The Summer Swatch Me Gallery!

At long last (and well in Autumn) I am totally delighted to be bring you our Summer Swatch Me photo gallery. Represented here are 24 knitters, from all over the world. Some knit the sampler alone, and some were actually able to keep pace with me as I knit through the summer. I am really impressed with the work displayed here, as I am sure you will be too! At the very end of the post I will present my Swatch Me Gallery prizes, which were selected by tossing everyone's name (one chance per project shown) in a hat and asking BadKitten to draw a first and my nephew Ben a second place. I wish I had a prize for each and every knitter who was generous enough to share their photographs with all of us! FYI, plans for our winter project are gestating and I think we have something quite unique for you, so keep an eye on my blog for updates, coming very soon. Without further fuss, and in no particular order (with details following photo(s))...
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn:Colourmart 3/20 silk/cotton color:HotSand
Needle Size:Knit Pics Harmony Size 6
Finished Size:14 ½ x 68
Beads:Japanese Glass Beads 6/0
Your name: Carol L
Your Ravelry name:carolpa
Comments:Great learning experience for me being new to knitting.Directions were precise and easy to follow.

Name of project: Summer Swatch Me Sampler Stole
Yarn: KnitPicks Shadow Kettle Dyed - colour Wilderness. Stole took at
total of 120g or 1056 yards.
Needle Size:3.5mm addi turbo lace
Finished Size: Pre-block: 14" by 55" with blocked: 23" by 74"
(5 repeats or centre knit over 78 sts: Edging = 375 sts each long side
(26x14 + 12) and 78 (14x5 +8) for each short side. )
Beads: 6/0 blue lined crystal (added extra row of beads on r6 of edging)...
Your name: teresat2t
Your Ravelry name: teresat2t
Comments: I had a lot of fun knitting and am absolutely thrilled that I
actually finished my summer project when it was still technically summer.
I enjoyed this summer group. I learned some new techniques/pattern and
gained valuable insight into the process of design.
To create my stole, I added some extra repeats for width and created a more
elaborate spacer pattern to give the extra length. The end product turned
out to be the perfect size.
Thanks BadCat - we are all looking forward to next summer.
Summer Swatch Me Photo Gallery
Name of project: Trailing Vine Mitts
Yarn: Wollmeise 100% in color Aquarius
Needle Size: US 2
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Name of project: Trail Socks
Yarn: Wollmeise Twin Indisch Rot
Needle Size: US 2
Finished Size: Male adult
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Comments:
Even though the lace might be thought of as feminine, Peter thinks of it as cooling off the socks so they can be worn in hot weather!

Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Silk/Cashmere 2-ply in Silver Fox
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size:
Beads: AB Silver lined magatamas
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Summer Swatch Me Photo Gallery
Name of project: Peacock Mitts
Yarn: Wollmeise 80/20 Twin in color Aquarius
Needle Size: US 2
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Summer Swatch Me Photo Gallery
Name of project: Lotus Hat
Yarn: Crystal Palace Mini Mochi
Needle Size: US 2
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk

Name of project: Lilac Stole
Yarn: Wollmeise Lacegarn, color Absinthe
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size: Approximately 62" by 14"
Beads: Crystal 8.0 beads
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Name of project: Bad Cat Sock Tutorial
Yarn: Wollmeise 100% Spina di Pesce
Needle Size: US 1
Finished Size: Baby
Your name: Sue in CA
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Comments:
These are adorable!! Can't wait to give them at baby shower coming up!
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Crystal Palace Alpaca Lace in Ecru
Needle Size: 2
Finished Size: 12 x 60
Beads: crystal bronze lined
Your name: Patty Mannion
Your Ravelry name: Patsen
Name of project: Vine Mitts
Yarn: Yarn Place Adagio
Needle Size:US 1
Finished Size: Big enough...sorry forgot to measure it! :)
Beads: um, maybe?
Your name: Mary
Blog URL : http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: Marydear
Comments: Stolen after the photo shoot by a greedy teen! I had a horrible time trying to match the mitts and ended up going fraternal and calling it a day!
Name of project: Heavy Weight Socks
Yarn: Mountain Colors Barefoot
Needle Size:US 1
Finished Size: size 8 shoe
Beads: Nope
Your name: Mary
Blog URL : http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: Marydear
Comments: Sneak Peak test knit, wonderfully warm and cozy socks for me! I didn't let the greedy teen look at these ones. :)
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Jade Sapphire 2 ply in Burnt Toast
Needle Size:US 4
Finished Size: Big enough...sorry forgot to measure it! :)
Beads: Nope, skipped them for this project.
Your name: Mary
Blog URL : http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: Marydear
Comments: Fabulous project as usual! Knit this one along with the group.
Name of project: Light Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces
Needle Size:US 1
Finished Size: size 8 shoe
Beads: Nope, skipped them for this project.
Your name: Mary
Blog URL : http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: Marydear
Comments: Sneaky socks that the greedy teen didn't see, in fact they are on my feet right now! :)
Name of project: Falling Leaf Cowl
Yarn: Art Yarns Silk/Mohair
Needle Size:US 5
Finished Size: Big enough...sorry forgot to measure it! :)
Beads: Big 'ens and Little 'ens
Your name: Mary
Blog URL : http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: Marydear
Comments: Soft, silky, drapey, just what a gal needs around her neck! Test knit before the group had a chance to even peak at it which was very exciting in itself. :)
Name of project: Champagne Hug
Yarn: Jade Sapphire 2 ply in Plum Crazy
Needle Size:US 4
Finished Size: Bust size 36
Beads: Nope, skipped them for this project.
Your name: Mary
Blog URL : http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: Marydear
Comments: Another "with the group" project, instantly claimed by a needy teenager who needed a hug!



The collection above is from Malle, in Estonia:
Traveling Leaf Mitts and Fountain Mitts:
yarn Schachenmayr Micro Bamboo and needles 2,0.
Trail Socks:
Yarn Schoeller Stahl and 3,0 needles
Falling Leaf Cowl:
Needles 3,5 and 100% Superwash Merino yarn.
Thank you for this wonderful group for the summer.I hope that it would soon be a new group.

Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Snowshoe Farm Alapaca Fingering Weight in Natural
Needle Size: 5
Finished Size: 14 inches x 74 inches
Beads: None
Your name: Karen
Your blog URL: www.yointhehouse.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: Karent
Comments: I decided to omit the beads because the yarn had such a natural organic feel to it and I couldn't find any beads that would compliment it.
Name of project: Ariel’s Lotus Hat
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun in Pink Please
Needle Size: 6
Finished Size:
Beads: None
Your name: Karen
Your blog URL: www.yointhehouse.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: Karent
Comments: I wanted to try a pattern in worsted weight so I cast on 6 of the 15 stitch repeats from the hat pattern. When it came time to shape the crown, I worked a decrease row and then a plain row through the patterned part and as soon as I got to the plain knitting, I just worked decrease rows. And I do like the tassel.
Name of project: Summer SwatchMe Sampler Sweater
Yarn:Great Adirondack Egyptian Cotton, 1000 yards ( 2 skeins)
Needle Size:5
Finished Size: size 38 chest, back length 25inches
Beads:none. Antique Czech pressed Glass buttons
Your name: Jeri Riggs
Your blog URL:www.jeririggs.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: Knitbird
Comments: A top-down ,set-in sleeve, seamless sweater incorporating all 9 lace patterns.This was a delight to make because of the marvelous lace patterns designed by Andrea. Thanks!
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: ColourMart Cashmere/Silk/Merino 2/28NM Laceweight (held double)
Needle Size: 4 (3.5mm)
Finished Size: 66 in x 12 in
Beads: TOHO Round 8/0 Silver Lined Crystal from Artbeads.com
Your name: Heather P (LambChop00)

Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace, in Polar Morn colour
Needle Size: US 4 = 3.5mm
Finished Size: 16 x 75inches (41 x 190cm)
Beads:Silver #8 beads, invisible in the photo’s and really hard to detect in real life too!
Your name: Gerda Bolton
Your blog URL: http://gerdasblog.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: GerdaFL
Comments: I loved knitting this and will definitely re-use some of the patterns for other things!
Yarn: Alpaca With a Twist (doubled) - First Frost
Needles: Size 5
Beads: Gold (no idea what kind - found them in my stash!)
Ravelry Name: Debola
Real Name: Debra Fassler
Comments: This is my second on-line KAL with Andrea - they're too much fun! I also recruited a couple of knitter friends to join me - they're enjoying it too! Can't wait till the next one!

