I’m right in the middle of knitting two prototype sweaters, trying to be very loyal to my large earth-colored projects, however, someone has very thoughtfully reminded me of how much I adore multi-color stranded knitting. Claire from NH Knits, contacted me a few days ago to share the news of her Stranded Colorwork Mitten KAL on Ravelry (I will be contributing a Base 8 pattern as a prize!) and now I can’t get the image of colorful mittens out of my head. I should put all my yarn under lock and key to reduce temptation. But maybe I could just design a little something in the meantime….
News
The Knitting Keeps On
Despite a recent dearth of news over here, there’s been a good bit of knitting and designing happening. A few fun things are just off the needles, including a big ‘ol lace shawl, and a few new things are being cast on, including a his or her top reminiscent of everyone’s favorite ye olde long john top. 
Head to Tail
In between working on my new sweater design (the pattern is getting close, I’m hoping for a release within a week or two), I managed to squeek out another mitten pattern. This one features a herpetological theme! Yes, four legged crawlies adorn the palms and mitten backs.
Once again, this design has taken awhile to get from the initial idea to completion. However, I’m quite happy with the results. Unfortunately, I knit the prototype pair in the larger size (the size is adjusted by working with smaller or larger needles) so they are too large for me to transfer into my personal mitten wardrobe. I guess I need to knit a second pair for myself . . . .
If you, too, find you have an irrational need to create a pair of critter mittens, you can find addtional pattern info here.
Knitwear in the Wild
A few weeks ago, the Dude eschewed his typical high-tech outdoor garments and donned some handknit woolens for a day on the snow. Check out Horno and Going Stag being put to good use:
While I grew up swaddled in wool, the Dude is a more recent convert to the amazing temperature regulating and self rejuvenating qualities of animal fibers. As a matter of fact, he’s become such a strong convert, he keeps trying to convince me I should knit all his outdoor garments. . . .
A Really Big Swatch
A.K.A. the first sleeve.
Even though knitting patterns usually list the instructions for the sweater body before the sleeves, I almost always knit the sleeves first. Even if I’ve worked a gauge swatch and feel fairly confident that I’m on track size-wise, I like the idea of getting at least one sleeve knit, and blocked, to double check myself before I tackle the body. It’s not the end of the world to rip out and rework a sleeve, if necessary, but the heartache of learning that an entire sweater is wrong – aaagh! Plus, working the sleeves after the body always seems like a cruel interruption – the finish line seems so close, except for those two pesky appendages.
So, with my newest design, I have, of course, worked the sleeves first, and I did learn a few lessons. The sleeve stitches are just a bit narrower and longer than my swatch stitches. This is not a shocking revelation. I’m creating a fairly open fabric with a bit of drape this go-around, and in the past I’ve discovered that with a larger piece of a loose-ish knit fabric, the gauge can shift a bit. In this case, it’s no biggie. I will pull out a few rows to shorten the length of the first sleeve, and since I have skinny scarecrow arms, the width isn’t a problem – although I will adjust the stitch counts a bit when I write up the pattern. I did, however, take the opportunity to rework the stitch and row counts for the body before I cast on. I also learned that my tubular cast on at the wrist wasn’t quite as elastic as I wanted, so I adjusted my tubular technique when I cast on the hip cuff – I definitely want to make sure I have a bit of give there!
Also, keep in mind, when using a sleeve as a big swatch, blocking is an important part of the process. Here you can see one blocked sleeve (above), and one unblocked. It’s really hard the get a sense of the drape and fit of the bottom sleeve and I probably could have fooled myself that it would be perfect once it had a bath and a bit of a wrangling on a blocking mat.
Big Brother is Watching
A quick note about the EU VAT changes that have everyone in the online world in an uproar: I have registered and will be collecting VAT on sales of digital items to customers in the EU. If everything works the way it should, EU customers will see the tax added to the pattern price when checking out through Ravelry and Paypal. For non-EU customers, you should see no difference – for the time being. After I report and pay the first quarter of VAT, I may make the unfortunate decision to raise my pattern prices to cover the additional time I spend complying with the regulations. It seems so weird to be paying tax to countries in which I’m not located, and I do wonder how the EU will be enforcing the new rules. Frankly, it was quite tempting to ignore the whole mess, but I get the sense the folks at Ravelry are nervous about being the scapegoat when all those European countries come calling with their hands out. Also, it would be such a bummer if I were to be detained in Rome the next time I want to eat and drink like a European.
Anyway, please feel free to drop me a line if the Ravelry checkout gives you any problems, or if you just want to say “Hi!”. And, of course, thank you for your business!
Wallflowers
Phew. Twenty fourteen was a great year for me in many respects, but I’m also very pleased to see the turning of the calendar – and I’m celebrating by releasing two long awaited patterns. I like starting off on the right foot!
The Wallflower designs began over a year ago (my how time flies) when I decided my mom needed a fancy tam and mitten set. Yes, I decided that without consulting her. Anyway, perhaps you’ve noticed, but I’ve been just a little bit obsessed with stranded colorwork accessories for the last few years. I love how the small pieces allow me to play around with color and design motifs in a way that’s more difficult with larger scale items.
My previous colorwork designs have leaned towards the whimsical (elephants, anyone?), however, that really isn’t my mom’s scene. I felt like she would prefer something a bit more subtle, like a simple, allover floral pattern. I also wanted to play around with positive/negative space and tessellated geometry, you know, just because. The resulting stitch pattern is a small scale checkerboard of diamonds framing stylized 4-petal flowers. For the samples that are featured in the pattern, I chose colors that are similar in value, so the resulting fabric is very subtle. However, the first prototype was knit in red and white, for a much more dramatic effect:
I love the way swapping out colors can totally change the way a design feels. I can’t wait to see what color combinations everyone else chooses!
The Next Yarn is Always Greener
Like everyone else this time of year, I’m scrambling to complete several small gift knits. However, I’m also dreaming of the next new design: a softy, mossy-green sweater. A rough sketch and some swatches have been converted to a scale drawing and spreadsheet – now I just need to finish everything else so I can cast on!
Horno
After a rather unfortunately long hiatus, I’m back at B8 knit-design with a new pattern. Horno has been knocking around for a while. I originally developed this hat design for a squishy hank of Manos del Uruguay Maxima picked out by The Dude. Now, bald guys, they take their hats very, very seriously, so I was quite pleased when this hat became the favorite go-to winter hat. In fact, this hat became so essential, a second one was requested in a different color. I think what has won Horno top honors in the hat wardrobe is the versatility. The extra tall ribbed cuff can be folded up for an extra layer of ear warmth, or on a warmer day, the cuff can be extended to create a slouchy toque. Although, I think I see Horno being worn in an inbetween mode the most – the back cuff extended and pulled way down for a little more neck coverage with the front folded up halfway:
This hat is a very quick knit – about three evening’s worth for me, which is almost instant gratification. There’s a tricky bit at the beginning to create the k1 p1 tubular cast on, but after that it’s easy going. The textured slip stitch pattern has an uncomplicated 4 stitch repeat and in a fun hand dyed yarn it’s one of those addictive projects that’s hard to put down. In fact, although I’ve already knit 4 of these, I want to cast on for another one right now.
Distractions
I returned from the Wool Festival at Taos with an armload of awesomeness. For the past two weeks, the new additions to the stash have been living on my desk, where they serve as particularly potent distractions. The Elsawool Cormo lace weight is especially alluring. Fortunately I’m in need of a new travel project. I think a little something lacy is in order.