It's been a shawl kind of summer

Shawls shawls shawls...
Need I say more???
It's been a shawl kind of summer. Naturally the thought of heavy sweaters and scarves have been on the back burner for the humid sunny season. If you're like me (and I'm sure many of you are NOT, since I seem to be the only one on the planet who is not obsessed with socks), then you need to knit something light and drapey in the summer.
Shawls it is!...and shawls it was. Oy... I may have gotten carried away. Of course, along with these 3 FO's, there are 2 shawl WIP currently on the needles...can we say "PROBLEM?"
Here are my 3 completed summer 2016 shawl projects heaped into one convenient post!
Yarn and pattern are below photos. ENJOY!

Pattern: 3-Color Cashmere Shawl by Joji Locatelli
Yarn: Lambstrings Tralala Sock in "Toasted," "Hydro-Press," and "Sexy Librarian."
Mods: The 3rd and 5th stripe have been replaced with color C.

Pattern: Emiliana by Lisa Hannes

Yarn: Lambstrings Sadie Sock HT in "Hazard' and Madelinetosh Merino Light in "Great Grey Owl."

Pattern: Proximity Shawl by Shanna Felice

Yarn: Lambstrings Sadie Sock HT in "Sprinkles on Top" and Madelinetosh Merino Light in "Ink."

Hello readers!
I wanted to share my brand new knitwear designs with all of you! There are 2, count em', TWO new patterns by yours truly, available for purchase through my Ravelry store!

Introducing the Seacliff Cardigan!

Seacliff Cardigan by Shanna Felice at Lambstrings Yarn

This cardigan gains it’s inspiration from the towering cliffs of the northern coastlines. Rocky and cold, there you will find the Kittiwake, nesting in the highest nooks and crannies of the cliff side.
These small birds begin their lives in the danger and
uncertainty of the steep arctic rock and forge ahead to the
seas.
The texture and cable detail mimic the cliffs in which they dwell. In addition to aesthetics, the texture also acts as a thermal fabric to keep you nice and warm when you decide to go visit the Kittiwake on your next trip to the arctic!
It is sure to be your new favorite cozy cardigan.

Features
Seacliff is a grandpa style cardigan knit flat, seamlessly from top down with set in pockets.
It is constructed using the contiguous set in sleeve method which is entirely written out. Sleeves are picked up and worked in the round from the underarm.
Cable and textured stitches are both charted and written for your choice to follow.
Short rows are used for collar shaping.
Links to helpful video tutorials are also provided!

Materials
Size: XS (S,M,L,1X,2X).
Finished chest: 31.5 (34,37,41.5,43,47)”,
80 (86.5,94,105.5,109,119.5)cm.
Yarn: Lambstrings Ewetopia Worsted (218 yds/100g)
Shown in “Kittiwake” colorway
6 (6,7,7,8,9) skeins or
approx. 1150 (1250,1380,1500,1650,1800) yds worsted weight yarn.
Needles: US#7 and #8 36” circular needles and DPN’s, or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 20 sts/ 28 rows= 4” on larger needles.
Cable needle, tapestry needle, waste yarn.
12 stitch markers.
5 22mm buttons.

This cardigan is designed to be worn with zero to very little
positive ease (original is shown in size XS). If you desire greater positive ease, please knit for one size larger than your own.
Note: Any modifications to this pattern may require more/less yardage than suggested.

PDF pattern sells for $7.00 USD.
(Pattern has been tech edited)

AND......

The Seacliff Hat!

Seacliff Hat by Shanna Felice at Lambstrings Yarn

This unisex hat is the garnishment for our Seacliff cardigan, gaining it’s inspiration from the towering cliffs of the northern coastlines.
There you will find the Kittiwake, nesting along the highest regions of the steep rocks that line the cold seas of the arctic. These small
birds begin their lives in the danger and uncertainty of the windy cliff side and forge ahead to the seas to survive.The texture and cable
detail mimic the cliffs in which they dwell. In addition to aesthetics, the textured stitches also act as a thermal fabric to keep you nice
and warm during your next visit to the arctic. It is sure to be your new favorite cozy hat!
Features
The Seacliff hat is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up with optional pom pom embellishment to make with your left over yarn. The brim is constructed to be folded.
Cabled and textured stitches are both charted and written for your choice to follow.
Links to helpful video tutorials are also provided!
Materials
Sizes: XS/S (M/L).
Finished brim: 18 (20)”, 45.75 (51) cm.
Yarn: Lambstrings Ewetopia Worsted (218/ 100g) (Shown in “Kittiwake” colorway)
1 skein or
approx. 180 (218) yds of worsted weight yarn. This includes pom pom.
Needles: US#7 and #8 36” circular needles for magic loop method or DPN’s.
Gauge: 20 sts/ 28 rows= 4” on larger needles, or size to obtain gauge.
Cable needle.
Tapestry needle.
1 stitch marker.
Pom pom maker (optional).
This hat is designed to be fitted around your head with little to no positive ease, but can be easily modified to your liking by simply adding stitches.
Note: Any modifications to this pattern may require more/less yardage than suggested.
PDF pattern sells for $5.00 USD.
(Pattern has been tech edited)

