Archives for July 2010

Several months ago Amy from Madelinetosh wrote to ask me to create a design using her wonderful yarn. I had heard many great things about Madelinetosh yarns and was eager to try them, but hadn't yet found the time. I happily agreed. Amy sent a skein of her Tosh Vintage yarn in Composition Book Grey and I got to work right away.

(On a side note: Izzy was giving me her best "" in the photo above. I think she nailed it. Too bad I cropped her face in half when I took the photo.)

The Tosh Vintage yarn was a dream to work with. As with all of the Madelinetosh yarns that I've seen, the color had richness and depth. (Which I don't do justice to in the photo above but it shows the top of the tam well.) I knew instantly that I wanted to knit it up in lush cables. The worsted gauge works beautifully for small accessories like the Poet Society Tam that I designed for Amy. It would also be an excellent choice for a larger project like a sweater or worsted weight shawl.

The Poet Society Tam is available exclusively from Madelinetosh. You can purchase it directly from Madelinetosh or see more details and Amy's photos of the hat here on Ravelry.

POET SOCIETY TAM

Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage 100% superwash Merino, 200 yards per 110g skein, color: Composition Book Gray, 1 skein

Needles: US 8/5mm and US 5/3.75mm

One Size will stretch to fit most teens-adults.

Available exclusively from Madelinetosh.

I love stitch dictionaries. I have quite a few that I turn to again and again for inspiration. So when I got an email from the nice folks at Lark Books offering to send me a copy of their new stitch guides The Stitch Collection, by Debbie O'Neill to look over, I was happy to accept.

If I didn't know better, I'd think they designed The Stitch Collection just for me. I'm on the road a lot with my kids. I sit in cafes & coffee shops working on new designs. In the past I've always had to make copies of pages from my dictionaries only to find that the four or five stitches that I'd brought along just didn't quite work with the yarn or the design. This nifty collection is scaled so that I can toss the whole box or just one or two of the five separate books in my bag and go.  Perfect.

Another feature of this set that I really like is the description given
for each stitch pattern. Debbie O'Neil includes notes on specific
details of the individual stitch patterns and ideas for projects where each might
work well. There's even a key on every page with  simple symbols for "drape" and "level" – very helpful.

I figured the best way to get to know the collection was to create a
design using it. I had a wonderful time pouring over each booklet. I
chose two stitches, one from the Lace collection and one from Rib,
made a few quick adjustments for knitting in the round and knit up a
beret. The lovely stitch pattern I used is called "Snowdrop Lace". I
combined it with a fun "Rickrack Rib" which gives the brim a good bit of
stretch and a lot of textural interest.

Leave a comment on this post by Sunday, August 1st at midnight EDT and I'll draw one winner using a random number generator to receive a copy of The Stitch Collection.  I'll also draw 5 winners who will each receive a copy of the pattern for the beret and matching mitts (not pictured, my hand model is still asleep. ETA: For those who asked – the model woke up. Photos of the mitt below.). The hat and mitts use Quince & Co's Osprey in "Snap Pea" so I'm calling the pattern "Snowdrops & Snap Peas".

 

 

Lonicera is a versatile wrap/vest. Worked in bamboo or cotton is makes a breezy summer accessory. Worked in wool or alpaca it moves just as easily into fall and winter. In an elegant silk Lonicera would look equally well for an evening out as it would over a pair of jeans for a casual lunch with friends.

Lonicera can also be worn in several ways  – with the fronts left casually open. . .

or tied together at the waist. . .

draped over the shoulder. .

or wrapped around the front. . .

and tied at the back.

More information and photos available on Raverly.

Lonicera

*Size: S, M, L (shown in size M)
*Finished Measurements: 14.5[15.5,16.5]” across back, between armholes. 21[23, 25]” long at center back. 51[60, 69]” over all from end to end.
Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows = 4”(10cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked
Materials: Farmhouse Yarns Bonnie’s Bamboo, 100% Bamboo, 200 yards per 3-1/2 oz skein, Color: Charcoal, 4[5, 6] skeins.

I purchased the yarn for this project from Angelfire Studios who tells me she is now shipping internationally.

Needles: 1 pair US 8 (5mm) straight or circular needles (or size to obtain gauge)
Spare US 8 (5mm) needle if using three needle bind off to join at center back. (see notes)
1 set US 6 (4mm) DPN’s (or size to obtain gauge)
Additional Materials: Cable Needle (CN), 3 Place Markers, Tapestry Needle, Stitch holders

Price: $6.00 US

*This shawl will fit a wide range of sizes. The medium size shown fits Sofie with her 33" bust as well as it does me and my 38" bust. Choose your size according to the measurement across the back. The length of the fronts is easily adjustable. Instructions for adjusting the length are given in the pattern.

This pattern has charts as well as written instructions for the stitch pattern.

A huge thanks to Teri, Mary & Melissa for test knitting!!

Thanks for all of your well wishes for Anders's speedy recovery!!

All of that hospital time allowed me to finish a new shawl design. It's going out for test knitting & should be ready for publication by mid August.

I'm thinking about naming it "Meade 126" after the hospital room where I did the bulk of the knitting.

ETA: Thanks to Margene for the suggestion, I'll be naming the pattern "Curatio Shawl". Curatio is Latin for healing.

 

The yarn is beautiful Plucky Knitter Lace in "Old Blue Eyes". The pattern will also have instructions for a smaller size so that if you choose to use fingering wt it won't be huge.

More details on Ravelry. This link is visible to everyone. You do not need to be a Ravelry member. (Although I highly recommend joining if you are not!)