Sarah Dawn's Designs

Knitting, Crochet, Pattern Writing, and General Yarn Nerdery!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

Welcome to the July Knit-Along with the Marianna Shawl! With how warm the weather has been, something light, airy, and not heavy seemed perfect for this summer knit-along!

The Marianna Shawl pattern is 50% off for the Knit-Along, right through the month of July.  You can get the pattern in my Web Shop, Etsy, and Ravelry!  And patrons have access to the pattern, you can download it in the Patreon Shop!

If you finish a shawl by the end of July, you have the chance to win a $30 CAD Gift Card from The Knitting Loft, or four patterns of your choice from my Web Shop! And, don't worry, WIPs are very much accepted, so, if you've got a shawl languishing on the needles or in a project bag somewhere, now's a great chance to finish it!

On to the Knit-Along and Pattern Details!

The Stitch pattern has written and charted instructions. The written instructions are a separate download, because they are quite long, but, they are available to those who want/need them!

The pattern has a large-print version for folks who need it (this version also works with screen-reading tech)

All my patterns, including this one, are Gender Agnostic. Anyone can wear a shawl, especially a big square shawl like this one -it's versatile!

Suggested needles are a set of 3.5. mm (US 4) *Circular Needles - you're going to want at least a 32 inch cord, and I'd suggest a 48 or 60 inch cord if you can find it. (Quick reminder that any link marked with an * is an affiliate link, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase - don't worry, there's no additional cost to you!)

Also, I'd strongly suggest using the Magic Loop/Travelling Loop method for this shawl, or you'll need several different cord lengths as the shawl grows larger.

This shawl pattern only has one size - a 68 inches (170 cm) square knit from the centre out using a pinhole cast on. Exact size can vary by your own tension and how much you choose to block it.

The edging of the shawl is knit flat afterwards and joined to the shawl as you go using decreases and short rows. It is fully charted and written as well.

Sample Shown in *Knit Picks Gloss Lace in "Marina" - if looking for substitutions, any wool or wool-blend lace weight should work up well.

If you're a Patron, you can download the pattern here

Anyway, you can find all the details about how to enter the Knit-Along on the Pattern Page, and if you've got any questions, please, drop them on this post or in the Ask Box!

Good Luck, and Happy Knitting!

[calendae-creations]

This pearl necklace is available in my shop! It is heavily inspired by the ribbon chokers and pearl necklaces fashionable during the 18th c, and is my own modern take on the idea. It features fresh water pearls hand sewn, alternating between large and small, in a line along a leaf green polyester satin ribbon. It is affixed to a chain and lobster clasp for adjustable fit.

Shipping outside the USA is not currently available through the store, but I can and do ship internationally – just message me about it and pay me directly through paypal or venmo or with a card through my ko-fi, once I can get you a shipping estimate. Any order of 2 or more items from my online store comes with a free watercolour bookmark.

Any purchases, commissions, donations, or even just reblogs, are always greatly appreciated!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

Alright, and, on this Free Pattern Friday, it's still too warm to post about knit hats - so, how about a knit bag, instead!

Ribbed Bag of Many Things Free Download! | Sarah Dawn

The Ribbed Bag of Many Things came about as something I made up for my roommate to put her headphones and mp3 player in, but it could be use

The Ribbed Bag of Many Things is a simple, not-too-big project that uses less than half-a-skein of sport weight yarn (no big swathes of knitting over your lap in this heat!) It's great for beginners who want to learn how to knit in the round, or, for anyone who's got some orphan skeins they need to use up!

You can find the pattern free on Patreon (no login required), or, on Ravelry

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

It's Free Pattern Friday, and, bluntly, it's too hot for me to post about free hat patterns (or to think of something witty to post on Social Media 🥵)

So here's a reminder that I have a lot more than just hat patterns, and you can get one for free when you sign up to my e-mail newsletter!

Just reply to the welcome e-mail and let me know which of my patterns you'd like, and I'll get that out to you!

[wiisagi-maiingan]

Peeps in extreme temperatures, plain water is NOT the only way to stay hydrated and can in fact be more dangerous if you're sweating a lot and not putting more electrolytes back into your body.

There are a ton of quick and cheap electrolyte drink recipes that you can find online. Tea, coffee, cocount water, milk, milk substitutes, juice, etc are all hydrating despite extremely persistent myths. Many fruits and veggies like cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, bell peppers, etc have high water content and are a great way to hydrate while also getting vital nutrients. Popsicles are also a good way to stay cool and hydrated and you can buy them or make your own with whatever ingredients you want; there are recipes online, including ones for electrolyte popsicles, but you can also just do basic ones with your choice of fruit juice and whatever you want to add, like chunks of fresh or frozen fruit.

Anyone who is telling you that you can ONLY drink plain water to stay hydrated is incredibly misinformed, even if they have experience with high temperatures.

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

This. We're looking at a heat wave here, too, and they're always brutal, especially if you're somewhere with limited or no A/C. So long as it's liquid and not alcoholic, it's hydrating.

Personally, I have two go-tos.

My first is that I brew a big pitcher of iced fruit tea. I've got a whole bunch of various fruit/herbal teas, and I brew them up in an iced tea pitcher.

(If you don't have a dedicated iced tea pitcher, and want to use loose tea, you can brew in any heat-safe covered pitcher and then just filter it through a fine mesh strainer/cheesecloth when you pour it to drink it)

Just put your tea of choice (use double what you'd use normally) and brewing water into a heat-safe pitcher, add sweetener if desired, and put into your fridge until cool!

