mlemmonsdesigns

July 15th, 2011 I uploaded my first pattern to Ravelry, Nouveau Beaded Capelet. While that was my first published design, it was not my first completed design. I had already finished knitting and writing Ramona Cowl for Knitscene and Flight of the Bugga socks for Sanguine Gryphon, but they wouldn’t be published until later in the year.

Thus, I have now been designing for over a year. This calls for celebration.

Of course, I didn’t realize that the one year anniversary was coming up until the very end of June. Then I asked on Twitter and in my Ravelry group how we should celebrate. Karen suggested that I design a special pattern. At first I scoffed at the idea of designing, knitting, and releasing a shawl pattern in two weeks. But then the crazy side of my brain took over and started making suggestions.

Crazy Brain (CB): You know, it would be pretty cool to have a special anniversary pattern.

Logical Brain (LB): Yes, but two weeks isn’t much time and I need to still take care of the house and kids. How do I make something that fits with my design aesthetic that I can finish in two weeks? Remember, I’m a slow knitter.

CB: Aww, who needs sleep? Do you remember those purple and green beads that you’ve had for a year now that you’ve been wanting to use? Oh, and that gorgeous dark brown Baruffa Cashwool? They would all look so pretty together.

LB: But I don’t have time. I have other patterns that I’m working on.

CB: You can do it! Beads. Lace. You know you want to…

LB: Well, maybe if I make it a stole… Shaping is the trickiest part.

CB: Now you’re talking! It should have a party theme! Streamers!

LB: Fine, you win. Where’s my graph paper and needles?

And that folks is how I ended up not sleeping for two weeks while I cranked out Merrymaking.

Merrymaking is a stole with pointed ends. Each half is worked from the point to the center, then they are grafted together.

The beaded streamers allow for a lot of customization based on your bead color choices. You can do all the streamers in the same color, use two colors like I did, or even go all out and use four different colors.

I don’t know if you can tell, but we had a lot of fun setting up this photoshoot. Do you know what the best part of having a party themed photoshoot that has a cake as a prop? You get to eat cake afterwards. And if you’ve set up a tea party with crystal and china you should eat the cake on the crystal and china. Yes, these things do come to mind when planning photoshoots. I have to make it worthwhile to my lovely family members who model for me and take the pictures.

I hope you choose Merrymaking to help you celebrate your life soon. Merrymaking is 25% off until August 18th when purchased from Ravelry or my website, no coupon code needed. It is also available on Craftsy.