30 June 2015

Pattern: An Aran for Anne

After An Aran for Frederick flew off to Jane Austen Knits for his photo shoot, I found myself staring at a bag of steely-grey/lavender worsted-spun wool that kept telling me it wanted to be something shapely. Having had so much fun with the construction for Frederick, I decided to see what I could do with the hybrid yoke style for a woman.

An Aran for Anne $7 on Ravelry (no account necessary)

She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of eye which it had also produced. ... [Captain Wentworth] gave her a momentary glance,—a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, "That man is struck with you,—and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again."
—Jane Austen, Persuasion  



The elegant little woman Miss Anne Elliot merits her own pretty pullover, with waist shaping and a variety of twisted stitch patterns. Elegant Ribbing accentuates the waist shaping, while budding (bobbling) vines wind their way up front, back, and sleeves. And the easy-to-remember Inverted Gull Stitch pattern nods to Anne’s beloved, Captain Frederick Wentworth, much at sea.

Like An Aran for Frederick, An Aran for Anne is worked in the round from the bottom up. The yoke is a saddle-shouldered hybrid style. Waist-shaping and a wider, almost boat-style neck ensure that shapely Anne won’t be mistaken for manly Frederick!

What you'll love about knitting An Aran for Anne

  • Gorgeous cable patterns that use a variety of knitting techniques
  • Worked in the round from the bottom up, so you are always looking at the right side of those cables
  • Hybrid construction brings all the cable elements together in the yoke in a way that is fun to knit and all but eliminates finishing work
What you'll love about wearing An Aran for Anne
  • Shaping hidden in the purl fabric of the central cable plus the Elegant Ribbing at the sides forms a sweater that hugs your curves in all the right places
  • Neckline shows off your lovely collar bones
  • Feminine, nature-inspired cables make this one seriously pretty sweater


Size/Finished Measurements
Women’s XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) (shown in size M with one inch negative ease)
Bust circumference: 29¼ (32¾, 37½, 40½, 45¼, 48¼, 53) inches


Materials 
  • Louet Gems Worsted (100% superwash Merino; 175 yds [160 m]/100g): Steel Grey, 5 (6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10) skeins
  • Size 6 (4 mm): 16- and 29-inch circular (cir) and double-pointed (dpn) needles (ndl)
  • Markers (m), including one different marker for end-of-round
  • Cable needle (cn)
  • Waste yarn or stitch holders
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge

19 sts and 26 rnds = 4 inches in Rev St st


Skills needed
  • Casting on
  • Binding off
  • Knitting
  • Purling
  • Increasing
  • Decreasing
  • Working in the round
  • Working stitches out of order (cabling)
  • Working from charted instructions

Thanks!
Previously published in Jane Austen Knits, Summer 2012
Photography: Nicholas Dames



Everything you need to create your very own An Aran for Anne has its place in this professionally formatted (by me!) pattern. Cables are provided in chart form only.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version is now in their libraries. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!

And don't forget that An Aran for Anne is part of my Jane Austen Knits bundle. Use code jakbundle to purchase An Aran for Anne, An Aran for Frederick, and Sotherton for $15 ($21 value). Previous purchases from my Ravelry store will be credited towards the bundle price at checkout.



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

29 June 2015

Wedding sweater: swatches

Ooh, swatching! I know, I know, some of us find swatching to be such a burden. We just want to get knitting. I hear you! And as the designer, I'm lucky enough to be the one to set the gauge - all I have to worry about is creating a fabric I like, while you have to match my gauge or do math to adjust the pattern to your gauge. We knitters are mathematicians, aren't we?

But swatching gives you an opportunity to get to know your yarn, which is a good thing, and it also familiarizes you with the chosen stitch pattern. Since I will be working the cardigan back and forth (no steeking for me on this), I worked my swatches back and forth, too.
Swatch on US6 with garter edges on left and seed stitch edges on right
Hmm, the patterns look OK here with the US6 needle, but I feel like the fabric is too loose. I'm also not loving the Seed Stitch edge.

Swatch on US4 with garter stitch edges all around
This is more like it! The US4 tightens up the fabric, so everything looks tidy. I know Clara Parkes would want me to go down even smaller, but this is a cardigan that will be worn in August, so it doesn't need to be windproof :) The bobbles look crisper, too. And I am very happy with the garter stitch edges - they give a nice contrast to the smooth stockinette and highlight the hand-dyed color.

