Tag Archives: Knitting & Spinning

Beyond Knit and Purl by Kate Atherley, Cooperative Press, 2011, 130pp.

First off, a disclaimer:  I tech  edited Kate’s book, so I’m absolutely, 100% biased — and pleased as punch that I was able to be a part of this fantastic book.

Reading Kate’s book is like having an incredibly talented personal knitting teacher with infinite patience at your beck & call — offering guidance on topics you’d expect, but also teaching you things you didn’t know that you DO need to know.

Kate first walks you through things generally not taught, such as how to choose and evaluate a pattern (the first chapter of the book).  At the end of the chapter she includes a cheat sheet outlining stitch patterns, skills required, and difficulty level.  She also has a neat little table with columns entitled “Successfully Knitted?” and “A Good Next Step” — perfect when you don’t really know what to do next!  Another table is organized by items, skills required, and difficulty level.

In the second chapter, Prepping for Success,  she touches on size, gauge,  yarn selection and more.

Chapter 3, Working from a Pattern, is just that:  how to read & use your chosen pattern, including an overview of the language of knitting patterns.  This is another topic I’ve not seen taught — I know I had to pick it up on my own.

Chapter 4, What Patterns Don’t Tell You, and Chapter 5, Other Frequently Asked Questions,  include a variety of tips & other information (how to join a new ball of yarn, the difference between Continental & English knitting, and so on).

The remainder of the chapters are technique based, with associated projects with which to practice the technique.  

Topics include shaping, working in the round, socks (cuff down & toe up), cables, lace and colorwork.  Each chapter exhaustively explores its topic.  Patterns range from a top-down triangle shawl in the shaping chapter to my favorite, the Houndstooth socks in the colorwork chapter.

I don’t want to leave you with the idea that this book is just for beginners — it’s not. The colorwork chapter, for example, starts with stripes, but goes on to cover stranding & intarsia, topics not considered beginner.  Kate’s packed so much information in here that (unless you’re Kate, and already know all this, lol) I’d be surprised if you didn’t learn something new, or have something clarified.  If you’re a designer or a teacher, it’s also useful to be reminded about the issues newer knitters do have.

Visit the other stops on the tour!

4/6/2012 Go Knit In Your Hat
4/8/2012 Leeleetea
4/10/2012 Laura Nelkin Designs
4/12/2012 Marnie Speak! Good Girl.
4/18/2012 The Fiberista Files
4/20/2012 Sunset Cat Designs
4/22/2012 Knitting to Stay Sane
4/24/2012 CraftLit

 

WOOT!

So, if you preordered, you should’ve received the PDF from Shannon.  If not, please contact Shannon at Cooperative Press (do note she’s at Stitches South, so may not be able to get back to you til next week!).

I’m in the midst of setting up a blog tour, some yarnie interviews on my site, some giveaways…I’ll keep you posted!

Check it out on Ravelry here!

I’m so excited to have my second interview with Carol Feller!  She’s the author of Contemporary Irish Knits (interview & review here) and now the self-published collection Scrumptious Knits.

Scrumptious Knits includes 2 cardis, 1 sweater, 1 hat, 1 pair of gloves, 1 shawl, and one cowl, all done in various weights of Fyberspaytes Scrumptious yarn.

Steph:  What made you decide to self publish this collection?  I’m assuming there was a big difference in the amount of control you had regarding tech editing, yarn choices (since this was a collaboration with Fyberspates), graphic design and so on?

Carol:  With Contemporary Irish Knits, published with Wiley, I had a huge amount of control; I got the pick the tech editor, was part of the editing process all the way through, we handled the photography ourselves and I was consulted about the layout and book design.

I know that this is not every designer’s experience with working with publishers so I think that I was especially lucky with the team that I worked with.

Which do you think you prefer, now having gone through both?  Why?

I think both publishing methods have their own advantages and the model I’d use would depend on the project I had in mind.  For larger projects, I think that a conventional publisher works really well.

Having outside organization from a publisher means that you stay on track, to the point and create good plans and layouts for yourself.  Also, if you include a large amount of non-pattern text within a book, having a larger team of editors is a huge advantage.  Working with a publisher also means that you don’t have to do every single job, which is especially nice if there are jobs you don’t like so much!

However regardless of which method of publishing used it is still your name on the book.

This means for me that I feel 100% responsible for how the finished product works.  The extra degree of control you having when publishing yourself does mean that even though it is more work you get to be completely in charge.

