Interested in Testing for Mary E. Rose Designs?

I have talked about my process for writing and sample knitting patterns before, but today I want to talk a little bit about the testing process that my patterns go through before I hit publish!

All of my tests are currently being run through this group on Ravelry.  This is where you can find threads that tell you all about the item, the materials you will need, my anticipated deadline, if the item is "super secret" or if you can share picture of your WIP on social media.

Unlike some of the official testing groups I don't require that you check in with me once a week, but do request that if you have questions, concerns, something doesn't look right or real life gets in the way that you let me know!

When you sign up for a test, I will, typically look at your project pages on Ravelry.  Why?  Well, to see if you actually finish and link projects to pattern pages. (Half the reason for running a test is so that other knitters can see the item in other yarn choices...I couldn't possibly knit everything in several different yarns or colors!)

Once you are accepted as a test knitter you will get an email with the test file and away we go!

Currently I have tests open for :

A Heavily Nupped Shawl

A Tank Top

You can also sign up to be notified via Ravelry earburn of upcoming tests in this thread.

What's in it for you, as a tester?  Well...once the test is complete, if it is a self published pattern I will send the finished pattern to you as  a gift for your library and you get to pick another one of my self published patterns for free!  You also get to see some of the behind the scenes work that goes into getting a pattern ready for publication, and the small thrill of being one of the first to see a new design!

I hope to see you in my test threads!

~M

kimya

It was Send Nice Things to Mary Week!

Oh the things that showed up in my mail box this week!

I can't tell you how happy they have made me!

First up....some wonderful bookmarks that a friend crocheted for me.

 And lots of inside jokes about Minnie Mouse the muse.....

Then sweets...from another friend...oh my gosh, where have Stroopwaffles been all my life?  I could only manage a half of one, but,,,,sheer heaven!

And...well...closest to a knitter's heart is yarn, right? 
 

I can't tell you how very lucky and blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life!  I may never have met you (in person) but you are the absolute best imaginary friends...no wait,,,I am the imaginary friend.....YOU are the best friends a person could ever want to have!

Tune in next week for a new pattern release...sign up for the newsletter to get a hefty discount...right over there on the right!

Obligatory teaser picture......

~M

silenzio

Silentium

A Pair of Mitts for a Friend

Every now and then, someone I know will ask me to knit for them.

If they are "knit worthy" and I have the time and yarn, I can sometimes be talked into it.  Other times I will find an excuse not to...but there are people, those who have taken really good care of the things I have made them in the past (or my kids) who I will try my best to accomodate.

One such friend asked me if I could make her some fingerless mitts.

So this happened.....

Jenny Watson Merino DK in the exciting colorway WM7.

Lots of ribbing makes them very form fitting and the merino is soft and squishy!

I really like how the cables starting at the wrist snug up the mitts to keep you warm, without having to do a lot of changing of stitch counts.

Of course now TDQ wants a pair as well...so soon I will be casting on another pair!

In the mean time, the pattern is with my tech editor and I am working on a baby blanket, and learning how to crochet a dishcloth!

Softly on Sunday

~M

A Little Bit of Colorwork and a Lot of Fun

One of the things about being a knitter....it seems like I am always working on things for a season that isn't here yet.  For instance...

Late last summer I was madly knitting away on replacement hats and mittens, neck warmers and warm socks, while last week I was working on sporty little summer things.

Knitting "out of season" means that the things I want to wear or share with my family to wear, are ready when the time is right, but...that does make photo shoots a little interesting.

The day that TDQ and I were both available to do photo shoots for both my Agalina Shawl and these fingerless mitts, was hot!  Trying our best to project an image of Fall/Early Spring and even winter in August was hard!  So we brought out some props and hoped for the best.

And then before I knew it, holiday knitting season was well upon me and the mitts got pushed to the side until that was done!

 

So, how's about a closer look?

Knit with two (or more) colors of fingering weight yarn (I used Knit Picks Stroll and Felici) with a corrugated rib and easy colorwork, these mitts are the perfect introduction to working with more than one color at a time. 

The three sizes are made simply by changing your needle size and gauge. (So no trying to decide which number applies to your size when reading the pattern!.)

By reversing which is the main color and which is the contrast color, it is possible to get a pair of  longer gauntlet style mitts and the shorter pair from just the two balls of yarn.  (Knit one pair for you and another for a friend...or if you are prone to the "missing mitt" issue that sometimes plagues my kids, knit them all the same and keep them for yourself!.)

The pattern is available now, in my Ravelry Store!

I hope you like them as my as TDQ and I do!

~M