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You may have heard that Berroco has debuted its first ecologically minded yarn. While I’m absolutely thrilled that this yarn is made of 100% recycled fibers (you can read more about this yarn here), I’m even more happy to report that it is a fabulous yarn. I had a bit of Remix moment this summer! I was lucky enough to take in the third installment of the Twilight saga with my little sister Jovon. I fell in love with the slouchy, striped hat Bella wore in the camping scenes, so I immediately whipped one up for the both of us. I’m modeling mine here:
I didn’t use a pattern but there are many variations available on Ravelry.
The next sweater is a garment I’m absolutely thrilled with. I knit Amy Christoffer’s Acer Cardigan in Bittersweet, a rich brown that looks just like dark chocolate!
I shortened the sleeves and fussed a bit with the finishing–I changed the button band to a sewn-on button band, used a one-row buttonhole (WHICH ROCKS) and changed my mind twice about the buttons themselves. I started with minty green vintage plastic, thinking of mint chocolate chip ice cream the whole time.
After ignoring the sweater for a few days I realized I’d be much happier with a more covert, sorta steampunk button, a thin bronzey number. I experimented with using a different color thread for each one, but then I just switched to tomato red on all of them (the rainbow gradient was looking a bit grade school). And now, it’s perfect. The yarn is so so soft, and because it has no wool in it, I was able to wear it all day in August! It has a lovely worn-in t-shirt feel, and a soft tweedy look.
Have you read this far? I’d love to repay the kindness by offering one Acer Cardigan sweater kit (1 pattern + Remix to knit it) to one randomly chosen commenter! Please comment below with your thoughts on the trend of greening your knitting. Have you tried any “green” yarns? Have you recycled any old sweaters? I’d love to hear about it.
Fine print: One entry per commenter. Employees of Berroco not eligible. Contest ends at midnight (EST) on 9/9/201o.
Read on to hear some behind the scenes scoop from the authors of New England Knits, Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre.
CR: Hey ladies! Why don’t we start by explaining how you know each other?
We first met many years ago through mutual friends, but because we lived in different places, we lost touch. When Ravelry came into the picture we found each other again and discovered that we had both become a bit knitting-obsessed. The rest is history because we’ve been hanging out ever since!
CR: I know firsthand how much a garment can change from sketch to final piece. Were there any garments in New England Knits that morphed or surprised you?
Melissa: The Montague vest actually started as a belted sweater, but when I was about to sew in the sleeves I realized that I really loved it without them. After trying it on, it was officially a vest!
Cecily: We actually had included a couple designs for men’s sweaters in the original proposal, but then decided it was more cohesive as a collection of women’s garments only. The Augusta Cardigan is a revised version of one of the men’s designs.
CR: Time to play favorites! Which garment in the book is at the top of your daydream queue?
Melissa: Oh boy, this changes almost daily for me. I think I need to knit myself a Hampton Cardigan. I love the construction, and I keep trying it on and dreaming about not giving it back to C.
Cecily: I agree, I keep finding a new favorite! From the sweaters though, I always seem to come back to the Salem Hooded Jacket, a hood, ribbon detail, and pockets!
CR: Melissa, you just used Peruvia Quick and Vintage for your Acorns hat. Any other Berroco favorites?
Melissa: Peruvia Quick is my absolute favorite right now. I’ve been daydreaming about a starting a new design in it. I am wool girl to the core.
CR: Cecily, I just knit myself a Goodale because I needed a break from constant designing! Do either of you have any “cheat” knits that you sneak in between designing? If you weren’t a professional designer, what would you be working on right now?
Cecily: Can I put a big disclaimer on this? I am not saying this to be nice, it is absolutely true- I bought the pattern for Kiloran [Ed: Kiloran is a dress I designed for Twist Collective in Ultra Alpaca], just so I can just have it at the ready for when my workload slows down. I have been dreaming about it since the new issue of Twist came out!
CR: Summer in New England is coming to an end. What is your favorite part of New England summers? What are you looking forward to in autumn?
Melissa: I really enjoy knitting on the beach, and just being near the ocean, but I can’t wait for SWEATER WEATHER!
Cecily: Definitely being able to spend time by the ocean is my favorite part of New England summers. However, after this particularly hot summer, I am really looking forward to the cool, crisp fall air.
From left: Gudrun/Shetland Trader, Melissa/Knitting School Dropout and Cirilia/Skrilla Knits
CR: What’s next for Cecily and Melissa?
We plan on working together again. That’s all we’re saying! 
