So the big news of the last few months has been that my better half Andrew has been away working in Antwerp at a new fashion label. The bigger news is that, now his contract has been extended, I'll be moving out there too!
One of the perks of working as a designer in this industry is how transportable it is - I'll be able to design just as much for the same magazines and for myself there as I have here - more so in fact - as due to lower living costs I won't have to work part time! I am SO SO SO looking forward to having a little extra time to cook, read books, garden (we have a tiny balcony) and generally, "play house".
We'll be moving in less than 2 weeks now - the challenge has been finding someone to drive all of our stuff over there (neither of us drive, not that I'm old enough to hire a van anyway) but fortunately Andrew's dad has agreed. We also have to arrange Pet Passports for each of the cats, a breaktaking £160 apiece. We're very lucky, even 6 months ago it would have been a lot more. Thanks to some lovely Ravellers I've almost covered this cost after some extensive destashing!
The biggest task is breaking down three years of acquired stuff into "Keep", "Lend" and "Bin". Andrew and I have quite different opinions on what should go in each pile. I am inclined to get rid of almost everything, either by selling, gifting to friends, giving to charity or recycling. But never mind, we'll get there eventually!
This means my plans to publish several outstanding patterns this month has been temporarily shelved (sorry!) - think of it this way, all the more for over the summer!
Speak soon!
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Weekend
Yesterday's Knitty publication has finally spurred me into some blogging action!
While I haven't been idle these last few weeks (lots of "secret knitting" has been occurring) this blog has been rather neglected. As a treat, I think today shall be the day to unveil the first of my new self-published patterns, Weekend!
Weekend is a 1m/1-and-a-bit yd square throw perfect for use in the home year round - mine is certain to become a picnic blanket come the summer! It uses 4 skeins of Colinette Calligraphy, quite possibly my favourite yarn of the moment. Each skein is 100m and is worked with 12mm needles - this throw really can be knit in a Weekend, mine was!
The throw features a centre panel of knotted openwork that is really simple to execute, each knot is worked over just one row, so it's perfect for highly variagated yarns such as Calligraphy as the short colour runs are contained within each knot, leading to an almost spotted fabric. Upon completion of the centre panel, stitches are picked up around the sides and a provisional cast on is unzipped before the linen stitch border is worked.
Because of the super dense nature of the linen stitch, you will need about half of the total yarn just for the border. However, this is a border that will last forever - after a winter of heavy use and cat love this border has just begun to start to felt together. The edges of throws are the regions that feel the most wear, and in weekend they are reinforced to the max! Clever arrangements of increases at the corners (although I say so myself) allow the pattern to continue uninterrupted.
Speaking of cats (and how can I not, seeing as they make such wonderful models) the real advantage of the centre panel is in it's Natural Cat Resistance. Cat owners know how much they love to "knead" - claw at carpet/your bed/your tummy before settling down to sleep. That beautiful cable and textured afgan you spent two years knittng? Torn to shreds by these guys without proper vigilance! With Weekend, when they try to knead that centre panel all they get is the sofa. Boring! Joey and Elmo had one little go on Weekend and then realised that they'd have more luck with the carpet/bed/my tummy. So I guess this is only a benefit if you value your throw more than your stomach like me (sorry Mam!)
If you want to knit Weekend (it has a great effort to appreciation ratio as a gift) you can purchase the pattern for £2.50. The Ravelry pattern page is here or you can buy now
While I haven't been idle these last few weeks (lots of "secret knitting" has been occurring) this blog has been rather neglected. As a treat, I think today shall be the day to unveil the first of my new self-published patterns, Weekend!
Weekend is a 1m/1-and-a-bit yd square throw perfect for use in the home year round - mine is certain to become a picnic blanket come the summer! It uses 4 skeins of Colinette Calligraphy, quite possibly my favourite yarn of the moment. Each skein is 100m and is worked with 12mm needles - this throw really can be knit in a Weekend, mine was!
The throw features a centre panel of knotted openwork that is really simple to execute, each knot is worked over just one row, so it's perfect for highly variagated yarns such as Calligraphy as the short colour runs are contained within each knot, leading to an almost spotted fabric. Upon completion of the centre panel, stitches are picked up around the sides and a provisional cast on is unzipped before the linen stitch border is worked.
