Middleton Pullover

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I have finally launched this sweater. 😀 It has been a year in the making! After some issues with gauge and then the process of getting sleeves that looked good, it has been quite the process.

This sweater has a lace design on the bottom of the body, as well as the bottom of the sleeves. I wanted to give an airy feel to the sweater, while still leaving the warmth of the upper body in tact. It is knit from the bottom up and will give the opportunity to add extra length as you go, if you find you need it. I know, personally, I do like to lengthen all of my sweaters. The sleeves are knit by picking up stitches in the armhole and knitting down to the cuff. This made for an easier finish, since the sleeves did not need to be sewn in.

The sweater calls for sport weight yarn. I used Miss Babs Killington, in the Dahlia colorway. You will need between 1400 and 2100 yards for this sweater, depending on your size and gauge. You will need US 4 (3.5mm) needles for the bulk of the knitting, and US 3 (3.25mm) for the cuffs of the body and sleeves.

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Open Test Knits!

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I have two patterns that are accepting test knitters. First up is my Scarf of Many Colors. I have a group started on Ravelry, but you can also work with me via email. This scarf uses fingering weight yarn, in a variety of colors that are completely up to your choosing. I’m not picky. I personally used Miss Babs Advent 2018 kit in the Midcentury colorway. I used all 25 colors, but did repeat a couple. You’ll want to be able to make 29 triangles, if you want to match the sample. Of course, you can always adjust the size up or down, but I recommend an odd number of colors to get a squared end scarf.

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This scarf is a pretty easy knit. The main stitches are simple knit and purl stitches. The only complication to it, are the wraps. I have included detailed instructions on how to work the wraps, but you can also search for ‘knitting wraps’ or ‘purling wraps’ and you will get some great videos on how to do these. This is done to create short rows and make the triangle shape.

The deadline for the scarf completion is September 20, 2019. And for testing for me, you will get the finalized pattern for the scarf as well as a coupon code for a free pattern of your choosing (not including kits or ebooks) that is valid for one full year.

The second test knit that is open is for my Middleton Pullover. There is also a group on Ravelry for this, but just like the scarf, we can work together via email if you prefer. This sweater uses sport weight yarn. I chose Miss Babs Killington in the Dahlia colorway. One of the requirements for this test is letting me know how much yarn you used to complete your size. The sizes available are 30 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52)“ Bust. I have built in 2″ of ease, so the finished measurements will be 32 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)” Bust.

This pullover has lace at the bottom of the body as well as at the bottom of the sleeves. The construction is bottom up for the body. Then for the sleeves, the stitches are picked up and the sleeves are then knit down to the cuff.

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The deadline for the sweater completion is October 15, 2019, which means it should be finished in time for the cooler temperatures. For testing, you will get a copy of this finalized pattern, as well as a coupon code for one free pattern of your choosing (not including kits or ebooks) that will be valid for one full year.

If you are interested in testing either of these patterns, you can message me on Ravelry, or you can email me at tlcraftsanddesign at gmail dot com.

New Things

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Goodness I have been busy lately. Most of it has been things behind the scenes that isn’t visible. Over the past year I’ve had the debate raging in my head of where to go next with my designs. Do I open my own store? Do I go back to Etsy? Do I keep going as normal? Then Craftsy changed things up, and all my stuff was gone from there, and I was pretty annoyed at the idea of uploading everything again. That made the debate go even more. So, the decision was made to go ahead and set up a store on here.

Once my choice was made, it was all about dealing with the logistics. Tax numbers needed to be obtained (that was being taken care of by other places). Once I was legal all over, I could start the store for reals. I listed everything and was all set. But, now what? At this point, I am looking at making sure I have some sort of advertising campaign going.

Of course while I was doing all this, I needed to make sure that the designs didn’t fall through the cracks. No point in having my own store if I have nothing new to put into it. Right now, I have three projects in testing. That means August will be busy with launches. 😀 Here are some pics of what is coming down the pipe!

Socks:

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Hooded Cowl:

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Scarf:

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And a sweater (about to go to editing and also get a proper photo shoot):

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I also have a couple other things in progress. One is a scarf made with mini skeins:

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And a Game of Thrones inspired snowflake shawl:

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I can’t wait to get these all out to everyone. 😀 I think I need to do a brain storming session soon, though. I’m hoping to get these latest in progress items finished in the next 3 weeks to get them all out for editing. 😀 I will be sure to post in the patterns page when these each launch!