Happy Holidays!

It's that precious time between Christmas and the New Year and I love it. Its the pause I need after 365 days of madness, and a quiet time for me to reflect and a plan for future adventures with my lovely husband and beautiful boys.  It also happens that there is a lot of knitting happening, too.

The past few days have been filled with sketching up patterns to work up in the new year, planning colorways, mapping out kits and contemplating yarn clubs. As I was working up the new patterns, my thoughts drifted to my favorite designs of 2013. One in particular stuck out because of this time of year and the season, so I thought I would share it with you.

 A few weeks ago, I knitted a crown for my oldest son. It's always fun to pull out crowns at Christmas or Birthdays, or just everyday creative play. I wanted to present the pattern here on the blog for free. I love how it looks in Variegated yarn but a few of my friends have made it in solids and its just as adorable. Here it is modeled by my girlfriend's beautiful daughter.

Child Crown

Needles: Size US2 16” circular

Yarn: Fingering weight of choice. you will need about 18g.

CO 120 sts onto size US2 16” circular

Join in round

K2P2 rib for 12 rounds

Round 13: knit all sts

Repeat 1&2 four times total.

1) *M1, K4, Slp 2tg, K1, pass 2 slp sts back over, k4, M1, K1*

2) Knit

Picot BO (CO 2, BO 4 *for fewer points on crown, BO 6)

Weave in your ends and make your little ones royal!

You have to block those picot point up! So, pin them or string them up in the blocking process.

Happy New Year everyone! 

Amanda

A new series...

If you know me in real life, you know that I have a great love for all things fiber. Where the fiber comes from, how it is processed and the creation of fine yarns is just one aspect!  I have respect for the weavers, the spinners, the dyers and the designers. The craft, as a whole, is pretty incredible! Rich in history and diverse enough to entice and encompass a huge number of people across the globe. A passion so great, (sometimes born out of necessity or tradition, and other times a hobby) spread through all countries and cultures, that you could say, "it knits the world together."

I, myself, am a dyer, knitter, crocheter and have taken to designing recently. I wanted to chat with some other people that love these things as well, and what better place to start than at the very end? ;) The people who sketch, chart, create and design the patterns you love to knit. The people who make Ravelry one of your favorite places to spend your time!  Your drooling over cardigans and cowls, hats and mittens, shawls and sweaters is the effect of the hard work that these designers do; so I've picked a few of my personal favorites to spotlight. I'm sure you know their names and have probably even knit a design or two that they have created.

 I'm thrilled with the responses I've received from the women involved. (You know knitters are some of the nicest people on Earth, right?). I hope, that through this series, you will get to know the people behind the designs a little better and understand what great lengths they go to to help you on your knitting journey!

Enjoy the series!!
Amanda

What's new?

Oh my goodness! Have I really not blogged since June?! I need to catch you guys up!

My family and I did quite a bit of traveling over the Summer and settled in Charleston for the Fall. It's a gorgeous city with a ton of wonderful inspiration.
I did some dyeing here and there for Lucky Lamb over the Summer, but mostly focused on knitting and designing.
I released 3 Native inspired shawls; Rock Skipper, Freebird and the Dancing Shawl.
There also happens to be a Free cowl pattern here.

Now that we are somewhat settled, I've release some new colorways and hope to get some kits underway too!! There are some Winter designs on my needles now and I'm also busy with some Holiday knitting for family and friends. So much fun stuff happening!

Sorry to type and run, but my kiddos are whining, the dishes and laundry need done and of course, those projects are not going to knit themselves!

