Bring on the heat!

I’ve done my bit.  In an insane effort to bring about some warm weather (we’re have a low of 45F tonight, brrr), I’ve finished Caulking because Opus and I sincerely believe that publishing a Fall/ Winter pattern will make the weather change.  This theory only works if you subscribe to the “bring an umbrella to prevent rain” doctrine, but I’m willing to try anything at this point.

So, here it is!  Caulking.  So named (by Opus) for it’s primary function of protecting you against the elements – or, rather, your neck and upper torso.  Secondary function?  It just looks cool.

Worn under a coat, it’ll un-expose your neck and collar-bone area…

Knit from the bottom up, the piece is steadily increased in pattern and buttoned in the back.

I’ve posted it on ravelry, but haven’t had a chance to add it to the RCK website yet. Sorry. I’ll get to that this weekend, honest – around the same time I finish up Rhea Silvia for my tech editor.

Here are the specs, in case you, too, are freezing right now:

GAUGE:

• 24 sts & 28 rnds = 4”/ 10 cm in Stockinette st

MATERIALS:

• Approximately 175 y/ 160 m sport weight yarn. Sample shown: Tactile: Fiber Arts Studio (225 yd/ 206 m per 3.5 oz/ 100g skein), in “Beach”
• Two 1/2”/ 1.25mm buttons
• Tapestry needle

NEEDLES:

• One 24-inch/ 61 cm US 3 / 3.25mm circular needle

SIZING:

• 18”/ 45.75 cm circumference, buttoned up
• 18.5”/ 47 cm wide x 13.5”/ 34.25 cm from point to collar, laid flat

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
$6.00 US PDF DOWNLOAD

Now, let’s see some HEAT!*

*This is not to say that I don’t love this pattern and am not proud of it. I am. A lot. I’m also really, really cold and tired of wearing winter clothes in May.

Arashi unveiled

I truly meant to get this posted on Monday, but life being life, it just couldn’t happen. That said, I hope you’ll agree that it was worth the wait :)

May I present my latest design, Arashi?

“Storm” in Japanese, (my use of) the name actually comes from the dyeing technique arashi shibori, in which cloth is wrapped on the diagonal around a pole (usually bamboo) and scrunched, then dyed.

Maybe it’s crazy, but the name fits to me. (My mother disagrees.*) Either way, I’m quite pleased with the result.

Available as the May kit in the 2012 Abstract Fiber One Skein/Two Skein Club, it can be knit with one or two skeins of Abstract Fiber Lima (shown in “Hibiscus”).

The concept and design was inspired by traditional Faroese shawls (which I am absolutely obsessed with!), but the stitch patterns came from Estonia, the Shetland Isles, and my own head. I had fun creating my own stitch patterns (the two edge designs) and making everything work together.

For more details about the design, see the Arashi on ravelry and the 2012 Abstract Fiber One Skein/Two Skein Club.**

*She thinks it looks Anglo-Saxon and should have been named something entirely unpronouncable, like Aelfgifu or Aethelfrith.

**The pattern is exclusive to Abstract Fiber for one year, please don’t ask me for a copy!

Booyah

There has been a shameful lapse in blogging here at Fyberduck HQ/ Rose City Knits, something I plan to remedy right now :)

For starters, remember the super-secret project I’ve mentioned a few times? Well, it is finished and the patterns are hot off the press and ready to be shipped out. If you’d like to get a sneak peek of the super-secret project (and you’re in the area), drop by Abstract Fiber’s booth at the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival. It’ll be there, though I will not :$

I would say “alas”, but it is hard to be mournful when I think about how I’ll be seeing my niece and nephew again for my nephew’s BAR MITZVAH. Can you believe it? D turned 13 in March and will be reading the Torah on Saturday. I’m not sure how or when he got so big, but it seems very sudden (he’s almost my height now!).

So, we fly down to the Bay Area tomorrow and will spend the weekend with family. Not exactly something I’d complain about! Though I will miss the Festival, which is a bummer…

Especially since I now have a loft for the stash! Yes, a loft! In my new studio! (Yep, studio.)

