First came the shawl version here:

This used 1 skein of Ensemble Light (400 yards) and I probably had about 50 or more yards left over….

Then came this version which I turned into a poncho:

But this version used slightly more than 1 skein.  So I modified it so it would be simpler to knit, with a knitted cast on that created a slight v neck front here:

And success–made this with exactly 1 skein.  Which can be made longer by adding more repeats of the edging at the bottom, but the circumference at the bottom is about 90″ or so, which is plenty wide for nearly everyone.

Now I am perfecting the shawl version, which is available as a small single stranded (see the purple version up top), and as a large double-stranded as shown here:

Designing is never easy but lots of fun for me.  If you want to join me on these knitalongs, sign up here:

May Day Shawl Knitalong

May Day Poncho Knitalong

Here’s what you do:
1. Create a project page by hitting “Cast On” at the project’s Ravelry page. For guidance or to simply talk about your project, see Schreier’sKnit-along group.
2. Post a photo of your completed shawl. This shawl can be knitted IN ANY YARN.
3. On June 15, 2012, winners will be randomly selected from those who posted photos of their shawls.

The Sun Catcher is made with 1 skein of Ensemble Light, a side-by-side blend of 50 silk and 50 cashmere in a dk weight yarn, that is 400 yards.  I prefer side-by-side silk/cashmere blends, because the 2 yarns are not forcibly twisted together, and there is less pilling, and the resulting stitches are so delicate and lovely.  I used stonewashed color 924, but all of them would be gorgeous in this design.  Here’s a color card for these new stonewashed colors.

I am bringing this pattern to you in parts as a free Ravelry knitalong. I just ask that you use Artyarns yarn for this.  If you choose Ensemble Light, you will get the same results that I did–heavenly.  I will wear this shawl everywhere this spring/summer.  It reminds me of the lace patterns on those beautiful clothes at the turn of the 20th century (thinking Downton Abbey).

It is knitted from the top down, and the lace appears every row (not just on right side rows).  However, it is such an easy pattern and so repetitive, that you’ll quickly learn it.  The eyelets appearing on both right and wrong side rows gives it an airiness you do not normally find in lace cardigans.

I enjoy wearing it in all seasons, particularly because the yarn I used, Ensemble Light, is the most heavenly combination of Silk and Cashmere (50/50), and each skein has 400 yards.  So the Tangerine Orange version took 1 skein of Ensemble Light, and 1 skein of Beaded Silk and Sequins Light (shown in color 299 Silver).

The silver version, took 2 skeins of Ensemble Glitter Light in color 914 Silver.  As you can see, the design is  more casual in this version, and because I had extra yarn, I extended the sleeves to make them long sleeves. 

1. the booths would be so beautiful and sophisticated

2. the appetite for luxury yarns would be so large among the attendees

3. the people were so incredibly nice

I recommend this event to everyone who is interested in a relaxing and exciting fiber extravaganza, with some of the nicest people in the world.  Barb Grossman and Steven B were a joy to be with, and the students in my classes were so much fun–they soaked in the information I taught them about creating continuous knitted modules with short rows, and the skill level was generally high, so we were able to cover lots of material in a relaxed environment.  By my fourth and last class, I had students wearing my knitted pieces during class, so that they could feel for themselves how silk and cashmere knitted scarves are so incredibly wearable.  We took a group picture which is posted below.  As well as some other photos from my booth which was adjacent to Knitter’s Mercantile–a wonderful resource for Ohio knitters–and other booths that brought Artyarns yarn to the festival.  And thank you to my sales rep Joanne Cole, for taking such good care of me, and to Art Cole for taking many of the photos.

Since Artyarns only wholesales, I wasn’t selling at my booth, just there for book signing between classes.  Here is a display of the lovely garments from my newest book One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs.

I’m wearing the Ribbed Mobius from One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs book, Jan (center) is wearing the Undulating Leaves Shawl in Ensemble Light, and Andrea (right) is adjusting it.

At the Yarns by Design booth, I’m wearing the Every Which Way Shawl, in the Firestorm colorway, my favorite go-to accessory.

The Knitter’s Mercantile booth was right next to mine, and was just gorgeous.  Here’s a photo of it, and you can see the Shawl for All Seasons in the Minerals colorway (grey) on display.  Next to it the Diamond Lace Shawl in Pink and Navy, from the book One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs.

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At the Bloomin’ Yarns booth, wearing my Red Crescent Shawl (a larger version of E207 Golden Shawl).  She’s wearing a gorgeous shawl in Rhapsody color 165.

With Liz (left) and Susan (right) of Fine Points.  Liz is wearing the Every Which Way Shawl she made in Forest Green (she wears this all the time), and holding the Beaded Tank that they made as a store sample using Beaded Silk Light in color H19 gold.

With the lovely Cynthia at the Stitch Your Art Out booth.

My Crowned Glory Scarf class (on the last day), including each and every student, posed for a group shot with me, wearing knitted pieces I had brought to show them.  We had such a great time together.

If you are planning to be in this area next year, DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. Now I understand why over 2000 attendees congregate here each year.  Thank you Barb Grossman.

You looked lovely at the fashion show wearing the Beaded Silk necklace you had made by twisting leftover yarns.  Thank you for making this weekend so much fun for me!