Name of project: sampler
Yarn: Colourmart 2/15NM 4 ply wt 30/70 cashmere/merino mushroom, about 800 yards
Needle Size: 4
Finished Size: Approximately 16 x 70
Beads: Miyuki 8/0 triangle beads in dark green lined transparent green AB
Your name: Dawnadair
Your blog URL:
Your Ravelry name: Dawnadair
Comments: Thank you so much, Andrea! I had lots of fun knitting the sampler and planning my yarn and beads for future projects. It was always exciting waiting for Sunday to come along to see what you had up your sleeve next. As always, I look forward to knitting more of your lovely designs. The only difficult question is...which one next?

Name of project: Lilac Stole
Yarn: Elann.com Silken Kydd - Pewter, 70% Super Kid Mohair/30% Silk, @580 yards
Needle Size: 4
Finished Size: 60" x 17 "
Beads: Japanese 8/0 Silver Lined Crystal AB
Your name: Dawnadair
Your blog URL:
Your Ravelry name: Dawnadair
Comments: This shawl pattern is gorgeous! I did only 20 repeats of pattern A since my yarn was a bit more heavier than the Art Yarns silk mohair yarn. I wanted to use a size 5 needle for the border but didn't have one handy, so I knitted very loosely with the size 4 needle I had been using. Love the thick border. As Andrea advised, using blocking wires through each "leg" of the garter stitch border of the shawl body formed what look like beautiful little "picots" along the edge. Thanks, Andrea, for the lovely pattern!
Name of project: Falling Leaf Cowl
Yarn: Artyarns Silk Mohair - Marine, 300 yards
Needle Size: 4
Finished Size:
Beads: Japanese 8/0 Silver Lined Teal
Your name: Dawnadair
Your blog URL:
Your Ravelry name: Dawnadair
Comments: This project was an absolute delight! I was so excited as I was knitting it and am thrilled with the finished product, although perhaps I could have blocked it a bit more flat. Thank you, thank you, thank you (as always) for your fantastic patterns and for sharing them with me!
Name of project: Champagne Hug
Yarn: Colourmart 2/15NM 4 ply wt 30/70 cashmere/merino mushroom, about 400 yards?
Needle Size: 4
Finished Size:
Beads: Miyuki 8/0 triangle beads in bronze lined transparent aqua
Your name: Dawnadair
Your blog URL:
Your Ravelry name: Dawnadair
Comments: A finished photo is attached.
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Paints Colorway #9928 2 skeins=874 yards
Needle Size: US #4 (3.5mm)
Finished Size: 63" x 16"
Beads: eebeads.com #J-3836 Triangle SL Crystal 8/0
Your name: Cindy Harrison
Your blog URL: http://www.cindyharrison.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: dcharrison
Comments: I did 5 repeats. This is my first time at doing lace as well as
beads. It didn't quite take the complete 2 skeins of yarn.
Name of project: Lace Sampler 2
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace, in Apricot
Needle Size: US4
Finished Size: 12” x 58”
Beads: Earthfaire Dark Peach Lined Crystal AB (8/0)
Your name: Catherine Paul
Your blog URL: http://furyblog.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: Isis
Comments: What a fun and educational project—and the final product is lovely!
Name of project: Lace Sampler 1
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns, Silky Alpaca Lace, color 2416 (natural)
Needle Size: US3
Finished Size: 13” x 51”
Beads: Earthfaire 5/6 Crystal (8/0)
Your name: Catherine Paul
Your blog URL: http://furyblog.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: Isis
Comments: I enjoyed how differently these two yarns worked up, and seeing the variances in how the projects turned out.
Yarn: Ella Mae
Needle size: 4
Finished size: point to point 10"x35"
Beads: 10 hand crafted glass Chech beads and Size 8 Peach Opal color glass beads
Carol Brydon Koford
Name of project:vine mitts
Yarn: Mini Mochi
Needle Size: US 1
Finished Size: Small/Medium
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Traveling Leaves Mitts
Yarn:Colourmart 2/9 Yak/Mohair/Silk/Merino
Needle Size: US 1
Finished Size: Small
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Comments: Another beautiful mitt pattern. This Colourmart yarn is also nice, very earthy feel.
Name of project: Trails Socks
Yarn:Schoppel Wolle Admiral 6 fach ombre
Needle Size:US 1
Finished Size:Small/Medium
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Colourmart 2/12 Cashmere Undyed
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size: 16 x 66 inches
Beads: Gold lined beige AB finish
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Comments: A lovely sampler to knit and the finished piece is so beautiful. Thank you Andrea for such o wonderful project. The yarn turned out nice in the end. It took a lot of washing before use, but is really soft with nice stitch definition.
I have enjoyed these patterns so much. Even though I have a list/stack of other things to knit, I keep starting something new with a Summer Swatch Me connection. I have attached an in process picture of my Reverse Pod Scarf, just for fun. I love the way it's turning out. I have knitted about 70 g of my 100 g of fiber and the scarf is about 48" long and may be about 8" wide after blocking. I am going to keep knitting on this one!
Name of project: Peacock Mitts
Yarn: Knitpicks Merino Silk Fingering Hand dyed
Needle Size:US 1
Finished Size: Small/Medium
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Lotus Hat
Yarn: Mini Mochi
Needle Size: US 2
Finished Size: large
Your name as you want it to appear: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Fountain Scarf
Yarn: Rowan Kid Silk Haze
Needle Size: US 5
Finished Size: 6 x 56 inches
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Fountain Mitts
Yarn:Colourmart 12/58s Cashmere/Silk/Merino
Needle Size:US 1
Finished Size: Small
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Comments:I love this pattern for mitts! The yarn is nice, also. It has a very nice sheen and weight

