Knititude

Two Patterns in Cozy Knits

Cozy Knits, pulbished in November 2013, includes 50 "fast and easy" projects collected by Tanis Gray and using Cascade Pacific and Pacific Chunky yarns. These yarns are a washable, affordable blend of superwash merino and acrylic, come in lots of colors, and are perfect for easy-care winter accessories or kids' garments. My "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" cowl is described as a lace pattern, but in fact it is richly textured rather than lacy, even though the stitch pattern includes yarnovers. I worked decreases into the stitch pattern at bottom and top of the cowl to shape it slightly. The cowl is worked in the round, and a good choice for a knitter who has dabbled in lace and wants to try something a little more advanced (but not too difficult).

My Chain Gang Cabled Mittens (not my name choice!!) are also richly textured, this time using a background of garter stitch to set off the unusual chain cable.The fact that the row gauge of the cable is larger than that of the garter stitch has the interesting effect of creating a convex curve along the back of the finished mittens, which helps them conform nicely to your hand. I suggested the name "Nessie" for these mittens, because the cable reminded me of those blurry photos of the Loch Ness monster's body emerging from the water.

One hint if you knit these mittens: I found it impossible to keep the stitches between dpns from being looser on the purl rounds, I think because the yarn travels on the outside of the work on those rounds and thus has to travel farther (rather than on the inside of the work on the knit rounds). To avoid this, use two circular needles or the magic loop technique.

And finally, the book is filled with many other great quick projects: my favorites are the Slip-Stitch Two-Color Neck Gaiter by Lynn Wilson (unwieldy name but cool 2-color effect); the Sweater Girl Raglan by Melissa Goodale (creative and adorable); and the Silver Plates Dragon-Scale Cloche by Robin Melanson (maybe because I love that dragon scale stitch pattern!). 

(All photos except 2nd one of mittens are courtesy of Joe Hancock/Interweave Press.)

Wrought Iron Tote

Tanis Gray's recent book Knitting Architecture includes one of my patterns, the Wrought Iron Tote. The book contains a lot of great patterns over a wide range of styles; some of my favorites are the King's College Pullover by Mari Muinonen, the Fisher Building Mittens by Jane Dupuis, and Tanis' own Bird's Nest Shrug.While the sidebars on architectural inpirations are fun and informative, this is not primarily a book about the architecture and construction of knitted garments, but rather includes garments inspired by classic or well-known examples of architecture and architectural ornament.

I created the stranded motif for the Wrought Iron Tote when I was working up a number of stranded patterns for use in my self-published collection, Ferrovia. Like the motifs included in the Brandt Cardigan, Renee Pullover and Quotidiana Hat, the motif I used for the tote was inspired by wrought iron designs from the Exposition des Art Decoratifs in Paris in 1925 (the exhibition which gave rise to the term "Art Deco").

This project was really the first of its type for me (the only other bag I had ever designed was the Rose of Sharon bag, which is very different!). So I was very conscious of practical considerations, such as the ideal size of the bag (roomy, but not so wide it couldn't fit comfortably under the arm), how to stabilize and reinforce the bottom, and how to make sure the strap did not stretch out with use. I thought about felting the fabric (the yarn was Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, which can be felted), but when I felted a swatch to see what happened, the stranded areas felted unevenly, and after talking it over with Tanis, we decided to use a non-stretchy lining instead. So the interior and strap are lined with canvas, and the bottom is reinforced with a plastic needlepoint canvas panel, sandwiched between the knit fabric and the lining. You could also add feet to the exterior of the base to prevent scuffing; another handy addition would be to add an interior pocket or two to the lining.

(All photos courtesy of F+W Media.)

Book review: Textured Stitches by Connie Chang Chinchio

Textured Stitches is the lovely new book of patterns by Connie Chang Chinchio (all photos copyright Interweave Press).

These patterns exemplify Connie's talent for combining classic, wearable silhouettes with original, carefully placed details. Most of the designs combine various textured accents with smooth stockinette-- a great combination both while knitting (to stave off boredom while still allowing speedy progress), and while wearing (to elevate the finished project above the ordinary, and to call attention to areas such as neck, shoulders and wrists).

The majority of the patterns are sweaters, but there are also a number of accessories. Some of my favorites are pictured, including the two I test-knitted: the Professoressa Cardigan (above) and the AnnaMaria Cardigan (below). I found the directions for these two patterns clear, logical, and easy to follow. 

I also thought the photography was done very well, and with the knitter in mind: not only were the photos nicely composed and well-lighted, there are photos of almost every project from both front and back, AND photos of important small details such as collars, cuffs, side seams, and textured stitch patterns. Below, the Honeycomb Tunic.

By the way, if you are already familiar with Connie's designs, you may be aware of her preference for finer gauge yarns-- but there are also several patterns using worsted weight yarns in this book. Below, the Cecily Pullover.

