Interview and Where Have I Been????

Let me start off by writing that I have had the honor of being interviewed by Lumia of Worsted Knitt.  I had a lot of fun answering her questions.  You can read the interview here. 

Now, where have I been you say?  Well.... I have been moving from California to an army base in Georgia.  It has been a swirl of madness since the end of October and I thought it would never end!  Luckily I didn't have to pack anything (thank you US Government) but I did have to drive my personal vehicles across the United States.  My parents were very helpful and drove with me, along with my knitting assistant, Che.  Poor little Che didn't seem to like the long drive, every time we got in the car he'd cry a bit because he wanted to be sitting on someone's lap and not his dog seat.

On the drive I saw lots of open country and it sure was pretty.  I have never really gotten to see the leaves changing colors in fall so it was amazing to see all the reds, oranges and yellows of the trees along the highway.  Lots of farms too, especially cotton fields.  In Mississippi we found a lone Huddle House out in the middle of nowhere around lunchtime and stopped there to eat.  Next to it was this picked over cotton field.  I sat out on the grass, with Che, and ate my lunch while looking out at the cotton.

It is really amazing how blue the sky is when there is no smog!  Just one of the things that surprised me on the trip.  I was also noticed that most of the states I drove through are MUCH cleaner than California!!

Anyway, I spent a week driving through, I think, 8 states and woefully accomplished no knitting.  My arms were just too tired at night.  But I finally reached my destination and was happily reunited with my husband.  So proud to see him in uniform every day!  And yes, Che is wearing a handknit dog sweater.  I realized 2 days before I left that I had packed up all his sweaters and knew it would be cold on our trip.  So I hopped over to the nearest Joanns and bought some (cringe) acrylic yarn and hurriedly knitted a sweater for him. 

Now I  really feel like an Army spouse.  So far I like living on post, I can find pretty much everything I need here so I don't have to leave the gates too often.  Although we did do some exploring my second weekend here.  First we went to the local museum where I saw this exhibit:

Well if there is a spinning wheel and a loom then this place is ok with me!  We also found the canal, which was beautiful.  I love all the old Victorian style houses on the opposite bank.

After unpacking all my household items I suddenly found myself preparing for Thanksgiving.  Some of my husband's friends didn't get to go home, so they came over here and we had a nice dinner.  They were all so happy to be eating a homecooked meal and being able to sit on a sofa to watch tv.  You don't realize what you'd miss until you don't have it anymore!  It really made me feel good to be able to make them feel like they were home. 

And now I find myself here at my computer, finally able to start thinking about knitting and designing again!  I have had a bit of knitting time in the last couple of weeks and am in the middle of a new sweater design.  It is coming along well so far, and I hope to have the pattern ready by the end of December.

Happy Holidays and Happy Knitting!

Camellia Shrug Pattern available for sale

I am so happy to write that my Camellia Shrug pattern is now available for download in the Interweave Store for $5.50.  To date, this is my most favorite design and I have seen some great projects made by some wonderful knitters.  If you haven't seen it already, Camellia Shrug is a lace shrug worked in an incredibly soft alpaca/silk blend yarn. The back is worked from the center outwards in a counterpane construction. The sleeves are continued on two sides of the square. Stitches are picked up around the opening for a rib band.

New Pattern: Adora Hat

Adora is a close fitting hat with an elegant scalloped brim. Worked in the round from the bottom up, the stitch pattern is a twin leaf with a contrasting eyelet stripe. The crown decreases bring the leaves into a pointed star shape. This hat should be worn with 1-2” negative ease.

I have been loving vintage hats recently, and I wanted this one to be reminiscent of the flapper hats from the 1920's.  I have lots of casual hats, but nothing that I would consider wearing with a nice dress on an evening out.  Instead of just letting my head get cold, I decided to design an elegant option that would keep me nice and toasty warm on a cold night.

Approximate yardage used: MC 110 (130) yds, CC 45 (55) yds

Skills needed:

ability to read a chart

working in the round
k2tog
ssk
yo

$4

New Pattern: Button Box Cloche

I am so happy to finally present my new pattern, Button Box Cloche.  Button Box Cloche is a vintage style embellished hat worked in two versions. The Red Version has a long and wide brim that flips outwards and is embellished with a colorful mix of buttons. The Purple Version has a short flared brim and is embellished with a mohair flower, hatband, and a few buttons. Worked in the round from the top down, these hats can be tried on as they are knit to adjust the length if necessary.


