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.

As time flies

I have not done enough. This thought keeps creeping into my head every now and then. I use this thought to reflect on the things I have done and if they were positive.
Looking back to the time when I wrote the last blog entry it seems, at first: I have not done enough.
Letting that thought provoke my memory for a few seconds: NOT True!

I have generated a new sock pattern. As in proper Yarn-Stube fashion, the socks were for my friend. The pattern was a side product from that. I have named them Pink Pearl, after the color of the incorporated row of pink beads.

How to bead the stitches is part of the pattern instructions

No matter how the socks are worn, cuffs up or down, the beads are visible either way.

This is the pair that went to Seattle. Made from a skein of knitpicks Hawthorne fingering yarn.

This is my pair, made from a skein of Oink fingering in bubble gum.

I also worked on a new design and am finishing up writing the pattern (sizing the vest for different sizes) for swellegance. I must declare here that Ruben has been very patient. He still is not allowed to wear the vest. Just a few more days......

You probably wonder what the new design is. 

Well, there are actually a few in my head but one was on my needles already and my thoughts keep going back to it. Knitting for me is not just to get a pattern figured out, complete the sample, photograph it and sell it. For me there always is an idea for something with a person in mind. A friend saw me working on the design and commented. She said: It is strange that I love this color so much and always have, but there is not one piece of clothing in my wardrobe made of this color. I am planning on changing that with something made from this: 

 The world would not be whole or fair if there were not a made out yarn little something for me, right. Every now and then, there is time for me. I did want to learn the really strange art of knitting in a weaving pattern. It is called entrelac. Enticed by the images in a basic entrelac knitting book, I had to try it.

And, now I wear it. The pattern is called Lornas cowl and is already published in english on ravelry. The name is simply from the yarn that was used for this small, but highly effective neck warmer. This was my first time knitting with Lorna's laces and it will not be my last. The thread is spun tight enough for the knitting to be so easy and there is not splitting, no imperfections through out. The finished cowl has a shine to it and it does warm exactly where it needs to.

 Overall, I can proudly say, I am doing it! Life, intertwined with knitting.
In the next few weeks knitpicks will be publishing Motrose and Swellegance. Just in time for the winter knitting season. Yes, I have done enough this summer!

Oh, let's not forget, it is winter knitting season and giving season. I must be working on something. You bet! Stay tuned!

Summer heat

Yes, there always is a fabulous summer in California. That is nothing unusual.
What is going on in my knitting world is just as hot as the weather though, and pretty unusual. The ever growing engagement with Knit Picks is remarkable. The new 100 % silk yarn line Luminance was introduced end of June and a call for new designs was issued.
I submitted a pattern for a vintage-looking shawl I had made for myself years ago and the pattern was accepted. So guess what:  I have the great pleasure to knit with 100 % silk in Meditation. The yarn feels super soft and the color is strikingly light blue, with hint of mint. I can't wait until it is completed and blocked. As you can see, I am knitting both halves at the same time. The marker is needed when knitting 2 pieces at once. It marks the beginning edge of the first piece right side. It helps you see very easily if you knitted across both pieces before turning and knitting on the wrong side.

I do have another design finished that was made from Knit Picks yarn Palette. It's a striped men's vest. Last Sunday morning we took a trip to the cactus park and took these pictures.

Meet Swellegance and it's features.

 

young hip styling......

sh, don't tell anyone the vest was made for Ruben (on the left)

 

 

Appealing to today's professional, or more to the women who want to make a vests for them.

 

The stripes are patterned as well and make this simple piece, stunning.

 

Can you believe, Ruben is planning on wearing this in the Garage to work on motor cycles?

 

The Pocket was a special trick. All patterns call for a Gauge Swatch. With this pattern the gauge swatch is being turned into a pocket. So you don't have knit that piece twice. The other trick and great feature of this pocket is that it has the stripes going the opposite direction than the vest which allows the pocket to be much larger. The size now can accommodate a larger phone. There also is a button to close the pocket, so the phone does not slip out, when working in the Garage, ha ha

Now I have to finish the pattern. Writing takes a little longer than knitting the sample. Writing this pattern is especially difficult because I want to make sure it can be knitted in all sizes, from small to XXL. It will also need graphics with the garment measurements for each size. All I can say is: I am working on it!