Twist Fall 2010 is UP! Norah and I both have designs in this issue. It’s my first design for Twist and I couldn’t be more excited about it! Norah designed a pullover called Orange Pop, a really fun turtleneck with quirky details. Using Mary-Heather’s exact measurements and fun personality as inspiration, Norah designed a figure-flattering Ultra Alpaca sweater with lots of waist shaping, reverse Fair Isle and a unique pointed turtleneck collar.
I designed a dress called Kiloran. It was an absolute joy to work on from the initial inception to the agonizing wait for the debut issue.
In the past couple of years I have really tried to figure myself out as a designer. One item or shape I return to again and again is the dress. I think I like the design challenge of making something that won’t stretch out of shape or look shapeless and unflattering. Two things that are vitally important are yarn choice and the judicious use of seams. I am all in favor of knitting things in the round and avoiding seams when possible, but in certain situations, a seam or a bound-off edge can add much-needed structure. Kiloran features several seams and where it makes sense, easy circular stockinette.
I was first inspired by dramatic open necklines seen on the runway and on Princess Anne of Battenberg of all people. The loose, elbow-length sleeves and fitted empire waistlines gave way to full skirts, sometimes with generous bustles. Precisely the kind of dress I’d want to wear in early fall! Here is my mood board for the dress:
The knitting seemed to zip along, I’m not sure if it was because I was working with the very well-behaved 3-ply Ultra Alpaca in a new shade that I adore (Candy Floss Mix is a strange, evocative dusty pink) or if it was because I had discovered my new favorite film while working on the dress. “I Know Where I’m Going!”, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger in 1945 is funny, wistful, gorgeous and endlessly entertaining–I finished the dress in under two weeks time, unusual speed for me that I completely attribute to Powell and Pressburger’s masterpiece.
The front lace insert is knit in Ultra Alpaca Light:
I’m really hoping to knit a Kiloran for myself this fall, perhaps in romantic Flannery Red…though I do love the Candy Floss colorway I used (this is a back view of the bustled skirt):
CR
June has been exactly like a summer storm. A bit scary, very unpredictable, fast-moving, and at times refreshing and beautiful. It has been an exhausting but inspiring month…
Norah and I spent the first half of the month consumed by TNNA! If you weren’t following our updates on Twitter you can see a wonderful recap thanks to the Hello TNNA wonder team (aka Team Rav!). This was a really cool addition to the show, and an excellent way for knitters at home to get a sense of what will be hot in the upcoming year. This was definitely the most busy, exciting TNNA I’ve attended, and I think it is thanks to all the NEW! We were of course very happy to unveil our Fall/Winter 2010 collection but it was also really fun to participate in new programs like the TIPS [Trends, Ideas and Products] info sessions and to see some first time exhibitors, especially Ysolda who set up a booth that made it feel like you had fallen into her Flickr stream! So fun! Norah and I visited often (see if you can find us…).
The minute we got back we had a photo shoot to think about! It was pure madness for a couple of days there. Deliriously tired, we knit the last few items frantically. This is me, on “vacation” (NOTE SUN PRECAUTIONS! WEAR SPF, EVERYBODY!!):
Even after several crippling beach knitting marathons, I still didn’t manage to finish before the day of the shoot! You can read the whole story here, I participated in the 2 Week Sweater Challenge that Kate at Twist Collective, who was also on deadline, dreamt up. For all the crazy stress, we ending up having a fantastic and easy photo shoot at one of our favorite Providence boutiques, Heir Antiques, which shares a space with Calico. We simply love owner/curator/raconteur Tyler’s aesthetic and he couldn’t be sweeter, which helps to make it a fun day rather than a draining one. Here is a sneak peek at Aidez, the sweater that was nearly in peril!
Have you made it this far?! This long post should give you some sense of how insane this month has been, and if you’re still reading, it is probably safe to say you’re genuinely curious about the goings-on of a design team! If SO, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of Shannon Okey’s amazing new book The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design. It includes all the stuff I have learned along the way, a lot of new things I want to work on. Honestly, just reading it reminded me how very complex this (admittedly super fun) job can be! Inspiring in so many ways.
Okay! Over and out, see you in July!
Cirilia
Last week in KnitBits we introduced our new afghan book, Comfort Knitting & Crochet: Afghans. I thought it would be fun to delve into some of the design minds behind this stunning collection (see more on Ravelry). I asked Donna Yacino and Margery Winter to share their afghan associations with me…
CR: Describe your fantasy living space (no monetary or geographical limits!):
DY: I like a lot of different styles and locations. As long as there is tons of wall space for bookcases, I’m happy.
