Tag Archives: Knitting & Spinning

February Hitch KAL: Ambrose Chapel Capelet

The Hitch KAL for this month is Luise’s gorgeous Ambrose Chapel Capelet.  Check out the thread here, and join in!

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Madrona Winter Retreat

February is crazy for me.  I just got back from Colorado (more on that later) — where it was NEGATIVE 17 this morning! — and next week I’m flying to Washington for Madrona.

I’ll be teaching two mini classes for indie designers — one on Working With a Tech Editor for Indie Designers, and the other on Pattern Pet Peeves (or Give Your Customers What They Really Want).  There’s still room — you can register here.

I’m flying in Friday morning (yes, sadly, missing the Teacher Talent Show) and leaving Sunday afternoon — find me & say hi!

Hitch January KALs

Just a quick post to let you know there are a couple Hitch KALs that started this month.

First up is the Stella Gloves pattern by KT Vaughan.  Check out the thread here.  Wendy of Hazel Knits has half skeins to put together for a kit. Her yarn is just fantastic:  I used it in CRK for the Stairsteps Mitts and Tam.

Next is the Annie Pullover by Christina Werge. The thread is here.  She did hers in Posh Yarn.  I’ve not used it, but that sweater felt heavenly.

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Winter TNNA 2014

This past Winter TNNA — just this last weekend! — was my first time having a (half) booth of my own. I exhibited under the auspices of Deep South Fibers, which distributes my hard copy patterns.  I’d post a pic, but the one I took is incredibly blurry.  I didn’t realize that from my phone display!  Anyhow, you can see it here on Facebook.

First off, I have to say how lucky I was to share a booth with the adorable, sweet, funny, smart Toby Roxane. If you’ve not seen her designs, check out her Rav pattern page. She does lovely things with variegated yarns — gorgeous shawls, mostly, but other patterns as well!  (She also has a great sweater pattern in Stitch Mountain.)

Winter TNNA is generally a lot slower and less attended than the summer TNNA show.  This one seemed smaller than last year’s at Long Beach (which in turn seemed smaller than Phoenix).  However, it being close to home means that I go to it.  And, because it’s quieter, it’s sometimes easier to catch up with folks, walk the show floor as a designer, and so on.  Having a booth I was able to meet with LYS owners, which was great.

I brought home yarn from Anzula and Sweet Georgia.

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I can’t resist Anzula.  They bring suitcases full of yarn.  I just want to fling myself down and roll in it.

Anyway, much of the yarn is slated for a small collection for later this year.

I also coordinated for yarn for the soon-to- be-published series of eBooks with Anzula and Zen Yarn Garden.

I also was given a really nifty tool, that I’ve already begun using regularly.  It’s a Needle Keeper, which is basically a little anodized aluminum tube with a silicon stopper-like thing on the end with a slit that you insert your circular needle tips through to keep them from getting everywhere (tangled in your yarn or project, poking through the sides of your bag, etc).  I’m not sure what they retail for, but I’m certainly loving mine.  I chatted with the owners of the company, and they were super nice, and very excited about their invention.  I’ve included a pic below using the Needle Keeper and one with the needles out for comparison.

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Let me know if you have any questions re: TNNA in the comments!

Dragonfly Mitts

dragonfly mitts 3…are now available! Here they are on Ravelry.

These were originally for the Dragonfly Fibers club, but we ended up doing something a wee bit different for that. Kate will have kits for these mitts at Vogue Knitting Live in New York this weekend, so check them out!

As noted in the blurb below, the motifs are mirrored for the right & left mitt.  They’re offered in 3 sizes — womens’ S, M & L.  The thumb gusset (yep, offset and anatomically correct and very comfortable!) has a cute little dragonfly of its own (see pic below).

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These lovely Art Nouveau dragonflies are sure to bring a smile to your face!

The pretty lace cuff, with contrast color edging, segues into a small peerie pattern. Next you get to work the stylized dragonfly motifs (back of hand & thumb gusset) and shell / scale motif (palm). Simple ribbing, again with a contrast color edge, tops off the mitt and thumb.

dragonfly mitts thumbOf course the motif is mirrored for right and left mitts!