Previous steps: 1. Yarn choice. 2. Sketching.

Next step: Actual knitting! I'll be working my way up the body first, though I might do one sleeve first as a second gauge swatch (and to make the visit to sleeve island shorter because the yoke is always my favorite part).

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,


26 June 2015

FO-tastic: An Aran for Anne

One of the lovely things about putting all my patterns into the same format is that I get to revisit them all, double-check that I've seen everyone's FOs, and marvel at the skills and creativity of my fellow knitters. Today I want to share a handful of major beauties that came out of An Aran for Anne, the companion pattern to my all-spiffed-up An Aran for Frederick.

Knitwitted knit hers before embarking on a trip to the British Isles. Here she is on the shores of Loch Ness! Extra length on the sleees and body gave her the fit she was looking for. Remember: You are the boss of your own knitting. Modify so you'll love and wear it after all your hard work?

Lea67000 chose a beautiful color for hers and added a hem after the fact.

aaafan achieved a gorgeous fit on hers. Knowing your measurements can make all the difference when choosing which size to knit. And don't be afraid of a touch of negative ease!

How charming is the photo shoot WildBerryKnits staged for her sweater?! Reading Persuasion by the fire, hair caught up in a lace ribbon... Love it!
One more lovely version, this one from ktrautlein.

All images from the projects' Ravelry pages. No copyright infringement intended. I just want to share the love!

In case you want to check out all the other fantastic An Aran for Anne projects:



Thanks for stopping by and happy knitting!
xoxo,

24 June 2015

Pattern: An Aran for Frederick

Next up in the pattern parade: An Aran for Frederick

My first pattern published in a print magazine (Turn of the Glass had been published in Knitty in January 2011) and a perennial favorite, An Aran for Frederick was my first opportunity to explore the way cable patterns and the hybrid yoke construction of Elizabeth Zimmermann could come together to embody a character.

An Aran for Frederick $7 on Ravelry (no account necessary)

“A well-looking man,” said Sir Walter, “a very well-looking man.”
“A very fine young man indeed!” said Lady Dalrymple. “More air than one often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say.”
“No. I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth—Captain Wentworth of the navy.” 
—Jane Austen, Persuasion
Though Captain Frederick Wentworth may not be Irish, this handsome captain, who stole Anne Elliot’s heart before the beginning of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, is certainly worthy of his own Aran sweater. This cabled pullover is worked in the round, with a “hybrid” yoke to highlight the Celtic Flourish cable running up the center back and front, flanked by OXO and Superimposed Double Wave cables, and Ensign’s Braids (Ensigns were junior officers in the infantry and navy at the time, which Frederick would have been when he first met Anne) running up the sleeves and along the shoulder saddles. This yoke style makes a flattering pullover for any man (or woman). To modernize, body and sleeves begin the cable patterns immediately, and it is finished with a simple rolled neck so as not to distract from this cable tour de force.



What you'll love about knitting An Aran for Frederick
  • Gorgeous cable patterns keep your attention
  • Worked in the round from the bottom up means you can always see where you are in your cable patterns
  • Exciting-to-knit hybrid yoke: all those beautiful cable patterns + clever decreases that shape the sweater to the wearer's shoulders = super-fun knitting


What you'll love about wearing An Aran for Frederick
  • Cables that tell Captain Wentworth's story
  • Modern styling that dives right into the cables and finishes with a simple rollneck
  • Hybrid yoke that gives the wearer strong shoulders


Size/Finished Measurements
Unisex XS (S, M, L, XL) (shown in size S with 5½" ease)
Chest circumference: 37¼ (43½, 49, 53¼, 59½)"




Materials
  • Brooklyn Tweed Shelter (100% wool; 140 yd (128 m)/50 g): #16 nest, 8 (10, 12, 14, 15) skeins.
  • Size 6 (4 mm): 16" and 29" circular (cir) and set of doublepointed (dpn). 
  • Markers (m)
  • Cable needle (cn) (optional—try cabling without a cable needle; it's brilliant!)
  • Removable markers
  • Stitch holders or waste yarn
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge
15 stitches x 27 rows = 4" in Seed Stitch

Skills needed
  • Casting on
  • Binding off
  • Knitting
  • Purling
  • Increasing
  • Decreasing
  • Working in the round
  • Working stitches out of order (cabling)
  • Working from charted instructions

Thanks!
Originally published in Jane Austen Knits, 2011.
Photography: Nicholas Dames



Everything you need to create your very own An Aran for Frederick has its place in this professionally formatted (by me!) pattern. Cables are provided in chart form only.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version is now in their libraries. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!

