Happy Summer Solstice!

So we just had the longest day of the year - in the northern hemisphere that is. Doesn't it feel like the whole, long summer is stretching out in front of us? Just like when we were kids and school was out for the summer?
I can swear that summers were longer back then ;-)

Today's Tip:

Here is a tip that makes use of Ravelry. 

Do you have a variegated yarn that you want to use, but you’re not sure how it will look knitted up? Of course, it’s a good idea to swatch; but here’s another idea.

1. Go into Ravelry and under the “Yarns” tab, look up the yarn. 
2. Once you have it, you’ll see tabs along the top including “Stashes”, “Pattern Ideas” and “Projects”. Choose Projects.
3. On the drop down menus, choose Knitting or Crochet, and optionally select the color you’re interested in. You can even enter the exact colorway in the search box on the right.
4. Click “Search in Projects” and you should see a bunch of projects worked up in your color of yarn. 

Like this.

Isn’t that neat?

Designs

So, what’s new in my projects? Recently published are:

The Nancy Pearl fingerless mitts have just been published in a new book called “Stitching in the Stacks”.

It is themed to libraries, librarians and books, and is published by Cooperative Press.
The yarn I used, Elizabeth Bennet by Yarn Love, was great.  

The Hampshire Jacket, published in Yarnwise magazine is out too. 
This seamless sweater features distinctive trim using a decorative blanket stitch. It has a bit of the flair of the classic Chanel-style jacket.
The lower hem is done in garter stitch, turned up and stitched in a contrasting color, and the sleeve cuffs are edged in the same way. Blanket stitch is also applied to the collar and armhole seams.

The Greenwich Vest - also in Yarnwise -  is one I’m particularly happy with. It’s simple, and flattering to many body types.
Cables run up the center and frame the neckline to make this top very flattering by lengthening the body, and the unusual off-set rib at the waist creates a slimmer silhouette.
This is a great layering piece, and can be worn over a crisp shirt, or a soft turtle neck sweater for those times when you need an extra layer but don’t want anything too bulky. It is a quick knit in chunky yarn.  

Best of all, it made the cover of the magazine! I was so excited to see that.

It will be available as an individual download in Sept 2013. Let me know if you’d like to be reminded when it comes out – just give me your email or Ravelry ID or cell phone number (to get a text).

There are more – see the rest on my Ravelry Page.
 
In the Works:
Eveleigh, a cozy cowl in yummy Malabrigo Rios – knit at an angle, reversible, with a colorful i-cord trim. More to come...
 
A lacy, ruffled shawl called Summerdale –

Small shawls are a brilliant way to show off the sock yarn that’s too pretty to wear on your feet!
This crescent shaped shawl has a great shape that’s easy to wear, as it stays on without a shawl pin; it can work as a scarf and be draped in many different ways.
It’s designed to use one skein (about 425 yds) of a solid, or semi-solid yarn such as Mountain Colors Crazyfoot.
A larger size shawl (needs about 600 yds) is provided as well.
This will be published in a couple of weeks, as soon as the test knitters finish!

I designed 5 items for a new yarn company called Willow Yarns .  They have a great selection of yarns: wools, blends, acrylic, and even a lovely wool-silk blend.
There was no way I could have knit all 5 pieces in 4 weeks (I'm actually not a very fast knitter), so I hired sample knitters to knit 3 of the 5 for me.  It worked out OK, although one of them cut it very close deadline-wise.
There was a lace shawl, a men’s sweater, a baby blanket, a kid’s cardigan, and a hot-water-bottle cover.
I will show them to you when they’re published! Or you can keep an eye on my Ravelry page.  - http://www.ravelry.com/designers/brenda-castiel

As you can see, I’ve been pretty busy lately!

Next week I’ll be featured on the Twinset Designs podcast.  Two twin sisters, Jan and Ellen, do this one, and they are funny, knowledgeable, and delightful. Give them a listen!

Contest and Giveaways

Watch this space because I plan to run contests, giveaways, and promotions later on this summer.