On my last blog I showed the yarn I purchased to make some shirts that can be washed and are also dryer safe. Look, the red shirt is done. It is on its way to Adelle as a present for her second birthday.
I have tried out the claim that this yarn, even though it contains wool, is washable and dryer safe. It is true! The sample I did, looked and measured the same before and after it was washed and dried.

Seriously, knitting is my passion and it is taking over my life. The retiring slowly idea has taken hold. The extra days off, are filled with my passion. I feel happy, over all healthy, relaxed and grateful to be able to experience all of it.

So the story continues...

Spring is in the air again....I am lucky to have the chance to experience Spring Air for the 63rd time. It is a grand event, not too cold not too warm, and exciting enough to start something.
I have to start something. So I am.
- Final training push for a 1/2 Marathon in June.....I can't help it. Running makes me feel accomplished.

- Final submission to KnitPicks for my Shawl/Stole Design. See Me went live this week. Publishing a knitting design makes me feel accomplished.

- Final decision on the next children's project is made. This project is still only in my head, but the yarn has been decided. Washable, dryable, that was the main requirement this time. Bergere de France, Ideal delivers. I can see it now, the A-team with lace tops, playing in Seattle.

Inspiration:

- Final touches are worked on my latest sleeveless vest for Ruben. The V-neck stitches were completed last night. Now it just takes time to knit the second front panel and sew it all together. It never is as easy as it sounds, though. For this vest I want to incorporate a pocket that will hold a 'smartphone'. We all know that the size keeps growing and with size comes weight, and with weight comes the challenge to keep the pocket from stretching when the phone is inside it. Should I perhaps try the sideways stripes instead of horizontal stripes, or what if I make a pocket out of ribbing used when you want a nice snug fit, same as the border. I am most assured by my brain cell's that this problem will be solved TODAY!
So stay tuned, the results will be shared with you.

The old and the new

By know everyone knows that I work fulltime, run, cook, sew, crochet and knit.
As life is in transition, we all know it never stays the same RIGHT!, the order of things occurring is slowly changing. What is first becomes last......and what occupies us most of the time drifts into the background or completely goes away.
- I am preparing for no more working. No more driving in 18-lane highway traffic every morning and evening. That is what I now look forward to the most.
- My running has been helping me to relive the stress created by my job. Now in my 60ties I know not to expect this to be possible endlessly. Sooner or later I will have to slow down to walking.
- Cooking might be one of those activities that are on the borderline, not sure if I will be doing less or more in the coming years. If it stays the same, 3 to 4 times a week, I would be ok with that.
- Sewing has not had a grip on me for a while, but projects are piling up. The bedrooms need new curtains. The material is already in-house. I can see the days, months ahead, with my friend the sewing machine and a Netflix Season of some kind or other.
- Crocheting has my interest and with more time there will be more of that coming from me in the future. I am on the lookout for crochet charting software. Once I found that, watch out crafting community!
- Knitting, my passion. I don't think I could ever do less and can't wait to have more time for much, much more knitting, creating and sharing.

This week was very exciting for me because a ravelry group decided to offer one of my sock designs for a KAL (knit a long).The group is creating 12 pairs of socks, one pair a month. My Rozanna's socks is the March 2016 selection.
 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rozannas-socks

It is nice to see the effect my work has on others. The pattern is creating socks and eventually comfortable, warm feet for someone.

In the knitting world comfort and warmth are words mostly associated with 'winter knitting'. So it is not a surprise that I am currently working on a sleeveless vest for Ruben. He wanted stripes. So stripes he will get, but the Renate way.

OK, as you can see, I am busy. On a rainy day, like today I am sure the back for this vest will be done in no time.

Knitpicks and I, a new relationship

On December 18th the Wirtsweiher Loop pattern went live on knitpicks.com
I am past ecstatic, thrilled, overjoyed!
I remember well the day back in 2012, when I've decided to 'share' my knitting enthusiasm, and started this blog. When I began to write down my ideas and published my first pattern. Back then, I was hoping just a little that my designs would be good enough to get the attention of other knitters and the design community.
That my wish has come true is beyond AMAZING.

