Sarah
I just thought I'd share a good cupcake with you all, especially those of you who, like me, are completely addicted to Ravelry.
I think I got the logo pretty well! If you're wondering, the cupcake recipe I used is a Red Velvet Cupcake recipe by Paula Deen, which I found here. I dyed the cream cheese frosting red to frost the cupcake, then used black icing gel to do the logo. I am happy to report that the cupcakes were almost as enjoyable as Ravelry itself!
Sarah
I have been a busy little bee lately, and I'd like to share some of what I've been working on. First, I'm very excited that Ravelry has started up its pattern-hosting service -- it's just one more great feature on an already awesome site. I've opened a pattern store for some of my original designs, which you can check out here. I've put up the pattern for this sweater, which you may recall from a post a few months ago.
It now has a name -- it's the Woodside Pullover, named after a charming little nearby town -- and the pattern is available for download via Ravelry for $7.50. The six sizes given in the pattern range from a 32 to 48 inch chest measurement; I think it's a good unisex pullover, so I wanted to include the smallest and the largest sizes I could without having to do weird things to the stitches. (I do have some tips in the pattern for extending the size range by working at a slightly smaller or larger gauge, for the knitter who loves to modify.)
Of course, not everyone is equally keen on the Noro Kureyon which I used, so I included some suggested substitutions in the pattern. When Bella Knitting starts carrying the complete project in a few weeks, you'll be able to choose from Karabella Aurora 8 or DiVe Autunno, both of which are very soft. We carry the former in a lot of great solid colors, if you want a sweater that's all about texture, and the latter is a super-soft self-striping yarn with wide repeats. I'll let you know when this option becomes available, of course.
And now for the sneak peak promised in the title of this post...you know how I did a tutorial on yarn overs the other day? Well, I've designed something for Bella which uses a lot of them! It's being test knit, and we're working on the pattern, so it should be ready soon! The version shown here was knit in Cascade Venezia Worsted, which I swear knits like buttah. It's a totally dreamy 50-50 wool-silk blend. Of course, since Bella Knitting is all about the options, there's going to be a second great yarn choice and an option for using beads...but I think I'll leave it at that for now. I'll share more when there is more to share.
Sarah
Even though it has a way of vacuuming up huge chunks of time I need for homework, housework, and knitting, I love Ravelry. I've come across tons of projects to add to my (already overburdened) queue, I have fun in the forums, and I love checking out other people's project lists, stashes, and queues. It's voyeurism, but in a totally nice way. We knitters are friendly folk, after all.
One of the coolest things about Ravelry is that, as a designer, I get to see other people actually knitting my patterns. If someone mentions they've had a problem in their "notes" section, I love that I can comment or PM them and help out. And, of course, I love seeing happy FOs! Megan sent me this adorable Baby Brunhilde shot for the customer gallery, and I just had to share. Too cute!
