Price Changes

The time has come for me to raise some of the prices of my older patterns.  I need to do this in order to maintain my business and to continue to bring you high-quality creative and accurate patterns.  

Over the past year I have added in a second editor to look at all of my patterns and hired a professional photographer, as well as updating my layout.  I will be updating and improving some patterns, and one pattern that has been free will now be updated for sale (Tweedy Scholar Scarf, now known as Briquette.)  All of my accessory patterns will be priced at $6, and all of my garments will be $7.  

I'll be raising prices on January 1st, so if you want to get some of the older patterns at the lower price, please be sure to purchase before that date.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the price increases and thank you so much for supporting my designs!

Best,
Andrea

Kalaloch #1 Sale!

Today I went for a quick ride to the grocery store wearing one of my favorite designs, Kalaloch, some cabled leggings that are perfect for being outside and looking cute in this chilly weather!  Unlike the pattern photos, this is how I actually wear the leggings - under a skirt.  They keep me warm and are very easy to ride in.  I love how well they breathe, which keeps me just the right temperature.  

I've been so excited today to see them at the top of Ravelry's Hot Right Now list, and in celebration, I'm offering 15% off of the pattern for as long as they stay in the top 5.

No coupon code is necessary and you don't need to be a Ravelry member to take advantage of the sale.  Just purchase the pattern via my website or Ravelry and the discount will be applied automatically.

UPDATE: The sale is over - thanks so much to those of you who took advantage of it!  The next time I have a pattern in the top 5, I'll have another sale!

Happy knitting!

Kalaloch
See it on Ravelry
The Lenke Collection

Ride to the Kinsol Trestle

I love my bike, but I'm really new at riding.  My husband and I got bikes in September to use for transportation when we moved to Cowichan Bay.  Since then we've mostly ridden a few miles to the farmer's market or the bank, and to explore the neighborhood a bit.  This week we had all our chores done before the weekend, and I found myself feeling disappointed that I didn't need to ride my bike.

So, I actually took a whole day off for a long ride to the Kinsol Trestle.  We went about 25 miles, taking the long way there and back, and it was the longest distance we've ridden so far.  By the end of it we were both pretty fatigued, but it was a lot of fun and it gave me more confidence in myself and my gear.

Even though it rained on and off all day, it wasn't very cold - around 45 degrees.  And the scenery was stunning.

Lately I've been promoting the knitting and wearing of wool for activewear (see my guest blog entry on Bicitoro), and it definitely proved its worth on our ride.  I knew we'd be riding in the rain for a good portion of the day, so I dressed for it: 
- wool/silk hand knit color work socks 
- 10-eye zipped docs
- custom wool leggings by Bicitoro
- Icebreaker wool camisole
- long sleeved Smartwool mid-layer shirt  
- my favorite hemp dress (more for fashion than function, I admit)
- hand knit Jacob wool sweater
- hand knit cowl worked in Hazel Knits Artisan Sock and folded double
- hand knit woolen spun cap (Brooklyn Tweed Loft)
- Smartwool liner gloves
- work gloves that I usually wear for cycling

I had my REI rain jacket and rain pants on hand all folded up in their pockets in my bag & I put them to good use once it started raining.  It was a bit awkward getting the pants on over my boots in the rain, but it was definitely do-able.  Near the end of the day when we were about ten miles from home I got pretty hot, so even though it was raining, I ditched the rain jacket, cowl, and hat.  The outside of my sweater got wet, but the inside was still toasty warm.  If I'm going to be out for a long time and it's raining, I do like my rain jacket, but for short trips, or on the way home, I love just wearing wool on top - it breathes just the right amount so that I stay dry without overheating.  

A couple of other things that worked really well: 
- We recently added visors to our helmets and I was very appreciative watching the rain drops fall in front of my nose and not on it.
- My new fenders passed the test: I didn't notice any spray coming off my tires and into my eyes.
- When it really started coming down, I added a pair of glasses meant for eye protection playing racket ball.  These helped keep the big rain drops and splashes out of my eyes, but they were also blurry and hard to see through when they got really wet.  Still, it was better than getting my eyes full of water.
- It turns out that my new Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote bag is very water resistant.  I used a bungee net to attach it to my handlebars and it stayed secure with the contents just a little dampened after six hours in the rain.  I love carrying this particular bag because it has comfortable backpack straps, which is perfect for when I get off the bike.  It's also very lightweight and can be packed down really tiny.  The only downside to this system is that it's pretty difficult to get stuff in and out of the bag and re-attach the whole thing.  I may just go for an actual handlebar bag that also has a way to carry it off the bike.  I'm just so picky though - I want lightweight, waterproof, attractive, easy to carry on and off the bike.  I'd love suggestions!

