Force Friday

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a knitter was born who has been obsessed with Star Wars for her entire life. Oh wait, that's me.

I adore everything about Star Wars (well, the original trilogy anyway, the prequels left a bit to be desired) - the story, the tech, the characters, the costumes, the special effects... There's something for everyone, whether it's a certain character you relate to, rooting for the underdog, a droid you have an affinity with or someone going through an issue in a galaxy far, far away that you find yourself going through here on Earth. I don't trust people who don't like Star Wars the same way I don't trust people who don't like chocolate, pizza or unicorns.

When they announced a few years back that they were going to be filming more movies and picking up where Episode VI left off, I thought I might spontaneously combust with sheer excitement. I wasn't born yet when the very first film was released, but I love hearing stories from those who were there and it has the same frenzy that the first Harry Potter film did. When the first Harry Potter came out, I sat in line for hours on the floor with my RISD friends, hunkered down with my knitting and caffeine in full-on HP geek mode, waiting patiently for the ticket guy to let us get into the theater.

I've wanted to design a pattern trilogy inspired by Star Wars for a long time. It's been tucked away in the back of my mind and I kept thinking," You really need to plan that out, because December 2015 will be here before you know it." Since today is Force Friday (and I just got back from Target where a Star Wars shirt or two may have slipped into my shopping cart, and my heart nearly burst with pride when my 4-year-old told me he wanted Star Wars underoos), it seems like the perfect day to introduce the first of the pattern trilogy.

Fellow Star Wars fans, meet the Nerfherder Cowl (inspired by the below video clip - if you get my posts via email, it won't show up). The first of 3 Star Wars-inspired patterns by TanisKnits, the Nerfherder Cowl is designed to be the perfect knit to work on while you re watch the 6 films to prep for the new one. With a stitch pattern reminiscent of stars and galaxies, it's a very interesting project packed with texture and color. I've paired The Lemonade Shop's Sparkle DK yarn in the appropriately named color way "The Force" (blue sparkles!), and Manos del Uruguay's wonderful Silk Blend yarn in "Shocking." I love the neon yarn paired with the calm blues and by striping them in even intervals, it adds another layer of depth and they tone each other down nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSwyNN7ms00

This cowl is knit back and forth the short way and joined at the end with kitchener stitch (you could certainly 3-needle bind off instead if you wish) which means finished length is up to you. I've been into longer cowls lately and the stitch pattern was so addicting that I just keep knitting!

The next 2 TanisKnits Star Wars-inspired patterns will be headed your way in soon, so keep your eyes out for the next installment coming soon.

Download the Nerfherder Cowl here and may the force be with you, always.

Welcome Home!

The fun thing about designing for yarn and pattern clubs, is when the pattern rights revert back to the designer, it's like seeing an old friend after a long absence. I had two such patterns return back to me this week and I'm delighted that they're now available to the masses.

Originally designed to be part of The Knitting Boutique's Luxury Sweater Club (yes, please), the Winnick Cardigan was an idea I had while working away this past winter. I usually stick to 3/4 sleeves because I work so much with my hands and I don't like cuffs flopping around getting in my way, but my torso and upper arms get cold. My desk is right next to a window and we live in an old row house - things get drafty. A short-sleeved sweater would be perfect, but I needed to Tanis-ize it, so I jazzed up my sketch with some Estonian lace work, threw a few bobbles in there for some texture and voila! The Winnick Cardigan came to be. Sized generously from a 34" bust up through a 54" bust, you'll only need anywhere from 780-1040 yards of worsted weight yarn. The lace doesn't start until after the sleeves have been quarantined off after the raglan shaping is complete, and it's easy to add length in the torso or even long sleeves if you wish.

Another friend who came back are the Burkhardt Wristers. Originally part of Dragonfly Fiber's Club (goodness did I LOVE this color way!), these little beauties have mirror-image cables running their entire length and a thumb gusset. 1 Hank of my favorite yarn from Dragonfly Fiber's, Traveller DK, will yield 2 pairs! I love being able to get more than 1 project out of a single hank, so knit one for you and a friend! Start those holiday gifts - they always sneak up on us, no?

Download the Winnick Cardigan here and the Burkhardt Wristers here. Welcome home, friends!

