After moving into my new house and unpacking my yarn, I decided it was time to do some stash-diving for my next project.  I found four skeins (plus a tiny partial ball) of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a nice heathered grey.  Since I quickly discovered just how darn hot and humid it gets here in Central Texas, I knew this lightweight yarn would be perfect.

But just how far would I get with this small amount, a mere 800 yards?  I did a bit of searching on Ravelry, and found that I could probably get a nice cropped cardigan with 3/4 sleeves.  So I planned my design and got to work.  Knowing that I would be using up every last bit of yarn, I made some specific design choices and plans.

1.  Work the body, then the pockets, then the neckband and leave the sleeves for last.  
2. Work the sleeves top down in short rows so the length can be easily adjusted to how much yarn I have left.
3.  Before working the sleeves, weigh the remaining yarn to determine how much I can use for each sleeve.

And here is where one of my favorite tools comes in: the humble postage scale.  

Who's ready to wave goodbye to 2016?  I know I am!  Between the election, a hurricane and a deployment, this year was a miserable mess.  Let's kick 2016 to the curb and celebrate with a FLASH SALE!

December 30-31 my Azalea & Rosebud Knits patterns are 50% off when you use coupon code byebye2016. 

​Happy New Year and Happy Knitting!

I have been knitting seriously for about 14 years, and during that time I feel like I have at least dabbled in almost all the techniques out there: cables, lace, fair isle, and every sweater construction under the sun.  Well, just about every construction.  Last year I came across the contiguous method by Susie Meyers, and I was immediately intrigued.  

Top down, set-in sleeves, all worked at the same time with a nice shoulder slope.  It almost sounded too good to be true to this designer's heart.  So, I finally decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a try.  

And, since I like to make things as difficult as possible for myself, I decided to add in three different cables.  I had forgotten what it was like to jump into a new technique and the nervousness of wondering if it would work out right, and what if I have to rip back?

The shoulder seam is almost complete, and I'm really liking the results so far.

The pattern is another in my little collection of honeycomb cables. Instead of using two stitches as the 'shoulder seam', I am using a single honeycomb cable, with more intricate cables around the neck and in the back panel.

What techniques have you tried for the first time this year?  

It feels like I didn't get as much knitting done in 2015 as I usually do.  I was busy with stuff at church, and at the request of my husband I decided to not knit in the evenings.  At first it really bothered me to just sit and not work on anything, but I kept reminding myself that rest is important too.  So here is what I completed:

​January

February

March

April

June

July

August

September - Whoops, looks like life got in the way and I didn't finish anything!

​October

November - I spend this month working on secret projects that you will see next summer.  Shhh!!!

​December

May

I am happy to introduce the third pattern in my Simple Elegance Collection, the Katrina Pullover.  

Recently, I found myself in need of a dressy pullover. It seems like all the blouses and sweaters in stores are oversized and boxy.  I've tried that look, and it is just not flattering on me!  I wanted my sweater to be fitted but with a modest neckline, and with a slightly cropped body to compliment my vintage-style trousers.  Time to take matters into my own hands!  So, the design process began.

I can always count on my dog to sneak into the photos!  

Perfect for pairing with retro wide-leg trousers and high-waisted skirts, the sleek Katrina Pullover will add some vintage drama to your wardrobe. Worked in one piece from the top down, Katrina features a slightly cropped body and flared elbow-length sleeves. Bust darts and a ribbed lower body create a very fitted shape worn with 2-3” of negative ease.

​Until November 5th, receive 25% off the Katrina Pullover when you use coupon code katrina during checkout.

You can find more information on the pattern page.

Makalu, originally published in the Louet Fall Fall 2014 collection, is a classic cabled henley.  Louet chose to style Makalu in a way that I would very likely wear it: with skinny jeans and knee-high boots.

When I think of classic fall styles, I think of denim button-up shirts, corduroy pants, and henley sweaters.  For today's styling post, I decided to pair all three classics together, along with my favorite pair of green suede boots.

I feel like I'm ready to go pick pumpkins and drink cider!

Today I am sharing with you the Lucine Skirt.  I will readily admit that I'm not much of a skirt wearer, and it's mostly because I don't like the feeling of my guts being squished.  There is something about the higher and tighter waistbands that usually make me feel like a stuffed sausage.  That is, until I tried a knit skirt.  I'm surprised that handknit skirts aren't more popular to make.  They are comfortable, elegant, and far easier to knit than a sweater.  

I originally styled Lucine with a short sleeved cable sweater and a fancy pair of heels. 

Lucine naturally clings to the body, and it reminded me of the fitted pencil skirts of the 1940s.  I decided to give Lucine a much more vintage vibe and pair it with textured tights, a soft satin blouse, and wedge heels.

Today we are pairing a cardigan and a pullover, the Irisa Cardigan and the Janesse Pullover.  I think out of all my sweater patterns, these two are the most versatile and will get the most wear.  Both are easy to style, and both can be easily dressed up or down.  

In the original pattern photos for the Irisa Cardigan, I created a very typical outfit for me: fitted tee, jeans and dangly earrings.  The Janesse Pullover photos featured a similar simple styling, with very fitted navy pants and jewelry.

As I mentioned in the previous Fall Fashion post, wearing multiple handknits together can be done successfully when the pieces are chosen carefully.  I think Janesse and Irisa can work together because neither style is too over the top.  Irisa has bold colors but a simple style, and Janesse has subtle details and a very neutral color.

Here I have paired Irisa and Janesse with my favorite pair of skinny jeans and embroidered cowboy boots.  If you are wondering about my funny grin, photoshoots are always much more fun when you have a silly dog that wants to get in on the pictures!

Layers are the name of the game in this next installment of fall fashion.  Today I am featuring Dahshur and the Joselyn Cowl.

In the original pattern photos, I styled Dahshur for warm weather with a pair of linen pants and a bit of exotic gold jewelry.  While it is worked in an alpaca/silk blend yarn, the lacy open fabric of Dahshur is cool to wear.

How to transition Dahshur for fall?  Layers are the key.  Begin with a tissue-weight long sleeved tee in a color that matches one of the variations in the hand-dyed yarn.  Pair with dark skinny jeans and a pair of rugged boots.  

There is a taboo in the knitting community against wearing more than one handknit at a time, but I think it can be done when the pieces are chosen carefully.  In this instance, the golden tone of the Joselyn Cowl matches one of the color variations in the Dahshur yarn, and both are worked in fuzzy alpaca yarns.  When colors and textures aren't competing, the pieces can pair well together.

Today I am sharing with you Sinai, a cardigan originally published in the Louet Fall 2014 collection.  

Louet originally styled Sinai with a fitted tee, skinny jeans, and boots.  This would be my usual go-to styling for sweaters, but Sinai has an unusual construction that creates a more refined look.  With a gentle swing shape, horizontal cables and mixed textures, I think Sinai is more complimentary when paired with a dress.  

I'm a big fan of bright colors and crazy prints, so it wasn't surprising to find that Sinai paired perfectly with a bright orange paisley dress in my closet.  Add on textured tights and my green suede boots, and I'm ready to take my summery dress into cooler weather.