A good portion of our ride was on the Cowichan Valley Trail, which is a part of the Trans Canada Trail, the longest continuous trail in the world, and a completely gorgeous ride, especially on such a misty and mysterious day.  We felt like we were in The Never Ending Story.  This was our first trail ride, so we took it slow, especially because of how much water there was next to and on the trail.  There were several places where the trail was flooded enough that I don't think we'd have been able to pass on foot.  By bike it was possible, but some of the giant puddles had big round stones at the bottom.  Of course the very first puddle we crossed, my front wheel ran into one of these stones and turned.  I realized quickly that I had to either fall or put my feet down, so I put my feet down and hopped as quickly as I could to dry land, swearing as I felt the cold water seeping into my boots.  My socks got pretty wet, but not so wet that it would have been useful to take off my shoes and squeeze them out.  So my toes were cold the rest of the day, but they didn't go numb.  We navigated the rest of the puddles without any trouble, so I guess I learned from my first error.  I might get myself some waterproof shoes for the future though.

My gloves also got really wet and the moisture soaked parts of my liner gloves too, which was cold and uncomfortable.  I've already ordered some waterproof gloves to fix this problem.

We stopped for lunch at the Kinsol Trestle and I was really glad I'd brought my thermos full of green tea.  It was just what we needed.  We chose the trestle as our destination mostly just have a place to aim for.  I like to visit the local sites when I'm in a new place, and the views really were astonishing.  It was fun and a little intimidating to ride across - it was really high up.

One of my favorite things about the whole day was how the clouds blended into the mist below the tree line.  I felt really special to get this view, especially since we didn't see a soul on the trail and only ran into a handful of people at the trestle.  

As I said above, I'm a very inexperienced rider, but with our wool and rain gear, we had a thoroughly enjoyable day.  It was a joy to realize that we could have a fantastic time outside in early December here in our new home.  I feel fortunate that it's so warm here, even with the rain, and I definitely recommend our route.  See the map below and if you're in the area, give it a try.  There were several signs for the Kinsol Trestle and for the Cowichan Valley Trail that we ignored because we wanted the scenic route, but you could follow those signs for a shorter trip.  

Anyone here in the Cowichan Valley have other suggestions for day trip bike rides?  

Book Preview - Briquette

You may be familiar with one of my very first patterns, Tweedy Scholar Scarf.  I named it after a fellow with a beard who had a very academic look about him.  I later learned he was not a university professor, but a former boxer, so maybe it would have been more appropriate to call it the Tweedy Fighter.  For completely unrelated reasons, though, I'm updating the scarf for my upcoming book with a new look and a new name.  

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2012

I'm calling it Briquette and in its new format it will still be free through December 31, 2012.  Starting January 1, though, it will be $6 so download it now.  The pattern is easy to memorize and to customize and would make a lovely gift for men or women.  

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2012

Briquette is worked in Hazel Knits DK Lively, which is a very bouncy DK weight sock yarn.  Its tightly twisted three-ply structure creates gorgeous stitch definition, and the merino nylon fiber content makes it soft and durable.  The color is Equinox and I believe it speaks for itself, as is true of all Hazel Knits colors.  

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2012

Our location for this photo shoot was downtown Seattle, so we had quite a few passersby curious about what we were up to.  The human who was accompanying this lovely dog insisted that he would make a much better model than any of the fellows I had on hand.  We all decided that we wouldn't be offended considering he was extremely beautiful.  We couldn't say no to the offer to include him in a photo, though I decided against letting him wear any of the garments.  

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2012

I chose this design as a preview for my upcoming book because it's a solid representation of what the book is about - practical, distinguished designs that men will want to knit and wear.  All of the patterns are elegantly functional with thoughtful knitterly details.  

The book will be available for pre-order starting in early January.  Subscribe to my mailing list to make sure you get updates.  

Briquette

Finished Measurements

Length: 82 in/208 cm

Width: 5.75 in/14.4 cm

Yarn

440 yd/402 m DK weight yarn

Shown in Hazel Knits DK Lively (90% Merino, 10% Nylon); color Equinox; 2 skeins

Gauge

22 sts/28 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Boxes Stitch Pattern

Needles & Notions

*Needle sizes are recommendations only.  Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.

US #8/5 mm needle

tapestry needle

Skills

cast on, knit, purl, knit through the back loop, purl through the back loop, bind off, follow written or charted stitch pattern instructions

See it on Ravelry

Tzouhalem Spinners & Weavers Guild

I've had some great opportunities to meet local creative types here on the island since I moved here, and I've been looking forward to attending a meeting of the Tzouhalem Spinners and Weavers Guild in Duncan, just north of Cowichan Bay.  Today I got my chance, and I can say that I definitely plan to join up and go again soon.  Today's meeting included a presentation by Natalie Bannister, an English teacher who spent 2 years in Bhutan.  She brought with her a stunning array of woven fabrics, belts, and even a basket that she referred to as "Bhutanese Tupperware."

