Viola

    Last year the Knitting Boutique launched its own line of yarns.  It's produced just over the state line at a small woman owned farm, dyed using organic dyes and named after rivers in Maryland.  Sales associates were asked to design patterns showcasing the line.

     Designing the pattern wasn't that hard. I had it almost completed and realized that I hadn't added enough stitches at the sides to make it wide enough.  Ripppppp

 

      Writing it however, was a whole 'nother story.  Trying to say what you want stitchers to actually do clearly and concisely is difficult.  Since I'd run out of yarn (there's a theme here!) I had to wait until the additional yarn from a Raveler's stash arrived. I had some reclaimed yarn in my stash and used that for the second prototype.
This is approximately 1,000 yards worsted weight yarn.  It's huge.  And warm.

         I thought I had a picture of the finished purple one, but I don't.  I do have a pic of the final sample for the shop. It's made in Patapsco in the natural color.  The yarn is kettle-dyed and the colored yarns did not work up well crocheted.  It shows up splotchy.  Not the look I was going after.  Crocheters have to be careful using not only kettle-dyed yarns but those that are self-striping as well. Something else to consider  when designing.  The sample for the shop is made using Potomac, 100% merino, in the fingering weight.  It's got a great hand and was a pleasure to use.  I'm not quite sure how the pattern is going to be made available. so far it's only available if you take the class.  It looks almost like the one above, but it's much smaller.  It used approximately 1,200 yards.

    All in all, I'm quite pleased with it.  I have loads of ideas percolating for the next several projects.  I really do need two hands!

That's it from this side of the screen!

TTYL,

Melodye