Before we dive into the knitting, dear Horde, you have sent melodramatic messages claiming that your favorite series has been orphaned, making demands, offering organs and firstborns, and generally being very chalant.
I asked Mod R how her inbox was, and she sent this.
We are real life human people. You are applying a mountain of pressure, and we haven’t even announced the serial, let alone start it.
Chill, please.
Back to the shawl.
Last year I wore a plain black dress to a business thing, and Kid 2 told me, “You know what it needs? One of those dramatic sparkly shawls things that you hang on your arms.”
I didn’t have anything formal enough, so I decided to make one. I wanted fall colors and I wanted sparkles and drama, so I went onto Miss Babs site, got me some Estrellita yarn and tried to do something with it.
How it started:
How it ended up:
Preblocking:
I posted it to Facebook asking if it should be blocked, and everyone suggested blocking.
Traditional shawl on a tree pic.
Yarn
Miss Babs Estrellita: Volcanic Eruption and a teal colorway which is no longer available, but Brooke or Rainforest might be a good match. The third yarn came from the stash and it is a speckled cream colorway. If you wanted to stay with Miss Babs, the Neutral 3 might be a close match.
The pattern: Summer Solstice by Janina Kallio: Ravelry and Woolenberry.
This was a very easy, mindless pattern. It’s garter stripes with very easy lace. It’s basically knit 2 together and yarn over sequence. Perfect for TV.
Alterations:
- This was fingering yarn on US 8 5.00 mm needles. I didn’t want a warm shawl, since it’s Texas. I just wanted something pretty and dramatic, so it is large and very airy.
- Stripes 1: 4 rows of cream, 2 rows of volcanic
- Stripes 2: 4 rows of cream, 2 rows of volcanic, 2 rows of cream, 2 rows of volcanic, rinse and repeat
- Stripes 3: 4 rows of volcanic, 2 rows of cream
- My edge where the increases were made wasn’t great, so I ran a row of single crochet around it to strengthen it.
I changes the stripes because I wanted more visual interest. When you wear shawls in interesting ways, the reverse side is exposed, and with this shawl it looks kind of awesome.
I will model the shawl tomorrow, after I get my hair colored. We will be at Texas Book Festival in 2 weeks (more to come later), and you do not want to see my hair right now. It is a mess of grey and weird cinnamon. I am self-conscious about it.
This wasn’t quite the formal stole I was aiming for, but it was such a fun project, and I love it anyway.
It’s so pretty! It definitely makes me wish I could knit/crochet. 😀
Thanks for sharing!
First? This is a glorious day, because this will never happen again.
Certified!
None of us are born knowing how to knit or crochet. You can learn! Now is the time to start.
+1
Love the video with the kittens. Great reflection of the Horde comments
+1
+1
Mod R. is one of us. I laughed so hard when I saw the kittens. But come on y’all, we can do better! We must protect the precious resource that is our authors’ creativity! Pressure crushes creativity. I know it’s hard to w*it, but we MUST b fluffy. I mean, look at Steve-he even got that new uber-fluffy hair style…which def shows his devotion to, um, fluffiness. Or possibly playing with electricity… which we should NOT do…
Right, we need to watch Steve better, and just b naturally fluffy. Ok, suggestions on non-electric ways to increase the Horde’s fluffiness:
1-reread, obv
2-
So beautiful! I can’t be first, can I???
Pretty! And my mom was just asking if I want something knitted for Christmas… hmm…
Ohhhh, those look pretty.
While I knew at some point the Horde would need to be told to sit down and chill, I really thought it wouldn’t be until after the serial started.
We can be quite the drama llamas. Sigh.
Certified Drama Llama here!
+1 (but whoever heard of a p*tient Horde?)
Very patient Horder here. Happy to wait nonchalantly for whatever HA brings.
I am old. I can’t wait much longer.
That shawl is beautiful,
aaaaaaaand. . . I love Hugh too.