And don't forget that An Aran for Frederick is part of my Jane Austen Knits bundle. Use code jakbundle to purchase An Aran for Anne, An Aran for Frederick, and Sotherton for $15 ($21 value). Previous purchases from my Ravelry store will be credited towards the bundle price at checkout.



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

23 June 2015

Pattern: Babe in the Mist

All my backlist patterns are receiving an upgrade this summer! First to receive a nip and tuck is my favorite New Baby gift: Babe in the Mist - a small blanket perfect for cribs, strollers, and car seats.


Babe in the Mist $7 on Ravelry (no account necessary)

Wrap your littlest buccaneer in a blanket of Mist Drops to keep baby safe from discovery, whether on board ship or tucked away on a desert island. Every edge of this cozy cover undulates so baby will become accustomed to the waves, and both sides of this pattern are beautiful, so no worries about which side is best. A washable wool blend makes this a practical, not-too-heavy, and easy-to-care for blanket for your babe.

What you'll love about knitting Babe in the Mist:
  • one stitch pattern (Mist Drops) that is interesting to work and which you will quickly master
  • increases and decreases create a lovely, rippling edge
  • blanket looks beautiful on both sides
  • Mist Drops is provided in both charted and written forms, so you can choose the version that works for you
  • quick to work up in worsted weight yarn

What your recipient will love about Babe in the Mist
  • "Such a pretty stitch pattern!"
  • "I love that it's reversible."
  • "This is the perfect size to always have with us."
  • "It's washable? Thank you so much!"


Size/Finished Measurements
30 x 25 inches after blocking

Materials
  • Berocco Vintage [50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon 217 yards/206 meters per 100 gram skein]; color: Mochi; 3 skeins
  • US8/5.0mm 29-inch circular needle
  • Waste yarn in similar weight
  • Stitch marker(s)
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge
19 sts x 16 rows = 3¾" wide x 3" high = one repeat of Mist Drops pattern

Skills Needed
  • Casting on
  • Binding off
  • Knitting
  • Purling
  • Increasing
  • Decreasing

Thanks!
Technical editing: Joeli Caparco

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Babe in the Mist is provided in the professionally formatted (by me!) pattern. Both written and charted versions of the Mist Drops stitch pattern are included.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

22 June 2015

Wedding sweater: sketch

So, what should a wedding sweater look like? Whatever the bride wants! :)

My sister browsed Ravelry and noted a bunch of sweaters she like. With that information elements started to coalesce into something of an idea:
  • a high neckline that, when left unbuttoned, would fold down gracefully into those little triangles
  • a fitted waist courtesy of ribbing at the hem (the dress is A-line, so this will work nicely)
  • 3/4 sleeves with matching ribbing, of course
  • delicate eyelets along the raglan lines of the yoke
  • a little something running up the sleeve (more eyelets seem the best choice to keep things coherent)
  • something special on the fronts
  • lots of little buttons to enhance the delicacy and bridal feel
And here is my first scribble!

Top: buttoned up
Bottom: collar falling open gracefully

After looking over a wide variety of pretty stitch patterns, my sister fell for the Nosegay Pattern from Barbara Walker's indispensable A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. Isn't it lovely? I think it will be particularly feminine and delicate worked in fingering weight yarn.

Nosegay Pattern is perfect for a bride!

We have decided to leave the back plain, which will make the knitting go a little faster for me (the wedding is on 22 August) and keep the focus up front where it belongs (on the bride!).

I'm looking at Marriage Lines, also from Walker's Treasury, to flank the Nosegays and travel up the sleeves. Seems appropriate for a wedding sweater, doesn't it? Ooh, and I just saw that the Nosegay Pattern is worked over 10 rows, while Marriage Lines takes up 20 - this kind of thing makes working the patterns so much easier, though I would have happily suffered through the "hard way" for my sister. I love when elements come together to tell a story in a sweater, especially if they fit together neatly!

Previous steps: 1. Yarn choice.

