New pattern - ORLA cowl

 I am very happy to share with you my first pattern of 2024, ORLA cowl!

 

 

ORLA cowl is the matching accessory to ORLA sweater. It features the same fascinating texture surrounded by delicious garter stitch.
Loose yourself in this perfectly small project and create your own feel good accessory. It’s an ideal project to use up some sweet left over yarn. This cowl only uses about 200m/219yards of DK weight yarn to keep you warm and cozy. Alternatively you can use light fingering weight yarn held double (which equals DK weight) and create your very own look.
The cowl is worked seamlessly in the round one half at a time. Starting with a provisional cast on in the middle of the cowl allows for identical edges at the top and the bottom as well as it makes seaming unnecessary. 

When designing Orla sweater I was flirting with the idea of a turtle neck instead of a round neckline. And in the end, I decided against it. But still I couldn't quite shake the desire to have some part of Orlas beautiful texture warming my neck. And that's how Orla cowl came to life.

I loved knitting my sample for this design. I've been using a light fingering weight yarn, Sarah by Permin (50% merino, 50% shetland wool) held double. The same as for the sweater design sample. It is a very lovely yarn that I fell in love with but which was only available in light finering weight. But when designing the sweater I wanted to design a cozier, more wooly-wintery sweater than the Solros sweater I designed last year. So I decided for holding the yarn double. 

Using two strands of light fingering weight yarn together also opens a world of creating your very own version of this design. By choosing two different colors or two colors close to each other you can create a depth to the look of the finished cowl and really make it your own.

Orla cowl is also a perfect small project to use some of that squishy delicious left over DK weight yarn from a sweater or so that you might have in your stash and are still looking to use. 

This design is a very engaging knit, not only because of its captivating flowery texture elements, but also because it has this very interesting construction. Starting with a provisional cast on in the middle of the cowl it is then knitted outwards one half at a time.
To top it off the strechy icelandic bind off is used, which is a perfect fit for the garter stitch background and gives enough space for a comfortable fit.
And since there's the same bind off at the top and the bottom of the cowl, both sides match and create perfect harmony.

 

 I hope you love ORLA cowl as much as I do and make it your very own favorite winter accessory.

To celebrate the release of the pattern enjoy 20% off this pattern with code ORLA in my Ravelry store until Sunday, January 21.

Have an awesome weekend!

Stefanie

 

New pattern - ORLA sweater

It's pattern release day!

ORLA sweater is now available on Ravelry! 

 

 

ORLA is a top-down yoke sweater. Get inspired by the deliciously textured yoke and oh-so-cozy garter stitch.  Get captivated by elongated stitches, cables without the need for a cable needle and bobbles that are worked on the right side only. 

This design is worked seamlessly in the round and uses DK weight yarn for extra comfort.
The pattern offers 7 sizes, ranging from 85-145cm/34-58inches bust, including 10-15cm/ 4-6 inches of positive ease for a feel good fit.

My inspiration for this design is the seasonal change from summer to fall. The ornaments remind me of trees that have lost some of their leaves but are still standing strong with their crowns. The arrow-like textures are inspired by the wind that’s blowing away the leaves, and you can see them whirling around in the air.
But at the same time there is harmony and quiet, represented by the arrows showing in the same direction and earths peace in the striped section in the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sizes:
XS, S, M (L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
Finished bust circumference
85, 95, 105(115, 125, 135, 145)cm /
34, 38, 42(46, 50, 54, 58)inches
Orla is intended to be worn with positive ease. Choose a size that is 10-15cm / 4-6 inches larger than your actual bust circumference.

Sample is size S, worn with 10cm / 4 inches of positive ease.

Yarn:
Approx. 1100, 1200, 1350(1500, 1600, 1750, 1850)m / 1203, 1313, 1477(1641, 1750, 1915, 2024)yards of DK weight yarn.

Sample is worked in Sarah by Permin (light fingering weight 50% merino, 50% shetland wool) held double (=DK weight), 883605 medium gray.

Gauge:
21 sts / 34 rows = 10cm / 4 inches in garter stitch in the round on 3,5mm/US 4 needles, blocked.

Instructions:
The pattern includes written directions as well as both charted and fully written instructions for the yoke section.
For the perfect finish video quick guide links are included for the italian tubular cast on and tubular bind off method.

 

Since sweater patterns always take a lot of time and effort,  I'm naturally very attached to those designs of mine. So am I to Orla sweater. I'm so in love with the texture and how it's enveloped by the garter stitch. It fills my heart with pride and joy.

I hope you love the design as much as I do and will give the pattern a warm welcome! <3

To celebrate the release, there's a 20% discount if you use code ORLA before check out on Ravelry. Enjoy! :)

Love,
Stefanie

New Pattern - HAVTORN shawl

 My new pattern HAVTORN shawl is released! You can find the pattern now on Ravelry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Havtorn is an elongated triangular shaped shawl that begins with a garter tab cast on and grows by six stitches every two rows. The shawl is built in two sections, each using either of the two colors used as its main color.
The pattern is carefully designed for you to always work comfortably with one strand at a time. Once the body is complete, a delicious textured border is added. The spaced petit picot bind off gives the shawl its finishing touch.

