As a designer, what I find hard is writing the instructions. SURE I can make anything you want... but I may do it in a way that would be utterly confusing to try to write out. You all would sure hate me when my pattern read - 'just knit til it looks right'. haha! 

I know that a lot of designers have 'stock' patterns that they design off of. Such as all their cardigans are constructed the same and they just design new stitch patterns on it. I've seen it a lot. And they sell well! Completely cool with all that... but I design each garment from the ground up. Now I'm not saying in 10 years I won't be designing off of a previous construction. But for now all garments are uniquely their own. Which happens to take a HECK of a lot longer to do. It's kinda like re-inventing the wheel each and every time! So maybe I'm just not smart? Distinct possibility! ;)

So back to the writing of patterns... it's hard people! Just look at that mess in the photos! Much writing/rewriting/rewriting. I started using different colored pens! And then there are so many variables of how you all like to read patterns. I am a written out type girl - but lots of you like to work from charts. I might too... but honestly have never tried! I should probably do that. Maybe I would be a convert? It sure would make writing the patterns A LOT easier in some instances. So, to chart or not to chart? Or do both? If you have never written a pattern before you should know that it is time intensive! Especially if you have multiple sizes! *GASP* MATH! Not even close to my strong suit! 

And then of course as soon as you get all of the hours done to put the pattern together, someone finds something wrong with it. (hopefully only one something!) And then you feel like an idiot for missing it. And they typically think you are an idiot for making a mistake! I have to tell you one of my greatest joys in this business is reading a well written, POLITE email from someone who found a mistake. THANK YOU!!!! I'm human. It happens. So all you lovely knitters and crocheters out there, just remember - we love what we do as designers and we try really, really hard to do it well. But mistakes happen. Be nice! :) 

I have to admit that I always have a little lump in my throat when I publish a pattern. There's always that little thought in the back of your head saying 'is there something wrong with it?' and of course the rational side says 'we checked it a gazillion times chill out woman!' But it's all so worth it when people like your designs. To see hearts go up for it! To get purchases! What a thrill! I truly LOVE what I do. I feel like the luckiest person in the whole world to get to live my life. It's not fancy, but it's fun and I love it. 

Dandelions are growing... and not just in my yard! But this is a GOOD dandelion. As in the lovely little yarn from Madelinetosh. YUMMY! 

A sweet little fingering weight yarn, Dandelion mixes soft merino with 10% fine linen to make a super spring/summer yarn. Working with it for the first time, I am loving the light and airy quality to the yarn. Definitely feels like something I would like to wear when it is warm and spring-y outside! The drape is already really nice and nothing has been blocked yet! I'm super excited to see how it goes with the blocking process and how the final garment fits/drapes. It's always an experiment to me! 

I have a vision for the straps/top portion. Buuuuut have never done anything like it before. So I'm flying blind here people. Which is why I'm not telling you what it is. Let's just wait and see if I can make it work first! :) 

So here's the Dandelion label for you all to check out:

Like I said... I love it. As far as reviewing it goes... many thumbs up! But I am reserving final thoughts until after it is blocked! Which I am betting will just make it better and better!

While on my road trip, I had the chance to stop into a little yarn shop in Abilene, TX called Yarnies. SO CUTE!!! The shop is great... but I am a little miffed... since I used to live there and there was NO local yarn shop THEN! Boo! :( But it's super great that she's opened up shop for all the wonderful knitters/crocheters in the area. 

As I walked in, the owner, Linda Nygaard, was at a table in the back teaching knitting to two lovely ladies. She was very sweet and from what I heard - a great instructor. I got to visit with her for a bit and she is as sweet and welcoming as her shop. Linda also let me know about all the special events that she has for her customers. Including trips to the wineries - to taste, knit and chat! - reopening late in the evening for wine and knitting - and opportunities at any time to come and join in the instruction around the table! I'm sure there was much more that I am forgetting! She is building a really nice yarn community there in Abilene! I wish I stilled lived there so I could join in! :)

Linda has a great selection of yarns and it's a fun store to browse through. Open, airy and light. You should stop by if you are in town or even close to the area! And if you live there?? YOU should definitely go join in the activities! 

Of course I couldn't resist buying some yarn while there. That I totally didn't need. But yarn calls to me and I especially like supporting the LYS while I am there. I bought a skein of Blue Heron Yarns Bamboo Lace. I haven't worked with any Blue Heron Yarns... so thought this would be a fun one to play with. I couldn't resist it's soft bamboo-ness. Yep... that's a word! haha.

I also LOVED the colorway - it's so subtle. I typically don't work with laceweight yarns because it takes FOREVER for make anything. I know... I'm horrible...but I like the instant gratification of larger yarns! But this one was special and so I made an exception. I am envisioning something drapey and light for summer. Tank? Probably. 