I hope you all love these as much as I do! ENJOY! And happy knitting :)

Black Friday Weekend SALE!!!

Hi everyone!
I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday as much as I did! I AM STUFFED!!!
As I am sitting here, pants unbuttoned and regretting that 3rd slice of pie, I am wondering how in the world it is possible for someone, in a situation such as I find myself, to feel the need to physically go shopping....HOW??? Move?...Like, my body??? Nope nope nope...not happening, not for a penny. The best I can do is make it to the computer to shop. That's about it.
So here's a question for all of you: Does anyone else think this whole Black Friday/ Cyber Monday thing is all backwards?? Think about it...
Cyber Friday would allow you to shop in the discomfort of your own body, full gut, no judgement, no pants!! All the best cyber sales while digesting! Sounds awesome, right?
Black Monday would allow the ENTIRE weekend to fully digest and regain the power to zip up those jeans comfortably again, because lets face it...one really does need the whole weekend to accomplish such a thing.
I move to make this a "thing" starting next year. Who's with me?!

Anyway, in honor of this brilliant idea, Lambstrings Yarn is holding a Cyber Monday sale from Thanksgiving day 11/26/15 through midnight on Monday 11/30/15 (just in case you need the extra day to digest that 3rd piece of pie).

Take 10% off your order of $30 or more with code Thanks1510
and
Take 15% off your order of $75 or more with code Thanks1515
at Lambstrings.etsy.com from now until Monday 11/30/15 at midnight!

Enjoy!

Adventures in pattern MOD's No.1

Every once in a while, you find a pattern that you almost fall in love with...
Structurally, it has it all...it's fitted beautifully with the right kind of ease, length and elasticity, you can totally see yourself wearing it every day, well...if only...it weren't for __________! (fill in the blank).
If you're like me, you do this... um, ALL THE TIME. "I wish it had this cable instead," or "This would look so much better if it had a different rib," etc.
I'm always modifying patterns to my liking! Why not? One of the most incredible things about knitting and crochet is that you can make it your own! Yes....even with minimal math skills you can take something with potential and make it a success. It may not be a masterpiece every time (believe me, I've made some Frankenstein garments in my time), but it's certainly possible. Not to mention the idea of a challenge! I LOVE a good problem solving! Nothing is worse to me than gliding through a pattern without having to think...boorriiiing. There's something extremely satisfying about running into a problem, getting a little (eh, a lot) frustrated, putting things into perspective, and solving the problem successfully (unless you're under a deadline...that's a whole other animal).
I sound crazy, right? Maybe. But I stand by it. It keeps the passion alive :)
Anyway...
I knit these "Spira Mitts" by Holly Terell and the above mentioned situation presented itself. As you can see my mitts are completely different, visually. Structurally, they are exactly the same.

A few of you have asked me to explain my mods and I'm so happy you all like them!
But it got me to thinking how much I hate it when I fall in love with some genius's Ravelry project with extreme mods, and absolutely NO instructions in sight! "Pleeaase tell me what you did!" Ugh, I here the struggle, you've been there too, admit it.
I don't want to be one of those people who don't share.

So, I hereby resolve to record all of my modifications to pre-existing patterns here on my blog (going forward) even if they are unsuccessful. These mitts happen to be awesome... ;)

No.1
"Spira Mitts"
Shown in Lambstrings Ewetopia DK colorway "Corazon."
(apprx. 130 yds)
find more of this yarn here.