Name of project: Design Your Own Stole
Yarn: Colourmart 4/28 Cashmere
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size: 15 x 50 inches
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Comments:I started with a provisional cast on and worked from the center back out with the Peacock Pattern as the center motif and mirrored Traveling Leaves on either side. I finished each end with the Jewel of the Sea Border without a garter ridge. I then picked up along each long side and worked one repeat of the Jewel of the Sea Border on one side and three repeats on the other.
Name of project: Champagne Hug
Yarn:Jade Sapphire Cashmere 2 ply
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size: Added one pattern repeat to the width
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Broken Leaves Hug
Yarn: Great Andirondack Sock yarn
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size: Added one pattern repeat to width
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Broken Leaves Hat
Yarn: Mini Mochi
Needle Size: 2
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: Stamax
Name of project: Summer Swatch Me! Water Bottle Cozy
Yarn: Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids #4 Ecru
Needle Size: US 3 - 3.25 mm
Finished Size: fits32 oz/1liter Rubbermaid water bottle
Beads:none
Your Name:Jean
Your Ravelry name: Cali1951
Name of project: Summer Swatch Me! Sampler
Yarn:: Colourmart 2/15NM 4ply wt 30/70 cashmere/merinoItalian spun, by Lanecardate
Needle Size: US 4 - 3.5 mm
Finished Size: approx 70” X 16”
Beads:: Silver Miyuki 8g 1.8mm Transparent Silver-Lined Clear Square Cut Beads
Your Name :Jean
Your Ravelry name:: Cali1951
Comments:: Mods: 1 extra repeat widthwise
1 extra repeat of chart 1
1 extra repeat of chart 2
1 extra repeat of chart 3
Only 6 repeats of chart 6 (oops I goofed)
1 extra repeat of chart 8

Name of project: Summer Swatch Me Peacock Mitts
Yarn:: Universal Yarn Swiss Mohair color Glacier
Needle Size: US 2 - 2.75 mm
Finished Size:
Beads:: Silver lined Crystal beads #8
Your Name :Jean
Your Ravelry name:: Cali1951



Comment from BadCat: LucyFur wants to meet your model...