The mitts are fully charted (left and right mitts) for each size. Decrease or increase rounds are also noted in the pattern. Blue guidelines are placed to help you keep your place on the chart. The pattern is designed to keep floats short as much as possible, though occasionally there are longer floats.

Sizes
Womens’ S (M, L)

Finished Measurements
Actual palm circumference above thumb: 6 (7, 8)in / 15.5 (18, 20.5)cm
Length: 6.5 (7.25, 7.25)in / 16.5 (18.5, 18.5)cm
Cuff Length: 2in / 5.5cm

Yarn
Dragonfly Fibers Djinni Sock, 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon (420 yds per 4.2 oz skein):
MC: Atomic
CC: Summer Lilac

Needles
US4 / 3.5mm (for cast on only)
US11/2 / 2.5mm, or size to obtain gauge.
US0 / 2mm, or two sizes smaller than needles to obtain gauge

Gauge
38 sts & 44 rounds = 4in in stranded St st on US11/2 needles

Notions
(3) stitch markers, 1 unique for beginning of round
yarn needle
waste yarn or stitch holders

Skills
Knitting in the round, stranded knitting, simple lace, reading charts

dragonfly mitts

Stitch Mountain Blog Tour

stitch mountain coverI’m thrilled to have a pattern, Striped Flip Top Mittens, in Stitch Mountain by Laura Zander!

The book has a variety of patterns (30!) ranging from accessories to sweaters.

My favorites include Sally Melville’s Podium Pullover (love the zippers and fit) and Rachel Roden’s Twisted Stitch Mitts (they look like ski tracks!).

My guidelines from skier Michelle Parker were straightforward:  flip top mitts and color.

flip top mittsColor-wise, I chose cream, blue and green, and went for a retro vibe with stripes.  I think they fit in perfectly with the feel of the book!

The mitts feature a comfortable fit, with an offset thumb gusset.  The ribbed cuff has a knit round at each color change to avoid pesky purl bumps in the ‘wrong’ color.  The flip top is started by picking up stitches along the back of the mitt as well as casting on the remainder of the needed stitches.

From Michelle’s bio:

Professional skier and slopestyle champ Michelle Parker never trains. Sure, she skis as much as humanly possible and works on getting better at her sport every day. But, she says, “I never use the word ‘training’ when it comes to skiing.”

What does Michelle like to do on skis? “My ultimate goal is to put together a super well-rounded part in a ski movie, with big mountain lines, backcountry jumps, park jumps, and rails.”

When not skiing Michele likes to hike, mountain bike, explore, camp, learn, and be with family and friends. Michele is totally into fingerless gloves and finds these, with lots of color and a foldover mitten top, “so rad!”

A percentage of proceeds from the book sales goes to the Stitch Mountain campaign.

Photos are © Sixth&Spring Books/Soho Publishing

2014 Knitting & Designing Plans

Okay, now for the 2014 knitting & designing plans!

This is the year I get grounded, in a good way. I don’t know if that’s my word of the year.  I don’t know if I want to pick a word of the year, or a phrase, or even a theme.  But getting grounded, to me, includes getting caught up, being able to prioritize (and being able to say no), and reassessing what I want to do as a designer.

First step in getting caught up is finishing up the next collection. Last year my plan was for Fall 2013, and I obviously missed that.

Folks, I sourced yarn for a lot of this at the last Sock Summit (2011). Yes, CRK wasn’t yet published at that time, and I was still working on that, so that took up 2012, and then Hitch took over for 2013, but now, this collection is getting DONE.

The majority of the patterns are done and tech edited. All but one of the big projects (a cabled vest, which is currently in the works) are done. I’m planning on doing the photoshoot in two sessions. I’m working with an awesome graphic designer (same as did my logo!) on layout.

