Rhinebeck? Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck!

It's that time of year - the last big fiber festival is this weekend up in Duchess County, New York! New York Sheep & Wool Festival is an annual get-together of fiber folks from the farmers who tend the lovely creatures giving us wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair, etc. to the dyers and spinners who turn fiber into yarn to all of us fiber lovers, whether we "just" knit or crochet or weave or are designers and "industry" folk.

I wasn't able to go last year (due to some not-fun stuff) so am extra excited to get up there this year for cider donuts, turning leaves, staring at sheep, and trying to decide which yarn HAS to come home with me (um, all of it).

My plan is to drive up Saturday morning and do the Ravelry meetup at noon. I'll be at that meetup on Sunday, too, because it's so much fun to see all the knitters. The rest of the time I plan to visit the sheep, fondle the yarn, hang with my dear friend/former roomie, and hug all the people I don't see often enough. I'm also going to talk with a small group of knitters my friend is bringing up on Sunday morning.

If you will be there, I'd love to see you! I will try to do a Periscope broadcast or two, if Verizon puts out a decent signal. Otherwise, I'll take some videos and post them on YouTube.

Now to just decide what to wear to what someone on the Rhinebeck Ravelry forum called "Yarn Prom"! Here's what I'm thinking...

Saturday: Benwick

Hoping I will have finished my Benwick cardigan (working on the shoulder shaping now) to wear on Saturday. It should be cool and sunny according to my weather app, so a fitted, worsted-weight sweater seems like it will work. And once the sample is knitted up, I'll be able to publish my version of the pattern for you!

Hoping the me-sized Benwick will be ready for Saturday
This is the original from Jane Austen Knits 2013

Sunday: Caught in the Rigging

It's supposed to be chilly on Sunday, so something like Wavelette with Caught in the Rigging on top. "Layers" is always a good game plan for things like this. Plus, it will be fun to take Caught in the Rigging back to where she originated (I bought the yarn from Miss Babs in 2013). Wavelette is a fingering-weight pullover, which seems like it will give me the right amount of wool with some ventilation from the lace. Thistle Leaf Pullover is my other thought, though its shorter sleeves might leave me chilly, or maybe Bloc Pulli with those orange cuffs peeking out.

I'm thinking Caught in the Rigging cape for Sunday (high of 48F!)

I'll probably bring my red boots, too, since there's a chance of rain :)

Will I see you this weekend? Let me know in the comments or just say "hi!" on the Fairgrounds. I can hardly wait!!!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

Periscope!

Last week I set myself a challenge. I didn't say it out loud or tell anyone because I just wanted to see if I could do it at all. What was it? I aired five live broadcasts on Periscope for five days in a row. And guess what? I loved it! I think it's my new thing.

What's periscope?

Periscope is an app that was acquired by Twitter that allows anyone to live-stream a video broadcast from wherever they are. Viewers can watch "live" or catch the replay for 24 hours; they can share it with their friends on Periscope, Twitter, and Facebook; they can tap the screen to show how much they enjoy the broadcast; and they can type messages delivered in real time to the other viewers and the periscope-er.

What's in it for me, the viewer?

You can interact with people around the world! You can hear what I sound like and see the funny facial expressions I make when I get all excited about knitting. You can ask me questions in real time. We can have a conversation. But you don't have to broadcast yourself (like in some conferencing apps). Lurking is also a totally acceptable option, as is watching online from a browser, though you can't get in on the interactive part.

Lots of periscope-ers are showing viewers how they make their art. There are also really honest conversations about feelings-as-makers and business and whatever you might be interested in. And I'm sure there are lots of other things going on. It was started to share events live in real time, after all.

What's in it for you, Kathleen?

So far, I'm in it for the fun. And the chance to connect with knitters. People all around the world use my patterns. While I would like to meet all of them (and give them hugs), that's not really feasible. But I still love the opportunity to communicate with knitters and find out what they're working on, what questions they have, how I can make what I do more helpful.

What started as a brief #WIPWed 'scope (below - hopefully the "embed" code works), where we talk about our works in progress (WIPs) turned into an hour-long conversation about knitting styles, the Shaker community, what to do with shed antlers, and a few other topics that swam into our ken. It was so much fun, and I want to do it again!

I also got to do a scope last Thursday morning "live from New York". My neighbor let me know that they were filming not too far away from our building, using a bunch of antique cars, so I walked down there and shared what I saw, which was kind of the original purpose of Periscope (to share what's happening in the moment).

What are you going to do with it?

