Vestpa is ready to scoot around town with you or hug your curves while you’re parked on the couch.

Either way it’s the perfect little vehicle for your favorite yarn.

It’s comfortable, classic and a breeze to knit.

Pattern: Vestpa

Sizes: 30 3/4 (34, 37 1/4, 40 1/2, 43 1/2, 46 3/4, 50) at bust

Yarn: 470 – 1100 yards Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu (shown in Thraven) or similar yarn

Needles: US size 5 27” or larger circular needles, or size need to obtain gauge

Gauge: 20 sts/26 rows over 4” in stockinette

Construction: Body is knit in pieces but all ribbing is worked in the round. This method of construction is used so you can have the stability that seams provide, smaller more portable sections to knit, and all the finished edges will look exactly the same. Plus no worries trying to match ribbing while seaming.

Available for $5.50 US

Thanks go to: All my fantastic test knitters (Kathy, Marti, Julie & Sherri), my tech editor Tana, and special thanks to Kathy who not only test knit and took all the photos, but listened to me whine about making the schematic. You ladies are all awesome and I couldn’t do it with out you.

I released Sway yesterday. Plan to debut Vestpa tomorrow. But that’s not all I’ve been working on.

This is Scowl (I’m wearing and knitting it).

I finished the knitting quite awhile ago but my brain can’t seem to work on more than two patterns at at time, so it’s been sitting and waiting.

Now my brain is finally free to focus on editing and testing for Scowl and as usual that’s where you come in. I need some volunteers.

First the sales pitch…

Have you ever thought, “Why do all my edges have to be garter stitch? I want something different.” Or perhaps, “I wish my scarf was exactly the same on both sides.” Or maybe even, “Why can’t I have a cowl and scarf in one?” And while I’m dreaming, “It would be great if it looked good on both me and my guy.”

Okay, maybe you don’t have conversations about knitting with yourself, but I do and in this case those conversations lead me to this design.

Turns out with a little help from Judy’s Magic Cast On and a skein of sock yarn you can have all those things in one scarf.

The scarf lays perfectly flat, looks exactly the same on both sides, and can be worn by men or women in at least 3 different ways. Solid, semi-solid or variegated yarn all will look great; or use it to show off some of your fabulous handspun.

Make one for yourself, or make one for a friend. It’s guaranteed to keep you cozy and not to make you scowl.

Are you interested? Did I mention it would make a great Christmas gift?

If I managed to convince you here are the details.

Yarn: 300-400 yards heavy sock weight yarn. BMFA STR Mediumweight & Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop are shown.

Materials: 2 sets size 4 US 27” or longer circular needles, tapestry needle

Gauge: 23 sts & 40 rows = 4" in garter stitch

Sizes: Scowl is 5.5 inches wide and has instructions for 39” or 55” versions

Techniques: Judy’s Magic Cast On

Deadline: Pattern will be ready to send out by tomorrow. Knitting would need to be done by November 24th.

PS – if you’d like to be a test knitter but not on this project send me an email or leave me a comment. I’m putting together a list of interested knitters to notify whenever I have a new pattern available for testing.

Sway is finally ready to walk the red, and is this case leafy, carpet and strut it’s stuff.

Look how happy I am.

So happy that I was willing to sit in the wet grass to get this shot. Does that count as suffering for your art?

In any case we should have taken this shot before I sat down. You’ll just have to look at the wonderful long wrapable tails and ignore the big wet spot on my tush.

  

Tie it, wrap it, drape or just snuggle with it.

How ever you’d like to wear it I hope it puts a smile on your face and a Sway in your walk.

Pattern: Sway

Yarn: 660 yards Blue Moon Fiber Arts BFL shown in Brick (100% Blue Faced Leicester, 8oz./226g, 661 yds/604 m) or similar yarn.
Needles: 2 pair US size 8 circular needles 24” or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge: 16 sts and 20 rows over 4 inches in pattern
Size: 115” wide at top border by 22” long at center back
Construction: Side panels are knit from the center out and joined to the middle section as it’s knit. A simple stitch pattern ensures it’s fun and doable for most levels of knitters.

