I have been knitting though. Here is a cloth from Nightly Knitter's Lotza Stitches.
The pattern only cost $1 and is a great way to experiment with lace without a huge commitment.
I made the cloth out of Aunt Lydia's Quick Crochet Denim cotton.
I think I bought it at a thrift store or it was given to me.
It would have been much more lacy if I had used a lace-weight yarn, but I was just practicing and this is something I can actually use.
Instead of double-points called for by the pattern, I used a circular needle with the magic loop.
I liked the look I got by slipping the stitches as if to knit instead of to purl.
And then when you seam it up, it looks like this!
Here's a detail of the simple lace pattern...
Pattern is from Kids, Kids, Kids by Rowenta Hill.
I decided to leave the ribbon out since it's for a 3-year-old.
This lovely Pi Cloth was designed by NightlyKnitter and is available on her blog.
I've always wanted to knit the Pi Shawl but was hesitant to start such a large project.
After knitting this little washcloth, I know now that I can do it.
I knitted this in the car on the way to SC and it took under 9 hours to knit up.
It was an interesting challenge and I'm very please with the outcome.
I am really enjoying making clothes for the Only Hearts Club Dolls with the yarn samples in the 2 Phat Fiber Boxes I received. Here's a skirt I designed (sorry no pattern yet) and knitted from 100% Merino "Red Hot" yarn from infinity.etsy.com.
In addition to wool, this Etsy shop has…
• hand-carded Blue Face Leicester (one of my favorite spinning fibers)
• kettle dyed Icelandic grey
• neat samples of balls of roving for you to try out in spinning
She also has some lovely little hand-woven sachets filled with lovely smelling lavendar.
I finished Hannah's blanket yesterday.
All that was needed was washing and weaving in the ends.
It's made from Lion Brand Cotton Ease that I had in my stash.
I changed the pattern so I wouldn't have any seams and added the knitted lace border.
I bought the original patterns from Webbs.
Well, it looks like Donna Druchunas has done it again. She has created another unique knitting book allowing you to easily design your own ethnic sweaters. This time she has zeroed in on Lithuania, Iceland and Ireland. What could be more exciting?Like her last book, Ethnic Knitting Discovery: the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and the Andes, this book is chocked full of unlimited knitting designs.
It's like having a design teacher with you all the time, as Donna explains how to plan a sweater with detailed diagrams and instructions.
We all know how important gauge is (and also how boring).
Donna makes knitting the gauge swatch interesting and exciting.
Donna then gives you a planning worksheet that you can customize to your size and design. She also includes detailed knitting instructions if that's what you are most comfortable with.
And once again the illustrator, Joyce M. Turley
has outdone herself.
I like coffee table books with gorgeous photographs as much as the next person, but when I want a good down-to-earth knitting book that allows me to be creative, I prefer a book like this one.
I have been contributing the the Phat Fiber Sample of the month and in return have received some lovely fiber and yarn samples — just enough to make clothes for the Only Hearts Club Dolls. In a recent box, I was fascinated by this handspun yarn with sequins by Enchated. I've never knitted with sequins and it took a bit getting used to because I wanted all the sequins to be on the right side of the cape I made for the doll. Once I got the hang of it, I enjoyed the yarn immensely.
Here's a detail of the cape. Note the random dragonfly charms. I've tried to get in touch with the artist who spun the yarn, but no luck so far. So Enchanted — if you are out there, please drop me an email.
Here's an easy lace pattern that forms a nice hem.
The pattern is 9 stitches with a 6 row repeat.
All the odd rows are purl.
You can download the pattern from my website.
Fiber Gathering winner - Eileen! Congratulations!
READ FITTERKNITTER BLOG TO FIND OUT HOW!
I was recently given a copy of Fiber Gatherings by Joanne Seiff to review and thought I'd share my conversation with the author with you. (I’m also proud to be a contributor in this book!) If you'd like to purchase this book from Amazon, you can find a link on my website.
Joanne, what was your inspiration for Fiber Gatherings?- The original concept came from a conversation I had in June of 2006. I heard briefly about a conversation between an agent and an editor about festivals and they suggested it might be a book idea for me, but I was really busy with freelance work at the time. In the fall of 2006, I had time to reflect on how much I loved fiber festivals and to consider writing about them. I realized I was inspired by the community of people and animals festivals brought together. I started working on a book proposal. The book grew out of that period of reflection on our rich fiber arts community.