SKILLS NEEDED:
working in the round
kfb
m1

SIZES: Child (Adult S/M, Adult M/L)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS RED VERSION
Circumference: 21.25 (22.5, 24)”
Length: 8.75 (9, 9.25)”

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS PURPLE VERSION
Circumference: 21.25 (22.5, 24)”
Length: 7.75 (8, 8.25)”

MATERIALS:
Red Version: Rowan Kid Classic (70% wool, 26% mohair, 4% nylon; 153 yds/140 m per 50 g ball); color: 847; 1 (2, 2) balls

Purple Version: Knit Picks Gloss DK (70% merino wool, 30% silk; 123 yds/112 m per 50 g ball); color: Blackberry; 2 (2, 2) balls
Feza Yarns Kid Mohair Multi (85% mohair, 8% nylon, 7% polyester; 275 yds/251 m per 25g ball); color: 634; 1 ball

NEEDLES
Both Versions: US #6/4 mm dpns and 16” circular needle
Purple Version only: US #4/3.5 mm dpns
 
NOTIONS REQUIRED:
Both Versions: Tapestry needle to weave in ends, stitch marker, sewing thread to match yarn, sewing needle
Red Version: 40 assorted buttons (six ¾” - 1”, nine ½” - 5/8”, twenty-five ¼” – 3/8”); tear away fabric stabilizer
Purple Version: four 3/8” buttons, one 5/8” button

$5

Color Study Shawl Shades of Autumn

As I've been roasting away in the lingering heat, I decided to weave a shawl in shades of autumn in the hopes that the weather will soon cool down.  I carefully went through my stash and picked no less than 18 different yarns, some handspun, to use in this project.  I worked on my 48" tri-loom and created a fall hued rainbow of red, rust, orange, yellow, brown and olive.  I added on some short spaced fringe to give a nice finish. 

Fall Promotion

Fall is here!  Well, at least in theory for where I am.  Living in southern California means that it is only 100 degrees outside instead of 115.  But hopefully in other parts of the country the leaves are turning shades of red and orange and there is the cool crisp in the morning air.  To celebrate the return of handknits weather, I am offering 20% off all my patterns until October 1st.  Enter coupon code fallishere in the Ravelry checkout box.  Happy Fall and Happy Knitting!

Adventures in Applique and Vacuum Cleaner Cookies

It all started yesterday when I mentioned cookies to my husband.  He is stationed across the US from me, and until I can move out there we usually only get to talk on the phone once a day.  I mentioned that I had been craving some homemade cookies, and he burst out, "Oh!  Will you send me some cookies? Please please please!"  Would I really say no?  Of course not.  I really enjoy cooking for him, and being 2,400 miles apart makes that a bit difficult, so sure I'll send him some cookies.  He specifically requested my famous Vacuum Cleaner Cookies.  No they aren't made in a vacuum cleaner and they're more like bars than cookies.  My mom used to make them when I was a kid, and they are still my most favorite cookie.  Easy to make, not too many ingredients, completely unhealthy, but the most delicious cookie you will have ever eaten.  I promise.  So here is the recipe:

1/2 c margarine (not butter) melted
1 box yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 1lb box powdered sugar
1/2c flaked coconut
1/2c chopped walnuts

Combine margarine, cake mix and 1 egg.  Stir together until moistened.  Spead into a well greased jellyroll pan.  Beat 2 remaining eggs, then beat in cream cheese and powdered sugar.  Stir in coconut and walnuts.  Pour over mixture in jellyroll pan and spread evenly.  Bake at 325 45-50 minutes until golden brown.  Cool pan on wire rack then cut into squares.  It actually makes more than twice the amount shown in my picture, I already packed up half the cookies into my care package.  I have to keep a few for myself!

