This month I’m talking to Sue McCain, the designer behind Vermont Fiber Designs, Sue’s original knitwear line and Basix, which focuses exclusively on patterns that are top-down set-in-sleeve sweaters are worked in Stockinette stitch. These monthly features of other creative businesses are a way for all of us to get to know these wonderful makers;…
patterns
Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns GAL 2017, Part 2
What you need to know about the Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns in the GAL 2017, part 2: the second eight! Begin with the Left side, top to bottom. Below the photo collage you will find the yarn used, the needles, the gauge needed, and the sizes. To look at the pattern page on Ravelry, click on…
List Three of Indie Designers GiftALong
I am giving you list three of Indie Designers GiftALong. You should definitely get busy because there is a lot of interesting design to see in this 2017, fifth anniversary, of the Indie Designers GAL. Yesterday I put up the second list and the first was in my newsletter that went out on Tuesday. I’m up…
Second Quick List of Indie Designers GAL 2017
This is the Second list of Indie Designers GAL 2017 to go out. The first was in my newsletter that went out yesterday (on a Tuesday?!) Last year I missed it, but I’m on top of it this year. Once I get signed up I like to go through the participating designers and make lists…
Carmen Nuland of A Simple Homestead
This month I’m talking to Carmen Nuland of A Simple Homestead, a crochet and knitwear designer, homesteader, crafter, maker, and all around DIY enthusiast. These monthly features of other creative businesses are a way for all of us to get to know these wonderful makers; it has been a long-time interest of mine to explore…
Using the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible
The stitch patterns in The Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible book are incredible, although mostly not completely unique. If you like charted knitting patterns I think this would be $16.95 you shouldn’t hesitate to spend. If you need written instructions, you are going to be challenged. This isn’t insurmountable. but you will need to fully digest…
Alterknit: Two-Color Knitting Updated
I am not a two-color knitting person. I like it fine, but I just don’t get my best knitting feelings from it. So I do it very, very seldom. When I was offered AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary by Andrea Rangel to review I jumped at it because it is outside my usual focus. AlterKnit: A New Look…
Pattern Writing for Knit Designers
Kate Atherley generously sent me a copy of her book Pattern Writing for Knit Designers. I had thought about buying it when it came out in 2014, but I wasn’t quite ready to dive into redoing my patterns. Also, since I have a slightly different viewpoint than many designer on what should be included in…
Complicated Eyelet Patterns Pose Shaping Challenges
The structure of an eyelet pattern can make it a more complicated eyelet than it seems in working it or looking at it. Once shaping begins, it is clear that keeping it looking good while shaping was harder than it I thought. I got an email from my sample knitter with a problem. Her photo showed…
Karen Whooley, a Crochet Instructor, Author, and Designer
This month I’m introducing you to Karen Whooley, a crochet instructor, author, and designer. These monthly features of other creative businesses are a way for all of us to get to know these wonderful businesses; it has been a long-time interest of mine to explore how other creative people make their way as professionals. Introducing…
Coffee with C.C. & Dami Too
Coffee with C.C. (& Dami Too) arrived via pdf on Monday, as promised. I was surprised by this book, and I would recommend purchasing it if you like small projects. There are seven patterns, a shawl, fingerless mitts, and five socks, but the options offered make it a bit more than just seven patterns.. I…
What We Fail to See
What we fail to see once we become familiar and what we fail to see when we are unfamiliar are what I’m thinking about. I’m doing a test knit on a pattern that hasn’t been available in several years. It has been put into my pattern format from the original, which means everything has to…
