Holiday Sale!

Rocketboy #1 has just informed me that these few days in the early 20's of December are "the slowest, most torturous of the entire year." In truth, we are a family of mixed traditions and have actually been celebrating for a couple of weeks already, so he has nothing to complain about! but even so, this image from my favorite of all classic holiday tv specials reminds me of the two Rocketboys waiting and groaning about how long it will be til there are presents to open. Are you feeling that way too? Is there a packeage of yarn, or a new needle set under your Christmas tree that is driving you crazy in anticipation? To spread some holiday cheer, there is a sale currently going on in the Rocketboy Knits Ravelry store - all patterns in the store are 25% off through the 31st. Some of them are even fast enough that you might manage to finish before Christmas... or you can gift a pattern to a knitting friend through Ravelry, or treat yourself to a new pattern to go with that new yarn! Here's the link: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/jennifer-chase-rappaport Whatever and whenever you celebrate, I wish you a joyful season!

Pattern Preview

We're still in test knitting, but I can't resist putting up a preview for my next pattern! I'm still pondering the name of this pattern, but I can say that there is both a cowl version - shown here in Madeline Tosh Vintage in Tart - and a scarf version. The structure of both is just like my Huntress Shawl. In fact, it is the original pattern which I submitted to Knitscene that evolved into a wolf under moonlit branches. (That one still makes me laugh...who knew? Oh right, the editor did!) This pattern should be ready by the end of November, and I will offer a pre-order discount in the week before the release - stay tuned!

It must be fall!

I am feeling very inspired by this amazing combination of colors! All are Hazel Knits Artisan Sock In Plum Glace, Portobello, and Lichen. Portobello may be my new favorite "neutral" color, but Lichen is definitely my favorite accent color. It seems to have its own light source, and makes colors nearby sing... Somehow, it seems like a perfect Fall palette on this October day.

Krista Cowl, or Secret Project #2 Reveal

Interweave Knits, Holiday Gifts 2012 is out! Among the many great patterns to knit gifts for everyone you know is my new pattern, the Krista Cowl. This cowl is an engaging knit that can easily be accomplished while heading over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, or while on a long layover at your "favorite" airport. Details here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/krista-cowl

Rose Hill Mitts, ready for Prime Time

At last, the Rose Hill Mitts are done! One last photo to celebrate - this is the large size, un-cuffed version, modeled by my DH. I have to thank my wonderful test-knitters for helping me bring this pattern to creation - I could not have done it without them.

Hungry Like A...(or Secret Project #1 Reveal)

At long last, I can reveal what I was doing with that gorgeous String Theory Caper Aran in Secret Project #1! Here she is, the Huntress. In the Knitscene Blog post where Lisa Shroyer, editor of Knitscene, named me one of the 8 Designers to Watch in 2012, I was described as "not being afraid of odd challenges from quirky editors." "Huntress" was the source of that cryptic comment. I was working on a different way to shape a scarf, trying to get a little more neck coverage in the front, but nice long sides without too much bulk around the neck. And, of course, to avoid the insanely long final BO row that some of just hate at the end of a lot of shawlettes. The first piece with that structure was submitted to Knitscene with a very different stitch pattern. (No spoilers - this pattern will be out soon!) At the end of the decision process, Lisa e-mailed and asked if I would consider changing the stitch pattern to show an animal, so that it could fit a theme for a different issue. Somehow, she had looked at the geometric pattern I had used, and seen a wolf peering out from there! Altering my perspective, I too saw the wolf, and changed the pattern completely. Then it seemed clear that the wolf should emerge at the edge of a forest under the light of a full moon, and I never looked back... Normally, representational or pictorial knitting is not what I'm drawn to do, either with intarsia or lace, but this was just too good a challenge to pass up. Sometimes, it's good to step out of the comfort zone.

In which I blog to keep from whining about the weather...

Spring, it seems, is never going to happen in Seattle this year. We had Thunder Snow the night before last, even...but I did say I was blogging to KEEP from whining, so that's the end of that.

I was doing so well at keeping up with this blog, and then things went kerflooey for a couple of weeks. Time to get everything back on track! Secret projects are all shipped off. Remember the pile of mitts in an earlier post? (pictured above) It is called Rose Hill Mitts, and it has gone into test knitting today! Please leave a comment if you would like to be alerted when the pattern is available. And I'm starting on a project for Universal Yarns today, which promises to be interesting. So the next few weeks should be exciting and full. I think it's time for more coffee...