The knitpoint.com store launched last week and I am excited to announce that four of my patterns (Grannie Smith, Cohansie, Sesame, and Idylewylde) are now available in JKnit format, with more on the way! With the recent update to the app, the user now has the option of purchasing patterns already formatted for JKnit along with the typical PDF file you’re familiar with (it now has a PDF viewer within the app).

Can I just say that I absolutely love this app! I really can’t say enough good things about it. JKnit has become a necessary part of my knitting and designing toolbox. To me, it’s one of those things like Ravelry, you don’t know how you ever lived without it. I use it every. single. day.

Previously, the user had to convert their knitting patterns into the JKnit format. The JKnit format is a special way of inputting the pattern so you can use it in the app. Basically, the app has a creating pattern section (available in Pro version only) and a counter section. To knit from the pattern, the knitter uses the counter function to click the counter after each row is complete. As you click each row, the pattern is displayed in a line by line format so you know exactly what to do. It keeps track of any stitch patterns, stitch counts, shaping (it even easily tracks “at the same time” directions!!!), and height “events” (JKnit speak).

If you’re like me and have ever knit a bazillion rows past your shaping because you’re in another world, forgot to do something “at the same time”, or missed starting your armholes when the back measured 15″ long, this app is a project saver. Having a counter that keeps track of where you are means you are less likely to have to frog any of your work back. You still have to remember to click the counter of course, but boy has it saved me a lot of time! Another plus? If you come back to your project a year later, no more wondering where you are in the pattern. Your place is saved for you.

If you’d like to learn more about the app, try the following links:

JKnit – main site

Knitpoint.com – online knitting pattern store

JKnit users group on Ravelry

KnitPoint on Facebook

Introducing Adina:

Light and drapey with an interesting construction, Adina is the perfect autumnal cardigan. This clean and modern cardigan is well suited for weekend getaways or early autumn evenings. Worked on larger needles in fingering weight yarn, the fabric is open without being sheer. Neat rolled edges are kept in place with spots of ribbing and the placket and neck trim is worked at the same time as the body. Finally, an eyelet pattern finishes the cardigan at the yoke.

When I sketched out the idea for Adina, I wanted a cardigan that was loose and flowy on the body. I achieved this look with a box like shape that, when hanging, it forms a handkerchief like hem. Madelinetosh tosh merino light was an obvious choice for the fabric of the cardigan. Although the yarn is on the thinner side, knitting it up on a larger needle makes the fabric light and drapy. Using a larger needle also helps speed up the knitting process!

Originally, Adina did not have any stitch interest at the yoke. I had intended this design to be all about the shape of the cardigan and I was going to work it entirely in stockinette stitch. But as I was knitting, I felt it needed a little something to keep my attention. I chose a simple reverse stockinette eyelet stitch that adds a bit of texture (and knitting interest), but still allows the silhouette to speak for itself.

Finished Measurements

30 (34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50)” bust/chest circumference, buttoned. Cardigan shown measures 30″ and is worn with 3” negative ease.

Materials

Madelintosh tosh merino light (100% Merino Wool, 3.5 oz, 420 yds), 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 7) skeins Baltic
Size 6 (4 mm): 24″ circular (cir)
Tapestry needle
7 x 1/2” -diameter buttons
Sewing needle and matching thread

Gauge

24 sts and 33 rows = 4″/10 cm in St st with US size 6 (4 mm) needles
To save time, take time to check gauge.

$7.00

Purchase the pattern at One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Purchase the kit (yarn + pattern) at One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Sportster is an asymmetric jacket knit up in a heavy worsted wool (think quick knit!). I think my biggest challenge for this sweater design was choosing a stitch that looks good on both the right and wrong sides since both show. In the end, I narrowed it down to the Sand Stitch, which gives a nice texture, is easy to knit, and looks very nice on either side.

When my Mom and Dad were dating, my Mom bought him a fantastic leather motorcycle jacket to use when he was riding around on his Honda. I had my eye on the jacket when growing up, but even with all my pleading he wouldn’t let it go. It fit me fairly well, except for sleeves that were a little too long for my short arms. It would have looked perfect with my high school uniform: a 60′s shift, fishnets with colored tights underneath, and my Doc Martens.

