custoMaryevents

Three Quarter Time

2011-08-05T19:23:00.006-04:00

I remember piano lessons at the wonderful "sponge" age of seven, learning to play the piano under the expert guidance of my teacher, Mrs. Ammons. She would set the metronome to three quarter time for a waltz and watch as I attempted to keep time. Although there are several, very short tunes that my fingers can play, I never mastered the piano. The sound of a waltz still rings in my head and now each time I hear one, the 123 rhythm still soothes my soul. This shawl uses the Estonian Blossom Stitch pattern. Blossoms and leaves intermingle, joining together in a light and lacey waltz. Gradient color from a very pale, light blue to medium to a sultry evening blue produce a striking result. The featured shawl is graciously modeled by my son's lovely and sweet girlfriend, Wendy in the small size. Chart A uses the lightest shade, Charts B, C, D and E are worked in the medium shade and Chart F completes the dance with the darkest shade.

Bragging on Testknitters...

2011-06-15T21:18:00.004-04:00

I simply must brag on the wonderful test knitters and tech editor that helped me with this pattern...... This one was done by Jessica....Amazingly gorgeous.

Then Alla, who chose to alter her edging...nicely done and beautiful color.

Next is Kate, my communicater and close friend....I just love the vibrant color and she chose to use slightly larger needles and a fingering weight....Perfectly pretty! And finally, Lotta's version in a Fantastic hazy blue.....an Incredible example of the pattern.....

Behind the scenes and yet most important of all...Akshata, my wonderfully, patient tech editor....Much gratitude for helping make sure my pattern was acceptable. Many, many hours went into these projects and I am very proud to display them.

The Blooming Stitch Shawl

2011-06-07T21:59:00.009-04:00

Inspired by the peonies and lilies blooming in and around our southern township of Troy, South Carolina, the main stitch pattern is a version of the Blossom Stitch found in many Estonian lace patterns and is expanded and modified for presentation in this pattern. The shawl can be started with either Five or Seven leaves with instructions provided for both styles. Beginning with a provisional cast on, five or seven leaves are produced in this neck down pattern which lead into blooms that cascade and surround the shoulders and back. Increases at each side of this shawl produce a shallow yet elongated style in a semi-circular shape with a slight flare at the wingtips, scallop edging, somewhat crescent shaping and finished with a chain crochet bind off. Once blocked, the lace is pronounced and drapes well to produce a light and delicate shawl. Approximately 575 yards of lace weight yarn is needed for the Five Leaves style as written and is not intended for enlargement. 675 yards are needed for the Seven Leaves style as written and may be enlarged. Enlarging the Seven Leaves style will require additional yardage. This pattern requires no specific gauge but is intended to be knit loosely in either style. Instructions are given in both written and chart form with details on abbreviations and working the pattern to completion. Designer/Sample, Blocking notes and sample photos are included for greater detail. Every effort to produce a pattern free of errors has been made. The featured shawl is of “Honey”, 100% Claudia Hand-painted Silk, and was made by following the instructions for the Five Leaves/ Six Blooms Style. Available through Ravelry.com and Patternfish.com

Covington Shawl

2010-05-05T07:30:00.004-04:00

Feminine and lacey… a classic, full shawl suitable for formal evenings, weddings or chilly nights at the seashore. Covington is a triangular shawl, which begins at the back neck with just enough increases to form gentle shoulder shaping. The pattern is knit flat with straight or circular needles. Minimum knowledge of lace increases and decreases is required. Fully charted, Covington also has written instructions and is size adjustable. A variety of yarn fibers, weights and needle sizes are suitable. The project begins with the formation of a single petal and is finished with a total of 15 petals lining the hem edge. Strategically placed increases and decreases provide perfect radiation, flowing drape and ease in blocking. The featured shawl measures 72” across the wingspan and 45” from back neck to tip.