Talk to you soon!

TNNA Highlights!

Today's Tip

Are you ready to sew up your sweater but the yarn you’re knitting with is either too thick, or it’s thick-and-thin, or otherwise not great for sewing with?

Try tapestry yarn (ie. for needlepoint). It’s thin, it’s wool, inexpensive, and comes in a million colors.

TNNA Report
I just joined TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) recently, so I was excited to attend my first TNNA in Long Beach earlier this month.
Here are some quick highlights:

• Seeing some interesting new yarns – including one made with real pearls! More on this later.
• Meeting book authors, including my idol, Norah Gaughan; getting books signed by the authors, such as Alana Dakos, Daniel Yuhas, and Edie Eckman.
• Seeing the Vogue Ultimate Hat Book (in which I have 2 designs) in the wild.
• Wandering into the Madeline Tosh booth, where they asked to take a picture of my 50 Shades Shawl (which is made with MadTosh yarn). To say I was thrilled would be an understatement :-)
• Acquiring some great products at wholesale prices: Kollage needles, TilliTomas yarn and pattern (from the FickleKnitter), Chic-A project bag, new Mountains Colors Twizzle yarn, Hiya Hiya needles.
• Watching the Fashion Show, truly inspiring.
• Won a raffle where the prize was the latest Rowan, issue 53, autographed by the fabulous Josh Bennett, one of the designers. Stunningly gorgeous stuff.
• Saw some size 100 (!) needles at Pagewood Farms. Yes they were the size of baseball bats!
• Introducing myself and chatting with countless yarn companies about possibilities of somehow working together. Great news is that nearly everyone said they would provide yarn support if I send them design ideas.
• Attending the Designers Dinner, arranged by Anne Kuo Lukito, on Sat night
• Saw a great gadget for removing pills from sweaters – the Lilly Brush. I saw it in action and it works really well.

I have to say, although it was great fun, it was exhausting. Between the sensory overload of all the great yarns, books, and gadgets, and the strain of acting extroverted when I'm naturally more of an introvert, it really drained all my energy out of me. I actually can't remember when I've been more tired.

In my next post I’ll go into more detail on specific new yarns I saw, items from the fashion show that caught my eye, and pics of some of my acquisitions.

Here's Twizzle:

As always, check out some of my patterns for sale on the right hand side ==>

Tips and Tricks!

Hello all,

I thought I’d try something different and actually provide some useful information once in a while.

Tip for today:

Provisional cast-on
I always have trouble with provisional cast-on and I've been knitting for ages.

Method #1 - Here's my slightly cheating method: I cast on as usual with a different colour yarn (waste yarn). Knit one row, then change to the actual yarn I want to use. 

When it's time to do something with that cast on edge, I thread a tapestry needle with yarn, or a small diameter circular knitting needle, through the stitches of the first row with the right colour yarn.

Then I cut the waste yarn and unravel and remove it.
Voila, I have live stitches ready to work.

Method #2 -  Have you ever used Judy’s Magic Cast-on to start the toe of a toe-up sock? Brilliant, right?  Bet you’ve never used it as a provisional cast on.

Just put stitches on 2 needles as usual.  Knit from one of the needles as you normally would, leaving the second needle in place. When you’re ready to work from the provisional cast-on edge, the stitches are right there on the needle, ready to go.

Genius.

Now to talk about my latest design. I call it "50 Shades of Teal" because it was designed to be knitted with a gradient yarn, e.g. teal, especially for the 2 Knit Lit Chicks KAL. Join the KnitAlong to get lots of support and encouragement, as well as to qualify for prizes!

 

.

 

This cozy wearable wrap is in the shape of a V with the point cut off. It’s better than a rectangular stole for wrapping around your shoulders, yet easier than crescents or half circle shapes.
It starts with a lace edging for the lower and side edges, then decreases are used to create the angles that make the shape.
There are lacy bands of different textures that will show off a gradient yarn, or 2 complementary colors, since different lace textures will be different colors. There are lace designs such as the fir tree lace, rows of eyelets, and a tulip motif. I have added stockinette stitch, and garter stitch bands too, for some restful knitting.
Optional beads are included in the design.
There will be both written and charted instructions.

