Well hello again folks..and very Happy New Year to you all!! Did you make any new years resolutions? If you did have you been sticking to them? Or perhaps not?
Did you know by now (mid January) most people have got out of the habit and drifted back into their old ways. So this year I’ve not bothered with the pain of resolutions. Not that I ever actually really did them anyways but you will remember back in 2014 I decided to cold sheep for 6 months – I did 5 months in the end but it only made me go crazy buying when I came off the sheep. So I’ve learnt that this sort of resolution shit doesn’t work for me.
So this year I’m doing goal setting, small baby steps to help me move towards my bigger goals. But by now you are probably thinking why am I telling you all this…
Well in the background for the last year or so I have been doodling designs, making samples, writing patterns, and even going as far as getting some test knit…but sadly I’ve lacked the confidence to actually publish the darn things.
So this year is about pushing that fear (as Susan Jeffer’s said “…feel the fear and do it anyway!”) and throwing it in the skip and just doing it. So I have…I’ve only gone and bloody published my first pattern folks!!
Let me introduce Marilyn…
Marilyn is a wide scarf that is knit in one piece from edge to edge; that is also large enough to use as a wrap draped around your shoulder on colder days. The pattern sample was knit using Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal yarn in a really gorgeous colourway called “Autumn Gold“. I’m a huge fan of Debbie’s yarn and this one doesn’t disappoint. Not only is the colour range fabulous (it comes in 24 different shades) but I think the yardage per ball is pretty generous at 380 metres.
The inspiration for this pattern came from one of my favourite classic films “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes“. I love the oldies, the Carry Grants, the Dories Days, the Audrey Hepburns. I was flicking through one of my stitchionary books and came across a diamond panel I liked. That was the beginning of the design and the reason for the pattern name.
The pictures were taken my myself at the local harbour in Carrickfergus. I have been developing my photography skills over the last year and its has become one of my favourite places to dander around. Its actually very relaxing just wondering about clicking away with the camera. These pictures were taken on my bridge camera but I have just invested in a Nikon DSLR so I’m hoping that I will get better with the manual mode function going forward. The only problem I’m sure most people have is finding a willing model. (I’m actually looking for someone to model some mitts and hats – if your interested give me a shout plz!!)
So as I hit the publish button last Sunday my anxiety hit the roof. The chatterbox went into overdrive. But my dear knitting friends cheered me on. I love them all dearly, they are such a great bunch of gals. I even got a pengiun cheering me on with pompoms… thanks Laura!! And thanks to the rest of you for all your kind wishes on twitter and facebook.
To make you will need 3.25mm needles and 415 yards of fingering weight yarn. You could use a heavier weight yarn if you wish, or likewise a lace weight but you will need to factor that the yardage will differ from the pattern. I’d actually love to see Marilyn knit up in a variety of yarn weights, especially a heavier yarn like Aran/Worsted. Though obviously you may need to reduce the yarn repeats otherwise you might end up with a blanket…unless that’s what you want lol.
The pattern is available to purchase on ravelry here and until midnight on Sunday 17th January 2016 you can grab this pattern for 30% off with the code MARILYN1ST – happy knitting!
So the pressure is off a little. Now I’ve managed to publish one and ticked my ‘one a month’ goal for January I feel great! I’d love to hear your thoughts about Marilyn. Would you knit it and if so what yarn would you use?
In the meantime I’m already working on my next design, which will be out soon. What’s on your needles?