Barksdale Ferry Road- a circularly knit square

2010-03-04T21:32:00.004-05:00

Barksdale Ferry Road is most recent lace project. Weekly walks on our road are pleasant and refreshing. Once part of a pathway for merchants and their horse-drawn wagons, down the hill and past the bubbling creek, this meandering, dirt road was cut within a deep forest setting with one hundred foot tall Oak and Pine trees. Hidden among these massive giants… colorful mosses, ferns, lichens, and the Dogwoods growing freely…with leaves as prominent as their springtime blooms. Through the foliage, glimmering light from the sun peeks through, spreading warmth and life that only nature can provide. Although the road has been virtually chopped up, paved in some areas and eliminated in others, this two mile stretch remains. It has historic value but for me, the joy of a peaceful stroll and discovery of life. Barksdale Ferry Road© is a circular lace pattern, knit from the center, radiating outward and develops into a square. Suitable as a shawl or table covering, the pattern is size adjustable and is finished with a combination centered picot and stretch bind off. Some knowledge of lace knitting and the use of DPNs is helpful. Stitch counts are provided for up to 167 rounds of the stitch pattern. Due to the transition from circular to square, this pattern has written instructions throughout and includes a chart for the repeating stitch pattern section only. As with most circularly knit projects, gauge is determined by the type and weight of yarn and size of needles to be used. This pattern radiates well and can be blocked easily with the use of wires. A combination of knit and various increase/ decrease stitches together for a pleasantly flowing union. As the project progresses, increases at each corner producing additional stitch pattern repeats. The featured project was produced using 750 yards of Handmaiden Seasilk on size 5(US) needles. It finishes at 40” square, 54” diagonal.

custoMaryevents: Leaf Envy...another tricircular knit shawl

2010-02-21T20:06:00.001-05:00

custoMaryevents: Leaf Envy...another tricircular knit shawl http://bbknits.com/

Leaf Envy...another tricircular knit shawl

2010-02-21T19:16:00.003-05:00

Oh the joys of working with silk! This is a wonderful blend of merino wool and silk. Bette Marchese with bbknits.com produces this beautiful colorway.

Yarn Contest from Lost City Knits and the Ravelry 10 Shawls in 2010 Group

2009-12-22T13:00:00.009-05:00

The coming year, 2010, will be a year to knit lace shawls.....A total of 10 is the goal of the group, ravelry.com/groups/10-shawls-in-2010 recently formed on Ravelry.com. Can you do it? Why not??? First of all, kick out any notions that you can't do this. With cooperation from our husbands and any children that remain at home(yeah, right), we'll band together, sticks in hand and knit lace til we drop! Right??? Agreed??? Also, Lost City Knits/blogspot.com, is holding a yarn giveaway contest that ends on December 31, 2009, a 500 yard skein of Lost City Knit's, Silver Bell yarn!!! Beautiful stuff! So, I'm offering up my own design, recently published on Ravelry and soon to be offered through Knitpicks' designer program for $1.99.....CHALICE TRIANGLE SHAWL The first person to make a comment about the Lost City Knits contest, to my blog will, of course, receive the PDF for Chalice Triangle absolutely free!!! See ya'll!

Squircle

2009-10-15T13:54:00.002-04:00

Squircle is a portmanteau word used to refer to a mathematical shape with properties between those of a square and those of a circle. So if you decide to knit a lace project in a circle, manipulating the stitches until it becomes a square it will become a SQUIRCLE!!!

2009-07-17T08:06:00.005-04:00

Just another version of Sunstar for my collection of Lace Beauties!!! Now, this is made from a product, produced by Valley Yarns called Carpet Warp in Spectra Yellow. Looks very "Sunnish" wouldn't you say? And yes, you read that right...Carpet Warp. Untrampled and free from cat/dog hair and sand particles! Carpet Warp is a very soft, 100% Cotton that consists of 4 plys of size 8 thread. It's slightly thinner than a 3/2 but larger than a 5/2. I would think it would work as well for crochet as it does for knitting. It can be found in the Weaving section at Yarn.com (WEBS) Hope to post again soon!

Twirlstar

2009-06-18T11:22:00.004-04:00

Twirlstar is a lacy, layered, child's skirt with the pattern available in sizes 2T-4T. It is knit in the round using circular needles. No seaming is required although each skirt is knitted separately. Both skirts are attached at the waist with an elastic casing and the use of a provisional cast on. Bind off for both skirts is traditional. A good working knowledge of increase and decrease lace stitches is recommended. The pattern is a PDF download and can be purchased on Ravelry.com or Patternfish.com.

Sunstar

2009-05-31T20:46:00.001-04:00

This pattern is available for $6.00. Sunstar is a reminder of celebrations. Beginning with a multitude of yarnover explosions, it is combined with the ladybird stitch pattern, creating a project that can be worn as a shawl, grace a party table or as a decorative blanket or throw. The featured project has been produced using size 8 needles in a lace weight yarn but any needle size and yarn weight can be used. Written with detailed instructions, the pattern can be completed with experience in lace increases and decreases; includes yarnovers, one, two and three stitch decreases and increases. Every effort to provide the user with an error free pattern has been made. The finished edge is done with a three stitch, crocheted bind off, however any form of bind off can be utilized. The project blocks with ease and should radiate perfectly in any yarn.

Facet And Filigree

2009-05-19T08:40:00.001-04:00

A Bridal Veil.. placed as a Topper over a pale peach tablecloth....or a light and airy summer Shawl? So many uses...I am so excited about this new design. Using size 4 needles and an 8/2 Cotton Linen from WEBS, this promises to be an heirloom. More to come....

Not An Ordinary Clipboard!

2009-01-21T05:36:00.003-05:00

A friend of ours made this for me yesterday and I just love it! It helps me read patterns line by line without getting lost and works perfectly! Works with charted patterns as well! He took an ordinary clipboard and some thin sheet metal, purchased from the hardware store. Then he cut the metal so that it covers the front and wraps around the edges of the board on both sides and the bottom. It is formed to the shape of the board. Next, he used reinforced duct tape to cover the edges of the metal on the back. Wha La!!! I had some thin magnetic, 8-1/2” x 11 sheets, found at an office supply store. I cut a strip about 4” to use, big enough to cover lines that follow the line I’m reading. Cut a second strip 1” for covering the previous lines. Since I like to make notes when knitting, I stuck a Post It note onto the magnet strip. Highly functional, simple, portable and cheap!!

The Egeblad Extension Pattern

2008-11-12T07:03:00.005-05:00

The fully extended Egeblad pattern and sample are done!

As I wet blocked, it became very clear that the details were excited by washing and it turned out beautifully.

I chose to maintain the delicacy of the pattern by increasing repeats rather than enlarging the leaf detail. Upon completition, a total of eighty scallops enhance and perfectly finish the fabric. The diameter, using size 4(US) needles and a 3/2 Mercerized cotton came out to 66". I'm sure with needle and yarn variances, it could easily reach 72-78".

Being very pleased with this adaptation, I've decided to work on a designed shawl pattern that is completely my own. Gaining confidence from extending Lace beauties, I hope it will become another addition to the many wonderful and detailed patterns available to knitters...

