Sunset Beach progress

My collaboration with Sunshine DyeWorks is in full swing, so I thought I would post a few pictures of swatches and beyond for your inspection. I'll post more when I have them.

New Collaboration with Sunshine Dye Works.

I have a new collaboration going with Scarlett of Sunshine Dyeworks. She was looking for a designer to work with and I was available, so we decided to try it.

I perused her lovely offerings and thought sunset colors since she is on the west coast of Florida. The working name is Sunset Beach, but may change at some point. I used this as the spring board for my design idea in the Initiate Knit Design Workshop. This is the mood board that I created, with images and words that inspired me.      
I chose colors that spoke of twilight, the special peace of sunset and promise of magic that can occur at the hours between day and night.
I chose Indian Summer, Sriracha-cha and Dana, which a pictured below. Stay tuned for swatches and further progress.

Stella Eve and her Snoozle

I'm finally giving Stella Eve's Snoozle a proper pattern launch.  I'll be running a sale starting, 07/11 at 19:00 EST through 07/17 23:59 EST with a tidy discount of 20%!

There will, of course, be a better discount for newsletter subscribers. If you would like to sign up for that, you can find it here.

Stella Eve's Snoozle is a great blanket for any baby with chevrons, eyelets and ridges from beginning to end. A snoozle is another name for cuddle, caress, hug, snuggle or nuzzle. All the things you do with a baby and blanket, colors selected for whatever nursery it which it will be a part. It was designed for my grandniece, Stella Eve.

Self-striping yarns, such as the ones used in the original, make it easy because they're aren't as many ends to weave in.  If you decide to make one, don't forget to tag it on Instagram with #kraziknitzdesigns, #stellaevessnoozle or both. You can follow my posts about this blanket and the baby who it was made for by following me on Instagram here.

This is Stella Eve and her Snoozle!

Canova Beach Made Ravelry Hot Right Now Top 20 and how I arrived there...

Just a quick note to say thanks to anyone who favorited, liked, queued or otherwise supported Canova Beach on its release date of 06/29!

It made it to Ravelry's Hot Right Now Top 20 and stayed there for a few hours! A tremendous accomplishment according to my design instructor, Francoise Danoy of Aroha Knits.  I studied her approach to knitwear design through her signature on-line design course Swatch Studio a bit over a year ago.

I had forty plus knit/felted designs but knew I could do more than that tiny niche, but lacked the courage and drive to try. I had all but given up designing, when I spotted a post about a design workshop being hosted by Frenchie (her nickname) and I was intrigued. I had taken her 5 Shawls 5 Days Challenge previously, so I knew a bit about her.

The Initiate Knit Design workshop helps demystify knitwear design and provides an easy to follow framework that Frenchie herself uses. I took the workshop and had an idea, which became my first post-felting design Infinite Surf. I learned from the challenge that Frenchie has infinite patience and gives a lot of time and effort into her workshop. The free 10 day workshop took me from inspiration to fleshed out idea to the beginnings of a written pattern and design sample.

When the opportunity came to sign up for Swatch Studio, I jumped on it and was the first one to sign up for that round.  Of course, early bird prices and a coaching call with Frenchie were also inducements, because for the first time in ages I felt empowered that I could do this.

I can recommend this workshop for anyone who may have toyed with the idea of designing or just simply curious about the design process. I known other knitters who have taken the workshop as a way of improving their own understanding of knitting and knitting construction.

I have rediscovered my passion for design and have been working on new designs ever since. I have made many friends in this wonderful supportive community and am grateful for their friendship and support.

If you are interested in taking the design challenge, you may sign up for it at www.initiateknitdesign.com.  I've signed up again for my fifth or sixth round because each time I get fresh idea. It starts again on July 16, so I hope I see you there.

A bit of Canova Beach Test Knitter Appreciation

I had a smaller pool of testers for my Canova Beach Capelet, but they did some awesome work. Some had never test knitted before and some were quite experienced, but all of them did great work.

We had more than our share of set backs! Illness, surgery and the challenges of shipping yarn to Europe put us way behind schedule as far as testing went.  These ladies were real troopers though, and I wanted to share some of their work here.

If you think you would like to be a test knitter, please follow this link and join my test knitter list. People on my test knitter list are notified 24 hours before I put out a general call for test knitters, so that they can apply first if it interests them.

Maria used fantasy fiber for sparkle and white bamboo to create foam, as if on breaking waves.

Suki had never done cables before, but now she's a pro!

Krista is wearing hers higher on her shoulders, like a draping cowl.

Giuseppina from Italy did a wonderful job! I love the way the colors pooled.

Canova Beach release....

Canova Beach will be released this Friday, 06/29/18 with an introductory discount.  Those who purchase Canova Beach during this introductory period will also get a discount code to purchase from Arrowhead Fibers, who is my partner in this design collaboration. A win-win! Discounted pattern and yarn to knit it with!

For those who wish to get a more substantial discount, my newsletter subscribers will receive a generous discount delivered to their inboxes in the next few days. If this sounds like something you would be interested in you can sign up here!

Sea Oats Serenade Release

Sea Oats Serenade Cowl will be available on Ravelry starting 06/20/18.  It has an easy to remember slip stitch cable pattern that will be challenging for adventurous beginners, yet keep more experienced knitters interested as they watch the sea oats pattern emerge.

This cowl is the right size to use as a layering piece during the cool weather of spring or fall, as well as a barrier to the frigid air conditioning that you may find blowing on your neck in some buildings during the heat of summer. Your hands created this little piece of warmth and remind of your time at the beach.

Listen to the breeze sing its ancient song as it makes the sea oats, sway to its rhythm in its eternal dance. You can hear it if you try, especially when stillness surrounds you.

I am offering an exclusive discount to my newsletter subscribers which will arrive in their inbox before the pattern release. You can sign up for the newsletter here.  

If you are interested in becoming a test knitter for any future designs, you may sign up for my test knitting pool.  Members of my test knitting pool are notified 24 hours before general test knitting calls are submitted to other social sites for applicants. You may sign up for the test knitting pool here.