Splash

Splash, what a fun shawl to knit. The concept behind this shawl is fairly simple, a wonderful blend of colors coming together ending with a 'splash' of color. 

I used corrugated garter in an acute triangle shape finishing off with the i-cord. Originally, I didn't have the i-cord, but my mom and I discussed and decided that I really needed more to the shawl. 

I used fingering weight and light fingering weight yarns blended together so I think yarn in either of those weights will work. I do recommend that you swatch with your colors in the corrugated garter first to make sure that they will actually show up. 

In Dillon I used the same garter stitch technique and I picked colors that were much too close together so you couldn't even tell I was using two yarns! If you are going to put some work into knitting this shawl you actually want the colors to show. So swatching is more important in this shawl than my usual designs. 

Happy Knitting! Sierra 

Fringy DK

 I loved knitting my Fringy Cowl last summer. It was easy to memorize and keep track of and also enjoyable because of the great colors. Not everyone loves fingering weight as much as I do though (I don't understand that but whatever) so when I say this gorgeous yarn from Sew Happy Jane I knew I needed to design a DK version. 

Fringy DK uses 100 grams of DK weight yarn plus about 10 grams of the contrast color. I originally purchased the 100 gram skein and then reached out to Heather to ask which she thought would be a good contrast color. Heather gifted me the contrast color, how sweet was that! 

This cowl is a great skill builder, it features a provisional cast on (linked tutorial), increasing and decreasing, and a three needle bind off! As usual with my fringe you drop stitches to make it so it is easier and quicker than traditional fringe. 

Any DK weight yarn will work for this pattern, through a stickier yarn like alpaca will be harder to drop the stitches with. My DK was a 100% Superwash Merino, so you can pretty much knit with whatever DK feels good to you! Happy Knitting! --Sierra 

Leannán Socks

Variegated yarn is definitely what dominates my stash but I don't always know what to knit with it. Depending on the way the yarn was dyed you can end up with funky pooling, weird color combos, and a whole assortment of not pretty FOs. I was so excited when I swatched this stitch pattern and realized it would be highlighted with variegated yarn! 

Leannán is Gaelic for sweetheart or darling, when I look at these socks I see little hearts hence the name. The yarn is used is a lovely 80/20 from Dyed in the Wool Yarn Co. and it was dream to knit with. I really enjoy the springyness of a 2-ply yarn so it made the knit even better. These socks are scream spring and they made me very happy to knit. 

For this patten I think that any dye style of yarn will work, maybe not a self-patterning, as well as any fingering weight suitable for socks. Are you going to knit them for your sweetheart or for yourself? 

--Sierra 

Scotts Shawl

One of my favorite trips I've been able to make post college is a trip to Scotland and England with my sisters and mom. With the pandemic I've been leaning on these memories of travel since we haven't been able to travel around much. 

This is the second time that inspiration has come from an actual object not just from my brain. The Scotts monument in Edinburgh was the inspiration behind the Scotts Shawl! Below is a photo of the monument...

The slip stitches moving up the shawl remind of the lines and spires on the monument. I used a beautiful merino/yak/silk blend that has the most amazing drape and was purchased on the same trip! I visited Ginger Twist Studio and purchased this yarn. 

This is a great shawl to try new fibers or stick with your regular fingering weight blend. It also would be very easy to adjust the needle size and weight of yarn if you would like to knit with something heavier. The stiffer the yarn blend (100% non-superwash wool) the more your slip stitches will stand out the more structured your triangle. 

Happy Knitting! -- Sierra 

String of Purls

I love succulents! They don't love me quite as much. Previously I wrote about the plants that I knit and how I don't love to water and I'm not great at it. Well, me and succulents just can't seem to get on the same page. 

I was inspired to design with this gorgeous yarn (a gift from a friend) and I had the String of Pearls in mind when looking at stitch patterns. This wrapped stitch pattern was perfect to imitate the leaves/pearls of one of my favorite succulents. 

I used a single skein of fingering weight yarn which was 380 yards. The base I used, from Sundara Yarns, is a Merino/Cashmere/Nylon and it was so plump and delicious to knit with. I would definitely knit with this base again if I have the chance. 

For this project I would suggest a fingering weight yarn that you enjoy the feel of around your neck. This doesn't have to be a luxury skein of yarn but as this has full contact with delicate skin make sure you like the way it feels. I also think that a highly variegated yarn will hide the stitch work. The tones of the sample yarn are all close enough that it doesn't obscure the stitch pattern but enhances it. 

I hope this cowl inspires you knit this for a plant lover in your life! 

Out the Window

 You know when you stick your hand out the window and it automatically starts waving up and down with the air movement? I love that feeling and definitely still do it when I'm a passenger. These socks and stitch pattern remind me of that movement! 

Out the Window is my newest sock pattern release. As with the majority of All Knit Up Designs patterns, Out the Window is easy to memorize and super fun to knit. The yarn I used is a speckled 80/20 (Wool/Nylon) blend but I had a few testers use self-striping and it looks so good! I will definitely have to knit a pair for myself with some Felici. 

I designed this pattern with cast on for 56, 64, & 72 but I found this a very stretchy pattern so if you usually knit with a missing size I would pick the cast on smaller than your normal (if you usually knit 68, cast on 64.) 

I hope these socks bring you great joy as you knit them and I hope they bring back great memories as they did for me! 

Happy Knitting! - Sierra 

Rochester Socks

 Hi Sock Knitters! 

Are you ready for a new sock pattern from All Knit Up Designs?!? Perfect! I have a new one for you. Rochester is a simple design that looks sophisticated enough for anyone on your knitting list. Easy to memorize (with only two rows) you can pick almost any sock yarn from your stash and it will look fabulous. 

Rochester was named after my trip to Rochester Minnesota for the Zombie Knitpocalypse retreat. When I'm traveling I always want to have knitting with me for security as well as wait times. Rochester is the perfect take along project and I cannot wait to knit another pair. 

The yarn I used is Adorn Lux by Three Irish Girls and it's a 85/15 blend of Merino and Nylon, so as usual, pretty much any sock yarn in your stash will work. I enjoyed and laughed at the difference between the two sock legs in the photo below, same ball of yarn, just halfway through the ball. That's the nature and beauty of hand dyed yarn. Can't wait to see what colors you pick!