 

 

I had so much fun designing this shawl. I played a lot with different textures and stitch combinations as I just couldn't decide at first which ones to use. This involved what felt like endless swatching. But I have gained a lot of insight and found new stitch combos that I will be able to also use for upcoming designs as well. And that made a lot of fun! The design process for Havtorn was very inspiring. 

I had the idea for this design for quite some time although it also took its time to come to life. To create a vision in real life sometimes takes some experimenting and going back and forth, as I also did while sample knitting. And so, the pattern is now released a little later as I was hoping for. But I think it was definately worth the wait! I am so in love with this design! All that beautiful texture and the different elements that work together and complement each other are just amazing.

My favorite part is the textured border in combination with the petit picot bind off. It makes this shawl so elegant and feminine. 

I can't wait to see some more colorful versions of yours since my sample uses neutral colors. That too was an experiment of sorts. I usually work with colorful yarns. During testing I already had the pleasure of a lovely interpretation in red and beige which I find so beautiful. 

So don't miss out on the 20% release celebration discout and use code HAVTORN on Ravelry!

A little more details...

Yarn:
You'll need approx. 300m/ 329yds of color A and 450m/ 493yds of color B of DK weight yarn.

The sample is worked in Drops Soft Tweed (50% Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Rayon; 130 meters / 50 grams), colorways 3 sand (color A) and 8 pepparkorn/dark grey (color B).

Gauge:
18 sts / 27 rows = 10cm / 4 inches in stockinette pattern on 3,5mm/US 4 needles
Gauge is not critical. But it will influence size of shawl and amount of yarn needed.

Finished size:
Finished size is about 180cm/ 72 inches wingspan and 70cm / 28 inches deep.

Instructions:
The pattern includes charts and fully written instructions for all sections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Havtorn fascinate you with its engaging textures and patterns throughout and start your vacation knit now! :) 

 

I hope you love my new design just as much as I do and I hope to see your project on Ravelry (feel free to share you FO in my group!) or on social media. Make sure to use #HavtornShawl and tag me on instagram @thedrizzleofhoney!

Love,
Stefanie

News April 2022

Hi everyone!

A lot is going on around here. So much so that I had to skip last month's news update.

Much behind the scenes work. As you may imagine knitting samples and pulishing patterns is just a small part of all the work that goes into a design until it is ready to be published. 

But of course those are the most exciting parts of the process and the ones that are most interesting to post about. Whereas the not so interesting and "share-worthy" times include sitting in a bubble and designing, doing the math, writing up pattern drafts to knit a sample from and then refine and perfect until a pattern for testing is created, of course the test itself which usually takes several weeks and finally the last finalizing steps to get the pattern ready for publishing as well as creating all the materials and content that need to go with it. All those steps involve a lot of care, attention and love.

Besides that there's always a lot of behind the scenes that takes place in termes of running a business, especially since most of us are a one-woman-show.

But let's get back to what's new!

 

New pattern - Alora skirt

There is a new pattern available in my Ravelry Store - Alora!

 

 

If you are like me and like to wear your knitted pieces all year round, then this is one to consider for you: 

Alora is a very feminine knee length skirt that uses negative ease to create its flattering shape and accentuate your beauty. It’s intended to be worn high at the waist and uses a pretty and simple knit and purl pattern for super relaxing knitting and a stretchy fabric that allows for a very comfortable fit.
You can use any DK weight yarn you have in your stash and you will get the perfect not-too-hot-yet-not-too-cold skirt for in between seasons. Alora is available in seven sizes.

You don't have to knit sweaters only. Personally, I appreciate a nice change from time to time. So why not knit a skirt for yourself? I promise you’ll be surprised by how wonderfully warm, beautiful and comfy you’ll feel.

For more info on construction and sizing please see the pattern page.

I am very happy to finally be able to offer a new skirt pattern for you. Especially since I know how many of you loved my Amaranth skirt. And also now for Alora I've gotten positive feedback already in the test knitting stage. I'm looking forward to see many beautiful projects!
Please use #Aloraskirt and don't be shy to tag me @thedrizzleofhoney on Instagram when sharing your project so I and everyone else can find it easily to share the joy.

 

Sorley shawl

Currently I'm sample knitting on my next design: Sorley shawl.

This two colored shawl has a little different construction. No classic crescent or triangle shape. I often find myself craving a more unique shape of shawl when spring is about to arrive.
Starting point is a center diamond shape where stitches will then be picked up along the sides to work the shawls wings adding texture and pattern throughout.

Each of those wings has one of the two colors used as dominant and the other as contrast.

