Skip to content

Monthly Sale: Ancient Woodland Shawl

Hey everyone! I’m trying to do more promotion of my back catalog patterns. You’ll see some oldies but goodies pop up in the blog, and every month an older pattern will be on sale. If you’d like to be notified of the sale every month you can sign up for the Knitter’s Newsletter.

For the month of September, the sale pattern is the Ancient Woodland Shawl. To get the pattern at 15% off, just purchase it before the end of the month! The discount will be taken off during checkout.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

AncientWoodland2

This shawl is worked with a unique blend of yarn overs and cables to create a highly textured forest scene. The cable branches flow organically from the tree trunks, meeting together in the middle of the shawl.

Check out all the great finished versions on Ravelry! SuzanneCurry made the halves of the shawl into curtains! How genius!

AncientWoodland3

Gauge: 22 sts and 26 rows per 4 inch (10 cm) square in stockinette after blocking
Finished Measurements: 66 inches (168cm) long, 17 inches (43cm) wide at center, gradually expanding to 29 inches (74 cm) wide at short edges
Yarn Requirements: 1000-1250 yards of laceweight yarn, sample shown in Lorna’s Laces Helen’s Lace in Colorway ‘Mossy Grove’
Needle Size: 3.5mm (US 4) straight or circular needle for flat knitting or size needed to obtain gauge
Pattern Includes: charts and text translations of charts
Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog, ssk, sl1 k2tog psso, yo, slipped stitches, Left Twist, Right Twist, c1 over 2 right, c1 over 2 left, c2 over 1 right, c2 over 1 left, c2 over 2 right, c2 over 2 left, c2 over 3 right, c3 over 1 right, c3 over 1 left, c3 over 2 right, c3 over 2 left, c3 over 3 right, c3 over 3 left, c4 over 2 right, c4 over 2 left, c4 over 3 right, c4 over 3 left, c4 over 4 right, with directions for working each of those cables.
Other Details: This shawl is worked beginning with a provisional cast on, and one side worked out. Then the provisional cast on is removed and the live stitches are used to knit the second side.

AWschematic

Posted 01 September 2013 † Mim § Knitting § Sale ‡ Comments (0) °

Yarn Thing Podcast Tomorrow

Marly Bird LogoHey all, I’m going to be on Marly Bird’s Yarn Thing Podcast tomorrow at 10 am Mountain Time (which is 9 am Pacific, 11 am Central and noon Eastern). Wanna ask a question? You can call in! 😀

See you tomorrow!
M

Posted 12 August 2013 † Mim § Uncategorized ‡ Comments (0) °

Pattern Release: Modern Colorwork Collection

ModernColorworkTitle
If you have a feed reader, you may have noticed a flurry of posts coming out of this blog. I had to prep everything for the release of my new Modern Colorwork Collection.

The info is up for all of the pieces (see below). They will be released individually one every day this week in the order below. If you like the whole collection or just can’t wait, the whole collection is available now.

This was a really fun project! Most of my previous work has been very focused on texture with color used only as a background, so it was a nice change of pace to work with so much COLOR!

The inspiration for these pieces came from a couple of different places. As you may have noticed, I’ve been sewing a lot more in the last year and I’ve been greatly inspired by modern quilt designs (Chromaticity is a direct result of English Paper Piecing and all the lovely little hexagons). You’ll see a lot of quilt-inspiration as well as modern art references (like the Willis Triangles Cardi named for Thornton Willis and his series of triangle paintings and vaguely remeniscent of the traditional quilt pattern “Flying Geese”). I also tried to take traditional colorwork designs and spin them a little (like the Metamerism Pullover, which is a blending of a traditional Norwegian Star motif and the “Tumbling Blocks” quilt design).

I hope you enjoy it! The whole collection can be viewed and purchased through the Ravelry page or with the buttons below:

| add to cart | show cart

Click on any of the photos to go to the pattern page for more detail.