Because of the super dense nature of the linen stitch, you will need about half of the total yarn just for the border. However, this is a border that will last forever - after a winter of heavy use and cat love this border has just begun to start to felt together. The edges of throws are the regions that feel the most wear, and in weekend they are reinforced to the max! Clever arrangements of increases at the corners (although I say so myself) allow the pattern to continue uninterrupted.
Speaking of cats (and how can I not, seeing as they make such wonderful models) the real advantage of the centre panel is in it's Natural Cat Resistance. Cat owners know how much they love to "knead" - claw at carpet/your bed/your tummy before settling down to sleep. That beautiful cable and textured afgan you spent two years knittng? Torn to shreds by these guys without proper vigilance! With Weekend, when they try to knead that centre panel all they get is the sofa. Boring! Joey and Elmo had one little go on Weekend and then realised that they'd have more luck with the carpet/bed/my tummy. So I guess this is only a benefit if you value your throw more than your stomach like me (sorry Mam!)
If you want to knit Weekend (it has a great effort to appreciation ratio as a gift) you can purchase the pattern for £2.50. The Ravelry pattern page is here or you can buy now
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Knitty Spring Summer 2012 and Boscobel
I feel like a proper grown up designer now, the whole process has been so amazing! Even my surrogate Mam Kate Heppell (editor of Knit Now) sent me a message to tell me what a proud mum she is!
This shawl has been a long time in the making, and was initially inspired as a side-venture from my collection from this time last year, Leaf Litter. That collection was based on a tree losing it's leaves in autumn and I took a lot of mood-board-style photos of various piles of leaves. The overwhelming feeling was that in reality all of the round leaf shapes I was knitting were just wrong. Leaves aren't round (most of the time), they're funny shapes. In London, we have a lot of Horse Chestnut and Ash trees, which have five parts to each leaf, not a dainty round shape.
So I dusted off my scientist hat and investigated some different leaf shapes. The more I thought about it, the more it became obvious that I wanted to create a stitch pattern that represented oak leaves. It had been the Royal Wedding shortly before I started planning this design, I was spinning Shetland, the most British of fibres, and I had found the most perfectly beautiful silver silk yarn in Paris (from L'Oisieve Thé, blogged here). Everything was pointing to something luxurious, traditional, and British. This, mixed with my obsession with Horrible Histories and the Charles the 2nd rap (please, please, watch it on Youtube) and a pattern based on the Royal Oak was born.
I knit the commercial sample first, convinced my at-best beginner spinning wasn't up to scratch for the likes of Knitty. I began working on the centre panel of the shawl knit in handspun (thus not giving away any of the secret special stitch pattern ;) ) at last year's Knit Nation, perhaps you saw me knitting it? A very kind and supportive chat from Judith McCuin and Merike Saarnit (that I will never forget) at the teachers tea later and I was submitting to Knittyspin!
We took the first set of photos one evening in August, but we lost the light so quickly that, while not awful, these pictures were hardly appropriate for publication! One of the first that we took made it into the final pattern, and it is one of my favourites!
It was the last week in October that we took the summer photos in St James' Park - we were so lucky that the deck chairs were out! The weather was so glorious it really felt just right for taking such important pictures!
I hope you feel eager to try and knit your own Boscobel shawl, I assure you it's a quick and interesting knit. The leaves are knit in stockinette, so can readily absorb any slightly slubby handspinning *cough* and the edging is so quick (just 6 rows!) you'll be done before you know it!
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
You Win Some You Lose Some!
Life is full of successes and failures, in this case it's your success and my failure (more on that later).
But first, success!
Thank you to everyone who entered the Ropery Pattern giveaway, both here and on Twitter, the winner was commenter number one, Kaz! Well done Kaz! I've found you on Ravelry and sent you the pattern as a gift already (consistent usernames & pics is really useful!) Thanks so much for entering! The winning answer was of course Buckingham Palace, who could resist the joys of St. James' Park on a gorgeous November day!
For those of you who didn't win you can still knit Ropery - the pattern is available via my Ravelry store: pattern page here.
Or read below for another chance to win ;)
Now onto the failure. A few weeks ago I blogged, all full of enthusiasm and promise, about my desire to design, knit and publish new sweater pattern, Clematis. At this point (12.44pm on the 30th of November) I can safely say that this will not be happening before the month is out. The pattern is languishing in armhole hell, waiting for me to grade the armholes and check the maths before continuing. It has been in this position for about 3 weeks now, what with computer viruses and other knitting work taking priority over my time. Not that I'm complaining too much about having too much work to do! :)
So yeah, I suck.
