The best things come in threes - which in this case is even true with my patterns. Together with Knit Picks' shawl collection, a colleciton with patterns in mosaic knitting was realeased and ta-dah! I also contributed a pattern to Mosaic Medley: Slip-Stitch Colorwork Collection. My pattern is a poncho-style wrap knitted in one piece called Maze Ruana.

Inspired by the colorful ruanas created and worn in South America, this wrap makes an eye-catching outdoor piece. Its mesmerizing mosaic pattern reminiscent of a maze dazzles when worked in a gradient yarn.

The Maze Ruana is worked in one piece from the bottom of the back towards the shoulders, where it is split into two sections for the fronts, which are worked from the top down. For a good fit, the neckline is shaped slightly. Front bands and a shawl collar are added after finishing the main piece. The mosaic stitch patterns are written and charted.

The pattern is available from the  Knit Pick's website, here. Choose to download the individual pattern or treat yourself with the Mosaic Medley: A Slip-Stitch Colorwork Collection featuring 13 garment and accessory patterns in mosaic knitting technique.

So I told you the other day about the new Knit Picks' shawl collection and my Playfully shawlette, but there's even  more to tell, because I've even contributed a second pattern to said collection: Hashtag Shawl.

The shawl is started at one of the top corners and is worked on the bias as a sideways triangle with a centered bottom. It is worked with one color at the time; two rows in MC alternate with two rows in CC. The stitch patterns are written and charted.

The Hashtag shawl combines stripes in Garter Stitch with motifs and borders in mosaic knitting. The mosaic pattern is reminiscent of the hashtag symbol, which has become so popular in the last couple of years.

The pattern is included in the Vivid: A Knit Shawl Collection and it is also available for individual download from the  Knit Picks' website, here.

With a bit of delay, thanks to the stupid virus that messes with my everyday life and even with third party release dates, here's finally something new to share. Knit Picks latest collection of shawl patterns knitted in fingering weight yarn is now available from there website and I'm thrilled that I contributed to it!

The shawlette named 'Playfully' is knit sideways completely in Garter Stitch. At given intervals, triangle shaped insertions are worked from the bottom edge, creating the crescent shape, using German Short Rows. As the eye-catching finishing touch, tassels are added to all triangles in contrast colors.

Playfully is a versatile accessory, which can be worked with as many colors as desired depending on personal preferences. Use multiple bright colors for a more playful look or work the shawlette with neutrals for a more subdued, elegant look.

The pattern is available from the  Knit Pick's website, here. Choose to download the individual pattern or treat yourself with the Vivid: A Knit Shawl Collection featuring 14 patterns for shawls using fingering weight yarn.

... my wrist bone has stopped being nasty after the fracture and knitting has become a tad easier. I still only knit a short while each day, but since there are so many almost completed items in my knitting basket, there are finished projects  to show every now and then. Like this new pair of Irregular Socks.

And I'm so happy I finished them now - because I got to take this picture. Isn't it just adorable with all the forget-me-not in the background? The colour works so well with my pair of Jeans, swoon... Ah, how I wish this wonderful flower would bloom all summer long.

I knitted the socks in Dream in Color Smooshy and the pattern is Irregular Socks, available form my Ravelry shop, here.

The other day I had a nice chat with some fellow designers and it was quite interesting how differently we all tackle the pattern writing process. I am not talking about the idea for a design itself here, but about the way the idea turns into a project. To my surprise there were quite some who sketch and calculate a lot and have all their numbers ready before they even start to knit.  I am somewhat in awe how organized they are because, hm, I'm quite the opposite... My new designs almost always start with a swatch and often - because I knit quite a lot of accesssories - by starting the project itself and then I'm all game for a bit of 'trial-and-error'.  I rip back and re-knit until the items looks like I imagined it and usually I just scribble some notes on whatever piece of paper I find.

Yes, true, the latter gave me trouble every now and then, not only because I tend to omit which project the notes refer to but also because it took my dear husband a while to understand that under no circumstances he's allowed to throw away receipts, junk mail or tickets without checking them first... ;-) But we are on the same page now and meanwhile it's actually a source of constant amusement for him. 

The above, some notes scribbeled onto the back of a concert ticket, is basically the first draft for the Warm Feet, Warm Heart sock pattern I released in March for the Knitter's Pride / KnitPro charity craftalong and which is now available for free download in my Ravelry store, here.

... by a broken wrist bone. So here I am, happy that the darn cast came off, but unfortunately there are still many things which I am not allowed to do and/or that are very painful. Like knitting, for example... sigh, for me the worst case. I manage to knit a couple of rounds, but after a few minutes I have to stop again.

What does work quite well is sewing. So even though I don't  think that making masks or rather some kind of covering for mouth and nose mandatory in Germany is the right step to take at this time of the pandemic, at least I can sew masks in my style...

Happy colours, fun motifs, which is at least something and for me way better than the store-bought disposable masks. Not only do they look better, but better for the environment too. But as much as I like my masks - here's to hoping we are not forced to wear them for too long...

Well, I admit this whole lockdown thing is really getting at me. I do understand the reasons, but still, it seems that all that makes life enjoyable for me is forbidden these days. So why not add to the misery by fracturing a wrist bone... ? Really, this is so not what I needed. Of course, being right-handed I damaged my right wrist, so the cast I have to wear for at least three weeks makes all the things I've enjoyed doing lately all the more difficult... But I try.

Painted a few rocks (obviously my Easter collection) which will go on our daily work with us tomorrow and I'll leave them somewhere for others to find. Maybe I'll be lucky this time and the finder posts a picture. So far all my other Deistersteine (painted rocks from the Deister area) only disappeared... ah well, I just have to imagine they put a smile to somebody's face. :)

How's everyone doing? With scary message about the virus coming from all over the world, I hope you and all your loved ones are doing well during this difficult times. In my neck of the world life has come to an almost standstill with schools and most stores closed and all events, no matter whether sports, theater play or concerts, cancelled. But it can't be helped, the only way out is through this - and we are all in this together!

I've followed the advise of staying at home as much as possible right from the start and one postive aspect is that I knit way more than I usually have time for. Among other projects (which I can't share yet) I happily work on are my charity socks and here's a progress picture.

One down, one left to go. But I've started and I'm sure there'll be some more progress this weekend. Really happy how these turn out! I hope you, too, have something to keep you busy and that relaxes you in this stressful times! Stay safe, everyone!