Beginning of the End

I've started casting off my Hornpipe Bag today! :)

For those of you just joining in, my Hornpipe Bag is a double-knit drawstring bag, worked from the bottom up. I'm knitting it in Bernat Sox in the "Rainbow" coloway and Patons Kroy in the "Coal" colorway. It features a knotwork motif on the bottom and which is repeated four times around the sides on alternating backgrounds. 

As with all double-knits it takes longer than you originally think. You're literally making both sides of a two sided fabric at the same time; twice the number of stitches as appear on either side. Not quite twice the time to knit but it does add extra time to the process. Of course I have the added issue of having several projects on the go at once; some designs of my own, others by other designers that I want the item or it's perfect as a gift for the knit/yarn worthy in my life. I counted 10 works in progress last week, 6 being my own designs. Ah, the glamorous life of an independent knitting pattern designer ;)

If you're not familiar with double-knitting, I wrote a bit of an overview last year here🔗 on this blog, and I also recommend checking out Alasdair Post-Quinn's site (link in the side menu), Fallingblox Designs.

I'm using a bit of a different cast-off method with my bag, and I thought it would be fun to give a bit of a breakdown here for future reference. This cast-off looks decorative which makes it nice for the top of a bag, or really anywhere you'll be seeing the cast-off a lot, like a scarf end.

For the explanation below instead of alt-captioning the photos, I'll be describing them in detail below each photo for everyone. That way if I need more characters and/or words to describe things it won't be cut off.

So to start, this is a photo of what the first 8 or so stitch-pairs look like cast-off:

What's going on? The first section of my bag has a black background of stockinette on the outside, and all of my stitch-pairs are black/multicolored, a black knit stitch and a multicolored purl stitch. In the photo there are multicolored "blips" near the top edge, and a black stitch with a yellow one  collared with it. The collar is the last cast-off stitch. 

Let's back up just a tick. When double-knitting in the basic way with two colors your background will be one color on one side and the other color on the opposite side. Whichever color you knit with, you purl the other stitch of the pair with the other. So here I've been knitting with black and purling with the multicolored yarn for my background. The stitches alternate in the needle, black, multi, black, multi, etc.

Ok, now to work the cast-off. I'm using both yarns as one for the entire cast-off. Knit the first stitch, and purl the second. Now lift the first double stranded stitch over the second and off the needle; this is the usual movements for casting off that you're probably very familiar with. But with double-knitting you have twice the number of stitches and it could splay. (Which come to think of it, would be an interesting way to the shape the bottom of a cowl. I digress!)

What I'm doing on this bag (and other projects in double-knitting) is reducing the stitches to one side's worth and casting-off at the same time.

Ok, we've got one double-stranded stitch on the right needle, originating from one knit and one purl stitches. This is the point the above photo is at. 

Work the next pair of stitches the exact same way: knit one with the double strand, and purl one with the double strand. You have three double stranded stitches on the right needle now; right to left: the combined stitch from the previous stitch-pair, a knit stitch and a purl stitch. First you need to create a second combined stitch by lifting the knit stitch over the purl stitch...

... which leaves two double stranded combined stitches on the right needle. Next we cast-off the first combined stitch by lifting it over the second combined stitch...

... returning us to having one double stranded stitch on the right needle. From here we continue the process set out: knit, purl, reduce to one stitch, cast-off the first reduced stitch on the needle.

Using both colors of yarn leaves a neat sort of braided pattern to the top of the cast-off edge:

I think this a great decorative detail and it happens naturally, no extra work. Always a bonus! 

That's where I'm at with the Hornpipe Bag this evening. Once the cast-off is finished, I can start the drawstrings. Let's here it for i-cord! ;)

Yours in yarn and decorative edging,

Síle

New Year, ... Old Project?

Good Thursday to you!

