Hello and welcome! I’m Holly Chayes

I help makers, thinkers, builders, operators, creators, etc. implement solid containers for creative chaos, and functional systems for sustainable momentum, all in aid of making a life or business you love. 

Right now I’m working with people and businesses in a couple capacities… 

Business

Business coaching and consulting for small businesses ready to dig into the practicalities of what’s next.

When you’ve graduated from mindset-only to mindset+ 

When you’ve built something that functions but doesn’t flow yet.

When you’ve outgrown and overrun what used to work.

Whatever you’re stuck on, we can get you moving to what’s next.

Get in touch here

Individual

Life and clothing magic for individuals who thought they would be more prepared for this moment.

Personal or professional.

Once in a lifetime or every day.

A surprise or something you’ve been working towards for years.

Whatever this moment is, we can get you ready for it.

Discover more here

Projects

Keep Reading

FO: Mirror World

As promised this weekend’s finished object, and tomorrow there will be handspun.
No buy now buttons, just some pretty pictures, and project stats.

Pattern: My own (pattern available soon-ish)
Yarn: Madelinetosh, Tosh Lace, colorway curiosity
Yardage: one 950 yard (868 meter) skein
Yarn Source: Knitty City
Needles: 2.75 mm 36″ circulars
Gauge: 6.5 sts/inch; 10 rows/inch

I’ll also be playing with the layout of the blog this weekend, so if things start moving and changing (possibly drastically), that’s what’s going on.

Parterre Garden

July 12, 2012 update: “Parterre Garden” was originally part of The Sanguine Gryphon’s Summer 2011 pattern collection, and is now available directly from the designer (me!).

The pattern is now available for purchase as a download for $8.00, either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now

An old English parterre garden painted on string instead of canvas. Its overflowing beds of flowers and its twining, twisted paths depicted with lace and cables, rather than oils or pastels. A knit garden where skinny little cabled paths meander through, between and around beds stuffed full of lacy flowers. While two stick straight carriage lanes split one garden into three.

This shawl is worked in one piece, beginning at the back of the neck and worked down to the hem. The paired increases are used to create three quarters of a square, allowing the shawl to sit neatly upon your shoulders. Just before the bind-off, an eyelet row is worked, to ensure that a thorough blocking is possible.

The pattern calls for two m1 stitches in a row. To accomplish this, lift the bar between the stitches and knit. Repeat. It works best if both m1 stitches are worked in the same manner and careful attention is payed to maintaining an even tension.

Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon ‘Mithril’, 4 oz/750 yds, 100% merino wool, 2 skeins, shown in Madonna of the Lilies (Spring/Summer 2011 colourway)

Note: The sample shown was knit alternating skeins every other row.

Needles: US 3/3.25mm 40”/101 cm circular, or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st, washed and blocked

Notions: Stitch Markers (4), Tapestry Needle, Spare DPN or Cable Needle

Finished Measurements: 27.5”/ 70 cm down center back 49”/ 125 cm along each side of hem

Skills Used: cable cast on, knitting and purling, 2 stitch cables, k2tog, k3tog, k2togtbl, k3togtbl, 2 m1s in a row, sk2p, slipping stitches, ssk, yo, decrease bind off, weaving in ends, blocking lace

Both charts and written stitch directions are included.

(and because I’m not a fan of two pattern release posts in a row, please accept my promise of pictures, of at least one FO, and some handspun yarn this weekend, as an apology.)

Mrs Peacock

Mrs. Peacock is now available for purchase as a download, for $6.00 either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now

Light as a feather, tough as a board, sticks and string combine to create a cascade of feathers falling down your back. Just a delicate touch, enough to complete any look and give you a reason to crow.

Knit in one piece from the top down, this shawl begins by casting on 11 stitches at the back of the neck and increasing eight stitches every other row to shape this shawl into a crescent. Finally, an eyelet-increase row is worked just before the bind off to ensure that a thorough blocking is possible.

Yarn: Madelinetosh ‘tosh lace,’ 950 yards (968 meters), 100% superwash merino, 1 skein, shown in ‘flashdance’

Needles: US size 2 (2.75 mm) 40 inch (101 cm) circular, or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: 4 stitch markers, tapestry needle, 1 safety pin or row marker

Gauge: 6.5 sts/inch; 10 rows/inch (6.5 sts/2.5 cm; 10 rows/2.5 cm) in washed and blocked stockinette

Blocked Dimensions: 20.5 inches (52 cm) down the center back

Skills Used: reading charts, casting on, binding off, knitting, purling, k2tog, k2togtbl, sl 1-k2tog-psso, slipping stitches, ssk, yarn over, weaving in ends, blocking lace

Only charts are included in the pattern.