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Designs By Diligence

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Dino Might Socks: A New Knit Pattern

Reader I have just published my next animal sock pattern. I wanted to get it out before the crazy summer schedule starts. My summer is filling up fast, how about yours? I'll be helping at 2 camps this year, and spending lots of time with family. Were you hoping the next pattern would be the Dinos? I hope so. These are so fun. I debated with myself for awhile on what colors to choose. I went with dark green and magenta. It gave me a lot of 90's kids nostalgia feelings. I have already worn...

Reader I have a new pattern to share with you today. Say hello to the Bee Bold Socks. I had this Thought: What if I used my animal hat charts to make socks? I went for it and I'm so glad that I did. I have already secretly made the fish, and dino socks with only the butterflies to go, and they are all soo cute. I've always been unsure of stranded knitted socks, because I worried that they would not have a lot of stretch, but I used some tricks throughout the pattern to keep them stretchy....

Reader I have a new knitting pattern for you today. The Go Fish Hat. This is a fun animal hat to go along with some of the other animal patterns I have created over the years. This hat features some happy fish swimming among bubbles. It just makes me feel happy looking at them, and I hope they bring a smile to you too. You can find this pattern on Ravelry or Etsy! Ravelry: Go Fish Hat pattern by Julia Schwartz Etsy: Go Fish Hat Pattern Pattern bundle On Ravelry, I am offering a bundle sale on...

Reader I have a new pattern to share with you today. Say Hello to Whorl Around Cowl. I wanted an accessory that showed whimsy and movement. In the winter when its cold and unmotivating, I wanted a reminder that wonder still exists. I took inspiration from Poinsettias, and looking inside a kaleidoscope. I didn't want it to be obvious, but fluid to interpretation. It was hard to get a picture of the full pattern and movement of this cowl, so please excuse this very unworthy of instagram picture...

Reader I have a new Pattern for you today. cottage garden cowl worn by me One of my favorite things about now owning a home after renting for so long is creating a garden around the house. I wanted to make a cowl to celebrate that. Even though its getting cold and I have had to put my garden to sleep for winter, I have a cowl to brighten my day with the colors of my garden. A close up of the cowl and the last of my flowers before the snow hit this week Some of you who have been around for a...

Reader I hope you all have had a great summer. I had a busy and fulfilling summer. The best part is getting to be with my girls. We spent a lot of time with family, and friends. I've really enjoyed having a garden this year. I think my favorite part of summer was that I got to go to church camp with my oldest. It was a week of MAD (music, arts, and drama) camp. I was in charge of the arts part of camp. I can't tell you how fun it was to be creative and teaching again. I of course even taught...

Reader I have a new hat pattern to share with you today. This is a quick knitting pattern to get you through the rest of the holidays. I wanted an understated Christmas pattern that you could get away with wearing all winter. I tried this pattern out in a few different yarn weights, but I liked it in the DK weight the best. The pattern is written and charted out into 2 parts, the hat body and the hat crown. If you can multiply by 2, you can easily change the size to fit what you need. I...

Reader Sometimes we just need a quick little project to get us through the holidays. Today I have one for you. The Cute Little Tree Dishcloth. This little pattern only takes me an hour to make, and it has been the best little pick me up. In an hour I have something finished, and ready to go in my stockpile of items to give as gifts around the holidays and sell at Winter craft fairs. I love the low statement of the tree. I was actually working on another design when this one came to my mind...

Reader So much has happened since my last email. The biggest thing is that my family moved and we purchased our first home. My husband accepted a new job he is the new lead pastor at a church out side of New Castle, Indiana. I have been busy packing, and unpacking, making sure my girls are settled and all the other things that come with moving. I finally feel like I can get back to my normal designing schedule. You are probably saying "but its a crochet pattern that should be next." I know. I...

Reader I have a new pattern for you today. Ever since I made the Winthrop Basket, I get lots of comments about it being too hard to make. I have been wanting to make another option that uses the same yarn, and size, but easier stitches. The Dash Basket is the end result of my brain storming. It is a mostly single crochet project with just a little bit of texture that is easy to accomplish. I'm using Lion Brand Rewind yarn for this basket, just like with the Winthrop Basket. I love using this...