My second is to brew a pot of coffee, then pour the coffee (along with a bit of cream and honey, personal preference!) over frozen fruit. Iced coffee without it watering down, plus you get the fruit flavour, plus you get the fruit itself - I eat it with a spoon! So far the only failure is pineapple (the coffee cream curdled!), but strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and mango have all worked well!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

To start this week's behind-the-scenes: the Sample Knitting continues!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

Set in sleeve shaping is, arguably, one of the more difficult sleeve shapings a designer can take on.

To that end, Jill Willcott Knits has some wonderful shaping advice!

Shaping A Sleeve Cap: What Can Help You Get Better Fit?

I study shoulders, upper arms, and how garments fit real people.

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

Welcome back to another Free Pattern Friday!

It might seem odd to be posting about a thick winter hat near the end of June, but, the reason is simple: Christmas Knitting.

Convolution Hat

The Convolution Hat is a spiraling hat, knit at a tight tension to create a very tight, windproof hat, perfect for cold winter days, defeati

I already know at least one person who's starting knitting their gifts for winter (oh, how I wish for that level of organization! 😅 ) and, the Convolution Hat in Knotions Magazine makes for great gift-knitting.

Simple enough that you can memorize the pattern, but interesting enough that you won't get bored - plus, it makes a very dense, very warm hat that many gift-ees will likely appreciate!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

Over a year ago, I got sent a wonderful bounty of yarn from KNITMuch to make a Holland Cowl.

I still have some of that yarn left, so, I'm using it up as a sample for a new Purl Magazine Design Call! (I'm enjoying working with them so much that I figured I'd submit to their next issue!) Lets get into it!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

FO Friday: Gradient Colourwork Hat!

For this FO Friday, I've finished a hat!  It's yet to be named (suggestions are welcome!) but I'm really happy with how it turned out!

It started out of a Knit Picks/WeCrochet Design call.  Once I decided I wasn't submitting to that call, I figured this could be a self-published pattern!  It's worked on a *2.5 mm circular needle and I'm glad I went that small. (Also, here's your reminder that any link marked with an * is an affiliate link, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase - don't worry, there's no additional cost to you!) I could have gone down to a 2.25 mm or even a 2 mm, but a) I didn't have one free, and b) I think it might have been a bit too dense. 

Yarn is still stash, in this case, from my stash of Knit Picks yarn - the sparkly black is Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer in Black (now discontinued), while the Gradient is their *Chroma Fingering in "Candy Mountain" -  it's extras from a pattern that will be coming out in the summer, so, stay tuned for that too!

Once I can get this properly written up, the test knit will be up over on Yarnpond, so, keep an eye out here on Patreon (or,in my design group on Yarnpond for the immediate notification) if you'd be interested in testing!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

While doing some podcast research, I came across this wonderful overview of top-down sweater construction from Interweave!

I'm working on a top-down raglan sweater right now, and I love this method for a couple of reasons: I like being able to try it on as I go (

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

For this one, the title is basically the label on the tin! I'm blessed to be able to share a bit from an upcoming submission to PURL Magazine. The yarn came in yesterday, so, here we go!

Sample Knitting for Purl Magazine! (June 16th Behind-The-Scenes) | Sarah Dawn

For this one, the title is basically the label on the tin! I'm blessed to be able to share a bit from an upcoming submission to Purl Magazi

[sufferingrelapsed]

free to use beetle themed repeating pattern!

credit isn't mandatory but appreciated, same with reblogs!

i'd also love to see people use this pattern so feel free to tag me on your end results if you end up using it <3

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

Why is it that sometimes your stocking stitch stitches look weird? They don't always look like the 'V's you're told they're supposed to look like?

Well, Patty Lyons and Modern Daily Knitting have some help for you!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

/waves/ Join me as I work on a Sweater Sample! Ask questions, chatter, and work on your own stitching! 💙

Thursday, June 18th, 4 pm ET on Patreon!

[sarahdawnsdesigns]

For this FO Friday, I've finished a pair of mittens! These are the Astral Fire Mittens, named, in part, for the wonderful yarn that was used! They're actually a re-do of the Fireside Mittens, using different yarn and a smaller crochet hook.

And yes, I promise, there are actually two mittens, but I couldn't photograph both hands wearing the mittens - I needed a hand to work the camera!  (Has anyone figured out this telekenesis thing yet? 😅)

Regardless, I was originally hoping to get these done before the Fergus Fibre Festival, since the yarn is from Fergus Yarn Co. - it's their "Sixth World" colourway! 

 Sadly, that didn't work out, but, even though I didn't finish the mittens for the festival, I did, in fact, confirm that the yarn colourway name is based on the Shadowrun TTRPG, since I did get a chance to talk to the wonderful folks at Fergus Yarn Co and ask them! 

They're worked on a *2.5 mm crochet hook, (here's your reminder that any link marked with an * is an affiliate link, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase) This is a change from the larger crochet hook the previous version used -- and I changed it to tighten up the stitch pattern for a denser mitten, which I very much prefer, I think.  The cuff is very snug, even with a foundation stitch start rather then the usual chain start -- I might add one more stitch repeat to this size (this is the XS), but, they're done, and overall I'm much happier with them!  

What's next?  Better photography, (yeah, sorry, I took a whole bunch of pictures and this was the best one!) then, it'll be time for pattern testing!  Stay tuned here (or in my design group on Yarnpond) for the testing call if you're interested! 

[dontbelasagnax]

Mentioned to my mom I'm asexual a couple months ago and today.... we got into the car and she hit me with, "So you use they/them pronouns now?"

I went, "What. no. she/her."

"How does that work? With she/her/hers and they/them?"

I stared at her. "What are you talking about?"

"Well you came out as-" and I said, "I'm asexual."

She replied, "Like an amoeba, I know."

"Oh. My god. No. Mom. It doesn't- it's not the asexual you learned about in biology. I didn't come out as a single celled organism."

With heavy relief, she said "Oh, it has a different meaning?"

"Yes, mom."