Category: design

  • fo: oh my, it’s cashmere!

    I started this sweater ages ago, finished it a little while later, and then…it just sat around on my dressform all summer, waiting to be worn! I had planned on adding sewn buttonloops and buttons, but my laziness got the better of me.

    fo: cashmere sweater

    So here it is at Rhinebeck – photo taken on our rental house deck.

    This here’s a top-down raglan cardigan, knit in Handmaiden 4ply cashmere (6 skeins). I used Jody’s Unwrapped top-down instructions but then veered off after the yoke increases were complete and made it into a cardigan.

    This one has all hemmed edges, including the bands/collar, bottom edge and sleeve edges. I didn’t put in buttonholes, so I wear it closed with a kilt pin. I have quite a few sweaters that I wear closed with either a hair stick, shawl pin or kilt pin, so this one fits right in!

    The yarn is super, super soft and has developed a lovely halo. Unfortunately the hemmed bands, being not very cinch-y, are sagging a bit after maybe a dozen wears. I don’t think I’ll rip and reknit them, though – it’s not falling off and feels really cozy! I love this sweater…and it gets lots of appreciation (and groping) from other knitters as well.

    (And since I know someone will ask – the belt bag is from Roots, the t-shirt is from Hardboiled, and that’s the hemp skirt that’ll get its own post!)

    For those who were wondering, the cozy grey sweater on the dressform in my previous post is Cosima from Berroco. This version was sent to the store by Berroco as a sample – and it’s been super popular! The shape is really flattering on a ton of body types. Seriously, everyone who has tried it on has loved it!

  • a Hallowe’en treat!

    The Galileo Mittens pattern is finally ready for public consumption!

    Galileo mitttens

    Bring some celestial beauty into your life with these unique and fun mittens. The Galileo mittens are worked in a mirrored, non-repeating stranded colourwork pattern on the hand that is reminicient of Renaissance astronomy charts and inspired by the stars. Striped cuffs and thumbs, as well as a diamond palm pattern, provide a visual geometric contrast. A close fit keeps your hands toasty while you contemplate the heavens.

    Recommended for intermediate knitters.

    natalie models Galileo mittens

    Size
    Women’s M [L]
    Size L contains 5 extra rounds for additional length in the mitten hand.
    Size can be further altered by changing the gauge and needle size.
    For a larger mitten, use needles one size larger. For a smaller mitten, use needles one or two sizes smaller.

    Finished Measurements
    Palm Circumference: 8.25 inches around palm
    Length: 10 [10.5] inches from tip to end of cuff

    Materials
    Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (100% merino wool; 175 yd/50g)
    1 skein of each of two colours;
    or
    [MC]: 40 g/140 yards of equivalent fingering weight yarn
    [CC]: 30 g/105 yards of equivalent fingering weight yarn
    2.5 mm/US 1 double pointed needles, set of 4 or 5;
    or 32-inch or longer circular needle, or two circular neeedles
    2 stitch markers
    waste yarn
    tapestry needle

    Gauge
    32 stitches and 36 rounds = 10cm/4in square in two-colour stockinette stitch, chart pattern

    Important Sizing Note:
    The Galileo Mittens shown here were knit to fit very small hands and are shorter than this pattern will
    produce as written. The Chart as presented will result in a very slightly different pattern on the back of the hand, as several rounds were inserted before the decrease rounds at the top of the mitten (not shown). If your mittens look a bit different from the photo near the top of the hand, don’t worry! You’re still on the right track!

    How to Buy
    This 5-page PDF download contains written instructions and charts. File size: 1.4 MB Ravelry download. Payment is by Paypal balance or credit card (no Paypal or Ravelry membership needed).

  • first snow!

    It snowed a bit overnight! Not much, mind you – the road is just wet, but there’s about a cm or two on the rooftops and lawns. Snow is still falling, a little bit, with occasional bursts of wind carrying snow off the roof and making it look like it’s snowier than it is.

    Suddenly it feels like it’s really winter, even though it isn’t October NOVEMBER (yikes) yet! The snow should all melt today or tomorrow when it warms up a bit, and it’s supposed to be warmer for Hallowe’en, but somehow the first snow is just so potent in conjuring up real winter.

    So, cold-weather accessories are on and off the needles!

    handwarmers

    Some basic fingerless mitts, worked up in an Araucania yarn whose name escapes me at the moment. They’re too big for me, but that’s good – they’re a sample for the store and a basic pattern card for sale that I’ve worked up, and they’ll fit normal-sized medium/large hands!

    And in the ever popular Misti Alpaca Chunky, I knit up a nice long mistake rib scarf to show off the yarn – and to have something to show customers when they say “how much does one of these make?” (the scarf is 2 skeins, but 80″ long).

    sample mistake rib scarf

    Just off the needles and onto the blocking towels, a ruffled scarf out of oh-so-yummy Malabrigo worsted.

    malabrigo ruffle

    And these mittens that I’ve dubbed “Galileo Mittens” are done, worn, and the pattern is just being proofread. Soon, soon.

    Galileo mitttens

    Why does time move faster in the morning when you need to get ready for work? It’s a time warp!