Spring is springing

Although we have had a teensy bit of a cold front today here in HOT (the heart of Texas, aptly named), there are signs of Spring here at the Bog.

Our first little green lizard:



Our first bloom of Louisiana Iris:



More knitting on a third version of the One Thousand Crane pattern and several other ideas. So far, pattern sales have raised over $70 for Japan Relief. If you want to buy a pattern and help, here is the link:

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/gari-lynn

I'm also sponsoring a contest for finished cranes, both knitted and crocheted on the group:

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-1000-amigurumi-crane-project

Take care and keep your yarn dry.

Researching other knitted cranes, I found a version that was stackable. I decided this was something I wanted to incorporate into a crane design. I came up with this:



Here is the same model stacked on a dried Ambrosia trifida stalk from last year:




It is also a bit of an easier knit in that you work with 2 needles throughout rather than wrestling with a small number of stitches on 4 double pointed needles.

I will work another model to see if I have any glaring errors, get some test knitters to check my work and then add it to the One Thousand Cranes pattern currently for sale on Ravelry. If you are not a Ravelry member, it is free to join and you will become a member of the greatest online community of crafters.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased the pattern thus far.

Take care and keep your yarn dry.

03292011 update - Pattern is up for sale:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-thousand-cranes-2-needle-stackable---knitting-pattern

The original pattern has reached 100 sales! I am so thrilled and so happy to donate $73 (to date) to the Red Cross for Japan Relief from my 3 knitting patterns.

1,000 Cranes

When disaster strikes, the "better angels of our nature" guide us to help. The triple diasters in Japan are unimaginable. Movie Stars give money, (thank you Sandra Bullock & Bae Yong Joon). Musicians have benefit concerts. Charities take in dollars and cents from countless individuals.

I belong to Ravelry, an online community of knitters and crocheters. Within Ravelry, there are myriad groups catering to special interests. I recently joined this one:

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-1000-amigurumi-crane-project

A lovely young crocheter designed a crocheting pattern in the form of an origami crane. She formed the group to let other crafters know about her project.

When one folds 1,000 origami cranes, the story goes, a wish, health, healing is the result. A powerful symbol of hope, the crane represents action in the face of adversity.

I am primarily a knitter, so I asked if I might attempt to make a knitted version of the crane pattern. This is the result:









I will be writing the pattern and pending approval of the group owner, will offer the pattern for sale. The proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.

Pattern for this crane:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-thousand-cranes---knitting-pattern

Pattern for stackable crane:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-thousand-cranes-2-needle-stackable---knitting-pattern


Take care, say a prayer and keep your yarn dry.

March is Red Cross month. I will be donating 50% of the proceeds from my "All Sorts" pattern and my new pattern "Make your own luck" for the month of March.



Both patterns are available in my Ravelry shop http://www.ravelry.com/stores/gari-lynn-designs

Take care and keep your yarn dry.

All Sorts

I have always loved licorice. This assured me a steady supply of the black jelly beans as a child. None of my siblings could stand licorice. I also had a great weapon against them (squeamish lot that they were) - masticated black jelly beans.

Now that I am an adult, my karmic punishment for tormenting my siblings is that I can't eat licorice for medical reasons. Well, it was great fun while it lasted.

The Phat Fiber Sampler Box March theme is "Sweet Shop". I designed an homage to one of my beloved licorice candies "All Sorts". The design is simple, an I cord edged open mesh rectangle that can be fastened by elastic loops attached to enormous buttons or I cord drawstings or both.

Here are some pictures some of the ways to wear "All Sorts"









Many thanks to Booknerd for the custom yarn for this model. See her fabulous work at booknerd.etsy.com.

Also featured are Oruaka buttons, available at oruaka.etsy.com

My giveaway and the Super Box contribution is an All Sorts Spinning kit with 2 of these Oruaka buttons:



8 oz of this Black & white wool roving from dreamcrafter.etsy.com



Also, the pattern & elastic cord.

The roving can be dyed, I experimented with some in All Sorts colors. Very cute.

The pattern is available on Ravelry for $1. I am donating 50% of the proceeds to the Red Cross. March is Red Cross month.

This is the first in the Boston Terrier series of patterns. My last post in February featured the large motif. These booties are for newborn to 3 month size. The rest of the Boston Terrier series will feature larger sizes of booties, adult slippers, bag and a giant Boston Terrier head that will be a pillow or a backpack:



The baby bootie pattern is available on ravelry.com, search under "Gari Lynn", for $1. Other Boston Terriers coming soon!