I am just thrilled to bring you the
Back to the Garden Gallery Post. The gorgeous work speaks for itself. Each knitter's name and project specs are listed above their photographs. The group is still open as people finish up their projects, but is closed to new members. All the patterns from our group are now available for sale at my
Ravelry pattern shop, and here are the links to each project:
Back to the Garden Shawl BookletFerns in the Garden socksPeacocks in the Garden MittsElm Leaf ScarfGallery post prizes, randomly selected from gallery participants are as follows:
First Prize is a skein of gorgeous sock yarn from
LandOLace and a set of socks needles from
Stitch Dragon, and goes to: Cara
Second Prize is a gorgeous skein of lace yarn from
LandOLace and donated by
Mary Rose, and goes to: Sheila
Third Prize is a lovely beaded knitting counter donated by
Mary Rose, and goes to: Sue E
Fourth Prize is a set of sock needles from
Stitch Dragon, and goes to: Jean
You can see pictures of the prizes at the bottom of this post and thank you to our prize sponsors!
I thank each of you for participating and you will all be invited to join my Winter 2012 group as my guests. Keep your eye on your inbox for an invitation to join
BadCat's SugarPlumFairy Winter group! I will be back next week with some details.
Without further ado...
PROJECT: Back to the Garden Shawl
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: StamaxBlog
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Colourmart 2/28 Silk/Cashmere 85:15 in Aquamarine
Needle size used: 3 US
Beads used: some nice 8/0's from my stash, but unmarked otherwise
Finished size of piece: 35" x 64"
Comments about the project: This is such a lovely shawl! I love the flowing design and the beautiful shape. This was wonderful to knit.
PROJECT: Elm Scarf
Your name: Cara
Your Ravelry name: StamaxBlog
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): 20/2 Silk in Magenta
Needle size used: US 2
Beads used: Cranberry lined 10/0 triangles
Finished size of piece: 11" x 61"
Comments about the project: Beautiful! I can't wait to wear it!
PROJECT : Elm scarf
Your name: Amanda
Your Ravelry name: AmandvW
Blog URL:
http://paradisefoundkerrie.blogspot.com/Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Bendigo Woollen Mills 2 ply Classic in Peony, 542 yes
Needle size used: 2.25mm
Beads used: 8/0 Matsuno beads
Finished size of piece: 56.5" x 9"
Comments about the project: I knitted 15 pattern repeats
PROJECT: Back To The Garden Shawl
Your name: Jean
Your Ravelry name: Cali1951
Yarn Used : ColourMart 2/28MM Merino/Silk 75/25 color Lilla
Needle size used: US 2 - 2.75 mm
Beads used: Size 10 Transparent Light Amethyst AB Triangle.
Finished size of piece: 58” x 31”
Comments about the project: I love, love, love this shawl. Even with all the nupps it was a rather quick knit.
PROJECT: Elm Leaf Scarf
Your name:Jean
Your Ravelry name: Cali1951
Yarn Used : 20/75/5% cashmere,wool,synthetic 24/2 color lemon grass
Needle size used: US 2 - 2.75 mm
Beads used: Size 11 silver lined crystal seed beads
Finished size of piece: 50” x 10”
PROJECT: Ferns in the Garden Socks
Your name Jean
Your Ravelry name: Cali1951
Yarn Used : Knit Picks Stroll
color Grass
Needle size used: US 1 - 2.25 mm
US 2 - 2.75 mm
US 0 - 2.0 mm
Comments about the project:
Since this is a stretchy pattern, I used a US 2 needle for the leg, changed to aUS 1 for the ankle and to a US 0 for the foot. For the one-toed part, I moved thefirst 12 stitches of the top and last 12 stitches from the bottom to waste yarn.I then worked the 40 remaining stitches around and cast on 4 between bottom andtop. I then proceeded as usual for a toe decreases. Then I picked up the 24stitches an waste yarn plus 4 in the cast on sts between bottom and top. Iworked about 10 rows even then started decreasing. Viola one-toed socks.
