spotlight: desert peach

It's spring here and the desert peach is in bloom.

That makes it a perfect time to take a look back a year to 7 Small Shawls Y3: my collection of patterns celebrating beautiful northern Nevada along the eastern slope of the Sierras, Specifically, the Desert Peach pattern....

Loosely based on traditional Faroese shaping, Desert Peach starts up top, instead of the bottom edge.

A leaf panel flows down center back, surrounded by blossoms on either side, and ending in a picket fence with edging picots. The pattern has both charted and written instructions.

Originally knit in Swans Island Fingering Weight Merino, Raspberry colorway, Desert Peach is currently available as part of a special yarn bouquet from Jimmy Beans, featuring a limited edition Orchid colorway. Laura (Jimmy) at Jimmy Beans sent me one, and I had great fun on photo safari with it! Here it is, looking lovely with Desert Peach all folded up nearby.

The Orchid colorway just glows in the sunlight beside Desert Peach blossoms.

The Swans Island is a lovely yarn: perfect for lace. Even though it's merino, it keeps a block beautifully. I thoroughly love this yarn and the special color is absolutely incredible! I couldn't resist the pull to decorate with my bouquet. 

I just want to add that - if you haven't already looked through Jimmy Beans' selection of bouquets - you absolutely must! It's such a fantastic idea for gifts to yarn lovers. I've always loved cut flowers, but they last so little time. And as amazing as chocolate is, it does have some caloric side effects. That's why yarn is so perfect. Everyone needs lots of fiber in their diet. Right?

So go! Grab a bouquet while they last! It's a perfect springy gift to someone you love, including yourself. And with that, here is the ever important cowboy boot cheesecake pic,

and a little local talent from the shoot.

Enjoy!

meanwhile...

I've uploaded my Carson Throw pattern!

All of you who were subscribers to my 3rd year of 7 Small Shawls (Home is Where the Heart Is) will already have gotten it as an update to your eBook. It's a bonus!

It's warm and snuggly.

The slipped stitch pattern makes it extra thick.

My sample is knit with 5 colors of Ecological Wool from Cascade, and 1 shade of Eco+.

The Edging has an openwork lattice pattern.

The pattern has a formula for working with your own colors,

or you can follow the specific instructions to knit the sample as shown.

The finished product is a whopping 86 inches in diameter, big enough even for Mr. Romi! And the formula will allow you to make your own up to a 94 inch diameter. It's a big hit at our house!

one step at a time

...or otherwise known as a few rounds at a time.

It grew quickly at first.

And then it got bigger and slowed down.

I was so excited to get to the edging when it finally came!

By that time, it had grown really heavy.

So heavy, in fact, that the needle twisted off my cable! Luckily, I have lots of extras.

Then I ran out of yarn and needed some more from Cascade. And when it came, I was in the middle of something else. Yesterday, I finally wound it and got back to work.

And then - just like that - it was finished!

Whew. Blocking time; pattern writing time. I can't wait to use it!

too

It's time for another winner from my give-away!

Yarnologist! You are the second winner! Please email me at romi(at)designsbyromi(dot)com! Congratulations!

A little note here. As I post the winners each day, I will try to get in contact with each winner as best I can. If I cannot and I don't hear anything within two weeks of my posting a winner's name, I will draw another name. As the list of winners progresses, it will be completely first come, first serve. In other words, if you are the third winner, but contact me first, you get first choice. :)

Since I'm a computer volunteer for our home swim meets, I am always in the air conditioning. It can get a little chilly! So...this past weekend, I was working on my Carson Throw.

It's getting to the point where it's nice and warm on my lap! Perfect movie knitting in the evening. And perfect for loads of AC.

I love working on projects when I'm out in public because I always meet at least one other knitter or crafter! This time, I met the new coach of one of the participating teams. She was working on a pair of socks, though she didn't get much done at the meet. I had way more "waiting" time!

So - I know you are wondering.... My little experiment of that unstructured throw KAL based on changes posted on my blog? It did not work. For you or for me! So I am diligently working away, and when I'm finished, I'll put it all together in a pattern. Because I can tell I'm going to love this when it's finished (if I can wrest it from the rest of my family)!

sierra lupine sunday

Sierra Lupine is here!

There's a shawl size.

And a scarf size.

The scarf is done from lovely Iridaceae Colorworks sock yarn (Cypella) in Irisberry.

And the stole is done in scrumptious Cassiopeiae Lace yarn in an incredible dusky lavender.

I was in such a purple mood.

With some beads thrown in.

And this was the perfect medicine.

Such an enjoyable knit!

I loved every minute of it.

And I am loving wearing them...

in the few moments of chill throughout this heatwave.

And with that?

The last firework of the week, and the Home Is Where the Heart Is eBook. :)

desert peach saturday

Ready for another little firework?

Desert Peach.

Perfect with cowboy boots.

But really...what isn't?

There's lace.

Picots.

And gorgeous Swan's Island fingering weight yarn.

I'm loving this one.

It's feather light.

Desert Peach, shawl #7 from my Home is Where the Heart Is collection!

blackjack friday

Because diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Right?

Marilyn said so. ;)

And so did Carol and Miss Piggy.

I prefer my diamonds made out of cashmere.

From ArtYarns.

Sumptuous.

Decadent.

Lovely. Perfect for a night out. Blackjack: shawl #6 from Home is Where the Heart Is!

And we're not quite finished yet.....