Aeron Hat

A few months ago the very talented Jean Clement of Desert Rose Fiber Arts contacted me because she loved my colors and wondered if I had a yarn which would be good for designing a Chemo Cap for her sister undergoing Chemo. I instantly recommended any of my Superwash yarns, because they are all really soft and machine washable. She settled on Superwash Sport in color Berry Pie, which is one of my favorites too! If you click the above link you can read through her design process as she created the hat and a review of the yarn too!

I think it turned out gorgeous. I love the slouchy hat style and the way it comes all together on the top. It is called the Aeron Hat. It uses 1 skein of Superwash Sport. You can purchase the pattern directly from her here!

I think it would be a great way to get a head start on fall knitting or a perfect project for anyone special in your life. 

Photos courtesy of Desert Rose Designs / Fiber Arts.

More About Ravelry In Store Sales

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to clarify some things.

Mary-Heather posted the following on my previous post:

Mary-Heather (rainydaygoods) said...

Just to clarify a quick thing (because we're getting excited emails about this!): this opt-in feature for shops with appointment only hours or dyers with studio hours isn't actually for In-Store Sales at shows, festivals, etc - the service can't be used at events. Our terms haven't changed and that still isn't permitted - we know people would like to sell at shows but In-store Sales are all that are allowed with this service, and nothing has changed there. I hope this helps to clarify!

So, I sent the following message to Ravelry:

​​Dear Ravelry, 

I am sorry I posted that Ravelry In-Store Pattern Sales were open to vendors at shows. Here is my confusion: 

1. When I setup my appointment only brick & mortar shop, I had to go through extra steps for designers to allow my shop to sell patterns. Steps outlined here: http://lavendersheep.blogspot.com/2015/04/ravelry-in-store-pattern-sales.html. While going through that process I saw that I could allow shops to sell my designs, which were described as “Vans which go from event to event”. I thought those sounded exactly the same as vendors at shows. I drive a van to various events and then setup a booth. What is the difference?

2. I would also like to clarify your policy. Are you saying that I can sell as many patterns as I like as long as I am in my home studio? However, when I travel to an event, where I take exactly the same yarn and samples, I can’t sell patterns there? How is this different? I sell patterns using my phone/tablet at either location. I handle every sale myself in person. I can’t print easily at a show, but other than that the transaction would be exactly the same. I would still pay designers through Ravelry either way. I also know from experience that I can sell a lot of patterns at shows. I have been selling hard copy patterns at shows for almost the last 10 years. I know I could sell even more if I had the flexibility of Ravelry Sales.

3. This seems to be a service that is wanted by both Indie Dyers and Indie Designers. From your service agreement you describe yourself as simply an intermediary between designers and shop owners. Wouldn’t you be doing exactly that to offer this service? If designers opt into it and Indie Dyers sign up for it, then what is the problem?

Perhaps now is the time to open your policies up to new possibilities that benefit everyone. I hope you will take these thoughts into consideration. I await your reply.

Your’s Sincerely, 

Yvonne Ellsworth​
--
LavenderSheep:
http://www.lavendersheep.com

I await their reply. I honestly don't think it will come to anything. I'm just sorry I gave out the wrong information. Though, in my defense I reread their service policies and they definitely are far from clear. They were written back in 2011 and I believe that they are in desperate need of an update. I'm not sure what I am going to do with pattern sales at the moment either, since majority of my pattern sales happen at events. I definitely will keep you posted here on the blog. Thanks!

Response is here: https://twitter.com/lavendersheep/status/585481291237347329

Looks like Event Sales are in the works! Woohoo!

Ravelry In Store Pattern Sales

Dear Fellow Indie Dyers & Designers,

I have good news! Ravelry is now allowing those of us who primarily do shows or have just a studio sometimes open to the public or sell only online the opportunity to be a part of Ravelry In-Store Pattern Sales! Yay! However, there is a catch. In order to sell a particular designers patterns you have to ask them individually to do the following steps:

1. Go to your Ravelry Pro Account. Under Pattern Sales, click on Configure Store.

2. Scroll down to In-Store Sales and click on the button marked "View Retailers"

3. Scroll down to my shop LavenderSheep (it should be near the top) and click on the drop down list where it says "blocked" and change it to "permitted"

That will add my shop to allow me to sell your designs.