While the cookies were baking, I decided to make a little something to put in the package.  Hubby has gotten used to the insane amount of craft stuff I have and graciously accepts every little thing that I make for him.  Several years ago, while we were still dating, I convinced him to go to the Renaissance Faire with me.  In costume.  While it was 90 degrees outside.  Yes, he really loves me that much.  As a finishing touch to the costume, I gave him a handkerchief with my initials embroidered in the corner as a 'token of my affection'.  To my surprise, he carried it around in his wallet every single day until he left for basic training.  He left it at home somewhere but can't remember where, so I thought that today would be a good day to make something to replace it.  I've been oogling lots of beautiful quilts lately, many of them with incredible appliques.  I've never tried an applique and thought this would be a good opportunity to give it a whirl.  I designed a little heart with our initials embroidered inside.  I haven't embroidered for about 20 years, so I was glad to find that I can still do a decent job of it.  The applique, however, proved more difficult.  At first I tried just pressing under the 1/4" seam allowance but has a hard time.  I decided to put the finished size heart paper pattern on the side and basted the seam allowance to it and then appliqued it to the backing fabric.  When I had about 2" left on the straight edge of the heart, I pulled the paper out and completed sewing on the heart.  I think it turned out pretty well.  It isn't really as crooked as it looks in the photo, I just took the picture at a funny angle.  I stuffed a piece of my lofty batting on the inside.  Not really a pillow, I'm not sure exactly what it is.  Just one of those funny things to have around.  I wrote on a note to him 'its soft and squishy and has a big heart- just like you' haha.  Lets hope he doesn't take that the wrong way!

making progress on designs and quilting

Last night I finished the second version of the button box cloche.  Now comes the hard part... actually writing up the pattern!  With two versions, multiple sizes for each, plus some instructional photos it will take me awhile to get it looking clear and cohesive.  Before I tackle that big project, I decided to write up the (simpler) pattern for a hat I finished earlier this month.  I took the photos this morning, much to the amusement of my neighbors.  They probably wonder what that crazy girl with the tripod is doing.  Here is a closeup of the stitch pattern.

  After the photoshoot I came back home to type up the pattern.  My knitting assistant pooped out pretty early on and provided moral support from afar. 

At night I have been hand quilting my throw blanket.  I'm having a really hard time making the stitches small, I think I picked a batting that is too lofty for hand quilting.  I suppose that is just one of many mistakes I will make as a beginner.  I bought a neat book called the The Quilters Catalog by Meg Cox and it is packed with information.  Definitely not a 'how-to' book, but more a resource guide of teachers, history of quilting, different quilting machines, etc.  I'm not even 1/4 of the way through the book and my brain is already boggled.  I read a profile of Eleanor Burns and checked out her website http://www.quiltinaday.com/  I was really happy to find that her videos are available for free online.  I watched a couple of them and found that she is really entertaining and easy to watch while providing a lot of useful tips and instruction.  I laughed every time she unceremoniously threw her scraps over her shoulder and kept on working.  If you are a quilter and haven't watched any of her videos, check them out.

Ok, enough funny business.  Time to get back to work!

Design Aesthetic - Do You Have One?

Recently there has been a discussion about layouts for design proposals in the Designers group on Ravelry.  Several magazine editors have chimed in on what they looking for in a proposal, and one editor suggested a proposal that 'represents your aesthetic as a designer'.  What exactly does that mean?  I thought about it for a few minutes, and came to the conclusion that a 'design aesthetic' is a recurring theme or style that is apparent in a person's designs.  Sometimes you can spot a design and instantly know who the designer is without even having to look at the name.  A couple of handknit designers with a strong design aesthetic come to my mind.  Joan McGowan-Michael creates very feminine and vintage sweaters that are flattering for all figures.  Ysolda Teague creates whimsical and somewhat retro designs that are very wearable for everyday life.  But what about me?  Do I have a design aesthetic?  Looking at my 27 patterns listed on Ravelry, I don't think any of them scream "Thats a Cassie Castillo design!!" so maybe I don't have a certain style yet.  This is something I've struggled with since I was in fashion design school.  Other students around me definitely had a certain style of dress and their collections reflected that style.  If I had an unlimited budget, I suppose that my wardrobe would be very 1940's/50's inspired and I would knit sweaters to match.  I definitely know what I like to knit- designing cables, interesting use of entrelac, and geometric lace motifs- but I don't have a theme or 'message' that some artists try to convery in their art.  Maybe the design aesthetic is something that can only be built up with time and practice, so I'll keep on designing and hope that a theme eventually emerges.

