Last Day: Can-Con Sock Along at The Purple Purl!

**This post contains affiliate links.  Any link marked with an * will give me a reward or commission if you purchase something using that link.** 

Well, as usual for me, my knitting goals were a bit too ambitious.

I was knitting up these socks for The Purple Purl's Can-Con Sock Along.  But, deadline is today (July 31, 2017), and, alas, I haven't even finished knitting one sock.   

WIP as of July 31, 2017

 I am, however, further along then I was the last time I talked about these, at least now the gradient colour change is clearly visible! 

WIP as of July 11, 2017

I do have to say, The Blue Brick yarns have wonderful gradients, and I really want to design a shawl in this yarn to see how the colours play out that way!

For this sock, I'm actually working from a single ball, so I'm curious how this is going to turn out too, since the colour changes won't be identical for each sock.  They'll be a fraternal pair, rather then an identical pair, of socks. 

And,  you can see, I've gotten a new set of stitch markers since then too:

 

The previous marker I was using was a closed stitch marker you slipped along the needles, and it drove me batty, since the loop of it was wide enough I'd keep accidentally knitting it into my work!  So when I got these locking stitch markers from *Efficient Sense, well, that package definitely qualified as happy mail!  Her *Silver Feather Stitch Markers are light enough to not drag down my knitting, but big enough that I can't accidentally knit past them!  (No, seriously, if you're looking for locking stitch markers, her shop is amazing!)

Anyway,  even though I didn't finish these for the Sock-Along, I am going to try and finish them for the end of August.  So, stay tuned to this space for more on this pattern!

Pattern Release: Spiralling Star Fingerless Mittens!

**This post contains affiliate links.  Any link marked with an * will give me a reward or commission if you purchase something using that link.** 

Well, my Spiralling Star Fingerless Mittens pattern is now live on Ravelry and Etsy!

Photography: Stephanie Wallace

The idea for these came from an online knit-along run by *EatSleepKnit which challenged participants to create something using the Star Stitch pattern. While swatching, I found a particular version of the Star Stitch that created a spiral effect, and these mittens were born from that!

Photography: Stephanie Wallace

These fingerless mittens in four sizes (Adult XS to Adult L) are worked from the cuff-up in the round, with the Star Stitch pattern continuing onto the thumb gusset. The top cuff, bottom cuff, and thumb are edged with 1 by 1 ribbing. The yarn used for the sample is *MadelineTosh Eyre Light, shown in the colourway “Mill Pond”, but any fingering-weight yarn should work up fine.

To purchase the pattern, you can visit the Ravelry Download Page or my Etsy Shop Listing.

CAD $5.50

On a brief closing note, I really want to express my huge thanks for the folks who helped me with this pattern, including all my awesome test-knitters.  For those who were unaware, there were some issues during the test knit, so again, thank you all, both for your help and your patience!

As always, I look forward to seeing what you make, and please, tag your creations on Social Media with #SarahDawnsDesigns, so I can find your awesome things! If you've got feedback, comments, or  questions about the pattern, you can comment here, send me a PM on Ravelry, or e-mail me at sarahdawnsdesigns@gmail.com. 

Updates to my Etsy Shop -- Stretchy Knitted Bag!

Well, here's exciting news!

I've updated my Etsy shop with my first-ever knit goods! (Can you tell I'm still rather nervous?)

$70 CAD -- Stretchy Drawstring Bag

It's a stretchy ribbed bag, perfect for storing dice, small headphones or other small objects.  It's made from 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton, and the drawstring at the top lets you tie it completely closed.  It measures 8 inches by 4.5 inches (measurements taken while flat), and has an approximate circumference of 13 inches, with a lot of stretch.

Shipping is a flat rate of CAD 15 to both US and Canada, with delivery confirmation, for any number of items purchased.

This bag was made from my Ribbed Bag of Many Things pattern.  The pattern is a free pattern, and can be downloaded from Ravelry, or by clicking here.


