OZ

This is an I'm not trying to shine I just can't help myself type of shrug. For those times when you want to wrap yourself up in simple elegance. Made to be very baggy and blouson.

Size:
One Size

Finished Measurements:
Across back (Not including sleeves): 49"
Length: 29"

Materials:
Berrroco Boho [48% Nylon, 25% Cotton 27% Rayon; Thin ribbon; 98 yds/90m per 50g]
Color: Pastures of Plenty; 3 balls

Cascade Sierra [80% Pima Cotton, 20% Wool; Worsted; 191 yds/175m per 100g]
Color: #08 Green; 3 skeins

Tahki Yarns Dream [80% Wool, 20% Nylon; Fingering; 262 yds/240m per 50g]
Colors: Pale Lime; 1 ball; Light Olive; 1/4 ball (optional)

Needles:
Size: US 11/8.0 mm

Gauge:
13 sts/24 rows = 4 inches worked in 2 x 2 rib (updated 9/9/08)

Stitch:
2 x 2 rib (k2, p2 to the end) No edge stitches needed

Body:
- CO 160 sts. Do not join but work flat
[RS] Even row: k2, p2 till end
[WS] Odd Rows: p2, k2 till end

Repeat this for 20 rows

Sleeves:
(For short sleeves) CO 10 sts
(For long sleeves) CO 20 or 30 sts (depending on how long you want them). I cast on 30 and then folded them under in the picture.

Turn work and knit in 2x2 rib back to the other edge. CO the same amount of stitches as the previous sleeve and work 2x2 rib back and continue.

Work flat over all stitches for 38 rows. If you have larger arm circumference (mine are 14") then add on additional rows remembering that 3 rows equals 2 inches.

Row 39: BO all sleeve stitches. Work across to the end.
Row 40: BO all sleeve stitches. Work across to the end.

Resume working back and forth in 2x2 rib for 20 rows. Total of 60 rows.

Edging:
Leaving stitches on the needle and using the same yarn from the other end of the ball or another ball. Fold the piece in half (inside out) matching all edges. Sew the bottom edges of the shrug on both sides. You should have two seams that start at the base of the sweater side and end at each sleeve opening. I didn't use edge stitches but feel free to incorporate them for seaming.

Row 61: Returning to the stitches on your needle. Pick up and knit another 160 stitches on the back side of the shrug (320 sts).

Switch yarns holding together 1 strand of Boho with 1 strand of Dream. Knit in 2 x 2 rib in the round for 4 rows.

Row 65: Work in rib for 6 sts, yo, k2tog* repeat to end
Row 66-70: Work in rib
Row 71: Work in rib for 6 sts, yo, k2tog* repeat to end
Row 72 - 90 work in rib

Bind off all stitches and weave in ends.



Tassles:
Here's some quicklinks -

http://www.nezumiworld.com/crochet_057.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9H82Kk49zM
_________________________________________________
I hope you enjoy making this shrug. If you do, please comment and leave a link to your finished project. I'll post them here. Forgive me in advance if there are any errors in the pattern. Any questions? Email me at kamikak at msn dot com.

This pattern is to be used only for personal use. Please do not sell the pattern or objects made from it. I retain all ownership and rights to publication and copyright.



Kamika

Pattern: OZ

My Inspiration - Miss One

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I just love this song and Miss One is my girl with her little numbers running self. This song has been known to play on repeat on my iPod.

Introducing OZ! My first wearable design (clothing wise). Once I saw the colors in the Berrocco Boho I just couldn't resist. My family and I loved the result. My cousins even tried to steal it from me. Wear it as I did over jeans or spice it up for the evening. I plan to post the quick and simple pattern for free real soon. Enjoy the pics below.

