KIS Designs

Sending out wishes for a very Happy New Year.   May your 2016 be filled with fun, friends, fiber---and let's not forget about caffeine! My gift to you:   Keep your coffee cozy-warm without losing your grip on your cup with this quick-to-knit project. 2016 is the year to Bust Some Stash! Grab some leftover yarn, your favorite caffeinated beverage and get started here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/java-jumper-2

Free Pattern! Designed for Cloudborn Fibers yarn, Thistledown Cap is a unisex slouch-style hat sized to fit children and adults.  Knit in Cloudborn's wonderful Fine Highland Wool yarn, this hat is no slouch--when it comes to keeping you warm, that is! Grab your FREE Pattern Here: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/thistledown-cap/173809?rceId=1447863539945~44azg5ez or Here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thistledown-cap Get your hands on this fabulous yarn Here: http://www.craftsy.com/supplies/cloudborn-highland-worsted-yarn/24547?rceId=1448119554135~wx63u644 Happy Knitting all!

Over the past couple of weeks I have been busily re-stocking my Etsy shop with shiny new earrings for the holiday season.   Visit  https://www.etsy.com/shop/kisdesigns  to see all the new goodies!  

https://www.youtube.com/embed/FkHLNYzkOSE I am so excited to share my Rimrock Shawl has been selected as finalist for the Craftsys 2015 Awards! Please join me in cheering on my fellow nominee's and tune in to  TheCraftys.com  to see the winners announced live via streaming video on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

At long last, "Thicket" is complete and ready for release.  Thicket features rugged texture which is set against a smooth stockinette background which plays into the starkly contrasting colors.  A beautiful, leafy border gives grace and movement to the shawl, making this a stand-out piece that you will want to knit (and wear) again and again! Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of "Thicket" here: 

I recently purchased a beautiful fiber braid from a Dicentra Designs at a trunk show our shop was hosting.  This lovely braid has been calling to me from my spinning basket for several weeks...I finally answered that call!   It took me three days to spin, ply and block this giant skein which is comprised of polwarth, merino and bamboo and the colors are amazing!   It is now calling to me once more.  This time, from my knitting basket.....I...must...answer!

The Road Ahead: It’s not always straight, and it’s not always smooth, but oh, what a ride! Winding, twisting texture and miles of garter stitch make up this simple asymmetrical shawl which is knit in one piece from side to side. The long and winding road That leads to your door Will never disappear I've seen that road before It always leads me here Lead me to you door -The Beatles Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of The Road Ahead here: 

Sometimes my brain travels at warp-speed and my typing fingers have trouble keeping up.  Because of this, um, er... condition , I slip-up and miss a step. Example: Errata for Nerida:  Step 14 should read: P4,*yo, sl 1 st, p2, pass the slipped st over the 2 p sts; rep from * to 1 st before m, (p1, sm) twice , p2; rep from * to the last 3 sts, p3. (131 sts) And...you may stumble upon:  Step 25: K2, yo, k7,  k2tog, yo, k5; rep from  to 10 sts before m, k10, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo,  k7 ; rep from * to the last  5 sts, k3 , you, k2. Step 35: K2, yo,  k3 ,  k2tog, yo, k3, yo, skp; rep from  to 3 sts before m, k3, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k3; rep from * to last 5 sts, k3, yo, k2. Step 43: K2, yo, k7,  k2tog, yo, k3, yo, skp; rep from  to 7 sts before m, k7, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k7; rep from * to the last  9 sts, k7 , yo, k2. A quick note about this pattern:  Nerida was designed in workshop forma...

Testing is complete and "In a Twist" is ready for release! Simple, top-down construction and lightweight cotton/linen blend yarn give this tunic amazing drape while keeping you cool--making this the ideal, late-summer project. Loose construction and strategically placed spiral details draw the eye away from “trouble areas”. Ready to Cast On?  Grab your PDF here: 

At long last, Nerida comes to light!   "Nerida" (Greek for mermaid) is a richly textured triangle shawl knit in a beautiful new hand-dyed yarn by Alexandra's Crafts.   Variegated color-shifts and complex texture combine to create this lovely top-down shawl which features a subtle,beaded edge that not only gives weight to the body, but brings the pattern to life! This pattern is worked in one piece from the top-down and was developed for use in classes/workshops. Step-by-step instructions are provided with charts for backup. Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of Nerida here:   

I am proud to announce that my "Infinitely" shawl pattern is now offered in kit-form available from Infinite Twist yarns. Infinite Twist is a Shanghai-based yarn company run by the very talented Cate Carter-Evans.  They produce socially responsible hand-spun yarns made by rural and migrant women as well as hand-dyed mill-spun yarns. For more information on this wonderful company, or to order your Infinitely kit, please visit  http://infinitetwist.com/shop/infinitely-by-kis-designs

It took a broken spinning wheel to re-light my spinners fire, but once lit---I can't seem to quit! I have been enjoying spinning a variety of fibers, from gorgeous hand-dyed fibers from Malabrigo, drool-worthy locally crafted fibers from very talented Oregon dyers, to newspaper scraps.  I have also tried my hand at crafting my own drop spindles and am ever on the lookout for interesting materials for spinning and spinning tools--in a word: "Obsessed"   I am.   I own it.   It's me. ...and I'm OK with that! Happy Knitting AND Spinning all!