Good question! This platform is still in its infancy*. And I've only done 14 'scopes (my first was less than two minutes, and I had no idea what I was doing). But the 'scopes that have been the most fun (for me) are the ones where we had a conversation, and I'd love to keep that going.

My current plan is to broadcast on weekdays focusing on knitting and design with occasional "adventures" (like checking out the cars down the street last week or other NYC things I'm excited to share with you - Rhinebeck this coming weekend!). If there are topics you'd like me to chat about, let me know! Tweets, messages on Ravelry, comments on this post - oof, there are lots of ways to get in touch with me :)

I also need to figure out what to do about my broadcasts' ephemerality. I could upload them to my YouTube channel, if you were interested, but they are just quick videos made with my iPhone. They're archived on Katch, but that's one more thing to sign up for. Clearly I need to give it some more thought (so if you have an opinion, let me know).

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

P.S. I'm going to do a little sneak peek of my new Jane Austen Knits patterns this afternoon on Periscope! Catch it live around 1:30 or view the replay for the next 24 hours.

P.P.S. In case you forgot: Lady Jane is my dress form. She's wearing Sailor's Valentine in the photo, and I'm wearing Thistle Leaf Pullover.

*And I mean really in its infancy. You can't search for broadcasts on Periscope by hashtag, even though it's owned by Twitter. You can search for hashtags on Twitter and then follow someone over on Periscope (it shouldn't be that difficult though!). There's no fast-forward or rewind, and no way to know how long a replay is. You can gauge how long a replay is by starting to watch it and noticing how long it takes the little white progress line at the bottom to advance across the screen. The good thing is you can delete a broadcast right away if you're unhappy with it. The "bad" thing is that 'scopes only stick around for 24 hours. I say "bad" because the ephemerality allows for a more relaxed experience for broadcasters and viewers, but when it's gone it's gone. I signed up for Katch (and am really annoyed that it's spelled that way), so I do have an archive of all but the first two.

How to knit m1 increases (and why)

For those of you who never get around to watching videos:

Today I'm going to show you how to work my preferred make-one increases. While some knitters prefer knit-front-and-back or working into the running thread between stitches, I have issues with both of those, particularly when knitting something with paired increases.

The issue with kfb is that you get a purl bump. There are times when this is great, like doing increases for ribbing or seed stitch, but if you're working a smooth stockinette fabric, those bumps may stick out in a bad way.

Picking up the bar between stitches (the running thread) is ok, but I find it pulls at the fabric at those points since you are literally pulling the running thread from running between stitches to bring a whole new stitch. You can work those stitches as pairs, but sometimes it can be a wrestling match.

So making one out of whole thread, as it were, is my preferred technique. To do it, you make a backwards loops with your working yarn and place it onto your right needle. To make paired increases, twist your loop in one direction for the first increase and the other direction for its match. Simply work into the new stitch normally on the next row or round. Just remember to be consistent on which direction you twist your loops.

So there you have it. Matched increase that are nearly invisible! I use this technique on all of my sweaters, as well as some accessories (Sly Maid Stole comes to mind). And it works on flat knitting and in the round.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy knitting!

P.S. Did you enjoy this video? Yay! Newsletter subscribers got to see it a week ago. Sign up here to get the good stuff first.

What's your Style-Personality?

So, this is kind of fun - Myers-Briggs for style: The Cut's Style-Personality Quiz

XCRI, Kathleen Dames-style
Upon the Spanish Main, An Aran for Frederick, Thistle Leaf Pullover

XCRI: Maximalist, Consistent, Romantic, Individualistic
You're a rare bird, XCRI. Your style is feminine and sweeping, full of grand gestures, but it's not something that changes a lot from year to year. You have a uniform, and that uniform is dramatic. More power to you.

And my thoughts on this assessment...

1. Not sure anyone who knows me IRL would think of me as a Maximalist (hello, jeans and t-shirt/sweater), but I do kind of wish I could sweep around in grand ball skirts all day.
2. Many thanks to St. Joseph's for inculcating a love of uniform dressing. 
3. My only quibble is the opposition of Romantic and Intellectual. I'm both!
4. Individualistic? Of course! I'm me ;)

So, after looking at all the other personalities (click on the "already know your type" bar - the resulting page has all the personalities down the left side), I feel like I swing between Minimalist and Maximalist, in addition to the Romantic/Intellectual dichotomy. But I'm definitely not a Trend Enthusiast, nor am I Adventurous in the Avant Garde fashion sense.

While this is sort of a silly exercise, it's also interesting to see if what we think about ourselves translates into how we present ourselves. Maybe I will invest in a big ol' skirt...