The most fun part of the afternoon was watching Natalie encase a volunteer in full Bhutanese dress so we could see how it was done. All of the fabrics were stunning and I loved hearing the weavers discuss technique.  I had no idea what they were talking about, but they were clearly impressed.

And the finished product:

All of the members extended a warm welcome to me, and I even got to see Megan Goodacre's latest sweater, Cultivar in person because her mom was there wearing it!  It's a beautiful cardigan with some surprising and lovely details.  

Have you had any exciting guests come through your local fiber guild?  What stunning things have they brought along?


I want to remind you all too that my Eple Knit Along is still going!  It's on until December 31 and if you participate you could win a free pattern and a skein of Hazel Knits Artisan Sock!  See the Ravelry forum for more details.

Eple Socks

20% Off Sale!

Save 20% on all Andrea Rangel Knits independently published pattern downloads and ebooks!

Sale is Thursday, November 22 through Monday, November 26.  

Get your holiday gift knitting going or pick up that pattern you've been wanting to knit for yourself.  

Visit the Patterns page on my website or my Ravelry store for qualifying designs.

And don't forget - on Friday I'll be drawing a random name from my mailing list to win a free pattern, so subscribe soon.

Happy Thanksgiving & happy knitting!

UPDATE:
I've drawn a winner!  Congratulations Polly!  

A Book (is coming)

For about a year I've been working on patterns for this book, and now it is getting very close to the finish line.  As usual, I took on the project in part because it was a challenge - make a book full of patterns that men will want to knit for themselves.  Or, if they're so unfortunate that they haven't yet learned how to knit, they'll beg their knitter friends to knit these designs for them.  That was my goal, and when I finally publish the book this coming January, I'll find out if I succeeded.   Perhaps naming all mankind as my target audience is a little bit ambitious, but I like to be bold.

Just to give a little taste, here are a couple of pictures from the photo shoot we did a few weeks ago in Seattle.  I spent a day scouting for locations downtown so we could find the perfect spot, and it reminded my why I love Seattle.  The city is stunning, especially in the fall.  

This was the first shoot that I've directed myself and I have to give a huge thank you to my excellent models, and my incredible photographer, Kathy Cadigan.

serious conferring on background and pose
Photo © Jon Keto

This is me directing the photo shoot.  And again, I talk with my hands.
Photo © Kathy Cadigan

And here's the mysterious and beautiful folded view of two of the designs:

Yarn support for this collection was provided in part by delicious Brooklyn Tweed.
That's Shelter there.
Photo © Kathy Cadigan

If you want to make sure you learn about book updates and other Andrea Rangel Knits news subscribe to my mailing list.  This Friday (Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving) I'm going to pick a random name from the list and give away a free pattern so sign up soon for your chance to win!  

What men's knits are you working on?  And fellas, what kind of patterns do you wish there were more of?

Elements of Hand Knitting Design

I was really fortunate to teach a class at the inaugural Knit Fit a few weeks ago.  You may remember this stack of swatches that I posted a few months ago in preparation for the class.

Well, I made a whole lot more swatches after I photographed that stack, and we had a lot of fun touching and squishing and measuring and stretching and staring at them.  The class was about how to design with a strong focus on fabric creation and combining fiber, yarn construction, stitch pattern, and color to achieve the desired results.   

My favorite part of the class was watching students as they observed and compared swatches.  The longer we were at it, the more closely they looked, and when the first student started pulling apart the end of the yarn to check the number of plies it had, I knew I was doing my job.  



This activity was a team effort in which groups of students had to identify the yarn, fiber content, construction, and gauge of the swatches.  It was challenging, but I loved watching them work together and combine their fiber-y knowledge.  When I was planning this game, I pictured a sort of rowdy, loud room in which students were running around and stealing each other's swatches.  But, my students were much more civil and secretive!  There were prizes for the fastest team, so voices were kept low to keep the other teams out of it.  

Aside from exercising their powers of observation, students also planned a design for a scarf and got a head start on it in class.  I feel very grateful to have had such a strong, insightful, and thoughtful group.  Thanks, knitters!  Please let us know if you have progress to report on the design we planned in class or any others.  I'd love to see what you're working on!

If you took classes at Knit Fit, what were they?  Share what you learned and what you hope for next year!

I also have to give another shout out to Hannah and Sasa, the Knit Fit organizers.  They did an amazing job keeping the whole event humming.  

I'm currently accepting testers for several patterns that will be in an upcoming book.  If you're interested in testing, please head over to the Free Pattern Testers forum on Ravelry to take a look.