Name of project: Sampler table runner
Yarn Web's Valley Cotton 5/2
Needle size US #4
Finished size 60" by 14"
Beads none
Bev (in AR)
Ravelry name greyhoundlover
Comments: I wanted to make the sampler as a table runner. That caused me to make some changes. I increased the width by one repeat and decreased the length of each pattern, so that there were about 40 rows plus spacer for each pattern. My table is 60" long and I just made it! It just fits.
Thank you for accomodating me with my check. I have enjoyed this summer of knitting, even though I didn't finish any other project. I do intend to do some others, hopefully for Christmas presents.
This is called Knit 2 Together as this is a KAL with my Mum. The yarn I used is a merino and tencel laceweight undyed, that Mum dyed for me a variegated lilac. I used 3mm needles and the beads we found in a charity shop, so I have no idea what brand they are, but they cost me 20p and matched beautifully, the finished size was 60" x 17". My Ravelry name is Rhinny. I knit this while in hospital for almost 4 months, and this really kept me going throughout it all. There were quite a few mistakes that needed redoing and Mum says it has more fudge than a sweetie shop! I really enjoyed doing this, the patterns were lovely to knit and I really looked forward to getting them each week, even if I wasn't well enough to knit at the time, it was lovely just seeing what was coming up next to do. The cast off took me a whole day, but was worth it. I only learned to knit at the beginning of the year, I couldn't even do simple rib, but i am so proud of myself to have finished this.



The name of this project is Knit 2 Together as I have done this as a KAL with my daughter. I have always wanted to make a sampler, so this was the perfect summer project for me. I used Decadently dark faded lace in daffodil, on 3.5mm needles. The beads I picked up at a chaity shop for 20 pence, the matched really well, and I would say they were a size 4mm, and i had just enough to complete the project. It finished up 65" x 16" in size, but I think i could have blocked more aggressively and made this much bigger, but I like it this size, it compliments the lace beautifully, My Ravelry name is adellar, but I am an Annie! This project has meant so much to me, I spent a tremendous amount of time with my daughter in hospital,( I taught her to knit at the beginning of the year, literally the basics), and we both made this together. To watch her skills grow and develop and her perserverance through some really difficult times made me so proud, she carried on knitting, and we waited so eagerly for the next sampler to appear. I also thouroughly enjoyed the knitting and learning for myself, I never thought i could make something so beautiful. This shawl will always be so special to me for this and something I will always treasure, thank you Andrea.


Name of project: SAMPLER
Yarn: malabrigo lace color 44 - Geranio
Needle Size: US 4
Finished Size: 70”x12,5”
Beads: Megatamas Smoky Amethist A – fuchsia linead from Earthfaire.com
Your name: NinaPaula
Your Ravelry name: NinaPaula
Comments:
-I worked with 4 repetitions of the patterns for a wider piece.
-I had a great time participating in this SSMe KAL. Highlights for: the project’s details prior the launch; the way that the weekly patterns & projects were presented (including tutorials); Andrea’s participation (answering all the questions right away & encouraging the participants); the group’s participation (sharing experiences; clarifying questions); and the project’s pics shared during the process. Those points were a key in my experience on this KAL.
Name of project: Trail Socks
Yarn: littlelotus bamboo sock
Needle Size: 2.75 mm
Your name: Amanda
Your blog URL: http://paradisefoundkerrie.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: AmandavW
Name of project: Sampler
Yarn: Australian Country Spinners 3ply pure wool
Needle Size: 3.5 mm
Finished Size: 91 cm x 137 cm
Beads: Miyuki Triangle 8/0 Amethyst Lined Light Blue
Your name: Amanda
Your blog URL: http://paradisefoundkerrie.blogspot.com
Your Ravelry name: AmandavW


Name of project: Lilac Stole
Yarn: ColourMart Cashmere Merino 2/14.5NM
Needle Size: 3.5mm
Finished Size: 223.5cm x 40.6 cm
Beads: Seed Bead Red AB 8/0
Your name: Amanda
Your blog URL: http://paradisefoundkerrie.blogspot.com/
Your Ravelry name: AmandavW



And now about those Gallery prizes...you just won't believe this (because I didn't) but BadKitten picked our first prize, which goes to Annie...
And second prize, picked by my nephew Ben, Goes to Rhinny!
If you read their entries in the gallery, you can see that they are mother and daughter from the UK and they worked on the project together. My sister-in-law, who is visiting me right now, is taking bio-statistics so is calculating the odds of this for me!

Thanks to every knitter included in the gallery. You are all amazing! I hope to see all of you for the up-coming winter lace gala, not to be believed it will be so interesting and fun, BadCat and special guest group project. Just wait...I will post more about it next week!