Do you love it? Buy it here- 50 Shades of Teal Shawl.

Lastly, during October I will be featured on KnitPurlGirl's blog, so check it out (starting Oct 6) for a fabulous giveaway, discounts on all my patterns, and more. (Hint: discount code is KNITPURL).

See you next time for more hints and tips!

What's New?

Last time I wrote about the UK based magazine, KNIT, going under. Since then a new company has bought them out, and KNIT is being re-launched as YARNwise. The new magazine may have its work cut out for them, to re-build trust among subscribers, designers and advertisers, but I wish them all the best.  

Luckily, they were able to get their hands on a number of the knitted samples that had been shipped, and they are interested in publishing my pieces. So yay! 

Watch for a few of my items coming up in future issues.

My Lola’s Top  – which had been published in KNIT -  did not meet such a great fate. I never did get paid for it, and it seems I never will. Le sigh. 

Well at least I can self-publish it (which I have) and make a few bucks that way.

I want to thank the 2 Knit Lit Chicks (Barb and Tracey) who recently sponsored a contest on their podcast. For the prizes, I donated a skein of pretty yarn, 3 of my patterns, and my friend Michele (MicheleStitches) donated a beautiful project bag and stitch markers.  I think the “chicks” did a great job. 

Do check out their podcast if you haven’t already - it's fabulous!  By the way, both of them have knitted my Lydia Shawl, and their versions turned out great!

Here’s a pic of the adorable Elise, in her new sweater.

By the way, at the ripe old age of 2 ½ she has started French lessons, and her accent is wonderful.  

.
Now on a serious note.
My sister, who is just 2 years younger than me, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She lives in Toronto, while I'm in Los Angeles.  I flew up to Toronto to be with her when she had her hysterectomy 3 weeks ago. She is recovering well, and we had some good "quality" time together. 
But I'm home now and I feel so helpless since there's not much I can do for her.

For the knitters out there, I did give her a lace shawl, but it's too hot out right now for it to be of much use.

She will be starting chemo as soon as she's fully recovered from the surgery. That will be difficult, as she lives alone and doesn't have a lot of friends for support.

I did think of one thing I can do: I will donate all proceeds of all my pattern sales for the month of August to the Cancer Society. 
And to sweeten the pot for my customers, they can get 20% off the purchase price using the code AUG20.  It's a small gesture, but it's all I can think of right now.

Take care everyone.

Good News, Bad News

Camp KIP Report 

On Wed April 25, hubby and I got up at 5:00 am, so that I could catch a 7:00 flight to St Louis. Why St Loiuis ? Why indeed. The famous arch (which I haven’t managed to see yet) ? The fabulous pie at Cowan’s? The lovely Cedar Creek hotel and conference center?

It’s the second annual CampKIP –a fun get-together of knitters from all over the country. Call it a knitting retreat. I think the beauty of it, is that there are not a lot of scheduled activities. People can just hang out, knit, talk, compare techniques and admire each other’s knitwear. Most people have busy lives, balancing kids, jobs, pets, and households; for them 3 days without commitments, without a schedule, spent among friends, is like a little bit of heaven.

For me, it was extra special. 

First, I got a chance to meet my swap partner from last year, Julia. We had exchanged lots of notes, and had put together 4 swap packages for each other, but never had a chance to meet face to face. She heard about Camp KIP, registered, and we ended up being roommates. It was so much fun – she is a wonderful lady.

A second highlight was that I took the opportunity to offer a short class on design to the camp attendees. It was well received, and I enjoyed the opportunity to talk about my process and what I’ve learned in the two years I’ve been designing. I wore one of my designs, the Lydia Shawl and it generated a little buzz.

