fitterknitter

Huge Mistake = Great Opportunity

2009-12-13T19:09:04Z

The mistake was choosing this pattern. Sorry Vogue, but it just didn't fit right. You can see the photo here (just scroll down). It's called Botanica Medallion Cardigan. First, it is not a cardigan — it's a shrug. Second, the armholes looked weird unless you had an extremely narrow back and very skinny arms. But I had done all that work with a loosely spun yarn which was going to be impossible to frog so I decided to cut and sew my knitting.

I cut the sewed around the outside of the medallion and then cut the medallion out.
I then ripped out the medallion and used that yarn to make a collar.
Here is my finished product which I think looks better and is much more practical than the original pattern.

The yarn is called Streaker and is from OnePlanetYarnandFiber.
It is plant dyed and very lovely. I have enough left over to make a very nice scarf.

It's in the Bag

2009-11-21T20:53:39Z

I recently got a copy of Kara Gott Waner's new book — It's in the Bag. First I want to tell you about how neatly this book is designed and then share an interview I had with one of the designers — Colleen Smitherman.

The book has an internal spiral binding so it looks great no the shelf and also will lay flat. The photography is great with large photos. I don't think anyone is trying to hide any pattern flaws in this book. The type is large and easy to read. The first thing I did is go through an dread all the tips that are highlighted throughout the book. As for the patterns, every project is portable which is important for traveling and sit and knit groups. There's a wide variety of patterns from bags, babies, kids, scarfs, tops, tunics, home adornments (cool bath mat) and more. Just too much to list here.

And now for my interview with Colleen —

I love shrugs. When I lived in FL, they were so much more practical than a sweater, but now I live in SC, and they are the perfect fall accessory. So I'm always knitting shrugs and collecting shrug patterns. The Cabled Shrug in It's a Wrap immediately caught my eye and I was given the pleasure of interviewing the designer, Colleen Smitherman.

Colleen, Why a shrug?
As you know, a shrug is perfect for those days when just a little something to throw over your shoulders is needed. Also I think that a shrug is perhaps flattering to most figures in that it creates the illusion that the midsection is a little slimmer than it might actually be. So that's why I like them so much — they are flattering!

Why a tie front instead of button or shaw collar?
I think ties are a fun accent and they provide adjustability that buttons don't provide. Yes, they do offer more adjustability than buttons.

What was your inspiration?
I was trying to create something with some sophistication that didn't look like a traditional "homemade" sweater with ribbing at the center front. Additionally, I wanted to design the pattern so that the knitter could complete the center front edges as the piece was knit and not have to go back latter and pick up stitches for the edging. The result was to use cables in a non-traditional way to provide a firm, attractive finish to the center fronts. I am a minimalist by nature so I thought a simple V neck would really draw attention to the cables and I added the cable down each sleeve as an unexpected touch. Great use of cables!

Which came first — the yarn or the pattern?
It was a synthesis. The yarn Kara chose was perfect for showing off the cables as it was light to medium in color and smooth so that it resulted in really good stitch definition.

Have you designed other shrugs?
I had done the basic shrugs knit side-to-side that was very popular a few years ago. They were sort of a shaped tube with the two ends seamed for sleeves.

Are there any special problems when fitting a shrug?
One question to deal with is deciding how long it should be. I think just a few inches below the bust is attractive for most women. Another issue was address by using a deep 2 by 2 ribbing at the bottom rather than a shallow 1 by 1 ribbing to keep the shrug from riding up when worn.

What is the biggest challenge in designing a shrug?
Making it look fresh and new and not just another dated short sweater.

Tell me about the inspiration for the cables?
There are so many really pretty cables that are rarely used such as the braided cable I chose, and they are not any more difficult to knit than the ever popular 3 by 3 or 2 by 2 cables . I always try to always use a different cable just to add some interest.

Tell me anything else about the design.
I like making the sleeve and armhole design as simple to knit as possible without lots of shaping demands, but I want to use something with a better fit than a drop shoulder style. Using a modified drop shoulder is so much more attractive on most people and still just about as easy to knit. Since I hate shaping sleeves and armholes, I'm looking forward to this.

How old were you when you learned to knit?
I had a very stressful job when I graduated from college working as an RN on a pediatric unit with terribly ill children at a medical center. I thought myself to knit at that time and found it to be a useful way to relax and I have rarely been without a project on my needles since. I can identify with that. I have a very stressful job for the first time in years and can't wait to get home and curl up with my knitting. I'm probably knitting more than ever.