Available for $7 US

Charts and line by line instructions are included.

Thanks to my fantastic test knitters! They knit through soccer games, yardage miscalculations and even H1N1! Janet, Cecila, Maya, and Sarah you guys rock! Special thanks Kathy for giving up part of her Sunday afternoon to stand outside freezing, while half of Redmond’s population drove by and stared at the spectacle of the crazy ladies taking pictures. You are a true friend and a wonderful photographer.

Finally thanks to Tana for editing all 12 pages and 5 charts (nobody panic the pattern isn’t that hard, just detailed) and for giving me kind and gentle correction. She never once called me stupid which is more than I can say for myself.

More pictures and details for this pattern can be found on Ravelry and in this previous post.

For little things I love a bit of the new and different. A new friend, a stitch I’ve never seen, an author I’ve haven’t read, a different furniture arrangement, all exciting and fun.

But sometimes change isn’t little and it isn’t my choice. I’m not a fan of the whole “out of your control” thing. In fact it’s down right terrifying for me and deep down a little part of me is still convinced that I can control the world if I just work hard enough. That somehow I could prevent every problem if I was just more on top of things. If only that were true.

Yesterday a big fat humongous change was dropped on us and there is absolutely nothing I can do to fix it or change it.  After 17 years at Microsoft my husband was laid off. Whopping big change and a mighty big shock.

For most of the day it felt like someone had died. We both came to Seattle to join Microsoft and it’s been a part of my entire adult life. I can hardly imagine not being a softie but as of Friday we aren’t.

I know we will be ok, I know my husband is smart and experienced and will get another job and I know this isn’t the end of the world. No one died. I also know that a chapter of my life is ending, that I don’t know what’s next and that I will have to take what comes with out much control on my part. It’s scary stuff. Really scary.

Here’s the thing though as worried and upset as I am, I’m also relieved and thankful. This is awful. It’s the nightmare come true. And we’re still here. I have my family and we aren’t fighting we are supporting each other, even the kids. Our friends have offered their support and love. What’s really important is still the same. It’s painful to go through hard times but it gives me confidence to know I’m not alone and to know for sure that we will stay a family and love each other no matter the difficulty. 

Plus I’m feeling pretty smug about my stash.

I’m not sure what this says about my state of mind but I’ve begun thinking about my designs as inmates.

The idea or spark for the design is the crime. Sketching & swatching are the trial and if convicted, subsequent incarceration in KnitQuest prison follows. Knitting, writing, ripping, re-knitting, and re-writing are part of time served.  Some patterns are especially troublesome and not at all model prisoners. They may need to spend a bit of time in solitary or require longer terms of imprisonment. Some, although not many, are so well behaved they earn an early release.

Tech editing is going before the parole board, which often has to happen a time or two. In my case there is only one board member but she doesn’t let any bad behavior escape her.

Once gaining the board’s approval the inmates are released to their parole officers, otherwise known as test knitters. The officers toil many hours and for little reward to ensure no bad designs are free to wreck havoc and frustration on the good people of Ravelry and Fiberdom.

If all goes well designs are finally freed. Reformed as proper patterns, productive members of the knitting community, citizens of Ravelry and other knitting communities far and wide.

You can call me warden Roshak from now on.

Ideas and to dos are bouncing around in my head and coming up with a cohesive topic to cover everything I want to tell you about is way beyond my capabilities today. So in the time honored fashion of lazy bloggers everywhere I am resorting to a list.

1. KnitQuest is now a .com! Don’t worry I won’t be making t-shirts or trying to create a business with the sole purpose selling it. I am working on a new website (thanks for all your help hubby!) and as of last night you can save yourself a bit of typing and find the blog at www.knitquest.com (if you really like a bit of extra typing the old address still works too).

2. I’m sending off my last scheduled submission tomorrow. No more secret deadline knitting for at least a little while. Now I can move on to secret Christmas knitting.