So here is what you can do:

-If you are an Indie Dyer, sign up! It took almost 2 months to get my account, so be patient. Then get the word out that you want to sell designer's patterns. Think of how many samples you have in your booth. You are already sending people to Ravelry, why not sell them patterns right there on the spot with your tablet or phone?! Pass on this post, so that other dyers know about it!

-If you are an Indie Designer and you would like Indie Dyers to use your patterns, do the steps above and add everyone you feel comfortable adding. Check back often to make sure you aren't missing any newly added shops. Pass on this posts to other Indie Designers to get the word out. When you add a shop, let them know that you have added them. Like, if you add mine, I would love to know it, so I can plan out gorgeous samples with my yarn!

Most of all, thanks for reading this and getting the word out!

Yvonne Ellsworth
LavenderSheep

Blair Socks

I finished a pair of socks for Blair, my husband. 

I always keep a pair of DK weight socks (rav link) on the needles at all times in case I need a mindless project to take somewhere. They usually take me about a year to make, but then he has another pair of lovely socks to wear. These were out of Tosh DK, which is turning out to be one of my favorite yarns for his socks. I love the colorway Plaid Blanket mixed with the golden Harvest Wheat color. I think for my next pair I am going to try out Cat Bordhi's new Sweet Tomato Heel! I'm really looking forward to it!

Litla, a Little Shawl

After all that holiday knitting I think a quick selfish knitting project is in order:

Introducing Litla, a little shawl. She is knit out of 2 skeins of Superwash Bulky in color Ginn. The pattern is part of the Beautiful Wreck Collection by Larissa Brown. 

I had one of my trusty sample knitters knit it up this last fall and I finally got just the right light to show it off. It is so cozy! I just want to snuggle with it!

Kits are now available in the shop with a 10% discount on the yarn! Pick one up and start the New Year out right!

BW: Lichen Shawl

When I created the 5 colorways for Beautiful Wreck I never thought that I would fall so in love with one particular color. That colorway being Betta. As you may have noticed, I am a purple sort of girl. I also love a lot of greens and blues. Oranges, browns, and golds usually not much at all. However, that changed when I made this colorway. It just is so earthy and breathtaking. I want to knit everything out of it!

So, when Larissa Brown suggested we knit up a few of her shawls inspired by the book out of my new colorways, I instantly knew I needed to have a Lichen Shawl out of Betta. After all, different lichens are just what Betta used to dye with. 

I also couldn't help draping said shawl around the beautiful oak tree in my yard. Doesn't it look like it just belongs there?

The yarn I chose for this project is the new MIO Columbia Sport. Grown right here in Oregon and then dyed by me. It makes for a gorgeous combination. It reminds me of the golden hills of Eastern Oregon, much like the area where this wool was grown. Best of all, it only takes a single skein!

I also decided not to block the shawl as vigorously as the pattern shows. I liked the slight curl of the edges, because it looked more like lichen to me. As you can see it can be worn a variety of different ways. Kits are available in the shop and are ready to ship out today!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I plan on spending mine knitting and getting ready for the holidays! Don't forget: Luxury Yarn Sale ends on Sunday!

BW: From the Fields Shawl

I'm pretty excited to finally have up on the website a collection of patterns designed by Larissa Brown while she was writing the book Beautiful Wreck. I have had a couple of the patterns knit up in colorways inspired by the book too. 

The first one is From the Fields in Cashmere Blend (MCN) Sock color: Har. It uses only 1 skein! 

I love the back panel and how it looks like waving wheat in the wind.

Then the front has another panel of lace, which folds around the front.  

When I spoke to Larissa Brown about the pattern, she said the shape is designed so it won't fall off your shoulders. It simply wraps around and sits there. Which means you don't have to use a shawl pin to keep it on! Though, I think it would look stunning with any of the Plover Copper Shawl pins.

This is a perfect holiday project. Knit it for a special someone or for yourself! Also available in kits, perfect for the love one, who can make their own!

Epic Saga Hat

It all started with Larissa Brown's wonderful book Beautiful Wreck. I was inspired to dye colorways based on the characters from her books. Then I made little mini skein sets of 5 colorways. I got to thinking, what is a project that would use up all 5 mini skeins? This is what I came up with:

The Epic Saga Hat. It starts at the ocean, then goes through fields of wheat, and then on through mountain peaks. The motifs I used are based off of traditional Icelandic sweaters. It was a joy to design and an adventure to knit!