There are some great things coming to the blog soon so be sure to check back!
XX
Amanda

Latvian Braid Belt

I've been in love with the Latvian Braid since first seeing it. I have been super excited to use it somehow, some where!!
I ended up knitting this belt in the round, left a long enough loop of yarn, and cut it right down the middle for the fringe on the ends. Then just tied those loose ends off. :)
It worked up awesome with a Lucky Lamb dark blue and Treasure Island in worsted weight.
My sweet sister then sewed a ribbon backing on it leaving about 15" on each side for tying room.
The belt measures about 64" long minus the fringe.
It was just what i needed to funky up some of my summer wardrobe. :)

Durga Socks

All of my patterns come from wanting or needing to create something for my kids or myself. I'm a practicing yogi and yoga is a huge part of my world! So these little Egyptian inspired socks (almost spats) are perfect for practicing in or just wearing around the house. I don't think I've taken them off since creating them on my way to Nashville.  The pattern is available on Ravelry. Go check it out!
XA

Point Me Home

Getting ready to load up the car and kiddos and head to Nashville for the Summer!!
Everyone is excited and ready.
I've just finished a bag pattern called Point Me Home and I'm super psyched for the testers to get their kits. It can easily look like a different bag depending on who makes it. I chose wooden handles, beads and shells, feathers and the LL colorway, Treasure Island.
Starting on a couple new patterns for the drive and sweet summer to follow.
Some iphone pics of the bag!

Mother's Day and Mama Mitts

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas!!
I thought it might be the perfect day to offer up another free pattern just for the mamas.

My darling son that wanted the Turtle Mitts also requested that I have a pair to match.
This pattern takes so little yarn and whips up so quickly, that it's a great project to knock out in an evening or two.
Enjoy!

MAMA TURTLE MITTS

This pattern is worked in the round using either DPN’s or circular needles.

Needle: Size US 8

Yarn: Lucky Lamb Superwash Worsted

Gauge: 4sts/inch

*You will need to know: Knit Stitch

  Seed Stitch

(knit 1 purl 1 and then the opposite on the next row, P1K1)

 M1R- make one right

Using long tail method, CO 36

K1P1 Ribbing for 7 rows.

Seed st. for 18 sts (outside), Knit  for 18 sts (inside) for 7 rows.

Begin Increases: Row 1.M1R, Seed St 18, M1R,  K18

                Row 2. knit in pattern

Repeat increases 2 more times. total increase 6 sts.

(1st M1R knit in seed st, 2nd M1R in knit st so that stitches stay even)

Thumb: LEFT: SS21, K15, BO6

BO6, SS15, K15

RIGHT: Seed st 15, BO 6 seed st., BO 6 knit sts, K15

SS15, K15

Knit in pattern 14 rows or until desired length.

BO in pattern.

Weave in ends and slip on your mama mitts!  

Turtle Mitts

Kingsley: Mama, can you make me some turtle mitts?
Me: I have no idea what that is.
Kingsley: But you can make them, right?

And so I picked up some LL worsted superwash and began to create the Turtle Mitt!!
I'm pleased with how they turned out but Kings is over the moon! He wears them everywhere and insisted that I actually make 3 in case he loses one :)

So here is the pattern should your child ever request their very own turtle mitt ;)

TODDLER TURTLE MITTS

This pattern is worked in the round using DPN’s or circular needles.

Needle: Size US 8

Yarn: Lucky Lamb Superwash Worsted

Gauge: 4sts/inch

*You will need to know: Knit Stitch

 Seed Stitch-k1p1, next row p1k1
 M1R - make one right

Using the long tail method, CO 24

6 rows of K1P1 ribbing

Seed St (SS) starting with P1K1 for 12 sts (outside), Knit (K) 12 sts. for 3 rows.

Increases: Row 1. M1R, SS12, M1R, K12

      Row 2. SS13, K13

                Row 3. M1R, SS13, M1R, K13

                Row 4. SS14, K14

                Row 5. M1R, SS14, M1R, K14

                Row 6. SS15, K15

Left Thumb: Row 1: SS15, K12, BO3

        Row 2: BO3, SS12, K11

                 Row 3: SS12, K12

Right Thumb: Row 1:SS12, BO3 (seed), BO3 (knit), K12

           Row 2: SS12, K12

Continue, 10 rows seed stitch on outside, stockinette on inside to desired length.

BO in pattern.

Gather

Hey!  LA knitters!!  Guess what?
You can now find Lucky Lamb Yarn at your LYS!