However, if you do not suck and have completed your NaKniSweMo sweater, don't forget to post about it in the NaKniSweMo Ravelry group. There's some fantastic prizes available for completers, from books from Cooperative Press, to a multitude of pattern downloads, to yarn and fibre from Ms. Gusset and Indigodragonfly. I will be giving away 2 sets of my complete Ravelry downloads - two lucky winners will win Hampstead, Koho, Tumbledown Wristies & Scarf, Roots AND Ropery! Enough to keep any knitter going throughout the winter! As an added kindness (because I'm wonderful like that), the winners will also be allowed to have their patterns gifted to their friends instead of keeping them for themselves if they prefer - a great way to give out knitterly Christmas cheer!
But first, success!
Thank you to everyone who entered the Ropery Pattern giveaway, both here and on Twitter, the winner was commenter number one, Kaz! Well done Kaz! I've found you on Ravelry and sent you the pattern as a gift already (consistent usernames & pics is really useful!) Thanks so much for entering! The winning answer was of course Buckingham Palace, who could resist the joys of St. James' Park on a gorgeous November day!
For those of you who didn't win you can still knit Ropery - the pattern is available via my Ravelry store: pattern page here.
Or read below for another chance to win ;)
Now onto the failure. A few weeks ago I blogged, all full of enthusiasm and promise, about my desire to design, knit and publish new sweater pattern, Clematis. At this point (12.44pm on the 30th of November) I can safely say that this will not be happening before the month is out. The pattern is languishing in armhole hell, waiting for me to grade the armholes and check the maths before continuing. It has been in this position for about 3 weeks now, what with computer viruses and other knitting work taking priority over my time. Not that I'm complaining too much about having too much work to do! :)
So yeah, I suck.
However, if you do not suck and have completed your NaKniSweMo sweater, don't forget to post about it in the NaKniSweMo Ravelry group. There's some fantastic prizes available for completers, from books from Cooperative Press, to a multitude of pattern downloads, to yarn and fibre from Ms. Gusset and Indigodragonfly. I will be giving away 2 sets of my complete Ravelry downloads - two lucky winners will win Hampstead, Koho, Tumbledown Wristies & Scarf, Roots AND Ropery! Enough to keep any knitter going throughout the winter! As an added kindness (because I'm wonderful like that), the winners will also be allowed to have their patterns gifted to their friends instead of keeping them for themselves if they prefer - a great way to give out knitterly Christmas cheer!
Monday, 21 November 2011
New Pattern: Ropery and a giveaway!
Today I am proud to finally be able to publish Ropery, a new pullover design.
Knit using Easyknits.co.uk's Cherish yarn, a luscious Merino Cashmere Nylon blend, in a modern, on trend colour (Gun Metal), this knit is truly wearable, suitable for anything from work to stylish evenings out.
Featuring a deep soft cowl generated by knitting this sock yarn at a loose gauge, this pattern is great for ladies of all shapes as it disguises rounder tummies and accommodates even the most rubenesque of busts. Sized for 28-46in/71-117cm busts, the key point of fit is the hip, which accommodates a range of 30-48in/76-122cm. This allows busty girls like me with smaller bottoms to knit a size down (always a nice thing!)
The back uses slightly exaggerated waist shaping to accommodate the lack of shaping in the front, and this generates a smooth and feminine curve about the waist that, when coupled with the bias fabric of the front, adds a clever point of interest to the design.
The hems of the front and back are scooped using Shadow Wrap short rows, which are almost completely invisible as they contrast against the reverse stockinette border.
The shoulders are set in, and form smooth lines with the straight knit back and the bias knit front for a really unusual aspect.
The cowl itself is generated, as I've said, by knitting on the bias. The piece begins by knitting straight, however the sides A-line outwards shortly after the hem. As the sides are tipped into the upright position, the cowl is formed. The neck is shaped by further short rows, as are the shoulders.
Being knit in stockinette, the floating of the fabric is enhanced, and also makes this a quicker knit than you may imagine. Perfect for the winter party season, or for anyone needing a light extra layer of warmth, this soft and practical pullover is for you. Currently available for £4.50 via Ravelry you can buy now or enter the giveaway! (Or both, I'm not going to complain!) Every correct answer to the following question in the comments (or tweet me @MichaelaKnits) will be entered into the draw for a free PDF copy of Ropery. Ready?
