Lark Crafts

My name is Carol Sulcoski and I’m the author of Sock Yarn Studio. I’ll be posting from time to time this month on the Lark Crafts blog.

Tuesday was a very special day for me: it marked the publication date of my new book, Sock Yarn Studio. And that “official” publication date is the perfect time to kick off the “Official Sock Yarn Studio Blog Tour!” We’ve got some fun and interesting stops lined up for you, with giveaways, interviews, book reviews, and insight from some of the contributing designers about the design process. Starting tomorrow, and running through the beginning of November, here’s where you’ll find all the Sock-Yarny goodness:

October 5: Kristin Ohmdahl

October  10: Wendy Johnson

October 14: Joe Wilcox

October 15: Cristi Brockway

October 16: Marlaina Bird

October 18: Tanis Gray

October 22: Hunter Hammersen

October 24: Barb Brown

October 26: Erika Flory

November 1: Elizabeth Morrison

November 4: Jody (Pirrello) Richards

November 7: Ruth Garcia-Alcantud

November 9: Shannon Okey

But that’s not all. Today, we’re also giving away a free project download! As you probably know, not every project can make it into a project-packed book–but some of what ends up on the cutting room floor is too good not to share. So, to get your fall knitting started, you can download the instructions for making the Cintaya Long Cowl you see above: Cintaya Long Cowl PDF. There’s also instructions for a provisional cast-on included!

Ok, that’s all for now. Happy knitting and see you on tour!

This week, author Suzann Thompson shares some ideas for how to turn crocheted motifs from her books into simple, wearable jewelry.

Flower jewelry is all the rage, from pretty and inexpensive floral bib necklaces in the mall, to the stunning three-dimensional rose jewelry by Prada in the pages of fashion magazines. But you don’t need to buy flower jewelry. You can make your own!

Start with a simple pendant necklace, like this one made from Grandma’s Windmill Flower on pages 114-115 of Crochet Garden. I crocheted the flower using No. 10 crochet cotton (see details below),blocked the flower, then added a chain as follows:

Make a chain of ch st, at least 10″/26cm long.
Sl st into the point of one petal of the flower.
Continue ch st to match the length of the first chain (at least 10″/26cm long) PLUS 2 sts, turn.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch, stopping one st short of the sl st which attaches the chain to the flower.
Sk the ch before the sl st, sk the sl st, sk the ch after the sl st.
Sl st in each ch, until 1 ch remains. Sc in last ch. Fasten off.
Weave in ends. Tie the necklace around your neck and enjoy!

The double Mexican Hat (pages 24-26 of Crochet Garden) makes a lovely brooch. Once again, I used No. 10 crochet cotton to make the flower (details below). Safety-pin the flower from the inside of your garment (pin closes on the inside, flower on the outside).

I hope these ideas will get you started making flower jewelry. You can go on to try different flowers, explore the possibilities of making earrings, and maybe even use flower cloth technique to make one of those cute bib necklaces. The sky’s the limit!

Details for flowers shown here:
Both are made with Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Thread, Classic 10 cotton thread.
For the Grandma’s Windmill Flower pendant necklace, using crochet hook 3.50mm (size 00 steel U.S.), or size to obtain a relaxed gauge:
Golden Yellow #422
Aqua #450
River Blue #820
Peacock #856
For the Mexican Hat pin, using crochet hook 2.00mm (size 4 steel U.S.), or size to obtain a firm gauge:
Fudge Brown #131
Victory Red #494
Goldenrod #421
Wasabi #397

We’re celebrating this month’s release of One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs, the first book of a new series that focuses on two-skein projects. Talking with us today is design contributor Laurie Kimmelstiel.

Ruffled Collar Capelet

Tell us about the Ruffled Collar Capelet.  

It is a romantic and very feminine piece. I envisioned it as the perfect cover-up for any dressy outfit to add a bit of whimsy and romance to a simple sleeveless dress. Perfect too, as an addition to a wedding outfit (it would be stunning knit in white to wear over a sleeveless wedding dress for the ceremony) or to add some charm to bridesmaid outfit. It has a Peter Pan beaded collar that ruffles slightly to mimic the similar, slightly wavy, ruffled body of the capelet.

How did you choose your yarn combination?

Actually, [author Iris Schreier] made the final decision on the yarn, but I knew it had to have some silk and sparkle.

How did you adapt your creative process to the two-skein limit?

This was not really a problem. The yardage for Artyarns’ Ensemble is quite generous and I had plenty for my design.

Did you enjoy working with a limit? 