I believe that the correct term is “Cool your tits” – Desandra Kral
Very pretty! it will look great with black and at least 3 other colors. I love mindless patterns that looks wonderful. Right now I am knitting dishcloths/washcloths/ hand towels out of cotton yarn. The whole famly seems to want them. They are also mindless and I got great yarn off the sale rack.
Thank you both for all the great words! If you write them I will buy them!
100% agree!
+1
That’s the Horde for you. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Me? I’m fluffy in whatever serial you want to do.
That’s one very pretty shawl. My mom used to tell me the shawls that look so complicated are the easiest to knit. She also told me that if I wanted to have something knitted look so complicated, use larger needles than what shows on the yarn label. I haven’t done that yet.
I’m in the process of crocheting a blanket in Red Heart’s Coats and Clark Rainbow. The boarder is going to be green to pick up all the colors in the body of the blanket. Red Heart discontinued the Rainbow color, so I was able to get it at clearance pricing. 😊
Everyone is so ambitious! I had to give up on the larger crochet projects. I am currently sticking to little projects like baby hats and kimono booties as well as crocheted doll blankets. Mindless work that can be done with a bamboo hook while traveling tends to come in handy. Right now I am making Barbie clothes and remembering why I dislike making them! One of the local farm stores had them on sale in their toy aisle and I bought a couple for donations. The clothes will be in a plastic bag taped to the box. Have a happy weekend!
Well done! I love knitting shawls…
That’s a lovely, lovely shawl. Gorgeous.
And. Um. You all must love kittens very much, to put up with us. Thank you.
+1
it’s gorgeous
When you annouced a new series (SQEEEEEEE!) I just put a smug Mona Lisa smile on my face and wait patiently as a good loyal horde follower should as I know I will be rewarded. In my head I am bouncing off the walls dancing to Viking Hip Hop and D&D Travern songs (Stomp the Night and Burn the Tavern Down).
i was curious and went to youtube and searched for stomp the night and loved it! then found burn the tavern down and loved that one too.
+1
So Glad you enjoyed it. I am also listening to Wolfskald (Pull the Line, My Mother Told Me, and Thunder in My Bones) they are very pirate inspired with a touch of Viking.
It’s really beautiful! It’s time for me to research a new project and get the needles Out of summer storage.
That’s so beautiful. thanks for posting the pics. And take your time. Don’t let us ruin your day. Seriously thanks for all you’ve already written.
Whatever you decide on will be much better than nothing. You two are incapable of writing a bad story.
Thank you in advance…
Gorgeous shawl! Love the colors and the lace. You will look great in it!
Beautiful shawls!! Love the colors 😍
it is beautiful.
love the fall wreath on the front door. birds keep trying to nest in mine and poop all over my front step.
and I am 100% chill over here. as much as I love a serial, I love rested, relaxed, joyful, inspired authors even more.
+1 times 1000 to this. I want you to do exactly what works for you because it makes for great writing. You do you! The two of you are so prolific that your fandom is super spoiled. I’ve been enjoying the rereads and all the other authors you have suggested to read. Thank you!
Gorgeous! I love the stripes!! It looks so complicated but you are saying it’s not. I’ll take your word for it. lol
We just moved very, very north and I had one of those passing thoughts that turn into an obsession that I need to start making warm hats and scarves and such for my family. I had a right trigger thumb as a baby and when I do large crotchet projects it hurts. But maybe a hat or chunky shall/scarf wouldn’t hurt to bad.
No pressure from here. Just excitement for the possibilities in the future. No matter what it is, it will be wonderful because you both care so much about your craft. And if it nothing until Maggie then Que sera sera, like I tell my daughter, it will be okay. 🤗
I am in awe of your talent honestly. We know you’re going to downplay it, Ilona, but it’s seriously impressive. Take the compliments. *blows kiss*
Beautiful work on the shawl. People need to practice their patience and appreciate all the hard work that goes into the fantastic tales you weave. I appreciate that you’ve chosen to share them and can’t express enough how much all of your series mean to me.
Blocking was the way, that went from beautiful to amazing. I would wear that even if the Mars Family gave it to me during our family war.