Two years ago, my Dad said he had a surprise for me, we went out to the car and he handed me a bag. I reached in and pulled out the much coveted motorcycle jacket. Sportster is my knitted version of the jacket that I longed for all those years. It’s a shame that I didn’t knit during high school, Sportster would have been my go to cardigan that I would have worn to bits.

Fishnets and Doc Martens aside, Sportster lends itself to many wardrobe choices. It’s easy to pair with a cute striped tee, jeans and ballet flats. Or how about a flared or straight skirt with high leather boots (with cute hand knit socks peeking out of course!). It could also be a cute addition over a dress. My choices below are a little on the edgier side (just my style), but flirty, girly pieces could work too. Try a ditsy floral print dress with flats instead of boots or add more color instead of black.

What will you pair with your Sportster?

The idea for these mitts had been in my sketch book for a little while, but when I saw the themes for the issue, I thought the design would be a good fit for the “flamenco dancer at home” story. And what does every flamenco dancer at home want? Ruffles of course! Small ruffles are inserted when the mitts are finished on either side of a fake placket with buttons.

The mitts are knit up in Malabrigo Lace and it was the first time I used this yarn. How I went this long without knitting with it, I don’t know! The yarn gives the mitts a really nice soft drape and is perfect for the ruffles. Whenever working with gathering details (ruffles, pleats, or shirring) I like to keep the yarn on the thinner side to keep the piece delicate looking.

Whether Fall knits are on your radar or not, remember it’s never too early to start planning!

all pictures copyright Tunney Wool Company

Totally knit in the round you say? But it’s a cardigan! Yes, yes it is. That is where the steeks come in!

Now before you freak out and say “but I could never cut my knitting! What are you crazy!” (Or as one of my friends say “steeks rhyme with eek!”) I say, give steeks a chance!

I have to admit, when I first designed this cardigan, I was a little apprehensive myself. This was my first steeked project and was a design (with a deadline) to boot! Before I cast on, I thought about the alternatives. What were they? Well, it involved knitting back and worth in one piece and having to work some of the fair isle pattern on wrong side rows (trust me, I’ve done it. NOT. FUN. AT. ALL.) or knitting in pieces and having to deal with seams, not very neat edges, and ends to weave in (and again, working fair isle pattern on wrong side rows). Knitting in the round was the best answer, needles down.

I took a few pictures of the steeking process and hope to have a little tutorial up within the next few weeks. Then you can see with your own eyes that it really works and isn’t as scary as you think it is.

This project was probably one of my favorites to design and knit. I wanted to do a fair isle design for a little while now, but kept putting it off for one reason or another. I suppose reason number one was designing an interesting fair isle design from scratch is hard! Each section of the design has to work together. Then once that is worked out, it all has to make a nice even repeat. Even after all of the details are worked out on paper, swatching needs to be done to make sure the design translates well from paper to yarn.

In the end, all the hard work was worth it. Now, I just need to knit one for myself! I have some O-Wool Legacy DK in natural and charcoal just begging to be knit up. If only I had the time to cast on……

For most of January, February, March and April, I’ve been working on finishing up new designs for O-Wool, Knitscene, Twist Collective, and neoknits – plus another sweater or two. And speaking of Twist Collective, I still need to write a post about Quintet…..

I have also been busy preparing for two workshops that I am teaching at Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA in a few weeks. This will be my first formal teaching experience in front of many students and I’m really excited! I’ve taught a few one-on-one design classes before, but having a class full will be a completely new thing for me. My topics for the day will be finishing techniques and how to modify patterns, two of my most favorite subjects.

Plus I’ve been super busy working on a huge secret project. I’ve been wondering when the perfect time would be to let you in on the secret and I think this beautiful Spring day is the one.

Speaking of Spring, thank goodness that long, cold winter is over! Or at least it is in this part of the country. But where was I?

Oh yes, the big announcement!

Last month I signed a contract with Interweave Press for a book!

I had been thinking about possibly putting together a book proposal for about a year, but the timing just wasn’t right – until now. It will be interesting holding down a full-time job and knitting about 20 sweaters in 12 months (not to mention all the writing), but I know I will have plenty of support. My husband will officially be a complete yarn widower, but I’m hoping he’s gotten use to it by now. Thank goodness he also knows how to cook and do the laundry……

So wish me luck! My first deadline is October! That may seem far away, but I assure you, it is not.

