Monday, April 25, 2016

Daddy's Request Re-Launch - It's official!!

Ok, folks, Daddy's Request has been relaunched! 

Daddy's Request: The re-launch!

Daddy's Request - composite

This is the sweater I designed for my dad before I knew how to design. Needless to say, it was pretty obvious it was not going to fit him and the WIP was sent to "back of the closet" exile. 

Years later I pulled it out and finished it...this time for me...and even later, wrote up the pattern...hopefully for you.

Just so you know...this pattern...
...is worked from bottom up in worsted weight yarn...i.e. knits up fast. 
...has small stitch repeats. The largest is eight stitches...most are only 4 stitches...i.e. easy to handle motifs.
...is written in 9 women's sizes and 6 men;s sizes...i.e. easy to find a size that fits your needs.

I used this sweater one year as the class project at the Kanuga Knitting and Quilting retreat. Check out the different color combinations from some of my students.

To celebrate this relaunch, I am offering the Daddy's Request pattern at a 30% discount on Ravelry with the coupon code DRBRL through May 2.

So click the link, get the discount, and start planning your colors!

I cannot wait to see what you choose!

FYI...Daddy's Request is the first pattern of a series of new and formerly released designs I will be spiffing up and offering at discount..so keep your eye out here for your chance at more discounts.

OR...you can sign up for my newsletter and get even deeper discounts.

In the meantime, have fun with your knitting!  I do.


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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

A Favorite Pullover Relaunch in the works...and A Recipe for Family Favorite Cookies

Daddy's Request

We were talking about these cookies on Periscope the other morning....and I promised to post the recipe. These are called Male Cookies. Do you know them? Lots of butter and brown sugar with just enough flour and nuts to hold them together. Melt in your mouth good.

Male Cookies

1 1/3 stocks butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup flour (measure before sifting)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch salt
2 eggs, beaten together
1 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and flour, vanilla and nuts. Cook in biscuit pan in a slow oven (250˚) about 40 minutes. When cold, cut in small pieces and roll in powdered sugar. Yield: 2 ½ doz.

Mrs. A. L. Wardlaw (Lelia Elliot)

Charleston Receipts (1950)


The name of the recipe apparently reflects the primary appreciators of these scrumptious lovelies. I will say in my family both male and female can eat them with reckless abandon. 

BTW...we talk mostly about knitting during my Periscope broadcasts...but not entirely. 

Download the Periscope app on your smart phone and follow me. I'm vbknits. Then you can join us live. Or you can watch the replays here.

FYI...the picture above is the Daddy's Request pullover which is in the final stages of a relaunch, So standby for the announcement of a discount coupon coming soon to this blog.

If you want even bigger discounts, signup for the newsletter where the distribution is infrequent, but the discounts are great!







Brandon Knitting Designs - website
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Thursday, April 14, 2016

Talking about stranded color work sleeve/shoulder construction

As some of you already know, when I started out designing colorwork patterns, I started with sweaters. That's all I wanted to do.

Later, I started working with various yarns companies who were interested in smaller garments...hats, mitts, and cowls. So off I went into the world of accessories. 

Now, I am returning to the land of sweaters..and have also returned to the dilemma of a pleasing sleeve/shoulder join for an over all colorwork garment. 

Below are two periscope broadcasts where I talk about that journey.






The patterns I talked about included...

Criosanna 
Wilkins
Autumn Rose

As you will see, the journey is continuing...so there will be more later.

Thanks for dropping by...








Brandon Knitting Designs - website
Brandon Knitting Designs - Facebook
Ravelry - varianbrandon
Periscope - @vbknits
Twitter - @vbknits
Pinterest - Varian Brandon
Instagram - varianbrandon