Another exciting thing that happened – one of the knitters there was actually wearing one of my designs! This was quite thrilling for me. She wore the Carole Landis Top and it looked great on her. She knitted in cotton which was perfect.  The little inserts of lace make it cool enough to wear on a warm day.  

.

Another recent event was the Yarn Crawl LA. Over 4 days, people were invited to visit as many LYS in LA County as you could (or desired). There were 27 shops participating, and they featured prizes, special deals and discounts during the weekend.  I went to one nearby store on my own (KnitCulture) and visited 3 more with friends. These were stores I hadn’t ever visited so it was good fun. I didn’t buy too much, just a skein of pure silk in a gorgeous ice blue from Twist in Manhattan Beach, and some needles at Needlepoints West, near LAX airport.

In other knitting news, I finished Phoebe’s Sweater for my little granddaughter; it looks great. I’m hoping to get a nice pic of her wearing it to add to my project page, but here’s the photo of the sweater itself.

.

A bit of bad news: the UK based magazine called KNIT (formerly known as Yarn Forward) is in bankruptcy. I have published a few designs with them. 

I feel bad for the staff that have lost their jobs.   

Unfortunately they owe me $$$ for 2 designs, one published (Lola's Top), and one in process,  plus they have 2 knitted samples of mine which should be sent back to me.  In all the confusion, who knows if the samples will be found and returned. As for the money, I have little expectation :-(   Sigh.  

Sorry to end on a depressing note everyone. I’ll try to be more upbeat next time.

So much new stuff!

It's been a while since I blogged, but the advantage there is that I actually have a lot to talk about:
several new patterns published, and quite a few "super-secret" projects that I can only hint at.

My "Le Marais Slouchy Vest" was previously published in Yarn magazine, but is now available for purchase separately. It can be worn open, or wrapped as shown, with a belt or shawl pin.

Looking for something adorable? Check out the Jelly Bean Dress/Jumper. Perfect for spring (with a tshirt underneath) or summer (on its own).
Check out the rest of my designs here on Ravelry.


I've been really busy with a few projects I can't show yet. I did some lacy fingerless mitts for an upcoming book, using some wonderful yarn from YarnLove.

It will have the theme of libraries, librarians, and literature (tentative title is Stitching in the Stacks). There are some gorgeous designs in there and I'm honored to be included. The book comes out later this year. I will keep you posted.

There is a really nice tunic top for Clotheshorse, a new knitting magazine that focuses on more current, fashion-forward designs. I'm pleased and honored to be included in this publication, too.

Also, I just completed some designs for Vogue Knitting!! I know! How exciting is that?

Next up are some pieces for a couple of UK knitting magazines, so I have enough to keep me busy for a while.

Recently I was featured on the lovely Veronica's blog, Yarn on the House.
I sponsored a giveaway of yarn, free patterns, and a project bag supplied by my friend MicheleStitches.
Check out her awesome Etsy shop. Sticks, Stones and String.

Will post more next time!

.

Published in Interweave Knits!

I'm very excited to report that I have been published by Interweave Knits, one of my favorite magazines, and one of the most prestigious ones in my opinion. I've always admired their designs as they always have style, and feature unique details that make every design special.

I'd like to introduce the Quixote Scarf. Don Quixote was famous for "tilting at windmills" and this scarf features tilted cables.

It's a garter stitch scarf -- but the cables are tilted to run diagonally across the scarf. The diagonal rectangle is formed by increasing on one side and decreasing on the other.

Knit in squishy warm garter stitch in a worsted weight yarn, this piece features cables that use Lily Chin’s reversible cables technique, so when you wrap the scarf ends around you, they look exactly the same on both sides. A cozy fringe completes the look. It is easy yet a bit of a challenge for the fearless knitter.

I'm pleased to say that there are already 16 projects in progress, and it's been queued over 50 times. One of my favorite podcasts, Barb and Tracie of The 2 Knit Lit Chicks, were kind enough to mention the pattern on their recent podcast episode, and that was much appreciated. Check them out - they are a lot of fun.

Talk to you soon.

.