PROJECT:BTTG Shawl
Your name:Cheryl Barnett
Your Ravelry name:Cheryl219
Yarn Used (what and how many yards):Knit Picks Gloss Lace (70% Merino, 30% Silk), 2.3Skeins, 1020 yards
Needle size used:US Size 2, 2.75 mm
Beads used:Clear Glass Miyuki Seed Beads, Size 8/0 throughout, Size 6/0 Clear AB for large beads, and 6/0 Silver-Lined instead of Megatama
Finished size of piece:Blocked - 60 inches wide, 30 inches deep
Comments about the project:Though I've been knitting forever, I am fairly new to lace knitting. I found this project easy to follow with clear directions and charts, and best of all, endlessly fascinating. Being a "mystery" KAL, it was so interesting to watch the design unfold, clue after clue; there was never a time when I was bored. On the contrary, I couldn't wait for the next installment. As a matter of fact, I can't wait for the next KAL! If I were to make this shawl again (and I might) I think I would use a size 3 needle to give it more of a "lacy" look.
PROJECT: BTTG shawl
Your name: Cynthia Peek
Your Ravelry name: femknit
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Colourworks 50% cashmere 50% silk, 2128 yards to a cone, 2/28 weight. I used 65 grams of a 150-gram cone.
Needle size used: 2.75 mm (US Size 2)
Beads used: Fox Den Miyuki 10/0 triangles, 8/0 seeds and Lng Magatama
Gauge: 5 stitches/8 rows per inch
Finished size of piece: 52” wide x 25” deep
Comments about the project: There wasn’t a boring moment while knitting. The results are stunning, and the pattern is very well written. The tiny, matching beads add just the right amount of glitter without overpowering the shawl.
PROJECT: BTTG shawl
Your name: Dawn
Your Ravelry name: Dawnadair
Yarn Used: ColourMart Cashmere/Silk/Merino 2/28 NM Laceweight Verdoso
Needle size used: US 3
Beads used: 10/0blue-green lined crystal clear triangles, 8/0 pearl blue-green, crystal AB magatamas
Comments about the project: The end rows of this shawl were long, but it was well worth the work. I loved seeing the patterns appear and morph into other patterns as I knit. This is a stunning shawl, and I will be so proud to wear it!
PROJECT: Ferns in the Garden Socks
Your name: Dawn
Your Ravelry name: Dawnadair
Yarn Used: Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Socks - 1 skein - used less than 400 yds
Needle size used: US 1
Comments about the project: These socks were so much fun, and they have gotten me on a sock craze. I have lots of sock yarn lined up for Andrea's sock patterns and any new ones she comes up with. The colors of my yarn are kind of crazy, but my daughter loves them anyway to wear with her Birks.
PROJECT: BTTG Shawl
Your name: Debby Patterson
Your Ravelry name: debbypat
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Alpaca With A Twist Fino, 118 grams/~1050 yards
Needle size used: US 4
Beads used: Size 8 Raku beads
Finished size of piece: 72 inches across, 36 inches long at spine
Comments about the project: Great fun to knit!
Modelled by my friend's 16-year-old daughter Grace. That's what you get for showing up for church in a white dress.
PROJECT Back to the Garden Shawl
Your name: Gail Gelin
Your Ravelry name: cottontail
Blog URL:
http://www.knocturnalknitter.blogspot.com/Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Jaggerspun Zephyr lace weight sage
Needle size used: US 3
Beads used: Miyuki 10 seed beads olive lined AB
Finished size of piece
Comments about the project: Loved knitting it and the finished shawl. Thebeads are perfect for it and it is just the perfect size.
PROJECT:Peacocks in the Garden Mitts
Your name: Gayle
Your Ravelry name:Nitknitnit
Yarn Used (what and how many yards):Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn, Temple Turquoise, 107yards (25 grams)
Needle size used:1.5
Beads used:Turquoise AB – Beader’s Paradise 6/0
Gauge:8 stitches per inch
Finished size of piece:7 inches
Comments about the project:
I made these two at a time on two circulars and the only problem I had was that I accidentally started putting thumbs on both sides! Once I fixed that, everything was great and I got addicted to the pattern and finished the mitts in two days.
PROJECT: BTTG Shawl
Your name: Lara Downey
Your Ravelry name: larascreations
Blog url:
http://www.larascreations.blogspot.com/Yarn Used (what and how many yards): ~1100 yards Hand-dyed 2/28 cash/silk/merino
Needle size used: 3.0 mm
Beads used: 11/0 Gilt lined opal
Gauge: erm - I didn't measure for that ;-)Finished size of piece: ~68" x42" (center back)Comments about the project:
Fabulous fun, gorgeous design and thank you so very much for all the lovely extra knowledge and projects!
name: Mary Dieringer
ravelry name: Brocadelle
yarn: 2/28 coulormart merino
needles: size 2
name: Mary Rose
Your Ravelry name: marydear
Blog URL:
http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/Yarn Used (what and how many yards): ColourMart 2/28 Merino in Primrose, less than a cone
Needle size used: US 2Beads used: Lots! Big ones and little ones and fancy ones.