DeStijlWrap2

DeStijl Wrap

Congdon1

Congdon Cardi

Chromaticity2

Chromaticity Cowl

WillisTriangles1

Willis Triangles Cardi

Suprematism Mitts

Suprematism Mitts

Metamerism4

Metamerism Pullover

 

Posted 05 August 2013 † Mim § Designing § Knitting § Self-Publishing § Sewing ‡ Comments (0) °

Metamerism Pullover

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Metamerism is the phenomenon when two colors look identical in one light but different in another. The two subtly close contrast colors in this sweater sometimes appear the same, and sometimes appear different, giving the colorwork a dynamic quality. The motif is a modern reimagining of a traditional Norwegian Star. The sleeves appear to be set-in and seamed, but are really knit in as part of a yoke. In this sturdy yarn, the seamless shaping minimizes bulk.

Metamerism1

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn, 850[950, 1055, 1165, 1270, 1375, 1480] yds of MC, 95[105, 120, 130, 140, 155, 165] yds of CC1 70[75, 85, 95, 100, 110, 120] yds of CC2. Shown in Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney (100% American Romney; Approx. 200 yds/ 4oz) in Well Water (MC), Poppyseed (CC1), & Elderberry (CC2).
Needles: 24- (for smaller sizes) or 32-inch (for larger sizes) 4.5mm (US 7) circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge; DPNs, magic loop, or other preferred method for small circumferences for the sleeves; 20- or 24-inch circular needle for neck edge.
Gauge: 20 sts & 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square in stockinette after wet finish & blocking (see note). Adjust needle size to obtain same stitch gauge on colorwork.
Finished Sizes: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] corresponding to finished bust of 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] inches (81.5[91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142]cm). Sample shown in 36” size on 37” bust. See schematic for specific measurements.
Notions: stitch markers, with one that looks different for the beginning of round, scrap yarn or stitch holders to hold live stitches, tapestry needle to weave in ends.
Pattern Includes: colorwork chart, written instructions
Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog, ssk, p2tog, ssp, m1L, m1R, placing, slipping, and removing markers, short rows using the Shadow Wraps technique (instructions provided in pattern)

Metamerism2

This sweater begins with the sleeves, which are worked in the round to the underarm. The body is then worked in the round to the underarms. Arms and body are joined together to work a yoke. When the yoke is completed to the top of the arms, short rows are used to attach the front/back shoulders across the top of the sleeves. A neck edging is then picked up and knitted on.

Metamerism4

This pattern is part of the Modern Colorwork Collection. The whole collection can be purchased for $18.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Posted 05 August 2013 † Mim § Design Posts § Sweaters ‡ Comments (0) °

Handling Increases and Decreases in Stranded Colorwork

Occasionally you will need to change your stitch count IN PATTERN when you’re doing stranded colorwork.

  • Eunny Jang wrote a great segment on decreasing in colorwork here (scroll down, it’s the latter half of the post)
  • As it happens Eunny actually wrote a great post about increasing in colorwork here (again scroll down)
  • Sometimes your pattern doesn’t have the increases built in. In this case, sticky notes are your friend! I use them to block out areas of the chart that aren’t relevant to me while leaving the chart intact. So for instance. let’s say this chart is going on a sweater (Metamerism, actually) and I need to increase on each side of the chart every 6 rows while repeating the boxed section. You can stagger the sticky notes to match your increase pattern, and see at a glance where you are supposed to increase and exactly the portion of the chart you need to knit.

    • Post It Chart
    In this case, the increases are every 6 rows on both sides of the repeat and I’m in the process of finishing the post-its on the left side.

Posted 05 August 2013 † Mim § Knitting § Tutorials ‡ Comments (0) °

Suprematism Mitts

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Suprematism1

Named for a modern art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich, characterized by the study of limited geometric shapes, these mitts feature a textured colorwork pattern set off nicely with the skewed join of these mitts. They are knit as a rectangle, but joined with an offset so there is one corner of fabric spread up the fingers and one down the arm. The bias of this offset rectangle makes for a comfortable fit through the wrist.

Suprematism4

Yarn: Heavy Fingering weight yarn, 110[125, 145] yds of MC, 30[35, 40] yds of CC1, 20[25, 30] yards each of CC2 & CC3. Shown in Anzula Squishy (80% Superwash Merino Wool/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon; Approx. 385 yds/in 115gm) in Keola (MC), Seaside (CC1), Cayenne (CC2), Charcoal (CC3), Shitake (CC4)
Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) for flat knitting or size needed to obtain gauge; plus DPNs or circular needle for magic loop in the same size for the thumb; spare needle of the same or smaller circumference for three-needle bind-off.
Gauge: 28 sts & 38 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square in colorwork pattern after blocking.
Finished Sizes: 6[7, 8] inch (15.25[17.75, 20.25]cm) hand circumference
Notions: crochet hook & waste yarn for provisional cast on, tapestry needle
Pattern Includes: colorwork chart, written instructions
Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog, stitches slipped stitches wyif, ssk.