Testing is complete, and "In The Shadows" is ready for release! Subtle lacework plays in the shadows of a landscape made up primarily of garter stitch.   Beautiful, hand-dyed yarn by indie dyer, Lilliput Yarns, give this finished piece depth and texture while at the same time, offering it softness and drape.  This yarn was a joy to work with--so soft and full of life! Knit in one piece from side to side, this asymmetrical shawl is a must-have for any season or occasion.  Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of the pattern here:   

New Pattern Just Released! Lutein is an asymmetrical shawl/scarf which is knit in Madelinetosh's Dandelion yarn which is an interesting merino/linen blend yarn.   Light and airy with amazing drape and texture, Lutein is a very versatile piece which can be worn many different ways. Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of the pattern here:  

I just completed a batch of shawl pins for my LYS featuring copper, beads and various charms.  Among  my favorites  are the ones which feature pendants that were hand-crafted by Candace Wilson of One of a Kind Buttons .    Candace's  passion for color and texture is evident in every single piece she creates.  She offers a huge  variety of shapes, sizes and colors guaranteed to enchant and delight!  Made from terracotta or white clay, Candace creates each button from molds forged from her own drawings and fires them twice with 1-3 coats of glaze on them.    No two buttons/pendants are truly alike. Check out Candace's website here:  http://www.oneofakindbuttons.com/ and start your collection of favorite buttons/charms today!

New Shawl Pattern Hot Off The Needles! Simple shaping and a touch of texture give grace and movement to this simple crescent-shaped shawl which was made to showcase the beautiful hand-dyed yarns of Infinite Twist. I was given the opportunity to work with Cate Carter-Evans, the color wizard behind Infinite Twist yarns for this shawl and I must say that I am hooked on "Helix"!  Helix is loaded with delicious color and soft, springy texture.  Get your hands on this good-stuff here:   www.infinitetwist.com Ready to Cast On your own "Infinitely" shawl?  Grab the pattern here: 

Moonstone Poncho is now available for download. Lightweight yet warm, this simple and seamless poncho works up in a snap! This is a "Knit-To-Fit" item which is worked in one piece, from the top-down, and was designed to compliment a variety of shapes & sizes. Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of Moonstone here:  

We Are Shining Fingerless Gloves will keep your hands warm while keeping your fingers free for texting, typing, driving... Ready to Cast On?  Grab your PDF download here: 

New Pattern! Funnel-shaped cowl designed to keep your neck warm while staying put beneath your jacket/sweater.  This is a quick and seamless knit which pairs nicely with the We Are Shining hat. Ready to Cast On?  Grab your copy of the pattern here: 

New Hat Pattern features beautiful, hand dyed yarn which glows with every stitch! Ready to Cast On your "We Are Shining" hat?  Grab the pattern here:   "Spectrum" Florence + The Machine When we first came here We were cold and we were clear With no colors in our skin We were light and paper thin And when we first came here we were cold and we were clear With no colors in our skin 'Til we let the spectrum in Say my name And every color illuminates We are shining And we will never be afraid again Say my name As every color illuminates We are shining And we will never be afraid again Say my name As every color illuminates We are shining And we will never be afraid again And when we come for you We'll be dressed up all in blue With the ocean in our arms Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms And when it's time to pray We'll be dressed up all in grey With metal on our tongues And silver in our lungs Say my name ...

You may remember that I deemed 2014 the year to "Finnish em, or Fugget about em'" in reference to my UFO heap (totaling a whopping 14 unfinished knitting projects)  Which did not include the endless blanket project--which I didn't intend to finish for at least 5 years! Here is an account of my progress:  I finished items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 (Hurrah!) and I promise to finish at least 2 others.  The rest, I'm afraid are destined to become yarn--and may possibly find new life in the 5-year blanket. As I slowly picked away at my UFO's, I was also creating several new items.  Below is a photo account of my "Year in Stitches": KIS Designs offered 23 new patterns in 2014 (five of which were in that UFO pile). Not a bad year!   I didn't do it alone.  I have amazing friends who keep me in stitches and I am so grateful to my super-hero test-knitters:  Barb, Debbie, Becky, Rebecca, Darrel, Lisa, Louise, Margie, Michelle, Dennette, Beth, ...