While it’s not finished (see below), it was built/ installed on Tuesday and has already been used for a mini photoshoot for the super-secret pattern:

The studio is 14′ x 14′, which should make it quite large enough for my many tools, gizmos, and anything else design/ work related:

Particularly because of the loft (which measures 6′ x 14′) that is speficically intended for the stash…

Which even I can’t fill up that fast.

Or so goes the theory.

Anyway. We have big plans which involve cool flooring (I’m thinking Pergo) and of course insulation, plus Dad suggested a rolling ladder for the loft, which would just be AWEsome. I covet. My books and bookcases (plus comfy reading chairs) will go under the loft, while the sunlight main area will have all my design and creative tools and supplies.  I may even have room for a loom again.  That would be amazing, since I really miss weaving.

So, much has been happening here, obviously.  I’d love to type more, but I really need to go pack, since we’re leaving at 7 am.  Ugh.  I’m dreading facing the TSA so early in the morning.  That should be just super-duper fun.  Maybe I can sleepwalk through it…

I’ll try and post some more updates this weekend – including some other very exciting news – but make no promises.  Photos of the super secret project will definitely be going up on Monday, though, so keep an eye for that!  Until then, wish me luck, I’m gonna need it :)

Wotcher

This one is short and sweet, but important.  I updated the Rose City Knits website, to include new information on classes and consulting.  What do you think?  Are there any classes you think I should add?

Also, how about the new blog template?  Yay or nay?

Oh, and this pattern is in progress (plus a super-secret special pattern that I can’t discuss – but looks A-MAZING!):

And Caulking is nearing the finish line, too. Slow and steady is better than not at all, amirite?

From under a rock

I’m trying to rejoin society after a brief hiatus due to, first, bronchitis and then a nearly week-long migraine. Super fun. You can imagine how engrossing it is to spend all day in a dark room. Oy. Which is why I haven’t much to report, I’m afraid.

So, instead of actual content, I present a random image:

In the hope that it will distract you.

And will try to do better next time :)

Random Monday

1. I updated my LinkedIn profile –  finally.  
2. The Rose City Knits website needs to be updated to include “Instruction” and “Design” pages with listings.
3. I may also need to update the website’s format (alas) and streamline it a bit… which makes me a bit sad.
4. A super-secret design is in progress using a super-secret yarn and colorway for an unnamed indie dyer’s club.  I am super-secretly excited by it.
5. This pattern is so very, very close to completion:
   
   I can taste it.
   
6. I have a meeting with a potential new client today.
7. Please don’t ask about Rhea Silvia… it’s in process :)

Time for celebration

Two weeks ago the 2012 Rose City Yarn Crawl began.  On Thursday morning (March 1st), I jumped in the car with Dad – my chauffer and long-suffering photography assistant – and began the Crawl.  My goal was twofold: 1), to see in person how each of the shops was fairing and get feedback from participants and 2), to get high-def photos using my Nikon D90 to use on the Crawl and in next year’s promotional efforts.

What I discovered was that, even with only a month and a half to prepare (I literally started on January 16th), the participation went beyond any of the shop owners’ dreams.  Traffic was double to triple over last year and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive on every front – participants, retailers, and wholesalers were very excited about the visibility and accessibility of information this year, the prizes, and the many events.

I’m still reeling from the numbers, which we are actually still compiling, and the hugs I got at every stop.  The best part, for me, was visiting every shop and seeing how interesting and unique they all really, truly are.  I also got to see some old friends along the way.

Dad and I visited 12 stores over Thursday and Friday, and then Opus took over as my driver, (slavedriver), and camera assistant on Saturday for the final 7.  Seriously, she was a task master and time-obsessed.  But, with their help, I managed to visit each and every store over 3 days and get some fabulous photos at every stop.

I took dozens upon dozens of photographs, to see my two faves from each shop check out the 2012 Rose City Yarn Crawl set on flickr or check out the individual shop albums on Facebook for them all.  Because there were so many to choose from, I only selected two from each shop to put in my flickr photostream.  In this post, I wanted to share the alpha, from my first stop at Make One in Milwaukie:

… and the omega, from Kathy’s Knit Korner in Forest Grove:

I hope you’ll take a couple of minutes to check out each shop (either on flickr or Facebook), because they are all so very special.  It was a great experience and I am just beside myself over the success of it.  We’re already discussing plans for next year, and I can’t wait!