Suprematism3

This pattern is part of the Modern Colorwork Collection. The whole collection can be purchased for $18.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Posted 04 August 2013 † Mim § Design Posts § Gloves/Mittens/Mitts ‡ Comments (0) °

Willis Triangles Cardigan

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

WillisTriangles1

The multi-sized triangle motif of this pattern was inspired by both the traditional quilt pattern of Flying Geese and the abstract expressionist paintings of Thornton Willis, for whom this sweater is named. The triangular fold-back lapels echo the colorwork, and the facings of hem and sleeve both sport their own colorwork designs. All facings are worked attached to the main sweater body, then joined (or in the case of the neck facings, stitched) together toward the inside.

WillisTriangles4

Yarn: DK weight yarn, 1040[1180, 1310, 1450, 1590, 1730, 1800] yds of MC, 80[90, 100, 110, 125, 135, 145] yds of CC1, 40[45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 75] yards each of CC2, CC3, & CC4. Shown in SweetGeorgia Superwash DK (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 256 yds/115g) in Birch (MC), Tumbled Stone (CC1), Cayenne (CC2), Raspberry (CC3), Ginger (CC4)
Needles: 32-inch circular in 3.5mm (US4) and 3.75mm (US5) or size needed to obtain gauge; DPNs, magic loop, or other preferred method for small circumferences in both sizes for the sleeves.
Gauge: 22 sts & 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square in stockinette on larger needles after blocking.
Finished Sizes: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] corresponding to finished bust of 30[34.5, 38, 42.5, 46, 50.5, 54] inches (75.5[86.25, 95.5, 106.25, 115.5, 126.25, 135.5]cm). Sample shown in 38” size on 37” bust. See schematic for specific measurements.
Notions: crochet hook & waste yarn for provisional cast on, 7 buttons (3/8″), tapestry needle
Pattern Includes: colorwork chart, written instructions
Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog, stitches slipped wyib & wyif, ssk, m1L, m1R, placing and slipping markers, wrap & turn short rows in garter stitch, kf&b, yarnover.

WillisTriangles2

The body of this sweater is knit flat in one piece from hem to armholes. The fronts and back are then divided and worked separately using raglan shaping. The fronts are continued beyond the shoulders in colorwork, reversing the neck edge shaping to create the fold-back colorwork collar facing. The sleeves are knit in the round to the armhole, then worked flat and seamed into the body to give additionally stability to support the substantial fold-back collar. A back collar piece is picked up and knitted on, and then narrow front button bands are picked up and knitted on. The inside collar facings are sewn down to the inside of the sweater.

WillisTriangles5

This pattern is part of the Modern Colorwork Collection. The whole collection can be purchased for $18.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Posted 04 August 2013 † Mim § Design Posts § Sweaters ‡ Comments (2) °

Chromaticity Cowl

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Chromaticity2

Nothing is quite so pleasing to me as stacks of perfectly nesting little hexagons. Reminiscent of the quilting technique of English Paper Piecing, these little hexies are a great way to play with color. Pick your own rainbow of colors, or choose a palette of neutrals. If you love one color intensely, highlight it with a background neutral colors as in the smaller version. The color possibilities are endless.

Chromaticity4

Yarn: Fingering weight yarn. 180[240] yds of MC, 90[120] yds of CC1, and 30[40] yds each of CC2, CC3, CC4, CC5, CC6, OR 90[120] yards of CC2 for alternate chart. Large sample shown in Knitted Wit Fingering (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 200 yds/50 g) in Silver Lining (MC), Madge (CC1), Paprika (CC2), Holly & Ivy (CC3), Buckle My Shoes (CC4), Golden Delicious (CC5), Toffee Crunch (CC6). Small sample shown
with alternate chart in Cephalopod Skinny Bugga (80% Superwash Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon; 444 yds/4 oz) in Montauk Monster-C10 (MC), Chester Cricket-C04 (CC1), & Grey Scalloped Bar Butterfly-C07 (CC2).
Needles: 20-inch [24-inch] (50-cm [60-cm]) length circular needles in sizes 3.25mm (US3) & 2.75mm (US2). Plus a needle of the same or longer length in a 2.25mm (US1)
Gauge: 28 sts & 36 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square in stockinette colorwork after blocking.
Finished Sizes: 24[33] inches (61[83] cm) circumference & 8 inches (20 cm) tall.
Notions: crochet hook & waste yarn for provisional cast on, stitch marker, tapestry needle for grafting and weaving in ends.
Pattern Includes: Colorwork charts and written instructions with links to tutorials.
Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog.

