Carrelage is on Ravelry...and available for 25% discount

Carrelage Cowl

Take two skeins of Baah! La Jolla Yarn. Add the symmetrical stranded colorwork motifs of  the Carrelage Cowl. Stir in the comforting rhythms of two color knitting...and you have a rewarding pattern that will add that dash of color to your winter and fall wardrobe.

AND from today (September 21, 2016) to Monday (September 26) you can get 25% off this fun colorwork pattern with the coupon code CCBlog25...or you can just click here.

See it's easy!

I hope you get your copy today and find the joys of stranded colorwork.

New pattern release coming soon. Carrelage!

Carrelage!

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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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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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From the wedding held of the Peak this weekend.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/26awfyC

Wild azalea on our walk this morning.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/1S5nT59

Project for Interweave Winter 17. Can't show much....but wanted to report progress. Body done, steeks cut, starting sleeves.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/22CQ0u4

My DH one of the hives this morning to check on the honey production. #beekeeping #applachianmountains

via Instagram http://ift.tt/1TVWGTJ

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
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Ravelry - varianbrandon
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Twitter - @vbknits
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Two scopes for you - No Name Yet shawlette and Criosanna cardi stories

You may or may not know this, but when you begin a Periscope broadcast you type in the title of the scope before you hit the broadcast button. The trouble with this system is that sometimes (and for me, it is most of the time) what you think you are going to talk about morphs a bit as viewers ask questions and make comments...which pleasantly sidetrack your original thoughts for the direction of scope.

I actually think this is fun and one of the benefits of live broadcasts.

So this that in mind,,,,here are two recent scopes.

During the first, we talked about my new website going live....

New Website Homepage

We also talked about the stranded shawlette I am working on for Mountain Meadow Wool. I'll post post pictures to Instagram (varianbrandon) when I'm a little further along.


During the second scope, we talked about the Criosanna cardi and the origins of the name of the pattern...which is not what you may think and definitely not what is listed on the pattern description. ;)

We also had a diversion to the podcasts of Brenda Dayne and meaning of a tail slate in the film industry.

What can I say....we have very diverse discussions.




So that's it for this post.

Join the ever wondering discussion live on Periscope! I'm vbknits.

Until then..I'm heading back to my knitting.

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

Interviewed by Tara Swiger

That should be a label button...don't you think? Or a new t-shirt...
I was interviewed by Tara Swiger!!

Actually, we had a great time talking...about designing knitwear and overcoming the "how come (insert famous person here) gets so many followers and is doing so well? I'm here too" doldrums.

The answer, by the way, is...don't worry about it. Put your head down and get own with your own work Your day will come as well.

So if you are interested in listening to our conversation, click here.

..and if you are interested in Tara and all of the wonderful work she does for makers, check out her website.

Let me know what you think of the interview.

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

100 Periscope Broadcasts!!

I certainly cannot believe it. 100 scopes! A sincere thank you to everyone who has joined me as we have talked about stranded knitting..and various other ramblings. :)

(Don't you just love it when Periscope catches you in the most flattering facial expressions!) 

The hat we talked about was Elfish. 

Elfish

This is a pattern I have used as a sampler of Fair Isle patterning for beginners or for anyone who has some DK stash busting to do.

 Missed a scope? Check out my other broadcasts here.

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

Pattern News, ABC's, and a discount for you!

Periscope

Recently on Periscope, I have been trying to go through a variety of topics that relate to stranded colorwork in some reasonable order. I have decided to use the alphabet as a guide to discussion points. Hey, it worked for Sue Grafton!

Here's what I've come up with so far...

A is for Alpaca.
B is for Buttonhole calculations.
C is for using a Crocheted chain to secure steek stitches.

What have I come up with for the rest of the 23 letters? I haven't the foggiest. Join me on Periscope to see if I have thought of something before I hit the "broadcast" button. ;)

Not familiar with Periscope? The best way I can describe it is a live video podcast where the viewers can interact with the presenter...which means you can ask questions while I demonstrate how I hold my needles, or how to use a wooley board, or how to weave in the ends while I knit...and I can answer you right then.

You sign up for a free account on your smart phone and start following me (@vbknits) ...at least I'd love it if you'd join me.

I "scope" most week days and try to keep the conversation to about 20 minutes. Join us. We have a lot of fun!

If you can't watch live, the replay stays around for 24 hours or you can check the blog where I will be posting a link to the latest broadcast.

Pattern News
I am spiffing up some of my patterns and want you to have a chance to take advantage of the dust off.

Adalour Cowl by Varian Brandon

This is Adalour with new pictures and a new layout. This over-sized cowl is designed in four shades of lovely Mountain Meadow Cody Sport. You can have the pattern for 15% off until February 14 with the coupon code Adalour15.

Other Pattern News
Watch for a new pattern from me in the Winter 2017 edition for Interweave Knits. Needless to say, I am excited!!

Alright folks, that's about it from me. I'm going back to my knitting.

Become a Newsletter member  for even more discounts and news or get in touch at one of the links below. I'd love to hear from you!

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