Tara Miller Designs

Preparations

Getting ready for our photoshoot:

New Knitting Patterns

In a previous post I mentioned working with Stitch Jones Yarn to come up with some new knitting designs and the results are amazing. I am really pleased with how well my ideas turned into knitted pieces. It is still weird for me to go from a picture in my head, figure out which stitch patterns to use to duplicate it (not to mention converting each stitch count) and figuring out how to combine them all for a finished product. 

 Sharon sent me 2 balls of Dyepot Worsted in Bollywood and right away the colorway had thoughts bouncing all over my head. How can you not be inspired by Bollywood? Sharon mentioned that she had wanted to send me some solid color yarn but the variegated Bollywood was what was to hand. I can't imagine what design would have come from a solid colorway but I am so glad she sent the Bollywood. It was a challenge but the name itself lent some many great ideas. The body of the Bollywood Shawl represents all the ornate lattice work that can be seen in and around windows in India. It lends a dreamy, romantic view on any landscape. The border of the shawl is a feather stitch that pays homage to all the exotic birds from India, namely the Peacock (which is the national bird). 

The Speak Easy Hat came from the yarn as well but in a different way. With this solid colorway, Cinnamon Twist Kensington BFL Aran, I felt I could do a stitch that was busier than the Bollywood because the stitch did not have to compete with the colorway. I wanted a scalloping effect around the bottom of the hat and then some graceful, but simpler design toward the top with, of course, a beautiful decrease. I hate sloppy hat decreases, as though the decrease is an afterthought and not really part of the hat. What I ended up with was somewhat farther from my original vision than the Bollywood but not so far that I didn't recognize it. I love the result and thought of a 1920's cloche right away. If only my hair were properly bobbed to finish the look. 

In September

 Here's a sneak peek at my Sept Project. I am working on the chart right now. The yarn is a gorgeous color called Orchid. I can't wait to see it finish! more when I am done. 

Yesterday and today

My projects runeth over! On the table I have a memory quilt that is a LONG time in coming. A blank tank top that needs something. A awkward toddler life vest/ swim suit combo that takes 2 adults and 2 min to get onto said toddler- so that needs a zipper. My duvet needs to be made. There is my Sept Project, my October project, some socks for next week, a cowl I can't get out of my head. Alot more...

But yesterday and today I got to the tank, some of the quilt and definitely the zipper (before the pool closes).   

I was a little distracted by the little one in the above shot. She insisted on laughing at me while I took some self photography. Tonight I am putting in some more time with the LaLa Scarf that I am blogging this month. 

Yesterday, I put in some serious face time with my sock/October pattern on the front porch. Just me, my coffee, yarn, needles and, of course, some bug spray. 
And the dogs had to join me. 
We ended the day today with just a little outdoor vacuuming. The day is not done until the grass is dirt free!