OZ

Time: May 15th - May 25th, 2008
Yarn: Berrocco Boho in Pastures of Plenty, 3.5 skeins (209yds each); Cascade Sierra in Green 08, 3 skeins (192yds each); Tahki Dream in Green, 1 ball (262yds each); Yellow-Green, (approx. 55yds)
Needles/Hook: US 11
Notes: Double stranded the Boho with the Dream in the deep green color for an irridescent look. This shrug is knit flat and mirrored then folded in half and seamed at the edges. I suppose it could be knit in the round until the sleeves, but knitting flat seemed much better. It's entirely 2x2 rib with 2 sets of yarn overs in the trim for detail. The tassles are made with the remaining yarn.

Pattern coming soon!

Kamika

Were I Be

I know some of you are wondering, "What in blue blazes! Where is Kinky Coils?" I've been around but extremely busy. For the last two weeks, I took a temp assignment and have been away from my computer during the day.

The firm that I worked for turned out to be such a blessing in so many ways. It was an industrial engineering firm which allowed me to see the flip side of a certain aspect in real estate. You may not know that I'm a former real estate manager, hence industrial engineering plays a small part. The company was a partnership of two women and the principals really knew their stuff. Upon my last day one of the owners really imparted some wisdom that is going to help me in the future.

On to knitting! Because of my surge in cash flow I have been working on a number of new projects that I can't get too detailed about now, as I have to go but here's a sneak peek:

1. Regan (Rowan 41) - Needs some trim and the sleeves.
2. Rebecca Doll - I think I'll call her Sassy Hotpants or maybe just Floosy!
3. Boobholder - Gift for Arrica
4. Infant Petal Blanket - My own design for baby cousin
5. Test Knit for a well known knitwear designer.

When I come back, I'll have pictures and details on some of the sales I hit. I'll also have the latest installment of The Motel saga. So much has gone on here, you won't want to miss it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The New Fall Knitty 2007 is up!

-Check out the FABO hoodie called ROAM. Too cute, I want to do that one next. Take a peek at MR. GREENJEANS! This would be cute if made a little more fitted to accentuate the empire ribbing and with shorter more blouson sleeves. For those of us who love shawls or at least making them as gifts, MUIR is a great little number with enough same repeats for nearly mindless knitting. Lastly, the yarn in CHERIE AMOUR - Frutos Del Bosque, has great color variegation.

Tahki Stacy Charles Launches NYYarns.Com!

-TSC yarns has created a user website to go along with their new line of yarn, both called NYYarns. They've added an online shop that allows you to purchase directly patterns AND yarn. I put emphasis on yarn because many of your big named yarn makers don't allow you to buy yarn directly from them. If you like TSC, Tahki Stacy Charles, and Filatura di Crosa, you may like NYYarns.

Yarn Harlot in Los Angeles!

- If this is your first time hearing about this then it's probably too late for you. The show was booked almost instantly. RSVPs were strongly recommended but walk-ins are still welcome on a first come basis. Where: Mark Taper Forum (LA Main Library) @ 1pm. http://www.lfla.org/events/yarnharlot.php

Auf Wiedersehen!

Kamika

Regan WIP Update

Regan is coming along nicely. I've been moving kind of slow on it due to being very busy. The days have been flying by and with the exception of a few ongoing appointments I don't know where the time is going.

The stitch pattern on this cardigan is reminiscent of the eye on a peacock feather. To display this the wrong side of the pattern is the side that will show. The pattern has proven to be a very easy one to follow (once you get past some of the British terminology). The TSC Cotton Classic is working up nicely with minimal splitting and a nice drape. It's not stiff at all, which is good because I had lamented about not getting a cotton/rayon blend instead. Hopefully with proper washing this cardi will maintain it's shape without the need for future re-blocking.

Hopefully I'll have this one finished by next week so I can start on Esme. I plan on modifying it to be open backed, sort of like Angela's Apron in the 2007 Spring Interweave Knits mag. I don't actually like the Angela's Apron finished product but I do like the idea behind it. I can really see rocking this with some great jeans and sandals this summer. Another modification will be the scrapping of the Rowan 4 ply Cotton for the more lustrous Berroco Cotton Twist with twist of lime and light green Tahki Dream thrown in. Green and Yellow go well together and Yellow is the hottest color this season. Or was that purple? Oh well.