What is the name of the building featured in this picture?
One entry per person, pattern will be emailed to winner or sent as a Ravelry gift to them or a person of their choosing, pattern for personal use only. Contest will end at 9am Wednesday morning (23rd Nov) UK time.
Knit using Easyknits.co.uk's Cherish yarn, a luscious Merino Cashmere Nylon blend, in a modern, on trend colour (Gun Metal), this knit is truly wearable, suitable for anything from work to stylish evenings out.
Featuring a deep soft cowl generated by knitting this sock yarn at a loose gauge, this pattern is great for ladies of all shapes as it disguises rounder tummies and accommodates even the most rubenesque of busts. Sized for 28-46in/71-117cm busts, the key point of fit is the hip, which accommodates a range of 30-48in/76-122cm. This allows busty girls like me with smaller bottoms to knit a size down (always a nice thing!)
The back uses slightly exaggerated waist shaping to accommodate the lack of shaping in the front, and this generates a smooth and feminine curve about the waist that, when coupled with the bias fabric of the front, adds a clever point of interest to the design.
The hems of the front and back are scooped using Shadow Wrap short rows, which are almost completely invisible as they contrast against the reverse stockinette border.
The shoulders are set in, and form smooth lines with the straight knit back and the bias knit front for a really unusual aspect.
Being knit in stockinette, the floating of the fabric is enhanced, and also makes this a quicker knit than you may imagine. Perfect for the winter party season, or for anyone needing a light extra layer of warmth, this soft and practical pullover is for you. Currently available for £4.50 via Ravelry you can buy now or enter the giveaway! (Or both, I'm not going to complain!) Every correct answer to the following question in the comments (or tweet me @MichaelaKnits) will be entered into the draw for a free PDF copy of Ropery. Ready?
What is the name of the building featured in this picture?
One entry per person, pattern will be emailed to winner or sent as a Ravelry gift to them or a person of their choosing, pattern for personal use only. Contest will end at 9am Wednesday morning (23rd Nov) UK time.
Friday, 18 November 2011
New Pattern: Aeon
I know, I know, two new patterns in a week - I feel so productive!
Aeon is my second pattern for new UK magazine Knit Now. Having now seen two issues of this magazine I feel I can say with some security that this is shaping up to be a really nice contender in the UK magazines market, and not just because they keep accepting my patterns! The key point of difference with Knit Now is the complete focus on smaller projects, accessories and home knits designed for the modern knitter, with her appreciable stash of odd balls of gorgeous yarns.
Although, to call this magazine a collection of "stashbuster" projects is to do it a disservice, there are some really interesting and unusual ideas, and it's to editor Kate's credit that she has so far found such an array of interesting ideas. For example, from the current issue, we have Christmas Decorations from Julie Ferguson, Notebook Covers from Erika Knight (I am SO making some of these!), Hats knit both flat and in the round, cowls, cushions, gloves, socks, and these wonderful baby booties by Amy Gunderson perfect for mini Christmas elves.
My contribution this issue is the Aeon Cowl. Designed in response to this issue's designer challenge, to knit a small project using one skein of Artsano Aran and a cable needle, this cowl, knit flat, features a blend of dropped stitches twisted about one another (using the cable needle) and layers of garter stitch.
The magazine *even* comes with 3 free cable needles this issue - so no excuses!
On the Ravelry page for this pattern someone posted a question about international subscriptions for Knit Now Magazine. At present it is possible to order subs internationally via this page, and they will be posted to you. Online subscriptions are still being worked out, but if you are interested, please let the team know by posting on this Ravelry thread. Of course, UK subscriptions can be bought from Practical Publishing's website.
Aeon is my second pattern for new UK magazine Knit Now. Having now seen two issues of this magazine I feel I can say with some security that this is shaping up to be a really nice contender in the UK magazines market, and not just because they keep accepting my patterns! The key point of difference with Knit Now is the complete focus on smaller projects, accessories and home knits designed for the modern knitter, with her appreciable stash of odd balls of gorgeous yarns.
