I’m in the middle of four different design projects right now. My test knitters cranked out beautiful versions of my Fast Florida Footies for my new 8-size printed pattern soon to be available for sale. I’m collecting suggestions from the testers and hope to be finalizing that pattern this week.

I also finished that prototype tea cosy about a week ago, and have notes written but no formal pattern yet. I need that finalized and a second sample knit. The first “lives” at Threadbear for the time being, and the second will “live” at Little Red Schoolhouse (LRSH) when I finish it. I just finalized a few classes at LRSH and am finalizing a few more this week, so will post those here as soon as everything comes together more firmly

I am test knitting a second sample of my Heritage Heirloom socks and will make a few tweaks to the pattern text when that sample is done. The first was done in a cabled yarn in earth tones. This second is done in Magic Garden Buttons, a colorful kids’ yarn with little bits of color throughout. The look is so very different, with the same pattern specs. It’s sort of amazing how that works! I love that magic in the knitting process, the way yarn choice totally changes a project.

And… ta dah! I finished my Glitzy/Dressy Wrap (it turned out to be more of a capelet than a stole) today and it is just beautiful! It’s three different yarns, garter stitch, fringed in a rectangle, with a tie at the neck. And it’s shiny red with purple, one of my favorite color schemes (you would never know it, I don’t wear red, but I love these colors together).

I worked at making a simple project that has some depth, some interest to the flavor of the fabric. This one is Berroco Quest, Sari ribbon and a mercerized cotton, in garter stitch with fringe. I have two more planned versions. One is in pale spring greens (matte cotton, Sari ribbon and brushed mohair) for me, whenever I get to knit for myself. The other is in multicolors with a very fascinating ribbon, shiny cotton and I can’t remember the third yarns. That last one is for LRSH as a sample so that needs to be done yesterday. That is, as soon as my other projects are finished? The sock projects and the tea cosy, that is?

I think it’s really beautiful. First I took pictures of myself wearing it (using my new camera’s delay feature, very fun), but then when I took it to Threadbear, they put it on the front mannequin by the cash register. It looked so pretty there, I took more pictures while I could. They have the best lighting in the planet, so the colors just turned out great. It doesn’t look like a beginner project does it? I love that about this piece… It’s a quick knnit for an experienced knitter, and a rewarding but not frustrating project for a brand-new knitter. This type of success really makes me happy.

Pictures today: 1) Glitzy Wrap for Beginners and Friends as displayed at the cash register, Threadbear Fiberarts. 2) Infant size 0-1 sock knit by Rachel, in Cascade Fixation yarn. Isn’t it just as cute as a button?3) Infant size 2-3 sock knit by Julia, I’m not sure what yarn she used but it’s very effective. Isn’t it interesting how changing yarns really changes patterns?