I just posted my #WIPWednesdayOffRav photo to Twitter and it reminded me that 1) I need to blog because it's been a bit and 2) the subject of projects that take longer than you think they will is a good one. And 3) Um, I'm a day late :' 'D

I recently went over my list of WIPs... *needle scratch on vinyl album* Ok, let's be honest here. I poked around and found as many of my project bags as I could and checked out what was in them. There is no list. I am not going to claim to be that kind of organized. 

And because I'm not that kind of organized I found my sample for the Hornpipe Bag in one of them. And instantly felt bad because I abandoned the poor thing with a bit more than a round to tink back to get rid of my awful attempt at putting eyelets for drawstrings in a double-knit fabric. Poor thing hadn't seen the light of day in a very loooong time. I have since completed the tinking and before me is this:

I've got the first 3 stitch-pairs worked (knit black, purl rainbow 3times), and am ready to start the first eyelet. Again.

All good and back on track. But how did my project get derailed in the first place? You might ask the same question when you come across a UFO (that's unfinished object. No extraterrestrials around here. At least that I'm aware of... Although Jakey was staring at the ceiling last night...) in a forgotten tote/grocery bag/purse: Why did I leave this?

This project I know exactly what happened. I only meant to set it aside briefly after frogging most of 3 rounds and getting the stitches back on the needle to tink back to the point before the failed eyelets were knit. A little break to consider a better way to knit the eyelets, and I picked up something else to keep my hands busy, and then something else just to give my mind a bit more of a break from the issues with eyelets, and then... Well, you know how that went.

And other than the failed eyelets I'm really happy with how it's going. I still love how the color blocking is coming out. I think the size is perfect as a small project bag or small purse. Ghillie bag too. 

The most important thing is I've picked it back up with the intention to get it done in the next bit. We have some blechy weather headed up this way (freezing rain! snow! Ah, February in Canada) for the evening and then another system on the weekend; excellent reasons to stay in, drink tea, and knit. As if I needed much excuse for that! :D 

Personal project update:

My Twist Again is coming along slowly but fabulously :) See for yourself:

What do you have on your needles and/or hook today? Something new? Something recent? Something you discovered and you're now wondering why you set aside? It happens to a good lot of us, so don't feel bad :) You're in good company here.

Yours in yarn and revived projects,

Síle

Picture Day!

I don't know about you, but I loved picture day at school. Getting to dress up a bit and get out of regular class stuff for a little bit. Like an in-school vacation. Well, sort of lol

And my mum always sent the new photo far and wide when they came back from Josten's. Grandparents, uncles, aunt, family friends, penpals; everyone it seems got the new pic.

Today is a Picture Day at KDRD :) I'm looking forward to getting better photos of several of my previous patterns today. We've had a bit of snow this week to make the winter accessories look right at home. And while I don't really care for getting in front of the camera normally, there's something a bit different about pattern photos. A bit of play acting goes into it. "Out for a stroll in the woods as the snow lightly falls. Was that a bird? Look up in the trees before carrying on."

I can happily report I got my Covid-19 booster shot last night. Other than a bit of tenderness around the injection site, a brief bit of heat in one cheek (think of the sensation when you've got 3 or 4 Captain & colas into you, and your face gets a bit hot) that lasted about 45 minutes, and the slight scratchiness of an impending sore throat last night, I'm absolutely fine. I've been very lucky compared to some. Good genetics; Mum has only experienced a tender arm with all three of her doses, and Dad, while a slight bit more reactive than me, has been fine within 12 hours. Anyway, that's done and dusted!

Bring on the camera, K! I'm ready for my closeup(s) ;)

Yours in yarn and a snowbank,

Síle

Garden Blooms is Updated!

I'm happy to say the first of my pattern re-releases is live this morning :) 

Garden Blooms🔗, my trivet and coaster set pattern, has been updated and the new pdfs are live! 

I think the update looks much neater. If you've purchased Garden Blooms previously don't be concerned: this is a purely cosmetic update. No essential information has been changed.

To celebrate the update of Garden Blooms, today (January 18) only, save 15% by using coupon code NEWBLOOM 

Stay tuned for more updates, fiber friends!