Although, to call this magazine a collection of "stashbuster" projects is to do it a disservice, there are some really interesting and unusual ideas, and it's to editor Kate's credit that she has so far found such an array of interesting ideas. For example, from the current issue, we have Christmas Decorations from Julie Ferguson, Notebook Covers from Erika Knight (I am SO making some of these!), Hats knit both flat and in the round, cowls, cushions, gloves, socks, and these wonderful baby booties by Amy Gunderson perfect for mini Christmas elves.
My contribution this issue is the Aeon Cowl. Designed in response to this issue's designer challenge, to knit a small project using one skein of Artsano Aran and a cable needle, this cowl, knit flat, features a blend of dropped stitches twisted about one another (using the cable needle) and layers of garter stitch.
 |
| Photograph Copyright Knit Now Magazine |
On the Ravelry page for this pattern someone posted a question about international subscriptions for Knit Now Magazine. At present it is possible to order subs internationally via this page, and they will be posted to you. Online subscriptions are still being worked out, but if you are interested, please let the team know by posting on this Ravelry thread. Of course, UK subscriptions can be bought from Practical Publishing's website.
Monday, 14 November 2011
New FREE Pattern: Poppins
Way back earlier in the summer, I was surprised and delighted to find an email in my inbox:
"Hi Michaela,
Thanks again for your submission to Tangled! We would like to accept your design for the Mary Poppins scarf for publication in our Fall issue."
This was my very first pattern acceptance to a third party publication - I was so excited! It seems like so long ago now that things have moved on so much, and it's so lovely to see this pattern published!
The magazine is Tangled, an online mag whose message is clear - "Proud to be Bicraftual". The magazine contains patterns for both knitters and crocheters, and often has patterns including both! I was inspired by this strength of conviction in the magazine, and their Movie Knits theme to design the Poppins Scarf, my knitted take on Mary Poppins classic orange crocheted scarf:
Knit using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, this scarf is both incredibly warm and incredibly light. The "stickiness" of the mohair allows a really rather delicate openwork stitch pattern to grow with the security of knowing it is not likely to snag and pull at every opportunity.
The pattern features a simple 4 row repeat, using double yarn overs and purlwise twisted stitches (don't worry, it's much easier than it sounds). It knits up very quickly, and adding tassels is always good fun.
I really appreciate the effort Team Tangled went to in photographing and styling the scarf. The vintage hat, carpet bag and purple coat all fulfil the old British look I was aiming for, and the colours work so well with the blues of the scarf. I'd been fortunate enough to preview these a little while ago, however this one was a treat for me this morning:
That's right, Mary Poppins flying across London on her umbrella! Genius!
You can check out Tangled at www.tangledness.com and see their fab collection of Movie Knits patterns. The Poppins scarf is available for free on their website (and will remain free indefinitely) and you can download it here: Poppins Scarf. If you do knit this pattern (and please do!) why not share your knitting on Ravelry, and link your project to the pattern page?
"Hi Michaela,
Thanks again for your submission to Tangled! We would like to accept your design for the Mary Poppins scarf for publication in our Fall issue."
This was my very first pattern acceptance to a third party publication - I was so excited! It seems like so long ago now that things have moved on so much, and it's so lovely to see this pattern published!
The magazine is Tangled, an online mag whose message is clear - "Proud to be Bicraftual". The magazine contains patterns for both knitters and crocheters, and often has patterns including both! I was inspired by this strength of conviction in the magazine, and their Movie Knits theme to design the Poppins Scarf, my knitted take on Mary Poppins classic orange crocheted scarf:
 |
| Photo slurped from disney.wikia.com |
 |
| Photo from Tangled |
 |
| Photo from Tangled |
 |
| Photo from Tangled |
 |
| Photo from Tangled |
You can check out Tangled at www.tangledness.com and see their fab collection of Movie Knits patterns. The Poppins scarf is available for free on their website (and will remain free indefinitely) and you can download it here: Poppins Scarf. If you do knit this pattern (and please do!) why not share your knitting on Ravelry, and link your project to the pattern page?
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Socks, viruses and dinosaurs
This last week has been primarily dominated by a super nasty computer virus that has mostly kept me offline (all my emails have come from my phone, so sorry for any typos) and completely prevented me from accessing any of my pattern files! Eeep!
So I'd just like to thank all of my wonderful pattern testers who have been so patient - even completing a whole test with a dodgy chart - geniuses!
In the interim, whilst waiting for the million and one anti-spyware scans to complete, I've managed to knit to the armholes on my Clematis. I wasn't able to go any further without access to the pattern which is a bit of a pain as it does put me WAY behind schedule for publishing by the end of November. However, I really like how it's coming out so far, the bust darts are fitting better than expected, and the drape is lovely.
