the Homely Home Part 6: Porch Knitting May 14, 2014

After what seemed like (erm, was) long days of rainy weather (and being indoors working on the new Abria release), nature has blown in with a fresh breath of warm…

And what’s a person to do?

Kick off their shoes and move the whole thing outside.

No reason the Porch cannot be the Office…

The beautiful warmth and light created a wonderful backdrop for sketching and plotting out a new design.

Chic Knits Knit Blog

In no time at all, thoughts bloomed and merged and even the Math of the pattern was tamed.

Tools in the Wild:
 – iPad (calculator & camera)
 – clipboard
 – paper
 – pencil
 – ruler
 – books
 – lots of cool beverage
 – eventual, inevitable, bowl of Umpqua Moutain Blackberry Ice Cream

(Special guest: relatively new sandals! After surgery a few weeks ago, Birks are ultimate post-op wear – a little anti-fashion, a lot comfort, and easy to kick on kick off.)

Something about sitting in the open air made me bypass the iPad and reach for the paper and pencil. Sketching, for me, is the first thing I do but then it passes to a more electronic phase for more graphics.

This time, I went from sketch to schematic to even the first lace chart being graphed by hand – the steps just flowed into each other.

By the time I was doing my Twisted German Cast-on for my spanking new design, even the rather large stitch count just marched along in the sunshine with many new thoughts for even more designs to come.

Barefeet + Pretty Yarn + Sparkling Day = JOY JOY JOY

New Spring Pattern: ABRIA May 10, 2014

Chic Knits ABRIA Lace Cardigan

love…marriage…carriage

From prom to bridal to maternity, this is the sweater we’ve been wanting to reach for to top our sleeveless or strapless outfits.

Elegant but versatile Chic Knits® ABRIA is the perfect finishing touch over your bare-armed ensemble pieces.

This clever style balances the best of top-down design with simple and pretty lace detailing for a modern seamless garment. Try it in luscious angora or drapey linen blends to dress it up or dress it down…

Chic Knits Abria Lace Cardigan

Chic Knits ABRIA – click HERE to get more info and the pattern…