So, start an epic journey of your own and knit this hat today! It will be an adventure you never forget!

Turntable Wrap

Another new pattern to the shop is the Turntable Wrap by Hillary Smith Callis.

It really does look like a turn table with ridges much like your favorite song captured on vinyl. I just had to pair it with a Copper Treble Clef shawl pin. The yarn is MIO Columbia Sport in colors Moss and Raven Storm. It knits up like a dream in this pattern. I just want to snuggle up in this shawl and listen to my favorite tunes!

See it in person this weekend at Oregon Flock and Fiber! We are in a new location in the Main Building. No more rain for us!

Wizzo

Wizzo is a new fantastic pattern by Lee Meredith. I'm really excited to carry it in the shop!

What makes it so exciting? Well it is actually a pretty simple shape to knit, but because of the placement of holes and buttons there is a myriad of ways to wear it. 

As you can see I had a lot of fun playing with it. The yarn is my Superwash Bulky in color Poppy Field. My friend Michelle knit it up for me she said she really loved the yarn. It was a super fast knit. It takes only 2 skeins of bulky yarn for the small size (shown) and 4 for the large size. Plus you get a 10% discount on yarn when you order them all together.

I went with simple buttons because the colors are so bold. I think it would also look really stunning in subtler colors and fancy buttons. Actually any which way you make this will be fabulous! You can't go wrong.

I'll have it on display at Oregon Flock and Fiber this next weekend, so if you are attending, make sure to stop by the booth and play with it in person. It's lots of fun! We'll be in a new location inside, out of the weather, in the Main Building!

Clair de Lune

Now back to knitting and projects and more!

This is the Clair de Lune Shawl. My friend Paula knit it for me for the booth, but left me to block it. I was happy to do it! Each one of the picots is pinned out. It actually takes less time than you think. I started in the middle and then did halves until it was all done. 

Here is the top view. Isn't it beautiful? I just love the intricate lace panel detail. 

Here is the whole thing. It is knit out of the new Yakkity Yak Sock Yarn in colors Owen and Moss. So not only is it gorgeous to look at, it is gorgeous to wrap yourself up in!

Here it is decoratively styled with a Plover Designs Treble Clef Shawl Pin. It's taken me this long to get it up in the shop because it was an instant hit at Black Sheep and I sold out of all of my patterns. Not to worry, I have more in stock now and plenty for Oregon Flock and Fiber. So, make sure to stop by the booth and check out this stunning shawl in person!

Stockings

Finally had time and good lighting to photograph the stockings I made for Christmas. Sigh....it's been a busy year!

I am really happy with how they turned out. I have the patterns mostly written, but I've decided unless there is a huge demand for them that I'm not going to finish them off. I have the charts for the images done, but I still have to make letter charts and those are a pain. It isn't worth it when maybe one or two people might buy the pattern. We'll see how I feel towards fall when people need things like this for Christmas. If I'm wrong, please let me know. I would definitely put the work in if people are interested!

Mt Hood Ear Flap Hat Revisited!

I decided to remake a pattern (rav link) I designed years ago. Originally the pattern went with my Twist yarn, which has long since been discontinued. I loved the pattern and so I decided to make it over with my Superwash Worsted. I changed the gauge because I feel like the Superwash Worsted is on the light side of worsted. It feels so good to knit it on 6s, so that's what I did. I knit this out of half a skein in color Crown Point. I think it would be a great hat for snow boarders or skiers. Look at how good it looks with bright colors!

Of course the little miss has to get in on the action! She loves hats and immediately had to put it on during my photo shoot. This is the small adult size (21"). I think she has a ways to go before she grows into it!

Pattern is available on the website here: http://www.lavendersheep.com/shop/products/patterns/kits/hatmitts/earflaphat.html

and on Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mt-hood-ear-flap-hat

Freya Dress

I designed and made my baby girl a dress out of some handspun yarn I had made before she was even born. 

