Prize or Price

English is a hard language to learn, I know from experience. But then life (or is it live?) is not easy either.
I have learned that the price paid up front usually results in a prize. Not always right away and sometime not even recognized.
I am retired now, no longer working from 8 to 5. My prize for the price of working for 50 years. That was a big investment, something long-term. Now I can fill my day-time hours with all the things I like to do. Like knitting!
Let's face it, knitting is what I like to do.

My latest challenge: calls for submissions 

I want to find out if I can share more of the knitting I design. Besides self-publishing there are still the traditional 'knitting magazines' out there and I have found ways to submit some of my ideas.

This activity, while a challenge and a goal, must not retract from what I want to do though. While at first enthusiastic, I have to stay true to what it is that I like so much about knitting.
First must always be THE REASON for knitting a certain piece.
My passion comes from designing for someone, or using the new learned stitch, or discovering the properties of a new yarn color or fiber blend.
Check out that pose from Allison with her new AMALGAMATION ballerina leg warmers.

 The design is called Amalgamation and combines some of the softest independent dyer yarns to create this magic. The 2 strands of Candy Skein Delicious Series, one in colorway Foil Wrapper and one in colorway Watermelon create not only a stunning color combination, but the 70% alpaca/20% silk/10% cashmere feels extraordinarily soft and comfortable. Any little hopeful ballerina will appreciate the feel of these leg warmers. Her eyes will sparkle when she discovers her favorite little creature beaded into the leg body. The pattern includes dragonfly, butterfly, bird, and frog templates.
Just look at the detail that is hidden within:

The prize can't be purchased, is not for sale, can't be staged, is undeniable worth every moment spent knitting. Not only does Allison wear her leggings, she wears them ALL THE TIME!

The pattern can be purchased on ravelry.com   ravelry link to AMALGAMATION
or loveknitting.com  Loveknitting link to AMALGAMATION

The instructions are for knitting in the round or knitting flat and seaming. So easy that an experienced beginner can succeed! It is not hard at all the mount a bead, believe me. Just place a bead on a small (#14) crochet hook, insert the hook in the stitch, pull the bead over the stitch and place the stitch back onto the knitting needle. For the amalgamation pattern, since the yarn is always 2 strands, mount the bead only on the one, lighter colored strand.

Wygoda Tips and Tricks to marking lace knitting

My new lace design Wygoda just went live on knitpicks and ravelry this month.

For knitters who are a little intimidated about lace knitting, like I was, there are clearly some tricks that can make this lace-intensive cape a truly enjoyable knitting project.

 This rectangular cape is constructed started with an Estonian cost on, and off-set Estonian water lillies.

Front, back, and side view are stunning and impressive.

 The knitpicks yarn Paragon is ideal for this type of accessory. Knitpicks describes the yarn on the website:

Bounce, luster, and luxurious sheen - Paragon is the epitome of fabulous! Our newest sport-weight yarn is fabulously squishy due to fine Merino wool. Combined with Baby Alpaca for amazing drape-ability and Mulberry silk for a gorgeous shine, Paragon is sure to become your favorite yarn for projects.

First is the Estonian cast on. It is ideal because of the elastic properties. I have practiced from watching this you-tube video:  Estionian Cast-on

Instructions:

Step 1: Measure your yarn by wrapping it around your needle 5 times. This will equate to about 5 stitches. You can also measure about 1″ per stitch.

Step 2: Create a “U” with your yarn and place is in your non-dominant hand. Hold both strands together with the bottom three fingers of your hand.

Step 3: Insert your index finger and thumb into the loop you created and spread your fingers apart.

Step 4: Take your knitting needle and place it on top of the bridge of the yarn. Then scoop up the yarn going over the top and twist around. You should now have a loop around your knitting needle.

Step 5: Hold your yarn like a slingshot and using your knitting needle, pick up the outside strand of yarn on your thumb, going under and up through the loop on your thumb.

Step 6: Bring your needle over the top of the inside strand that is around your index finger and pick up that strand.

Step 7: Pull the strand back through the loop on your thumb.

Step 8: Release the loop from your thumb and tighten the stitch down. (one stitch added)

Step 9: With your thumb, pick up the strand that was around your thumb previously, but with the yarn attached to your knitting needle on the outside of your thumb rather than the inside.

Step 10: Pick up the inside strand of yarn on your thumb, going through the loop on your thumb and under the inside strand.

Step 11: Bring your needle over the top of the inside strand that is around your index finger and pick up that strand.

Step 12: Pull the strand back through the loop on your thumb.

Step 13: Release the loop from your thumb and tighten the stitch down. (one stitch added)

Repeat steps 5 – 13 until you have cast on all the stitches required by your pattern.

When you are ready to proceed and begin the lace portion take a moment and mark the chart, or the row by row details with the placement of markers. Between stitch 13/14 and 18/19.

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED!!!!!!!

It took me 2 tries to get it right. For you, if you follow my advice, you can do it already the first time.

The main difference to regular markers setting: THE MARKERS ARE 2 DIFFERENT COLOR YARN STRANDS.

Cut 6 in long contrasting color strands. I have used pink to mark the beginning of a pattern repeat and blue for marking the middle section of each repeat. Between stitch 13/14 and 18/19.  The last yarn marker shows the end of the last pattern repeat.

The reason to use yarn markers instead of round metal or plastic marker is important. The pattern has ssk and k2tog stitches that move to the right and then again to the left, where standard markers would have to be removed and re-set all the time.

With the yarn markers this 'problem' does not happen. 

When you arrive at the stitch where the marker should be set, reach behind the knitting (if you are knitting a right side row, the marker yarn end would be on the wrong side; if you are knitting a wrong side row, the marker yarn end would be on the right side) and pull the marker yarn strand up and over the gap between your stitches.

Regardless if the 13th stitch is a ssk or a k2tog stitch, the marker can easily be placed. You do't have to remove a standard marker first in order to accomplish the knitting 2 stitches together. The yarn is not in the way and can be left where it is. You will always be able to mark with the hanging strand from the back of your knitting.

If this does not make any sense as you read it. Believe me, be adventurous, try it! If it still does not make any sense, please e-mail me at oberpfalzerin@hotmail.com, or contact me on ravelry.com/oberpfalzerin.

I am available and will make sure you will succeed.

It must be said

It must be said

Crafting is a wondrous business. First I have accumulated almost 60 years of experience to come to this point. The internet has allowed me to start sharing that experience. In the past I could only share the finished crafted items, but now I can also share the instructions and you can craft a gift and pass on the joy it brings.

My goal for 2017 is to let my imagination guide my crafting spirit.

Yes, I want to be published in a magazine.

Yes, I am continuing to publish all my knitting and crocheting adventure projects on http://www.ravelry.com/projects/oberpfalzerin

Yes, I will continue to offer some of my designs as they can be adapted to knitpicks yarn
http://www.knitpicks.com/Kamm