Merengue Knot Bag & Skein Shop Independent Designer Program

I am proud to announce the release of Merengue Knot Bag, in conjunction with the Skein Shop Independent Designer Program.  I was fortunate enough to become acquainted with Alexandra Parks (aka Sasha) of Skein Shop and Dashing Mouse Designs, while buying some yarn for another design that I am currently in development.
She expressed an interest in my designs after looking at my designer page.  She asked if I would be interested in participating in their Independent Designer Program.  After receiving the details, I told her that I would love to collaborate on a design. This pattern is the result of that collaboration, with Skein Shop providing yarn support, tech editing and a lot of promotion.  I provided the inspiration, design and prototypes.  Sasha is a designer herself, but prefers to spend her time dyeing her line of yarns. You can find more information about the Independent Designer Program on the Skein Shop blog.
The Merengue Knot Bag inspiration came from the extravagantly ruffled costumes of some Latin dances. I love the sculptural qualities of felted ruffles.  I wanted to pair those ruffles with a simple knot bag.  The pattern has a nice photo-tutorial to help with construction of the ruffles.
So, without further ado, please take a look at the pictures below and start thinking of what colors you want to use for your own Merengue.
I am also offering an introductory promotional discount of 25% until 12/15/2016 midnight.  Take advantage of this and make yourself a tropical delight to chase away the winter cold (at least for a little while).  My shop is Paula King's Ravelry shop...KraziKnitz by Paula,

Knotions, December 2016..has one of my patterns....ChaCha going live....WOOT!!!!

I just want to let everyone who reads this to go check out the new issue of Knotions.  You can find the patterns that will be in the issue going live December 3, at Knotions, December 2016.  There are 16 patterns and one of them is my ChaCha Backpack in two sizes.  There are additional pictures of the backpack appearing in the issue.  Those pictures and probably more will also be on my pattern page shortly, so that you can see both sizes and all the cute details.  My friend Teri's daugher Carla & niece Nicole modeled for me, since I have no young ladies in my immediate family who could fulfill that need.  The ladies were a blessing and were real troopers.

I am so excited about this, because it was my first ever submission to a magazine and it was selected.  I worked really hard on it and had no idea the amount of work that goes into a magazine submission.  Jody (the editor of Knotions) has been phenomenally helpful and patient with this newbie to the publishing world.  I will probably submit more ideas time goes on, but for right now I'm going to concentrate on some of the patterns that have taken a back seat to this project.  Keep your eyes peeled here for another new design soon..

I am partnering with someone to bring another design to life.  It should be a really fun knit.  That's all I'll say for now, because I'm still in the middle of the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long KAL. I am having a blast, and I will post more projects and hopefully more designer profiles before it's over.

Knit on!

Close up of ruffles on child size

Butterfly buttons add a touch of whimsy

Carla is modeling the child size

Nicole is modeling the teen/adult size

My friend's daughter Carla & niece Nicole  made lovely models

Cute flip flop buttons make this fun!

Close up of ruffles