Something new

I decided to take a little mental break from coops and wholesale orders to focus on what I enjoy best - trying new techniques and color combinations.

Lately I've been experimenting with layered dyeing, submerging the yarn in one color and then another and another. The resulting depth of shade is amazing.

Summer Mojito

Ripple

Troy

I feel like my brain is running in a million directions, there are just so many color combinations I can try. 

Green Thumb (or violet pinky)

A small dyeing accident gave me a good scare. A little hole in my glove caused my pinky to be dyed purplish yellow. I scared myself when I first looked upon it. My brain kept telling me that there is something wrong with my hand. I think I even let out a little scream the first time I saw it. 

I've had a rough time with the kids so I decided to get a good laugh (at my poor husband's expense). I emailed him the photo with the subject "I may need surgery" then I made up a little bit about Reid biting me. The poor guy fell for it and I could not stop laughing. It felt good to have a deep belly laugh. :)

So Portland

This pattern started out as a cowl that I wanted to use as a headband as well. Well it turned out I loved using it much more as a headband than a cowl as it kept my head and ears perfectly warm. When my husband first saw me wear it he exclaimed (with just a bit of  tease in his voice) "that's SO Portland"... I made a few changes to the pattern, but the name stuck! The final pattern is a quick and easy headband/ear warmer that can be worn as a cowl too. Features a short row construction to allow for a narrow band in the back and a wide band across the ears and head. Perfect accessory for a chilly hike. Please make sure you understand short row methodology prior to starting the pattern (a link to a tutorial is provided). You may choose to use your own method if desired.

Approximately 80 yards of DK or light worsted yarn.
Gauge: One pattern repeat (10sts) in 2" (just a hair under 2" actually)
Special Instructions 
  m1 - make one stitch by knitting into the bar before the next stitch.
  sk2po - Left leaning double decrease
  "Close gap" -
 On the knit side:

1. Knit until you reach the gap.
2. From the knit side, pull the loop from behind the stitch on the right needle.  The loop should be correctly mounted with its right leg in front.
3. Knit the loop together with the next stitch.

On the purl side:

1. Purl until you reach the gap, locate the loop under the right needle.
2. Slip the first stitch on the left needle purlwise onto the right needle
3. Pull the loop up onto the left needle.  The loop should be correctly mounted with its right leg in front.
4. Slip the first stitch on the right needle back to the left needle
5. Purl the next stitch together with the loop.

For complete tutorial on Japanese (and other) short rows please refer to http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2009/10/short-rows-method.html

Begin Pattern Using size 5 16" circular needles CO 84 sts, PM, join to knit in the round.
 Purl around once.
Knit around once.


Begin Pattern 1 - Note that the front of the headband is done in short rows

    Row 1 (RS): K19,  ssk, work [k3, m1, k1, m1, k3, sk2p]x5 times, k3, m1, k1, m1, k3, k2tog, k1,    turn work.

    Row 2 (WS): Sl1 purlwise, p62, turn work.

    Row 3: Sl1 purlwise, ssk, work [k2, m1, k3, m1, k2, sk2p]x5 times, k2, m1, k3, m1, k2, k2tog, k1, close gap, turn work.

    Row 4: Sl1 purlwise, p63, close gap, turn work.

    Row 5: Sl1 purlwise, k1, ssk, work [k1, m1, k5, m1, k1, sk2p]x5 times, k1, m1, k5, m1, k1, k2tog, k2, close gap, turn work.

    Row 6: Sl1 purlwise, p65, close gap, turn work.

    Row 7: Sl1 purlwise, k2, ssk, work [m1, k7, m1, sk2p]x5 times, m1, k7, m1, k2tog, k3, close gap. - At this point  you should be back to your start of round marker with RS facing

Next round: P to 1 st before next gap, close gap using the next stitch, k to end of round.

Begin Pattern 2 - Note that the front of the headband is done in short rows

    Row 1 (RS): K19, work [k1, m1, k3, sk2p, k3, m1]x6 times, k2, turn work.

    Row 2 (WS): Sl1 purlwise, p62, turn work.

    Row 3: Sl1 purlwise, k1, work [k1, m1, k2, sk2p, k2, m1, k2]x6 times, k1, close gap, turn work.

    Row 4: Sl1 purlwise, p63, close gap, turn work.

    R0w 5: Sl1 purlwise, k1, work [k3, m1, k1, sk2p, k1, m1, k2]x6 times, k3, close gap, turn work.

    Row 6: Sl1 purlwise, p65, close gap, turn work.

    Row 7: Sl1 purlwise, k2, work [k4, m1, sk2p, m1, k3]x6 times, k4, close gap. - At this point  you should be back to your start of round marker with RS facing

Next round: P to 1 st before next gap, close gap using the next stitch, k to end of round.

Repeat instructions for Pattern 1, followed by Pattern 2, once more. You may wish to repeat Pattern 1 once more for an extra wide band (as pictured).
Knit one round Purl one round
Bind off.