Go take the test! Then come back and tell me what your Style-Personality type is in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

Pattern: Mermaid's Cardigan

Mermaid's Cardigan on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

An elegant cardigan just right for a mermaid. Gentle waist shaping follows your curves, and Fishtail Lace sleeves pique the knitter’s interest. By eliminating sleeve increases, the lace is not too difficult and the sleeves blouse out from an i-cord cast-on. To keep the lines clean and the hems from rolling, the entire cardigan is edged in i-cord.

What you'll love about knitting Mermaid's Cardigan:

• Stockinette body gives you some lovely, "mindless" knitting, while...
• The sleeves are filled with knitterly excitement - i-cord and lace!
• Integrated i-cord is used to great effect to not only smoothly finish your sweater, but to create your cardigan's buttonholes.

What you'll love about wearing Mermaid's Cardigan:

• Perfectly placed princess-seam waist shaping flatters your figure
• Lace sleeves give you a bit of ventilation - this is a great transitional cardigan
• The little puff of sleeve at the cuff - very subtle but very fun

Size/Finished Measurements
Women’s XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size M with no ease)
Chest: 30 [34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches

Materials

• Madeline Tosh tosh dk [100% Superwash Merino Wool 225 yards/206 meters per 50 gram skein]; color: Baltic; 4 [5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8] 
• One US6/4.0mm 29-inch circular needle (NDLs) 
• Set of five US6/4.0mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) 
• Coil-less safety pins/removable stitch markers 
• Waste yarn or stitch holders 
• Tapestry needle 
• Eight 5/8-inch buttons

Gauge
20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches square in Stockinette St.

Skills Needed

• casting on
• binding off
• knitting
• purling
• increasing
• decreasing
• working i-cord
• following written or charted instructions for Fishtail Lace pattern (both included)

Thanks!
Technical Editing: Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
Test Knitting: 3catos, elizek
Photography: Nicholas Dames

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Mermaid's Cardigan is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern. Both written and charted versions of the Fishtail Lace stitch pattern are included.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

quick + purly: 5 baby blankets

Some dear friends just welcomed a new baby into the world, so I have baby blankets on the brain. Since the little one is here already, and I have a lot of pattern knitting on my plate, I've focused on worsted-weight patterns this time.

1. Lady Danbury by Kristen Fanning $4 USD 

   

   center-out blanket - make it as large as you like

2. Crisscross Apple Sauce by Aimee Alexander $6 USD 

   

   great motif plus a lovely edging

3. Bairn by Julie Hoover $7 USD 

   

   those cables! that color!

4. Pure Baby Blanket by Jen Lucas $4 USD 

   

   another really pretty stitch pattern

5. Daisy Love Baby Blanket by Sarah Nicole Burton $3.99 

   

   the combination of daisies and hearts is so sweet

All images from patterns' Ravelry pages. No copyright infringement intended. I just want to share the love!

In case you need one more...

Babe in the Mist by Kathleen Dames $7 USD

reversible stitch pattern also creates lovely wavy edges

Do you have a favorite baby blanket to recommend? Let us know in the comments below :)

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!

xoxo,

See that over in the sidebar??? ->->->

Time is running out to participate in my social media poll. In trying to figure out where to spend my limited time online, I'd love to know where you hang out. So, if you have ... ten seconds, please check off the social media platforms you use. It's totally anonymous, and the poll will close at the end of the day on Thursday 1 October.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

P.S. You can find me on most social media platforms as @kathleendames, and I'm Purly on Ravelry.

Is it a cape?

Someone over on a Ravelry forum asked what made my Caught in the Rigging cape a cape rather than a poncho (and thinking about what makes a poncho led me on to wonder about serapes). To be honest, I just thought it seemed more like a cape. Didn't really give it a ton of thought at the time. But the question got me wondering...

Well, that's not hugely helpful, is it? And I'm not sure I needed to know the verb definition of cape.

Construction-wise, I think of a cape as not-a-poncho, and a poncho as something with corners. The first large-scale project I ever knit was a poncho from Melanie Falick's Weekend Knitting, which was a big rectangle that you poncho-ized by sewing one short end to the bottom of one of the long sides. It ends up with only one pointy bit (corner), but it definitely qualifies. I've seen other ponchos where you sew two rectangles together leaving a slit in the middle for your head. Or you could even knit a square with a hole in the middle.

All these poncho ideas seem to me to have come out of the serape when someone got tired of wrapping the rectangle of fabric around themselves and just sewed it mostly shut.

