Tag Archives: knit

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/

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

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Finished Object & Giveaway!

Posted on November 22, 2013 by | Comments Off on Finished Object & Giveaway!
I just finished two knitting projects that I'd like to share, and one I'd like to give away.

First, the finished test knit...
I just finished a knitted beret/slouch using a pattern by my friend, Dilettant Knits.
A nice tip when you're blocking a beret.  In order to shape the beret, you can wet block it over a plate balanced on a cup.  The curve of the plate opens up the lace patterning, and the cup allows the ribbed edge of the brim to shrink back so it'll stay on your head.

before blocking, the lace is still a bit contracted
Beret: wet blocking on a plate
Beret: wet blocking on a plate balanced on a cup
The other "knitted" project I finished is this spiral scarf using a novelty yarn product made by Rowan.  Rowan, the maker of KidSilk Haze yarn, also made this limited edition product called Kidsilk Creation. KidSilk Creation is a kind of tubular mesh novelty yarn using KidSilk Haze, but the problem is that it's not a very easy product to work with, and Rowan's team only came up with two projects to make with it... the same spiral scarf in a knit version or crochet version which are practically identical.

In any case, a friend gave me a hank in "smoke" color, and I used it to make this scarf which I now offer to you as a giveaway.  The quality of the yarn is great as it's 70% mohair and 30% silk as per the usual KidSilk Haze yarn, it's soft as a kitten, and light as air.  It would make a lovely holiday gift, and it's warm as can be!
Here are loads of people wearing their lovely scarves.

Shown wrapped once around
Shown folded in half and the ends threaded through
If you would like to win it, just leave a comment below, and confirm your entry using the rafflecopter widget!  This giveaway will close on Wednesday of next week.  Thanks for stopping by!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Indie Design Gift-Along!

Posted on October 28, 2013 by | Comments Off on Indie Design Gift-Along!

Starting Nov. 1st, there's a promotion on all my self-published patterns.  I'm participating in the Ravelry Indie  Designer's Gift-Along promotion where we take 25% off many of our independently published designs.  I've marked all of my self-published designs down 25% with the coupon code "giftalong".  The promotion runs from Nov. 1st to the 15th, and is valid for only my self-published patterns purchased via Ravelry.

My participating patterns can be found here.
The page with all the participating patterns and designers can be found here on Ravelry.

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Strikkefestival Fanø, 2013

Posted on October 4, 2013 by | Comments Off on Strikkefestival Fanø, 2013
A few weeks ago, I made mention that I went to a wool and knitting festival in Denmark.  Here's what I saw...


Hand-knit decorations
the shelter at the ferry

Fields of lavender

 Lots of yarn, knitting, accessories, and woolly goodness



Lovely flat beaches (where cars drive through!) with intense high and low-tides


The island is a beautiful place with a sweeping coastline populated by sandy dunes, and the inland crisscrossed by pristine cycle pathways and super-charming thatch-roofed houses.

And, I did manage to bring back some lovelies.  I couldn't help myself.

Donegal yarn with cashmere

Blown-plied alpaca that's so soft and airy

Experimental big-cotton

The festival itself was a nice way to connect to the local style and see what designers are doing.  It seems like the local style focuses on stranded colorwork and tweeds which was up my alley!

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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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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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WIP’s quilting, knitting, and sketching

Posted on July 25, 2013 by | Comments Off on WIP’s quilting, knitting, and sketching
What am I working on?  Ah, I always have lots of stuff going on, don't I?
Time to share.

Firstly, Blue quilt is still in progress, but I now have 6 of 20 squares FMQed.
In the quilting world, I've finished the quilt top for this NYC Mod Quilters Challenge.


The challenge is to do a double wedding ring and I'll be entering this li'l beauty once it's quilted and bound...

I'm really excited about it!
In the knitting design world, I'm currently testing this lovely camisole.


And finally, I wanted to share with you all some of the rough drawings I did for a recent open call to submit illustrations.  Before I settled down and entered in my own pen and ink style, I experimented with some digital illustration.  Sometimes when I go digital I get all crazy and can't work my way out.  With these tests, I loved the palette and the main horse, but I couldn't find a way to adhere to all the guidelines which were really focusing on the "playground" theme in general.  Limiting it to the spring horse left me a bit wanting.  Love the form, but couldn't get past the limitations I had placed on myself.  Ah well, I seem to work best in graphite first, then digitally.  Here are some of my digital experiments...



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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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