Purple elegance

Some time ago I bought a skein of gorgeous Drops Lace yarn, a blend of mulberry silk and baby alpaca, in a lovely purple color. I thought of making something for myself, but every time I took that skein into my hands I remembered purple is not really my color. Which is a pity, because this is some really gorgeous yarn. Oh, well, I can still have fun working with it, I don't have to wear it. So I made this, an elegant evening stole knitted in an Estonian lace pattern. And I'm loving the result.

And funny thing is it doesn't look bad on me:)

I'm blue

Today just a quick one, and entirely blue. First an elegant triangular lace shawl in silk and alpaca. Lovely, elegant, delicate and in awesome navy blue (my second favorite color). My own design.

Next two are made from the same yarn, a combo of mohair and acrylic with a shiny metallic thread.

The triangular one has a small ruffle for fun. Both are great for Christmas season, they will make you look glamorous in winter lights. Check them out!

Fixated on a pattern

That's what I call it. One of the lovely Estonian lace stitches, probably in my top 3 fave, as it's not that complicated so I can work it without constantly checking the chart. And when I like something, I repeat it. This time, three times. First, in kidsilk (love the yarn!)

This makes a great wedding shawl. And for those who'd prefer a less luxurious version I made two more in a blend of mohair and polyamide.

The first one is in greyish pink or pinkish grey or actually a color I cannot really name, but it's pretty. The other is white. The kidsilk version can be ordered (also in other colors) and the other two are ready to be shipped. Check www.KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com for details.




There is one more bridal shawl I'd like to show you. Also kidsilk, also Estonian lace pattern. I'm sorry about the quality of the photos, but I was working on a tight schedule and had to ship it off asap, so I couldn't wait for a better light. Excuse the flash and slightly distorted color (it's the same off-white as in the first shawl above).

I liked the result so much that I listed it in the "made to order" section in my shop. It's possible to order it in other colors, if you're interested.

Shawl into poncho in just a few minutes

Remember the Faux Granny Shawl? Since summer ponchos are in I've decided to turn it into one. Just like this:)

It's quick, simple, and not permanent, so you can go back to a regular shawl if you want to. All you need is two pieces of string (or ribbon). I used crocheted chains, turning the project from "in just a few minutes" to "in under an hour" (I'm a quick knitted, crocheting is another thing;)). 

The strings are used to form the arm seams, they are tied at the desired length, puckering the "sleeve" as much as you wish.

(BTW, you can do that with every knitted triangle shawl, as long as they have the eyelets in the middle and on the edges)

And it goes like this:

Start with the middle of the shawl. Weave the string on both sides of the "spine". You don't have to go through every eyelet, just see what looks best with your shawl (some yarns may turn too bulky for that).

Then tie the string to regulate the length of the "sleeve".

Now you need to make the other "sleeve". Use the string to lace up the edges. Remember to leave enough room for your head! ;)

Then repeat the "tie to regulate the length" part. You can lace up the whole length (apart from the neckline, of course), or you can leave the very end split.

This photo shows the poncho "sleeves" - formed in the middle of the shawl (on the left), and laced up (on the right).

And that's it, the Faux Granny Poncho is ready:)

The Faux Grannies from these photos are available for sale at www.KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com - with strings (not) attached:)

New shawls, new pattern

(removed part about a sale that is now over:))

On to the latest additions: a lesson in patience, one of my favourite Estonian lace patterns. And some fine Italian merino wool.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/224638724/elegant-lace-shawl-antique-rose-handknit

Very soft, very delicate, easy to drape. And the color is just gorgeous: antique rose, very flattering. A truly luxurious shawl:) Plus, it's great to wear, I have one in dark grey and it's definitely my favorite stole for official occasions, but I also wear it as a scarf with a more casual outfit.

There is also something blue; my own design (the pattern will be published soon). Big, cozy, lacy, with mohair. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/224645095/knit-triangle-lace-shawl-something-blue

As for current projects: well, I've just started another luxurious shawl, in a great lacy pattern with nupps. With yarn ever finer than the antique rose one. So it will definitely take some time to finish. Guess I'm enjoying practicing patience:)

A quarterly?