As part of your research, did you actually attend all those Fiber Gatherings? Do you have a favorite or does one gathering shine in one area more than another?
I did attend all those Fiber Gatherings! I even attended several others that aren’t in the book for one reason or another. As for festivals, I don’t choose favorites! They are all wonderful and fun events. I feel there’s truly no “top” festival. Sometimes smaller festivals are discounted as not being “as good as” a big one, and that’s a shame. They offer an intimate, relaxed venue with lots of time to actually make connections, learn things, and get right close up and personal with fiber, animals, and new friends.
Did you work closely with the photographer?
Every day — he’s my husband! He’s also a biology professor, so he had a special skill set when it came to capturing images of animals.
This book is so much more than a knitting pattern book. It's loaded with history, instructions for processing fiber, spinning, weaving, felting and more. Is there any one particular group of fiber enthusiasts the book will appeal to than others?
I hope not! I actually wrote this book to appeal to the whole fiber festival community. That includes the casual day trippers as well as the serious alpaca and rare sheep breeders. I think all of the fiber arts are valid and tried to include everything.
I was encouraged to make at least half of the projects knitting related, which I did. That was because publishers and booksellers like to have each book in a certain sales category, and that allowed it to be a “knitting book.” I think it’s also a spinning, felting, crochet, dyeing, shepherding and travel book, at the very least!
I know that you are an accomplished designer in your own right but for this book, you have invited other well-known designers to contribute. How did you find these designers?
With all the travelling, I just couldn’t manage 26 projects! Plus, I wanted designs that covered the diversity of the fiber arts community. I solicited designs directly from people whose work I respected. First, I connected with colleagues and friends all over the country and asked them to submit. Second, I posted a call for submissions to the Association of Knitwear Designers. In the end, it worked out just right.
With all the submissions, how did you decide which designs to include?
Most all the designs were chosen collaboratively. I said what I was looking for very specifically in my call for submissions, and the designers I contacted told me if they were interested and pitched an idea or two. We chose yarns together and solidified the projects. Since I started out with a very limited “call for submissions,” I didn’t have a hard time with an enormous number of submissions to wade through.
Who would most benefit from the patterns in the book? (beginner, intermediate, etc. comment)
Everybody! There is everything from easy to advanced in terms of pattern skill levels in the book. I did that on purpose. It isn’t a “learn to knit/crochet” book, but otherwise, it’s got every skill level covered.
Well, as I mentioned, I didn’t see this as a knitting/crochet project book, but as a book about the whole fiber arts community… and that includes felting! I’m also an enormous fan of both bags AND recycling, so your project seemed absolutely appropriate! I should mention too that I’ve already heard tell of several people who rushed to their closets to find a sweater and start making their bag. Your project is a hit!
I understand you have another book in the works. Can we have a little hint as to what it is all about? When do you expect to have it published?
I’m so excited about “book #2!” It’s called Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability. It will be available for sale this fall, in September! This book includes more than 20 knitting projects that promote sustainability and a whole series of chapters that go through topics like biodiversity, recycling, organic labeling, buying local goods, fair trade/fair work and sustainable farming practice. Unlike Fiber Gathering, I did all the designing on my own this time. It was a real challenge, but such an enriching experience. I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to research and write this. While the projects are designed for knitters, the concepts apply to everybody who has an interest in fiber arts, from crochet to weaving to dyeing, and — on a larger scope — anyone who wears clothes!
(I understand it’s already up on Amazon if you’d like to pre-order!)
WIN A FREE COPY OF FIBER GATHERING!
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FREE copy of Fiber Gathering.
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This is a 72-row, 63-stitch repeat. It took a lot of time to CHART and REWRITE.
I want to thank my test knitters from Ravelry:
tinker37 • Daddysgirl • shininglamp • e4dforever
They did a fantastic job of testing both the chart and the written instructions.
I knitted this out of Cascade 220 (any worsted weight yarn will do) and
I'm going to add a few rows and make mine into a 15"x15" throw pillow.
And she sent me this lovely fiber from her Etsy Store.
Do you think I made a good trade?
Some time back I carded some Blue Face Leicester, Merino, Silk and nylon. I then plyed it with 100% cashmere from a recycled sweater.
I bought the recycled cashmere from Jags Funky Fibers.
She does a great job of recycling thrift store sweaters.
The yarn I made is 4-ply (2 plys are the cashmere and the other 2 plys are my yarn).