Finished size of piece: Just right to wear
Comments about the project: Small semi-circle version as the pattern was originally written. My gauge was all over the place while knitting this, but it blocked out beautifully, if I do say so myself. :)
Your name: Mary Rose
Your Ravelry name: marydear
Blog URL:
http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/Yarn Used (what and how many yards): ColourMart 2/15 Cashmere/Merino
Needle size used: US 6 and US 7
Beads used: Lots! Big ones and little ones and fancy ones.Gauge: 4.5 stitches to the inch
Finished size of piece: Enormous, just under 8 feet across
Comments about the project: I knew I wanted to make a full circle version and that I wanted to use up some of my "sexy" ColourMart stash to knit it. The color of this begged to be a Back to the Garden project,so even though it was much thicker than what the pattern called for I went ahead and gave in to the temptation to use it. This was great fun to knit and try to spy out individual elements: snakes, flowers, leaves, even garden elves if you look at it right!
Project : Elm Leaf Scarf
Your name: Mary Rose
Your Ravelry name: marydear
Blog URL:
http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Land O Lace silk Kayla
Needle size used: US 1
Beads used:size 10 seed beads clear
Comments about the project: Just one element from the main project takes on a completely different look when showcased on its own. I can't say enough nice things about the yarn either, this silk is gorgeous and very strong. It held up to some very aggressive blocking and kept that blocking through several teenage girl wearings. I have had requests from other teenage girls to knit this for them...I offered knitting lessons instead! Wonderful pattern as usual, Andrea. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!
Name Pam
Ravelry id bbykchr
no blog
shetland 2 ply, don't know amt
size 3 needle
tri 1815
size is 74 x 25
I added an extra segment (6 instead of 5)
Thanks for the fun knit!
PROJECT: Ferns in the Garden Socks
Your name: Pam Macchi
Your Ravelry name: pammacchi
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Plymount Prima Alpaca 450 yards 100g 100% Superfine Alpaca
Needle size used: size 1 circular
Beads used: none
Gauge:Finished size of piece: 6 stitches = 1"
Comments about the project: The alpaca halo adds a new dimension to the lace pattern. They fit and feel great. I am enjoying experimenting with different yarns. It is a great pattern.
PROJECT: This is the Ferns in the Garden socks.
Your name: Pam Macchi
Your Ravelry name: pammacchi
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Soy Solids in Poppy Red. I purchased two skeins each 185 yards and had plenty left over. It is 49% bamboo, 33% soy and 21% elastic nylon. These socks are a pleasure to wear. They feel fantastic. The yarn is soft and comfortable.
Needle size used: size 1 circular.
Beads used: none
Gauge: 9 stitches = 1" Finished size of piece: Size 9 sock. It has stretch and fits like a glove.
Comments about the project: I started with Andrea to learn lace knitting. Once I got started reading all the e mails I felt this was for me. Learning other people's reactions to the yarn they are using is so totally valuable to me. This project was the best sock I have ever made. I used a circular even though one was not recommended. I commute to work and knit on my socks. I actually purchased a small projects bag. It is quilted with a zipper. It is perfect. Two weeks later, I purchased an eggplant Namaste Monroe and tuck the bag in the middle compartment. You couldn't do that with double pointed needles. I do the heel with a second circular needle. I have an 8" and 12" Addi size 1. I made myself learn how to do it. It is a piece of cake. I actually saw videos being sold at the Vogue Live LA show that teach it. I did it on my own. Just use markers. I am on my second set of Ferns in the Garden. I like making socks. Thank you Andrea for such a great pattern..
Your name: Pam Macchi
Your Ravelry name: pammacchi
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Ella Rae Lace Merino, 100% Extra Fine Merino, 100 g 460 yards of fingering
Needle size used: Since the yarn was a little thicker than I expected I went up to a size 5.
