2/12 sweaters are finished already! And they are both for me! It is a pretty good strategy to start with items that are nearly finished. The details about Cross My Heart are on my project page, and I listed as many of the modifications as I could remember. I'm still working on Amira, and I have a baby beanie going to test the various sizes for a friend, the crocheted shawl is on hold as there was an error in the pattern, and I'm winding yarn to start a sweater that (I hope) will fit Jerome, as he is the only child who hasn't had a sweater/vest/jacket/shawl made especially for him. He's had hats and blankets and toys and such, but not a garment. I have to size up the sweater pattern, and hope it will fit right, otherwise, it will go to Mariam, which is fine, but I'd like him to have something made for him, too.


My last Magnolia Society shipment for a long time: MadelineTosh Merino/Cashmere/Nylon Fingering in Prairie Fire, Deep, Ultramarine Violet.

I have a plan for the Prairie Fire, and I have a design in mind for the Ultramarine Violet, but I'm still deciding what to make with the Deep. Prairie Fire is a touch more on the purple side of this color, like an orchid crayon, and Deep is a touch more blue-green, almost to the blue-black end. It looks like the depths of the ocean and is gorgeous. I love all of these colors.

Please, please, please, if you can knit a 29"/30" or a 49"/50" bust Amira with us as we do our preview KAL, let me know! I'm waiting on those two sizes. I have two knitters for almost every other size, so even if I can get just one more knitter for each of those sizes, that would be grand. Thank you so much for considering it!


Swatch for Amira.
This is a woman's, sleeveless shell that requires seaming, but only two seams, one on each side (if you are uncomfortable with a three needle bind off, then the shoulders will need seaming as well). As you can see from the swatch, it involves texture and simple lace. The pattern requires standard chart reading skills, ability to increase and decrease, make yos, knit in the round, and pick up stitches. Participants in the preview will get my working copy of the pattern, initially, upon completion and editing, they will receive the finished pattern. There are no specific brand requirements for the yarn, simply a DK weight yarn that knits up at 5.5 stitches per in in stockinette (the gauge for the top will be about 5.25 spi, but I want a yarn that will drape well at that gauge). I'd like to have at least two knitters per size: 29", 34", 39", 44", 49" finished bust. Yardage requirements are calculated for each size, respectively, as: 790, 900, 1000, 1100, 1225 yds. This is still an estimate, however, so I recommend getting an extra skein of whatever you buy, or if you are using stash, making sure that you have an extra ball's worth of the yarn. I'll want you to join a Facebook or Ravelry group for preview knitters and make a Ravelry entry, tagging me in it, and a link up when the pattern is released. The specific details will be given if you take this on for me. I will give the finished copy of the pattern to knitters when the pattern is released, a percentage/amount off coupon to my Ravelry Store for those who complete the item, and a coupon for a free pattern for those who complete the KAL, provide photos and link up to the pattern page. There isn't much besides that to share right now, so here's the weekly reminder to like Arabian Knits Designs on Facebook, if you haven't already. That's where I put updates and preview knitting opportunities and other design news. Thank you!

Our reading is basically the same as it has been lately, and I have nothing new that I've finished.



Also posting to Keep Calm and Craft On, and The Philosopher's Wife.

Labels: 12Sweaters, Books, Family, FOs, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Knitting, Yarn, Yarn Along