I've also been able to finish Andrew's second pair of Christmas socks from last year, hooray! Don't worry, Andrew doesn't mind them coming this late in the year, I'm still waiting on a pair of trousers from my last birthday 14 months ago! I made him a pair of Father's New Socks from Vintage Gifts to Knit by Susan Crawford and Jame Waller in 2 shades of Wollmeise (Zenzi and Eberholtz). I made a lot of mods as the pattern was a bit fussy for my tastes, knitting the top and bottom of the foot separately, and I just wanted these knit. I'm very rarely knitting "to order" like this, and I'm glad of that, as these were more of a slog than anything else. But Andrew and I like the end result, which I guess is what really counts!
Thirdly, and most entertainingly, I knit this dinosaur for our friend Gareth's birthday - Reggie the Veggie Stegosaurus!:
The pattern is from Knit & Purl Pets, a book full of wonderfully cute toys, excellent photography and a lovely, rustic feel. The patterns have some flaws to say the least, and I wouldn't recommend this book to inexperienced toy knitters, but it would be a lovely gift for most knitters this Christmas! In addition to his adventures on the TV, this fellow also explored the top of the wardrobe (beloved of the Elmo cat);
And braved the dark and scary streets of Mile End on the bookshelf (beloved of the Joe cat);
Andrew did the embroidery on his face and feet, and also crocheted Gareth a wonderful aardvark of his own design, which was unfortunately gifted before I could get any photos. His crochet skills are getting better and better at a rapid pace, to think I only taught him this time last year is frustrating - damn him for being so gifted!
Good luck to all those knitters prepping gifts for Christmas this year, may your yarn not run out and your pattern not have errata.
Happy Knitting!
So I'd just like to thank all of my wonderful pattern testers who have been so patient - even completing a whole test with a dodgy chart - geniuses!
In the interim, whilst waiting for the million and one anti-spyware scans to complete, I've managed to knit to the armholes on my Clematis. I wasn't able to go any further without access to the pattern which is a bit of a pain as it does put me WAY behind schedule for publishing by the end of November. However, I really like how it's coming out so far, the bust darts are fitting better than expected, and the drape is lovely.
I've also been able to finish Andrew's second pair of Christmas socks from last year, hooray! Don't worry, Andrew doesn't mind them coming this late in the year, I'm still waiting on a pair of trousers from my last birthday 14 months ago! I made him a pair of Father's New Socks from Vintage Gifts to Knit by Susan Crawford and Jame Waller in 2 shades of Wollmeise (Zenzi and Eberholtz). I made a lot of mods as the pattern was a bit fussy for my tastes, knitting the top and bottom of the foot separately, and I just wanted these knit. I'm very rarely knitting "to order" like this, and I'm glad of that, as these were more of a slog than anything else. But Andrew and I like the end result, which I guess is what really counts!
Thirdly, and most entertainingly, I knit this dinosaur for our friend Gareth's birthday - Reggie the Veggie Stegosaurus!:
The pattern is from Knit & Purl Pets, a book full of wonderfully cute toys, excellent photography and a lovely, rustic feel. The patterns have some flaws to say the least, and I wouldn't recommend this book to inexperienced toy knitters, but it would be a lovely gift for most knitters this Christmas! In addition to his adventures on the TV, this fellow also explored the top of the wardrobe (beloved of the Elmo cat);
And braved the dark and scary streets of Mile End on the bookshelf (beloved of the Joe cat);
Andrew did the embroidery on his face and feet, and also crocheted Gareth a wonderful aardvark of his own design, which was unfortunately gifted before I could get any photos. His crochet skills are getting better and better at a rapid pace, to think I only taught him this time last year is frustrating - damn him for being so gifted!
Good luck to all those knitters prepping gifts for Christmas this year, may your yarn not run out and your pattern not have errata.
Happy Knitting!
Thursday, 3 November 2011
NaKniSweMo!
It's NaKniSweMo again! Hooray!
In English that mean's it's National Knit A Sweater In A Month (Month), whereby knitter's the world over try their darndest to knit 50,000 stitches in just 30 days. The "National" refers to the parent concept, NaWriNoMo (National Write a Novel in a Month (Month)) - an American "pastime" where every November people write 50,000 word novels in just 30 days. See the theme?!