Beads used: Gold Crystal AB I should have used a bigger bead - maybe. I think even though the smaller beads were a little difficult to apply that they were more delicate than a larger bead. Given all the color, I think a larger bead might have been gaudy.
Gauge: 6 stitches to 1"
Finished size of piece: 7 1/2 " wide and 55" long
Comments about the project: I told myself when I got started that I was going to experiment with yarns, needles and beads. Everything in this scarf was exciting. It is a varigated yarn. This is my first piece ever with a multi-colored (peach, pink, lavendar) yarn. I had worked with a brick kettle dyed but the colors were just variations of the brick. I decided this time not to be an 'old school' conservatist and the outcome was great. The gold beads are small so they pretty much blend in with the flower garden colors I picked. It is just enough added color to catch someon'e eye. I love it.
PROJECT BTTG shawl
Your name: Sara
Your Ravelry name: Azariah
Blog URL:
http://azariah-anf.blogspot.com/Yarn Used: Colour Mart 2/28 in a peacock color about 1300 yards
Needle size used: 3 US
Beads used: Size 10 triangles in forest green
Finished size of piece: 60" across top
Comments about the project: It was a fun and challenging knit, even for an accomplished lace knitter.
PROJECT mitts
Your name: Sara Greer
Your Ravelry name: Azariah
Blog URL:
http://azariah-anf.blogspot.com/Yarn Used: Hand Dyed Knit Picks Bare merino fingering 180 yards
Needle size used: 3.0mm
Beads used: Size 10 round clear with a sliver lining
Comments about the project: Nice and warm. Can't wait to use them! Really enjoyed the thumb.
PROJECT Elm scarf
Your name: Sara Greer
Your Ravelry name: Azariah
Blog URL:
http://azariah-anf.blogspot.com/Yarn Used: Hand dyed Knit Picks Bare yarn 100% merino Lace weight 250 yards
Needle size used: 1 1/2
Beads used: Size 8 in a red round
Finished size of piece: 10 inches wide by 53 inches long
Comments about the project: I worked 6 repeats from my cast on and then the edging. I then undid my provisional cast on and worked another 6 repeats and the edging again. This makes it symmetrical.
PROJECT socks
Your name: Sara Greer
Your Ravelry name: Azaraih
Blog URL: http://azariah-anf.blogspot.com/Yarn Used: Malabrigo
Yarn Lace in Jacinto about 350 yards
Needle size used: 3.0 mm
Comments about the project: This was the first pair of adult socks I completed. Thanks for such great basic instructions!
PROJECT Elm scarf
Your name: Dolores Aaron
Yarn Used: Azariah's Adventurous Fibre Lace in K-green, about 200 yards
Needle size used: 1 US
Beads used: Size 8 in round mixed greens
Finished size of piece: 9 inches wide by 51 inches long
Comments about the project: I worked 14 repeats and then the edgings. It was a very friendly project for my first time. Easy to block and enjoyable.
PROJECT: Baby Sock Tutorial - for ornaments
Your name: Sheila Macomber
Your Ravelry name: lacesheknits
Blog URL: N/A
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): 1) Araucania Rancho Solid in green ~ 15 yards, 2) Knit One Crochet Two Ty-Dy Sock in reds/pinks ~ 17 yards
Needle size used: 2
Beads used: none
Gauge: 8 sts per inch
Finished size of piece: 5" from top to toe
Comments about the project: I got the idea for ornaments from the tutorial instructions and am making baby sock ornaments for family and friends for the holidays. I plan to fill them with candy - very small candy!
PROJECT: Back to the Garden Shawl (semi-circular)
Your name: Sheila Macomber
Your Ravelry name: lacesheknits
Blog URL: N/A
Yarn Used: Knit Picks Shadow (Opal) 440 yds per 50 gm, 1100 yards
Needle size used: 3 (should have been a #4, I think, for more laciness)
Beads used: (All Miyuki) 8/0 Transparent Grey Iris, #5 Triangle Seedbead Iris Grey (Miyuki #1157), Magatama Metallic Rainbow Peacock
Gauge: 7 sts/1" ST, gauge swatch (pattern) 5" x 7"
Finished size of piece: Center back: 29", 58" widest point side to side, top edge: 55"
Comments about the project:I loved this project! It is such a fantastic pattern - ingenious, beautiful and well written and charted. It was so fun to not know what it would look like in the end and watch it unfold on the needles and in everyone's photos. The final piece was totally fulfilling. And I learned the right way to add beads with a crochet hook. I want to make another one some day - the full circle version, I think.
