I wasn't really sure how this one was going to come out, as I've never done anything like it before… only read patterns done in this fashion. But as I bound off last night I was pretty sure that it was working out the way I had intended. I wasn't completely sure until I sewed up the side seams and pulled it over my head. It's PERFECT!

I'm hoping to get James to take some pictures of me in it sometime this weekend… if the weather's nice. Classic Elite is planning to feature this pattern in one of their upcoming web-letters, so I'm going to wait until that has been released before I post the pattern here. The first web-letter went out on Wednesday, and we've been getting great reviews. I can't wait to see how the others unfold. If you're interested in receiving these weekly e-mails, you can sign up here. I'm the web master, so I command you to sign up. tee hee.

P.S. Check this out!

Short row time!

July 25th, 2007

Last night I finished working on the front piece. Working the short rows was really easier than I thought it would be. Basically, I just marked the center 16 sts then worked across the right side to the first marker, did my little wrap and turn thing (which used to be so daunting unti I read about how to do it, now it makes complete sense. I plan on doing some sort of tutorial eventually…) then I worked back on the wrong side. I did this 7 more times, but each time I worked 4 sts less than the time before. Once I was finished doing this on the right edge of the piece I worked all the way across with the right side facing to the left edge. My first wrong side row, I only worked across to the first marker, did the wrap and turn then worked back. Then I repeated this 7 times working 4 less sts each time. Once that was finished I worked all the way across on the wrong side. It created a nice dip in the center of the piece. This way I don't need to worry about the front neck of the yoke being too high.

Now I just need to figure out where and when to decrease for the yoke. Whee, this is fun!

MySpace

July 23rd, 2007

So, I broke down and joined myspace. Now you can communicate with me, join my friends list and what-not! I don't plan on putting anything creative on there. That's what this website is for. Plus, I've heard through the grapevine that Myspace takes the creative lisence of whatever is put onto their site. So, I'm really hesitant about giving them too much info. Either way, I thought I'd join so it's easier for people to chit-chat with me. Cuz I know you all love doing that.

Gallery Update and Broken Rib Yoke Progress!

July 22nd, 2007

Hey all! Classic Elite has finally revealed their Fall 07 line, so I've updated my gallery to include the garments that came through me. Take a look.

I've also been working my litte butt of on this Provence Broken Rib yoke thing. It's going super fast, I have the feeling that I could have it finished by the end of the week if I keep going at this rate.

I finished the back piece last night… well, at least up to the point where I put the sts onto the holder to be later picked up for the yoke. I'm almost finished with the waist decreasing on the front. Maybe I'll get the front piece finished today. That'd be a lot of knitting, but it's been done before... hehe, yesterday.

Okay, back to knitting!

July 20th, 2007

This is the newest design I will be making for myself. It's still in the planning stages at the moment, but I have the yarn, gauge and schematic finished. Maybe this weekend I can get some of the pattern started and begin knitting! I have a feeling it's going to be a quick knit because there are no sleeves! Yippy! I've also never designed a yoke before, so we shall see how this goes.

I tech edited a few yoke patterns recently that really inspired me to come up with a design of my own using a similar technique. I plan on using short rows to shape the back and front before working the yoke. I'm really eager to get crackin' on this because I will be using a few new techniques that I've never really dabbled in before. I really think it'll be a great learning experience. I'll try to take photos and explain things as I go, but I can't promise anything. It depends where I'm at when it's happening.

A valuable lesson

July 17th, 2007

I have been an emotional wreck the for the past week, and over the weekend I learned a valuable lesson: I need to take care of myself. It's funny how our bodies have a way of screaming for attention, like a small child. When I heard about Ali's leaving, my awareness levels of how I treat myself, and what kinds of foods I put into my body had completely disintegrated. Before I heard the news I was working on eating more organic foods, less processed anythings, less meat and more soy based foods. But last week I just didn't care, and I ate anything that was placed in front of me. Saturday morning I woke around 3 am to severe nausia, and just all around discomfort. I think that my body was being spoiled with all the good-for-me foods that it had to tell me somehow that it really didn't like the rest of the junk I was eating. I was in bed ALL DAY Saturday, with occasional trips to the restroom. My body was so fatigued from whatever this illness was that it was that it was impossible to move. I couldn't even knit. I'm really happy that this decided to happen on a Saturday, and that I had Sunday to recover also. Sunday I felt 1000 times better.