Now if you've read this far, I'll give you another sneak peek at my upcoming design.  It was a nice and cloudy morning-- perfect for diffused lighting-- so I hurried outside with my tripod and took photos of my Button Box Cloche.  This one is definitely vintage inspired, so maybe I'll just add on to that 'design aesthetic'!

The Button Box

I'm currently working on a design that involves buttons.  Lots and lots of buttons.  When I was a kid, my dear mother gave me lots of different craft kits.  Many of these kits were from the HearthSong catalog, which still sells great toys for kids.  One day she gave me a big Button Box that was filled with hundreds of different buttons.  Like any kid, I would go through them all and pick out my favorites and group them all by color or size.  Over the next 16 years I added buttons leftover from sewing projects and attached to new clothes.  Needless to say, my collection has vastly grown over time.  This morning I got out my Button Box and, just like I did many years ago, marveled over every button and picked out my favorites to use for my new project. 

New Pattern: Desert Waves Scarf & Shawl

I am happy to present my newest knitting pattern, Desert Waves Scarf & Shawl. 

Desert Waves Scarf and Shawl are worked in an eyelet chevron pattern. When worked in a yarn with long color changes, the pattern creates a gradation of undulating waves of color. The scarf and shawl are worked on needles larger than usually used for fingering weight yarn, which creates a slightly open fabric that provides warmth without too much weight.  Pattern includes charted and written instructions.

Finished Measurements:

Scarf: 10.5” wide and 60” long Shawl:17" wide and 80" long

Skills Needed:
kfb

k2tog

yo

skp

Materials Needed:
US 6/ 4mm knitting needles
Scarf: 390 yards fingering weight self striping yarn

Shawl: 780 yards fingering weight self striping yarn

Gauge:

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch

 

Cost: $5

The photoshoot for this pattern was a rather funny experience.  It was the middle of August and I was visiting my parents down in the hot hot desert near Palm Springs.  I decided to take the photos on the golf course in front of my parents house, thinking that the palm trees and purple mountains would make a nice backdrop.  Right after breakfast my mom and I went out there to take photos.  It was only about 8:30, but it was already at least 100 degrees and there were biting fleas in the grass.  I found it hard to have a serene look on my face while I was dripping with sweat and getting flea bites on my legs!  Luckily we were done in about 15 minutes, and I very quickly ripped off my wool coat and took a dip in the swimming pool.

The Funny Things Kids (and Adults) Say About Knitting and Spinning

Kids sure say the funniest things.  Usually exactly what is on their mind.  I just had a visit with my family last weekend and had a funny conversation with my almost-four-year-old neice.

"What are you DOING, Aunt Cassie?"
"I'm knitting."
"WHY are you knitting?"
"Because thats what I do for fun."
"Can I knit too?"
"I'll teach you to knit when you're a big BIG girl."
She then picked up my ball of handpainted yarn and turned it all around in her little hands for a few seconds.
"Am I a big BIG girl yet?"
"No, honey, not yet."
Then she plopped down beside me and mimed knitting with a pair of imaginary knitting needles.
"Look, Aunt Cassie, I'M KNITTING!!!"

We usually have that same conversation every time I see her.  Once she has good hand-eye coordination and can manage to sit still for more than two minutes, I'll turn her to the dark side and recruit a new knitter. 

Over the years I've participated in several spinning demonstrations at fairs and festivals.  I've gotten a lot of funny, strange and downright rude comments (mostly from the parents, not the kids) but there are inevitably a list of questions that the kids ask over and over.
"Where is the part Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on?"
"That looks soft, CAN I FEEL THAT?" (while looking at my big basket of fiber)
"Look, Mommy, she's MAKING STRING!"
And then the little boys always want to stick their little fingers in the flyer while its spinning around.  Why?  Why???  Then my husband tried to stick his finger into the flyer while it was spinning and I asked him WHY???  "Uh, I don't know" was his reply.  I guess he thought it would be cool to get his fingers impaled on those little brass hooks.

Then there are the strange and rude comments I've gotten from the adults:
"I'll bet you have to be a girl to do that."
"Wow, I thought that was a dead art"
"Did you know you can get yarn at Walmart for $5?"  which also goes hand in hand with (while watching knitters make socks) "Did you know you can buy a whole package of socks at Walmart?"
"Look, she's sewing!"  (sorry, you can't sew on a spinning wheel).
"Wow you must have a lot of spare time in your life."  I have just as much spare time as anyone else, I just don't spend it sitting on my butt watching TV. 

