Nikomedes

I'm so excited to announce the release of my new sock pattern, Nikomedes.  I really enjoyed designing these pretty socks and hope that knitters will adore knitting them as much as my test knitters and I did!

I used Shalimar Zoe Sock in Driftwood for the design.  The color and yarn really show off the columns of lace cascading down the leg and instep and on the heel flap. 

 

 

Beth used Zoe Sock in Silver Sage for her's. 

 

Shannon used Three Irish Girls Springvale Sock in Driftwood.  It's so much fun to see my patterns come to life!

 

 

The three of us got together for lunch and a photo shoot last week.  I had visions of us going out into the garden and maybe sitting on a bench for the pictures.  The rustic background of a winter garden would have been the perfect backdrop.  It wound up being only 20 degrees outside, with a wind chill of what felt like -100.  We opted to stay inside, have hot cocoa and take pictures by the fire.  We stayed warm and had a blast!  There was a lot more giggling going on than actual picture taking. 

 

 

I think we are all hoping that Punxsutawney Phill is going to tell us that spring is just around the corner.  With that in mind, Ive created a coupon for my Ravely pattern shop.  Use coupon code: Groundhog for 15% off of any of my patterns from now until February 7.  You can click on the link above, or by copying and pasting this address into your browser: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/lara-smoots-ravelry-store

 



Bare Naked Knits

A couple of months ago, I received an email from Erica asking me to write a blog post at the end of January about Anne Hanson's Bare Naked Knit's Club.  I was so excited and honored that Erica and Anne would think of me! 

Ive been in Anne's clubs since their inception and have loved every moment!  Each month I stalk the postman wait patiently for a club package to arrive at my door.  I take it inside, and slowly open it, savoring the first moment that I see the yarn.  I fondle the yarn for a bit and then go download the chapter that goes along with that months shipment.  Chapter, you ask?  Yes, Anne writes an entire chapter for each shipment.  It includes information about where the yarn came from, what type of animal or plants were used to make it as well as patterns to go with the yarn.  And you know, Anne's patterns are absolutely fantastic! 

The Bare Naked Knits Club is really unique in that the total focus is on undyed yarn.  It's fiber in it's natural state.  My favorite shipment from last year was Eco Butterfly Lace.  It's naturally green cotton.  I had no idea that cotton could grow in more colors than white! 

 

Another shipment included a beautiful brown yarn made from Yak.  The pattern that came with that shipment is Peu Bourgeons Mitts and Hat. 

 

 

 

Not only is there a fun shipment each month, but there is a Club House on Ravelry as well!  It's a great place to hang out, swap stories and share what you are knitting from the club. 

 

 

 

 

 



Is that snow on your garden gnome, or did he get into the cupcakes?

It's my favorite day of the year. It snowed last night and I woke while it was still dark. Andy brought me a cup of coffee in bed and Roper hung out with me while I relaxed into the morning. I snuck outside while still in my pajama's to take a few pictures. The sun was just starting to come up and the sky was a beautiful whitish blue. The only sound was the ice cracking on the trees as the breeze blew through them.

After living in Maine for so many years, I stopped enjoying snow. The last winter I lived there we had 99" of snow accumulation over the winter. There was so much snow and it was so incredibly heavy that the roof of the barn needed to be shoveled. By the end of the winter I could stand on the huge snowbank next to the barn to reach up and shovel more snow off. The first winter that I lived in Virginia was like being on vacation! It didn't snow at all and I don't remember it being colder than mid 40's. Since then, I've found that it does snow here on occasion, but it's never very much. It melts within a few days and looks pretty while it's here. There never seems to be that gray sludge on top of the snow from the street that happens further north. It's just pretty and pristine and reminds me of a frosted cake.

The Nikomedes pattern is nearly finished.  Im putting the final touches on it now.  Shannon and Beth have been really wonderful test knitters. The pattern should be ready to be released by the end of next week.  I've really enjoyed writing and designing this pattern   It's fun knit with a very easy to remember stitch pattern.  The lace  continues down the heel which is perfect for showing off with clogs!

Nikomedes shown in Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock Driftwood

Here is a little teaser for Mirrored Step, which will be coming out at the end of February.  It's a great pattern for semi-solid as well as variegated yarns.  Knitted cuff down and will come in three sizes.  The Mirrored Step stitch pattern really helps to break up any pooling and will work well with a variety of yarns.

Cindy and Tierney have just gotten the test pattern for this fun knit.  Im anxious to hear how they are doing and see progress pictures.  It's so exciting when I get to see my patterns come to life in the knitting of others!  

  Check out Tierney's blog if you have a chance.  She has some really fun things on there and is very talented!

Frost in Bloom

Im so excited to announce the release of Frost in Bloom!  It's my first published pattern, and I hope that knitters will enjoy knitting this infinity scarf as much as I have enjoyed designing it.  Ive knitted two of them and am getting ready to cast on for my third one.  Frost in Bloom is a quick fun project perfect for working on at knit group or while watching tv.  It's a one skein project, so you can go stash diving for the yarn.  Shown here in Shalimar Breathless Sonoma.

Over the past several years Ive been testing knitting for several designers.  Going through the test knitting process has taught me a lot about what elements need to be in a pattern, and the importance of clear concise instructions.   Ive included both written and charted directions so whatever your preference is, it should be covered.  Of course if you have questions, Im available via email to answer them and help out if you need it.

The day Andy and I decided to do the photo shoot, it was freezing cold and the wind was blowing like crazy!  We wound up driving around downtown to find a spot with good lighting with shelter from the wind.  This is a stone foundation of the basement of one our favorite antique shops.  It worked out really well.

 

Thank you so much to Shannon and Laura for test knitting, and to Kristi for the final proof read and encouragement, and to Anne for the kind words of wisdom on copyrighting.

Congratulations to Helen who is the winner of the handspun yarn and pattern from the Grievence post!