Ok, now I need to know about this war. The big Mars family, like the candy company?
Hehe, very much the opposite, I’d say? 😅 Horde, do you agree?
The Mar family are from the Edge series by Ilona Andrews https://ilona-andrews.com/the-edge/
They are formidable people, and the Edgers with the mostest! If you’ve read the Innkeeper series, Gaston and Lark, George’s wife, are both part of the Mar clan. And as spectacular as they are, the extended family is even more to take in!
Yes, the candy Mars family is pretty much the opposite of the Edge Mar family.
Pardon my ignorance as I don’t knit but I am curious: what is blocking?
The final process after the knitting is done, where the hand-knit garment is wetted, steamed, or sprayed in order to relax the fibers, then lightly stretched or evened out and shaped into its finished form.
A finished piece is given a warm bath (“wet blocking”) or steamed, then laid out to dry. This helps even out the knitting. Sometimes pins and/or special thin blocking wires are used to help the piece dry to specific dimensions, have a nice clean edge, etc. In the case of lace, blocking the piece helps open up the stitches so you can see the pattern better.
Thank you for asking the exact same question I had!
That really does look gorgeous, I hope it makes you feel good wearing it 😊
What Mod R and Laura said. It also helps to set the stitches in the garment for future washings. Once the stitches are set, the garment does not go back to the original form.
It’s beautiful! I love your color choices.
Stunning, delicate and beautiful. You AND the shawl! I love whatever that lace-knit is. So elegant, so whimsical.
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Every knitting project is better with Miss Babs. Seriously. Half my stash is Miss Babs. And Janina Kallio writes the best patterns that are simple, gorgeous, and look like they’re intricate. I think I’m up to 9 projects of hers finished. Most are Miss Babs.
Lovely!
Love the shawl. Makes me want to restart the knitting project that has been sitting for a while.
The shawl is gorgeous! I love the colors of the yarn.
“Traditional shawl on a tree pic” is a thing?
What rock have I been living under for the 20 years I’ve been crocheting?
It is a very pretty shawl. That tree totally looks ready for a night out on the meadow 🙂
I hang stuff on trees a lot: https://ilona-andrews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shawl-in-progress-1.jpg
https://ilona-andrews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/green-stole-1.jpg
It’s an Ilona thing 😌 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/a-happy-cardigan/
We usually get the full outdoor display, which lets us see dimensions and daylight colours 😍
That cat video is hysterical and I can see how it is a lot like wrangling us unwieldy horde! I hope you know that most of us will be satisfied with anything you gift us and understand that you cannot please everyone all the time. I can only imagine how the Horde’s enthusiasm can be a double edged sword at times.
that is absolutely gorgeous!
lovely! wish I knew how to crochet like that i do make good Afghans and throws though.
It looks amazing! Enjoy wearing it!
beautiful!! it reminds me that I have an unfinished shawl to crochet. oops!!
actually… 2. so busy reading, I forget which projects I’ve abandoned!!
A fabulous shawl !
The horde is mighty but also sometimes like an overtired toddler in tantrum mode shoutjng more more more . Its really a complement becazie we all love your writijg so much !
Look after yourselves and don’t work too hard ! The horde can be chalant and patient – honest .
Its beautiful! You’ll look fabulous wearing it!
Beautiful and inspiring!
It looks like you knitted a cobweb. Beautiful!
First of all, your stole is beautiful! I love the colors and pattern. And I sympathize with the hair thing- my stylist once told me my natural color is now white. Which is funny but also not. And I’m sorry some of the Horde is doing Horde chalant things; hopefully people will take a hint and calm down some. And you know we will all love whatever serial you decide to go with. Such is the Way of the Horde.
The shawl is beautiful and the kittens are hilarious!!!
I’m so sorry some people continue to make demands of you. Please remember that they are the very small minority so try not to let them affect your health.
It’s so beautiful 🤩
The shawl is amazingly beautiful!!!
*cackles* at the kitty wrangling/hoard wrangling video. thank you for that.
also – the way the kitties kept falling off and trying to climb back up made me think of the dushgub pit.
the scarf is very pretty delicate looking work!
I’m very chalant about wanting all the stories. But I try to temper my chalant-ness.
I just want to say that grey hair is beautiful.
simply beautiful! Shawls are so fun!
That is an absolutely gorgeous shawl!! I love all the projects you post!! (I have ten thumbs when it comes to knitting, crocheting, and needlework.)
Also, the kittens are adorable!! But if that energy is spilling out of your inbox, that is a lot to deal with!!
Looking forward to seeing what writing projects are next!! 📚
Stunning! Well done and I’m a wee bit jelly that you have so many talents.
The shawl is beautiful! Wonderful work!
I will literally read anything you write, so no pressure. Plus Maggie 2 is in progress and hopefully not yet back in your hands.
Take care of you both please!
That’s beautiful, I love it. I especially like the color choices. I’ve never tried knitting lace before, it seems intimidating. I’m already having a minor freak out trying to put sleeves on my first sweater with setin sleeves. I bought new needles, hopefully this will help?
What kind of needles do you like to use? Is it harder to do the lace on metal needles?
Miss Ilona~
Might I suggest Qiviut? Very light…finer, yet stronger than silk. Very dramatic! *S*
yes! that is definitely the BDH!
It could be worse, you could mention a new series & get a “meh”!
You are a victim of your own talent.
Seriously though, we will patiently (lol!)wait for whatever the authorlords wish to gift to us.
The shawl is fabulous, I am jelly.
It’s gorgeous! A piece of art all in itself.
Is there a reason why you didn’t use the s’mores yarn as the main body of the shaw and at the ends have a fine white weave?
Not that the ones shown are beautiful, they are.
It blended too much. If you look in the pic above, it’s almost a fade between stripes and when I tried doing lace, it just devolved into a mess. 🙂
Ok I went back and zoomed in, and I then saw all the color variations in the yarn that I didn’t see last night when I looked.
I was thinking it was just black with some white variations.
The shawl is lovely. And, since it isn’t formal enough you have an excuse to start a new project, which will probably need new yarn!
I would apologize for the BDH being so obnoxious but you do keep rewarding the bad behavior with treats/snippets/pats.
Have some tea and a treat, and just ignore us.
So pretty! I live in Missouri, so I knit for warmth and soft texture. But this would be a lovely evening drape even in August. As for series…thank you for the many wonderful books that are worthy of being read and re-read many times over. Big air hug; quality is worth waiting for.
Such a pretty shawl! I struggle with tension on really fine yarns. But I also sometimes just buy balls of yarn because they are soft, pretty, and squishy without bothering to math out what I can actually make with them, so mastering the craft probably isn’t my top priority. 😛
Wow is that ever pretty! I love the light texture and the colors so much.
Feeling sorry for y’all having to put up with a rambunctious horde! But the kittens were so funny! Thanks for sharing
Gorgeous shawl, love the rabid kitten comparison.
Beautiful!
I love shawls and cowls and fingerless gloves. However, I am struggling to learn how to knit or crochet. Is a class the best way to learn? Or just soldier on with video tutorials and small projects?
I taught myself to crochet back in the days of no computers (so no video tutorials) with a crochet book in front of me, a crochet hook in one hand and yarn that could be wasted in learning also in front of me. 44 years later (yep, I’m dating myself), and I still crochet.
For me the biggest trial was learning how to do the loop that goes on the hook. I looked at the book, tried to do the way the author did it, but it wouldn’t work. After a few tries, and a few knots, I finally got it to work. The second trial was the chain row. It’s easy to have the tension tight on that row. However, if you do that, then the rest of the project is wonky. Plus, if the chain row is tight, the crochet hook may not go through to do the stitches. I’ve learned, over time, to use a larger needle on the chain row, and then switch to the needle needed for the rest of the project.
