When I first started knitting I was more inclined to make up my own patterns. Sometimes they worked out, other times not so much. I was more adventurous in a way, less focused on proficiency and more on experimentation. I had completely forgotten about an early hat I made for my brother, but when I saw him over the Christmas holidays he told me he still wears it. Since I can barely remember making the hat, I figured it was high time to replace it. Or at least add to his collection!
I had a serious cute attack last weekend at Mokuba, where I picked up the pink ribbon for this cape. There were so many sweet, frilly options! Now that I’ve finally settled on the finishing touches, I’m ready to wrap this up and send it on its way to my friend Kozue and her baby girl Kaede in Kanagawa.
I used Mission Falls 136 Merino, a nice Canadian option, since Kozue and I met while she was studying in Vancouver and Canada has been close to her heart ever since. Her daughter’s name is actually Japanese for maple.
The pattern is another great one from Kristen Rengren’sVintage Baby Knits. I can hardly wait to see photos of Kaede in the cape – this has to be one of my favourite baby knits so far!
Have you heard of Magpie Patterns? I came across this great collection of knitting, sewing, crochet and embroidery patterns through their blog, Crafty Bird. They’re based in Portland, Oregon (as so many good things are!) and some patterns are printed and mailed, and others are downloads. I really enjoyed browsing Magpie’s collection of handpicked designs. Some designers I knew, but more were new to me! Here are just a few.
Kalea and Malia by Kids Tricots (Images courtesy Kids Tricots)
Kids Tricots is the work of French knit designer Muriel Agator (Ravelry link). Magpie carries six of her English patterns. These are some seriously cute kids’ knits. I’m glad my friends are giving me plenty of little people to knit for!
Hooded Cardigan and Floral Wrap by She's Crafty Handknits (Images courtesy She's Crafty Handknits)
Jane has a great pair of mitts knitted by her BFF’s mother that she wished could be a bit cozier. Oh, and also covered with dozens of love hearts. Afterthought thrums seemed to be the perfect solution. Thrumming would typically be done as you knit, with each thrum knitted in with a stitch. It’s a technique attributed to the folks in Newfoundland and Labrador, who I suspect would know a thing or two about keeping their hands warm.
To afterthought thrum, I embroidered the mitts with merino fleece using the duplicate stitch technique (video tutorial below). The result is very similar to conventional thrumming – with the added advantage of my hands felting the roving nicely as I embroidered… Try it out and give your mitts a cozy makeover!
Materials
one pair of knitted mittens
one ounce (28 grams) of fleece (I used white merino top)
Gudrun Johnston’s Moch Cardi pattern is a great one. This was my first bottom-up sweater (seamless, yay) and it made for some good travel knitting over the holidays. I used Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label in Stormy; yarn that was originally intended for a February Lady Sweater knitalong. The Lady and I weren’t to be, so I frogged it and used the yarn for this instead. I love this cardi but think I would love it even more in a solid colour. Maybe I’ll just have to make another one!
Ori Ami Knits by Olga Buraya-Kefelian & Vanessa Yap-Einbund is a collection of knit patterns using Habu Textiles exclusively. Habu is a weaving studio and textile shop in New York City that sells imported Japanese and Asian yarns. The materials are amazing and range from stainless steel to paper. I’ve only seen a small selection of their textiles, at Rose Haven Farm Store, and was blown away by the possibilities.
Rhombus Wrap by Kirsten Johnstone (Ori Ami Knits, 2010)
Chapter One of the digital book came out last week and let’s just say I can hardly wait to see the other three! Each of the chapters represents a particular theme, with the first being Practical Geometry. The first four patterns are: Cubed Necklace, Axonometric Top and Trapezium Pullover by Olga Buraya-Kefelian; and Rhombus Wrap by Kirsten Johnstone. The Rhombus Wrap pictured above is one of my favourites; I love the handpainted cotton and versatility of the garment.
Cubed Necklace by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (Ori Ami Knits, 2010)
Olga and Vanessa have put together a truly beautiful collection – the textures and drape of the finished pieces highlight what makes Habu so special.
I was lucky enough to receive three wonderful knit-related books for my birthday. My birthday was on January 14th but I’m a big believer in celebrating my birthday for not just a day but a week or two! So please indulge me while I share some of the presents I received.
The book is a guide to the anatomy of wool fibre, turning wool into yarn, sheep breeds, and different effects achieved by blending wool with different fibres. There is also a pattern section that goes into more detail than most about why a particular yarn was chosen for each project. Thanks to my Aunt Shelley for this one!
Interweave Press (June 1, 2009)
I’ve wanted to read this book for a long time (thanks Aunt Tracy!). Amy King, the author of Spin Control, is the owner of Maine-based fibre studio Spunky Eclectic. The book covers basic spinning techniques but with an emphasis on producing the type of yarn that you want, and want to knit with. I haven’t demonstrated much control in my spinning up to this point, so here’s to hoping I’ll learn some helpful tips from Amy!
Front Street (April 2007)
My knitting partner for life gave me this sweet book. The Surprise is a wordless picture book by Sylvia van Ommen about Sheep’s quest to make a special gift for her best friend. It’s such a nice story of generosity and gift giving!
My cousin (aka The Ginger Ninja) requested a camouflage Woodman’s Cap just like the one I made for her dad. I modified the pattern a bit to accommodate her cute little redhead: I casted on 72 sts and worked K1, P1 rib for three inches (rather than K2, P2). I worked the decreases as established for the larger version.
We went shopping this afternoon for a flower girl dress for her to wear to my brother’s wedding in the spring. She asked if she could wear her hockey pants under the dress. She’s definitely more of a hockey gear than dress girl! Regardless, she looked pretty darn cute.
These little moccasins are technically not my first project of 2010. I think I finished them on Christmas Day after my sister learned that one of her friends had given birth to a baby girl named Olivia. We both got knitting straight away: my sister on one of my favourite baby hats, Cisco; and I on these Baby Mocs by Whitney Van Nes and a pair of Yumiko Sakurai’sKanoko Pants (Ravelry link). I didn’t get a shot of the pants before my sister packed them so I’ll have to share a photo once Olivia is big enough to model them!
I wish you a very happy New Year! I’m back in Toronto after a relaxing two weeks on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia visiting family and friends. In fact, it was so relaxing that when I attempted to log in this morning at work it took me more than a few fear-filled moments to remember my password.
I haven’t given too much thought to New Year’s resolutions but one thing always pops into my head this time of year. I have organizational aspirations. I’ve never quite managed to get my surroundings into the state of order I imagine they should be. Our apartment, my ever-expanding yarn stash, and piles of books and papers could all do with some professional help. But there it is. This year, as many others before it, I will attempt to be a more organized person. Everything will have its place, or at least close to it.
Best of luck with your resolutions, goals and dreams for 2010.