Then again, I may just start Esme in the interim. It's a crochet project after all and that means a quick workup. I trust that the only hinderance will be the modifications, but isn't that what we live for?

Kamika

Coffee Swap 2 Swag!

Who says only celebrities get swag? I got my Coffee Swap #2 package yesterday and I love it! I feel so special. This was my first swap and I got the best partner. Ann over at Yellow House Treasures really knows how to make you feel good. I absolutely love everything she put in my package. Take a look:

TEAS:

(from l to R)
Top: Green Tea Jasmine Tea Cookies, Octavia Tea (Ginger Peach), Botanicals Indulgence Tea (Sparkle Black)

Bottom: Harney & Sons Tea ( Bangkok: coconut, lemongrass, ginger; Paris: currants, caramel, citrus; Hot Cinnamon Spice: cinnamon,orange peel, clove

GOODIES:

(from l to R)
1st Column: Body Bar (Jasmine & Orange), Sea Spa (Shea Butter Soap)
2nd Column: Splendid Specialties Tea Infused Chocolates (Jasmine Green, Emperor's Ginger, Imperial Chai)
3rd Column: Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea

YARN!:

3 balls of Rowan Handknit Cotton (Buttercup), 2 hanks Tahki Stacy Charles Cotton Classic (Wine/Aubergine), Card

Well the tea cookies were gone about an hour after I received the package. So yummy! I now understand why Ann said that she had to hurry up and mail my package, before she ate them. I hear you! This morning I tried the Ginger Peach tea and it was a hit.

Thank you so much Ann!

Kamika

I'm In Love! (With Yarn of Course)

Ooh Ooh Ooh! Look at my new baby. It's Regan from the new Rowan Magazine #41. Can you hear the heavenly choir singing? It's Rowan! This book is so pretty!

**Kamika pets the magazine while holding it tightly to her chest and cooing.**

I am officially a Rowan convert. It all started when I went to my LYS, The Knitter's Studio, and got some great chocolate colored Felted Tweed to trim my Truffle Clutch, which is finè by the way and lined in a pretty butterfly brocade.

I really liked the way it felt [the tweed that is] and how sturdy it was and that led me to the site. After looking through all the online magazines (don't you just love how Rowan shows you every pattern in the book?) I couldn't stop jonesin to get the latest one. I called all of my nearby LYS and could only find it 25 miles out in Bev Hills. No problem, it's near my church, down the street from one of my fave restaurants (Grand Luxe), and I got to take Dee Dee (I'll introduce her later). We went on Sunday afternoon.

This mag is packed with over 50 well done patterns. I really like how Rowan does stories and themes. I found at least one pattern I wanted to complete in each story. Not to mention, the pictures are just beautiful. I'm really a sucker for colors and colorful clear pictures. After looking through (more like studying) a couple of times I settled on Regan.

**Buzz of the flies flying around Kamika's agape mouth.**

I tried to pace myself ya'll, really I did. I told myself that I couldn't buy anything until I finished the WIPs I already had but I needed my fix.

**Kamika flashes back to the jittery, foot shuffling, dry mouth having, all over body itch feeling she had that's common to junkies.**

Besides, I finished four out of the five WIPs in the que. Well, more like three because one was a starter for my Pastor. She'll be finishing that one. AND! I had a little birthday money burning a whole in my pocket. God is so good! Suffice to say all I could think about was yarn.

BAM BABY!

10 hanks of Tahki Stacy Charles Cotton Classic in a beautiful seafoam/mint green. I have never bought this much yarn at one time in my knitting life. Not only that I have to go back and get 3 more (Patricia over at Slipt Stitch is holding them for me). My silly self got so sidetracked by color that I misread the yardage on the sleeves. BTW, Slipt Stitch is another new to me LYS that I found. Very comfortable spot.

So I'll be swatching this bad boy up tonight and dreaming of more projects. Talk to you all soon.


Kamika