Its too bad that most people don't appreciate the art of making things from scratch anymore.  I'll just have to recruit all the kids I know into the fiber arts and have them grow up appreciating the ability to create useful and beautiful things.

New Pattern: Lapis Cuff

Summer is still definitely here, so small and lightweight knitting projects are in order. I have a fascination with cables and beads, so I decided to create a quick-knit pattern that used both. Worked in a beaded eyelet and cable pattern, Lapis Cuff is an elegant accessory perfect for using up leftover fingering weight yarn. If you want to try incorporating beads into your knitting but find a beaded shawl too daunting, this project would be a great way to try it out.

Materials Needed:

50-60 yards fingering weight yarn

Cable needle

Size 12/1.00mm crochet hook

100-120 size 6/0 beads

Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Three ½” buttons

Skills Needed:

ability to read a chart

cabling

placing beads onto stitches with a small crochet hook

k2tog

yo

$2
buy now

Adventures in Quilting or A New Hobby For Me

Quilting is my new obsession. Did I really need another hobby? No, not really. Knitting, spinning, weaving and sewing dresses already take up my free time. My interest in quilting was accidental. When I was young I received a quilting kit and happily made several doll blankets and then moved on to other things. Then last month when I was on vacation I found myself in front of the large magazine stand at CVS. I was about to go to the beach and didn't really feel like reading the book I had brought. I wanted a magazine, something fun and easy. I happened to see this quilting magazine and fell in love with the quilt on the cover.

I hadn't even reached the back cover and I was already hooked. I visited many thrift stores on my trip and started collecting old quilting books. Quite a few quilting books, actually.

My best find was a lone star quilt kit that included all the pre-cut pieces for the star for $6.50. While visiting the Tallac Estate I found a childs quilting kit in the gift shop. I took it back to the house we were staying in and, while sitting in front of the fireplace, I made a potholder by handsewing and finger pressing. Not too bad, considering that I didn't have an iron.

After I returned home I couldn't quite decide which project to start with. I had to buy a new sofa cover and decided to make some coordinating blue and green pillows. I found a quilt block I really liked and drew it in Illustrator. I rendered some color combinations to decide which one I liked best.

My first pillow turned out rather well. I then made a few more sketches by hand to create a second pillow. Below are the fronts and backs of my two new pillows.

Knitscene sweaters styled

I just came across the latest blog post of Lisa Shroyer, editor of Knitscene. She has taken a few sweaters from the Fall 2011 issue of Knitscene, including my Morrison Cardigan, and created styled outfits through Polyvore. After knitting several sweaters for myself and then wondering what to wear them with, I think this is a really interesting solution. Check it out

New Pattern: Blackberry Mist Shawl

I'm happy to announce that I have a new pattern up for sale, Blackberry Mist Shawl. Blackberry Mist Shawl is a triangle shawl worked from the top down in alternating stripes of Blackberry Lace and Stockinette Stitch. The bottom edge is finished with a knitted on scalloped lace border. Uses only one skein of Knit Picks Shimmer Hand Dyed Lace Yarn.

Skills Needed:

ability to read a chart

provisional cast on

yarn over

k3tog

k1, yo, k1 in same st

k2tog tbl

picking up stitches

Until July 31st, use coupon code blackberry at checkout to receive $1 off this pattern only.

buy now

FO: Mariposa Shawl for ME!

Over my recent vacation I finally got a chance to knit a Mariposa Shawl for myself. The original was give to my Matron of Honor to wear in my wedding. I started knitting the original long before we had even found a dress for her to wear. It was sheer luck that not only did we find the perfect dress (at Nordstrom Rack no less!) but it also was the exact same shade of yellow as my yarn. Barbara looked great in it, don't you think?