I noticed the designs in this collection have a much more contemporary/modern aesthetic – clean designs with a few striking details.  Do you prefer this to the more traditional (albeit modernized) look of your previous book?  Was it just time for a change? Or is this what the yarn ‘told’ you?

I like designing using a wide range of styles and techniques.  I don’t have any desire to be ‘pigeonholed’ so I strive to take on new challenges with each new design.

Having said that, in terms of what I wear myself and am drawn to as a knitter I gravitate towards cleaner lines with simple details.  As well as this, the general aesthetic and theme of each book is quite different.  In Contemporary Irish Knits I was working with Irish yarns which are rustic and tweedy.  I wanted to create designs that show these yarns to their full advantage which for the book ended up being an updated traditional feel.

Fyberspates yarn is completely different, smooth, with a silky shine.  This yarn cries out for sleeker designs with sparks of design highlights.  I hope I’ve created this in Scrumptious Knits. For example, Ignus has decorative side panels that blend cables within the ribbing, and the Haruna hat and glove set are simple knit pieces with welted/bobble details that draw the eye and create a unique knit.

How did working with just one yarn company – and one fiber composition from that company — affect your design process?  I’m thinking also the impact of color palette, yarn weights available, the fiber composition, etc.  Did it make it easier or harder? How did it affect your creativity?

You know I don’t think design constraints are necessarily a bad thing!  Fortunately I love Fyberspates yarn, it is wonderful to work with and Jeni’s colour palette matches exactly with my own aesthetics. If I walked into a yarn shop to pick up colors that I liked I think her range would be pretty much spot on what I’d choose myself!  The range of yarn weights is fairly wide, it comes in lace weight, sports weight, dk, aran and chunky, so you’ve got a good chance of finding a yarn to suit your design idea.

As I had done some individual pattern designs for Fyberspates before I had a good feel for the yarn and how it behaved. This did play in very much with the design ideas I came up with.  I wanted the collection to have a cohesive feel that allowed the knit features and yarn qualities to work well together and enhance one another.

Do you have a personal favorite of the patterns?  Which & why?

I told Woolly Wormhead on her blog tour stop that Ignus is probably my favorite from a wearability point of view (for myself).

However, in terms of fun knitting I think it would have to be Taupo.  This is knit from side to side starting with a provisional cast on at the center of the back.  Short rows (one of my favorite techniques) are used to create the hip shaping and the sleeve caps for the cardigan.  With unusual constriction like this knitters are kept guessing all the way along making for a really enjoyable knit!

Any design plans for the next year you can discuss?

I’ve got a whole stack of designs coming out between now and the end of the year in different magazines.

In terms of self-publishing, I’m working on another themed collection that I would hope is ready by September or so.  I’ve become fascinated with the idea of working around a theme, it helps create a cohesive collection of work that fits well together.

I’ve settled on an idea, which would incorporate fun, small projects.  So many of my jobs for magazines tend to be full garments, and I crave a set of smaller projects that incorporate skills and techniques that help enhance knitters skills.

 What advice would you give to aspiring designers regarding publication choices? 

I think as a designer deciding on a publishing route that you need to evaluate your skills and abilities realistically.  If you don’t have a full set of skills yourself to self-publish then you either need to have the funds to pay for them or be willing to put in the work to learn them.  When you publish a book you are creating your reputation so everything should be as good as it can be.  Strive for perfection but accept that it is an elusive goal!

If you don’t want to take on the full responsibility and financial risk of self-publishing then a mainstream publisher may be a good option for you.  I learned an awful lot from the process and know that if I wanted to publish a book of that size again I’d go with a main stream publisher.

Either choice does require huge amounts of organization and planning.  Even with a publisher you need to take ownership and control, it’s your project!

Thank you Carol!

********

To win your very own PDF copy of Scrumptious Knits, leave a comment on this post with your favorite design from the book and which color of Fiberspaytes yarn you’d like to knit it in.  Comment by midnight PST April 21st.  I’ll use Random.org to pick a winner the next day and post the name here.  Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you!

Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour:

Apr 2nd: www.woollywormhead.com

Apr 6th:  www.annkingstone.com

Apr 10th:  www.stefaniejapel.com

Apr 14th:  www.sunsetcat.com (me!)

Apr 17th:  www.rockandpurl.com

Apr 21st:  www.knitspot.com

Apr 24th:  www.nelkindesigns.com

 

Wednesday I leave for the Chicago area.  I’m teaching two classes (Intro to Twisted Stitches & Beading Stranded Motifs) at the Spring Knitcircus Retreat (I think there are still spots available!) in Madison on Saturday.

