nipperknits

Here's What I've Been Doing!

So, you know how I've been kinda MIA lately? You know how it seems like I don't knit anymore? Well, really it's not that way at all. I've just been doing a lot of work knitting. Like, a lot. Would you now like to have a look at what I've been doing? Let's get going; this is going to be intense. You can see larger photos in my Flickr account, but here's a little taste for you now.

First, let's start with Knit Simple, shall we? The Fall issue comes out next week and you're definitely going to want to pick it up. There are some seriously gorgeous things in there. And I'm not just saying that because I have two patterns in it. ;)

(Ravelry link)

I don't know about you, but I have a serious thing about buttons. I think I've started designing patterns specifically so I can go button shopping. This is a basic ribbed scarf, but with buttonholes for showing off your new cool buttons. That way you don't hide them under your jacket.

(Ravelry link)

This was a fun and easy project (and you'll understand why I needed that in a minute) and I got to practice my crochet skills. The straps are also the drawstrings for the bag. And let me tell you, I loved this Embellish-Knit thing for all that I-cord. You would have heard me freaking out about the miles of I-cord I was having to knit, except that with this little hand-crank it only took me a half hour. Fantastic.

And now we come to Vogue Knitting Fall. This magazine comes out August 4th and you definitely need to get it. There's this gorgeous mittens story that you are going to love. I mean, seriously, all of you. There are other stories that are great, but I'm predicting serious excitement over this mittens story.

(Ravelry link)

This is my little addition to the mitten story. Perhaps a basic convertible mitten, but honestly, I could never find a convertible mitten pattern I was happy with. It needs to have short fingers, not a slit, it needs to be a small enough gauge that I can actually still do things with my hands and not feel like my gloves are getting in the way. You would think these would be simple requests, but apparently not. So I made some. In fun ice cream colors, no less.

And this, my friends, this. I've never been so proud of a project. Ever. I always say, "Hey, check out my awesome pattern!", but this time I really can't get enough of it. I want to hug it every time I see it.

(Ravelry link)

And, really, you can totally see why, right?

It's remarkably not that difficult. Impressive to see, but with minimal shaping and easy colorwork. It's only on the back that you have any intarsia and throughout the rest of the sweater it's all two-color stranding. And you know how much I love that multi-textural colorwork. Plus, that reversed broken ribbing on the lower body is my new favorite knitted texture. Simple and beautiful.

I feel kinda weird talking myself up like this, but I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of this batch of designs. And just wait until Holiday. Though I think it's funny that I'm talking about scarves and jackets and cardigans when it's so hot out all I want to do is take off my clothes.

Maybe now that I'm kinda done with the work knitting for a bit, I can start blogging again. Maybe. ;)