When and how did you become a knitwear designer?
It was a very gradual process as I began tweaking patterns here and there to suit myself.

Tell me anything else about yourself you would like to tell me.
I eventually completed a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and taught in several universities while doing research on childhood lead poisoning. I retired a few years ago when work was beginning to cut too deeply into my knitting time.

Good for you!

So that's my interview with Colleen. With so many new knitting books coming out, I'm starting to be more picky about my purchases. This book certainly gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Don't miss Day 8 of It's in the Bag Blog Tour with Glenna Harris' blog Knitting to Stay Sane.

Traditional Danish Tie Shawl in Non-Traditional Yarn

2009-11-08T20:24:40Z

I just love shaking up traditions. I finished my traditional Danish Heather Shawl in September but am just getting around to posting a photo. I love this shawl because you tied it on and it feels more like a shrug. It was very, very easy to make.

Hannah's Christmas Stocking

2009-11-05T01:01:57Z

Hannah is our newest addition to our family. She came to us in June and is such a precious baby. I've knitted stockings for all her siblings, so I had to come up with something special for her. What do you think?

The little mouse is dressed in a lace swatch I did for an article I wrote for Inside the Loop.

The mouse is loosely based on a pattern by Debbie Bliss.

You can see Isaiah's stocking here and Phoebe's stocking here.

Leah's stocking can only be found on Flicker.

I wasn't knitting much when Ella joined the family 13 years ago. Her stocking is silk ribbon embroidery and I don't have a photo of it. She loves it because it is different.

Celtic Vest

2009-10-17T18:32:13Z

Here's a vest I completed just in time for cold weather. I wore it to work yesterday and it was perfect in the chilly office.

It was knit in one piece as you can see by the blocking photo. I bought the kit from OnePlanetYarnAndFiber. The fiber is Scotian Silk (65% wool, 35% silk) and is a hand dyed yarn from Fleece Artist.

The

2010 Calendar of Hope

2009-10-10T13:57:53Z

I'm so excited to announce the 2010 Calendar of Life for Breast Cancer Research. As a survivor myself, this means a lot to me.
Thanks to research mine was caught early and my treatment was minimal.
Calendars may be purchased at KnitPink.com.
I also support Love/Avon Army of Women.
This group doesn't want your money but wants "information".
This group creates surveys to get information on all backgrounds, locations, race, etc.
Women who have never had breast cancer are also important to this research.
The Army of Women wants to know about you too.
The goal of Army of Women is to find what causes breast cancer.
We've made great advances in early detection and cure but not as much as the cause.
Once we find out the cause, we will be able to really fight.
Remember when pink was just a color and a ribbon was just something to tie your hair? It should be that way again!

Ella's Hand Dyed Purple Hat

2009-08-22T20:14:15Z

Here's Ella's first attempt at cables. I think she did a great job, don't you?
The pattern is Interwoven Cable from Figheadh Yarnworks!

Ella's Yarn

2009-08-15T23:58:58Z

Ella and I spent Wednesday afternoon dying some yarn in the crock pot with kool aid, cake coloring and Easter egg dye. She just couldn't keep her hands out of it and ended up with purple nails which she thought was really cool.

Today she wound the yarn into 2 balls and now she's knitting a cabled hat! She doesn't believe in starting with anything simple. She's knit and crocheted several hats but found this pattern on Figheadh and just had to try it. She's been working on a swatch for several days and has the pattern pretty much memorized.
She told me she was so glad I lived here because she would have never got to do anything like this without me.

What a sweetie!

Socks Finally Finished!

2009-08-12T13:36:22Z

I finally finished these Down and Up Lace Socks designed by Jackie E-S.
These socks began with a provisional cast on at the ankle and worked down from there.
After completing the foot, you work from the cast on up the cuff
until you get them as long as you like or run out of yarn.
It was an interesting way to knit socks, but I still hate knitting socks.
I will be starting another pair though just to have something portable.
Not sure which sock technique I want to try next.
I think I've tried almost all of them in some way or form.
(toe up, cuff down, sideways [didn't like this at all an ripped it out], Bordi's, etc, etc).

If you are wondering where I've been,
I moved the first of June and have just finally got my office/studio set up.
I despise moving!

Smiling Diamonds Square Cloth

2009-07-04T23:43:29Z

I haven't posted in a month because I've been unpacking from a most stressful move and that's all I'm going to say about that.
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.

4 Corners Dishcloth

2009-05-04T21:00:02Z

This was an interesting project. I found the pattern online here.
I liked the look I got by slipping the stitches as if to knit instead of to purl.

Beribboned Eyelets (without the Ribbon)

2009-05-02T23:22:58Z

This was going to be a sweater for Hannah who is due in June. I wanted it larger so she could wear it in the fall so I used a size 8 needle instead of a size 7 needle. Well, it came out large enough for her 3-year-old sister Phoebe to wear as a short sleeve summer sweater which is better. Now two children will get to wear it.

I just love how it's knitted in one piece similar to the Baby Surprise.

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.

Pi Cloth

2009-04-30T17:15:11Z

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.

Hand Dyed Yarn from Infinity in the Phat Fiber Box

2009-04-28T20:01:27Z

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-dyed alpaca yarn
• 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.

Hannah's Blanket

2009-04-27T22:12:52Z

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.

Only Hearts Club Sequined Cape

2009-04-12T17:38:41Z

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.

Fancy Edge Design with Hem

2009-04-11T20:28:28Z

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!

Fiber Gathering - A New Type of Knitting (and Fiber) Book

2009-04-09T11:06:20Z

WIN A FREE COPY OF FIBER GATHERING

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.

You asked me to provide instructions and illustrations for a felted bag made from a recycled sweater. I felt very honored. What made you think of including an item like this in addition to the knitting and crochet patterns?
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!
Leave a comment on my blog (not via email) today.

I will randomly choose a lucky reader to win a

FREE copy of Fiber Gathering.

Comments must be left by midnight April 10, 2009 to be eligible to win!
You must leave an email address so I can get in touch with you.

Diamond Stripe #7

2009-04-04T18:38:42Z

Here's the latest swatch from The Art of Knitting 1897.
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:
• • • 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.

Two of the test knitters are making 2 of the blocks for a lined purse.

The possibilities are endless.
I'm offering the pattern for sale on my website for only $1.50.

Copperpot Woolies

2009-03-23T20:15:43Z

I created a new logo for Copperpot Woolies.

And she sent me this lovely fiber from her Etsy Store.

Do you think I made a good trade?

I also created this logo for Cedar Strings. I got paid for this one!

Plying with Cashmere

2009-03-22T23:00:21Z

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.

UFOs

2009-03-13T21:07:04Z

I have this feeling that my UFOs may be getting a bit out of hand and thought it best to document them to keep myself on track.
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.

This is a Danish Heather Shawl I started in January 2009 to have something mindless to work on while knitting with friends. I saw my friend, Beth, wearing one and just loved it. I'm making it out of some Katia Tabu I bought from Uncommon Threads.

Last is a blanket I'm making for my granddaughter, Hannah, who will be making her appearance sometime in June. I'm motivated to finish this asap. I bought the pattern from Webbs. It's called Saturn Circular Lap Blanket, and I'm making it from Lion Brand Cotton Ease from my stash. The construction is really unique in that some of the rings are knitted round and others are knitted sideways like lace. I've changed the pattern so that I don't have to do any seaming by using a provisional cast on for the sideways knitting. I really like how this is turning out.

Tops & Toes with Kara Gott Warner!

2009-03-02T11:44:21Z

Win a copy of Tops and Toes!!! Read this interview with Kara to find out how!
I was recently given a copy of Tops and Toes by Kara Gott Warner to review and thought I'd share my conversation with the author with you.

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.

What do you think sets your book apart from other hats and socks books on the market?

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 for this book, you have invited other well-known designers to contribute. How did you find these designers?

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 D RG 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!

Creative Knitting, also a part of DRG places a photo index in the back of each issue. I think it's ingenious! As a knitter myself, when I have a particular project in mind, it's so easy to flip to the back of the book, instead of going through page by page, which can become tedious at times.

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.

Also, if you go to Kara's blog and comment about this interview, you will entered in a contest to win a FREE book.

Knitted Design for Bottom of an Undershirt or Petticoat

2009-02-27T19:28:52Z

I am getting into lace borders and edging now.
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.

Phat Fiber

2009-02-26T13:34:54Z

I've been contributing samples of my Lace Knitting Cards to Phat Fiber —
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.