Here is what I did:
* CO for size small and knit 1x1 rib for 10 rnds.
* Worked honeycomb cable as follows:
 Row 1: (C4B, C4F) x3, P2, K to last 2 sts, P2.
 Row 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8: K 24, P2, K to last 2 sts, P2.
 Row 5: (C4F, C4B) x3, P2, K to last 2 sts, P2.
Repeat rows 1-8 until piece measures 4 1/2" from CO edge.
* Right: work gusset in stockinette, placing gusset marker right after first P2, continuing honeycomb cabling as established above (keeping original Spira st count).
* Left: work gusset in stockinette, placing gusset marker at 4 sts before end of rnd, continuing honeycomb cabling as established above (keeping original Spira st count).
* Work gusset to st count of original Spira pattern.
* Continue honeycomb cabling as established above for 1" more.
* Work 1x1 rib for 5 rnds and BO in pattern
* Pick up for thumb and K 1/2".
* Work 1x1 rib for 5 rnds and BO in pattern.

Find this project on Ravelry here for additional photos.

Hope this helps those who were asking about mine.

This pattern is so versatile. If there's a cable or lace stitch you like better, apply it instead!
Having trouble? Leave a comment below and we can discuss :)
I'd love to hear more ideas!

Carbon Fingerless Mitts

Long Island has been unusually warm this Fall. We seem to be breezing straight past my all time favorite season! I wonder, how can we enjoy all the wonderful colors and crisp air, sweaters without jackets, and perfect light weight knitted goods to show off before we freeze? I mean lets face it, there's no time for complicated cables and weeks of  tireless knitting...I need something gorgeous, and I need it NOW! Well, here's what I came up with: knit up something textured and small, something that looks quite complicated, but is actually incredibly easy! Who'd of thought...

I'm happy to introduce my Carbon Fingerless Mitts pattern!
Designed by me, Shanna Felice at Lambstrings Yarn.
These are 100% FREE for your enjoyment, so I hope you take advantage!

These beautiful  fingerless  mitts are worked in the round with no need for seaming.  Simple slipped stitches are worked and picked up on alternating rows to produce an eye catching texture as well as a thermal fabric to keep your hands nice and toasty. These mitts are perfect for any style,  casual enough to wear with anything, and fancy enough to  compel your friends to ask "How did you do that?"

Note:

Theses mitts  are designed to be fitted snugly around the wrist, but make sure you do not knit too tight! The slipped stitches need to be loose and relaxed to ensure some elasticity.

Make 2 mitts exactly the same! 

Shown in Lambstrings Ewetopia Sock in colorway "Red Maple"

You can find this yarn here:

Lambstrings.etsy.com

Materials:

Lambstrings Ewetopia Sock (200-225) yds

US#2  36"+ circular needles for magic loop or DPN's

Stitch markers

Waste yarn

Sizes: XS/S (M/L); 5"-6" (6"-7.5") wrist.

                                                                                             

Gauge:

34 sts/44 rows=4" in stockinette.

                                                                                                                           

Abbr:

K: knit

P: purl

pm: place marker

EOR: end of round

*: repeat

SL5 (3): slip next 5 (3) sts to right needle, as if to purl.

WYIF: bring yarn to front of work

ULS: with right needle, lift the 2 running strands below from front to back, insert needle into next st knitwise, knit st and 2 strands together, transfer to right needle as one. (see Fig.1, 2, and 3)

M1R: with left needle, pick up the bar between your sts from back to front, knit through front of st, transfer to right needle. (right slanting increase).

M1L: with left needle, pick up the bar between your sts from front to back, knit through back of st, transfer to right needle. left slanting increase).

Begin at wrist:

On US#2 needles, cast on 52 (64) sts, pm, and join for knitting in the round.

Rib: (K2, P2) to EOR.

Repeat Rib row 9 times total.

Rnd 10: [(K2, P2) x4 (5), M1R] x3, K to EOR.

55 (67) sts.

Work Carbon stitch pattern A:

Rows 1, 3, and 5: K all sts, slipping marker.

Rows 2 and 4: K1, *(SL5 WYIF, K1), repeat from * x 9 (11).

Row 6: K3, *(ULS, K5), repeat from * x8 (10), ULS, K3.

Rows 7 and 9: K to last 3 sts, SL3 WYIF.

Rows 8 and 10: SL3 WYIF, *(K1, SL5 WYIF), repeat from * x8 (10), K4.

Row 11: K to last st, ULS.

Row 12: K6, *(ULS, K5), repeat from * x8 (10), K1.

Repeat rows 1-12 of pattern A: 3 times more, then rows 1-6 once more.

Gusset:

Next row: K2, pm, K to last 2 sts, pm, K2.

Work Carbon stitch pattern B: (Increase 2 sts every 3rd round)

Row 1: K to m, M1R, sm, K2, *(SL5 WYIF, K1) x8 (10), K1, sm, M1L, K to EOR.