The real stinker about having this illness take over my life is that I had to cancel my Saturday plans. Some friends and I were planning on going to Plum Island in the morning to take in some nature and watch some wild life, but that couldn't happen. I told my friends to go without me, but they decided to stay with me and baby me instead. I had also planned on going to the Knit and Crochet Fashion show that night. I was really looking forward to this, as I planned on showing my Beatrice Cardigan in the show. I guess there will always be next time.

A slew of emotions

July 12th, 2007

Yesterday's Knit and Crochet Show was absolutely inspiring. I really learned a lot. The first half of the day there was a panel of crochet magazine editors who were asked to give their opinion on a large array of garments. It was really helpful to learn which garments each of the different editors liked and for what reasons. I feel like I have a much better idea of what each magazine/publisher would accept. About 15–20 minutes into this, Lily Chin arrived and sat herself right down next to me. It was really nice getting to meet her and get to know her unique personality. Lily spoke during lunch. What I learned the most from her was how to be inspired by trend reports. I never know what to do with these things. I receive them, but then I know I don't want to "copy" them. She showed ways that she used them as inspiration to design some of her garments. It was great to learn.

I also hung out with Mary E. Nolfi quite a bit. It was great to meet such an inspired artist. She was wearing the BEST crochet hat (it's the first one, I believe). I loved hearing about her asperations and goals. She seems like she knows what she wants, and that 's so empowering. I hope to meet her again someday.

After lunch there were 3 break-out sessions, where we could choose from 9 different groups, each with something different to teach us. I chose Self Publication with Jennifer Hanson from Stitch Diva Studios; Class Design: from concept to completeion with Gwen Bortner from Knitability; then Into the 'Net: How to use the web to build your business with Kim Werker from Interweave Crochet and Crochet Me. All of them were really educational. I feel SO much more confident in my abilities to teach a class; I don't think I'm ready yet to self publish, but maybe someday; and I'm doing okay with the whole web thing… At the beginning of Kim's session she asked us to quickly introduce ourselves, and when I said my name she made a little squeel and said "You're Kristen TenDyke!" and then went on to explain to everyone that I have something coming out in the Fall issue. (So, keep all your eyes peeled; she said it photographed BEAUTIFULLY)! When all the sessions were finished I found Kim to talk to her, and she gave me a hug. She really is a sweetheart. Meeting her was definitely one of the hightlights of my day.

So, on a much MUCH MUCH less positive note… I got a phone call on Tuesday from someone who I used to work with, but who is also the best friend of one of my friend's mother. My friend Ali and I have been friends since kindergarden. Recently our relationship has not been super strong. We would see each other when there was a big occasion, like a wedding, but not often otherwise. She recently got married and had a baby. Her wedding was the last time I saw her. During this phone call, I was told that there was some really bad news, and I should sit down. I'm really glad I was sitting, because it really hit me like a 10,000 lead weight. I was told that Ali passed away over the weekend. She had a seizure in her sleep, and no one knew about it, so she did not survive. I just can't believe it. She's younger than me and she has a child who I believe is still under a year old. I guess you just never know when something like this is going to happen. It's really made me want to be a better friend to the one's I still have. It's reminded me that we're all mortal, and that we really don't have a choice about when we get chosen to move onto another plane. Ali, I've always loved you. You'll be missed.

Yes, I'm still alive.

July 10th, 2007

I miss posting more often. I wish I wasn't so busy, so I could take more time to update you guys! Here's a brief update for now... I'm sure next week I'll be less busy. Right now, I'm (sorta) working on getting a child's cardigan finished up for Classic Elite. I have the back, both fronts and about a third of both of the sleeves finished. I've been avoiding it for the past few days though. I buzzed right through all those pieces I just mentioned, then I totally fizzled. It lost my interest. I really need to finish it though. I'm hoping that maybe sometime before Monday I can get it all done and out of my hair. Then I can start working on something else.

Classic Elite still hasn't told me if any of my Spring 08 designs were selected. Pam was hinting at liking some of the designs, but I haven't heard anything officailly yet. I'm hesitant about starting to work on something new for myself. I would rather not have to stop working on it part way to start doing something for CEY, so maybe I'll just wait and see. I can go a few days without knitting... maybe... hehe.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, NH. I'm pretty excited to learn what they have to tell me. I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Until next time… Happy Knitting all!

My Raw journey

Patterns for Sale

Tweed Beret

Violet, the Slouchy Head Friend

Lush Woven Scarf

Petal Socks

River of Life Socks

Crochet Motif Cardigan

Beatrice Ribbed Tie Coat