What we knit is personal.

I knit small things, and swatches, mostly.  The only way for me to get through a large project is if I have solved all the issues before I begin.  If I have to stop to solve something (how deep is the armhole? where does the neckline start?) the likelihood of me getting right back to it is pretty small.  I am easily distracted, and finding the time to do that problem solving may not be in my immediate timeline.

I am convinced that most projects get put aside for this reason. 

I love exploring though, so having to rip something back, or out all together doesn't stop me.  I am staring at one of the samples for Maiori (to release next month!) and I started that project two other times before I found something I liked in the yarn. I always feel it is good to know if yarn holds up to ripping!  

A project I am currently working on got rip backs too.  I just couldn't make it work with one of the design elements.  Again, I think the third time was the charm.  The original design element stayed -- I found a work around.  If Judy is doing the knitting, she gets to do the ripping back.  I usually pay her extra if the fault is mine.

I would love it if you bought Sorrento to knit and gave me feedback!  Sorrento has 10 sizes and a written pattern for DK/sport/fingering yarn. The Piano del Sorrento written pattern and Pattern Calculator turns it into an Any Size. Any Gauge. pattern.  There is a pattern with blanks to be filled in.  Read this blog.  Links and more info below.

Beginning now, you can go here on Slack (my favorite communication platform) to ask me questions from my patterns or ask me anything.  I'm an open book, or I will tell you I don't want to answer something.

An Accelerator is a Quick Start Guide. 

Many knitters assume that because of their length my patterns are difficult. They aren't, but they are different.  I put in a lot more information which you can use, or not, as you wish.  The idea of a quick start guide came about during a test knit.  I wanted to use a better word, so they are Accelerators.

In Sorrento and Piano del Sorrento you can jump from the Accelerator to pages in either pattern, or to other information, within the pattern document or on my website.  

I have written so many words about Sorrento & Piano del Sorrento this week, please pardon me for just providing general information here and encouraging you to go read what I've already written.

The pattern releases on Friday, February 25, 2022.  You can buy the individual pattern or you can buy it as part of the Amalfi Collection.

Back to Sorrento!  I will be doing a yarn giveaway for those who buy patterns!  I have two skeins of Serenity (100% cashmere), gifted to me by Anzula Luxury Fibers.  I will do a drawing on March 2 from purchasers.  I must admit that I don't think I have the pattern available for download on Ravelry or Payhip yet but it will be by Saturday and they will be included!

There are four options to participate in the Amalfi Collection (start here).  I have four skeins of yarn to give away!  I have a skein for each of the Full Collection options, and I have a skein each of the 2 or 3 pattern options.  I think I'll do that drawing on March 15.

Food for Thought.  I mentioned last week that as my patterns evolve, so do my prices.  At this point I make no money on patterns, so it makes no difference to me whether I sell a few at a rational price or more at robbery prices.  This is a very tough place to have a business -- it is your hobby, and my livelihood. My work represents a lifetime of gaining knowledge and experience.

I am interested in fitting everyone, but it is too hard to write the patterns for every conceivable shape, so I am doing patterns this way:  Purchasers get a written pattern, and a pattern with blanks to be filled in for your size, a Pattern Calculator to give you all the numbers you need, and an Accelerator.  

This makes the patterns incredibly versatile and reusable.  You get a pattern that can literally be made in Any Size. Any Gauge. 

If you look at the prices for the Amalfi Collection you will notice they range from $8 (Positano) to $30 (Ravello Tank).  I try to keep the prices in line with what I have included in the pattern.  Positano was an experiment, and I will be updating it, and then it will go to $12. Upcoming accessories are all priced at $12 (written pattern, Accelerator, Any Size. Any Gauge. written pattern and Pattern Calculator), plus all the other information I provide.

Once I get into more complicated things it necessitates a higher price.  Shaping charts add a lot of time, and considering fit in 10 or more sizes is an immense task.