Kate Middleton's Angora Wedding Shrug/Bolero in Mohair?

I have been selling this pattern for a while now and the yarn used for this project seems to be a problematic fiber. Knitters who are allergic to angora can't use it, in the UK a similar yarn is hard to find or simply one does not want to spend as much money on this project. 

So I made one for myself out of a different fiber. I used Debbie Bliss "Party Angel" which is a much thinner yarn and that's why I double stranded it. I made it exactly 50 rows longer so I can wear it as a cardigan and I used a size US7 needle instead of the US8 to get to the same gauge. I love the result! 

And there are many other manufacturers producing a similar yarn: Rowan "Kidsilk Haze", Cascade Yarns "Kid Seta Noir", Schulana "Kid Seta" and I am sure there are many more.

Spring is in the Air?

Oh well, not really! But the milder weather and hardly any snow makes me think of spring. I have started these felted crochet flowers before Christmas and now I finally got the hang of finishing the pattern. Valentine's Day is coming up so I called them "Felted Flower Valentine". They don't require special crochet skills, only chain, single and double crochet. Felting is also a very forgiving technique. I have made quite a few so far and I just throw them in with my regular laundry on the hot setting. One can imagine that doing laundry is a little more interesting when a felted flower appears! 

LOOOOOOVE IT!

The few warmer days we had made me think of summer. Well, now it is not "warm" any more (still sounds funny to say that when you live in Wisconsin) but I am so excited about my latest design! Knitting with linen is just wonderful and the result unexpected. Not sure yet if this will be a sweater or just a top. But the sleeves could be an option! 
Then it is also very difficult to come up with the perfect name for a design. Please post any ideas you might have! So far I am thinking "Linea". I can't wait to sew it together. Now I am imagining there could be more in linen! A whole collection of linen yarn garments! Hope you like it as much as I do!

Downtown Slouchy Beret

It has been a while since I have posted! Time really flies. Finally we got some snow and it got quite cold, too. This is the right time to think of hats! I have made two of these slouchy hats and "test drove" them on several walks with my doggy friend Ivy. Usually I am not a hat fan but these slouchy hats look more flattering.
The first one is made out of  Debbie Bliss' Glen . This yarn looks not attractive at all in the ball but knitted up it turns out to be wonderful! My second one, the grey one, I used Rowan Cocoon , a much heavier yarn but also very stunning. I can't say which one I like more!

And here, that's me in gray and my friend Gwen in blue:

As always you can buy my pattern on Ravelry.

BUY HERE

Finally Giving In!

Okay, I have been looking at these knitted headbands with the increase and decrease in the center for a good year now and always postponed to design one myself. Well now I gave in and here comes "Begonia". Yes, good design names don't come easy at all. I am thinking of letting my readers come up with a name for my next design......
I am quite proud of this pattern since it will work just well without any crochet skills. Most of the headbands I have seen so far have a crochet edge and a crochet flower. This one will be great without any crochet at all. But in case you absolutely have to have a crochet flower - there is a beautiful crochet flower in this pattern, too! I know, everybody will want one once you start making them.

Crochet Flower

Adjustable size!

Knitted Flower

 You can download the pattern for $6.00 right here
http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/angela-juergens-designs/83062

And there are more good news! I am one of 10 finalists for the 10,000 th design of the Patternfish website. Now it depends on which design gets the most votes. Check it out here and if you like my design please vote for me. http://www.patternfish.com/newsletters/6
This is my design:

The beautiful model is my Godchild from Germany. She spent two weeks in summer with us. 

The nice idea about this design is that it can be made with two different lace options! Ha! 

The orange lace is a repeat of the first row (quite easy to remember) and the second version (on the brown model) is a challenge but I know some knitters love that! 

I can't decide which version I like best but I would love to have one in every color!

The pattern is also available for $ 7.00 right here:http://www.patternfish.com/patterns/10218

Dancing Waves Scarf

I was trying to come up with a good use for Rowan's Alpaca Cotton which we carry at the yarn store. The yarn is gorgeous but somehow unattractive in a ball.

It is very soft and really nice to work with. This scarf is a good project for a fast gift, too! The short rows are actually fun and maybe a good lesson for a future more challenging project. I loved making this one!
The pattern is available on Ravelry.

My Newest Favorite Video on Youtube!

I could watch this over and over again! I love sheep! I wished I had one or two!

It is about 3 minutes long. Three amazing minutes! Enjoy!