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New pattern and Summer KAL!

My newest NOT BRIOCHE pattern is now available on Ravelry and knitgraffiti.com!! Receive a 20% discount using coupon code EWE through Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at midnight CT!

You can also grab exclusive Hedgehog Fibres yarn kits through Do Ewe Knit and please join in the Summer Knit-A-Long!! You can find all the rules about the KAL in the group, as well as some awesome prizes you can win!!

Hah, not brioche. Is this a joke?? It is not at all!! I designed this shawl pattern for Do Ewe Knit for their Summer Knit-A-Long 2019, and they asked that I design something without brioche stitches. I actually love to take brioche breaks, and this was a welcome project. I was able to experiment with some fun and different shawl shapes that I’ve been wanting to try!

The colors I chose for this shawl were just too good to pass up. I was able to pick them out in person while visiting Do Ewe Knit for a workshop weekend last winter! That’s a rare thing for me, because I don’t travel very much and there hasn’t been a local yarn shop in my town for quite some time. There’s actually a new one though, I need to check it out!! But I digress.

A little more info about the shawl itself: it’s an asymmetrical crescent shape, created using short rows and stripes, with a large lace border with eyelet motifs and exaggerated scalloped edges. I wanted to design a pattern that would be straightforward to knit, but exciting at the same time! The shawl is mostly garter stitch, but the short rows, stripes, and eyelet border will keep you engaged. It’s totally beginner friendly!! I’ve even included a link to a new video tutorial that I put together for one of the knitting increases I developed for the pattern, the “k6st inc”. You can watch it on my YouTube channel, here you go:

So grab 3 skeins of fingering weight yarn in a speckled gradient or fade to knit this oversized asymmetrical crescent shawl! This pattern is available for everyone, you do not need to participate in the KAL! It’s a great stashbuster! I love to wear this shawl loosely around my neck and shoulders. It pairs perfectly over a favorite dress for fun date night, or with a light jacket for a night on the town.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoy my newest pattern!! xx Lesley.

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Photo Tutorial :: Making tassels!

Today I would love to show you how I created the tassels for my new Golden Willow shawl, which is available on Ravelry and knitgraffiti.com!

Here is a step-by-step photo tutorial for you.

Step 1

Here are the materials you will need to make your tassels:
– Leftover yarn – I used all three colors from my Golden Willow shawl.
– Sharp scissors
– Tapestry needle
– Book or piece of cardboard measuring approximately 7” / 18cm in length, or size desired.
– Crochet hook (shown in photos below)

Step 2

Take all 3 strands of yarn together, and wrap yarn around book or cardboard many times to create the desired thickness of your tassel, starting at bottom. Break yarn at same place where you began wrapping.

Step 3

Cut two pieces of yarn at least 15” long (color choice up to you): one for tying the top of the tassel and connecting to the finished piece, and one for wrapping around the head of tassel. I chose the lightest Color A for connecting to my finished wrap, and the darkest Color C for wrapping the top.

Step 4

Step 4

Tie a knotted loop around 2” / 5 cm long (or desired length) around the top of the length of yarn that will be used for securing the tassel, and connecting to the finished piece. Slide pieces under yarn to secure tassel and tie in a double knot underneath. This will be the top of your tassel.

Step 5

Cut yarn at bottom of book or cardboard. This will be the bottom of your tassel. It does not need to be perfect yet.

Step 6

Remove tassel-in-progress from book or cardboard to continue working on it, and ensure that your knot is secure. Take the extra length of yarn you cut to create the head of your tassel.

Step 7

Step 7

Wrap yarn around several times until it is the desired thickness. Tie the yarn in a double knot, and secure the ends by placing onto tapestry needle, and weaving down into tassel.

Step 8

Trim ends evenly with sharp scissors.

Step 9

Step 9

Secure to finished piece with crochet hook.

Step 10

Pull tassel through loop.

You’re done!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!!  Tassels are great to add to a number of projects, including shawls, pillows, draperies and even to make your own one-of-a-kind jewelry!! I love how they add weight and length to a shawl.  And they really dress it up!!  What are your favorite projects to add tassels to?

Thank you for following along, and I hope you enjoy! xx Lesley.

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Birthday Sale!!

Good morning, makers!! I’m here to announce my big BIRTHDAY SALE, both on Ravelry and here on my website!!!

To celebrate my 38th birthday on April 30, use coupon code HAPPY to receive a 38% discount on ALL of my self-published patterns and e-books, from April 29th through May 5, 2019!! Offer will end at midnight CT on Sunday, May 5th, 2019.

I am also hosting a big Knit Graffiti Knit-A-Long over in my Ravelry forums and on Instagram!  We would love for you to join us!  I will be releasing a new shawl pattern tomorrow, Golden Willow, and the KAL will be mostly focused on this new pattern.  But you can also knit ANY Knit Graffiti pattern!!  Bring your WIP’s, or cast on a new project you’ve been wanting to work on!! Be sure to use #knitgraffitiKAL and #knitgraffitiKAL2019 on Ravelry and social media so we can all follow along!

Here’s a sneak peek of my new shawl pattern:

So what will you be knitting?  I can’t wait to see all of your projects!!  Thank you so much! xx Lesley.

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New shawl pattern and video series!

Gem Waves is here!!  I am so excited to introduce my newest shawl pattern with you!  It’s available on both Ravelry and knitgraffiti.com!  I am offering an introductory discount, so be sure to use coupon code GEM at checkout through Friday, February 8 to receive 15% off! Offer will end at midnight CT.

