I am happy to introduce a new pattern, Zohra Cowl.

I just love this stitch pattern.  As a big fan of feather and fan stitch patterns, I am always on the lookout for new and interesting versions.  This one mixes garter stitch with lace patterning and a centered double decrease.

Initially I used this same stitch pattern in my Karnak Vest.  While knitting the vest I thought to myself that it would look really lovely in two colors and made a mental note to use it later on.    


I also love creating stash-busting patterns, and decided to marry this stitch pattern with some of my leftover sock yarns.  I was surprised how little yarn I ended up using; in total about 175 yards.  

If you'd like more information, check out the pattern page.  The Zohra Cowl is one of eight eligible patterns for my Stash-busting KAL in my group.  Use coupon code **stashbustingKAL** to receive 25% off the KAL patterns.

I am very happy to announce that I will be hosting my first knit-along.  From May 1-31st, I will be hosting a KAL for my stash-busting patterns. Time to clean out your yarn stash and create something colorful!

The eligible patterns will be:
Nadina Shawl
Log Cabin Shawl
Technidream Shawl
Winterset Hat
Raissa Cowl
Kaleidoscope Pullover
Irisa Cardigan
and the Zohra Cowl, which will be published on April 30th.

Use coupon code stashbustingKAL to receive 25% off any of the eligible patterns, until May 15th.

To join the KAL:

• You must be a member of the Azalea & Rosebud Knits group on Ravelry.
• Create a project page linked to one of the eligible patterns, and add the tag stashbustingKAL
• Participate in the KAL thread. Show us the stash you’ll use, your WIP, your finished project.

Each week there will be drawings to win a pattern of your choice from my pattern store. I will draw from all of the posters in the thread from that week.

Gather your yarns and patterns. We will cast on May 1st!

I am very happy to share with you my new pattern, Nadina Shawl.

I designed this shawl for my friend, Dina.  She loves to wear netural colors with a bit of sparkly jewelry, so I knew this yarn would be perfect for her.  I don't knit too many shawls with worsted weight yarn, so I didn't know how big of a shawl I'd be able to make.  My solution was to design a shawl worked from the bottom up in a stitch pattern that would easily adapt to any size.

The Nadina Shawl combines a scalloped stitch pattern with stripes to create a versatile and elegant shawl. The scalloped stitch pattern, reminiscent of fish scales, is easy to memorize. Nadina is worked from the bottom up, so the size is easy to customize. 


Any weight of yarn may be used; this pattern is a great opportunity to use up leftover balls of yarn. Sample shown uses about 270 yds of worsted weight yarn. Two methods of casting on are provided, and two options for binding off.  Sample uses the loop cast-on method, and the pronounced scallops bind-off.


$5.00

Before I begin, I will give fair warning that his post involves stuff about my faith and church.  If you think that it might offend you, then I will invite you to look at funny pictures of my dog instead.

So... I've been feeling lately like I haven't had much knitting time.  I have been in the process of joining the Roman Catholic Church, and during Lent more and more church obligations came up.  Along with giving up a few things for Lent, I also added on a few things.  I wanted to learn more about the Blessed Virgin Mary, so along with reading and praying the rosary, I was inspired to embroider a picture of her.  I haven't picked up my embroidery hoop for about 20 years, so I expected that I my stitching would be terrible.  But, in fact, it wasn't too bad.  I suppose embroidery is like riding a bicycle.  

I used a 'linen look' fabric from my sewing stash, and size 8 perle cotton.  The image came off Pinterest, and I think it is from a coloring book.

Not bad, eh?  Throughout the process I kept holding out my project at arms-length wondering if it looked ok.  The hardest part was getting her hands to look right.  Initially, one of them looked like a big alien blob so I ripped it all out and tried again.    I was quite pleased with how my project turned out, so I framed it and gave it to the lady in charge of the RCIA program.

The other project I had to hurriedly make was a dress.  The Sunday before Easter, after Mass we were practicing the ceremony for the Easter Vigil, and the RCIA lady told me "Oh, by the way, you should be wearing white."  Huh?  What?  I've seen babies and small children in white when they received the sacraments, but I didn't realize that applied to adults too!  I'm not a huge fan of wearing white (I'm already pale enough, thank you), so I had to either buy or make something fast.  I wanted to wear a dress, and finding a dress that fits me properly and is an appropriate length is like trying to find the Holy Grail.  

So, I ran to Joann and bought some white crepe.  Usually a dress will take me several sewing sessions and I will cry at least once, usually from trying to sew in the zipper.  I sewed this dress in two three-hour sewing sessions, and had only minor mishaps with zero tears.  I think the key to my success was using a pattern I had sewn several times before and using a fabric that was easy to work with. 

Once I started sewing, I realized a few things.

• The seam allowances will show on white fabrics, so serging the seams is necessary.
• Using white lining underneath white fabric might not be the best idea, because those seams allowances will also show.  Maybe next time I'll use a nude color?
• Even after serging all the seams, if they don't line up perfectly you can see both seam allowances through the fabric.  Bummer.  I ended up handstitching all the seam allowances together so that everything was aligned nicely.
• The narrow hem foot that came with my new sewing machine does an amazing job on straight hems, but a rather terrible job on curved hems.  I ended up serging a narrow hem and then turning that under and stitching it down.
• I really despise lining fabric.  Even after changing the needle, it still seemed to punch holes in the lining, and the fabric ended up with weird stains from my dryer sheet.  Good thing it stayed hidden.  

But, overall it turned out pretty well.  As usual, I had trouble with the sleeve cap and zipper, but nothing that I wasn't willing to just accept and move on.  I wore it proudly to the Easter vigil and received several nice comments.