the Openwork Kimono

Finally! Do I seem to say that every other post? It feels like it! I first showed the Openwork Kimono at my Little Knittery trunk show way back in December. It took me awhile to get it together for this piece but happily here it is!

This, like the Openwork Bolero was inspired by this stitch pattern's swatch I had draped on my dress form. Also on my mind was the Misti Brioche Honeycomb Sweater. I've wanted to make that into a cardigan/kimono for some time but really wanted something new for the show.

It's a one size fits most with easy adjustments noted in the pattern for petite and large. I used #19 needles (24"-32") with 2.5(3) skeins of Magnum (123yds each) by Cascade in the main color and for the contrasting waistband @60yds or half a skein of Magnum. If making it one color 3(3.5) skeins are needed.

I would rate this as a quick and easy pattern for an intermediate knitter but more of a challenge for a beginning knitter since I've manipulated this particular openwork pattern a bit to where I think it might throw off someone not solid in their skills.

Pattern available as a PDF download. $6.50

Next I wanted to share a couple of pieces I made a few years back when I had my yarn shop in Chicago. 

These were made with Eden by Madil a beautiful bamboo yarn and #5 needles. Yes, I know hard to believe with all my chunky knits! 

I do love the way a fine gauge knit looks and I would love to be able to say I have a couple of these as my next patterns but who has the time?! Look how long it took me to get the Kimono pattern posted!

I will have a few spring/summer patterns I'll post soon (2 I'm hoping within the next month) but nothing with smaller than a #15 needle. Maybe if I start now I'll have it together by next year!

the modified Modernist

I was getting ready to ship the Modernist to Becca of The BagSmith for Stitches West when I started thinking about a scaled down version, one that would use only 1 skein (300yds) of Blissa Bling and here it is.

This version has a slightly smaller neck opening, the shorter sleeves and is a bit more fitted.

I used the whole skein with very little left and in keeping it a one skein piece the size is a S/M.

This version has been added to the original pattern and is available as a PDF for $6.50

the Modernist

This is one of those pieces that I'm sorry to see go, but it's packed up and ready to ship to The BagSmith who's taking it to Stitches West the weekend of 2/24.

This is a super simple pattern and a quick knit using #15 (10mm) needles and 2 skeins of The BagSmith's Blissa Bling. A wonderfully lightweight alpaca/merino/metallic yarn that is so lofty I have a hard time believing it's rated as a bulky! It certainly doesn't feel like one when you're wearing it. It has a beautiful drape and the metallic gives it a nice flair. I'm definitely making one for myself!

Available as a PDF download. $6.50

the Grandpa Sweater

Finally! I started this for myself in the summer, a slightly over sized belted sweater to throw on for fall. You know how it is though you get side tracked with other projects, but I did finish and have been happily wearing it nonstop since.

My sister Peggy lovingly calls this my "Grandpa Sweater" a bit big & a bit masculine yet with a nice femininity about it. 

The "Grandpa" is knit from the top down with set in sleeves. The body & sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch for the collar, front facings & belt.

 The yarn I used (Cascade's Pastaza, a 50/50 blend of wool & llama) holds up well when worn a lot, with little pilling making it one of my favorites for outer wear. It's a heavier worsted that calls for a #9 though I used a #10.5

 

A lot of people have asked me why I slip my edge stitches. My patterns almost always call for slipping the first stitch of every row and the 2 photos above show why. I'm wearing the sweater inside out and if you look at where I picked up stitches from the slipped stitch edge (around the armhole & for the front facing) it's very clean; it gives it such a polished finish. Even if you don't pick up stitches your edges look good.

Here you can see the sewn hem & the underside of the collar. I like the challenge of getting a garment to look as good on the wrong side as it does on the right side.

I wasn't planning on writing a pattern for this. Peggy told me I should... I don't know maybe in time for fall? Add it to the ever growing list of things to do!

Happy Birthday Mom

 One of my favorite photos of my mom.

My mom was the kind of woman who made everything she did seem effortless. From sewing matching outfits for her 6 daughters, to painting beautiful watercolors, to making a massive donkey pinata in our dining room for our parishes Mardi Gras celebration (one of my personal favorites) everything she did was always with ease.

It was 7 years from when my mom passed until I had my own kids & I don't think I fully understood what an amazing mom she was until I too became a mom. Every day I wonder how the hell she did it and I only have 2!

My mom was a modest woman and she wasn't very sentimental so I know she wouldn't want me going on about her. It is her birthday though so a few words...  Today I'm thinking about how thankful I am to have had such a wonderful woman in my life who continues to inspire me with her artistry, her grace and her unflappable perspective to life (my favorite quote from my mom she said to my dad upon learning the house our family had just moved into had burned down & was a total loss, she's in a new town, no friends and pregnant with her 9th child, "how many people get the opportunity to start over in their life" that in a nutshell was my mom).

Happy Birthday Mom, you're greatly missed & always loved!

the Openwork Bolero

This pattern was inspired by the Openwork Infinty Scarf.
While flipping through a fashion mag I saw an image of a fur bolero and loved the shape so when I was playing around with openwork patterns and draping the swatches on my dress form this shape was fresh in my mind.

I took the laced version to my trunk show, it was great to see it on so many bodies and it looked fantastic on each and every one of them. It's one of those pieces that really does! I think that was one of the best things about the show was being able to see the finished pieces come to life on bodies other than my own.

Like the Openwork Kimono I loved seeing it every time someone put it on (pattern coming soon).

One piece I wasn't sure about bringing because it needed (and still needs!) a few finishing details was this new coat design. I was happy I did though because it got a great response. It's top down with set in sleeves and when I complete this pattern it's going to be very detailed about this type of construction.

Currently, of the 3 the only pattern ready is the Openwork Bolero.
One size fits most using one skein of Magnum and #17 & #19 needles, straight or circulars since the piece is worked flat.

The opening of the bolero is left of center and while laced is a bit restrictive if you feel the need to have your arms above your head, though the button version is quite open.

I would rate this as an easy pattern for an intermediate knitter and a bit of a challenge for a beginning knitter. I've manipulated this particular openwork pattern a bit to where I think it might throw off a knitter not solid in their skills. It is a quick knit though, a couple of nights work tops.

Pattern is available as a PDF download. $6.50

My girls are really into their baby dolls and wanted beds for them for Christmas. Everything I saw was plastic and I'm so tired of that. I found an old crochet pattern for a small Moses basket and improvised using my Magnum leftovers to make bigger ones; with having to make two they had to work up quickly. A couple of nights later I was very pleased with the results, hopefully their babies will be too!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Love this tree!

knit 1 LA trunk show

Tonight's the night! 6-9 at The Little Knittery. I'll have the samples for some of my most popular patterns along with a few new ones (like the one above) for you to see and an amazing selection of Magnum colors to choose from ... just in time for those last minute gifts you always need for the holidays!

Hope to see you there!