"Valentine Design" Pattern Completed

2008-10-12T10:55:00.006-04:00

LILAC HEARTS TABLECOVER

PEACH VALENTINE TABLECLOTH

The Valentine Design Pattern suitable for tablecovers, shawls and blankets is now available!!! You may purchase it from several locations as a PDF download for $8.00, including: PATTERNFISH RAVELRY ETSY or as I've stated before, if you post a comment to the blog, you'll be able to purchase for $7.00. I completed the full version on Friday in a tablecover called "Lilac Hearts". A dear lady in Texas has made the full version into a shawl for her friend's 35th wedding anniversary and it is a beautiful blue! Thanks, Carla! Hopefully, she'll share the photos and will also be working on a blanket, from the pattern for a new baby girl! She tells me that she loves the versatile adaptations within the pattern allowing her to produce items in different sizes. On my personal quest to revive and extend some of the classic Doily patterns, I've decided to do the Egeblad next. I'm not sure what the word, "Egeblad" means and am vaguely sure that it's Danish.....any help would be appreciated! Egeblad is a Danish Surname and although I can't find any history, I suspect that it might have been the name of the original designer. Christine Duchrow highlighted this pattern in one of her books. At any rate, this is a gorgeous lace beauty and will surely be knitted for many years to come. I hope that the extended version will open the doors for shawls, blankets and tablecovers. Well, until next time there's time to post...... Happy Knitting! Mary

Modified Extended Hemlock Ring Tablecloth

2008-09-04T10:55:00.015-04:00

Suitable for cotton, acrylic and blends

The Hemlock Ring pattern creates a beautiful knitted item of heirloom quality. The original pattern has stood the test of time and continues to be a very popular project for thousands of knitters. The Original pattern can be found in several locations on the web. A few months ago, I jumped into the huge barrel of knitters of the Hemlock Ring via a KAL on Knittinghelp.com, which expanded my research to include sites and groups including Ravelry, Brooklyn Tweed and Yahoo. All of these sources have helpful tips and all of the other Hemlock Ring knitters will gladly help you with questions and problems. My first Hemlock Ring was made from the original pattern using Jared Flood's charted extensions and some extensions I added on my own. I completely knitted and bound off #1 and quickly discovered that it could not be blocked using the cotton blend yarn I had chosen.....TLC Cotton Blend is a worsted weight but lighter than most. My final project took about 1400 yards or 8 skeins. I let it sit for a few days, trying to figure out how to finish my project before deciding that it would only be done if I frogged it completely and modified the pattern to adjust to the lack of stretch in cotton, acrylics and blends. I cast on Hemlock Ring #2, leaving out the 4 plain knit rounds.....it still had those "hips" between the increase and decrease sections of the stitch pattern. #2 was frogged and at this point almost became one of those projects that you just discard and chalk up to a total mistake. DING!!! Woke up one morning, shortly thereafter and realized that in order for the "hips" to even out, there would have to be more stitch pattern repeats at cast on. Still skeptical, I cast on Hemlock Ring #3. IT WORKED!!!! So now, I've completed #3 and am proud to post photos of my completed Hemlock Ring #3 . This particular version of the pattern is based on the original located here: http://www.angelfire.com/folk/celtwich/KnitHemlockRing.html And using Jared Flood's charted extended version located here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68971937@N00/1161874254/ Remember that the bind off round described in the original pattern is now moved to the bottom of my modified extended instructions. The guage and size of your project will depend on size of needles, weight of yarn/thread fiber and how many rounds you complete. This wonderful, circular lace beauty will be added to the "Doily Revival" and I hope will be passed down further to other generations of knitters. The instructions for my Modified Extended Hemlock Ring version for cottons, acrylics and blends are available for $8.00 and can be instantly downloaded from PATTERNFISH.COM Purchasing from the blog with comment, pattern is available for $7.00. Just post and I'll send you an invoice via Paypal through my personal account. Be sure to note your correct email address on the invoice. Once the invoice is paid and I receive the notice from Paypal, the pattern will be sent via the email address you've provided as an attachment. Just click on the paperclip in the righthand corner of the email. Mary

Valentine Design Tablecloth

2008-07-30T17:25:00.004-04:00

Just love this particular design! When I found the book, "First Book of Modern Lace Knitting", I spent hours pouring over the beautiful designs... Lots of large projects and very pretty but this one jumped out and said, "EXTEND ME" and as you know, I am the Extension Queen! An obsession of mine to see if I can do it and get the design to be my own to a certain point. The "Valentine" design is actually a nice, small doily pattern...wasted, I'm afraid. This makes a beautiful tablecloth with the extensions and what daughter or granddaughter wouldn't be proud to display it and brag on the loving, knitting-type mother or grandmother that gave it to them. So proudly, I present this gorgeous heirloom wannabe and hope you'll love it as I do and aspire to knit one for yourself or a loved one. This pattern is now available for download from patternfish.com for $8.00. Purchasing from the blog with comment, pattern is available for $7.00. Just post and I'll send you an invoice via Paypal through my personal account. Mary

