Knititude

So many names...

Thank you all for some wonderful suggestions!  I saw so many new things in the lace motif after reading all of the comments:  umbrellas, cathedral windows, flying birds-- what fun!  The fact that I've decided to stick with the name "Carlotta" is more a reflection of how I've come to think of the pattern, and the memories I have of a day spent at Villa Carlotta, than a choice based on the merits of each suggested name.

So I've decided to give two free patterns away:  one to Jeanie, because I thought the name Azalee was especially beautiful, and one to Aimee, because after reading her comment, I could actually see the sandhill cranes in flight across the top of the beret (all on a collision course towards the center, but that's neither here nor there!).  I've finished the chart for the hat, but I'm thinking I will write out the directions as well-- I encourage the use of charts (and prefer them myself), but I realize that some knitters would rather follow written-out instructions.  So I would guess that the pattern will be finished within a week or two, and I will email it to the winners as soon as it's ready.

The nameless beret

I can't decide what to call this pattern.  I'm leaning toward "Poinsettia," because it reminds me of the star-like bracts of a poinsettia.  I can't call it "snowflake," because there are eight sections, not six (I'm picky that way)-- plus there are already lots of snowflake-related pattern names out there.  As well as flower petals, the lace motifs also remind me of cascading water, which is why I'm also considering "Carlotta," after Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, Italy, which has an abundance of both fountains and flowers.

If anyone has any other ideas for names, let me know; if I decide to use yours, I'll email you the pattern pdf free of charge (when it's finished!)-- and if I really love the name, I'll also send you the yarn to make it (Rowan Purelife Organic Wool*).

*Rowan Purelife Cotton knits up at the same gauge, and could be substituted for non-wool wearers.

We have winners

Man.  Y'all are good.  Who knew there were so many gardeners out there?  I did eliminate "Gruss an Aachen," "Mrs. Bosanquet" and "Sparrieshoop" from the list of light pink rose varieties, because Googling any of those would have given an instant answer.

I didn't specify how to enter the contest, so I accepted the first three correct comments, as well as any correct emails submitted during the same time period.  And the winners are:

1. Eva Smith (email)
2. Grad School Knitter
3. Anne
4. Macoco

Yes, there are four winners; conveniently, I actually have two prizes worth of the DiVe Cotone Egitto.  So, once Eva lets me know via email which yarn she prefers (Garnstudio Silke-Tweed, Classic Elite Classic Silk, or DiVe Cotone Egitto), and where she'd like her prize sent, I will let Grad School Knitter know which yarns are still available--and so on and so forth.

Congrats to all!  Next post--what this all has to do with knitting.