I love working with a limit. I can more easily calculate what I’ll use – because I am limited but also because there is always “an end in sight!”

What is your approach to design? How would you define your design style?

I look for designs everywhere and often see garments worn on others or in magazines or newspapers that inspire me. I get some sort of idea in my head and then I often play with several yarns and stitches before deciding which ones work best. I like more “feminine” designs that have beautiful drape on the body and I also love designs that are somewhat dramatic, so that they make a statement and draw positive attention to the wearer. I keep my knitting journal handy so that I can write down what I am doing – much easier to erase than to try to remember the pattern design after I’ve completed most of the project.

Learn more about Laurie and her work at whiteridgecrafts.com, Laurie’s blog, and on facebook.

We’re celebrating this month’s release of One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs, the first book of a new series that focuses on two-skein projects. Talking with us today is design contributor Andrea Jurgrau.

Elegant Cashmere Triangle

What is your approach to design? How would you define your design style?

I would say I am usually a “concept” designer. I begin with a concept, which could be a place, a mood, a mythical figure, a story, something in nature, that has inspired me. It could be something as simple as the play of light through the trees. In fact, my Elegant Cashmere Triangle was inspired by light filtering through trees, deep in the woods where I was hiking. The colors reflect the moss, bark, shadows, with just the tiny glimpses of light reflecting from the beads. My process is very organic and grows as I work through a new piece, from the initial concept, to the swatch and yarn selection, to the finished sample, and I allow myself the freedom to let the project lead me rather than the other way.

How did you choose your yarn combination?

I was totally drawn to this lace weight cashmere. It is a single ply, which is very unusual for cashmere, and surprisingly strong and smooth. The yarn is so elegant I decided to keep the design clean and simple and let the yarn say it all. I selected earthy greens with only modest contrast and used the two colors together to get the appearance of more than two shades.

Tell us about your shawl, the Elegant Cashmere Triangle. 

This piece was designed for the yarn I selected. It is very understated, but has some lovely details. There are tiny metallic beads in the eyelets, which you might miss on first glance. The stitch gauge is quite fine and so the fabric has lovely drape. The colors shade from one to the other gently. It is not “in your face” and really waits for the knitter to take a closer look…

How did you adapt your creative process to the two-skein limit?

It was a little challenge, having rules placed on my design process. It is not how I usually work (which is much more about design first, selecting the right yarn second.) I had a good time trying to really showcase the yarn.

Did you enjoy working with a limit? 

Yes, and actually the yarn I selected has quite a lot of yardage, so I didn’t feel limited by that at all.

Learn more about Andrea at her blog, Ravelry page, and Ravelry pattern shop.

We’re celebrating this month’s release of One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs, the first book of a new series that focuses on two-skein projects. Talking with us today is design contributor Judith Rudnick Kane.

Infinity Twist

How did you adapt your creative process to the two-skein limit? Did you enjoy working with a limit?

Adapting the creative process to the two-skein limitation allowed me to be creative and expressive at the same time. I love combining textures and colors that may seem unusual and be a bit unexpected.

How did you choose your yarn combination?

I chose the combination of Artyarns Silk Rhapsody Glitter Light (#1015) with Artyarns Ultramerino 4 (#297), because together they offer a balanced complement of texture and color.

Tell us about your cowl, the Infinity Twist.

The Infinity Twist Cowl was created using one of my color designs (#1015) for ArtYarns.

What is your approach to design? How would you define your design style?

I would have to say that my design style is a little quirky in that I approach designing in yarn the same way as I approach my paintings. I combine color and texture – and I am never sure how it will come out until it is completed.

I loved working on this design for [author Iris Schreier's] book, and I look forward to her next book, which will have one of my hooded scarf designs.

Check out Judith’s Vermont yarn store at yarnsforyoursoul.com.

We’re celebrating the upcoming, March release of One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs, the first book of a new series that focuses on two-skein projects. Talking with us today is design contributor Brooke Nico.

Lavish Cape

Did you enjoy working with a limit?

I was so excited when [author Iris Schreier] approached me about this project. I loved the concept, and for me limits like the two-skein requirement force me to think outside of the box. In fact, when I used to sew, I would occasionally buy less fabric than needed in order to make myself think of creative solutions!

How did you choose your yarn combination?

I knew I wanted to use the Silk Rhapsody and Silk Rhapsody with Glitter from the beginning. For one thing, the value and yardage per skein in this yarn is wonderful. My goal was to do a garment of some type, and with over 450 yards between the 2 skeins, this was the perfect yarn. I also wanted to work with a larger gauge yarn. People often think that lace knitting requires fine gauge yarn. I wanted to show that you could create beautiful lace with a heavier yarn, which makes it less frightening for beginning lace knitters.