3. I’ve got two patterns out to testers (thanks guys!), two patterns being knit, two patterns on a time out, two submissions out the door, and two free patterns just waiting to be written up. Which may be two too many for me to keep it all straight.

4. Unfortunately it is most definitely too many for my shoulder and the ungrateful thing has decided to stage a revolt over it’s unfair working conditions. I have called in the troops (ice packs, the good drugs and physical therapy). Let’s hope the battle is swift and the victory is mine.

5. My romance with my wheel is still going strong. We are getting to know each other and loving every moment we can spend together. I plied, washed and cuddled my first 100g. this weekend. It’s from Ashford, 80% Merino & 20% Silk in color Woodland purchased from Acorn Street Shop.

This is another Merino/Silk blend I picked up at Weaving Works. Sorry no tag so that’s all I know.

6. I’m feeling full on crabby and sad to be missing all the recent fiber events. OFF, Rhinebeck, Stitches East, and now SOAR. Expect some gloating and manic glee when I finally get to leave for the Port Ludlow retreat in November. Less than 3 weeks!

7. There a sweater in my head clamoring to get out.

If I ever want to have a change of getting that sweater out I’d better get back to it!

PS – Do you watch Amazing Race? Go Globetrotters!

Remember all those secret projects I was working on?

One of them was Lace2 (that’s supposed to be squared but I can’t for the life of me fix it).

It’s lace for your wall and it’s in the latest issue of Yarn Forward! The pattern includes charts and instructions for the lace panel, as well as directions and photos for mounting the lace or one of your choice.

If you’re interested in the pattern or just checking out a cool magazine it’s in issue 19. You can download it from here or pick up a copy at your local bookstore.

It’s official. I’ve gone over to the dark side. I’m not borrowing that wheel, it’s mine.

Thanks to all the wonderful ladies of the eastside spinners group and my twitter buds I finally decided on a wheel for me.  A quick trip to Weaving Works and I had myself an early birthday present. Thanks honey!

 

I may have started a new stash as well.

Can’t talk anymore. I need to get back to my spinning.

Remember this?

The pattern writing is done (Hallelujah!) and it’s been sent off to tech editing. All that’s left is test knitting. But before that can happen I need some test knitters.

As shown Sway was knit with Blue Moon Fiber Arts BFL Sport in Brick. It used just 3g shy of the full 660 yards.  Any similar wool yarn would be fine to knit it in if you want to do some stash diving, but if you need an excuse to go shopping, $28 for a shawl is a pretty darn good deal.

You’ll need at least 2 pairs of US size 8 circs with 24” or longer cables, 3 pair or an extra cable if you’re using interchangeables will make it easier.

Techniques used include: Judy’s Magic Cast On, basic lace and cables.

Pattern includes line by line instructions as well as charts, and full blocking details.

Testing should begin sometime next week and would need to be completed by the end of October.

Any takers? If you’re interested leave me a comment.

It’s been a long time since I had a job with deadlines and outside commitments. A long time since I had to discipline my mind to focus, my body to be still, and my fingers to type. The last 10 years have been a lot more about do than think. Probably a good thing since there were days I had a hard enough time just figuring out if I’d washed my hair when the kids were babies, but they aren’t little anymore and my life needs to progress just like theirs.

Since last April I’ve slowing been making changes, learning, and adjusting to a new routine. Figuring out how to manage working and my family responsibilities without going crazy. Trying to treat designing like a business but keep my joy and passion for knitting. Like just about everyone it’s a struggle for me. A big one.

I’ve been thinking a lot about finding that joy and having some balance in my life, but then 5 minutes later I’m thinking about all the skills I’d like to improve, the designs waiting for my attention, and how the blinds really need to be dusted. Ack! It’s so easy to spend a week rushing around like the proverbial chicken, working yourself into the ground, yet still not accomplish what’s important. I don’t want to fall into bed exhausted and still not feel good about my day.