My life is an adventure, it really is.
The things I am able to be involved in during the day at work at General Atomics and the yarn related things I am able to be involved in when I am not at work both make me feel proud, fulfilled, and happy.
Contributing factors, such as the Ravelry community where crafty people can share projects and publish patterns, and my home knitting group "Knitting in the Heights" deserve some credit. I could not have done it without them.

newly found energy

You know sometimes the right emotion is missing and progress in one area is not achieved. This was happening with my brioche project, the See Me Shawl
Even though the shawl was finished back in July, there was never a right time to photograph it. This year San Diego decided to delay the end of the summer into the winter. Only last week it was finally cold.
The scramble began:
1. get the camera man on notice for Sunday
2. keep checking the weather map to make sure it will be cold, but not raining.
3. try different outfits and decide "WHAT TO WEAR" this is so hard!
4. get up early.
5. pick up the camera man (we are trying a new guy).
6. drive to the park where I was hoping for just the right background.
7. practice posing
8. OK, this is it...............

What do think?
The story is not over yet, though. With having pictures, finally, comes another whole set of activities:
1. finish the pattern words, abbreviations, and tech details.
2. select and size the pictures.
3. decide how much to charge for the pattern and the finished shawl ( i am not keeping it, you know San Diego is not cold enough for cashmere).
4. set-up the ravelry site for the new pattern.
5. publish it on ravelry and loveknitting.
6. set-up an add for the shawl on etsy.com.  the shawl for sale on etsy
7. set-up a few adds on ravelry forums for the pattern.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

The result is my enjoyment with the actual knitting activity, the process of creating, and now the process of sharing.
Some might think: She is just doing in it for the money.
I would counter: If I can sell enough patterns to by more yarn, to design more knitwear, than I am truly happy.
So, I have only a few more sales to go on this one. An hour after the pattern went live I sold one already. $3.99 chaching....

My First Brioche Project

Trying to be a knitter that creates current styles with a vintage feel is my goal. To achieve that goal is a constant journey. My never-ending story!
This year I had a definite plan... (wait a minute, my dog Maxy wants a treat, ok, done)

As a knitwear designer Vogue Knitting is a must read. 

Usually the Vogue Knitting Live events are in cold weather states, but this year Vogue Knitting decided to come to Pasadena, CA. Close enough for me to travel there. I did more than that though. I signed-up for some knitting classes. The event was well organized, and not too busy to be lost in the crowd.
 I could see that my designs can stand up to the professionals. I am wearing my newest design "Valace" and it is just as current and relevant.




My main learning objective for that convention was to master the Brioche stitch. I was so excited to have the opportunity to attend a class from THE master brioche knitter, Nancy Marchant. I was prepared and spent a few weeks before the event testing out some one color brioche knitting. Then graduated to some 2-color brioche knitting. Tried some color reversals and also read as many articles as I could find about the brioche stitch in other knitting magazines. Some articles presented comparisons to the Fisherman's stitch. They referred to 1-row, 2-row or even 3-row increases and decreases. 
By the time the convention began I was pretty much confused and sort of disillusioned. 
HOW COULD I HAVE ASSUMED TO LEARN THIS STITCH IN JUST ONE CLASS?

Nancy Marchant, you are my brioche idol. Not only did your one class "Fresh Brioche" teach me enough basics to venture out and design my first shawl. You also made the entire experience fun.

I have searched for a while now and finally found the yarn for my first Brioche design. When all else fails, Rowan usually has what I need. Rowan finest is a mix of extra fine merino, cashmere, and royal alpaca. It is so unbelievably soft, truly a luxurious experience. It also knits well.

Today my shawl knitting project reached the 1/2 way point and I was shooting the first pictures.

Blocking this shawl will hopefully bring out the depth of the geometric pattern on both sides. Since it is fully reversible, the shawl can be worn as light colored or dark colored accessory. The yarns fiber combination will make it a warm choice for cool outdoors, or a dress-up accessory for evening attire. It could even be used wrapping your head in to provide the warm final touch for keeping the ice cold winter wind away.  Now I can't wait to finish it. I will have to find a perfect shawl pin for it. This design deserves a statement-making piece of jewelry, Right?
The name for this pattern is also decided:

See Me