New Patterns Published!

The patterns for the Baby Bundler and Gauzy Baby Pants are finally published!  I am really happy with how they came out, and the pictures are just gorgeous.

Ravelry link: Baby Bundler

Ravelry link: Gauzy Baby Pants

Current project

I'm currently working on the New York Cardigan (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Suze/new-york-cardigan).  I had ordered 7 skeins of DK weight yarn intending to make a sweater out of it, but didn't have a pattern picked out for it.  Now I'm running out of yarn! :(  I had decided I liked the look of a tighter knit, so made it on size 6 needles instead of the size 9 the pattern called for.  Now I'm regretting that decision because a larger needle would make the yarn go a little further.  Is it totally crazy that I'm debating reworking an entire sweater so I can avoid ordering more yarn?  Gah! I'm not even sure if it would be enough to make the difference I need, but I'm still considering it anyway.  I think I will swatch up a piece tonight with size 8 or 9 need and see what I think of the drape.  As usual, I should have done that before I jumped into the project, but that's the great thing about knitting, you can almost always redo it!

Designing knitwear

In the past year I've started on a small side venture, designing knit wear.  It all started after I had Matilda and met my wonderful baby photographer.  I had brought some knit shawls in for the baby to be photographed all wrapped up in.  She later asked if I could knit her some baby items to use as props in exchange for future photo sessions.  I couldn't find a pattern for what she requested, lacy baby pants, so I designed one myself.  We were in the yarn shop and the owner was saying she could surely sell such a pattern, so I should write it up and give it a try.  So I did.  And it sold!  Ok, not a lot, but some anyway.  It's a great feeling, putting my expertise to use to create something new.

Since then I have created a few more patterns and it's interesting to see what sells and what doesn't, though I haven't put much effort into ads or self promotion.  I have a whole list of things that I want to try my hand at designing, either because it's an interesting pattern, or something I want for Matilda to wear.

Some designs that I've been thinking about:

• Pants with patches on them, hearts and ovals.  Maybe the patches could be little pockets?
• Entrelac heart banner.  A good way to use up odds and ends.  Could I make it all in one piece?  Most people prefer less sewing up at the end.  Another idea is to crochet the cord to desired length and add the banners every N stitches.
• Pants with a skirt/ruffle.  Tilda inherited some RTW pants with a skirt on them and I love that look, so cute!  There are lots of possibilities here: lacy, ruffly, garter, color combos, stripes.

What I came here for

I picked the blog name Threadscapes because it relates to knitting, my favorite past time and forever obsession.  I'm not sure exactly what it is about it, but I can always find something new to excite me about knitting.  Endless colors, yarns, patterns...the choices are infinite!  I can spend an entire day knitting and not be bored.  And yet, not a single post so far about knitting.  Interesting.  There are lots of other topics I'd like to write about as well, but it's easiest to think about writing things related to knitting because I have some sense of accomplishment and mastery there.  While some may judge my style or color choices and I could give a rip about that, it's far scarier writing about real life and all it's challenges.

Anyways!  The next couple of posts I have in mind ARE knitting related, so let's get to the good stuff!