Stranded Magazine & Pattern Release: Gilia Legwarmers

 

Photo credit: Andi Satterlund, Stranded Magazine

I'm super excited to announce the release of the Stranded Magazine: Mild Weather 2016 issue, and my pattern, the Gilia legwarmers! Knit up in Miss Babs Yowza - Whatta Skein!, they're a fun, cozy way to extend skirts and dresses into the fall, or keep your legs toasty walking down to the diner for pie and damn good coffee. ;)

Gilia is available as part of the full issue, which you can check out on their website or Ravelry.

Now that the official stuff is done, okay, full disclosure: I'm in love with this issue! The bright, retro styling, the Twin-Peaks-y vibe, the designs - Salal and Tupshin and Latourell, omg - soo goood. Not to mention the articles, including a feature on my absolute favorite yarnies, Kate & Rachel of Spincycle Yarns! Yep... time to go find my wool skirts, put on some winged eyeliner, and start adding new projects to my queue...

(And just as a little introduction after the fact, Stranded is a new online publication put together by local designers & yarn folks Andi Satterlund, Erin Birnel, and Monica Kirby - they've been an awesome team to work with, and I'm super stoked to see what they do next. I hope you like the issue as much as I do!)

Happy Thursday!

<33

Cory

Stitchjones Design Challenge Pattern Release: Pow!

  

Aside from a moment in college when I wore slacks and plain t-shirts every day, I've noticed that I choose things based on a deep, irrational pull that I've felt towards them, even - or maybe especially? - if they're the weirdest thing I've ever seen. Glittery trapeze dress? Yes. Pants in a neon tropical fish print? Yesss. This boxy rayon dress with pockets and a checkerboard/rose/watercolor design on it? Yessssss!!!!

And thinking back on it, I had these kinds of clothes as a kid, too: a turquoise t-shirt with frolicking dolphins on it, a white crocheted dress, a pair of hot pink jelly shoes. I couldn't describe why I loved these things, only that I did.

More and more, I've grown to trust that intuition - to design based on what I feel pulled towards, like a weirdo plant leaning towards the sun.

And so, in honor of that: here's Pow! It came to me as a feeling: a sense of joy and playfulness, a picture drawn in comic-book dots - and for an extra bit of fun, Sharon from Stitchjones and I chatted and decided to name the colorway Jelly Shoes. :D

I hope you like it as much as I do!

It's available for download for $6.00, or you can check out the details on Ravelry on the Pow! pattern page.

Happy Wednesday, friends - and if you haven't already, don't forget to check out the other Stitchjones Design Challenge posts below, including the link to Noriko's awesome mitt pattern, Torrance!

<3
Cory

Stitchjones Design Challenge

Part I: Interviews with Stitchjones

Ariel

Noriko

Cory

Part II: Styling Brights

Ariel

Noriko
Cory

Part III: Patterns!
Noriko - Torrance mitts (Ravelry)

Nusalong: Knitting Deadline, and Giveaway Details!

Remember that tonight - Friday, May 6th, at 11:59 pm - is the deadline to finish knitting on your Nusas!

Then, post your WIP or FO to the Ravelry thread by 11:59 pm on Friday, May 13th, to enter to win the following prizes -

 

First Prize FO

Two skeins of Three Fates Yarns aquae singles, in your choice of colors, and a Three Fates project bag.

(All of Stephania's gorgeous repeatable colors can be viewed here. Pick your favorite two, and post them along with your FO photo to the Ravelry thread!)

You'll also win print & digital copies of my Pip hat, Lelia Mitts, and Salt Creek Loop patterns!

  

Second Prize FO

Digital copies of my Pip hat, Lelia Mitts, and Salt Creek Loop patterns!

   

   

Runner-Up WIP

Didn't quite finish? That's okay! Anyone who posts their WIP in the FO thread will be entered to win a digital copy of a pattern of their choice in my Ravelry shop.

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Thanks again for participating, everybody - can't wait to see all your beautiful FOs, and I'll be sure to post when I finish mine. :D

Happy Friday, friends!
<3
Cory

Nusalong: Cast On!

 

I'm taking a breather from work this week, and I'm using the opportunity to cast on my Nusalong project. (You can check out my project page here.)  The stitch count is pretty long on this pattern, so I'm watching dumb home improvement shows in the background while I cast on.

As a side note about the long cast-on - 300+ stitches can feel pretty daunting, and though it is time-consuming, it's actually pretty easy if you can catch a quiet moment to get it done. I usually cast on a kabillion stitches, then count and place stitch markers every 100 stitches after the fact. I count each section of 100 two or three times, which ensures that I have the right number. Then I pop extra stitches off the needle or add more as needed, counting the last section again after each adjustment. You can also divide into sections of 50 if that's easier - whatever works for you!

Then, on the first round after the cast-on, I place my beginning-of-round marker and remove the other markers as I work. Easy peasy.

Remember, tonight at 11:59 pm is the deadline to post on the Ravelry thread or on Instagram with #nusakal to enter to win a copy of the Cairn hat pattern! Don't worry if you need to cast on or join later, though - you're welcome any time.

Happy Monday, friends, and happy Nusalong!

<3

Cory

WIP: Sweet Valentine

  

A few months back, I was chatting with Susan from Abstract Fiber, and we started talking about the F/W Collection - and then we both got excited about the idea of working up some of the patterns in her gorgeous yarns! (For those who haven't squished it before, Abstract Fiber is a Portland-based luxury yarn and fiber brand with incredible, saturated tones. And, full disclosure, I miiiiight have picked up an obsession with it lately.)

We settled on Rothko, a 85/15 Polwarth/Silk blend, to knit up another Sweet Root, and Susan generously sent me two skeins in the colorway Red. And oh my gosh, this yarn is amazing. It has a wonderfully crisp, wooly backbone, and just a touch of polish and drape from the silk. Nom!

I've been plugging away on it since the beginning of January in anticipation of Madrona - you'll be able to come visit the sweater at the Abstract Fiber booth, along with my Indigo Lingon - and as of last night, I'm finally in the home stretch! I seamed the back neckline and picked up for the first sleeve, and I'm hoping to have the sleeves done and the whole shebang blocking by this Sunday.

Think I can do it?

The Very Halpful Corglet thinks I can.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

<3

Cory