I think they must have found out. We liked the yarn, hated the patterns. They recently hired Norah Gaughn, of Knitting Nature fame. Since then, the patterns have improved. GREATLY. This week, their newsletter advertised her newest book of patterns with them. I am in LOVE with this book. Here's a peek at some of the patterns:
This scarf is just adorable! There's something about the ribbing, and the knitted bobbles on the bottom, and the diagonal of the design.
Now, I usually see skirt patterns for knitting and groan. They look bulky, and just uncomfortable. It's made with their merino yarn, so I can see this in the winter with tights and a light knit top. The other reason I groan at skirt patterns are cost. I don't even want to begin to calculate the cost of this. So I will adore is from afar, until I've lost more weight and I won't need as much yarn for the pattern.
I will be adding this book to my collection. Probably during the next Knitter's Breakfast. Right now, I'm too busy on other items.
Speaking of which, the "I Do" shrug is coming along well. I'm past the elbow, heading towards the shoulder of the first arm:
I flexed my creative brain beyond knitting and the 15-page newsletter I finished this week. E & I went out dancing on Friday night, and the theme was "Arabian Midnights." Think goth belly dance, because that's what they had as entertainment. I didn't have anything gothy-middle eastern to wear, but I had an idea. After work (half day Fridays during the summer, YAY!), we headed to the local thrift store, and I bought two panels of sheer curtains. Stopped into Jo-Ann's Fabrics for some elastic, and headed home. I traced out the patten into the curtains, and in one hour, VOILLA! Harem pants! Total cost: about $10.
Because I didn't reinforce the hem, or surge or burn the edge of the material before sewing, there was some rippage along the seams. But, they lasted the night, and that's all I wanted.
Making pants was SO EASY! I used these instructions as a guideline. I am so going to be making pajama bottoms, and comfy bum-around-the house jammies now. For some reason, I hadn't made pants before this. I always made skirts, shirts, dresses.
What I want to do next for sewing? I want to make a corset purse. I have one I bought a few summers ago, which is beyond cleaning. I'm thinking of pulling it apart, make pattern templates, and see if it can be done. I may also go see if someone on Craftster has done it yet.
But again, it's on the back burner. For now, I have a lacy shrug to get back to.