Altogether a great addition to anyone's pattern book library! 

(Above, detail of the Olivia Shawl).

 

 

Expectant Little Knits

I'm supposed to be receiving a copy from the publisher, but I couldn't wait; I bought a copy of Expectant Little Knits from Amazon. No, I don't have any news on the family additions front, but I do have two patterns in this book--including the Double Wing Top, pictured on the cover.  The other pattern is also a sleeveless top, but worked in cotton instead of silk/merino, and called "Anjou"--"put a positive spin on 'pear-shaped' with this empire waist top"!

Although I can't vouch for the general quality of the instructions, not having knitted any of the projects except for my own samples, I can say that I was quite impressed with the appearance and variety of the various garments, which included some creative ways to accommodate body changes both during pregnancy and afterwards:  buttons along the sides, or across the bust to allow for discreet nursing; removable side panels; side pleats; and of course, stretchy stitch patterns like lace and ribbing.  In fact, although I'm delighted one of my patterns made the cover, I'm not sure how or why it was chosen from among so many great designs!  The last three photos show my personal favorites (in order pictured):  the Gherkin Tunic by Ashley Moncrief, the Red Twist Dress by Helen Hamann, and the Lacy Babydoll by Melissa Wehrle.

(Apologies for my less than stellar reproductions of these pages!  All photos, copyright Lark Books 2007.)

Edited to add:  Connie asked whether my statement that I couldn't vouch for the instructions meant that I wrote up the patterns only for the sample size for my projects.  The answer is no--I did write the instructions for all the sizes for my patterns!  I just meant the instructions for all of the other projects in the book.  However, I should have noted that Donna Druchunas did the editing, which is a very good sign!

Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel

Over the last few months I've purchased a number of knitting books, including all three of the Vogue Knitting Stitchionaries; The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine; the Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie Wiseman; Arctic Lace by Donna Druchunas; and Lace Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd.  (And then there are the two Japanese stitch dictionaries, but those deserve their own blog entry.)  While all of the above are worthy purchases to one extent or another, for one reason or another (I listed them from my most to least favorite--excluding the Japanese titles), I HIGHLY recommend Fitted Knits.  I haven't made anything from the book yet, so I can't comment on the quality of the instructions, but I think the designs are out-of-the-ordinary enough to make them interesting, yet not so far out that you wouldn't wear them.  Plus, the fit of the samples on the models is extraordinary--not an easy task!  (Look at just about any issue of Interweave Knits, if you doubt this.)  I think Glampyre/Stefanie has really done a great job.

Ode to Norah Gaughan

I'm not the rah-rah type, and even if I admire someone, you won't catch me sending a fan letter--something I've never regretted, as I don't have to cringe with embarrassment when recalling that drooling, fawning letter I never sent to (for instance) Leif Garrett, the one preteen crush I can remember.  Saw a recent photo of him not long ago--ouch.

But this is different.  Really.  It's more accurately called, um, professional respect and admiration.  Since I knit this sweater, designed by Norah Gaughan, I've noticed that she often has a design or two in Interweave or Vogue, and (more to the point) I usually like them.  She creates her own stitch patterns, like the amazing cable panel at left, and she often uses unusual contruction methods.  So when I realized that she just published a hardcover book, Knitting Nature:  39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature--well, I bought it.   And I'm glad I did!

The book is divided into six sections, each containing patterns based on some element common in nature:  hexagons, pentagons, spirals, phyllotaxis, fractals, and waves.  Some designs are fairly conventional, while others are quite funky.  This one, called "Honeycomb Henley," is one of my favorites.   Although the stitch pattern is simple, the repetition is appealing and the fit appears to be flattering--always a plus. 

The above sweater is in the "hexagon" section, and this one, "Shell Tank," is in the "spiral" section.   Cute, huh?  If you're blessed with flat abs and nonexistent love handles, you could knit it as shown, and if not, it appears that the stitch pattern could be extrapolated, allowing the tank to be lengthened to hip level or so.  In "Phyllo Yoked Pullover," shown below, I particularly like the way the decreases are worked into the pattern--something I am always trying to do, with varying degrees of success.  The name of this sweater makes me think of phyllo pastry, as in baklava and spanakopita, and therefore I picture some flaky layered concoction...but then again, those delicacies are often cut into diamonds or triangles, so I guess the name actually still suggests the sweater's appearance, whether you're thinking phyllo-bio-geek thoughts or phyllo-buttery-snacky thoughts.

In any case, this book is a perfect addition to the "coffee table/eye candy" section of the knitting library.  As for its practical use, (a) it assumes a certain level of expertise, (b) I haven't made anything from it yet, so cannot vouch for the quality of the instructions, and (c) although the photographs are of high quality, in many cases they don't show the design features of the garments very clearly.  The book is listed at U.S. $29.95, but Amazon discounted it to $18.87.