Scarf patterns

There have been a couple requests for scarves recently.  One was an custom order based off the Green Infinity scarf.  Another one was made for one for one of the service advisers I work with.  You can find both patterns below.

Materials

-2 skeins (90 yards) Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Fleece

-Size 12 needles

-tapestry needle

Pattern

Slip the first st of every row

CO 30 sts

K to end

K3, P to last 5 sts, K4

Repeat last two rows until scarf is desired length and block scarf.

Sew both ends of scarf together making sure not to twist it

The cabled scarf was a custom order for one of the ladies at work.  She loved the stripped ribbing from the Scott Pilgrim hat.  As an added touch I put in some cables on the edges of the scarf for a framing effect. .  Last week we had some training so I got to knit in the shop, this got some pretty odd looks from the other guys there.  It got pretty cold and after a while the scarf I was making ended up wrapped around a few of us to keep warm!  

A chart for the pattern is available below the written pattern

Materials

-1 skein (185 yards) Lion Brand Homespun in Sierra

-Size 10 needles

-tapestry needle

Pattern

Slip the first stitch of every row.

CO 30 sts

Row 1: Knit to end

Row 2: Purl to end

Row 3: C3F, K16, C3B, K1

Row 4: P6, K16, P7

Row 5: K6, P16, K7

Row 6: P6, K16, P7

Row 7: C3F, K16, C3B

Row 8: P to end

Row 9: K to end

Row 10: P6, K16, P7

Row 11: C3F, P16, C3B

Row 12: P6, K16, P7

Repeat 12 rows until scarf is desired length.

Chart made by Chartgen

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Drink Cozy pattern

Back in November I released a post about the Star Trek drink cozy I made.  I was very excited about the pattern and since then a lot of people have expressed excitement over the cozy.  So over the past few month`s I have spent some time developing the pattern and finalizing it.  I`m happy to announce that not only is the pattern done, I've made a cozy for every colour of the away team.

Now, instead of just redshirt, the cozy is available in science officer blue and command gold!  (It took so long to find just the right colour gold!) The listings are now available on my Etsy store for individual orders, or collect them all with a custom 6-pack away team.  They make great drink markers for parties.

It`s an easy pattern and fun pattern.  The cozy is knit in the round with stockinette stitch.  The star fleet insignia is then added on afterwards using duplicate stitch.  The pattern is now available for purchase here on Ravelry.

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Derby Knitting

There was a derby league meeting this week.  I really look forward to them because it's a few solid hours where I can knit away.  It means I can make some wicked progress with whatever I'm working on.  Roller derby is filled with so many creative people that I'm never the only one who brings something to work on. It also means I'm not the only one who drops a needle on the floor. (Oh, that horrible clang when it hits the ground, it always seems to happen in the middle of something important.) It's so much fun to catch up with the other girls and see what they are working on.  

This is the start of a skirt that Nuclear SNAX was working on.  The short rows down the sides will give the skirt a pleated look.  I can't wait to see it when it's finished.

Skatey and the Tramp was working on this super cute children's dress.  The many small cables give it such a sharp look.  I think it would look great with a chunky ribbed turtle-neck to finish it up.  

This yarn is so beautiful!  I'm such a sucker for sock yarns.  Thunder theRader was working on this one all night.  The sand cables used for the ankle look so good.

There was also a snow day this week.  It's rare for me to get a snow day unless I'm in school, or like today, there's a blizzard out.  It was such a good day.  I spent it putting up posters around the apartment and doing some much needed cleaning.  Once I was done that I sat down, put on a marathon of Dollhouse and finished a few things.  There are now a bunch of my favorite little hearts ready for Valentines day, available now at the Cocoon Bout-ique.  I even got the chance to block one of my custom orders for an infinity scarf.  It's made out of the softest, chunkiest yarn so it will take a few days to dry before I can sew it together.  I'll make sure to post the pattern and some photos when it's all done.

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Etsy updates

It took me a lot of trial and error, but I'm starting to see my store grow. Other then cosmetic updates like adding new listings or changing the banner images, my shop has stayed in a basic format since I opened it.  Most of my attention has been building my blog and working on local orders, but in the past few weeks I took some time to sit down and make a real effort to grow my shop.

One big change is that I created some policies and procedures.  These were left blank for the longest time because I didn't know what sort of expectations to set with my potential customers.  I spent a bit of time doing research first, reading the policies of shops that were doing well or sellers that I admired.  From there I was able to draft an outline of what most shops were doing, then I customized it for myself.

The shop now also has direct checkout.  This means that I can accept credit cards and Etsy gift cards, instead of just paypal.

Already the little changes I`ve been making are showing a huge impact.  Since making them I`ve been in contact with a few people for custom orders.  One was for a Scott Pilgrim hat,  I finished it in a week and it's already shipped off!  There have also been a few orders for scarves and one for some really cool super secret custom socks.  Keep an eye out for those as I'll be sharing some of the patters.

Etsy makes it really easy to get started growing your own business.  They provide so much information and support about ways to start up and improve your shop.  If you`re thinking of opening one up I would suggest taking a look at the Seller`s handbook they have available.  Or if you already have a store up and running and want to make some improvements I would suggest checking out the Etsy blog.  It has some great entries on just about everything you need to know.

Have I inspired you to open up your own shop?  Start one up now with this link and we'll both get 40 free listings,  Awesome! http://etsy.me/1jk9K0O

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