I noted last year that this collection is very similar in some ways to CRK: a variety of projects (garments, hats, mitts, stoles, shawls, cowls & socks) and techniques (cables, lace, stranding, intarsia, beading), with yarn sourced from indie dyers and small yarn companies.

Based on feedback for CRK, I’m going to be releasing this collection as a series of five eBooks, grouped by technique (Lace 1, Cables, Stranded, Lace 2, and Texture), each with 4-6 patterns.  I’m planning on releasing them roughly one per month beginning in February or March.

I’m still debating the option of printed booklets.  Do you prefer print? or eBooks?  I know that while I still like some things in hard copy (stitch dictionaries) I prefer to work patterns off of PDFs on my iPad.  If you like print, do you like books, or booklets?

I’ll be following up with a big post about it in the next week or two!

Other designing stuff, mainly for after this collection gets out:

I’m going to do a couple yarn club patterns, a single yarn company small collection, and a Malabrigo quickie.  I love doing this sort of thing — I get to work with friends, with gorgeous yarn.  I’ve not been able to do it as much as I would’ve liked, recently, because of all the big projects (Hitch, next collection, etc).  This year I will.

I’m also redoing a few patterns for the Knit Picks IDP.

I also love designing collections around a theme.  I’m leaning towards the idea of designing two smaller (say 5-7 patterns each) collections per year: Early Fall and Late Winter, most likely.

Shows

I’m going to have a half booth at TNNA in San Diego through Deep South. I’ll have a ton of samples, including some from the upcoming collection.

Every TNNA I’ve gone to I’ve been letting people know I’m not really looking for yarn, because I had all the yarn I needed for the next collection.  This time I’ll be able to touch base with folks about actually setting up yarn support, which will be fun.

I’m teaching mini classes at Madrona this year (I think they’ll be posted soon! I’ll post here when they are).

Right after Madrona, I’ll be at Stitches West, mostly in the Bijou Basin booth and the Dragonfly Fiber booth.

I’m planning on doing a booth at the Torrance show in the fall again — that was fun!

2013 in Review

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Fall 2013 saw the release of Hitch: Patterns Inspired by the Films of Alfred Hitchcock. That was the big project of the year!

I had four patterns either in or affiliated with the release: Thornhill Cowl, Exakta Hat, Stolen Jewels Mitts, and a promo pattern, Exakta Cowl.

Other pattern releases included several patterns with Knit Picks:  Cabled Faux Argyle Cardi, an easy-wearing top down cardi in one of my favorite KP yarns, City Tweed; Arrows Hat, a cute slouchy colorwork hat; and Arrows Mitts, great for first time colorwork.

I also had a pattern in the fall 2013 Twist Collective, my Rafters cardi, in fabulous SHELTER yarn.  I love this cardi!

My Striped Flip Top Mitts came out in Stitch Mountain (look for a blog tour post next week) just last month.

My contribution to the 2012 Cooperative Press sock club, Sleeping With the Bats, came out in 2013.  Look for an eBook soon that includes all the club patterns.

I self published several patterns as well. Carex is a twisted stitch cowl that I use in my Bavarian Twisted Stitch Class. Achillea is an Aran Lace cowl, you guessed it, that I use in my Aran Lace class.

surf mitts 11My Surf’s Up mitts were designed for the Yarnover Truck launch.  I love these mitts!  To me they shout SoCal and surf culture.  Photoshoots are not my favorite thing — I tend to procrastinate on them more than anything else — but this one was fun.

I was also busy working on various things that will be published in 2014: two different yarn club patterns that will be coming out in January; a pattern in the Dreaming of Shetland ebook (I’m in Section 6; Sections 1-4 have already been released; you can see all the patterns here); and of course my next collection.  More on all of that in the next post!

Other stuff:  I taught at Madrona, which was awesome as usual.  I also got to teach at the Taos Wool Festival, which was also lovely.  I went to winter and summer TNNAs.  I went to Stitches West and Stitches Midwest.

And, finally: I had my first ever booth on my own at the Torrance Handweaver’s Show!