For the sample I'm using Manos del Uruguay Alegria in Atlantico and Butia. This is of course a fingering weight hand dyed merino yarn. This kind of yarn is always so wonderful to work with especially for shawls. And I know I'm not alone there ;)

So, I'm very excited for this design and how it will turn out. Yes, a test knit for this design will start soon. I will have to finish the sample (a little more to work on the second wing) and then put the pattern in testing shape. :) Follow me on Instagram and join my Ravelry group if you want to know first when the party starts! 

Next design - summer top

For my next design I have also started working on a summer top. Although I feel I am a little bit behind on the schedule on this one. But no worries, I will catch up! 

It will be a short sleeved, top-down, seamless, round yoke construction with a texture pattern in the yoke and stockinette body. I am already thrilled about the design. And it will be my first not free summer top. My other summer tops have been free patterns. So I hope you will love this one just as much as the other ones :)

Have a wonderful weekend and happy easter to you all!

Love,

Stefanie

News January 2022

 Happy new (knitting) year to you all!!!! 🎇

I wish you all a happy, healthy and wonderful new year!

First off all, I want to thank you for your love and support, for welcoming me back to work after having my twins. It's so exciting to be able to do what I love - designing. And this year too I will strive to enrich your lives by providing you with gorgeous knit designs, addictive knitting experiences and beautiful self-made pieces in your wardrobe.

The question everyone asks as a year's going to end: What have you accomplished this year? I think we can all give ourselves a little compassion when asking this particular question. Because it has been another difficult year for everyone. That does include me too. 

But I do have some things I am proud of myself for.
I am proud of having my pre-baby weight back after having three children. I didn't manage that after the first one, but I did now. That makes me very happy. I've been working out, so there's also more muscle which makes me feel great. I feel so much better with less weight, it gives me a new feeling of myself.
This also means I'm eating better which is also something I've been struggeling with when the twins were babies. They are 2 now, so they don't need as much all around the clock care as they did before. So there's more time for cooking :)
In an effort to focus a bit more on self care (because that's important as everyone with kids can confirm) and my own psychological health I made some adjustments. For example in an effort to watch less TV  I've read 42 books last year, nearly all of them from my local library. (spend less money on books was a thing too) And this habbit sticks with me. I love it! I have always been a book reader but I lost it a little bit during the past years and I am very happy to have it back.
And of course I am very grateful to have found a way to be able to work again with all my boys at home. It's a challenge of course to work something out that works for everyone. And that's always our number one goal when changing something. It has to work for everyone in the family. And I think we are right on track. I'm proud of that.

I hope you too have some things your are proud of yourself.

New patterns

EMBER

Three weeks ago I released Ember hat. I just loove this design!
If you're looking for a little variety from stockinette and garter stitch and are as fascinated by knitted texture as I am, then Ember hat is for you!

 

This hat is a gorgeous and cozy design that combines wonderfully rich texture with beautiful cables. The pattern features big and small cables, bobbles as well as a mini honeycomb pattern to complete the feminine design.

The pattern comes in three sizes:
Child (Adult small, Adult large)
to fit 50(56, 60)cm / 20(22, 24) inches head circumference and can be worked to make a beanie 20(22,22)cm / 8(9, 9) inches total length or slouch 24(26,26)cm / 9.5(10.5; 10.5) inches total length.
To make an even slouchier hat, the pattern has notes on how to easily adapt.

And it's a perfect stash buster too, using only between 180-220m/197-240yards of sport or DK weight yarn.

Have a look at the pattern in my Ravelry store here!

EMBERLY

Sharing the spirit - new year, new design, three days ago I also released Emberly fingerless mitts which are matching Ember for a set of the two.

I had the thought of designing matching fingerless mitts already when I started working on Ember. And I moved through with it, very happy that I did.

Emberly fingerless mitts are very cute and a creative and intriguing knit. By themselves or together with the hat they will add a stylish and feminine touch to your outfit.

The pattern comes in three sizes:
Small (Medium, Large)
to fit 16(18, 20)cm / 6.5(7.25; 8) inches palm circumference
The pattern includes suggestions for you to personalize your mitts.

Using only between 90-120m/99-132 yards of sport or DK weight yarn it’s a perfect project to use your stash.

The set of hat and mitts is a great addictive knit based on the same rich texture.

Since this pattern is a new release, there's also the release promo still running until midnight January 9, 2022. Use code EMBERLY and get 20% off the pattern on Ravelry.
I have another offer running: If you buy Ember and Emberly together (put them both in your cart before check out) then you'll automatically receive Emberly 50% off.

Check out the pattern in my Ravelry store here!

Moving forward, planning, new ideas, new designs

During the last days of the year I've been thinking a lot about where I would like to go with my designs this year. And now I'm planning and working on new design ideas. 

So I thought, what would YOU like to knit this year???
What would you like me to design for you?
Are you planning to take on a knitting challenge for 2022? Do you want to knit a lot of sweaters or shawls or hats?
If you have wishes or suggestions for patterns you would like to knit, just let me know in the comments or on Instagram @thedrizzleofhoney !

I'm looking forward to hear from you!

Love,
Stefanie