I ended up with over 500 yards of some very nice and soft worsted weight yarn. The sample is knit on a size 6 needle.
My oldest UFO I've blogged about before. It's the entralac cable pullover by Debbie Bliss from her book How To Knit. I started this sweater over 5 years ago and I'll be honest and say I would never, never attempt a sweater this complicated now. I was just getting back into knitting and just didn't know any better. The hardest part is complete (the entralac cables and bobbles) and now I'm stuck doing the boring sleeves. I hate moss stitch but since this is cotton, the moss stitch will help it keep its shape.
Next is a pair of socks designed by Jackie E-S. I call this my traveling project because it takes complete concentration. These unusual socks are knitted down from the ankle (start with a provisional cast on) and when the toe is complete, the stitches are picked up at the ankle and the sock is finished from there. I have everything done now but the 2" ribbing which will be a good thing to knit with friends. I think I started these socks in September 2008.
These socks are called the Seabury Socks. No photo of the finished socks but trust me, they are unique. I'm making them from some of my handspun yarn that I'm not particularly fond of. One is larger than the other because my yarn isn't spun consistently. It will be interesting how they turn out. I started these the around the first of February.
I was recently given a copy of Tops and Toes by Kara Gott Warner to
Kara, what was your inspiration for Tops & Toes?
Hi Cindy, thanks for inviting me to your blog today. I thought Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat & Sock Knitters would be a timely book because I think so many knitters love the idea of a book that includes compact items such as hats and socks. There's so much excitement going around these days over sock knitting, and so many great sock books out there, but very few that offer both hats and socks in a very comprehensive way.
I created this book with idea that this would be a "one-stop" resource for hat and sock knitters. I've included a very comprehensive Techniques section, covering all the bases from the basics of working on double-pointed needles to Magic Loop. I even included detailed sections on working short rows, and how to end your sock. My goal was to make this book as "user-friendly" as possible, to make it easy for knitters of any level to adapt one technique for another without feeling intimidated.
I know that you are an accomplished designer in your own right but
I visit online groups such as Knit Design, Knit Publishing and The Association of Knitwear Designers (link). I also go to places like Knitty (link), as well as scan through books and magazines looking for designs I like, then I contact the designers directly. House of White Birches, which is a part of DRG Publications also has a vast database of designers that I rely on as well.
With all the submissions, how did you decide which designs to include?
Wow, this can be a tricky undertaking! I would say this is the hardest part of the process. I receive so many great design submissions, but the multi-designer books that I produce only allow for about 45 designs. Basically, I try to focus on the submissions that lend themselves best to the chosen theme. Secondly I look for a good cross-section of projects for every skill level. For the most part, my goal is to choose projects that are easy for new knitters, but I always like to include a few intermediate to advanced designs as well. As knitters, we all want a challenge, but we also like those easy projects too, and sometimes these can be the most fun to make!
Who would most benefit from the patterns in the book?
I think that beginners would definitely benefit the most, simply because this book offers a great introduction to techniques that can help take them to the next level. I also think that more advanced knitters would love to have this book as well, because you can always learn something new. No matter what your level, I think this is one of those books that you can always rely on when you're looking for that perfect gift!
As a graphic designer myself, I can't help but notice how nice and simple the format for the patterns are. The type is easy to read (large enough) and the patterns are broken down line by line — something you don't often see in knitting books.
My goal with Tops & Toes was to make sure the patterns are easy to navigate. Choosing just the right typeface and layout can make all the difference to help readability of a pattern. Then, the added challenge is to make sure that all of the pattern components (charts, schematics, etc.) fit into the layout in an aesthetically pleasing way as well.
Also, the organization of the book is unique. One would expect a section on hats and a section on socks, but also included a section on sets with matching socks and hats.
Cindy, that’s a great point. I think that we all love the idea of having the perfect hat to match our socks. Instead of the time consuming task of mixing and matching patterns, hoping to find just the right combination, I decided what better way to fix this dilemma, then by including a section for “Sets” all in one place! Also, as knitters, we’re all looking to make that special gift for someone, especially for babies and kids. Not only does this make a great impression, you can make them in half the time it takes to make a sweater.
I really like how each section is color coded so one can flip through the book and easily find a pattern.
I’m glad you noticed this design element Cindy. This offers an easy way to navigate through the book, but I also think it creates a unique touch. If you’re searching for a particular pattern or texture, I wanted to make it easy to quickly scan through the book to find it. To see it at your finger tips....literally!
