30 January 2010

on the needles...

© pamela w allen designs



a sweater for baby in cozy-warm sport-weight alpaca from Frog Tree, a yarn that I just love for baby garments...beautifully dyed, inexpensive, soft, warm, and Fair-trade!

the pattern for this sweater will be published soon...it uses the same motif as the alpaca baby... hat (pictured on the tangled banner, above).  Together, the two pieces will make a smart and easy-to-wear "ensemble" for the wee ones in your life... 

28 January 2010

with a size 10 circular...

 bits and bobs of blues greens purples...



become another...


scrappy little hat

this one with a rolled brim and two-color topknot...

directions here

26 January 2010

and it was good...


 am constantly in awe...the jaw-dropping beauty of this coast in winter!...the colors are delicious and occasionally I have the presence of mind to snap a photo (don't you love these pocket digital cameras?)...this taken on the highway near Caspar...


sneak a peak!
inspired by the coast's rich winter color palette...


pattern coming soon...

21 January 2010

rilke's alpaca scarf...and the pattern, too!

finished...





I'm in love with this scarf...the fabric has a beautiful drape, and the size is perfect for wrapping around head and neck...the color will work with almost anything, and won't soil easily...and it is lusciously soft and warm...I hope Rilke likes it, too!


this is how I made rilke's alpaca scarf...

2-100 gram skeins of worsted weight alpaca (or more if desired!)
1-pair of size US8 needles

The scarf is entirely in garter stitch.  The first stitch of every row is slipped purl-wise.  Begin with three stitches.  You will be increasing one stitch, every other row, to create the first point.  So, your first row, you will slip 1, make 1 (I used the backwards loop method), knit to end--four stitches.  Second row, slip 1, knit to end.  Continue this way, increasing after the slipped stitch on every other row, until you have the width you wish--my scarf is 58 stitches wide (my gauge, blocked, is about 4.75 stitches per inch--the scarf measures about 12" wide).  When you have reached desired width, just continue to knit every row (remember to slip the first stitch!) until you are at your desired length.  Now you will begin to shape your second point (which can either mirror or oppose the first), by decreasing one stitch every other row, thus...Slip 1, Knit 2 together, knit to end.  When you are down to three stitches, bind off.  Block it well and add tassles if desired...et voilà! 

please...If you use this pattern, consider making a donation to partners in health, save the children, haiti action, or any organization that is helping the Haitian people in their time of great need... 

Comments are always appreciated!


20 January 2010

a new sweater?

the inspiration...

a lichen-covered branch...



the trees outside my door...



yarn from my stash...




where will the needles take me?

17 January 2010

for Haiti...


Many, many fellow Ravelry designers are offering to donate all or part of the proceeds of their pattern sales for the benefit of the Haitian people.  I wish to join their ranks by pledging the proceeds of all sales of my patterns made between 17 January and 14 February.  The money will go to Haiti Action or Save the Children (an organization that has received a four star rating from Charity Navigator).  I can easily donate to both organizations directly from my PayPal account.

The following patterns are easy-to-knit and each cost just $3.  For those of you who are not on Ravelry, you can download each pattern (hopefully) by hitting the appropriate "buy now" button below.  This should take you to Ravelry downloads, where you can pay via PayPal...

I encourage each one of us to do what he/she can...even a few dollars will  make a difference!  There are many worthy organizations that are helping to get needed supplies to Haiti.  Give to any of these...and do it now! 


alpaca baby...










ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE...


If you have any problems accessing the patterns, please let me know!

16 January 2010

alpaca baby...


Just found out that fellow Raveler, ThereseS, mentioned my alpaca baby... pattern on her blog in December.  Here is the link....knitfinder blog.  I'm so pleased that others like my little pattern well enough to recommend it to others...now I need to get working on my next project...a "collection" of baby patterns for spring!  Wish me luck...

14 January 2010

for rilke...

Rilke requested a scarf that is feminine (but not fussy), modern, and warm...most importantly, it must be something she can wear around the city without worrying about dirt...


I've decided, after much swatching of various lace and cable stitches, to do the whole thing in garter stitch--simple, classic, and with a beautiful drape in this yummy alpaca yarn (an oldie from my stash)!  Tassles will be added to each point.

Anyone interested in knitting one, too?  I'll post my notes...just ask!

04 January 2010

a wee one-two-three




Finally...pictures of the ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE hat in the baby size.  This one is knit in a fine cashmere/wool blend yarn in navy...
absolutely perfect for baby...


The hat is classic, comfortable, versatile and easy to knit...but it is NOT your usual ribbed beanie.  I hope others love it as much as I do?


03 January 2010

anyone out there?

Love to know what you're thinking!

dizzy garden...



First project of the year..."dizzy", a scarf knit with three skeins of Noro Silk Garden Chunky from my stash.  This yarn is dizzying--lots going on.  Too much, in my opinion.  But the scarf came out well, and it will look wonderful on the intended recipient, who is a tall redhead!  It is a completely reversible scarf in seed stitch with a thick but simple cable on the side.  
This is a quick and easy  project, one that would make an elegant scarf in a solid merino or cashmere.  Here's the general idea:

With size 11 needles, using a bulky weight yarn, cast on 23 stitches.  Establish pattern:  K1, P1, K1; (K1, P1) four times; K1, P1 to last stitch, K1 (this is the "right" side).  Next row, you will K1, P1 to end--last stitch will be knit. 
So, you have three stitches in seed stitch, eight in 1x1 rib, and 12 stitches in seed.  After about 10 or 12 rows, do a cable twist on the eight rib stitches thus:  Place first four stitches on cable needle, drop to back of work, K1, P1, K1, P1 then K1, P1, K1, P1 from cable needle.  Continue in seed stitch to end of row.  Twist that cable every 12-or-so rows. 
Et voilà!  If you wish, add a single crochet border, as I did...and perhaps some fringe?  If you are knitting it in something luxurious like cashmere, an applied i-cord border would be super! 

If you have any questions, or need help, please free to ask!  For those of you on Ravelry, I am pwa.



01 January 2010

2010

many wishes for a WARM and COLORFUL new year...may it bring PEACE to all

imagine...

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