Can a blog become a quarterly? Apparently, yes. I just logged in and went into a slight shock - over three months since the last update? How is that even possible? I've made so many nice things then, so how come I forgot to show them here?

Czy blog może stać się kwartalnikiem? Najwidoczniej. Zalogowałam się i lekko zdziwiłam, że nie pisałam ponad trzy miesiące. Jak to możliwe? Przecież w międzyczasie zrobiłam tyle fajnych rzeczy? Czemu ich od razu nie pokazałam?

(Actually, I shouldn't pretend to be surprised. After all I am the laziest person I know;))

(Właściwie nie ma co udawać zdziwienia. W końcu jestem najbardziej leniwą osobą jaką znam;))

Anyway, here we go. Starting with the most recent thing. I'm playing with shapes. This "fiver" (as it's composed of five segments) is trying to be a semicircle. And it's doing pretty well. It's a typical winter wear - a shawl, wrap or scarf (I can't decide on one), 150x57 cm, no lace, 25% mohair. Nice, warm and cozy

 No dobrze, to lecimy. Zaczynając od najnowszej rzeczy. Bawię się formą. Ten "piątak" (bo zbudowany jest z pięciu segmentów) próbuje udawać półkole. I całkiem nieźle mu to wychodzi. To typowo zimowe coś - szal, chusta, otulacz (nie mogę się zdecydować jak go jednoznacznie określić), 150x57 cm, żadnych ażurów, 25% moheru. Przyjemny, ciepły, przytulaśny.

.

KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com

Another fiver is a bit different. This is in plain color, so I went for a twist with beads and ruffle. Came out quite nice, I think.

Drugi piątak jest nieco inny. Tym razem z jednobarwnej włóczki, więc "doprawiłam" go koralikami i falbanką. Myślę, że wyszło całkiem fajnie.

KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com

Number 3 is totally different. Safety first, so let's go crazy with some high-visibility color. Great thing for winter, especially if you spend it in snow:) And it's long (2.5 m) so there's plenty to wrap.

Numer 3 to coś zupełnie innego. Żarówiasta zieleń, żeby było ją dobrze widać na śniegu. 2,5 metra, więc jest się czym owinąć.

KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com

And finally a classic model in a new color. Dark rose (even prettier than in the photos).

A na koniec jeden z popularniejszych wzorów, tym razem w nowym kolorze. Ciemna róża - w rzeczywistości jeszcze ładniejsza niż na zdjęciach.

That's enough for now. I'm drowning in yarn, so there will be more to show soon. I promise I'll try not to keep you waiting:)

To by było na tyle. Włóczki mnie przysypały, więc wkrótce znów będę się chwalić nowościami. Obiecuję, że postaram się nie czekać aż tak długo, jak ostatnio:)

Scarf season!!!

And apparently mohair season! I love the idea - it's great to cozy up with something fuzzy. And I just happen to have new mohair additions to the shop:)

Sezon na szaliki! I najwidoczniej na moher! Jestem za - fajnie jest otulić się czymś puchatym. I tak się akurat składa, że nowości w sklepie są moherowe:)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/164885778/knit-infinity-scarf-lace-autumnal-colors

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166477539/pink-knit-scarf-infinity-lace-loop-scarf

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166477961/handknit-scarf-mint-green-stole-mohair

https://www.etsy.com/listing/127320892/handknit-lace-scarf-mohair-fall-colors

Ażur na jesień

I love knitting. Duh. And I know I'm pretty good at it (oh, how modest of me). And yet there are days when I completely surprise myself with: I can't believe how great it turned out. I guess it's the combo of yarn, color and pattern. This is one of such cases. Another Estonian lace shawl, knitted with a pattern I used twice before. But it's the first time with mohair lace yarn. And I love it. I just do. I think I'm gonna make one for myself:)