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Next post: 2014 plans!

Winner Flame Keeper

Congrats to #2, Kay!  I’ve emailed you. :)

 

Indie Giftalong Designer Interview: Laurie Beardsley

LaurieBeardsley_20130225-2971_medium2One of the nicest things about the Indie Giftalong for me is the chance to get to know a bit more about other designers that I didn’t know.  Laurie Beardsley is one of those designers.

Hi Laurie!  Thanks for answering some questions.  How did you start designing? Do you have a design background, or?

I haven’t been designing knitted items very long – only since the Fall of 2011. But I’m an Electrical Engineer by trade, so I’ve been designing digital circuits for over twenty-five years. And surprisingly, the process is not that different. Know what you want to accomplish, understand the capabilities of your materials, swatch/breadboard, keep good notes, iterate until you’ve got what you want.

It seems like a lot of us designers have a science background of some sort!  My husband teaches Physics, and he tells his kids that his goal is to teach them problem solving.  I think that really applies to designing. What else led you to designing?

I’ve always been a technical knitter, mostly interested in process, technique and tools. I think that designing kind of flowed naturally from that. Since I was already taking copious notes about changes and adaptations I was doing to patterns I was knitting up, I figured “why not publish something completely my own?”

What are your goals as a designer? For the next year? for the next 3 years?

In the short term, I want to get more serious and organized about answering calls for publication. The hardest part of that for me is to hold back design ideas that I have instead of self-publishing them immediately. Sometimes I get so excited about an idea that I want it “out there” right away. But I know I need to build up a portfolio of swatches, sketches and ideas so that when I see a call, I can have something ready that matches it.

I also want to get back on track with my “Legends of Rock” series. I released Still Got the Blues this past summer as a tribute to Eric Clapton and Gary Moore. I have a fully formed idea for a shawl inspired by “Europa” by Carlos Santana, but I’ve gotten stalled by other projects. After that, I’ve got great ideas for tributes to Tommy Shaw (from Styx) and Led Zeppelin. I’d love to self-publish at least two of these a year. They are all larger, more complex designs, and will require a lot of focus and attention. Three years? Wow, I haven’t really thought that far ahead! Two years ago, I never would have guessed that I’d have fifteen designs released at this point. I guess I’d like to establish myself so that designing and knitting can be my “second life” when I retire. But that’s waayyy down the road.

Which of your own designs is your favorite? Why?

My favorite is the Flame Keeper Shawl. I had done two smaller designs before it, to learn the process of writing, testing, editing and releasing a pattern. But FK was my first really serious design attempt. I started it at a time when my day job had dried up, and I was feeling very low. I threw myself into it to keep my mind and hands busy. Then I heard Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “A Keeper for Every Flame” and everything just seemed to fall into place after that. Working on it got me through a rough patch, so it will always be close to my heart.

Anything that you’re working on that you can tell us about?

I’m very excited about my newest collaboration with Ashley Wolfe (Dye2Spin on Ravelry). It is a long, skinny triangular scarf with a basketweave pattern in the body and a lightly ruffled edging, worked side to side. But what I love about it most is the yarn. Ashley hand-dyed a 50/50 Merino/Silk base in a fantastic colorway called “Back Pocket Bandana” as a limited edition for the 2013 Dallas-Fort Worth Yarn Crawl. The yarn is scrumptious! She’s used the same base with several other colorways, any of which would look fantastic with this pattern.

I’ve also got an interesting cowl on the needles right now that I plan to offer with two different edgings – one simple and tailored, and the other highly ruffled. I’m tentatively calling it “Art Lesson”, because it is knit with self-striping yarn, but short rows bend the colors around like abstract art.

Thank you Laurie!  Be sure to check out Laurie on Ravelry here; she has a group here.

Would you like to win a copy of Laurie’s favorite pattern, the Flame Keeper Shawl?  Leave a comment on this post by midnight PST Dec 12th with what sort of colorway you’d like to do it in.

Photo of Flame Keeper © Sandy McAnally