3.11.2009

Welcome!

Welcome to everyone who's filtering over my way from Knitty, and to my other five loyal readers! Today I'm excited to announce that my newest pattern, Cirque, is available through Knitty!


cute cably goodness!

These socks are in the advanced knitter category of "extraspicy" because they feature detailed patterning, including many sections of line-by-line patterning at the heel and toe, circular cables, and an "unvented" bindoff. If you're looking for a bit of a challenge or something to pay attention to, these are your socks! I'd like to thank Cindi and Lisbeth for testing these for me - my knitting group rocks!

the twist goes allllllll the way around the toe due to an unconventional three-needle bindoff

I'd also like to thank the fabulous sock tech editor over at Knitty, Kate Atherly, for helping make this pattern perfect. I hope that you will all find it to be error-free! (And in a complicated pattern, isn't that even more important than usual?)


Yes, those are both my feet. No, I wouldn't wear them like that.

Comments welcome - I'd love to know what you guys think!

Till next time,
Sarah

2.21.2009

Tops & Toes!

Today I am getting interviewed by Jennifer Tallapaneni of Pieknits about my work in the book, "Tops & Toes"!

Be the first to comment on this post for a chance to win an awesome knitting T-shirt from the book's editor!

JT: Hi Sarah! Thanks for having me over to your blog. It's so nice to get to learn a little more about great designs! I've always thought your pieces are really cute.

SW: Welcome, Jennifer, and thanks so much! Glad to have you here.
JT: So this was your first book correct? How did it feel to get published? Did you enjoy working with DRG?

SW: Yes, this was my first time being published in a paper & ink book! It is an incredible feeling, holding this book in my hands and seeing my name right there like a real designer! Working with DRG was a very happy experience and something I would definitely do again if given the opportunity!

Diamond Swirl Socks - queue them up!

JT: I saw that you have three designs in this book (Daisy Rib Buttoned Leg Warmers, Diamond Swirl Socks, and Zany Zigzag socks - congrats!). My question is how did you find time, or manage your time to work all three at once?

SW: Wow! Well, I was very excited to have all three of my proposals accepted for the book. As it turns out, I wound up having to knit these projects in a frantic hurry while in the middle of a cross-country move! I was literally working my Diamond Swirl Socks (above) in the car while driving from Florida to Kansas City! I guess it's just a classic case of doing what you have to do to get the job done. But really: is any of us going to complain about having to knit? I think not! :)
JT: Do you have some quick thoughts on the different yarns you used?
SW: I particularly liked working with the Happy Feet (Zany Zigzag Socks) and Jitterbug (Diamond Swirl Socks). These are both great yarns; the Happy Feet is super soft and squishy and is also one of the most affordable sock yarns on the market! The Colinette Jitterbug has amazing yardage - there was enough in one skein to make the large size pair of socks, with even a wee bit left over! The Burly Spun by Brown Sheep was a great choice for legwarmers since it has the insulating properties of wool and knits up quickly since it is such a thick yarn!
Zany Zigzag Socks - queue them up!
JT: I LOVE your Buttoned Leg Warmers (they are going in my queue)! Where did you come up with the concept for those?
SW: Thanks so much! Actually, my dear Seester had the idea of doing a legwarmer that buttons up, because she was walking to work at the time and disliked having to remove her shoes to take her legwarmers on and off! I loved the idea and asked her if she would mind if I designed something using that concept, and she very unselfishly said I could (thanks, Seester)! I absolutely love how they turned out and couldn't be any happier!
Daisy Rib Buttoned Legwarmers - queue them up!
JT: Do you have plans for any more books in your future? What things would you like to tackle next in your design career?
SW: Well, you can look forward to seeing more of my work in this spring's issue of Knitty! I also have a piece due out in an upcoming issue of Yarn Forward. As far as goals, I would absolutely love to see something that I knit in a movie (though that might be considered more of a fantasy, really!) and hope to have my own book deal in the next five years!
That's it for this time, folks! Thanks to Jennifer for stopping by and asking such provocative questions! I hope you all enjoyed the interview! Remember to stop by her blog tomorrow, February 22nd, to find out more about her work in the book!
Till next time,
Sarah

2.20.2009

It's Almost Here!

It's been almost a year since mailing off my last of the pieces for this project, and it isn't something I've ever blogged about, but guess what? I'm going to be in a book! And it's a nice, clever little book, too!

squee!


It's Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat & Sock Knitters, and it's put out by DRG Publications and is available through Annie's Attic.
Can't wait to see more? Come back tomorrow for a sneak peek at all three of my designs in the book, and to hear my interview from Jennifer Tallapaneni of Pieknits! Catch all of the designers on the blog tour following this schedule:
2/21- Me!
2/22- Jennifer Tallapaneni: PieKnits
2/23- Erika Flory: It's About The Knitting
2/24- Erssie Major: ErssieKnits
2/25- Ann Squire: Annie-O
2/26- Faina Goberstein: Faina's Knitting Mode
2/27- Celeste Pinhiero: Two Stix In The Woods
2/28- Kara Gott Warner: sheknitsintheloop with Laura Nelkin
3/1- Joanne Seiff: Yarn Spinner
3/2- Cindy Moore: The Fitter Knitter Catch the interview with me about the making of Tops & Toes!
3/3- Sean Higgins: Kblicious
Till next time,
Sarah

1.21.2009

Free Pattern Day - Golf Like an Egyptian!

Next up, another golf club cover! This one features an easy mosaic stitch that looks much more complicated than it actually is!


For those unfamiliar with mosaic stitch, it is a two-color knitting technique that only uses one color per row; the second color of stitches are slipped from the row before, creating an interesting fair-isle effect!

Get the PDF for free, here.



Till next time,
Sarah

1.19.2009

Free Pattern Day - Guitar Strap!

Next up, we've got a super simple, crocheted guitar strap:



This works up quickly and uses just a scant amount of worsted yarn! This is great for that sari silk you bought but now realize you have absolutely no use for. Know someone who likes to play around on their guitar? That friend of yours that's 36 but still thinks his band is going to make it? This is for them. :)

Download the PDF for free, here.



Till next time,
Sarah

1.18.2009

Free Pattern Day - Profane Golf Club Covers!

As promised, here's the next free pattern up for grabs!



thanks to BumbleBeas for the kind use of this photo!


For golfers with a sense of humor, this set of covers will not only keep your clubs cozy, they'll give your foursome a good chuckle, too! Includes charts for #, @, !, * and %.


Get the free PDF here.


Till next time (and don't worry, there's more to come),
Sarah

1.15.2009

Free Pattern Day - Argyle Golf Club Covers!

Whoa! I just realized I've never uploaded all of my free patterns to the bloggity-blog, so I'll be doing that over the next few days. Check back tomorrow for another freebie! Today's lovely is:


Argyle Golf Club Covers!

These have been popular for Dads, Brothers, Boyfriends, Husbands, and men in general, but I'm partial to this fun pink and green combination!

This pattern requires basic fair isle skills, but would also be a great beginner fair isle project. Check out the projects already posted on Ravelry!

Download the PDF for free, here.

Till next time,
Sarah