Royal Cables Vest

Just finished two samples for Frog Tree Yarn. I really enjoyed the knit and I loved the yarn — Meriboo MW (as in machine washable). Here they are blocking:

 

Hearten Kits Arrive

These kits contain one of my most personal designs ever–Hearten. This is a hooded stole done in simple rope cables and heart-shaped lace….bobbles optional. The design is being used by Frog Tree Yarns to support the Stitch Red Project to fight Heart disease and will be featured in a future ad by Jimmy Beans Wool in knitting magazines.

The design was inspired by a family trip to the Statue of Liberty nearly a year ago. It was so cold I babushkad my head with my shawl. I thought my ears were going to freeze and fall off. This design is my fashionable answer to that previously unfashionable moment. The hood is a drapey Jane Eyre still hood attached to a rectangular stole with vertical stitch pattern. This is a wonderfully versatile design that can be worn any number of ways and transition your wardrobe from one season to the next.

The garment is knit from the front of the hood back so you can make the stole as big as you like. Here is a photo:

 

Customer Projects 01/30/12 — WOW!!!

Everyone has been very busy while I was preparing for TNNA.  Thanks to Alicia wearing one of the loop scarves I sold during the holiday sample sale this past December, this scarf pattern is off and running again.  My version spirals for someunknown reason and is loads of fun…will type at some future date so you can play with it.  For now, enjoy and hopefully be inspired by all the awesome fiber arts going on at Summit Yarn.  Here in no particular order:

Kate Wassel's entrlac socks...she is currently crocheting the cutest owl ever! This past weekend was her birthday -- so be sure to send her great Birthday Wishes!!!

 

I came up with a way to crochet this infinity scarf so it has a sawtooth edge on both edges and Chris is loving the pattern and tested it through every possible variation!

 

Chris finished her Prysm Socks from one of last year's kits.

 

one of the Ewetopia swatches I did to see what stitch definition I could get...!

 

Skullcap worn by my teenage son...two balls would make a nice sized adult stocking hat.

 

Izzy wearing a cowl version of the crochet Infinity Scarf made from Big Trend yarn in Rainbow Colors

 

One of Donna's socks made from the wonderful Opal Sock Yarn.

 

a knit bag ready for felting...do they have to be this big? Yes, they lose at least half their vertical height and some of the width (about one third).

 

Carol with her Bedouin Bag by Noni prior to felting. Well done!

 

Chris is still plugging away at her four at a time socks....these are just going to take a good amount of time!

 

Robin's Juniper Moon hat (pattern from Interweave Knits I believe)...love the stitch texture...I think this stitch pattern would be great for socks!

 

Frog Tree Yarns Picoboo Hat knit by Jamie using fibonacci Stripe technique.

 

Jamie's Arroway Shawl...now completed and absolutely gorgeous. This pattern however was the base pattern for his first shawl in this five month series. I hope we get something really original and NEW in February!

 

Beautiful Baby Hat by Beth for first grandchild!

 

Flounce-like yarn by Katia that has defined holes to knit through at the top of this "yarn". If you are interested in this in the future just let me know!

 

Suzy models the Origami Cardigan knit in Meriboo Machine Washable...still unfinished, it is back at the bottom of the list again.

 

Shawl by Suzy knit in Noro...pattern from Ravelry...Suzy: title of pattern?

 

close-up view -- fair isle knitting the fun and easy way!Suzy models the Zora Infinity Scarf.

 

 

Photos From TNNA Phoenix 2012

Some of Flock Wooligan and a Pediboo Log Cabin Blanket

Artwork in an alley in Phoenix...reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower!

Sharon and Susie after dinner on Sunday Night and our adventures with Zora!

To my right the sign says to: Go This Way>>

To my left another sign says: <<This was to gates C70-C139. Aargh!! Newark Airport

Yesssss....The Giants make it to the Superbowl!!!

Oh! I forgot to tell you this story. Sitting next to me in the window seat was a man named Eric, 6feet 6inches tall. The guy in front of him kept putting his chair back, squishing this guy even more. I whispered: I bet you want to push that guy into tomorrow! and he started snickereing. I shared that my dad was the same height and some of Dad's funny stories. The above is an Italian toilet that Eric told me about. See those places where feet should be placed? Well, he found out the hard way how important that is. I also found on the internet that for #2 there is significant backsplash!

This is a Scorpion lollipop I got for Brian...he is still carrying it around! Yes, that is a real scorpion...ewww!

Not the most flattering image, but what a warm greeting from the cats...all four of mine!

Zora, God Bless her soul, who hauled us around Phoenix looking for dinner Sunday Night.