The original plan was to visit my in-laws in Geneva before & after, and to borrow their car to drive up to Madison, but my FIL is having some medical issues (all fixable!) and they’re still in California while that’s all taken care of.  I’ll still be staying at their house, and am renting a car.

So I’ll have a couple days of quiet time, touring Geneva & St Charles (and visiting various LYSs).

What do you like to do when you’re in traveling by yourself?

There’s an incredibly decadent chocolate store in downtown Geneva I’d like to revisit.  I’m sure I’ll find someplace to hang out & knit, whether it’s a coffee house or LYS.  If the weather’s nice I’ll walk by the Fox River.

I’ll be driving to Madison on Friday.  I’m planning on visiting the Sow’s Ear, hanging out with Jaala & Amy, teaching Saturday, then driving back to Geneva on Sunday. Monday I fly back to California.

Unfortunately (for me, and of course it’s all about me, right?  lol)  the Yarn Crawl LA was scheduled the same weekend.  However, I am a Merino sponsor, and some of my patterns have found their way into some of the prize baskets.  One thing I’ve noticed is there are a ton of LYSs in the greater Los Angeles area I’d not even heard of, let alone visited; so if nothing else, I’ve a list of new places to check out on my own!

CRK update:  I’ve done the first of the pre-printer proofings and sent it back to Shannon.  Soon, people, soon!  I can’t wait til I see that thing in print.

Hitch update:  I’ve received some terrific submissions so far!  I’m accepting submissions through April 15th, so there’s still plenty of time to submit a design (or two!).  Check out the info here.  (Also, check out my post on tips for submissions here.)  I’d love to see some more sock & hat patterns, but am open to anything.

 

Congrats to commenter #6, Rea!  I’ve emailed you.

Knitting Scandinavian Slippers & Socks by Laura Farson, Martingale & Company, 2012, 80pp.

Looking for a collection of patterns for gifts that have a high glory to work ratio that will satisfy both process & product knitters?  Here you go!  (And I bet you keep at least one pair for yourself.)

Laura has designed a collection of 19 slipper (or what I’d call house sock) and sock patterns, done in twined &/or stranded knitting.

The slippers are all done in worsted weight yarn, and thus should work up relatively quickly.  The sock patterns are worked in fingering weight yarn, but on US4 needles.

Patterns are written for one size only, but she notes the slippers, especially, are very stretchy and can fit a wider range of sizes.

Laura includes short chapters on techniques required to work the patterns:  different techniques for casting on with 2 colors, knitting in the round, twined knitting, stranded knitting, add’l technique, felted insoles, etc.

The stitch patterns (colorwork) are all charted.  The charts are easy to read.

The directions are concise, referring knitters to the basic sock or slipper pattern as needed.  These patterns are suitable for confident intermediate to intermediate+ knitters;  you must be comfortable working from charts, working with multiple colors, etc.

The motifs are mostly traditional motifs (or inspired by traditional motifs) from Scandinavia (and one from Estonia).

I met Laura at the Winter TNNA.  She’s incredibly sweet and modest, and it was lovely chatting with her! I received my personal/review copy from her, and an additional copy from Unicorn to give away.

Leave a comment on this post on my blog with your favorite pattern from the book by midnight PST, April 5 2012, including a way to contact you. I’ll draw a winner via Random.org the next day.

What makes a submission successful, assuming, of course, a fantastic idea?

Wait, you’re saying.  That’s not enough?

Nope, not always.

These are tips I’ve learned from working with Jaala at Knitcircus, from other designers, my personal experience and Shannon Okey’s The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design:

1. Include everything requested in the call for submissions (if you don’t, it suggests you might not be able to turn in other things in the correct format, with all the correct information).
2. For your description, include methods of construction, etc. I want to see that you’ve given thought on how to actually create your project.
3. Submit it in the format requested in the call for submissions (including, if specified, how to name it, the title of your subject line, to what email address to send it, etc) (same reason as above).
4. Spell the name of the person correctly (it shows attention to detail, and, to a certain extent, respect).
5. Spell everything else correctly in your submission (attention to detail).
6. Make sure your sketch and swatch adequately convey your idea.