All crochet uses loops, whether it’s drawn up to the next stitch or on the hook, to determine which stitch you are doing. This is the way I learned how to determine which stitch I’m doing. However, it does not consider the loop that is on the hook.
One loop = single crochet
Two loops = half double crochet (I use this stitch a lot. Easier on my wrists.)
Three loops = double crochet
Four loops = treble crochet
Depending on how you like to learn, you can keep on with the video tutorials or grab a “learn to crochet” book. Small projects are great with tension and making sure your project doesn’t look like a triangle. Yep, my first few projects became triangles instead of the rectangle I was trying to do. 🤣🤣🤣
I hope this helps! 😊
Lovely and far more ambitious than my most recent project. I crocheted an amigurumi candy corn with a little face. It is a present for my father, who made the mistake of telling me he didn’t get enough candy corn last year. Reaction still forthcoming!
Thank you for sharing. I love your crafting posts.
Congratulations on the shawl. It’s lovely.
Thank you for sharing the shawl and pattern. I’ve been looking to work on a basic lace project.
I fall on the more pa&@ent end of the Horde spectrum. I appreciate your generosity in offering free fiction to us and love the serials. November will be great for me as I’ll be having surgery and recovery. New fiction will be lovely will read and enjoy whatever you choose to write. (Can’t even choose character/series or new that I wiuld prefer.
It’s beautiful and stunning! Thank you so much for sharing, this was a wonderful start to my day!!
Beautiful!! Adding this pattern to my TBK list.
Please write what YOU want to write. 🥰
I want extra credit for refraining from comment typing behavior when asked by HA do give breathing room! In…out…and again… sent with much love 😘
Such a pretty shawl! I’m in Sweden so I’ve busted out all the wool in preparation for winter. Currently I have a new scarf on my needles that I’m knitting to match a hat I made last year.
Please ignore the horde and do what feels fun and inspiring to you.
Wow! That shawl is just amazing! I may just have to give it a try, too.
The shawl so pretty — and I hope relaxing. As to the Horde: the last thing one should ever do to a writer is pressure them. Their muse will go on strike and you wont get a word out of them. I’m convinced this is what happened to _Game of Thrones_ author, George R. R. Martin. He got the HBO series, the pressure got insane, and he got blocked. Whatever Ilona and George deliver will be yummy, and I will be p@tient.
. . . not to mention Patrick Rothfuss.
I know this is probably falling on deaf ears but to my fellow horde members, please stop. You are making Ilona, Gordon, and Mod R miserable and are scaring the rest of us with fear of them understandably getting overwhelmed. We are not *entitled* to any product or project from any artist. We are lucky and I am grateful.
Of course I have favorites too and want want want things. But that is a me problem not a House Andrews problem.
As has been said, please take care of yourselves. You are beloved even if you never write another word.
Wow! That shawl is amazing.
When it comes to knitting I am all thumbs, alas.
Thank you for the pictures!
🙂
Block. Always block. Even if you don’t think it needs it, block. You will be happy you did.
It’s lovely <3
Absolutely love getting to see the knit and crochet projects. For a good while socks were all I was making and now it’s shawls.
Yeah…I can absolutely see us as those kittens. Might need to channel Olasard more in the future (the cat specifically).
Ohhh, this against black is going to look wonderful! Love a mindless pattern that turns out looking so intricate. Can’t wait to see it modeled 😀
That is absolutely beautiful!
Beautiful! Blocking is magical. Also a big fan of Miss Babs. Serials are super fun but take your time, so it’s fun for you too. I’ll just be hanging out rereading your whole catalog again!
Gorgeous!
Absolutely beautiful. I am in awe of your talent. I can knit but nothing like this. Hope you get immense enjoyment from it. There’s an outfit out there just begging to be paired with it.
Your knitting is so beautiful… I should learn more than just the very basic pattern. Same with crocheting.
(You won’t get my organs and there will never be a first born, so I stay fluffy and will be happy with anything you bestow upon your humble Horde. Thank you so very much for all the extras we got! Every laughter your work gives me is very much needed <3)
This is insanely beautiful!