I'm excited to announce that Gather is now stocking some LL!
Gather is the sweetest little yarn shop. Located above a book store in Downtown LA. The kind of place I could lose a day in.
The owner Evi, is personable and knowledgeable and wonderful to talk with. She has put so much love and attention into Gather, and it shows!
Stop by and say hi! We are also planning some upcoming events, so stay tuned for those.

Gather is located at 453 S Spring Street, 2nd Floor Mezzanine, Los Angeles, CA. (213) 908-2656

Lucky Stripe Sampler Tube Scarf

Hey knit friends!!
I am really excited to share with you all what my good friend Jamie, over at Crafting out Loud, has created. It's an amazing scarf pattern using Lucky Lamb Yarn. I love her sweet color combinations, don't you?!
Of course, as she says, the options are endless!! So go throw it in your queue! I can't wait to make mine!
Thanks for sharing Jamie!! <3

Materials:
Size 5 16” circular needle
Lucky Lamb Yarn variegated samples in sport weight (I used “Wild at Heart”, “Birdsong”, “Ventura”,
“Roller Rink Light”, “Further”, and “Aspen”)
Cascade 220 sport weight for solid sections

Pattern:
CO 73 using provisional cast on using solid color

Section 1:
*Knit 6 rows using the solid color
Knit 6 rows using a variegated color*
Repeat * to * for a total of 5 solid sections and 5 variegated section, ending with a variegated.

Section 2-6, repeat Section 1 using different color combinations.

Section 7:
*Knit 3 rows in first solid color from Section 1
Knit 3 rows in variegated color from Section 1*
Repeat * to * for a total of 5 solid sections and 5 variegated section, ending with a variegated.

Sections 8 through 10, repeat Section 7 using the same color pattern as Sections 2 through 4.

Section 11:
Knit 2 rows in first solid color from Section 5
Knit 2 rows in variegated color from Section 5

Section 12:
Knit 2 rows in first solid color from section 6
Knit 1 row in the variegated color from Section 6

Continue with the current variegated color and using Kitchener stitch, attach the working side to the
provisional cast on edge being sure not to twist the scarf.

Groovy Seed Stitch Headband

So here ya go! Grab yourself some Lucky Lamb superwash sport and get groovy with this free headband pattern.
This is a very easy pattern to alter to your head size but is made to be adjustable.

GROOVY SEED STITCH HEADBAND

YARN: Lucky Lamb Superwash Sport

NEEDLE: US 3 (3.25 mm) circulars or straights.

GAUGE: 5 Sts per Inch in Seed Stitch.

CO 30 Sts (for a narrower version CO 20)

Seed Stitch for 9 inches.

Decreases:

1. Decrease next row by BO one stitch on each side.

2. Seed Stitch

Repeat decrease pattern (1&2) until there are 10 stitches remaining on your needles.

Seed stitch for 4 inches (if you are knitting the narrow version, seed st for 5”). BO one stitch on each side so that 8 are remaining.

Change to Garter stitch (knit both sides) for 8 inches. Depending on your head size, you may want to garter stitch for fewer inches for a shorter tail.

Bind off.

Attach 3 Sts to the center of your CO edge and work in garter for 3 inches. BO.

Attach BO end to CO edge to create a loop. Weave in ends and rock it!  

Feeling groovy

A few weeks ago I had a desire to make a really funky and fun headband. I looked through Ravelry   but didn't find exactly what i was looking for. I wanted something groovy, something 60's inspired.... So i sat down and made it.

A few friends are currently testing out the pattern and after they've finished, I'll share the pattern here. I sent out 6 new colorway ideas to be tested (one didn't make it into the picture), along with the pattern.

Stay tuned! Pattern to come!

And so it begins...

Wow, it's all happening! The little seeds I've been planting over the months are starting to sprout.
I cannot even express how excited I am to be pushing this third baby (Lucky Lamb) of mine into the world!
I've had so much wonderful support through this process. My sweet husband, my darling little 2 and 3 year old "helpers", the friends that have proofed for me, tested yarns and patterns for me, put up with my texts and questions.... Many many thanks to all of them for helping Lucky Lamb get to this point!!
Looking forward to posting many pics, patterns, thoughts and ideas here.
Let the journey begin!!