Next step: Swatching. I have some ideas for the ribbing, so the swatch will give me a chance to explore my options, as well as determine how best to handle the buttonband. I have become exceedingly fond of integrated buttonbands (you can find them in my Bloc Party Cardi, Kellynch Cardigan, and Pomegranate Cardi patterns).

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

19 June 2015

quick + purly: 5 square shawls

Now that summer is squarely upon us (no pun intended), and the Solstice arrives on Sunday, I'm looking for some travel knitting. For me travel knitting means shawls: one skein of beautiful laceweight yarn that squishes easily into my purse or carryon + one long circular needle so that no stitches will be lost + one compelling pattern.

Have you ever worked a square shawl? What's your favorite on-the-go type of knitting?

Here are a few that caught my eye this week.



  1. Life Cycle by Laura Nelkin $7 USD 
    Gorgeous progression of patterns
  2. Alcove my Mam'zelle Flo €5 EUR 
    Perfect travel knitting with the garter stitch center
  3. legacy square shawl by bunnymuff $5.99 USD 
    Swoony stitch patterns
    Be careful with those beads when traveling, though!
  4. Spider Queen by Hazel Carter $8 USD 
    The pattern page picture does not do this beauty justice -
    be sure to check out the projects pages!
  5. Poinsettia Shawl 401 by Lucy Neatby $12 CAD 
    Clever structure and beautiful stitch patterns
And I can't forget the square "travel" shawl I designed for myself a few years back: Hap-py (updated pattern layout coming soon!) $7 USD. I just loved knitting this one!
Easy-to-remember center and edgings
make this perfect social knitting

There are plenty more beauties in this category. Click here to see for yourself.

So, what travel knitting do you have planned for the summer? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

17 June 2015

Pattern: Wench




Wench $7 on Ravelry (no account necessary)

A saucy lass deserves an easy-to-knit and easy-to-wear pullover for warmer weather. The drape of the finished linen fabric will win you over, keeping you cool yet covered. This sweater was inspired by the shifts that all women used to wear, but now you can show it off! With picot edgings and drawstrings at neck and wrists, you’ll look just a bit fancy while feeling supremely comfortable.

What you'll love about knitting Wench
  • matching picot cast-on and bind-off - ooh, pretty, matchy-matchy!
  • easy knitting - just three tubes! 
  • knitting with linen yarn is perfect for Summer - I don't know about you, but I find wool can be sticky on the hands when it's hot and humid outside 

What you'll love about wearing Wench
  • the way this fabric drapes
  • the feminine details of picot hems and adjustable drawstrings at neck and cuffs 
  • that you can wear this all Summer long, no sweat! 

Size/Finished Measurements
Women’s XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size M with 2" of positive ease)
Chest: 30 [34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54]"
Length: 21 [21½, 22, 22¼, 22½, 22¾, 23]"



Materials
  • Louet Euroflax Sport Weight [100% wet-spun linen 270 yards/247 meters per 100 gram skein]; color: Neptune; 3 [3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6] skeins
  • US8/5.0mm 29-inch circular needle; US8/5.0mm 16-inch circular needle or DPNs; US8/5.0mm/Size H crochet hook
  • Waste yarn or stitch holders
  • Stitch marker(s)
  • Tapestry needle
  • 3 yards/2.75 meters 1/4-inch/0.635cm ribbon or crocheted cords


Gauge
16 sts x 22 rows = 4" wide x 4" high in Stockinette Stitch

Back when the kids were little!
Also pictured, Captain Austen's Scarf, Deckhand, and Night Watch Cap

Skills Needed
  • Casting on
  • Binding off
  • Working in the round
  • Knitting
  • Increasing
  • Decreasing
  • Working a crochet chain (optional)

Thanks!
Technical editing: Joeli Caparco

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Wench is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern.

Lovely knitters who purchased this pattern when it was originally released should have received a message from Ravelry that the updated version of the pattern is now in your library. Don't miss the special customer coupon code!



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

16 June 2015

Kellynch Cardigan update

Before "the teachers let the monkeys out", I finished up my Kellynch Cardigan. Whoohoo!

If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen these pics over the past few months, but I wanted to do a little review here on the ol' blog.