PROJECT:Peacocks in the Garden Mitts
Your name: Sheila Macomber
Your Ravelry name: lacesheknits
Blog URL: N/A Yarn Used: Knit Picks Shadow (Opal) 440 yds per 50 gm, 154 yards
Needle size used: 2
Beads used: (All Miyuki) 8/0 Transparent Grey Iris, #5 Triangle Seedbead Iris Grey (Miyuki #1157)
Gauge: 9 sts/inch on both ST sts and over pattern
Finished size of piece: Length: 6", Width at beginning: 7", Width at end (knuckles) 6.5"
Comments about the project: Another lovely pattern by Andrea! I used a finer yarn than specified and they are lacier. They fit a small hand, but would fit a larger hand with a more elastic bind off, such as the one she specified. It was too loose for my hand so I used a regular B.O. done loosely. I used triangel beads where she specified 8/0s and placed 8/0 beads where the nupps were and along the center pattern stitch (1 per rep) to the end, where I placed triangle beads on the back of the hand and 8/0 on the palm side.
PROJECT: Ferns in the Garden Socks
Your name: Sheila Macomber
Your Ravelry name: lacesheknits
Blog URL: N/A
Yarn Used: OnLine Supersocke 100 Cotton Tweed (#1387 green) 437 yds per 100 gm, 310 yards
Needle size used: 2
Beads used: none
Gauge: 8 sts/1"
Finished size of piece: Leg of sock 6" (12 pattern repeats), foot to fit size 9 (9.5" from end of toe to back of heel, blocked). Foot width 8", leg width 8.75"
Comments about the project: This is a really nice lace pattern. I have knit about 15 pairs of socks and these are one of the best ever. I had the sock yarn already, because I loved the color and tweed specs, and was waiting on a pattern. This pattern was perfect for it. I knit these very tightly over the foot section because I could not find my #1 needle (I do socks on the magic loop - 40" circular), otherwise, I would have switched at the heel to the smaller needle. I like the foot tighter and it wears better. I also did a conventional heel flap instead of the pattern also for wear sturdiness.
PROJECT: BTTG Shawl
Your name: Sue Elkind
Your Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk
Yarn Used (what and how many yards): Skein yarn, approx 1000yds
Needle size used: US 4
Beads used: 8.0 Amethyst Medium Mix from Artbeads.com
Gauge: did not do a swatch =(
Comments about the project: Absolutely absorbing to knit as the pattern evolved and changed. Now I am spoiled and no longer want to do repetitive patterns where the same motif has to be knit over and over again. I truly cannot wait for the next BadCat project. I love the combination of mastery of new techniques and the challenge of learning and every single one of your (Andrea's) projects provide this.
PROJECT: BTTG shawl,
Your name: Annie Ham
Your Ravelry name: weaverannie
Blog URL: http://www.weaverannie.blogspot.com/
Yarn Used : an Estonian wool, that’s no longer for sale. I bought two skeins, and used only about half of the first. No idea about the length.
Needle size used: 2.5 mm
Beads used: stash. Don’t know about size or even where I got them.
Finished size of piece: 151 x 65 cm
Comments about the project: I loved knitting this pattern and am pleased with the result.
First Prize!
Second Prize!
Third Prize!
Fourth Prize!
"Do you know the story of the Nutcracker? It all started with a king, a queen, some mice, and a young princess named Pirlipat." For anyone who grew up with E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale about the Nutcracker and the Mouse King this line will bring you back to wonderful Christmas trees, magical gifts and a fantasy world. As a child growing up in New York City, the winter holidays meant one thing. The Nutcracker Ballet! And I saw some amazing dancers over the years, most recently when my mother and I took my daughter a few winters ago. Marzipan ladies and gentleman indeed!
This special project combines lace weight yarn, two different types of beads, nupps, hex mesh, flowers, fairies, and fir trees in a gossamer confection. The finished piece is a semi-circle (more than a half-circle) and can be made as a full circle with minimal modifications. The project is fun and challenging. Knitters must be comfortable using charts. This project has about 280 rows of lace knitting without ANY repeats.
I promise all of you a real treat, both to knit and enjoy as an heirloom. Are you interested in joining us?
