bestillandknit's blog

I found some BuffBoo on sale at my LYS, and picked up a couple of skeins. I planned to use it as a practice for the qiviut I purchased this past summer, but I actually found I liked the sheen of the buffboo in this pattern more than the qiviut. Guess I still need to keep looking for that perfect qiviut pattern. The pattern as written works for one skein, but I used a part of a second to get mine to be the length I wanted.

Materials
1 skein Buffalo Gold Buffboo #13, laceweight, 300 yds (part of a second skein is optional)
US 4 16” circular needle
Cable needle
Stitch marker
Yarn needle for weaving ends

Finished Dimensions
Approx 24” circumference and 14” long (blocked)

It has been a long time coming (since Thanksgiving, as I recall), but today I updated the website to include the free pattern library. As always, my patterns come with a full license to make these items and sell them. After all, I know how hard it is to make ends meet as a knitter - who needs pricey license fees?

Please stop by and check out the patterns. I enjoy your feedback!

I did it. Today, I purchased a new day planner. I do this every year. It seems like the opening of a new book is appropriate for the opening of a new year. I wander the aisles of the office supply store looking for that one book that will best suit my needs and my taste. I never really seem to find the perfect planner.

Usually by March, I have given up my plans to document my days because my days become too full of the things I am living to take the time to write them out and plan the next. Perhaps that is my problem?

Anyway, I thought I'd share my planner journey with you. I embark on this journey knowing full well my previous failures, and for some reason, believe that this year will be, and perhaps must be different.

I started this scarf right around Thanksgiving. My plan was to finish it in time for my daughter's birthday, but I didn't quite make it. Finally wove in the last end on 12/21. It probably should be blocked, but my daughter is too excited to wear it...

Anyway, this is based on the Falling Flowers pattern by Anne Kingstone. I did a yarn substitution to Trendsetter's Merino VI superwash, so I never was able to get the gauge and have a soft knit. To compensate, I changed the flower pattern so that it was a single column of flowers rather than the double column in the original pattern. It turned out to be a bit over 4" wide, which is perfect for my little girl. I think my scarf is a bit less smooth in the motifs as a result of the larger gauge, but my daughter likes it just fine.

As my way of saying thank you, I am now offering all my patterns for free. I have been very busy with my job lately - with much travel, I haven't been able to be as attentive as I would like. So, now you can enjoy my entire pattern library for free.

Right now, the patterns are available only in my Ravelry store. I am working on some pages to link to the patterns from my site for those who are not Ravelry members.

Enjoy!

I had planned to go to a yoga class this morning, but was thwarted. I arrived at the studio only to find it was closed for a gathering downtown. I was disappointed, so to ease my disappointment, I decided to go yarn shopping. I found yarn for three projects that I have in my queue. See what you think:

I bought this Malabrigo for my Stitch Diva Endless Knitted Cardi Shawl. The main color is handpainted in shades of brown, orange, and gold, and the contrast color is a solid gold shade. I think it will be stunning.

The next yarn is a few skeins of Brown Sheep's Lanaloft. I've never knit with this before, so it will be an adventure. I bought it for the Sweater Babe's Little Lace Vest. The colors don't show up as well in the photo, but it's a teal, purple, and brown handpaint.

I've been reacquainted with an online Bible study by Beth Moore about the fruits of the spirit. I enrolled a few years ago, but a thought about it crossed through my mind today, and I wanted to share it with you. Find out more at the link below.

I just finished up a swatch of the "Seahorse" stitch pattern found at Knitting Fool. It is a combination lace and cable design that has captivated my imagination. What to do with it? Should I make it a scarf or shawl in laceweight yarn, or maybe make it a pair of socks? The pattern is an 8 stitch repeat, so it could be any number of items. Maybe all of them. What do you think?

Today, I went to the farmer's market and picked up a few things. Twelve quarts of green beans (in my pressure canner now), a couple pounds of fresh cashew butter, some steaks, and of course, some yarn. I found two skeins of Weatherd T Ranch yarn. I got a couple of skeins (250 yd ea) of laceweight alpaca in a natural color. I am not sure what I'll do with it, but I have tucked it away safely in my stash room for the moment when inspiration strikes. I'm currently working on another Flapotis for my sister's birthday. It's in Touch Me in a deep purple. I can hardly wait for it to be felted!

I've had this pattern written on a scrap of green paper in my briefcase for a couple of months, and I've just never taken the time to write it out. The thought of formatting a nice PDF pattern was just too draining with the busy-ness of my summer. So, I thought I'd just write it out on my blog and encourage you to enjoy it.

Yarn: Berrocco Seduce, Color 4492, 3 skeins
Needles: US 9, I crochet hook

Using your favorite provisional cast on, cast on 25 sts (multiple of 4 plus 1)

Work in Star Rib Mesh until desired length is achieved. Bind off using crocheted bind off. Join yarn to opposite end, and work crocheted bind off.

Blocking is important to this scarf - it tends to hang and pull the lace closed, so frequent blocking may be necessary.

Star Rib Mesh
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: K1, *yo, sl2 kw, k1, p2sso, yo, K1, rep from * to end of row
Row 3: Purl
Row 4: SSK, yo, K1, *yo, sl2 kw, k1, p2sso, yo, K1, rep from * to last 2 sts, end yo, K2tog.