We are really into autumn now, and I don't know about you, but the knitting mojo returns for me after fading a little in the summer months! You saw my new beanie design in my last post - the Ballybrit Beanie. I'm happy to say it has since been released - with such helpful input from my test knitters. They really are such a valuable part of the knitting design process, and I have been blessed with the different people who have volunteered their time over the years.
You might see some similarities to my Salthill Beanie in this design, but this one has another twist in each cable, and quite different crown shaping. It's knit in the round using Aran weight yarn - but the orange sample here was actually knit using two strands of fingering weight yarn (which results in Aran weight yarn). The hat is a one-skein knit using Aran or worsted weight yarn, knit in the round on two sizes of circular needle (4.5mm and 5mm, or US 7 & 8).
I also added some more knits from my mother to my shop, including a lovely purple heathery cardigan (XL size), a sweater in the same heathery purple yarn, and a jumper in a great grey/green shade of wool. Each one is a true one-of-a-kind!
I also added my Aranacci shawl pattern to my shop. It was published in Knotions magazine back in April - the rights have returned to me, so it is now available for purchase as a single pattern from my shop. The theme of that particular issue was STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Maths) and I combined a Fibonacci seqence with an Aran cable pattern - Aran + Fibonacci = Aranacci! I'm delighted to have also received the knitted sample back, as I think I will get plenty of wear out of this cosy and soft shawl. I am so tempted to knit another, but I also have plenty of new designs I want to release!
The main priority at the moment is to bring out mittens to match one of my most popular patterns - the Simple Cable Beanie. I received the yarn for these on Wednesday and cast on the same day for the Simple Cable Mittens. The design is actually flying along at the moment (and I really hope I haven't jinxed it by saying that!) I should be looking for testers in 1 or 2 weeks : )
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