For me a cape is something that fits more closely to the body. Caught in the Rigging came out of a simpler idea (still on the design to-do list) which I dubbed "Morningside Cape":

Yeah, Elsa's rockin' a little cape/swatch/prototype

The thing about both of these capes is that they are shaped in the yoke to sit better on the shoulders and fit the body more closely. Some days I might want a drapey, flowing thing to wear, but generally I prefer something with a closer fit.

Looking at the definition for cape again, I want to design some tippets and capelets next :)

What do you think? Is Caught in the Rigging a cape or a poncho? Let me know in the comments or come over to the Ravelry group. We can discuss it in this thread.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!

xoxo, 

Pattern: Unicorn Party

Unicorn Party on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

Fun to knit and a blast to wear, Unicorn Party puts garter stitch to work mixing up colors in your favorite multicolor skein before adding colorful mini skeins of sock yarn (your best leftovers, color packs, unicorn tails) for the edging. Thoughtful details and helpful notes will make this small shawl your new fave to knit and to wear. The only limit on this party is your imagination.

What you'll love about knitting Unicorn Party:

• Starting at the bottom with three stitches and following my notes means no fear of running out of yarn
• This is a perfect stash buster . Grab your favorite leftovers or rock one of those gorgeous gradient packs that have taken the knitting world by storm and have a party!
• Garter stitch makes for great social knitting, plus it breaks up the pooling that can occur with speckled and hand-dyed yarns - have fun knitting yourself a Unicorn Party at a party ;)

What you'll love about wearing Unicorn Party:

• Color party! Knit and wear yourself a rainbow or a gradient or a mix of your favorite colors
• You get a squishy cozy fabric from Garter stitch - fantastic for keeping you warm and colorful any time of year
• Shallow triangle shape makes it perfect to wear as a shoulder shawl, scarf, or bandit-style neck warmer

Size/Finished Measurements
Width: 66½ inches/169cm Depth: 14 inches/35.5cm high

Materials

• madelinetosh tosh sock (100% Superwash Merino; 395yds/361m per 3.53oz/100g); MC color: Holi Festival; 1 skein {approx 395yds/361m}
• madelinetosh Unicorn Tails (100% Superwash Merino; 52yds/48m per 14g); CC1 color: Edison Bulb, CC2 color: Neon Peach, CC3 color: Pop Rocks; 1 skein each {approx. 37yds/34m each} 
• US6/4.0mm 40-inch circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
20 sts x 40 rows = 4 inches in Garter Stitch, blocked
Note: I am a loose knitter. While gauge is not critical in a shawl, you may run out of yarn if your gauge is different from the gauge given.

Skills Needed

• casting on
• binding off
• knitting
• increasing
• decreasing

Thanks!
Technical Editing: Maureen Hannon, Lana Ananth
Test Knitting: dezignmama, knittygal, pinhappy, strickgut

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Unicorn Party is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern.



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

Pattern: Castaway

Castaway on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

You’ve been cast up on a desert island. Luckily, you kept hold of your skein of Malabrigo Lace and a circular needle, so why not cast on a Castaway?

This is a straightforward “wide triangle” shawlette (four increases on the “right” side, two on the “wrong”), mostly knitting one way and purling the other, with an occasional row that will cause your stitches to run. The final section creates a pretty ruffle along the edge.

Malabrigo Lace knits up into a divinely soft and cozy shawlette (an LYS owner friend of mine thought it was cashmere!). The pattern takes advantage of the yarn’s tendency to be a little sticky, which will keep the dropped-stitch ladders open and lacy.

Desert island? Not too bad!

What you'll love about knitting Castaway:

• 1 needle + 1 skein of yarn (choose one you love!) + 1 pattern = yards and meters of pleasurable knitting
• Worked top-down from a center tab makes for an easy beginning with a pleasant stretch of Stockinette knitting before you reach the drop-stitch excitement
• Dropping stitches! Remember when you first learned to knit and dropping stitches was so scary? Maybe that was just me, but dropping them here is FUN (and a little subversive).

What you'll love about wearing Castaway:

• Dropped stitches create a wonderful texture
• So. Soft. So soft. Especially when you wear it wrapped around your neck, bandit-style
• Also makes a lovely shoulder shawl, so everyone can see the drop-stitch lines

Size/Finished Measurements
Width: 57 inches Depth: 17 inches

Materials

• Malabrigo Yarn Lace [100% Merino; 470 yards/430 meters per 50 gram skein]; color: Blue Surf; 1 skein
• One US4/3.75mm 29-inch circular needle 
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
26 stitches x 44 rows = 4 inches square in Stockinette St.