Tell us about the Lavish Cape.

Because I had a finite amount of yarn, I designed this cape from the top down. This is always a great option when you don’t know how far your yarn will go, just knit until you run out, and that is how long your garment will be! I used the Silk Rhapsody for the main part of the cape, and added the Silk Rhapsody with Glitter for the edging. I love the subtle pop that the glitter adds to the hem of the cape!

What is your approach to design? How would you define your design style?

I approach design from a combination of math and art. Lace knitting is very mathematical, which is a huge part of its appeal to me. The challenge is in taking that rigid pattern and making it flow. I also like to be sure that all the shaping fits into the lace pattern, keeping the design visually pleasing. As a designer, I strive to create lace garments that women love to wear and that are easy to wear!

Learn more about Brooke at kirkwoodknittery.com, Ravelry (user bdnico), and facebook.

We’re celebrating the upcoming, March release of One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs, the first book of a new series that focuses on two-skein projects. Check back in on Friday for a chance to win a copy!

Talking with us today is the author of One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs, Iris Schreier.

Romantic Jabot Collar

Given One + One’s two-skein limit, how did you create such a variety of designs?

There are many knitting books that include one-skein projects. But in some cases, one skein doesn’t have enough yardage for the project you have in mind, such as a scarf, shawl or shrug. So I decided to help you figure out how to use two different skeins in a project, whether they were two different colors of the same yarn, or two completely different yarns. This book includes lots of original ideas for using yarns this way. From the shop owner’s perspective, who is often left with individual skeins of yarn in the shop, this is an ideal collection of ideas to combine different colors or different fibers.

Although it appears that there are a variety of designs, the possibilities are endless. I was fortunate to work with a group of very talented designers who brought their own perspectives and techniques to the table. Each project in the book uses different techniques of combining yarns in a compelling way.

What considerations did you make when choosing yarn combinations?

Some of the projects needed yarns that were complementary and of similar colors to create subtle striping effects, while others used yarns of different colors and textures to enhance their details. Some projects used a combination of a classic yarn for the body with an embellished yarn for the trim.

Diamond Lace Wrap

Crown Royale Crescent

What is your approach to design? How would you define your design style?

My design style is freeform, and I let the yarn speak to me.  Sometimes the project just flows right away, evolving into something I love, while at other times, it is more difficult and I have to take my knitting out and re-knit quite a number of times before I am satisfied.

See Iris’ newest projects on facebook, and learn more about her and her work at Ravelry, irisknits.com, and artyarns.com.

Quilt Festival 2011 is nearly upon us! Join us as we talk with some of the authors of Twelve by Twelve about their upcoming trip…

Deborah with her quilt, Construction: Concrete and Stone. She was inspired to enter the juried special exhibit after attending her first International Quilt Festival.

Today’s guest: Deborah Boschert

What Festival is this for you?

This will be my fourth time attending Festival.

Where will you be and when?

Well, there is so much to see and do! And people to connect with! But, I am especially excited that all nine of the Twelves who will be at Festival will be in our special exhibit space from 6:30 to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We’ll be happy to sign copies of our book or just talk about the Twelve by Twelve project.

What are you most excited about this year?

I really am just giddy with excitement about meeting the other Twelves in person and spending time with them. We’ll be going out for Tex-Mex together one evening. I’m eager to raise a glass of margaritas and toast our exhibit and our friendship!

Is there one piece that you’re really excited to see in person?

Deborah's quilt Spring Suggestin' created for the BlueBrownSage ColorPlay challenge. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I think this is the best of my ColorPlay collection. It has inspired many more small fabric collage landscapes.

Most quilters know there is just no substitute for seeing an art quilt “in the cloth.” I’ve studied our collection of Twelve by Twelve quilts online for more than four years and I can only begin to imagine how much better they will be in person.

What’s your one must-take item for Festival?

Well, one year my roommate snored, so now I remember to bring ear plugs. I try to come with an eager spirit and lots of energy.

What valuable lessons have you learned from past Festivals?

Be completely open to unexpected nuggets of inspiration. Seeing award winning quilts and artists encourages me to challenge myself creatively and to continue seeking my own personal style. At my first Festival, I was really captivated by the Tactile Architecture exhibit. The following year, I entered and was accepted. It was thrilling to have my work displayed for the first time. It’s even more thrilling to be a part of the Twelve by Twelve special exhibit this year.