I have no idea when I'll get to this little beauty... but wanted to show it off while telling you about Yarnies. So you'll be seeing it again SOMETIME in the future...

Interested in stopping by Yarnies?? Here's all the info that you need:

Website: www.yarniestexas.com
Address: 2506 S. 7th Street Abilene, Texas 79602
Phone: 325-455-5463
Owners: Linda and Rick Nygaard

If you stop by, let Linda know I sent you! 

Do you have a LYS that you just love? Share in the comments section - Anaid readers live everywhere and maybe we'll learn of a new fabulous place! Let us know where you shop, knit, and chat! :)

And I'm back! Wow... crazy time to have left my computer for the last few days! I am BLOWN AWAY by the outpouring of love for the Vintage Swoncho pattern. THANK YOU! I cannot even explain how much that means to a designer. And I am just thrilled at all the new subscribers that have joined us here at Anaid Designs! Wow. So not only was my vacation spectacular... my whole week was made even better by you guys! :) 


I believe that I have caught up with my new subscribers and sent a freebie code to each of you. However, if I somehow missed you... message me and I'll get that to you immediately! 


Did I mention that the vacation was great??? Oh I did?? OK... Luckily I am not your great aunt and won't bore you into a coma with photos! ;) But it was just what I needed - and my whole little family too - we are all rejuvenated and ready to be back to 'real life'.  


I feel like I always have approximately a thousand design ideas in my head. Seriously. How can I knit faster??? But now that I have been away from it all... I am seriously overwhelmed by all that I want to do. Husband and I spent hours on the road trip talking about all things Anaid and what I would like to do/ could do to move my little company forward. SO MANY great ideas! Husband is amazing at thinking waaaaaay out of the box. Usually into the realm of me saying 'there's no way!' But every once in awhile he makes me think big too and then I get all giddy! 


I'm not sure which of these ideas will come to life in the months and years to come. But I am super excited and trust me... Anaid Designs is going places. Big places. And maybe it'll be scary and maybe it'll be shocking, but I know that it will be amazing! Watch out! 


I'm so thrilled that you guys are all here at the very beginning and one day (hopefully not too long into the future) you'll be able to say 'I was there when she was just starting!'. That's my hope and dream! 


So yes, I am back from vacation. But more importantly I am BACK at Anaid and ready to move forward! What fun we will have! 

Look at that close up! Yes...I did get a macro lens. And yes I am playing with it! It's SO fun. I really can't stop taking extreme close ups of everything! Here's a couple more... Because I can't stop....

Done, done and DONE! Here it is... the Vintage Swoncho! I love that name... let's try to make it trend! ;) 

I had so much fun making this one. And I think most of that is due to the fab Madelinetosh yarn! I just love the Tosh Vintage. And at a worsted weight... the design came together really pretty quickly.  It's so comfortable and FUN to wear. I find myself dancing around and swaying just to make it move and sway too! See... you'll get extra exercise while wearing it! ;)

As much as I love it, I do want to let you know that you can easily seam the sides all the way down and make a traditional sweater out of it. It will look just as gorgeous! Even if it is just a sweater and not a SWONCHO! :) Here's some more photos for you.....

As promised, photos of the swoncho with both short sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves. I really can't decide which I like better. I am now undecided on whether I will remove the sleeves or not. And at this moment (since it turned a little chilly again here) am thinking that I will leave them for now and remove them as the weather continues to warm! Win! 

I hope you think the new swoncho is as fun and beautiful as I do! The pattern is now available at all of my shops so you can find it:

Right here at anaiddesigns.com

On Ravelry

On Etsy

Let's start a swoncho revolution! All Hail the Swoncho! 

EVERYONE!!!! 

As you all know, I am just in the infancy of my little blog here. And would LOVE to have tons of lovely followers some day. But of course, I have to build up to that. And that is why I am SO grateful to the three lovely ladies that commented on the contest entry. I appreciate their input on the name for my new design and on their knowledge of stitches! :) THANK YOU! 

The winning name of my new design? SWONCHO! Combining Sweater and Poncho. Super great! Let's make this word a trend! Use it everywhere... make people wonder! ;) 

And I am happy to announce that YES, everyone is indeed a WINNER! I will be sending all three of the ladies the new "Vintage Swoncho" pattern. Yippee!!

Thank you again - I hope that we can continue to grow and build our little community here. Tell everyone you know to come and join us! AND... I am still giving away a free pattern to each new subscriber! 