Rows 2, 6 and 8: K all sts, slipping m's.

Row 3: K to m, sm, K2, *(SL5 WYIF, K1) x8 (10), K1, sm, K to EOR.

Rows 4 and 10: K to m, sm, M1R, sm, K to m, sm, M1L, Kto EOR.

Row 5: K to m, sm, K4, ULS, *(K5, ULS) x7 (9), K4, sm, K to EOR.

Row 7: K to m, M1R, sm, K5, *(SL5 WYIF, K1) x8 (10), K4, sm, M1L, K to EOR.

Row 9: K to m, sm, K5, *(SL5 WYIF, K1), x8 (10), K4, sm, K to EOR.

Row 11: K to m, sm, K7, ULS, *(K5, ULS) x7 (9), K2, sm, K to EOR.

Row 12: K all sts, slipping m's.

Repeat rows 1-12 of pattern B: 1 (2) times more, then rows 1-6 (1-4) once more.

Divide for thumb:

Row 1: Work across row 7 (5) of pattern B to 2nd m, remove m, M1L, place next 12 (14) sts on waste yarn.

Row 2: Place first 12 (14) sts on waste yarn , M1R, K1, remove m, K to EOR, M1L.

55 (67) sts palm, 24 (28) sts thumb.

Continue for fingers:

Beginning on row #4 (#2) of Carbon pattern A, work through to row 12, then rows 1-12 once more.

Next row: K1, M1R, K to EOR.

Rib: (K2, P2) to EOR.

Repeat Rib row 5 times total.

Bind off in Rib pattern.

Thumb:

Pick up 24 (28) sts from waste yarn, pm, join for knitting in the round.

K evenly for 6 (8) rows, slipping m.

Rib: (K2, P2) to EOR.

Repeat Rib row 5 times total.

Bind off in Rib pattern.

Enoy!!!

ULS fig 1.                                                                          ULS fig 2.                                                                                   ULS fig 3.

Last updated 8/30/16.

RHINEBECK 2015

Hello all,
It's been quite a while and I'm happy to report the reason is BUSY BUSY BUSY!
My Etsy shop is growing faster ans faster ans I couldn't be happier.
Here are some of the highlights from the past few months:
June 21, 2015: Landed an amazing review by the lovely Stephanie over at Hot Pink Socks blog!
She had some wonderful things to say about me and my yarns! Made me blush. Check it out:
http://hotpinksocksreviews.blogspot.com/2015/06/lambstrings.html
September 22, 2015: I got a nice little featured spot on FibreShare.org's Monster Stash/13 Hand Dyed Halloween Yarns. You can see it here:
https://www.fibreshare.org/monster-stash-13-hand-dyed-halloween-yarns/

So lets talk about RHINEBECK! Yes, I went for the full weekend and it was awesome. So many beautiful hand dyed yarns and products, food, and the most beautiful scenery. I almost didn't come home...I got to spend the whole weekend away with my mother, which we haven't done since I was a kid. It made me realize how much I cherish the wonderfully close relationship we share. She is so supportive and we laughed A LOT! Now, just to be clear, this woman does not knit, crochet, spin, rug hook, nothing...but she enjoyed herself just as much as someone who is obsessed with all these things. Seeing me in my element made her shine, and even though I'm in my 30's, she is most fulfilled when I am at my happiest. THAT is an amazing mother!

We arrived on Friday, got lost, and took a nice relaxing drive through the back roads, surrounded by farmlands, orange trees and mountains of autumn patchwork! Needless to say we missed the fair on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday were were still up for enjoyment.
Every vendor had it's own unique charm and I had to stop myself from spending all the rent money ;)

Of course, then Miss Babs almost ruined me for life...
Her line for purchase was INSANE. The wait was an hour, and you know what?...I waited. I'm crazy, but not so crazy as to pass up this opportunity! I figured a great way to celebrate making it out of her booth without any black eyes or broken ribs, was to reward myself with some of her yarns.
We made friends with some lovely ladies on line and had a nice chat with Miss Babs herself about annoying customers and it was all worth it in the end.

I even spotted Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee, the Yarn Harlot! I felt so starstruck.

I wish I took more photos, but with all the excitement, I wasn't even thinking about it!! 


Just as I started to think, "I'll never leave," it started snowing...that's right, in OCTOBER. We don't have this here on LI very often...so it was time to leave.

The whole experience left me feeling super excited to get home an start dyeing yarn right away! I'm feeling inspired and ready to up my game, so here we go!!!