Last year I successfully knit this sweater, a super simple in the round yoke neck jumper with a stripe of Sidar Crofter DK - a "fair isle effect" yarn.
I love this sweater, it's big and fun and I wear it a lot (it's also machine washable) but there were a number of problems with it that prevented me from writing up the pattern, I didn't like the way the armholes worked, and I don't think knitters really need another stockinette yoke neck jumper pattern!
This year I'm branching out. Knitting 50,000 stitches in a month isn't so much of a stretch for me, I probably do that on an average month. Instead of pushing myself to knit 100,000 (or whatever) I decided that a greater challenge would be to design, knit, write, edit, photograph and publish a new pattern within the time frame. Eeep!
So I'm using some Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK (bought in last year's Christmas John Lewis Sale) to make Clematis, a soft, wearable pullover with pleated shoulders and scalloped hems.
I cast on last night and have knit the first 4in/10cm of the body so far:
Yes, I know it's curling, and yes, I do have plans!
Pattern writing is going well, schematic is done too. Clematis will be available in 6 sizes, from (if I remember correctly) 28-46in/71-117cm.
If you're interested in joining in, you can sign up over at the NaKniSweMo group on Ravelry. Moderated by Shannon Okey of KnitGrrl and Cooperative Press fame there's a fantastic list of prizes donated for completers. Two lucky knitters will win the complete MichaelaKnits PDF download collection, including all patterns released prior to November 30th this year (and there's some wonders coming out this month!) So what are you waiting for, get knitting!
In English that mean's it's National Knit A Sweater In A Month (Month), whereby knitter's the world over try their darndest to knit 50,000 stitches in just 30 days. The "National" refers to the parent concept, NaWriNoMo (National Write a Novel in a Month (Month)) - an American "pastime" where every November people write 50,000 word novels in just 30 days. See the theme?!
Last year I successfully knit this sweater, a super simple in the round yoke neck jumper with a stripe of Sidar Crofter DK - a "fair isle effect" yarn.
 |
| Photo by Alex Wakeman, Model Holly |
 |
| Photo by Alex Wakeman, Model Holly |
This year I'm branching out. Knitting 50,000 stitches in a month isn't so much of a stretch for me, I probably do that on an average month. Instead of pushing myself to knit 100,000 (or whatever) I decided that a greater challenge would be to design, knit, write, edit, photograph and publish a new pattern within the time frame. Eeep!
So I'm using some Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK (bought in last year's Christmas John Lewis Sale) to make Clematis, a soft, wearable pullover with pleated shoulders and scalloped hems.
 |
| Please excuse my crappy photo of my crappy sketch! |
I cast on last night and have knit the first 4in/10cm of the body so far:
Yes, I know it's curling, and yes, I do have plans!
Pattern writing is going well, schematic is done too. Clematis will be available in 6 sizes, from (if I remember correctly) 28-46in/71-117cm.
If you're interested in joining in, you can sign up over at the NaKniSweMo group on Ravelry. Moderated by Shannon Okey of KnitGrrl and Cooperative Press fame there's a fantastic list of prizes donated for completers. Two lucky knitters will win the complete MichaelaKnits PDF download collection, including all patterns released prior to November 30th this year (and there's some wonders coming out this month!) So what are you waiting for, get knitting!
Thursday, 20 October 2011
New Pattern: Brick by Brick
Today is the official launch date for Issue One of Knit Now, a brand new UK print magazine specialising in those quick and useful knits we all love for showing off our favourite yarns. And I'm in it!
Found on page 39 of this new magazine is the pattern for my Brick by Brick socks, a simple unisex sock pattern that's perfect for fussy men and yet far more fun to knit that a boring stockinette or plain ribbed sock! I absolutely love this pattern, so much so I've now knit 4 pairs!
Brick by Brick features an optional twisted rib cuff, a stretchy leg pattern that continues down the foot, a simple heel flap and turn, gusset, and a wedge toe finished with just a touch of grafting - making this the perfect knit for a first time sock knitter. It works in a wide variety of sock yarns, and due to the nature of the Brick by Brick pattern, is forgiving to those knitters who struggle to achieve gauge, or, gasp, don't swatch at all! Being knit top down also allows knitters to easily and accurately check for length, which can be difficult in toe up knits (almost all of my toe up socks are too long in the foot, you'd think I'd learn, but no!)