Chromaticity3

This pattern is part of the Modern Colorwork Collection. The whole collection can be purchased for $18.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Posted 04 August 2013 † Mim § Cowls § Design Posts ‡ Comments (12) °

Congdon Cardigan

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Congdon 2

Named for the vibrant colorwork in the art of Lisa Congdon, this cardigan has clean lines that provide the perfect canvas for a riot of color on the front band, but would be equally striking knit in a bright color with a monochromatic band. The bands snap closed using snap tape. Buy commercial snap tape, or make your own by sewing snaps to colorful grosgrain ribbon before attaching to the sweater.

Congdon5

Yarn: DK weight yarn, 1010[1150, 1280, 1420, 1550, 1690, 1820] yds of MC, 16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] yds each of CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, & CC5. Shown in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport (100% Superwash Merino Wool; Approx. 200 yds/70gm) in Echo (MC), Aqua (CC1), Kerfuffle (CC2), Ysolda Red (CC3), Farwell (CC4), Washington (CC5).
Needles: 32-inch circular in 3.75mm (US5) and 3.5mm (US4) or size needed to obtain gauge; DPNs, magic loop, or other preferred method for small circumferences in both sizes for the sleeves.
Gauge: 22 sts & 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square in stockinette on larger needles after blocking.
Finished Sizes: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] corresponding to finished bust of 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches (76.25[86.25, 96.5, 106.75, 116.75, 127, 137.25]cm). Sample shown in 38” size on 37” bust. See schematic for specific measurements.
Notions: 4 stitch markers, tapestry needle, snap tape in length to match sweater front (see schematic), plus 2 sew-on snaps.
Pattern Includes: Written instructions, colorwork chart, and links to video tutorials.
Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog, ssk, p2tog, m1L, m1R, markers placed, slipped, and removed, Short Rows using the Shadow Wrap method

Congdon6

This pattern is part of the Modern Colorwork Collection. The whole collection can be purchased for $18.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Posted 04 August 2013 † Mim § Design Posts § Sweaters ‡ Comments (0) °

DeStijl Wrap

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

DeStijlWrap2

DeStijl is named for a Dutch art movement characterized by visual compositions simplified with minimal forms and colors. This cozy wrap is worked using 2 strands of laceweight yarn held together, creating a cushy and drapey fabric. Intarsia rectangles of contrasting colors join and blend by using one strand each of the blending colors. What a great pattern for color exploration!

The whole wrap is worked with yarns held double. It’s easiest and least likely to tangle to work from a ball wound with a double strand. To do this, wind a centerpull ball normally first, then wind it again pulling both the center and outside of the ball together.

DeStijlWrap2

Yarn: Laceweight yarn 1820 yards in MC, 280 yards each of CC1 & CC6, 220 yards of CC3 & CC4, 160 yards of CC2 & CC5. Shown in Shibui Cima (70% Alpaca/30% Merino; 328 yds/50 g) in Ivory (MC), Lime (CC1), Suit (CC2), Field (CC3), Poppy (CC4), Fjord (CC5), Grounds (CC6).
Needles: 32-inch 3.75mm (US 5) circular needle.
Gauge: 20 sts & 40 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square in garter
Finished Sizes: 72 inches (183cm) wide & 22 inches (56cm) tall
Notions: Intarsia bobbins, tapestry needle to weave in ends.
Pattern Includes: Charted instructions.
Stitches Used: knit.

DeStijlWrap3

This pattern is part of the Modern Colorwork Collection. The whole collection can be purchased for $18.

Purchase the pdf file now through Ravelry (you don’t have to be a Ravelry member to purchase)
| add to cart | show cart

Posted 04 August 2013 † Mim § Design Posts § Shawls/Scarves ‡ Comments (2) °