New pattern release: Myst

Matilda of Organic Knitters approached me a couple of months ago to ask me if I wanted to take part as a featured designer in the #organicsummerkal that she's been hosting for a couple of years. She told me that I would have to work with some rather exciting yarn, so of course I had to say yes! I have been dreaming of Rosy green wool yarn for the longest time, so that was the most perfect opportunity to give this yarn a try! Rosy green wool specialises in rare breeds yarns that they blend with organic merino. The result is absolutely divine. I got to try the Manx merino Fine - go and google Manx sheep, they are just the most amazing breed. I really cannot get over this yarn now that I’ve tried it. It is light, airy, drapy, and oh so luxurious. I even think that my mom that is “allergic” to wool would definitely wear it around her neck. It's perfect for a lightweight shawl or a very fine cardigan!

I didn't have to play with this yarn very long, because you know sometimes, the yarn speaks to you. And that's what happened this time around. I didn't have to do much - well except for charting the whole thing out! I really felt that the shawl knitted itself up. The stitch pattern is rather addictive (just one more section please, and then I looked up and it was 2am, hum hum), and it's honestly a perfect piece for new to lace knitters. The lace part is very easy as you only repeat the same section over and over, which makes it a wonderfully meditative knit.

Apart from the stitch pattern which was a lo of fun, I loved playing with a different construction/ shape with this piece. I really wanted to challenge myself and try something different than the more traditional triangle or crescent shaped shawls. So for this piece you basically start off with a provisional cast on, and knit all the way to one edge. Then put the stitches back on the needles and repeat for the other. Easy peasy!

The result is a very generous elongated triangle that sits nicely on the shoulders ( I like to wear it as shown in the first picture). It’s been crazy chilly here in Latvia, so it was wonderful to go out and have it around my shoulders (also great when you forget to bring your umbrella), and I’m sure that I will have plenty of wear out of it this Summer!

If you want to get a copy of the pattern, click on the button below! It will redirect you to the ravelry pattern page where you'll be able to see all the beautiful versions that are being knit up!

New pattern release: Ginkgo

I am beyond excited for this month's pattern release! This piece has been a one year work in progress. Well sort of! I had conceptualized this design around this time of the year last year, and created a little paper template for it. But since it was already June, I knew that it was too late in the year to design the piece and release it that same year. So I kept it preciously in my design journal until a few months ago, once I got the yarn in hands, and my needles ready to cast on!

I created this design around the concept of origami thus the little template that I made. I really wanted to create a piece that would be as seamless as possible, starting from the bottom up (hem to neck then neck to hem). So in the end, the only seamed part would be the sides, which is quite minimal for a sweater.

Both front and back necks are shaped with decreases to create this elegant v-neck in the front, and this very deep open back that I adore. It is slightly cropped but you can definitely add some lenght if you'd prefer and very dramatic sleeves that are inspired (once again) by Japanese kimono. If the long and large sleeves are not for you, cast on less stitches and you'll end up with smaller/ shorter ones. What I love about this pattern, is that it's very easy to customize, and change element that fit you figure. The sweater is available in 8 different sizes, starting for & 32" bust. It is intended to be worn with something like 3 to 4" of positive ease for a very comfy and breathy fit.

From left to right: Onyx, Tournaline, Amethyst, Dark Beryl, Serpentine (credit pictures to Yarnandknitting.com)

As for the yarn, I have used the beautiful blend of 50% linen & 50% Falklands Wool from Blacker Yarns. Now how could I describe this beautiful blend? Once again I was not disappointed by Blackers. I mean I think that I've tried maybe six or seven of their bases, and the experience has been so enjoyable every single time. Their blends are wonderful and their colors are absolutely stunning. I think that there's a bit of everything for everyone.

But back to Lyonesse. It is extremely soft, like almost buttery soft. It has a beautiful sheen from the linen, and as you would expect from a plant-based yarn, the dyed didn't take evenly on the skein which resulted in the most perfect heathery shades.

Some very lovely versions have already been completed. And one of my favourite's in Patricia's. You can check it out here

Moonlight garden & Mandarine's shawl knit along

It's hard to believe that a full moon has past since my last shawl design has been published. Moonlight garden has been such a joy to design. A couple of months ago, I have been contacted by the sweet Jocelyn of O-wool to ask me if I would be interested in creating something in one of her yarns. She sent me her whole collection of shade cards so I've been able to touch the different fibers and see in real life all the colorways. If choosing the yarn that I wanted to work with was an easy part, I can definitely not say the same about the colorways! Once I knew that I wanted to work with Local, I selected a couple of colorways that really spoke to me, and for the design that I had in mind. Then I gave my top 3 to Jocelyn, and asked her to surprise me in the mail, as I wasn't able to decide for myself. A couple of weeks later I received the three most gorgeous hanks of Local in the Wood Dove colorway. I might have squeeled a little bit at this point, and I couldn't wait to get back to Riga to cast on (I was then in France when the yarn arrived).

The yarn is a pure delight. It has this very unique "thick and thin" texture that is somehow very similar to homespun yarns. Local is a worsted weight yarn and a blend of alpaca and certified organic merino. I first made a couple of swatches in simple stitch patterns, to see what would look the best as a background contrast. I first thought of using garter stitch, but the result was a bit too bouncy to my taste. So I made another one in stockinette which I found quite boring to be honest! But then, I flipped it around, and I knew that was it. Reverse stockinette. YES! I knew that would work, and the contrast bewteen stockinette vs reverse stockinette would be quite interesting.

Moonlight garden has been inspired by beautiful wooden houses like this one in Little women. I imagined myself living is a similar house with a magnificient backyard garden. A spring garden more precisely, when the flowers are just starting to bloom and the first greens are harvested. I have heard about gardening alongside the phases of the moon, and I've been so captivated by that ever since.

Moonlight garden is a half-pi (half moon) shape shawl that features several sections of lace, eyelet increases, a beautiful reverse stockinette background and an applied border (no bind-off!).

Finished measurements
55in (140cm) long & 22in (57cm large)

Yarn
4 skeins of O-Wool, Local,50% organic merino, 50% alpaca or about 400g of worsted weight yarn. The sample used the 3 full skeins (9g left). 4 skeins are highly recommended.

Gauge
• 30 rows & 15 st= 4in (10cm) in stockinette stitch in larger needle.
• 3in (8cm) long x 2,7in (7cm) large= 1 full border repeat in smaller needle.

Needles
US 5 (3,75mm) circular needle.
US 7 (4,5mm) circular needle
Or needle size to obtain gauge.

Notions
A tapestry needle to weave in the ends.

The shawl portion is written and the attached border is both written and charted.

It has been so much fun to see my sweet test knitters working on the pattern in the different yarns that they had selected. Since then, I've seen many more beautiful versions in instagram and ravelry. There's even a fingering weight one!

That leads me to announce the very first Mandarine's shawl KAL! The knit along started yesterday and it will run thoughout the month of May. To participate, choose any of my shawl patterns, and knit it during the month of May. At the end of the month I will select a couple of winners from the different Ravelry group threads that I have openned for the event to win some prizes. That will include some of my naturally-dyed yarn! There's been a lot of chatter already, so feel free to join in and participate!