The pattern is shown in the magazine in Araucania Ranco, a great sock yarn, packed with 30% nylon and wool that hasn't been superwash treated, so provided you don't machine wash them by mistake they should last for a very long time (at Knit Nation Judith Mackenzie told me she had just retired a pair of 100 year old wool socks - which seems like a challenge to beat!) I knit a pair in the women's size (UK 5-7) using a wonderful tomato red, which the magazine have styled with some thick tights and walking boots - these are tough socks! I really really love this photo of the men's socks (in a lovely semi-solid purple, size UK 8-10) which unfortunately didn't make it into the magazine (in it's place is another great photo of the men's socks, so I'm happy).
I've also knit these socks in Sweet Clement Smitten, for the show way back in March (in fact, you can see them in the blog banner), and they are my favourite pair of socks to wear, mostly because after treating them pretty unkindly they are holding up wonderfully well. I seem to be cursed to wear holes over heelturns and above toes, and there's not even a hint of wear on these (I think this is the yarn rather than the pattern, but I'm still enthused!)
I also made a pair for Andrew at around the same time (also in the blog banner) - this time in Easyknits Cherish in Gun Metal (yes, the same yarn and colourway as my Ropery Pullover, I just love it!) He's been very gentle and precious with them, and wore them for the first time in months around the flat yesterday as it was so cold!
Knit Now Magazine is published by Practical Publishing, who previously have been known for craft magazines such as Creative Cardmaking, Papercraft Essentials and Scrapbook Magazine, and this is their first venture into textile crafts. I think they've done a really good job! The yarn and LYS reviews are of the standard we've become accustomed to from the UK magazines, and the point of difference, small, quick knits in a range of difficulty levels, is a great refreshing change. Knit Now is currently available from WHSmith, Tescos, Sainsburys and all good newsagents for £4.99 or you can subscribe here.
 |
| Photograph Copyright Knit Now Magazine |
Found on page 39 of this new magazine is the pattern for my Brick by Brick socks, a simple unisex sock pattern that's perfect for fussy men and yet far more fun to knit that a boring stockinette or plain ribbed sock! I absolutely love this pattern, so much so I've now knit 4 pairs!
Brick by Brick features an optional twisted rib cuff, a stretchy leg pattern that continues down the foot, a simple heel flap and turn, gusset, and a wedge toe finished with just a touch of grafting - making this the perfect knit for a first time sock knitter. It works in a wide variety of sock yarns, and due to the nature of the Brick by Brick pattern, is forgiving to those knitters who struggle to achieve gauge, or, gasp, don't swatch at all! Being knit top down also allows knitters to easily and accurately check for length, which can be difficult in toe up knits (almost all of my toe up socks are too long in the foot, you'd think I'd learn, but no!)
The pattern is shown in the magazine in Araucania Ranco, a great sock yarn, packed with 30% nylon and wool that hasn't been superwash treated, so provided you don't machine wash them by mistake they should last for a very long time (at Knit Nation Judith Mackenzie told me she had just retired a pair of 100 year old wool socks - which seems like a challenge to beat!) I knit a pair in the women's size (UK 5-7) using a wonderful tomato red, which the magazine have styled with some thick tights and walking boots - these are tough socks! I really really love this photo of the men's socks (in a lovely semi-solid purple, size UK 8-10) which unfortunately didn't make it into the magazine (in it's place is another great photo of the men's socks, so I'm happy).
 |
| Photograph Copyright Knit Now Magazine |
 |
| Photograph Copyright Knit Now Magazine |
I also made a pair for Andrew at around the same time (also in the blog banner) - this time in Easyknits Cherish in Gun Metal (yes, the same yarn and colourway as my Ropery Pullover, I just love it!) He's been very gentle and precious with them, and wore them for the first time in months around the flat yesterday as it was so cold!
Knit Now Magazine is published by Practical Publishing, who previously have been known for craft magazines such as Creative Cardmaking, Papercraft Essentials and Scrapbook Magazine, and this is their first venture into textile crafts. I think they've done a really good job! The yarn and LYS reviews are of the standard we've become accustomed to from the UK magazines, and the point of difference, small, quick knits in a range of difficulty levels, is a great refreshing change. Knit Now is currently available from WHSmith, Tescos, Sainsburys and all good newsagents for £4.99 or you can subscribe here.
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