I can’t knit, never have, and don’t have any time, but this makes me want to learn it anyway. I’m sure it will look amazing to the black dress!
That shawl is beautiful!
I’m sorry you’re feeling so much pressure from the horde. I just discovered your books two years ago when my husband gave me the first three books in the Hidden Legacy series. I’ve grown the amount of books I have of yours since then but I always return to those. I’ve probably read those first three four or five times.
All that to say, I love getting to see your writing. I’m very excited to see the new serial and I hope you get to have fun with it! It will be very cool to see the fresh off the press stuff. Every new book you send out, I try to get and I love it and am so glad that you two get to work together in such a cool way to do something you love.
peace and carrots
I started my morning in the best way–with a huge laugh over the kitten video. The music was the perfect touch!
I know nothing about knitting except for two things: I am in awe of people who knit and I love the effects color and patterns you can achieve by knitting. You are going to slay at the conference!
The shawl looks amazing!
And like a true horde member, I am waiting p*tiently because I want HA to create from a place of peace and enjoyment. I do not want my enjoyment of your art/science to be at the cost of your wellbeing.
Side note: I remember writing fanfic when I was a teenager and feeling so much pressure to get the next chapter out because well meaning people’s enthusiasm for what I wrote and requests to update. I can’t imagine writing and publishing like that on the scale of HA.
Those are beautiful and could be used as a fundraiser in periods of writing droughts.
gorgeous! also, love the front doors!
I love it! Also, I will be happy with whatever whenever the muse strikes, and people need to go touch grass if they think that being demanding is going to turn out well…
Good afternoon, Ilona, Gordon and ModR
I know that I responded enthusiastically to the announcement of a (possible… probable… MUST BE REAL!) serial.
I definitely would not want to pile more pressure on you (all of you) than you already heap on yourselves.
So, seeing your lovely shawl is making me happy, as it displays some-what of a work-life balance, which I am all in favour of. It also makes me soooooooooooo envious(🙈) since a rock is probably more creative than I am – I have seen some very pretty rocks…
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the Horde’s love-love-love-love-love, perhaps seriously consider my suggestion in a previous post, of sharing pictures of toes in sand and colourful drinks (with little umbrellas, of course).
Ilona and Gorden, since you are heading to Australia next year, I might even suggest that you take at least one day out of your hectic schedule to take some awesome beach or bush photos to share with us!
All the best to you all 🫶
I am a knitter and love shawls. There is something so grounding about them versus a jacket or cardigan. Your color choices really are amazing and love the lace work. I am not able to do that and watch TV but your audiobooks work great to knit along to. Makes knitting time fly.
Very Pretty Shawl. Sorry for pressurizing! Puss in Boots eyes!!
Mod R – is one of those adorable kittens Carmina Burana? I can almost hear them howling…
O Fortuna
velut Luna
status variabilis
as they do their gymnastics!
The shawl is lovely. I wish I could get the hang of switching colors. Mine always looks like the edge is fraying. 😀
Fantastic shawl, makes me want to pick up my needles. Can we have a few more hours in the week to make that possible please?
That is a gorgeous shaw!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I need to get back to my knitting. But I am a lazy knitter. I don’t use small needles or fingering weight. But that pattern is lovely and oh so easy
That is a lovely shawl. I’m a big shawl and poncho fan, the only issue is wearing my rucksack with them – if it’s on top it ruins the look AND hinders my arms but underneath makes me look like Quasimodo. And I pretty much always have my rucksack. But I still have a good collection of shawls to wear because beautiful. But not knitted by me.
Thanks for sharing this. I often think about Grandma Mar and the poisoned yarn.
I have some yarn that I am looking to use up, and this is inspiring.
I love the shawl! Such pretty yarn! I’ve been intimidated to try lace knitting patterns but you make it sound not so bad
Wow! It’s beautiful!
I have the crafting abilities of a turnip but I can absolutely appreciate the beauty of this project. And relived you have a healthy way to balance the stress we the Horde perhaps not so unintentionally apply. I hereby swear to wait more patiently for my favorite book fix. There are other authors and worlds – they are not the same but needs must when the devil drives. Take care!