I have also started a new video series over on my YouTube channel called “Pattern Lookbooks”!  Here is my first one, where I show a photo collage of Gem Waves, and talk about my inspiration and the yarn I used.

I enjoy writing, but I love to talk even more, haha!!  I could literally sit and talk about yarn and knitting all day.  And probably do sometimes!  I hope you enjoy this new series I’ve started. I’m hoping to do this for every pattern release, as well as go back and showcase some of my older patterns.

Thank you so much, and happy brioche-ing!! xx Lesley.

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New pattern release :: Gulf Waves shawl!

I am happy to announce that my Gulf Waves shawl pattern is now available as a digital download, both on Ravelry and knitgraffiti.com!!  I am offering an introductory discount, so be sure to use coupon code FUZZY at checkout to receive 20% off through Friday, January 11, 2019 at midnight CT!!

This fun crescent-shaped shawlette was originally designed for Fuzzy Goat, and their Fuzzy Fix subscription box #2! The boxes carried a Southern theme, and only used yarn dyers in the South!  This shawl uses one skein of Copper Corgi Savannah Sock yarn, in Fuzzy Goat’s custom color way, Westjack Kid.  The variegated colors are so gorgeous, and really inspired the name of my shawl.  I wanted to create a pattern that would really showcase the pooling and colors in this special skein, using simple textures like garter stitch, one-color brioche, and eyelet stockinette.  The textural stripes together create different densities and beautiful waves in the fabric!  So this is a great project for that very special skein in your stash!  Just keep in mind that the pattern uses 460 yards / 421 meters of fingering weight yarn, so if the skein you want to use is less than that, I recommend omitting ONE repeat of the stripes, but still ending with the last Brioche stripe. I have included instructions to customize your shawl in the pattern!

This is how I like to style mine!!  It’s perfect to add color and texture to your outfit any time of year!!  You could even wrap it around your shoulders on a cool summer evening, or wrap it tightly around your neck on a chilly winter day.

Are you still new to brioche knitting, or haven’t tried it before?  This is a great first project!!  One-color brioche is a wonderful way to get used to the movements with brioche stitches, and is broken up with breezy eyelet stockinette to give your brain a break.

I hope you enjoy my newest pattern, and happy brioche-ing!!  xx

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New pattern release :: La Briohème cardigan!

I would love to introduce you to the brioche cardigan of my dreams!!! La Briohème is a bohemian open cardigan with drop sleeves, long brioche cuffs, a cozy brioche collar, and a large brioche hem as the focal point. This thick, cozy cardigan is meant to be worn with 2 – 4” / 5 – 10 cm of positive ease, a perfect fit over your favorite dress for a night out or even layered over a nice collared shirt for those chilly work days. You can find this pattern both on Ravelry and knitgraffiti.com!  I am offering a celebratory discount: receive 20% off using coupon code HEM at checkout!  This offer will end on Monday, October 22, 2018.

I thought of this cardigan idea earlier this year, and REALLY wanted it to be my Rhinebeck sweater. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out!  I will be going to Rhinebeck (aka the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival) for the FIRST TIME this year, I am so so so so excited!! I am planning to wear this cardigan both Saturday and Sunday, so please keep a lookout for me and say hi!!

I am sort of obsessed with this chevron brioche pattern right now, and have used it in a few of my other designs.  As soon as I lay my hands on La Bien Aimée’s Merino Aran yarn, I knew it was destined to be this cardigan!  The Winterfell color way is so deep, it’s almost indigo blue.  And paired with the speckled beauty of Rose Quartz for the Main Color of the brioche accents, it just POPS!!! Brioche creates such a luxuriously warm fabric, so I wanted to keep the accents to the places where you need it the most: the waist and bottom, the collar around the neck, and the wrists.  The gigantic brioche hem (brioche hem = Briohème…get it??) is placed to accent the tiniest part of your waist, giving an Empire waistline effect.  The scalloped edge that the brioche lace stitch pattern creates is the cherry on top for me.  It is a feminine look to complete any outfit, dressed up or down.  If you would like to use the same yarn for your own La Briohème, La Bien Aimée has a few color choices of Merino Aran available for pre-order on their website, here!  Please note that these are not kits, but individual skeins.  I have listed the yarn amounts on the pattern pages if you would like to know.

Here is a closer look at the back of the collar, which is knit in two pieces and them seamed together at the back of the neck.  I know, I said SEAM!  There is very little seaming at all in this pattern, actually.  I do love a bit of seaming to add stability to a garment, such as at the top of the shoulders.  And drop sleeves are just my favorite.  But most of this garment is knit seamlessly and modularly, starting with the brioche hem, which is knit sideways!  After completing, stitches are picked up along the top of the hem to make up the body. This is knit in plain stockinette up to the armholes, which are then separated and the Fronts and Back are knit separately up to the shoulders. A Three-Needle Bind off is used to seam the shoulders to give extra stability and a clean look. The sleeves are also mainly stockinette stitch, up to the decorative brioche cuff. For a finishing touch, stitches are picked up along the hem, the edges of the body and the back neck to add a brioche collar. So there ya go, that gives you an idea of the construction.

If you’d like to see more photos, please be sure to visit the pattern pages on both Ravelry and knitgraffiti.com.

Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy my newest pattern!!  Hope to see you this weekend at Rhinebeck!  xx