What's In A Name & A Pattern Resurection

Change is hard.

I've been going through some of my older posts and patterns on Ravelry and was brought back to my old blog. I really love the layout of that blog. I'm still proud of the header (made by me in MS Paint, lol) and it made me sad that I've deviated from my EdwardRad moniker. You have to understand that I used that name online for lots of forums and websites for about 15 years and I have a lot of internet friends who recognize me across the web as Ed.

As I move forward with getting patterns published, I'm realizing more and more that I need to use my real name and that I need to expose myself a bit if I'm going to reach people. This is kind of a scary realization and part of me wants to just go back to being Ed and using that old blog. It sounds odd, but I've never really connected myself to my real name. I respond to it, but it doesn't hold much meaning for me. It feels like any other word or like something that I have to do just because it's something that must be done. Does anyone else feel that way about their name? I think that is part of why I have such a strong connection to my online names. They are something that I've created on my own and hold a special meaning for me.

My current fiber-related online name is Yumi Yarns because EdwardRad always brought up too many questions from those unaffiliated with Cowboy Bebop (the show Ed originates from, not Twilight). I thought that having a more yarny name would make things a little easier since almost everything that I post is about fiber, knitting or crochet (and sometimes food). Ever since getting my first pattern published, though, I've wondered if I shouldn't just be using Shaina Scott Designs or something along those lines but it sounds so stuffy. And even though I love enforcing the rules at work, I'm not a fan of rules in my fiber world and just want to do what makes me happy. That is after all why I love fiber crafting.

After doing all that reminiscing I've decided to move the free patterns from my old blog to this one so here's the first one:

 Mom's Shower Cloth

   The main stitch pattern that I used in this cloth was one that I learned while making my Sense and Sensibility socks and is a variation of Eye-Of-Partrige. I modified it so that you could make use of the purl-bump pattern that appeared on the inside of the socks because I really thought both sides looked nice and deserved some attention.

There are a couple of techniques worth explaining before you begin your knitting...
Sl 1 YiF: Bring your yarn to the front of your work and slip the next stitch knit-wise. Bring the yarn to the back of your work before continuing to the next stitch.
SL 1 YiB: Bring your yarn to the back of your work and slip the next stitch knit-wise. Bring the yarn to the front of your work before continuing to the next stitch.

Pattern:
Cast-on 54 stitches. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.

Begin stitch pattern:
Row 1: Knit 3, *K 1, Sl 1 YiF (repeat from * 12 times), *Purl 1, Sl 1 YiB (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 2: K 3, K 24, P 24, K 3.
Row 3: K 3, *Sl 1 YiF, K 1 (repeat from * 12 times), *Sl 1 YiB, P 1 (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 4: K 3, K 24, P 24, K 3.
Continue in pattern for 11 repeats.

Begin next stitch pattern:
Row 1: K 3, *P 1, Sl 1 YiB (repeat from * 12 times), *K 1, Sl 1 YiF (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 2: K 3, P 24, K 24, K 3.
Row 3: K 3, *Sl 1 YiB, P 1 (repeat from * 12 times), *Sl 1 YiF, K 1 (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 4: K 3, P 24, K 24, K 3.
Continue in pattern for 10 repeats plus rows 1-3.

Knit 6 rows in garter stitch. Bind off and weave in ends.

Have a great week everyone!!  ^_^

World Wide Knit in Public Day 2015

Almost every year when World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKiPD) comes around, I forget to ask for it off and end up working during most of the fun. This year, I was able to schedule myself off and Dan was super awesome in taking care of the little man so I didn't have to do any mommy things before I left for the day! Peg put together an amazing line-up of places to knit throughout the day and I offered to set aside spots for everyone at my cafe for those who couldn't make the early stops. 

Thanks so much for everyone who made it out for the day or even for part of it, I had such a great time knitting and talking with everyone!! Here's a little re-cap for anyone who missed it or who just wants to re-live the fun! (Sorry for the poor video quality for the first 2, I'm still getting used to taking them.)

7-10 AM @ Queen City Bakery

The start of World Wide Knit in Public Day in Sioux Falls, SD!! Show us your projects, ladies!! ^_^
Posted by Yumi Yarns on Saturday, June 13, 2015

10 AM - 1 PM @ Falls Overlook Cafe

World Wide Knit in Public Day - part 2!! What are you #knitting today?
Posted by Yumi Yarns on Saturday, June 13, 2015

1 - 5 PM @ Athena Fibers

World Wide Knit in Public Day part 3!! All the beautiful projects!! ^_^

Posted by Yumi Yarns on Saturday, June 13, 2015

5 - 10 PM @ Sioux Falls Barnes & Noble Cafe

Ann is really getting into the new pizza's!!  ^_^

The YumiYarns May 2015 Read-A-Long

Since I work at a bookstore and am constantly wanting to read everything, I thought that it would be fun to have a monthly read-a-long for the Ravelry Group. This month I picked “A Man Named Ove” (pronounced Ooo-V-A) by Fredrik Backman. It will be coming out in paperback on 5/5/15, so there’s no need to worry that you have to spend yarn money on a hard cover book.

Here’s an overview:

In this bestselling and “charming debut” (People) from one of Sweden’s most successful authors, a grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.

Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.

A feel-good story in the spirit of “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” and “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand”, Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).

This first Read-A-Long will run from May 5 till June 1, 2015. Please join the Ravelry Group and join in on the book discussion, I can't wait to hear everyone's opinion on this book!  ^_^