The yarn was some fiber I bought back when we traveled to Colorado. I plied it with some fiber I got when Woodland Woolworks went out of business. So, I definitely wasn't going to get more of it any time soon. I decided that I wanted to make the dress top down, but I didn't want to do a lot of cutting because the yarn is so special. So no running out of yarn and limited cutting! Check! So I thought I would do some experimenting with short rows. I started with the back and made it to the sleeve holes, then started the front and made it to the sleeve holes, then attached them together and continued in the round until it was long enough and added the bottom border. So that's only one cut of the yarn. Then I crocheted around the sleeve and neck openings adding the button holes at that time. I might try knitting the next time to see if I can make it work. I have ideas! Making that only 3 lengths of yarn!

What I love about it is it works great as a dress. It can be worn on it's own with shorts or tights or layered over a long sleeve shirt and pants in the winter. As she grows bigger it will work great as a tunic. I see her getting a lot of use out of this outfit. Also, it's so cute, I kinda want to size the pattern up for me.

I have also been working on letting the little miss pick out her own clothes. Note the black turtleneck and pink stripe pants for underneath. I especially loved the addition of dinosaur rubber boots, so had to snap a final picture of the whole ensemble. I plan on knitting her more of these dresses. I think it would be easy to size up and down. So, when I get a few moments I plan on writing it up. Maybe I can even make one for the booth in the near future!

Charlotte Rose Hat

This is another project I finished before the end of 2013. It is a super fast and super fun project to knit. 

I knit this as a booth sample. The pattern is the Charlotte Rose Hat and the yarn is MIO Columbia Pencil Roving in color Owen. There are kits available in the shop. The pencil roving is a little delicate to work with, but once it is knit up it is so soft and warm. I want to wear this hat all the time. This is also the smallest size, which is plenty big for a woman's head. I think the sizes in the pattern run a little large. Also, 2 skeins of the MIO Columbia Pencil Roving are more than plenty to knit this hat!

Brick Rib Sock

I forgot to post these and just came across this photo!

My friend Jill made them as a booth sample for me. The pattern is Brick Rib Sock by Chrissy Gardiner of Gardiner Yarn Works. The yarn is Superwash Sock in Garden Party! This pattern is so fun for any varigated yarn. I have knit them before myself and really loved the pattern! Definitely check it out if you haven't already!

Happy March!

Happy March! New for spring is this lovely collection of patterns from Imperial Stock Ranch. 

From Left to Right, Top to Bottom (with suggested yarn): 

-Charlotte Rose in MIO Columbia Pencil Roving

-Retro Thrum Slippers in MIO Columbia Aran with MIO Columbia Pencil Roving

-Teething Booties in MIO Columbia Aran with MIO Columbia Pencil Roving

-Thrum Mittens in MIO Columbia Aran with MIO Columbia Pencil Roving

Christmas Stockings

I finished these just in time for Christmas. The last one blocked the Sunday before. I'm working on the pattern as I get time. When I get it together I'll talk about each one and just how awesome they are. I hope all of you have had a great holiday season and are toughing out the winter weather!

MoSilk Welt Scarf

The holidays are drawing near! We all know what that means...lots of knitting!!!

Here is a simple pattern for a Welt Scarf that takes only one skein of my MoSilk Lace Yarn!

The pattern is FREE with a yarn purchase. It is quick and so gorgeous! After all the yarn is 70% Kid Mohair and 30% Silk. It is super soft and luxurious!

This scarf can be worn in so many ways. It goes with everything!

Now the hard part, picking which color you will use! You can find the yarn with free pattern either on the website or now in my Square Shop!

New! Woven Stitch Scarf / Cowl

Another New Pattern to share with you while I am out of town! 

This is the Woven Stitch Scarf or Cowl (rav link). The pattern has both options! At the end you decide which one it will be. I include a full tutorial with photos of how to cut the fringe and make it even! The yarn shown above is Panda Silk in Color: Monet. The scarf is shown above and the cowl below:

Here is the cowl full length. It only takes one skein of sock yarn to complete it!

Here are 2 wraps around the neck. Very stylish to wear it like this. The yarn is Superwash Sock in color Wind Chill.

Here it is wrapped 3 times around, for that cozy feel on those especially cold and blustery days.

The pattern can be found in the shop for .pdf, paper copy or kit options. Remember you get a 10% discount on yarn when you buy the kit and FREE shipping every day. It is also available on Ravelry, which I also love!