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.

Vogue Knitting Fall 2012 30th Anniversary Issue

I know I have said this before, but I am always excited when the new issue of VK is about to hit the news stands.  The sneak peek is up on the Vogue Knitting Website. This is the 30th anniversary issue and it looks fabulous!

My sweater, the "Striped Turtleneck" is part of the Wanderlust Collection.  The sweater is a short sleeve standard fitting turtleneck with a mesh top, eyelet band, and center cable.  The yarn is the lovely and soft Brae Tweed by Knit one, Crochet Too. The yarn is smooth and has a nice drape, but still shows stitch definition and cables nicely. I love the heathered colors they chose. The weight is such that you could wear the sweater by itself in the autumn, and layer it for the winter. It is a relatively quick knit that could be finished just in time for the cooler days ahead.
What is on your needles now? Are you knitting with an eye towards the fall, or you enjoying crisp cotton and silk as the temperatures are still so high? Please share; I love your stories!

Optimal Outcome Part 2

I hope everyone is enjoying their summers.  It is so hot around here, and I am still pulling out my shawl from time to time- in the air conditioning, not outside. :)

I just wanted to share another tip that I recently started to implement.  Anything to make our finished work look better!

As I mentioned in this post, I am a row counter.  I also am a locking stitch marker addict (more on that later!) and use them religiously to keep track of increases and decreases. 

Clover Markers

Knit PicksMarkers

 Does that seem like too much effort?  Maybe, but nothing is worse than trying to backtrack and figure out how to  make 2 pieces match later. Trying to count rows to match shaping on dark or intricate fabric is so hard.

I used to place my markers at the beginning of an increase or decrease row. 

The more shaping, the further in you need to go to find an unbroken column of stitches

If you look at a piece that has shaping elements- decreases, bind offs, or increases, such as a waist, underarm or collar, you will notice that it is jagged or slanted and hard to tell later where the adjoining row begins.

 

I now place my row marker about 10 sts in from the edge, on each shaping row. This way, as I continue to shape the piece, I can isolate a column of stitches far enough away from the edge that I can keep track of rows easily. 

   See how the straight line of markers is easier to count.

So simple, but  such a time saver later.  What do you do to make sure your pieces match?

A Knitter's Daydream

Nantucket Island is the epitome of an American needlework paradise.  Nantucket is historically rich with traditions in crafts such as basketweaving, knitting, rug hooking, and  needlepoint.  It is no wonder that needlework legends Claire Murray and Erica Wilson chose to open their successful businesses on this gorgeous island. From the scent of the salty air intermingled with the  fragrance of  abundant  cottage garden flowers, to the breath taking views of the turbulent Atlantic Ocean, Nantucket is singularly inspirational. I would love to be there right now, relaxing and pulling  my knitting project out of my bag ...

Knitting in Nantucket

Timothy D. Parsons Classes for Lightship Baskets   

Jared Coffin House   

 JCrew  Dree Dress   

Kate Spade   Idiom Bangle    

 Perfect summer weight yarn  Allegoro by Classic Elite  Verde Collection

Erica Wilson   Knitting Book

Erica Wilson Needlepoint Kit

Claire Murray Coffee TableBook
Cape Codder Recipe

Images of Nantucket from www.Nantucket.net