Yours in yarn,

Síle

Another Year Older

Not me! Well not me yet anyway. 

🎉Knit Dance Repeat Designs is 7 today! 🎉

First off, thank you to everyone who's bought a pattern (or two) over that time. I couldn't continue without your support. These last couple years have been difficult for a lot of us, and for a variety of reasons, but happily things are still going strong (although at times, slow) here :)

And yes, that includes Jakey. He's happily running about, waiting for more wool to arrive so he can snorgle it, and demanding pets, "lubs", and all manner of attention and affection. You'd never know how close we came to losing him three times (yes, 3!) last year!

I've talked a bit about what's in store for Knit Dance Repeat Designs this year in my last few posts, so I won't bore you with repetition. I can happily tell you that photoshoots are being planned with my photographer (aka my roommate aka Jakey's Mom) for several of my existing patterns. And the reformatting process is going fairly smoothly. I'm confident that I'll be announcing the first of the re-releases within the next few weeks. Can we all agree: yay for no more bad phone selfie pattern photos? ;D

Raise your mug/cup/glass/water bottle with me as I give a fiber crafter's toast:

May there be no knots in any of our hanks/skeins/balls of yarn, no matter the fiber content.

May our tapestry needles, stitch markers, and scissors not run off right when we need them.

May our tape measures not twist.

May our gauge swatches not tell lies.

May we easily find matching dyelots.

May our lace block nicely without having to fuss too much.

May our cables always cross properly.

And may we, and our loved ones, all enjoy decent health.

Happy anniversary, Knit Dance Repeat Designs!

**Drinks a good swallow of tea**

That does it for me this morning!

Yours in yarn, and party horns 🥳,

Síle

Hello, 2022

The New Year is rung in and I helped ring out Fasten Off Yarnalong 2021 in fine fashion. If you were on the Fasten Off Discord channel at all on December 31st we probably exchanged emojis. I was there as many hours as I could possibly manage, and the result was an absolutely wonderful time amongst fellow yarn crafters. And a serious(?) inside joke ;)

Back to the business of pattern design and (fingers crossed) sales! Knit Dance Repeat Designs has a birthday in a few days! 7 years already! (Thank you for that, by the way.) Later this month I'll be starting the re-release of my back catalogue with updated photos and format. No important information has been changed; all changes are cosmetic. I want my logo in place, for example. Stay tuned for the first re-release pattern!

One thing that has changed is I've retired a pattern as of January 1st: Drills is no longer available. Admittedly it wasn't my best effort, and while I still like the basic concept, it just isn't up to snuff with my revamp. I might revisit the idea behind it down the road ;)

What's on my personal needles? I'm working on Twist Again by Robynn Weldon🔗 (link goes to the pattern page in Robynn's Payhip store) which is a gorgeous cabled sweater. This was my cast-on/project during Fasten Off 2021. I knew I wouldn't finish it in December but I had to start it. And I'm also trying to finish up a large ball of cotton yarn by continuing to make sets of Seashell Scrubbies (pattern by Aoibhe Ní🔗 link goes to her website). I made quite a few sets of four and gave them as small gifts recently, so having more on hand makes sense. 

Personal finishes: A blanket for my furry niece Silver Belle, who celebrated her 5th birthday (as near as we can calculate by her approximate age when she was rescued) on December 23rd. It's very basic but pretty which is just perfect for a furry girl. The edge likes to curl up as you'll see but otherwise it's perfect. I used Red Heart Roll With It Sparkle in the colorway "Magic" (bought by Silver's mom) on a 4.5mm circular needle. And here's the finished photo:

I hope you were able to finish any gift projects you had deadlines for in December. It's nice to end the year on a high point, and start the new year with fresh projects. I never quite manage to have everything done for the new year. Maybe to start 2023? :D

That's all for today. Remember to stay tuned for news of patterns re-releasing in the upcoming days, weeks and months.

Yours in yarn, and new year vibes,

Síle