiple directions.  The end result is a masterpiece of cables in a classic style, which you will be able to enjoy for years to come.

It didn't take long before the snow and ice began to melt.  But, it did make some very lovely icicles that my mother made sure to remind me to stay away from lest I "poke my eye out, kid!"

I was sidelined with the flu for a couple days, so the most productive thing I did was binge watch Lost.  That show makes so much more sense when you watch the episodes back to back!

The most struggle I've had with making my own beauty products has been with hair styling aids.  My hair, being very fine and very straight, needs some sort of product in it to give life and volume.  I started using Wellness Mama's Sweet Salt Texturizing Spray, but it was making my scalp dry.  Probably not the best choice during winter.  My husband used to put plain aloe gel in his hair, so I gave it and try and POOF, magic!  I rubbed in a marble-sized dollop into my hair while it was damp and blow-dried.  I was left with lots of volume and soft shiny hair.  

I finished the honeycomb cowl for my husband.  It didn't turn out exactly how I wanted, but I still like it.  The finished size ended up being rather awkward, too tall for it's circumference.  I plunged it into hot water and agitated it a bit with my fingers to encourage a bit of felting.  Now it will be extra cozy warm.