It's coming along! I have pieced the front and back together. And done one sleeve. HOWEVER, after piecing and trying it on... I really love it 'short sleeved' too! So I thought I would take some photos 'sans sleeves' and put the option on the pattern. To sleeve or not to sleeve. That is the question! 

I now have one sleeve on (and love it that way too, fyi). I am doing ribbed 3/4 length sleeves. I wanted the entire piece to stay 'light'. So even though it is warm enough to wear any time.... it doesn't have a bulky winter feel to it. I like that for this piece. 

I am working on the second sleeve. But the funny thing is... I'm going to finish it, photo it, and then rip those sleeves right back off! haha! Waste of effort? Yes. BUT it's starting to be Spring here, and I love it short sleeved for this time of year. So, yeah, gonna do it. And wear it. And love it! 

OH and you are wondering about the poncho part right??? Looks like a normal top in the first photo doesn't it? Here's a second little sneak peak for you......

You don't actually get to SEE the poncho/sweater/thing. Because it's still in pieces at the moment. BUT I am going to give you a sneak peak....

I'm calling this cable pattern Chained Circles. Or maybe Circles in Chains? Too 'Fifty Shades'? ha! I think Chained Circles may be better... 

I came up with this out of my brain. However, I CANNOT believe that no one else has done this fun little cable before. So I looked, and looked, and looked online and I cannot find it anywhere. Did I really invent something new?? Naw... doubtful. More likely I just can't find it. SOOOO... 

Homework assignment #1 -- Does anyone know of this cable being used somewhere else? If so, I'd love to call it the right thing! ;) 

OK... now on to the next perplexing dilemma. What to call a poncho with sleeves? It's almost a REALLY drop shouldered sweater. But more poncho-y. My concern is calling it a poncho. This thing is hip, modern and OH SO fun! And unfortunately people have pre-conceived notions of a 'poncho'. Eeeek. Not good. So I'm kinda leaning toward calling it a sweater instead. But I really feel like we need a new word for this awesomeness. Well... you'll see. So that brings us to...

Homework assignment #2 -- Anyone have any ideas of what to call a 1/2 poncho 1/2 sweater?? That sounds cool, amazing and totally something everyone would want? :)

Whoever gives me the best answer (in my opinion) for each of the assignments will win a free pattern! Whoohooo! Unfortunately I have limited time for this as the pattern will be ready soon. So put your suggestions in the comments below by Friday, March 13th! 

Let's finish with a couple more shots of the blocked and drying pieces of the... sweatero? ponter? dang... I've got nothing! HELP!

I have strayed again. Gone right off the tracks and headed in a whole new direction. Which, lets face it, is sometimes the absolute best thing. Especially for an artist. When an idea hits you... sometimes now is better than later. 

My new design was like that. I had a thought. And then realized that a yarn that I had stashed was PERFECT for it. And then I got that itch. The one where you can't keep your hands from reaching for that new skein of yarn. Even though you have six unfinished projects staring you in the face. Yep, that itch.

So I have been knitting like a possessed woman. I can't put the needles down - I so want to bring this design into the world. And possibly wear it before it gets too hot here! We are already in the 60's this week. 

Enough build up! Let me introduce the yarn to you. Which really needs no introduction probably.... Madelinetosh! OH OH Madtosh. How we love you! And I had the pleasure of working with Tosh Vintage for this project. I LOVE IT. Truly. Of course I have yet to run into a Madelinetosh yarn that I don't adore. Annnnddd I think everyone else in the knitting world is right there with me on that one! Let's just say if you haven't tried one of the Madelinetosh yarns yet... you MUST do so. Immediately. Stop reading this and go get you some. Any kind will do. They are all fab! 

Back to Tosh Vintage. It's so fun. Here are some photos. My yarn is in color Chicory. I was expecting a darker color based on the photos online... but it's actually a really cool mix of denim-y colors. Very awesome.

I know! SO many photos - it's really hard to get the color to show accurately! Boo. But between the three of them - I think you can get the idea! 

Tosh Vintage is a worsted weight yarn. I'm working it up on US Size 8 needles and it is beautiful. Here is a swatch for you:

And actually that swatch shows the color really accurately! I should've just shown you that one! Isn't it great... I think that it will look so amazing with any color of jeans. I'm excited! 

Here's the label for you to see all the particulars: 

And of course, this is Madelinetosh we are talking about so the color choices are beyond yummy. They currently have a whopping 115 color choices for their Tosh Vintage... so I can't really show them ALL to you here. But you can check them all out on their website at www.madelinetosh.com

As always... stay tuned for the project. To come SOON. I have the body of the work done now. And just have the sleeves to do. Uh oh... sleeves. BUT I am bound and determined to finish this quickly. NO getting sidetracked from the sidetrack project! HA!