It’a beautiful. Wish I could knit but I can only crochet. Never could get the hang of knitting but that shawl is inspiring. Maybe I’ll try again.
The shawl is beautiful! Please take your time and thank you to Mod R.
I can wait as long as you need for any goodies. I appreciate how much you spoil us.
Love that shawl….i remember your distress when you started out….fantastic recovery and lovely pattern.
Love the hot Texas adaptation! I once made a beach cover up using the pattern yarn only to find find it so heavy there was no way I was ever going to wear it on any beach!
Very excited for all you do and share. I am happy there will be a serial, and am happy to read it whenever you post it. Be happy, be creative, the horde can w**t.
Beautiful.
Your shawl is gorgeous. It’s way above my skill set.
Sorry that you feel pressured, the new serial was supposed to be a fun project.
You need a break. Maybe discontinue the blog until next year.
That is some intricate and beautiful artwork. Wow! Glad to see the art is still alive. My daughter can knit and crochet. She’s 22, which makes her a rarity, nowadays.
Love the color choices!
OMG the kittens! Laughing so hard because that crazy baby energy is not in my house.
Your wrap is stunning!
Thank you and Mod R for all you do. Being chelant and patient.
Oh, it is wonderful! Great combinations of garter and lace. And the colors! Simply divine.
You are lovely people who care about your readers, but you explained clearly that you needed to reach new readers. Hence TKWNKM. Obviously, a book and series that big and involved will take up your time and energy and older series we all love must wait a while. I wish you all the success you deserve.
Pay no attention to the Horde behind the curtain, spray bottle as needed.
It came out lovely! I love Woolenberry patterns too. They are always an easy, peaceful knit
I shalt not be chalant, I shalt not be chalant. P*atience must guide me. I shall not spam the people who bring me literary sustenance in these hard times. My fingernails will be bitten, but my intentions will be clear.
That shawl is a banger.
wow its sooo pretty.
Wow! I don’t knit, but that shawl is so beautiful! I love the lace. It will make your outfit pop!
Sorry for the pressure. The illustration of the horde that you posted is truly a representation. But no matter the drama of the posts, at the end of the day it’s because of the love for your stories. Hoping you can feel the love and block the pressure.
I do love the shawl! Thanks for posting the pictures and info.
I have to admit, I came to the Blog install and see if there is anything interesting to get me out of my reading slump…. I am trying to be very Non- chalant. (Hehe)
I might need to re read TKWNKM for the 5th time. Can’t do Kate because I just reread the entire series, the Wilmington years AND Hugh’s story plus Julie’s story for the umpteenth time.
I’ve read Innkeeper Chronicles twice this year.
I think it is time to reread Hidden Legacy. I’m kinda feeling some Nevada pinings…
That will get me through til the serial starts….
Thank you so much for announcing the serial! Really looking forward to it.
So glad you find time to knit! shawls are great for traveling on planes, dining out in Tx where the AC is at 62 degrees, and dressing up your outfit. You can add sparkle by using a big broach with jewels or beads to hold it together on the side or in front. Big dangling pierced earrings can be used, also.
When you are in Australia be sure to score some yarn made with opossum fur. Not anything like the critters that wander at night in our backyards. It’s like alpaca and has a wonderful light softness.
Write what you want when you want – the BDH will devour whatever you give us.
🧶😉
I come humbly before ye of House Andrew, bearing only praise and appreciation.
No pressure, no stress.
Feel like doing a serial — go for it! I’ll read it with pleasure.
Want time off — pay attention to yourselves, your health, your family, your home, your holidays, your recreation, your hobbies — yes! Do it!
Your new shawl is gorgeous — your yarnwork is delightfully inspired and inspiring 🙂
Here’s what is forefront in mind these days, how we spend our time and our thoughts is how we live our lives — and day-to-day life is precious. Take time for the ordinary.