This is HEARTEN, the design Frog Tree Yarns chose to support the Jimmy Bean's Wool Stitch Red Project. It is perhaps my most personal design to date. Hearten is a hooded stole with vertical cables and heart-shaped lace. It is sold as a kit through your local LYS and if you are feeling nervous about the lace sections then just turn them into Stockinette Stitch panels for ease and enjoyment of knitting. The edge around the hood is something I made up after knitting a fair amount of Estonian stitches. The hood is daintily bobbled and very loose and has lots of drape -- think Charlotte Bronte. I wanted a grown-up woman's hooded accessory with style and beauty. The response at TNNA was humbling and overwhelming. I am still smiling like a goof!

 

Nikkers LOVES Pediboo

Finished a sample of the Neap Tide Shawl by Mary Lou Egan ( for Frog Tree Yarns ) last night. It is an elongated crescent shawl/scarf with a Print O’ The Wave shetland edging, knit side-to-side. It is an easy knit and I was even able to memorize the edging pattern. The pattern says to do 6 repeats in the center work even area. I have knit this shawl twice now, from two skeins of Pediboo (510 yards) and can promise you can get 11-12 repeats in the center section and still have enough to finish with a little left over. Huz was nice enough to help me block it last night. Here are some photos:

 

Finished the Blue Thing

Just finished test driving a pattern for Frog Tree Yarns.  Just sent off the corrections and the garment is soaking before I block it.  Yay!!!  On to the next project…going to take a break and crochet on a potholder.  Maybe today’s message is give yourself a break today or tomorrow too.  Take care and Stay Light!  loads of love, light and laughter always,

Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn Studio

 

US OPEN 2011 and a completed studio sample along the way

As you may have noticed we made our annual family pilgrimage to the US OPEN and had a great time.  The drive in and the drive home were both slow because of severe flooding in New Jersey around Route 46.  Even so, play was delayed in the Arthur Ashe stadium and we didn’t miss a thing.  I even found a few new players to root for.  I brought three projects to work on through out the day:  The Serenity Wrap for in the car, the “My Kind of Saturday” Cowl in Riveting for during the day and a sock just in case…you know, it could happen.  Here are photos of the day and the finished cowl:

I was no the only knitter in the crowd! YAY!

We were watching Harrison vs. Cillic first.  It took a little while to get my bearings and find the score board and figure out who was way down there:

Harrison vs Cillic (Cillic won)

Then we climbed a bazillion stairs up and down to watch Mardy Fish and then Sharapova.  Here is Maria Sharapova mid-serve:

Maria Sharapova mid-serve

And here is Juan Monaco mid-serve:

He also won!

The "My Kind of Saturday" cowl by IrishGirlieKnits from Riveting by Kollage Yarns. It was nice to work on even in the heat because of the cotton content. I finished this during the Sharapova vs Watson match.

walking out to our car....

the sky was ablaze on the way home last night...I thought this would make a great sock yarn colorway!

Suzy models the newest pattern by IrishGirlieKnits.

The original cast on for the cowl was 120 stitches, which seemed small…I am not petite by any means (wish I was).  I increased the cast on to 156 stitches and still had yarn left over after completing the pattern (otherwise) as written.  I love this yarn.  There are 350 yards per skein and it retails for $15 a skein.  One skein would make one of Romi Hill’s small shawls.  For people who have wool allergies, this is some really nice, wearable (and washable) softness!

Take care and please take time today to go to the Frog Tree Yarns website and check out The Pink Project.  The two people who inspired the concept and any person battling cancer really needs your help and blessings.  Please remember Summit Yarn is making contributions to the Pink Project for every kit sold…please come and do us proud!

with love and light, Mary Ellen

 

New Markdowns and more Customer Projects

Yesterday, Lourdes, Debbie and Lisa came by for a knit.  Lisa, God Bless Her Very Much, worked on sheep parts so that I could finish a shop sample ordered by a store in Connecticut.  Lourdes is back to crack mittens and they are gorgeous!  (Photos below…)  Debbie did great with the shawl by Tanis Gray (latest issue of Knitscene…the bulky weight shawl knit on US 13′s in three parts–body, lower lace edge, upper i-cord edge).  I felt the piece could be done start to finish as one piece in a side-to-side shawl.  I wrote it out for Debbie, explaining how she would have to match up the rows to make things work and she did an amazing and beautiful job.  She also has completed through size small of the Stephen West KAL Mystery Shawl.

Pattern cover from Lourdes' mittens...this can be found on Ravelry!

 

I love the colors Lourdes chose...the lighter color is a pale green, the yarn is DB Rialto Four Ply.

 

The palm side of Lourdes' mitten before she put the thumb in. For anyone who gets to take Cat Bordhi's class "Personal Footprints"...you learn a special trick from her in this class for making thumbs, afterthought heels and afterthought anything look especially good. Take the class!

