What I have been knitting lately? Socks, socks, and more socks. I've managed to finish three pairs between my two latest design projects (to be published later this year).

From left to right:

Zebra stripe socks. I have been stalking this pattern for a long time - zebra stripes, how can you not love that. I have to admit, I initially assumed that the yarn would do all of the work, but that is not entirely true. There is a very clever pattern element that creates the zebra effect. The kit is available from Knitters Brewing Company. I used less than 50 g of the zebra colorway by adding a contrasting color (tidal wave) for the toes, afterthought heels, and cuffs. There is plenty of yarn left for another pair of socks (with purple toes) or maybe some mittens.

A basic ribbed sock knit in a very cheery blue/green color of Zauberball Crazy.

Worsted weight socks based on this recipe by Susan B Anderson. I used one entire skein of Cascade 220 Quatro in the Jamaica colorway, with some bits of gray Cascade 220 Superwash for the cuffs and toes. These will be warm and cozy next winter.

Finally, the last pair was purchased on our recent vacation to Quebec City. When we stumbled upon this little shop selling knit socks, hats, and scarves made from local wool, I couldn't resist a souvenier from Canada. More about Charlevoix wool on their website. 

I have been amazed with the wonderful response I have received for my latest design for Twist Collective, Cypri, mainly because it actually began with a rejection letter.  A year earlier, I had submitted a design idea for a shawl that didn’t make the cut.  I felt strongly about the idea – slip stitch cables on a striped background.  They create a strong graphic and are really fun to knit.  So I went back to the drawing board and reworked the design. 

First, I changed the shape.  The original was a top down triangle; this one would be a crescent shape (which is what I would actually prefer to knit for myself.)  I liked the idea of lots of detail at the bottom edge, and less detail in the short row shaping portion. 

Next I looked at the cable design.  The pattern in the original submission was inspired by a traditional twisted-stitch pattern.  This design needed something unique, so I began sketching.  I started with the idea of a long strand of gems hanging from a chain.

The first sketches (above, left) were okay, but when I turned one upside down, I liked it much better.  The design started to fall into place.  I refined the shapes and they began to remind me of lady’s slipper orchids (above, right).

The next step was to turn the sketch into something knittable.  I lightly sketched the shapes on graph paper, trying to keep in mind the scale and potential gauge.  Then I charted the cable symbols right over the sketchy lines.  This step involved a lot of erasing as I worked out the cable crossings.  I refined it bit more as I knit the swatch.  It was finally ready to submit.

Sketch and swatch from my submission

The sample I knit for Twist is in Breathless by Shalimar Yarns.  It is a superwash merino/cashmere/silk blend that is very soft and creates a fabric with the perfect drape for this shawl.  While I love the colors of the sample, byzantium and mole, I want to knit my own in bing and scarab, a purple and teal combo similar my swatch.  Or maybe glacier and driftwood, or copper pennies and black truffle.  I could go on and on, there are so many colors to choose from.

I'm excited to show off my latest sweater, Cascade Falls, which I designed for SweetGeorgia Yarns. 

This is a long, cozy, open front cardigan knit mainly in stockinette stitch with a wide reversible cable panel at the front edges.  The yarn used is the insanely luxurious SweetGeorgia Trinity Worsted, a beautiful blend of superwash merino, cashmere, and silk, but it would be equally wonderful worked up in their Superwash Worsted (I'll choose the Deep Cove colorway for mine).  You can read more about Cascade Falls on Felicia's blog, or check it out on Ravelry.

The Interweave Knits Spring 2014 preview is up, and I am excited to have my latest sweater design included in the issue. Brick Lane is a straightforward, bottom-up raglan with lace patterning on the sleeves and a unique ribbing at the cuffs and hem.

It is knitted with Relikt, a new wool/nylon blend yarn from Schoppel Wolle.  This may look like a standard tweed, but it gains its depth of color from the recycled fiber scraps of the Zauberball production process.  It knits up with a bit of a rustic hand, but it really blooms and softens after a good wash.

The Pantone color of the year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid.  Inspired by this post over at Fringe Association, and the recent Fall Colors KAL hosted by the Yarniacs, I have compiled a few yarn choices that say radiant orchid to me.

1. Shalimar Yarns Breathless in Fairy Dust

2. Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pink Berry Mix

3. Fiber Company Terra in Beet

4. Quince and Co. Lark in Sorbet

5. Imperial Yarns Columbia 2-ply in Dusty Rose

6. Neighborhood Fiber Company Studio Sock in Truxton Circle

I have been searching for the perfect pattern for two skeins of The Fiber Company’s Acadia (in the granite colorway) that I have been holding on to for quite a while.  I tried a few options, hats with lace and cable and various textures, none were right. 

Acadia Yarn (left), Wabi Mitts by Karen Templer (right)

I think I have finally found the perfect pattern to pair with this yarn, Wabi Mitts by Karen Templer.  They are a simple knitted mitt, with a contrasting purled thumb gusset.  This simplicity will let this yarn’s rustic charm shine.  The gauge is a little off, so I will have to add few stitches to make up for it.  As long as I am modifying, I think I’ll add a little length to the cuff.

The Winter 2013 issue of Twist Collective is up, and it is full of great designs - I’m not just saying that because one of my own, Cypri, is included in this issue (more about that later).  If you are crazy for cables, like I am, you won’t be disappointed. 

Hepworth by Karolina Eckerdal (left), Thorntower by Robin Melanson (center), and Tarian by Thayer Preece Parker (right)

The first design that caught my eye is Hepworth.  This is the sort of cardigan I could live in, with just enough twisted stitch detail to keep the knitting interesting.  Thorntower is next on my list of must-knits.  I love those intricate cables and the curves of the hem and cuffs.  Then there is Tarian, a textured pullover with beautifully constructed seamless set in sleeves.  I really like the extra long sleeves with deep cuffs, it could keep me warm through the cold winter months.  There is so much more, I could go on and on…