UNI SCARF PATTERN

Hey everyone......hope all is well in everyone's Universe!  Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends!  I have a new pattern up for grabs.  It is, in my opinion, a great scarf that would be an awesome gift for that special guy or girl.  It can be a tricky thing designing something that is unisex and have universal appeal.
As you all know I LOVE Cables.  I just love designing them, I love knitting them and I love looking at them. There is just something about them.  They have such movement and texture.
It can be bought here at Ravelry

So without further ado...here is the new pattern:

I know that there is many of you out there that are intimidated by cables-  but don't be. They are not as difficult as you think.  You just have to give it a go.  The thing with this pattern is that it looks so complicated but it's not.  There are many rows of just plain knitting and purling.  So you aren't cabling every row.  Which is so nice for the newer knitter.  Yet the pattern is such that seasoned knitters will enjoy it too-at least I hope so!  The pattern is a 20 Row repeat, however, it is very easily memorized after a repeat or 2- really it is!!
The size of it is a healthy 7.5"x70".  Which is a great length for a scarf.

The yarn I used here is Diamond Yarn Galway Highland Heathers.  I used 3 Skeins to knit the scarf. Well more like 2 and 2/3rds .  Each skien is 200m in length. It is a true blue wool.  The kind of Highland wool you think of when one thinks of a "wooly" scarf.  As you know I love knitting with wool.  I love the feel of it as I knit.  I really liked this yarn to knit with.  It has such a great strength and character to it.  It also has great stitch definition which is key when knitting cables.  You wouldn't want to knit a great cabled piece and then not be able to see the beauty of the cables.  I see that happen so many times.....You really need to choose a yarn like above or one with great stitch definition.  If you are unsure- ask at your local Yarn Store- that is what they are there for.  You are putting so much effort into a piece-you want it to turn out just as you envisioned-Right??

Anyways....hope you like the new scarf.  I really loved designing and knitting it.
Have a great day everyone.
Megan

NO WAY, NO HOW!!

Hey Everyone....just a quick posting today.....just had to put my opinion out there about the following:

Gap

Now let me start by saying I AM NOT A FASHION EXPERT!  I do pride myself on knowing about colour, fabrics and design in general.  However, where on God's green earth is it ever OK to wear Sweatpants and Heels??  I mean come on......  Don't get me wrong,  I am all for personal expression.  If putting on heels with a pair of sweats floats YOUR boat-then fine.  However, I think I speak for a lot of people and I may be a traditional kinda gal.....but under NO circumstances would I EVER wear this.  I think the majority of people would agree with me on this one.  I really think the outfit on the left is totally cute- would defiinitely wear that one.....the one on the Right NO WAY!!  Personally I think they totally missed the boat with that one.
I get it......they are trying to be different, trying to mix it up a little....but really??  Really??  First of all they don't even fit the model properly.  Secondly, if you buy them too tight- Yikes-would look horrible.  If you buy them too loose they would totally bag at the butt!.  Not a nice look for anyone, especially if you were to wear it with a jacket as shown....baggy butt and great jacket do not mix!!
Do yourself a favour.....get an awesome fitting pair of slim pants and pair it with that jacket.....it will look way better.  And when did everything have to be "Skinny" anyways??  Again, don't get me wrong....I like a skinny fit...but on Sweats!!!  Come On!!  Enough already.
OK...enough of my rant for the day......The more I look at it the more I really like the outfit on the left-super cute!! May have to look into a couple of pieces for myself.
Thanks for letting me rant....Ahhhh....feel better now....time to get on with my day!!

Have an awesome day everyone.
Megan

SNOW QUEEN INFINITY COWL

Hey Everyone....I have been hard at work knitting....and knitting.....I have a new cowl pattern:
Snow Queen Infinity Cowl:

I just love her......so snuggy.....yet so stylish!!  And if you haven't noticed I loves me some cables.  I have always loved cables.  They add so much dimension to a project.  I wish I could express how much I love them.  I love how they cross and twist-they are just awesome........  And don't be intimidated by cables.  They are not as hard as they look.  Really!!  Once you understand the lingo and aren't afraid of moving stitches then it is easy.  It certainly slows things down a little as compared to straight knitting, but it is so worth it in the end.  And if you can master cabling without a cable needle- well it just makes it feel all the more awesome.  I will have to go into more depth about cabling without a cable needle another time- it is so amazing!!
I wanted to make a simply cabled infinity cowl in a creamy colour.  I think everyone should have at least one of these puppies in their wardrobe.  It goes with everything.  I think it is the kind of cowl that can look great with a more relaxed rugged look or dressed up with a great wool coat.  Plus the added bonus is that this cowl could certainly be unisex.  By choosing the correct yarn it would look great on any guy too!  Just remember to use yarn with great stitch definition.  A varigated or multi coloured yarn would not suit this as well as a yarn that is simple.  The star of the show is the cables afterall.  I think that is half the battle with knitting....choosing the correct yarn for the project.  I cannot tell you how many times I have seen a particular project and thought- if only they had chosen a different yarn.  I know it is personal and all....however, if you are going to spend all that time creating it and spending some money-isn't it better to pick the best yarn for that project?
I used the Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool again....I love this yarn.  It has the most lovely subtle sheen.  It is so soft and is a great price point(especially if you have a coupon).  I think that this cowl would look great knit in some other yarns as well....perhaps Cascade 220, Valley Yarns Northampton, Classic Elite Yarns Liberty, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran For a more drapier look try Valley Yarns Goshen.   The possibilites are endless........just chose a yarn that is smooth and has one colour for the best definition.
You can purchase the pattern in my Raverly store here.  And as always if you have any questions or comments you can always drop me a line.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

AWESOME BUNGALOW-CRAFTSMAN!