Uwielbiam robić na drutach. Oczywista oczywistość:) I jestem w tym całkiem niezła (rzekła nieskromnie). Ale czasami zaskakuję sama siebie i coś wychodzi o wiele ładniejsze niż bym się spodziewała. To chyba wynika z zestawienia włóczki, wzoru i koloru. Oto takie właśnie zaskoczenie - kolejny szal wg wzoru estońskiego. Robiłam ten ażur już wcześniej, ale dopiero teraz sięgnęłam po włóczkę z moherem. I jestem zachwycona efektem. Do tego stopnia, że chyba zrobię taki szal dla siebie:)

The shawl is available for sale here: www.KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com
Other colors available on request.

Szal jest do kupienia tutaj: www.KnitsDeLuxe.Etsy.com
Inne kolory dostępne na zamówienie.

Return of the Queen

Well, it's fall again, so the Queen is back. The Queen of the Forest, to be more specific. This time it's apple green and cherry red (I sense a fruit theme here;)) Both knitted with kidsilk, although from different producers. The green one is 25% silk, 75% kid mohair, the red one is 30% silk, 70% mohair. The first one is listed on Etsy, the second was made to order and is about to be shipped off.

Dzisiaj będzie jesiennie i owocowo: zielone jabłuszko i wiśniowa czerwień;) Dwa nowe szale wg wzoru The Queen of the Forest. Oba wydziergane z kidsilków, ale od różnych producentów. Zielony to 25% jedwabiu i 75% moheru, czerwony ma proporcje 30-70. Pierwszy trafił do Etsy, drugi już ma właścicielkę.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/110843453/big-triangular-kidsilk-lace-shawl-apple

I probably shouldn't be saying this, because this is my design, but I love this model.and I love combining it with kidsilks. It's big, cozy, soft, light (it's under 75 grams, and about 200x90 cm!). I could work with it all the time, so if you want to buy it in a different color, let me know. And if you are a knitter and want to make it yourself, the pattern is available on Raverly and Craftsy (links below).

Pewnie nie powinnam tego mówić, bo to mój własny projekt, ale uwielbiam ten model! Zwłaszcza w połączeniu z kidsilkiem. Chusta jest duża, miękka, lekka (waży mniej niż 75 g. a mierzy ok. 200x90 cm!). Mogę takie robić cały czas, więc jeśli ktoś ma ochotę, zapraszam do zamawiania. A jeśli ktoś ma ochotę na własny udzierg, to wzór jest dostępny na Raverly i Craftsy (linki niżej).

Queen of the Forest pattern:
Raverly: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/queen-of-the-forest
Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/queen-of-the-forest/8125

Fall is in the air

Here's a very autumnal shawl, hand-knitted from a nice blend of mohair and acrylic. You may recognize the stitch, it's classic feather and fan - great for variegated yarn, because it form great wavy pattern. The colors in this one are truly autumnal: rusty reds and oranges, muted greens, teal, different shades of golden browns - just like leaves in September. I like the result very much. The shawl is two meters long and 43 cm wide, it can be worn as a regular, cozy scarf or as a wrap over the shoulders.

Oto bardzo jesienny szal, wydziergany ręcznie z miłej mieszanki moheru i akrylu. Wzrór znany: klasyczny feather and fan, świetny przy cieniowanych włóczkach, bo wtedy dobrze widać na nim fale. Szal jest w typowo jesiennych kolorach: rudych brązach, słumionych zieleniach z odrobiną petrolu - zupełnie jak liście we wrześniu. Bardzo mi się podoba, co z tego wyszło. Szal ma dwa metry długości i 43 cm szerokości. Dobrze się spisze jako szalik XL albo chusta na ramiona (zanim zrobi się zupełnie zimno).

The shawl is available here:
Szal można kupić tutaj:  
https://www.etsy.com/listing/108992489/hanknit-long-lacy-scarf-in-autumnal


And now a teaser of something I'm working on at the moment:
A teraz zapowiedź czegoś, nad czym właśnie pracuję:

Looks good, right?
Wygląda nieźle, prawda?