Color Work Sweater (Dude knitters, I'm looking at you - if you actually accomplished that feat, this sweater will be a piece of cake.)

Color Work Hat

Zipped Cardigan

Textured Socks

Scribe

Last night I was working hard to finalize the layout for a men's color work cardigan when I was surprised by the latest issue of Twist Collective going live.  I found this out by seeing a photo of my mittens, Scribe, pop up on my Ravelry page.  It's a funny feeling when you see something you spent so much time with appear fully formed before your eyes, especially when you finished that work months and months ago.  It's a strange sort of deja vu in which the memory has been intensely enhanced by the skills of stylist, model, and photographer.  Thank you Twist Collective Team for showing my mittens in such a lovely light.

Photo © Jane Heller 

These mittens started with the idea that I wanted really warm mittens for winter, especially if there's snowy weather.  I love the concept of lined wool mittens because a liner adds an extra pocket of air between the hands and the outside where even more warm air can get trapped and keep you toasty.  The double layer and dense gauge means that these are water and wind resistant too.  

Photo © Jane Heller 

The mittens are constructed by using a provisional cast and working the liner mitt first.  Before working the outer mitten from the provisional cast on stitches, the liner is turned inside out because, as I found out through trial and error, at this dense gauge it's a lot more comfortable to have the purl side next to the fingers.  When I was trying on earlier versions, it seemed like I could feel the decreases at the top of the hand with the knit side in, which bugged me.  This way, it's all smooth.  

It's not super obvious in the photos, but these mittens also include a cord to hang them around your neck when they're not being worn.  I'm terrible about losing just one mitten and this was my solution.  It also allows me to take them off to do a task without having to figure out where to put them down. 

Photo © Jane Heller

As a teenager I owned those very boots: 10-eye oxblood Docs.  Sometimes I still think about them and miss them, so to see them so perfectly styled with my mittens warms the punk rock part of my heart.  

Photo © Jane Heller

Both mittens are worked the same in worsted weight wool so you don't have to worry about which is which, and the knitting goes quickly even with the lovely color work.

I encourage you to check out the rest of this issue of Twist Collective - it really is a stunner.  

You can see these mittens in the magazine and on Ravelry.  I can't wait to see the color combinations knitters come up with.

Photo © Jane Heller

Working With Wool

I'm finally back from Seattle and just starting to head back into the usual swing of things.  Knit Fit was a really incredible experience and I'm already looking forward to next year.  The whole event was kicked off with a talk, slide show, and display of sweaters brought to us by Sylvia Olsen, author of Working With Wool: A Coast Salish Legacy and the Cowichan Sweater, among many other books.  Thank you Sasa and Hannah for bringing us such an excellent speaker!

I was especially honored to be asked to introduce Sylvia.  And as you can see, I was pretty excited, and I talk with my hands.

In the first row, Cirilia Rose and Ann Weaver were sitting next to me as enraptured as I was.  I adore a room full of knitters and sweaters!  I was seriously in love with Ann's sweater, The Line, as well.  It's from her latest book, White Whale Volume 2.  The photos don't do justice to the vibrant shades of yellow and yellow-green by Dragonfly Fibers.  Kits for the sweater are even available, and I feel a serious need to get me one.

Sylvia talked about the history of Coast Salish knitters and the people who have worn the beautiful sweaters they made.  She finished her presentation by discussing the current trends, including Cowichan knitting in the media.  Of course it was great fun to hear her talk about The Big Lebowski.

It was the perfect start to a fantastic weekend.  Thanks again, Sylvia, Hannah, and Sasa!  My next entry will be about my class at Knit Fit.  

What was your favorite part of Knit Fit?

True Grain

I've been having an amazing and overwhelming experience here in Seattle for Knit Fit.  The event was so seamlessly organized - I have to give a huge shout-out to Sasa and Hannah who put the whole thing together.  I also got the chance to do a photo shoot with three wonderful models (thanks Joe, Joseph, and Jon!) and the very talented photographer, Kathy Cadigan.  Once I'm home and can get my photos uploaded, I'll share lots more about the event and the upcoming book with you, but for now, I give you pictures of food.

In case I haven't already convinced you to come visit me up north, here are a few images of the bakery that brought us here, True Grain Bread.  The bicycles are outside, but the delicious-ness is inside.

You can get locally-made jam.  

And freshly-milled flour and oatmeal and granola.

And of course, amazing bread and pastries.  

And now I'm hungry.

Spinning Ninny

I've enjoyed being in a community that has locally-owned businesses, and one of the businesses I've gotten to know is The Spinning Ninny, a boutique that carries "local handcrafted treasures."  The images of the shop really speak for themselves, so I'll let them do the talking.

Come visit the shop and get some treasures!  There are even some Cowichan leg warmers and handknit baby hats by yours truly.