Skills Needed

• casting on
• binding off
• knitting
• purling
• increasing
• decreasing

Thanks!
Technical Editing: Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
Test Knitting: Elizabeth Hutchinson, Annie Rota
Photography: Nicholas Dames

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Castaway is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

Pattern: On the High Seas

On the High Seas on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

Sometimes it’s a little chilly at the helm of your ship. Or perhaps you want to drape a little something across your shoulders (for modesty?) to greet that boarding party. A shawlette is just the thing. This one uses your favorite sock yarn and the beautiful Crest of the Wave lace pattern, which has enough “lace action” to keep you interested without being so complex that you can’t keep an eye on the horizon. I’ve written out the chart, so if charts don't work for you, you’re out of excuses!

What you'll love about knitting On the High Seas:

• 1 needle + 1 skein of yarn (choose one you love!) = yards and meters of pleasurable knitting
• Crest of the Wave is a wonderful lace with one "action" round to remember that gives you a beautiful undulating edging
• Worked top-down from a center tab makes for an easy beginning with a pleasant stretch of Stockinette knitting before to reach the lace excitement

What you'll love about wearing Upon the Spanish Main:

• Wide-triangle shape is perfect for style or warmth: wear it any time of year as a shawl as I've shown here or bandit-style filling in the neckline of your coat all Winter long
• Perfect for adding a pop of color to your outfit
• Makes a lovely gift for someone special on your list (only one skein of sock yarn!)

Finished Size
Width: 64 inches Depth: 20 inches

Materials

• Laughing Rat Studio Superwash Merino Sock Yarn [100% superwash merino wool; 435 yards/398 meters per 109g skein]; color: Pacific; 1 skein
• US5/3.75mm 24-inch circular needle
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
22 sts x 30 rows = 4 inches square in Stockinette St.

Skills Needed

• casting on
• binding off
• knitting
• purling
• increasing
• decreasing
• following written or charted instructions for Crest of the Wave lace pattern (both included)

Thanks!
Photography: Nicholas Dames

Everything you need to create your own beautiful On the High Seas is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern. Both written and charted versions of the Spanish Lace stitch pattern are included.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

Pattern: In the Shallows

In the Shallows on Ravelry $7 (no account necessary)

What’s that? You have more sock yarn? You’re in luck! In the Shallows will allow you to use up just about every last yard in a cozy shawl to be tossed casually around your neck like a scarf, worn bandit style, or gently draped across your shoulders for modesty or warmth—the shallowness of the triangle makes long ends that can be tied, if you like. And the fabric choice is yours: Plain (garter) or Fancy (eyelet).

After a long detour through Stockinette, I rediscovered the joy and simple pleasure of Garter Stitch. No offense, Stockinette, but sometimes your smoothness and tendency to curl up brings me down (only a little - I love ya, Stockinette). Garter Stitch, with all its squish factor, marvelous ability to lay flat, and awesome ability to mix and mingle stitches in variegated yarn into a more cohesive whole, is awesome too. In the Shallows puts Garter Stitch to great use, and you get to decide if you want to be plain or fancy. Better yet: make one of each!

What you'll love about knitting In the Shallows:

• 1 needle + 1 skein of yarn (choose one you love!) = yards and meters of pleasurable knitting
• Once you get started, the pattern is a breeze to remember
• A lot more fun to knit than the traditional long scarf
• Notes are included for some tips and tricks you'll use again and again

What you'll love about wearing In the Shallows:

• You get to wear that skein of yarn you love!
• Shape of the shawl means you can wear it as a shoulder-warming shawl, scarf with trailing ends front and back, AND bandit-style to keep your neck cozy and provide a pop of color to any outfit
• It's the simple, elegant piece that won't fight with other parts of your wardrobe

Size/Finished Measurements
Plain Shawl
Width: 64 inches Depth: 14 inches

Fancy Shawl
Width: 75 inches Depth: 13 inches

Materials

• Plain Shawl: Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 [100% superwash merino wool; 382 yards/349 meters per 115g skein]; color: Ocean; 1 skein
• Fancy Shawl: Plymouth Yarn Alpaca Prima [100% alpaca; 363 yards/332 meters per 100g skein]; color: Cream; 1 skein
• US5/3.75mm 24-inch circular needle (ndl)
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
18 sts x 22 ridges = 4 inches square in Garter St.

Thanks!
Technical editing: Joeli Caparco.
Photography: Nicholas Dames

Everything you need to create your own beautiful In the Shallows is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,