As always, any questions, please feel free to reach out -- you can comment below, find me on Facebook, Etsy, or e-mail me at sarahdawnsdesigns@gmail.com.

WIP Wednesday: Sneak Peek of the Spiralling Star Fingerless Mittens

**This post contains affiliate links.  Any link marked with an * will give me a reward or commission if you purchase something using that link.** 


Well, here it is, another look at the Spiralling Star Fingerless Mitts!

For those of you who've been following the test of this pattern on Ravelry, you know that there was some hiccoughs in the testing process.   For those of you who weren't following, my apologies for the delay in releasing this pattern, since it became clear my original prototype didn't work as well when I created the additional sizes.

So, I did a second (and third) sample, and it seems like I've fixed the problem! The pattern's with my Tech Editor now, so I'm hopeful to have it published before the end of the month.

Anyway, this is try number three, and my first try of these mittens with variegated yarn.   The yarn is Fleece Artist Merino Slim, and it's a colourway from the Canada Parks Collection, which was dyed up specifically for the Canada 150 celebrations.  This particular yarn was inspired by the Aurora Borealis in the Yukon Territory, and while I was originally concerned that it would look wonky, I'm actually really happy with how the colour's pooling! 

The stitch marker you can see came from Cindy of Efficient Sense, and if you're ever short for stitch markers, her *Etsy Store is like a treasure trove! Plus, she's a fellow Torontonian, so shipping was superbly fast.  If you're curious, the specific marker you can see above is from her *Celtic Knot set of stitch markers, and I'm definitely in love.

So, to close, here's my contribution to WIP Wednesday,  and I'll be writing again here soon!

Until next time!
 

Free Pattern With Newsletter Signup!

Yes, absolutely, you read that title right!

Everyone who signs up for my e-mail newsletter will now get a coupon code for a free pattern!

Here's how this works.

After signing up, check your e-mail inbox. You should have a welcome e-mail.  It lays out the types of things I'll send you; and, it has a coupon code.    If you didn't get the e-mail, check your spam filter.  If you still didn't get the e-mail, contact me and I'll sort things out.

That coupon code is valid on Ravelry for any of my self-published patterns!  And you don't have to be a Ravelry.com member to use the coupon code (though, if you are, the pattern you choose will be stored in your Ravelry Library).


How to sign up?  You can click this link, or, there's a signup box in the sidebar of my blog.

But wait, what about current newsletter subscribers?

Well, stay tuned to your inboxes if you're already a subscriber.  There will be a coupon code for a free pattern heading your way, as well!

As usual, let me know if you have questions, comments, concerns, or if something isn't working! 

E-mail Newsletter Updates and Changes

Well, I'd like to announce some updates to my E-mail Newsletter.

Starting very soon, my e-mail newsletter will be monthly, coming out near the first of each month.  Each newsletter will feature that month's Featured Pattern, a round-up of new additions to my Fiber Arts Resource List, any upcoming or ongoing events I'm involved in, and any other new and interesting news I hope to share.  E-mails will still also go out for pattern releases and test-knit calls.

I'm really hoping for feedback (both good and bad) on the monthly e-mail format, so if you have any thoughts, concerns, or things you'd like to see, please let me know.  You can comment here, or you can send me an e-mail, or, you can get in contact with me on Ravelry.  Whatever works out for you!

July Featured Pattern: Mitered Drawstring Project Bag

As usual for many of my blog posts, the title says it all.

So, I've had the idea of doing monthly featured patterns. Each month, a pattern will go on sale for half-price.   And, that's basically the entire idea.  Simple, I hope!

For the month of July, my half-price featured pattern is my Mitered Drawstring Project Bag!

Photography: Stephanie Wallace

 

You can buy the pattern through Ravelry or Etsy, the discount is available on both platforms.  The discount should be applied automatically on Ravelry, or already be visible on Etsy.   As always, let me know if something doesn't work!

I always look forward to seeing your Finished Objects! Please post them to various social media with #SarahDawnsDesigns, and/or to my Ravelry Group if you're on Ravelry.  That way, I can see the awesome that you folks make!