For example, this is what I need for Hitch:

• Description, including your inspiration for your piece and how it fits into the collection. Also include proposed sizes, ease, techniques, method of construction, etc.
• Sketch
• Schematic (hand drawn is fine) for garments & for accessories with unusual construction
• Charts, if available/pertinent (Envisioknit or Knit Visualizer preferred)
• Proposed yarn & ideas for substitutions
• Your email address and phone number
• Format the above information into a single PDF saved as YourName_item.pdf (i.e. StephannieTallent_sweater.pdf). (If you’re submitting several designs, submit them as individual PDFs.)
• Email your PDF to me at stephannie@sunsetcat.com, with the subject line “Hitch submission”.
• Consider whether you are willing to help promote the book before you submit proposals.
• Submissions due by 15 April 2012.

In your cover email, be brief, but you should mention your background, link to other designs you’ve done, etc.  If your design doesn’t quite work, but I can see other designs you’ve done that suggest you would be able to tweak your design so that it could, I might see if you’d be up for that.

I’m not saying that I want you to send me examples of other things you’ve done in the email or in the submission — but I am saying if I’m intrigued, I’ll likely check out your Ravelry designer page or your blog.

p.s. Before anyone asks, no, I’m not going to reject something just because you’ve spelled my name wrong.  However, it doesn’t give a good first impression, you know?  Same with most of the other things.

All sorts of things ongoing!

The first (hopefully to be annual) LA Yarn Crawl is happening April 12-15.  Take the time to visit a ton of LYSs, get a chance to win some great prizes, & learn some new skills.  I’m a Merino Vendor Sponsor .

Unfortunately, I’d already made plans for that weekend…

….I’ll be teaching at the Spring 2012 Knitcircus retreat, along with Amy Detjen, Susan B Anderson & Jaala Spiro.

I’ll be teaching two classes:  one on Bavarian Twisted Stitches, the other on Beaded Knitting.  I’ve ordered & received some gorgeous beads for the materials kit for the beading class — now I have to count them all & bag them!  Sounds like something to work on during episodes of Deep Space Nine, no?

Tech editing:  I’m swamped with tech editing as well.  If you’re interested in having me do some tech editing for you, please be aware I’m booked til early April, and honestly, possibly til after the KC retreat.

And designing?  I’ve just offered up the second of my MFPP designs for testing in my test knitting group.  I almost have a pair of fingerless mitts for the next book ready for testing as well.  I’ve been doing lots of swatching, sketching and charting for a variety of designs.

Last week I posted my first call for submissions, for Hitch: Patterns Inspired by the Movies of Alfred Hitchcock,  on Ravelry (here, if you’re curious!) — for a collection to be published by Cooperative Press, curated by me.

It’s an idea that’s been percolating a while, from about the same time as CRK.  I got entranced with the idea for the 2nd collection that I’m working on right now, though, and realized that if Hitch was going to be published any time soon (i.e. within the next year)  it would only be as a collaboration.  I consulted with some designer friends who’ve done, or are working on, similar books, and realized it is something I could do concurrently with the 2nd collection that’s, um, all me.

For Hitch, I’ve chosen to work with a more limited palette — blood red, cream, greys, and black.  I like the idea of building cohesiveness through color, but usually, as with CRK and the next book, I include a bit more of a range.  However, this just feels right to me — I want something classic, with both stark contrasts and literally shades of grey.  This will let your designs really take center stage.

What kind of designs am I looking for?  Classic, timeless pieces, garments and accessories, inspired by the fashions of the 1940s through early 1960s. That’s a pretty broad range, I’ll admit.   Take a look at the sketches by Edith Head for various Hitchcock films;  you can see some on my Pinterest board here.  Anything from ultrafeminine to masculine:  maybe even Grace Kelly as Lisa borrowing a sweater out of  Jeff’s closet in Rear Window.

Techniques?  Anything from cables, lace, beading, stranding….Remember Bohus sweaters were from this time period, so don’t shy away from intermediate and advanced techniques.  Think fine details.  Couture, even, if you fancy yourself an artiste.

You can see some of Hitchcock’s movies on Netflix On Demand;  others are generally not too hard to find at a good library.  I’ll admit I’m lucky in that I have several good options for libraries very close to me:  Los Angeles Public Library, with a branch in Westchester, on Dave’s way to & from school; and the Palos Verdes Public Library, which, I think, must have a very healthy budget.  The grounds of the closest PVLD branch, Malaga Cove, also served as the setting for some of the photos in CRK.  I’ve also gotten books (and movies) from the Redondo Beach Public  Library.

I was surprised when I started rewatching some of the movies.  I’d always like To Catch a Thief, for example;  but this time through I found myself more engaged with films like Notorious and Rear Window.  Darker & more suspenseful movies.

If you’d like to submit a design (or more!) check out the details here on Ravelry and here.