The Sigma Tee is only my second ever top down raglan design. Working from the top down isn’t one of my favorite construction methods, but when it makes sense to use it, well, it just makes sense to use it! Plus, going around and around in stockinette stitch can be so meditative, especially coming off a busy deadline season. Knitting in the round was a welcome break.

When designing this tee, I wanted something simple and unfussy for the warmer months. However simple doesn’t mean it has to be boring! The added drop needle detail at the raglan lines adds just the right amount of interest to the design.

Thankfully, the Sigma Tee was also a quick knit. I say thankfully because I knit the sample twice. Yes, twice. I wasn’t paying much attention when knitting up the first sample and didn’t try it on as I went. Once I finally decided to try it on, when I was at the bottom hem, I realized that the armholes were WAY too long. Heartbreaking, but no time for tears when you are on a deadline! I had no choice but to rework the numbers for a much better fit and re-knit the sample. Yes, I could have ripped back to the armholes, but I took the chance to rework the neck a little too since I didn’t feel it was “perfect”. I should know better than to fly through a sample, and it certainly isn’t the first time I’ve done it. One of these days I will learn my lesson!

Instead, I headed up to Knitty City to visit with Kate Oates, the designer behind  Tot Toppers. She had a bunch of her really cute samples with her. My favorite? Definitely Jimmy & Millie Monkey! (All images “borrowed” from Kate Oates with permission!)

My other two favorites were a little more serious. The Master Charles Sweater and The Gramps Sweater (which Kate just released today!) Leather patches and cables, nothing says “serious” quite like those two details. The Gramps sweater is #5 in Kate’s “1 Every-day Week” Pattern collection in which all the designs feature O-Wool yarn.

Master Charles by Kate Oates

Gramps Sweater by Kate Oates

And speaking of O-Wool yarn, I’m a little late on posting about my newest design, Parseval! It’s worked up in O-Wool Balance, a nice organic cotton/organic wool. I love the way the dye takes up differently with each fiber creating an almost tweedy look. [Ravelry link]

Parseval

Parseval has minimal finishing for those who like that sort of thing. It’s knit in the round up to the armholes, then worked back and forth for a smidge. The sleeves are also knit in the round up to the armholes, the cap is then worked flat. The only sewing that needs to be accomplished is putting together the shoulder seams and placing those lovely sleeve caps into the armholes.

I’m working on a second Parseval for myself in malachite that I’m pretty excited about. All that I have left to do is sew in the sleeves and knit up the cowl. I’ll try and share some pictures soon!

This is my first cover and I’m pretty excited about it (if you couldn’t tell). The Chiton Pullover [ravelry link] is knit up in Manos del Uruguay Serena and was a fabulous match for this design. Serena is a blend of pima cotton and baby alpaca and was oh. so. heavenly. to work with. Not to mention the drape is pretty incredible for a cotton blend yarn, partially thanks to the baby alpaca.

I designed this pullover with simple lines and ease of wear in mind. Plus it’s a great piece that can be layered in the winter (try a long sleeve tee underneath or a blazer on top) then shed all those layers in the Spring to soak up the sunshine! Ah, Spring. I cannot wait for you!

]]> http://www.neoknits.com/2011/01/knitscene-winterspring-2011/feed/ 15 http://www.neoknits.com/2010/11/vintage-knits-modern-style/ http://www.neoknits.com/2010/11/vintage-knits-modern-style/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:51:25 +0000 neoknits http://www.neoknits.com/?p=1901 I’m finally getting some breathing room as my last deadline project (for the time being!) went out today. It always feels good to clear my plate and start planning what I get to work on next.

And now that I’m caught up with my projects, I also can catch up on my blogging! This is my Diamond Vest with Bow from Vintage Knits, Modern Style. I mentioned this book way back in my Rhinebeck post where I was pleasantly surprised that my name was mentioned on the cover.

This design was a lot of fun to work up. The little textured diamonds kept the knitting interesting and it knit up really quick. This isn’t my first time working with (or first design using) Rowan Wool Cotton either and every time is a pleasure. What really made this project fun though was the finishing details. Manipulating the grosgrain ribbon around the neck to form the bow was my favorite part of making up the sweater. Sometimes the finishing is what makes the design.

If you like vintage knits, but want a modern fit, this book is certainly worth checking out.