Get Geometric! Another KAL brought to you by Tanya & Lisa

Happy new year!  What better way to start of the new year than knitting seasonally inappropriate accessories!  Woo!  Well, inappropriate for us Aussies anyway.  But at least you'll be prepared to be stylish for that first cold snap. 

Lisa and I are psyched to bring you our first KAL/CAL of 2015 - Get Geometric!

I've designed a cowl and Lisa some complimentary mitts, both in a geometric style.  We'd love for you to join us from the 19th of this month to knit or crochet along with your favourite design (or both!).  We've got some great prizes, but best of all you'll have an awesome unique piece at the end of the event! 

Stacked Triangles Double Knit Cowl

This is a cowl knit in the round using the double-knitting technique which sounds fancier than it actually is.  The result is a reversible fabric that is double the thickness of stockinette for extra warmth. 

The sample uses 3 colours, but you could use two or as many as you like.  

Pattern available on Ravelry now - click here! 

Chevron Fingerless Mitts

Lisa has designed these gorgeous fingerless mitts in two colours, using so-hot-right-now chevrons.  They are worked flat and seamed, great for beginners.

The pattern is available on Ravelry here!

Prizes!

Of course there are prizes!  Two winners will be chosen - one person completing a cowl and one person completing a pair of mitts.

The winner in the cowl category will receive yarn to re-recreate the pictured cowl, and an array of geometric themed goodies, as pictured below.

The winner of the mitt category will win yarn to make your own set of mitts, and an array of geometric items too! 

You're in?  Fantastic!

Head on over to our Ravelry forum to sign up.  

Share your progress with the tag #getgeometric on instagram!  Both Lisa (teaandcraft) and I (omlair) are avid instagrammers, come and join us! 

~Tan

The Giant Pineapple Cosy KAL

Guess what everybody?  Lisa and I are hosing another KAL/CAL!! 

This time we've (well, Lisa) found a super funky retro knitting pattern for a pineapple tea cosy.   Not a knitter?  No worries, Lisa has whipped up a gorgeous crochet version, so there's no excuse not to participate! 

If you would like to join in our Giant Pineapple Cosy KAL, all you need to do is download the pattern and get crafting!  Please also join our Giant Pineapple Cosy KAL Ravelry Group  to connect with other KAL participants. 

Click here to download the knit version.

Click here to get the crochet version.

We'll officially begin the KAL on 5 May, and you will have until 2 June to post pictures of your completed cosy in our special purpose KAL group on Ravelry.  Click here to join!!!

And what's a KAL without prizes?  One person will receive the GRAND PINEAPPLE PRIZE of all the pineapple themed goodies you see below, and maybe more.  Just like last time we'll also have some minor prizes, which will include some amazeballs handmade goodies! 

You just know you want those cool pineapple sunnies.  

So what are you waiting for?  Head on over to the rav group to let us know if you're in!  We'd love to see all your WIPs and FOs! 

Finally, we'll be using the tag #giantpineapplecosykal for those of you wanting to play along on instagram! 

~Tan

Fin: Miette

Huzzah I finished my Miette!

Huzzah it fits!

Huzzah I think it actually looks ok!

Huzzah no more purling for a little while!

I can't explain this face

Or this one

this is what it looks like when I am picking cat hair out of my knitting while posing.

I made this as part of a Handmaker's Factory KAL, but found the most help with this pattern here, really great bunch of pages put together for a previous Miette KAL (organised by yellowbird - here is her Miette).

Pattern: Miette by Andi Satterlund
A quite well written pattern, probably let down a bit by my sub-standard knitting skills (I mean, look how uneven my stockinette is.  ugh purling).  Also probs my yarn choice, being a lighter weight than called for in the pattern, the lace on the collar/sleeves is not as pronounced.  Even so, I managed to get an actual wearable garment out of it!  Not bad eh?  Further details on mods etc on my Rav project page.

Yarn:  Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 8ply in Lime.  Do not make something that touches your skin with this yarn.  I have skin like an elephant but this is ITCHY.  Softened up a bit on washing, but may do a conditioner soak to try to coax it to be softer still.

Ravelled here and uploaded to Handmaker's Factory here.

~Tan

p.s. I might torture you by blogging this again if I can ever photograph the damn thing true to colour.  I'm thinking a photoshoot at La Belle Miette?  It's not about the macarons, I swear... it's about the knitting...

-Linking with-
Tami's Amis FO Fridays | Fiber Arts Fridays at Wisdom Begins in Wonder | Natural Suburbia for Creative Fridays | I've Made Friday at SusanD1408 Crochet Addict | I ♥ Fridays at Petals to Picots

A very FOXY KAL

Hey there!! I am very excited to announce that my very good bloggy friend Lisa and I will be hosting our very first KAL together!!!!!

I was intially inspired by Lisa's uber cute selfie of herself modelling a cute beanie at her local Target. I too rushed down to my Target to do the same.

After looking at the construction of these hats, and also not seeing anything else similar on Ravelry, Lisa and I decided to put together patterns of our own and invite you to knit or crochet your own version with us this September.

Lisa has created a crochet version, and I have worked up a knitted version. Both are suited to beginner knitters or crocheters, both are made flat and seamed together. We recommend adding the foxy features post-completion. The knitted version (on Ravelry here) comes with both written and charted instructions. What's more, we're feeling pretty relaxed about the whole KAL thing, so we're happy for you to choose one of our patterns and make the same exact hat, make your own alterations/embellishments or even knit or crochet along with a different fox pattern altogether (so long as it is flat and seamed)! We don't mind! Creativity is encouraged!


Our patterns will be released for free generally after the KAL, but will be made exclusively available to KAL participants from 1 September.

Interested in making your very own foxy hat? Please sign up for the KAL at our special Ravelry group.

The KAL is scheduled to start on 1 September 2013 (a Sunday) and finish on 6 October 2013 (also a Sunday).  Lisa and I are both in Australia (albeit on different sides) so we'll be working in Aussie time.

All participants signing up get these great printable gift tags made by Lisa (they will be sent to you with the pattern on 1 September)!

One participant who finishes and posts a picture of their FO by 6 October will receive the pictured fantastic prize of yarn and foxy goodness!!

We also have some minor prizes we are planning on giving away. These may include things like yarn and badges, and will be given out on highly objective bases, such as 'creativity' and 'participation'. You have been warned!

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to the FOXY KAL Ravelry group and sign up!

~Tan

P.S. Here's some lovely html for you if you would like to put a link to the FOXY KAL on your blog!

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