You love writing! Yay, I love your writing. And when I say I love your writing: I’ve read everything, I own everything, I reread everything. And I spread the word about IA. Truly.
But we’re going into the holidays and into colder weather and into who-knows-what — restore your inner zen and balance in whatever ways work for you.
Serials, smerials.
Wishing you comfort and joy, fun times and peaceful times.
Love you HA, Mod, BDH 💛
It’s gorgeous!
I love the kittens 😂 (they are SO us) and the new shawl ♥️.
It’s really lovely.
You are one busy woman! In my downtime, I read. (heh).
🤩 beautiful
The shawl is gorgeous. Sorry people have been putting pressure on you all, for a free thing that we have no base right to.
I love this, but am so terrible at patterns. My brain just does not translate from paper to needles. (which really sucks because I loooove sweaters) I like knitting scarves when I feel like knitting. I use cheap yarn and give them away. I do different stitches from a huge book of stitches I bought online.
your shawl is lovely. I really like the colors.
The shawl is absolutely gorgeous. I love knitting shawls. I haven’t attempted lace yet. I bought some beautiful yarn to start but the pattern was not written very well. I guess I now need 2 more colors. That pattern talks to me, well more like yelling at me. Going online shopping now. Lol
Love it! Great job!
Stunning 😍
you are very talented!!
Beautiful shawl!
It’s extremely beautiful! And enjoy getting your hairs did.
This is such a stunning pattern and color combo. I am awed by the entire thing.
This is beautiful! Truly, I am happy that you can take time away from your demanding fans and find a corner of peace and smiles for yourself! Thank you for spoiling the Horde even when we are ungrateful. 😉 can you add it to the store because we all know that you can do all things at once 😉
Wow, that’s gorgeous. I haven’t knitted for a while. I may need to rethink that. Thanks for sharing all the info.
lol@Mod R. The music really makes the clip!
I don’t understand why people are dicks about pressuring you guys. I’m excited about the possibility of a serial because your writing rocks, but also you do you and if and when it happens, great. Until then we have lives (or should have lives). And I absolute adore the shawl. Holy smokes. So cool!
The scarf is a beauty! Have you considered going grey? I love my grey hair. Of course, I am a lot older than you. Just something to think about…
bellissimo, bravissima!
(and I am a textile designer!)
a gorgeous shawl. I am in awe of your skills and of your time management in creating your gorgeous garments and your fantastic fiction
The shawl is lovely and I’m so glad you had fun with it. I ALSO showed the double front door to my husband because it’s our dream door 😀
Wow, your shawl is so lovely! I love the colors and how delicate it looks. I’m looking forward to seeing you model it.
That is gorgeous. And certainly doesn’t look like the pattern is “easy.” That word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Oooooohhhhhh so pretty!! 😍
It’s gorgeous! Thanks for the knitting post. I’m also totally in love with the “Magic Clams” opening.
It is absolutely wonderful. Beautiful stitches. You will look and feel stunning wearing it!
Beautiful!
Wish I had the talent to be that creative.
But what I can do is chill.
Besides, waiting for whatever comes out of your creative minds allows me to speculate and anticipate.
Kind of like the feeling you got when you were a child,and it’s Christmas Eve and you know Santa is coming tonight.. but when?
That’s sort of feeling.
I’m impressed your wrists can withstand the rigors of both knitting and writing. The shawls are lovely and I’m glad you have an alternative creative outlet.
Just for fun, you guys should read Devon Monk’s book “gods and ends”. It is not the first of the series, but it has a crochet versus knitting, going on in it. i hope it makes you laugh like I did
beautiful shawls!! and that kitten video feels very accurate for some of the horde action. i lovingly and gratefully accept whatever you provide. 💚
It’s beautiful. And those kittens adorable monsters.
I will be content with most anything you feel like writing. I hope this is not being too pushy since I am not asking for something to be written, but has Tor told you Maggie 2s release date yet and are you allowed to share?
Woooowww. The knitting is so fine and lacy. It is stunning. They are both stunning.