Also the photography is incredible. A whole page is given to each hat or sock plus several other photos of the article so there's no question about what your hat or socks will look like when complete. You haven't hidden anything which is something I appreciate in a pattern.
The photography phase is so crucial. It's always important to make sure the projects are well-represented. Our goal is to capture the level of detail and craftsmanship in each photo, as well as photographing them in an artistic, and visually pleasing way. I chose to shoot many of the projects outdoors, against textured backgrounds such as wood, brick and stone. The Bobble Lace Beanie and the Walking Spiral Hat & Socks both represent the overall look and feel that I was after. We've also included "seamless photos." These kind of photos show the design on a white, almost "cut-out" background, creating and even clearer visual of what the finished piece will look like.
And there's a photo index! How unique!
Cindy's Notes: You can read Kara's blog at She Knits in the Loop and see many of her designs and patterns at igottknits.
This particular design is easy to memorize but not boring.
You decide how long you want the lace pattern to be by repeating rows 1 and 2.
Then you finish off with rows 1A - 6A.
The pattern begins at the bottom so if you are knitting a top from the bottom up,
you would knit the lace edging first.
You also could knit this edging and sew it on a completed garment.
I think it would make a nice edging for towel.
The pattern and chart are for flat knitting. If you knit this in the round,
you will have to make adjustments.
The pattern can be found on my website.
a great sample box of fiber, yarn, tea, stitch markers, patterns, tea, bags, chocolate, cards, etc, etc. available from etsy.
Here's a photo of all the neat things I received in the February sampler box.
A March box is in the works.
A list of contributors can be found here.
If you are interested in any of their products,
you can like directly to their websites or etsy stores.
I'm going to knit tiny doll clothes from the fiber and yarn samples
and will be giving a review of the yarn or fiber when I post a photo.
Yesterday kicked off the blog tour for Kara Gott Warner's new book, Tops and Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat & Sock Knitters. I was so busy setting up my new email address on my websites that I forgot all about it. But you still read Sarah Wilson's interview with Kara at Not A Yarn Snob (Fashioknitsa).
You can read about this wonderful new book everyday until 3/3. I'm interviewing Kara on 3/2, and I'm already sold on the book because I've had a chance to sit down and really enjoy it. But if you are in doubt about another book purchase in these unsure times, just follow the tour each day and I'm sure you will want to add Tops and Toes to your library.
Catch the tour today with Jennifer Tallapaneni at PieKnits.
Throughout the tour, Kara will be offering contests to A WIN FREE BOOK. The contest today can be found at She's In The Loop.
Make sure you read the following blogs each day and see how you can increase your chance to win.
2/23- Erika Flory: It's About The Knitting
2/24- Erssie Major: ErssieKnits (I've created some charts for Erssie)
2/27- Celeste Pinhiero: Two Stix In The Woods
3/1- Joanne Seiff: Yarn Spinner (Joanne is a long-time friend of mine. We met at her home for an afternoon of spinning and knitting when I lived in KY)
Enjoy the blog tour!!! (You will note that many of the bloggers are personal and professional friends of mine and I value their opinions).
I was in Tuesday Morning last week and found these cute little Only Hearts Club Dolls. My granddaughters love dolls and love dressing dolls. These little darlings are a great alternative to Barbie. They have the sweetest faces too. I found clothes for them online but they were way too expensive, so I'm going to try to knit them wardrobes by next Christmas. This little coat is my first attempt. I didn't write up the pattern, but if these start going well, I will have patterns to share.For Christmas last year, I bought my granddaughters inexpensive 18" dolls that are similar to the American Girl dolls. I got the dolls at Michael's and also bought all the different clothes Michael's had. With 40% off coupons, I was able to get them a lot of clothes. But I still wanted to knit them some clothes to use up small amounts of yarn. When my friends found out what I was doing, they also contributed a lot of small balls of stash. It was a lot of fun and here's a photo of the clothes. But my granddaughter's liked the "store-bought" clothes better. That's ok, they will appreciate them later.
Most of the patterns for this doll were found on the internet by Googling American Girl Knitting Patterns. A couple I made up myself using Sweaterwizard — a very easty-to-use sweater designing software. 
Even though this pattern contains 26 stitches and a 12 row repeat, it was very easy to knit and addictive! Once I started and could see the vine forming, I didn't want to quit. It's meant to be insertion lace, but I think it would make a lovely scarf. The chart and instructions are on my website.
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