As you may recall, I had a little bit of an adventure with the yarn (madelinetosh tosh merino light in Envy). When doing a little yarn crawl with my fantastic cousin back in March, we could only find two skeins, but I HAD to have them. Then I was back at Knitty City the following week for something completely different, and we ended up looking through a bag of madtosh (oh, heaven!) and found a third skein of Envy where it should not have been (bags are grouped by dominant color).


A photo posted by Kathleen Dames (@kathleendames) on

So, I knit away on the stockinette portions, knowing that the lace yoke was going to be so. much. fun. And it was! Definitely expect this structure to show up in another pattern some time.

A photo posted by Kathleen Dames (@kathleendames) on

A photo posted by Kathleen Dames (@kathleendames) on

To make the whole thing even better, I found the most perfect buttons at M&J Trimming while shopping for buttons for the forthcoming Jane Austen Knits (publication month: November 2015).

A photo posted by Kathleen Dames (@kathleendames) on

The thing about the buttons is that, while they are shanked (my general preference), the holes for sewing them on were too small for any needles I have, or the eye of the needle was way too small for the yarn. I know I could have used sewing thread, but I didn't want to (I know some knitters prefer to sew their buttons on with thread, but I always worry the thread will cut through the yarn of the button band). And then I realized I had a wee crochet hook from a beaded knitting project that might work...


Et voila! Here's a Kellynch Cardigan just for me :)


While I won't be able to publish the pattern in my Ravelry store until October, you can create your own from Jane Austen Knits 2014* (Interweave digital edition) or purchase the Interweave version of the pattern here*.

Thanks for stopping by and happy knitting!
xoxo,





*Those are Interweave affiliate links. If you purchase through one of those links, I receive a tiny commission. If you would rather buy the pattern from me directly, please sign up for my newsletter, and you'll be the first to know when it is available. If you would rather get to the pattern on your own, just type "kellynch cardigan interweave" into your favorite search engine :)

15 June 2015

Wedding sweater: yarn

As you may know, my dear sister is getting married this August. Yay! At some point this Spring, she mentioned something about knitting a sweater to wear at the reception. Of course, I loved the idea! I started snapping pictures of every green yarn I came across.

Did she want wool or cotton or linen or silk? Berlin's weather is highly unpredictable in summer, and it will be an evening ceremony and reception. I encouraged wool, which would also give her plenty of opportunities to wear it after the wedding.

If she went with wool, I could find a hand-dye, which in my mind makes a garment more unique and personal: not only did someone knit the item by hand, but the yarn itself was dyed by hand. (And if you're a spinner, you know that the ultimate personalized knitted item is crafted from hand spun, but I'm holding off on learning to spin. For now.)

In the end I found a couple of gorgeous skeins of Neighborhood Yarns sock yarn in Fells Point at Knitty City, and I will be knitting a sweater for my sister as a wedding gift. I plan to document the process of designing and crafting this cardigan for her here, and hope you will enjoy following along.

This yarn is SO my sister!

Yummy cakes ready for swatching

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

12 June 2015

Pattern upgrades coming, well, all summer!

It's time for all my patterns to be upgraded to the same attractive, easy-to-use layout, don't you think?

Since there are 26 backlist patterns in various layouts, I plan to work my way through upgrading the pattern PDFs this summer. I would love to hear from you which patterns you'd like to see all spruced up first. 

Do you have a favorite? Should I just go in alphabetical order (as seen below)? Oldest? Newest? Most hearts? Too many options!

row 1: An Aran for Anne, An Aran for Frederick, Aphros, Babe in the Mist, Bloc Pulli, Captain Austen's Scarf
row 2: Castaway Shawlette, Deckhand - Women's, Deckhand, Dennis, Hap-py, In the Shallows
row 3: Infinite, JOY garland, Matryoshka Japonais, Mermaid's Cardigan, Mermaid's Mitts, Night Watch Cap
row 4: On the High Seas, Sailor's Valentine, Upon the Spanish Main, Vines, Walk the Plank
row 5: Wavelette, Wench

This is something I can work on now that the kids are out of school (eep!).

If you already purchased one of these patterns, thank you! After the new version is loaded into Ravelry, you will receive a notification that your upgrade is waiting for you. Don't miss the special customer coupon code in the email!

So, let me know in the comments below which pattern you would like to see first.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,





P.S. Don't worry, there are new patterns in the pipeline, too! A small shawl is in testing, and I'm in the middle of writing up a pullover and cardigan, as well as designing a sweater for my sister for her wedding (yay!).