Knit Doily Revival

2008-06-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

Don'tcha just love doilies? This one is called, "Egeblad" and this particular doily pattern is one I wrote and knitted with extensions. The original pattern is available free from Yarnover.net and the extensions are located on my Ravelry project page-http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mwhite/egeblad This is another one done in a Rose "flavored" 3/2 100% Mercerized Cotton from Valley Yarns Valley Cotton collection. What wonderful people work at Yarn.com/WEBS! The attention to detail and your order are carefully packed and shipped with lightning speed. My personal "Doily Revival" all started with me joining a KAL on Knittinghelp.com for the Hemlock Ring. I still haven't completed my Hemlock Ring because I wanted to make it large enough to be a tablecloth and the yarn I used was just not suitable to the original pattern or Jared's(Brooklyn Tweed website)modified version. I further extended Jared's extensions up to round 147. I knitted and completed the entire piece with TLC Cotton Plus and size 6(US) needles. After it was off the needles and ready to be blocked, I realized that it would never lay out entirely flat and with the cotton/acrylic blend, would always have those "hips". Now, anyone who's knitted the Hemlock Ring pattern knows EXACTLY what I mean by hips. So, I am currently testing a modified version of the extended extension (what a mouthful), using the TLC Cotton Plus and will be posting progress and the end results as it is completed. I feel sure that anyone that loves cottons, blends, acrylics and other unstretchable fibers will appreciate my perseverance and quest to make this pattern more user friendly and open more fiber choice doors.

My First Trip to the Zoo with Maddi and some Mother's Day Mush

2008-05-10T17:41:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful day it's been! My daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and I all took off today and went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We left around 9:30am and arrived just in time to wait in line with hundreds of other "Zoo Trippers". I observed hundreds of two, three, four and five year olds, parents and grandparents in tow, with strollers, coolers, sunglasses, all bright eyed with mouths open in awe. The Grizzly Bears were first! Maddi fed a huge Giraffe, who seemed to enjoy the ordeal as much as the kids. The Galapagos Turtle was tremendous and stood patiently as the kids stroked his shell. The coloring on the Toucans and Parrots was just amazing and each looked as if it had been handpainted. Howler Monkeys made good their name. The island Monkey display had several active swingers to the delight of the kids as they swung from limb to limb and rope to rope. The Elephants were huge and dusty, fanning themselves with their ears. Lions, Black Foot kittens and Lionesses were out in view. Maddi found "Nemo" in the aquarium and giggled with joy! She was totally amazed and entertained with all the water animals, including the Sea Lion that swam smoothly around his pool, coming up right where the kids stood, for air. I do believe he'd been enjoying the attention because his need for air just happened to be right at the viewing area. Christie and I thoroughly enjoyed watching as Maddi and Nick, hand in hand, traveled around, seeing the "Next One, Daddy". She was fearless, with Daddy's hand in hers, not afraid to get close to the giraffe and ever consumed by the fish. We ended the trip with a visit to the gift shop, where we purchased a giraffe necklace and brown monkey. All the way home, Maddi talked to both and held them close. One of my Mother's Day gift from these precious people in my life was a framed picture of Maddi, in her Sunday best, blue eyes and sweet little face. The other was a gorgeous card from Christie, telling me how glad she is to have me in her life. As they apologized for not having money to spend on more elaborate gifts, I reflected and told both that their mere presence was all I required to feel the joy of being a mother. And meant every word.......

Little Miss Muffet

2008-03-17T22:23:00.000-04:00

GORGEOUS!