All about the neck accessories

From Shawls and scarves!

Continuing on from last week’s theme of carpet beetles, I decided to take all of my scarves and shawls outside for a bit while checking for damage. Looks like my neck should never be cold. That photo is actually missing three of my shawls (Secret Garden, Aeolian and Tea Rose). Yeah, I may have a slight issue with accessories. But I’m okay with that. I like having options.

This past week has also been exciting design-wise: Two of my patterns have been released!

Last weekend the second shipment of The Unique Sheep’s Smell The Roses club started arriving in mailboxes. This month was my shawlette: Tea Rose. It’s one of my favourite designs so far because it’s got lace patterning on both sides. It will be available for individual purchase in October 2012.

Two days ago, I released the Mercury shawlette. It’s the first in what I hope will be a complete series of shawls/shawlettes/scarves based on the planets. I already have the yarn ready for the next one (a yummy DK-weight base) and most of the stitch patterns. Now it’s just a matter of working out the math before I can knit it up and get it tested. I used Handmaiden Sea Silk for the sample. Knits up like a dream. It’s so smooth and drapey. And shiny! This is definitely one of my fancier shawlettes. ^_^ I also want to thank my fabulous testers: Jessica, Lucy and Sarah. They caught my ridiculous mistakes and gave really good suggestions on how to make the pattern clearer. I really can’t thank them enough for sticking with it.

I’ve decided to do the 30 Day Shred again. From the beginning. After about six weeks of not doing it, it’s kicking my butt just as much as it did back in January when I first started doing it. But this time I know that I can do it, so I’m trying to do the harder moves when I can. When Jillian Michaels says she wants you to feel like you’re going to die, she’s not kidding. I feel amazing afterwards every time. After I’ve caught my breath that is. And no longer feel like throwing up. ;)