Izziyana Shuhaimi

Crafting takes time - we say it again and again every time someone says "Oh, you made that? How long did it take you?" I came across this article on Singapore-based artist Izziyana Suhaimi who adds embroidery to her pencil and watercolor illustrations and it reminded me of that. I especially like the bear hat, since I've knit something similar in the past! Original article here.

Fashion Illustrations with Embroidered Accents and Accessories by Izziyana Suhaimi

by Christopher Jobson

Singapore-based artist Izziyana Suhaimi introduces embroidered accents to her carefully rendered pencil and watercolor illustrations. Patterns of flowers unfold much like a tapestry across the paper canvas creating pieces she refers to as “evidence of the hand and of time.” For her series The Looms in Our Bones Suhaimi focuses mostly on fashion acessories where scarves, hats, and other clothing is depicted in thread, while she also uses the same techniques for more abstract shapes and designs. From her artist statement:

Embroidery for me is a quiet and still act, where each stitch represents a moment passed. The building of stitches then becomes a representation of time passing and the final work is like a physical manifestation of time – a time object. Each stitch is also a recording of the maker’s thoughts and emotions. I enjoy the duality of embroidery, in its movements of stabbing, cutting, covering, building, repairing, taking apart. Every stitch made seems to unfold a story and withhold it at the same time.

You can see much more of Suhaimi’s work here.

35

It's an interesting progression from having birthdays as a kid to having them as an adult. As a kid, all I wanted was to be older, to get more privileges, learn to drive, get to the next grade, have more freedom. As an adult, the clock seems to have sped up since I've had my son and I no longer measure my age by the lines appearing on my face and hands, but by how tall he's getting or new "grown up" words and phrases that come out of his mouth. I never minded getting older like some women tend to, and I try to embrace my age and think "Wow, I've survived this long and that's a lot longer than some people get. I'm lucky." Birthdays should make you feel thankful, not shameful. With age comes wisdom and we should honor that by wearing our number of years with pride, not hide them away.

So here it is world, today I turn 35! Bump me up into that next age bracket and let's celebrate!

Getting to do what I love every day is the best present of all. Working in the creative field and having parents that knew I wouldn't/couldn't fit into the mold of sitting in a cubicle each day and let me venture off the paved road into the art field to realize my dreams and a husband who thinks it's "cool" that his wife is a knitwear designer and author makes me feel more blessed than they'll ever know. Being able to stay at home with my son and stay up late to get my work done when he's sleeping is tricky, but it's a balance that works for me and my family and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

As I usher in this new year and new age bracket, I want to celebrate YOU, dear readers. The talented and incredible bunch of friends I've made while traveling this road both in real life and online, whether you watch me on Knitting Daily TV, you read by blog, you carry your WIP around in a TanisKnits project bag, you're working on one of my designs, you just got one of my books or you come and take a class with me, I thank my lucky stars EVERY SINGLE DAY that I am doing what I'm doing and that I have you all right there with me. Thank you, from deep within my soul, thank you for being part of this great little corner of our knitting community that I call home.

If you know me in real life, you know I bake like a fiend and whether you like it or not, you're probably going home with a few dozen cookies or a loaf of bread after we hang out. You know that if I know you had a bad week or you're going through something tough, I will be there with something handmade or homemade, ears primed to listen and arms to wrap you in a hug. Since I can't do that for all of you, I try to show my appreciation throughout the year with free patterns, tutorials, hints, tips, tricks and giveaways galore! Let's welcome in 35 with a new free pattern for you, the Beecham Cowl.

Designed to use up that one hank of special yarn you either have in your stash or you've been eyeing at your LYS, this cowl is designed to be a "one and done" kind of project with only 2 ends to weave in, no finishing other than a good blocking and a nice gift for YOURSELF. Using one of my favorite lace patterns that knits up in the round looking much more difficult than it actually is, that hank of handspun you've been hoarding or that hank of luxury yarn you've been coveting is ideal. Yarn weight doesn't really matter (the photographed version is knit on sport weight on US 6 needles), just size your needles accordingly and enjoy. Download the Beecham Cowl here.

How about one other birthday gift? All TanisKnits patterns (remember that TanisKnits and Tanis Gray patterns are two different pattern lines, follow the link here) on Ravelry are 35% off today only from 12am to 12pm EST. No coupon code is needed and please enjoy!

Thank you for celebrating with me!