After my wedding I decided I really wanted a Mariposa Shawl for myself. I wanted it to be yellow, but sadly I didn't have enough leftover yarn to make myself one. And what fun is it to knit the exact same pattern again in the exact same yarn? So, I decided to spin the yarn myself. I dug through my fiber stash and found 2 oz of merino I dyed in the crock pot in shades of yellow and lavender. I spun it long draw as thin as I possibly could. I spent most of Memorial Day glued to my chair and spinning wheel. In fact, I was visiting my family who left for a few hours and found me in the same position when they came back. "You're still doing that??" Yes, still spinning. I had to get the yarn finished before I left for vacation. I still consider myself a pretty novice spinner, and I really had no idea how much yardage I would be able to get out of 2 oz. I just spun and spun until all the fiber was on my bobbins. Then plied for what seemed to be an eternity. Final result? Over 600 yards. I really only needed about half that amount. Oops. Well, enough extra for swatching and a few mishaps.

Happily on vacation I went, bringing my project along whenever there was a long car ride. I was able to get almost all of the knitting done in the car, except for the beaded border. Adding beads into my knitting proved far too difficult on the twisty turns and bumps of the mountain roads. In the few days that I have been at home after my trip I had the chance to finish up my shawl. Yesterday I had the satisfaction of washing the wrinkly heap and watching it turn into a delicate piece of lace.

Sneak Peek and Vacation Photos

Wow! After almost a month away from home I sure am glad to be back. I started off on a two week vacation to Lake Tahoe, a beautiful lake that sits on the border between California and Nevada. I have gone there almost every year of my life, and as a new military wife this year might be the last time I get to see it for awhile. My family and I tend to do the same things every year but they are always fun. I can never seem to get over how clear and blue the sky is without city smog. Squaw Valley, the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, was completely covered in snow.

We did do a few new things, like visiting the wineries in nearby Placerville and Gardnerville. One of them had beautifully landscaped grounds and I thought it would be the perfect spot for photoshoot for my upcoming lace shawl pattern. Below is a sneak peek for this pattern coming soon.

After vacation I returned to my parents house for a day, just long enough to do my laundry and repack my suitcase from cool weather clothes to humid and sticky clothes. I then was whisked away to Georgia. After what seemed like the longest three months of my life, I got to watch my husband graduate from Army Basic Training at Fort Benning. I was so proud to watch him march by in his uniform!

I only got to see him for a couple days before he left for advanced training. Now I have returned home and am trying to get used to my new routine. I am lucky enough to have 'knitting designer and general housekeeper' as my full-time job now. Of course I have a fantastic assistant. Though he does seems to overly enjoy his nap time, he is always energetic and ready to give positive reassurance. Looks like he's ready to help me start working on my new pattern. Let's get to work!

New pattern Morrison Cardigan in Knitscene Fall 2011

I'm so excited to announce that I have a pattern, Morrison Cardigan, in the upcoming issue of Knitscene Fall 2011. So many great sweaters in this issue! I can't choose which one i'll make first.

Basic Double Knitting Tutorial

Tomorrow I finally get to enjoy all the planning that has been going on for over a year and go to the Studio 66 Retreat!! I am really excited. I get to help out with some of the dyeing activities, including space dyeing cotton yarn and dyeing fiber in the crock pot. I also get to demonstrate, and this year I chose Double Knitting.

Double Knitting creates a reversible fabric made up of two layers. It is thick and warm, a perfect choice for winter outerwear and blankets. It is not nearly as difficult as it appears, if you can knit and purl then you can work double knitting!

I wrote up a tutorial to help my students along and give them something to work off of once the fun is over and everyone goes home. For anyone else who wasn't lucky enough to go to the retreat, here is the tutorial available as a free download.

download now

Mother's Day weaving projects

Over the past two weeks I have been busily weaving two Mother's Day presents. The first is a 48" triangle shawl for my mother-in-law. It is worked in a simple check pattern in a variegated wool/alpaca blend yarn and a light green wool yarn. Carried throughout the shawl is a nubby rayon yarn that gives a nice texture to the weaving and the twisted fringe.

The second project is a rainbow jacket for my mom. It is made from two 48" triangles sewn together. I used two yarns held together, a rainbow variegated cotton blend and a lt pink/rainbow ribbon yarn with gold lurex. I wasn't sure how the colors would work together, I thought it might be too garish. But in the end I think the effect is a nice pastel rainbow. I used a smooth orange cotton yarn to work a crocheted edging that finishes the edges and tacks down the triangle shaped cuffs.