The comfy mittens are finally done!
It has been a process, and I am very glad I took the time before I published the pattern. I can not say enough good things about my test knitters. Though I had the mitten basically there from the start, their comments and encouragement were essential, and responsible for a big revision near the end. It seems few are as fond of the kitchener stitch as I, who knew?
They are up on ravelry. Enjoy.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/comfy-mittens-with-gusset-thumb-2
My charms are up, barely in time for Valentine’s day, but they are up!
Check out the store at: http://www.artfire.com/users/KatieChameleon
Yay!
It took a couple of days of trial and error, but finally I have a bead I can love. The first batch is headed for Yarn Harbor. From here I can go anywhere though. I am quite pleased!
Batch one, ready for takeoff.
Just for fun, a shot of the “process” as well. Shrinkys are very inexact, so the only way to get the color density and size correct is by trial and error. Once you have something you like though, they do produce a result relatively the same, as long as you don’t burn them.
If at first you don't succeed...
I was given the idea to make Sweetheart beads. I think they could be great, so I made up some artwork, and then tried the beads.
The art turned out great. The shrinkies? not so much. Virtually all of my lovely detail was lost. It is not the end though. I do remember having to work with size and densities for a while before I got Yarn Harbor’s logo just right. I guess tonight will be dedicated to running a few rounds of beads.
Let me know what you think!
Photography improves, a handful of things are in the works. I should almost be blogging this as a psychology experiment as well. “The journey as Katie gets over her blocks”. I am up against a few fear spots, but I also continue to make forward movement. I suppose that is the best I can expect.
The new visual fun is a set of numbered stitch markers a friend requested. I like the possibilities here. I have been letting my head get caught in “but what if”, and need to pull out and just make and post something, doggone it! First test photo is below. We will see where it goes from here.
I have been playing with stitch markers lately. I made a batch for Yarn Harbor, and they sold out so I made a second batch! I am very excited about this!
The frustration is that I have not been able to get the quality of close up photography that I wish. I need to get over this hurdle so that I can list on Etsy and ArtFire, as well as beat my own drum. Posts of what I am playing with once I get it!
For pattern number two, I am working on a mitten/half glove that is a bit stretchy, has a unique gusset, and is somewhat resizable. With all those variables, it is taking a wee bit of time to solidify. It is happening though. I should at least have the first draft out by the end of next week. Then it is to test knit and refine for a bit.
I am big on not releasing a pattern that does not work. The process takes longer, but I am all for preemptive problem solving. The testing process saves sooo much on apologies and revisions!
Woo Hoo! I got the first pattern up on Ravelry!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/running-hearts-scarf
I still have to figure out the marketing angle, but it is up and it has been seen a few times. A quantum-sized baby step! 
Running Hearts
I was going to call this scarf “Scandahoovian Christmas”, but opted to be a bit more conservative in the name department. Why “Scandahoovian Christmas”? I grew up with the heart motif used in Christmas decorations. It is used in multiple colors, usually with white. When the idea for this scarf hit, it seemed reasonable to associate this scarf with Christmas.
Now, I know I live in the U.S.A. Here, the heart is a big time Valentine’s Day motif. It makes me glad that this will be multi-purpose, but in MY heart, this scarf is for Christmas.
As soon as the pattern wades through the Ravelry approval process, this pattern will be available for purchase there.