In the end one thought sifted to the top. My life isn’t going to fix it's self so I’d better stop whining and come up with a plan. Okay. You can’t get to where you want to be if you don’t know where you’re going. A plan it is.

If you haven’t stopped reading out of total boredom yet I’m guessing it’s because you might have some of the same issues and that you are looking for solutions too. I don’t know if my ideas will work for you but at least you’ll know you’re not the only one having trouble. I believe the experience and wisdom of others goes a long way to lightening any burden and by sharing what little of both I have I’m hoping you might do the same. Plus by putting my plans and thoughts in words and out there for all to see I’m solidifying them and making a public commitment to them. Accountability is a wonderful thing.

Whew! That’s a lot of talk and not a lot of solution so far. So what am I actually doing about the problem? How can I get a handle on distractions and set some goals and priorities? Here’s my list…

1) Write better lists. Every Monday I write 3 lists. Housework – Errands- SRD (Samantha Roshak Designs work). I only write down what I realistically think I can accomplish that week. I do not list things that I have no hope of doing or things that don’t really need to be done that week (that for another list). Every morning I highlight the must do things and add anything new. Must dos get done before anything else, no exceptions.

2) Designate specific days or times for certain tasks. For me Mondays are for housework, paperwork (bills, phone calls, etc..) and planning (calendar & lists updated). Thursdays are for errands. Fridays are for Creativity and SRD only. No paperwork, no cleaning, no answering email or the phone, and Hubby is responsible for dinner (I love Fridays!). Sundays are family days (stay away from the computer).

Brain work is done first thing after the kids go to school (I’m a morning person). Kitchen work, dinner prep, and mail sorting happen during homework time. Dinner is early so I have 3-5 hours of knitting time most evenings.

3) Stop and think. I say this one to my kids all the time but I don’t always do it myself. Take a breath, pause, count to 10, whatever works, but stop rushing headlong into things and keep my goals in mind when making choices. A total duh but I at least am dumb enough to need the reminder.

4)It can wait. This one is probably the hardest for me but makes a huge difference in my productivity and my state of mind when I can remember it. I do not need to read email the second it comes in. I do not need to clean every dish as soon as someone is done with it. It’s ok to not answer the phone or the door (we get tons of solicitors). Just because the kids want you it does not mean you need to drop everything and help them immediately. No one is going to die if you close your office door and tell them to leave you alone for an hour. For at least one hour a day I try to ignore everything else and focus only on my selected task. It’s unbelievable how much you can get done if you don’t start and stop half a dozen times.

5) Break up the big tasks. When I don’t know exactly how to do something or how to start a task I avoid it. It seems overwhelming and I start thinking I’m not going be able to do it so why waste my time trying. I’m pledging to pull my head out of the sand, look the task in the eye and break it down. Make new website is never getting checked off my list. But write out site plan or design new banner will. I can do just about anything one small piece at a time.

6) Waste time. This seems counter to all my other goals but remember I’m trying to find balance. It’s almost impossible for me to relax when there is still work to be done. Problem is there is always work to be done. Always. If there is too much to be done I can get myself completely worked up and downright crabby (or that other b word) with anyone who gets in my way or slows me down. That’s not who I want to be. So at least once I day I’m making my self do something of no value. Just sit and drink my latte (no walking around, no reading email, no packing lunches). Play a game of solitaire. Watch a TV program without knitting (gasp!). Call a friend and just talk. Spend an extra 10 minutes in the shower just cuz it feels good. Read a book.

It’s been two weeks since I started my plan and so far I’m feeling pretty good about it. I’ve gotten more done, felt better about it, and been easier to live with. I’ve heard it takes 12 weeks (or was it 16) to make a new behavior a habit so while I’m off to a good start I’ve got a ways to go to make it a real life change. Cross your fingers for me. Thanks for listening and for being there to keep me honest. I’d love to hear about your strategies for joy and balance in your life if you’re willing to share.

PS – The photos are all of upcoming patterns. I’m hoping to use my new powers of concentration to finish writing them up and get them out to all of you.