Alafair Beret

Autumn is just around the corner and hats are back!

I am so happy about that because I just LOVE to design and knit hats! They are always a satisfying and quick projects: in a few hours you have a statement piece for your outfit, just like that!

This new design will probably take a bit more time that hats I usually design, because it is made with fingering yarn and in Japanese lace pattern!
A lot of knitters (just like me) adore Japanese lace, but terrified about that "work every round" pattern. So the good news is that in my new design you have to deal just only with Right Side rows (aka rounds) which make life a bit easier.
Still, this project will require a lot of attention. This is definitely not a mindless TV-knitting. But the result is worth it.
So without further ado, let me present an Alafair Beret!
It is available on Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.
If you are making a purchase through Ravelry, you will get an automatic 20% discount.
Enjoy and happy knitting!

P.S. Now you know what this post was about:)

Crossed Right-Slanting Decrease

If you ever tried to do some lace knitting, using the Japanese lace patterns, you have probably noticed that their designers have a particular love for twisted stitch. Straight lines of twisted stitch columns make every lace pattern so refined.

And sometimes those twisted stitch columns need to change direction! So we need to find a way to make a nice Right- and Left-Slanting decreases, which are continue the pretty twisted stitch pattern.

For the Crossed Left-Slanting Decrease we need to use a simple and straightforward k2tog tbl:
just knit two stitches together but through back loop and you will see how the stitch leans and twists in right direction.

The Crossed Right-Slanting Stitch Decrease is a tad more complicated. I found this description of supposedly matching the k2tod tbl decrease here, but found it not entirely "matching". The thing is that this way your crossed stitch will twist counter-clockwise, when the ktbl is twisted clockwise. So in my own Crossed Right-Slanting Stitch Decrease instruction I found a way to eliminate this un-evenness and make all stitches twist in right direction.

That's how we do it:

1. Slip first stitch purl-wise.
2. Slip second stitch purl-wise through back loop.
3. Return both stitches to left needle.
4. Knit these two stitches together through front loop (as for k2tog).
5. Voila! Now we have Right-Slanting Decrease, twisted clock-wise and matching ktbl of previous and following rows.

El Jardin Top

Some time ago, when I was accumulated the home renovation ideas, I bought a wonderful book, which I fell in love once I saw it. This book is called "Casa San Miguel".
I never had a chance to travel to this beautiful Mexican town yet, but when I am turning the pages of this book, I feel like I am there.
And my new summer top design was totally inspired by this book and this town.
And here it is, my El Jardin Top:

As usual, it is available on Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy!