Tag Archives: design

Indie Gift-Along Interview 2 of 2: Ambah O’Brien

Posted on December 19, 2013 by | Comments Off on Indie Gift-Along Interview 2 of 2: Ambah O’Brien
As part of Ravelry's Indie Design Gift-Along, I'm interviewing two knitwear designers. In the first interview we met Sarah Jordan (PAKnitWit).  In today's interview we meet Ambah, ambahobrien on Ravelry.

Mirri Collection, Ambah O'Brien

 Hello, Ambah!  Welcome to my blog.  Just in case people don't know who you are... Who are you? Where are you? 
Hello I'm Ambah, and I design under my own name. I am an Australian and live in regional Victoria - about an hour away from Melbourne, in a vibrant artistic community.


Sounds lovely to live in an artistic community.  How did you come to design hand-knits?
I am an artist and always making, knitting has certainly captured my imagination and it makes sense for me to make designs based on my ideas. Initially I made some patterns for fun, to try out ideas, encouraged by a positive response I find myself completely addicted to manifesting my ideas into designs!

easy knitted bangle (free pattern!), Ambah O'Brien

Mirri Cowl, Ambah O'Brien
I love your aesthetic, Ambah!  What inspires your designs? 
I am inspired by everything. A need for an item, for example I wanted to knit my son a hooded jacket. Sometimes a yarn gives rise to an idea - I designed my Dreamy Valentine shawl after inspiration from the beautiful Valentine colorway in some Dream in Color yarn I had. Other times I am inspired by fashion, art, nature - life in general really; ideas pop into my head and I go to sleep dreaming about how to make it.

Maroo Mitts, Ambah O'Brien
Do you find yourself working often in a specific style? 
Not really, I love variety. Though as a new designer perhaps a style will emerge.

Magine Shawl, Ambah O'Brien

What is your favorite part of designing?
I do enjoy the whole process...apart from when I am tearing my hear out over something! Its so exciting when I realize my idea is working.

Who are your design heroes? 
How can I choose, I really find something to admire in everyone. I am fond of Kaffe Fassett's amazing work, I love the creativity and energy of Stephen West, I admire Veera Välimäki's beautiful designs. Gosh that is just a few names when I could easily mention a 100 more!

What do you see yourself doing/exploring in 2014?
I have more color work ideas, as well as being inspired by texture - particularly lace designs. I have a cute child's sweater I am mid process with that I am looking forward to finishing and perhaps some ladies cardigans - a personal favourite garment of mine.

Dreamy Valentine, Ambah O'Brien
I can't wait to see what you come up with in 2014! Thank you for stopping by, Ambah!
If you'd like to see the Ambah's latest work, check out her website: ambah.co.

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And, readers, as a thank you from Ambah, she's giving away one of her patterns which you can see here. So the winner of this giveaway will receive the pattern of their choice from Ambah's collection, but even if you don't win, check out her free patterns:  Tassel Necklace and Easy Knitted Bangle.  They'd make a lovely holiday gift!

To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter Widget below and click to enter. Simple as that! The giveaway ends on Monday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Commission Complete: Twin Boy Blanket

Posted on December 16, 2013 by | Comments Off on Commission Complete: Twin Boy Blanket
At last, I finished the machine-knitted blanket for the baby boy fraternal twin.  The longest part was the finishing...  Crocheting a border on the quilt was quite a feat using a 2.75mm crochet hook!

blanket being blocked
Instead of hand-grafting all the long strips together, I found a method that worked quite well... I zig-zag stitched them together using my sewing machine.  A zig went into one strip, and the zag went into the other.  This kept the edges bound together and sealed in the woven ends.



The crochet border was added as a nice finishing touch, but also helps keep the edges from rolling inward as machine knitted items tend to do.

I'm already onto the twin baby girl's blanket, and I'll post photos as soon as it's complete!

Previous post on these two blankets: http://adriprints.blogspot.de/2013/08/weekend-update.html

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Indie Gift-Along Interview 1 of 2: PAKnitWit

Posted on December 12, 2013 by | Comments Off on Indie Gift-Along Interview 1 of 2: PAKnitWit
Today I'm doing something a little different.  As part of Ravelry's Indie Design Gift-Along, I'm interviewing two knitwear designers. In this first interview, we get to meet Sarah Jordan also known as PAKnitWit on Ravelry!

Mint Chocolate Mitts, Sarah Jordan (photo: © Interweave Knits/Harper Point)

Hi Sarah, and welcome to my blog!  I'm a very curious person, and love to know how others came to this profession... So, I'll start with an easy one.  How did you come to design hand-knits?

I am, admittedly, an obsessed knitter. I learned to knit when I was about 7 years old and was spending a week with my aunt and uncle in Michigan. My aunt had knit for me since I was a baby, and I suppose I expressed enough interest in learning during that week that she put some straight needles and some squeaky orange acrylic in my hands and showed me the basics. I didn't knit much other than simple scarves and the occasional hat until I was in grad school in Philadelphia and lived about a block from Rosie's Yarn Cellar. I was in a pretty intensive grad program, so I started doing a lot of knitting to relieve the stress. I taught myself a lot from the Internet at that point.
After I moved back home and started work, I continued to knit during my evenings and weekends, and that's really when I got good and obsessed, particularly with sock knitting (I'm a self-proclaimed recovering sock addict). During the day, I'm an editor/proofreader for a marketing department, which doesn't have a lot of space for creativity, so I still see knitting as my creative outlet. I also started spinning about six years ago, which has only added to my yarn stash.
I started designing because I got an idea of something I wanted to knit but couldn't find an existing pattern for it. I found that I liked the process so much that I couldn't stop. Most of my designs come about the same way -- I'll get a very specific vision of a item I want to make but am unable to find a pattern out there that looks exactly like the picture in my head. I still wish I had more time to do it (in addition to my full-time job, I have a young daughter, so my time is really limited), but for now, it's something I do to keep my brain working during evenings and weekends.

Newlin Socks, Sarah Jordan

Scullers Socks, Sarah Jordan

And it looks like you've been keeping very busy! 
What inspires your designs?

Inspiration seems to come from everywhere. Sometimes it's from machine-made items that I see on people I pass on the street. Sometimes it's geometric patterns in upholstery or carpeting or wallpaper. Sometimes an image just pops in my head as I'm in that state of half consciousness just before falling asleep (and of course in those instances I have to wake up and jot down some notes so I can remember it the next day). In all cases, I design things that I would want to wear, be they garments or accessories. One technique I can't seem to get away from is stranded colorwork. I love how even with a simple pattern, the knitting looks so much more complex and involved when you add a second color.


Tiled In Cowl, Sarah Jordan
What is your favorite part of designing?

I think my favorite part of designing is starting with an image in my head and then seeing it come to life in yarn. A pretty close second is when someone else knits one of my patterns and loves the finished project.


Who are your design heroes?

I'm really inspired by many other designers, especially those who are so generous with their thoughts and experiences on Ravelry. I feel very lucky to be able to interact with designers like Julia Trice, Nina Machlin Dayton, Marnie MacLean, and Ysolda Teague as easily as I'd interact with a coworker or friend. Honestly, any designer who contributes to the discussions in the Ravelry designer groups is my hero because they're all helping those of us who are (relatively speaking) just getting started.

What do you see yourself doing/exploring in 2014?

As to next year, one of my big goals for myself is to figure out how to use my handspun more often, because frankly it's starting to take over my house! It can be hard to design with handspun because it can be inconsistent and often doesn't fall neatly into the traditional weight categories, so I can see this type of designing resulting in recipe-type projects rather than "normal" patterns. I also want to tackle the long list of patterns that have been on my "to design" list for way too long. I think I may be moving into a cable phase, because some cabled projects are at the top of that list!

Amberson Hat, Sarah Jordan

Sarah, thank you for taking the time and introducing yourself to my blog readers.  Good luck with developing your patterns for your handspun yarns!  Have a Happy Holiday!

Readers, if you'd like to see more of Sarah's work you can find it here on Ravelry, or you can read her blog here: http://paknitwit.blogspot.com/

- - - -

Stay tuned because next week we're having a giveaway and meeting Ambah of Ambah|Knitting Design!

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Tyrian Loop, Knitscene Winter 2013

Posted on September 26, 2013 by | Comments Off on Tyrian Loop, Knitscene Winter 2013
Tyrian Loop is a lace beaded loop that was just published in Knitscene Winter 2013!  I'm really happy to be included in this issue along with two of my super designer friends, Dilettant Knits with her lovely pattern, Black Cherry Pullover and Rock & Purl was the featured designer with several patterns, Stereo Mittens, Hi-Fi Pullover, and Victor Shawl!

Here's my own photo of the loop focusing on texture...


And from the Knitscene site...

copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013

A bit about the Tyrian Loop:
It comes in two sizes 48 (21 1/2)” circumference and 7 (10)” tall; shown in size 48”
Yarn 
Malabrigo Arroyo (100% superwash merino; 335 yd 305 m/100 g): #872 purpuras, 1 skein 
Gauge
21 sts and 38 rows = 4” in Geometric Lace patt 
Tools 
• Size 4 (3.5 mm): 32 (16)” circular (cir) needle 
• Size 10 (0.75 mm) steel crochet hook 
• Marker (m) 
• Tapestry needle 
• 180 (112) 4 to 4.5 mm Rocaille beads with silver centers

This loop (or cowl) has a fun geometric lace pattern, uses an i-cord as a foundation and bind-off, and includes beads that add eye-catching pop.


And, just a bit of pride in my pals' work...

Dilettant Knits, Black Cherry Pullover
copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013


Rock and Purl, Featured Designer in the issue designed a whopping 4 projects for this issue...

Stereo Mittens
copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013
Hi-Fi Pullover
copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013
Victor Shawl
copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013
and Quadraphonic Cardigan
copyright Knitscene/Harper Point, 2013


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Upcoming Knits Winter: Top Secret Sneak Peek!

Posted on September 17, 2013 by | Comments Off on Upcoming Knits Winter: Top Secret Sneak Peek!
I've been busy lately!  The knitting wave has rolled over me, and it's still washing it's yarny goodness at my shores.  But, while I'm working on these knitted lovelies that are meant for publication, I'm not allowed to share the project in progress.  So, I've settled on giving you all a sneak peek of what I'm working on...



That's all I can show for now, but at least you can see the lovely textures and colors I'm working with this season.  As soon as these two projects are published, I'll be posting right here!

Also, this week I'll be heading over to Denmark to visit during a wool festival... this one.  I'm really excited!  I'll let you all know how it goes.

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Columbina Camisole, knitted top pattern

Posted on August 26, 2013 by | Comments Off on Columbina Camisole, knitted top pattern
Here's a new pattern out for August, my birthday month!


The Columbina Camisole was named for the delicate two-colored flower, and this simple two-colored camisole with lace edges is perfect for summer picnics. It’s also a nice travel project as it is worked flat from the bottom up. Lace is added from a provisional cast-on down to the bottom edge, and upward from open stitches. The lace edging is easy to memorize and can be blocked as rounded scallops or soft waves.


Skills required to complete the project:

  • provisional cast-on
  • knitting
  • decreasing/increasing
  • picking up stitches


The pattern does contain links to resources on how to do the provisional cast-on among other techniques.  And, if you'd like to know more about it, or purchase the pattern to make it yourself, it's here on Ravelry, and soon to be on Craftsy and Patternfish too.

The main knitting is very machine knit friendly, and lends itself to a very quick machine knit, and then the finishing lace can be completed by hand.

Happy Summer!

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Review: Vintage Design Workshop

Posted on August 25, 2013 by | Comments Off on Review: Vintage Design Workshop

Post image for Review: Vintage Design Workshop

vintageworkshop_0001

First, the facts:

Title: Vintage Design Workshop: Knitting Techniques for Modern Style

Author: Geraldine Warner

Published by: Interweave Press, 2013

Pages: 175

Type: How-to

Chapters:

UPDATING VINTAGE PATTERNS
1. Preparation
2. Substituting Yarns
3. Adjusting Vintage Sizes

RETRO-STYLING MODERN PATTERNS
4. Adjusting Sizes
5. Patterns for Vintage Elements
6. Adding Elements to Patterns

KS: Vintage Design Workshop

The In-Depth Look:

The scholar part of me is in love with this unique and useful book. Useful, at least, if you have a penchant for vintage knitting patterns.

Unlike other “vintage knitting” books that have come out over the years (many of which I also love), this is NOT a book filled with vintage-inspired patterns. It’s not even patterns that have been adapted from vintage patterns.

No, this book tells you how to adapt them yourself.

This is so useful and such a wonderful idea, I only wonder why nobody’s thought to do it before–but luckily, that’s moot point now, because Geraldine Warner has taken care of this. She writes, “If you’ve picked this book up I’m going to assume you’re a knitter who finds yourself drawn to vintage patterns and fashions, but are worried about how to approach and adapt them. … This book is written in the spirit of experimentation–mistakes will be made but, armed with patience and determination, lessons will be learned, your confidence will grow, and eventually the world will become your knitted oyster.”

The book is divided into two main parts. The first tell you how to take an old pattern–one that might not specify gauge, or provide a schematic, or specify a type of yarn (all things we’re used to with modern patterns)–and then work out the details you need to knit it here in the 21st century. It helps you determine your own measurements, too, so that you have a working understanding on how to adapt patterns for sweaters that were designed for a time when, say, armholes were smaller and sweater lengths shorter, not to mention adjusting things like neckline or sleeve shapes.

The second part of the book (much shorter) is made up of actual patterns for things like darts or puffed sleeve caps and peter pan collars that you could add to any current pattern to get a retroactive vintage feel.

Like I said, this book isn’t about patterns. There is nothing that spells out exactly what you need to do to recreate any of the sweaters pictured in the book. It’s all about the experience of adapting vintage patterns for yourself. Helping you find the right yarn, the right color combinations, to get a vintage sweater that works for you here in 2013.

Totally unique–and brilliant.

You can get your copy at Amazon or any local yarn or book shop.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Unique and useful–my favorite combination.

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Weekend Update

Posted on August 10, 2013 by | Comments Off on Weekend Update
Based on my last few posts, it might seem like I'm not knitting or sewing.
But I am! Really!  I just haven't been as diligent with taking photos and uploading them.

I was also recently commissioned to make twin baby blankets for a pair of recently born fraternal twins.  So, that was taking a bit of my spare time thinking how I was going to make it happen by October.  Enter the knitting machine manual, a garter bar, and I'm finally on my way.  I'll be using Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock yarn thanks to a friend who wanted to de-stash and some local stores that are carrying it!  I still have to figure out what will happen with the border, but I get ahead of myself...

Here's the plan:
the plan of action

The new mom likes purples and pinks for the girl twin, and greens for the boy twin - check.

The swatch says it will work!

I had to figure out how much yarn was actually needed so after an initial gauge swatch to choose the best tension on the machine - I liked 6.25 - I did a test run.  The test blocks revealed that each 6" x 6.5" block takes circa 8g of yarn.  Which means when multiplying 8g x 48 blocks, 384 g total yarn is needed, and I have 400g of yarn (100g x 4 skeins).   In the plan, there's 12 pink blocks, 12 purple, and 24 white so it should be enough yarn!  Same with the greens: 12 dk green, 12 lt green, 24 grey blocks.  

yarn with previous plan of action
I'll probably add texture in the form of cables and random garter stitch just to change things up, but we have the main knitting settled.  Crossing my fingers it'll be enough yarn.

 lilac, pink, and white

greens and grey
If not, I'll reach into my stash and make it work...

I've also been working on a skirt which is eluding completion due to the fact that I somehow thought it would be a cool idea to have a side seam zipper as well as side seam pockets.  Yeah.  I'll see how that works out.
Have a great weekend!

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Rosita Mittens & Hat, Bow Slouch Hat revealed

Posted on June 4, 2013 by | Comments Off on Rosita Mittens & Hat, Bow Slouch Hat revealed
This month on newsstands or at your local yarn store, you may see this magazine...


Inside, though, there are three of my designs!  I can finally reveal them since they're officially out in the open.
These three designs mark my first official printed-in-a-magazine knitwear designs. I'm super excited about them!

Firstly, there's the Rosita Hat & Mittens set.  The Rosita Hat & Mittens were inspired by the beautiful embroidered motifs on the traditional dresses of the Yucatan.

my inspiration
The mittens are knit in the round from the cuff to the fingers using stranded colorwork. Duplicate stitch is used to embellish the main mitten with flowers to finish the look!
photo property of Knitscene/Harper Point
The hat is made in a simpler way and uses a nice dots and dashes pattern to provide a bit of contrasting color.  The brim also looks nice folded up.

photo property of Knitscene/Harper Point
Here's me modeling the hat two different ways...


The third design in this issue of Knitscene Accessories is the Bow Slouch.  This is an easy pattern with a twist.  The brim is actually folded up and doubled for a nice, snug fit.  It can stay on even when worn at the jauntiest of angles!  This yarn, Accordion, is awesome.  It's so soft and knits up beautifully.  I never thought I'd be a fan of a mohair blend, but here it is folks.  I loved it.  And even made up a second hat for my mom.  Hers has a more modest bow, though.  I only wish I had more of this yarn to make up a third sample for myself!

photo property of Knitscene/Harper Point


And there you have it!  One of my big secrets I've had to keep under wraps since last year!
If you are interested in the magazine, you can find more details here:
http://www.interweavestore.com/knitscene-accessories-2013

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