Even California is getting colder these days.. Which means everywhere else would be even colder! Well, it's a good thing that we're knitters!

Snowflake Shrug is a design I published last year but didn't really get to talk about it much. 

It was knitted in Bernat Alpaca and Universal Yarn Swiss Mohair held together. It creates this crazy romantic whimsical fabric when knitted up. Unfortunately, I have learned since then that Universal Yarn Swiss Mohair has been discontinued. I think Rowan Kidsilk Haze would work perfectly with this, though, and I put it in the suggested yarns section on the pattern page. 

I fell in love with this stitch. It's so easy, but adds a nice touch to this romantic shrug. And the shrug makes a great addition to the wardrobe for a fancy party! It could also be something to keep you warm on your wedding day :) 

Snowflake Shawl
Suggested Yarns: Bernat Alpaca and Rowan Kidsilk Haze
Gauge: 11 sts and 20 rows = 4" in St st.
Needles: US 9 / 5.5mm
Sizes available: 38.5 (46, 54, 61.5, 69)" to fit 31-34 (35-38, 40-44, 46-52, 55-59)" bust circumference

I was so excited to design this blanket, Movie Night Blanket, for Holla Knits. What's so exciting about blankets? After all, they're, like, gigantic swatches. 

THIS!

And THIS!

So I made a pocket for a remote control. When you're all bundled up in a blanket, watching a movie on your comfy couch, the last thing you want to do is to get up to look for your remote control. 

So you keep it right where your blanket is! :) 

And this blanket is detachable. I knitted the blanket in one piece, and then STEEKED it to make it into 2 pieces. This was an idea that came to me after I learned to steek - I thought cutting through a big piece of knitting would be exhilarating! and also, thought, hey what a great way to circumvent the Boyfriend Sweater Curse? It's one piece of knitting, so you didn't really knit it for your significant other, but you both can enjoy it.

Actually, right now, this blanket lives in the room that's about to become a nursery. When unbuttoned, it's a perfect baby blanket size. I plan to use it to cover the baby swing seat, and use the other half for myself, when I have to hold him through many tired, sleepless nights. When he grows up, he can use the full-size blanket, all buttoned up! 

So Holla Knits is having a flash sale tomorrow, and all the patterns will be available at 50% off! It's to promote their 2015 Holla Knits Knit Along, starting February 2. If you do participate, and finish ANYTHING by May 1, you can win a free pattern of the winner's choosing. You can choose any pattern from Holla Knits patterns as well as patterns from designers, Jennifer Dassau, Karin Kemper, Rohn Strong, Teresa Gregorio, Emily Ringelman, Annie Watts, Emma Welford, Andrea Sanchez, Karin Wilmoth, Leah Coccari-Swift, Lee Meredith, Claire Auger Denny, Sarah Hurwitz, Rusty Baker, Bo Balder, Emily Greene Blue, Patty Nance, Kirsten Singer, Casey Carroll, Allyson Dykhuizen.....

...and ME, of course!

Looking forward to seeing everyone's FOs! 

Movie Night Blanket
Suggested Yarns: Knits In Class Worsted Single-Ply
Gauge: 18 sts and 20 rows = 4" in pattern.
Needles: US 8 / 5.0mm
Sizes available: Small (Large) 51 (76)" by 41 (71)"