 

Debbie's Stephen West Mystery KAL in Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool and Silky Tweed.

 

Debbie's Shawl from Knitscene....lace edge/body/I-cord upper edge knit all as one piece. Life should be made easier whenever possible!

 

I am just past the halfway point of the “My Kind of Saturday” cowl knit in Riveting and designed by IrishGirlieKnits.  I like the embossed look of the lace pattern, I love the stitch definition from the yarn and can’t wait to wear it when the weather is cooler because of how very soft and drapey this cowl is!  Come see it at the studio!

"My Kind of Saturday" cowl at the halfway point. Yarn= Riveting from Kollage Yarns (made from recycled blue jeans!)

 

I am still churning out sheep for customers and for Frog Tree Yarns.  If you have one on order it will be ready soon.  Here is the latest one I finished:

done in pink to promote the "Pink Project" a fundraiser for Cancer research...for more info ask me at the studio!

 

Yarn for Juniper Moon Farms arrives in just a few weeks!  I am trying to clear out older yarns we seem to be done with and have many markdowns throughout the studio and especially in the front room.  The next yarn I have marked down severely is the end of the Mission Falls 1824 Cotton…now $2.75 a skein.  It must go to good homes.  I have pattern support specifically for this yarn.  There is a little DB Chunky Donegal Tweed remaining, and other DB yarns as well, all 50% off.  The Elsbeth Lavold Collection is $4 per skein and great for SO MANY PROJECTS including the Dahlia Sweater so popular on Ravelry these days.  All books in the front room are marked down to cost as well.  I look forward to help you take advantage of this limited time end of summer sale in ways that are meaningful to what you want to create.

The great news:  The “Lady Jane Shawl” has been selected by Frog Tree Yarns as one of two pieces to be featured in the fashion show at the upcoming Northwest Needle Market in Seattle City this September.  This is a huge and humbling honor!  And, a reminder, if you purchase the pink kit of the Lady Jane shawl this will help raise funds for cancer research for the Frog Tree Yarns Pink Project.

now, for your daily dose of cute (thank you Jamie and Suzy for your contributions):

"Your knitting is interfering with my napping!"

 

Kristin Nichols warms up a lamb in her own colorful way!

 

Gene, the kitten gets his nap IN SPITE of his mom's knitting. Thank you very much.

 

Take care and I look forward to seeing you soon at Summit Yarn Studio.  There are only two remaining kits for this month’s sock club and more limited space next month.  Please let me know if you are interested.  I am always happy to ship.  with love, laughter and light always, Mary Ellen

 

FAUXBERRY

An alternate way to drape Fauxberry; classic colorway version.

 

Due to the interest in this pattern and a request, I spent some time today developing alternate colorways for this shawlette/scarf.  Here are the photos.  If you are interested, I have all the supplies and am always willing to ship to you.  Just shoot me an email!  Simple as that!

The three balls together are the main colors; the other two are the edging and the highlight color -- knitter's choice.

 

 

Color way #2.

 

Color way #3 -- that is a baby/sky blue.

 

Color way #4.

 

Color way #5.

 

Color way #6.

 

Color way #7.

 

Color way #8.

 

Color way #9.

 

Color way #10.

 

Color way #11.

 

I hope this inspires you.  For more inspiration go to the Burberry Site and look at their color combinations.  Looking through the current Vogue, I was also really liking the use of color this year by the company called:  Mulberry.  Watching fashion trends, I would point out there is an emphasis on combining black, white and grey — BIG TIME…just random thoughts.

Have a great day…have more for later….C U then!  love and light, Mary Ellen

YEAR-END SALE:  You come in, tell me what you want and I will discount it as low as possible.  Win-Win.  Good until the end of August.  <3  xox m.e.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Pattern Available From Frog Tree Yarns: Fauxberry

This is a pattern I designed about two years ago at the request of Donna and her friend Mary.   Fauxberry is an easy knit (done from the neck edge out to the ruffle) and uses easy short row shaping for its over the shoulder shaping.  We chose Frog Tree Yarns Pima Silk for softness and drape, as well as versatility of color palette.  Both Donna and Charlotte have test knit this well-loved pattern and I am thrilled that it will be available wherever Frog Tree Yarns are sold.  Here are some photos (we could not figure out how to send photos from Charlotte’s phone so I photo’d the photo on her phone…best we could do…being technically challenged individuals we were lucky to find the photo cache on her phone at all!):

Suzy in updated photos.

 

my favorite way to drape Fauxberry

close-up of Charlotte's Blue Fauxberry

view along the long edge

Today is a great day for publishing but not so much for technology…sigh…