Hey Everyone....I came across this amazing build that I JUST HAD TO SHARE.  Let me just say that I want to move in....or at least....build one like it....I hope you enjoy:

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I truly love this home.  I can't make up my mind what I love most-all of it I guess!!  And that "play house" out back- Sigh!!
This amazing build is by Great Neighbourhood Homes.  Isn't it stunning?  Lovely??  So liveable?  I LOVE IT!!

I know I haven't been around much as of late......I have been struggling a bit as far as the blog goes.  Feeling like I have been having a bit of writers block and all that.  I truly love sharing my passion with you all.  I just haven't been feeling myself lately.  Hopefully all will be back to normal soon.

Thanks for stopping by........and sharing in a little Craftsman love!!

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

WHERE O' WHERE.....

Yes Everyone.....I have been here.  Just been a strange week.  Head is muddled....life getting in the way and all that!  Please stay tuned as I will be back very soon.......
In the meantime please enjoy this amazing image from Allsorts:

Have a great day everyone!
Megan

POTTERY BARN COMES THROUGH!

Hey Everyone....a really quick post today......So my last post I talked about that "Seed Stitch Pillow" from Pottery Barn and that it really is a Garter Stitch pillow.....well...... I emailed them to let them know the error of their ways and NEVER thought in a million years that I would get a response!!!  Well, wonders never cease...I got an email back:

Hello Megan,

Thank you for contacting Pottery Barn.

We appreciate your keen eye and knowledge of you knitting stitches. I have forwarded your request to our management team to investigate and update our website.

Wholly Toledo!!  I was completely blown away!  So THANK YOU POTTERY BARN.  And thank you Marion for getting back to me so quickly.  As I stated in my return email to Marion, my intent was just to let them know and that I was just trying to be helpful.  So we shall see if this helps them in some little way.

I am despartely trying to finish up my poncho.....

Have a great day everyone.

Megan

KNIT PICKING.......POTTERY BARN

Hey everyone,  Just a very quick posting.  I came across this pillow at Pottery Barn:

Pottery Barn

First of all....love knit accessories for the home.  I really love this colour combo, always have.  I do however, have a few of issues with this particular pillow.  Maybe not the actual pillow however...let me explain. My first issue with this is the "naming" of the pillow.  They have named it "Seed Stitch Knit Pillow".  Which would be fine if IT WERE SEED STITCH!!!!    See this is one area where I kind of loose my nut.  If you are going to use a "technical" naming term, then at least call it by it's proper name.  For those of you unfamiliar with knitting this particular stitch is known as GARTER STITCH.  Which in knitting terms is the easiest kntting stitch by far.  All you have to do to achieve this lovely stitch pattern is to knit (K) every row- thus giving you the ever popular GARTER STITCH.  Seed stitch is made quite differently and gives a completely different look.  I know this may be just a little detail, however, I am a detail kinda gal!
Secondly, there is NO way on God's green earth I would  pay $65.00 US for this pillow.  That doesn't even include the insert!! It doesn't even cost them much to make this.  It probably cost them all of $3.00 to make- no I am totally serious!  Even if it cost them $10.00 they are still overcharging by far.  Any person who is able to just knit, and I mean know how to do the "knit" stitch could whip this up in no time flat.  I know, I know.....those of you out there are saying....all well and good for you since you know how to knit.  Well folks, I am here to tell you that making something just like this pillow is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.  It is created using the simplist knit stitch there is.  That and it is knit in a heavy gauge-say on a 6mm needle with Aran or Chunky yarn.  Easy Peazy!!  You can make this for less than $20.00.....Yarn, needles and form.  I am serious......I think I have just set a challenge for myself and I will share it with you all.......Oh I love a challenge.
Thirdly, they are using ACRYLIC yarn.  I have no issue with Acrylic yarn.  In fact I intend to do a post real soon on defending this workhorse of a yarn.  However, for $65.00 I expect a little something more...just saying.

I just had to have my say on this one.......I suppose I wouldn't have had such an issue with this lovely pillow if and I mean if they had named it right and offered it up at a reasonable price.  Just my opnion is all.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

P.S.
I emailed Pottery Barn.  Here it is;

Hi- just wanted to let you know that someone in your design dept. has misnamed an item.  The item is named as "Seed Stitch Knit Pillow".  To those that understand knitwear know that the pillow was NOT made with a Seed Stitch but was actually knit with a GARTER STITCH.  Just a small detail.  However, when it's wrong it's wrong. If a technical name for a product is to be used then perhaps using the right one is in order. Thought I would pass this along.

Hopefully it will make a point.  But somehow I doubt it!!