The Isabella Tank Top Pattern

Introducing the Isabella Tank Top Pattern....

The Isabella tank top pattern is the first  knitting pattern that I am offering for sale.  Currently it is only for sale on Ravelry, but I hope to add it for sale here soon.

"Isabella" is a fun and quick knit.  I originally designed it as a teaching piece for beginners to introduce a variety of techniques.  There is a lovely picot hem, a simple rolled collar and sweet ruffles as sleeves.  Easy to work, and very cute!

I also designed a companion top for a favorite 18 inch doll- the Isabella Tank for 18 inch dolls.

It is a great way to use up extra yarn, and makes a wonderful gift!

I have to confess, formatting and changing my pattern into a PDF was far more daunting and time consuming than knitting the top was.  As it stands now, the first page of the PDF is blank, and as hard as try, I can't seem to change it.  Any suggestions?
Happy Knitting!

Cables, Bobbles and Colorwork or Too Much Knitting, Not Enough Blogging!

Cropped Cardi (photo by @Zealana)

 My newest design is out in a wonderful booklet called Zealana Air Pattern Book.

I love the juxtaposition of unexpected elements like openwork and bobbles, so it was a pleasure to create this sweater.   I designed the  front of the cardigan with applied bobbles and a plain stockinette front to offset the more elaborate sleeves. This was a surprisingly simple knit, and the Zealana blend yarn is both light and luxurious at the same time.

photo by @ Zealana

I also am very excited to share 2 designs I have in a new book by a true master of knitwear design, British knitter  Debbie Bliss.  I am such a tremendous fan of hers, so it was an extraordinary honor to have my work chosen to be in her new compilation of designs.

Published by Sixth and Spring Books

 Her yarns are so fabulous.  Merino is really my favorite, and I got to use the DK weight for my Bobble Flounce Pullover design.

@Sixth and Spring

And, I got to use the sport weight merino for this cabled little girls Slipover Dress.

@Sixth and Spring

Last but not least, I have a scarf,  the #17 Peacock Pull Through Scarf in the Early Fall issue of VK.  When the call came out for animal intarsia designs, I knew a cheeky peacock was just the thing.  The yarn is perfection- a buttery soft cashmere-
Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 8-ply.

VK Early Fall 2013

 I used a simple openwork design for the peacock tails- much easier to work than you might think!

@Vogue Knitting

Embroidered accents add some detail, and keep the knitting simple.

Peacock Scarf 2013

It is so hot here that it is hard to think about sweaters, but it is really relaxing to have a project, big or small,  to bring to the beach or pool.
What are you working on? I'd love to hear!

* Thank you WMM for tearing me away from my knitting and making me update my blog!

Sneak Peek at my Newest Design- VK Crochet 2013

I was delighted when I woke up today and saw a picture in my inbox from VK.  It is the image from the soon to be released Vogue Knitting Crochet  2013 issue.  I have been patiently waiting to see this garment in a photograph and I am really pleased ! The magazine will be on newsstands  and in bookstores on May 7th.

My design in VK Crochet 2013.  Photographed by Rose Callahan for VK

I was enthusiastic when I submitted my design for approval last year, because I love the boho look of certain crocheted garments.  I think intricate crochet lace can be very feminine, but sophisticated at the same time.  However, I was really apprehensive when my design was selected for publication, because the reality was, I hadn't crocheted in a long, long time.  And, the design was rather complex in nature.  I was less worried about being able to remember how to crochet, than I was concerned about being able to write a comprehensible pattern and correctly sized motifs. To my relief, the sweater came together beautifully, and was far simpler to create than I imagined.  Crocheted sweaters are usually quicker to make than knitted ones of the same yarn- always a plus in my book!
The runaways are full of crocheted garments this year-retro and fresh at the same time.

Dior 2013 Fall RTW

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2013

John Rocha Fall RTW 2013

Although these are ambitious and extraordinary pieces, there are many ways to translate the crochet look into your wardrobe.  A cardigan, a handbag, or a capelet- back in style again- are perfect pieces that are not as daunting.  Time to pull out those hooks!
Do you crochet? Let me know- I'd love to hear...

Retro chic- Dish cloth dresses

When my friend told me she was selling a pattern for dish cloth dresses, I had no idea what she was talking about.
 Recently she showed me a copy of her new book for Leisure Arts- aptly titled "Dishcloth Dresses." For the uninitiated, they are indeed dresses, and they adorn a bottle of dish detergent.  Unlike the ubiquitous toilet paper dolls of the 60's and 70's, dishcloth dresses are actually functional.  They are perfect dishcloths, perched right where they are most useful.

 I love the idea of something so eco friendly, and tongue in cheek.
For a look at more of her patterns, here is a link to her website.
KnitSewStudio
Congratulations Debbie!

Vogue Knitting Spring Summer 2013

When I started this blog I never intended to just post my published pieces.  I have been so busy knitting and preparing other submissions that  it seems as if that is all that I have time to post.  The latest issue  of Vogue Knitting is out now- Spring/Summer 2013.  I designed and knit the Cropped Tank and Cardigan #14.

Cropped Tank and Cardigan

In this view you can see more of the striping sequence.

The runways were full of cropped tops, and although I would not sport a belly baring piece under a cardigan, it is a great warm weather look for those who would.   Of course, the tank could be easily  lengthened to suit your needs- just knit more rows to the underarm .

I never knit with novelty yarns, and was surprised at how wonderful they were to use, and how much I loved the finished product.  Even DH who kindly ran to mail this for me at the nth moment of the deadline, picked it up and said "I really like this- more than the usual sweaters you send in."! The sweater was quite a quick knit- a  pleasant change for me, because I usually knit at a very small gauge. This is on my "to knit" list!

As today is St. Patrick's day, I thought I would list some of my favorite Aran knitting books.  Extraordinary that such a small remote isle would inspire a knitting tradition that is admired and copied world wide.

Shelagh Hollingsworth

Alice Starmore- She is amazing!

Gladys Thompson

I own and love this leaflet

The age of some of those books just reminds of how timeless those designs are.  And, cable knitting is far simpler than it looks, and is so much more rewarding and interesting to knit than plain stockinette. Start small- a hat, or pillow, and you will be hooked.
 The first sweater my mother knit me was a gorgeous cable encrusted pullover of lanolin rich aran yarn from Ireland.  I loved helping her pick out the cables- even then I was fascinated by knitting.  I wore that sweater often, although, as I recall, it was very warm, and a little itchy!
Do you have a favorite Aran book or leaflet?I 'd love to hear...

Winter 2013

It is winter already, and bitterly cold  where I live.  I love to take advantage of the shorter days and wrap myself in a blanket, enjoy a hot cup of tea (usually Tazo Zen, or  Cinnamon Spice) and knit all evening long.  Fewer outdoor activities and sporting events give me a small window of knitting time in January and February and I embrace it thoroughly!

Bobble Cable Top #4

My most recently published sweater is in   Vogue Knitting Magazine Winter  2013.  The issue is just full of lovely choices to knit, and I appreciate the RED heart health theme. One of my resolutions is always to try to eat more healthy food, and ramp up my exercise routines. Apparently my sweater was one of 11 auctioned in a silent auction at VKLIVE in NYC, and the proceeds were given to the "Stitch Red Charity." (  I missed being able to attend because of a beastly flu!)

This was a wonderfully enjoyable sweater to knit.  I love turtlenecks, because I find them to be both flattering and stylish, and I think that detailed cuffs are always  striking and feminine.  The bobbles are easy and add some interest to a relatively simple to knit pattern.