MW: An apartment on the Ile de la Cite, a loft in Berlin, a casita in Tulum, an apartment above a yarn shop in Lago Maggiore and a farm in Tuscany. While I’m dreaming, I want to keep my studio and my home in Providence. They suit me. I am extremely farsighted. I love big spaces and open floor plans. Lots of windows. I prefer stucco, stone and brick to wood framed houses. Small rooms and low ceiling make me claustrophobic.
CR: How do you think knitting fits into home decor?
DY: Perfectly in every room in the house!
- Marrakesh, designed by Donna, crocheted and embellished in Comfort Worsted
MW: That’s a good question. I have been literally surrounded by yarn for more than 40 years. I spend my workday hours in my loft studio. Now that I’m an editor, most of my yarn is in yarn binders. I keep bookshelves full of volumes of yarn from all over the world. I love to be in my studio but it has become more about books and words than ever before in my life. My home is my sanctuary away from my studio, yet I have a knitting basket with my latest project at the ready. I have used my home to showcase my afghans and throws over the years. When a friend falls in love with one I often give it to them as a gift to make room for another piece and to clear the decks for another palette perhaps. My eclectic mix of art and crafts and stuff keeps evolving, it keeps changing but I only keep things that relate to my aesthetic. Afghans are the perfect knitting “canvas” on which to express my love for textiles and fine Art.
- Still Life, designed by Margery, knit in Comfort
CR: When and why are you tempted to knit afghans and throws?
DY: I always have a afghan/throw of some kind started. I’m tempted to do so simply because there are so many beautiful yarns and I don’t necessarily want to wear all of them.
MW: Always!
CR: Do you have any tips for making a larger project like this more manageable?
DY: Work on them during fall and winter to keep you warm (you can lower the thermostat) while creating.
MW: Just work on it a few minutes everyday and before you know it you will have a finished afghan.
CR: You’ve knit your favorite blanket from the book and now you’re picnic ready! Set the scene for us.
DY: Sunny Day shouts Hampton Beach to me. It is a favorite spot for my husband and me. Laying on the beach, eating homemade potato salad, with a sausage sandwich and fresh lemonade from one of the vendors…DH doing crossword puzzles and me probably reading something by Stephen King.
MW: I would suggest Pinwheel for picnic. Since I can’t seem to plan a meal that is at all coordinated, I might be likely to have Asian, Italian, Russian, Mexican all in the same picnic basket!
Hmmm, this is all so tempting! The weather has been beautiful here and I keep gazing at this picture of Calico Hill and dreaming of that first outdoor nap in the spring sun! Maybe a bit of brie, some summer reading…ahhh…
- Calico Hill, designed by Norah, knit in Comfort
Happy knitting (and crocheting!)
CR
These words jump up at you from the page, and if you’re like me, they can make your stomach sink almost instantly. If you’re a newer knitter you may be aghast–how can you perform two knitting actions simultaneously?! If you’re a more experienced knitter, it more likely that you’ve confidently forged ahead with one side of your shaping and completely skipped over the other shaping you were supposed to be doing, that’s right, AT THE SAME TIME.
Why are these words usually capitalized? It is so they jump off the page, hopefully flagging down the eager or careless knitter who might skim right by without noticing. This instruction is just one of the many reasons you should make a habit of reading a pattern, or at least a pattern section, before getting started. You can identify all sorts of things: techniques you might be unfamiliar with, supplies or notions you might need to have handy, areas you might need to modify and in this case, concurrent shaping directions that you need to be aware of. Norah and I would like to show you when this direction comes into play, as well as our tips for keeping track of it all.
I’ll use this week’s free pattern, Botany, as an example. AT THE SAME TIME crops on in the directions for the back, when you’re shaping the shoulder and the neck:
Shape Neck and Shoulders: Next Row (RS): Bind off 1(3-3-3-5-6) sts, k until there are 7(7-9-11-11-13) sts on RH needle, join another hank of yarn and bind off center 36 sts, k to end. Working both sides at once with separate hanks of yarn, bind off 1(3-3-3-5-6) sts at beg of the next row, then 2(2-3-4-4-5) sts at beg of the next 4 rows. AT THE SAME TIME, bind off 2 sts at each neck edge once, then dec 1 st at each neck edge every RS row once.
I like to make a list, or in this case a table (I have terrible handwriting and it wouldn’t help to show you my list):
I read through the pattern directions and list what needs to happen on each row for my size (first, I noted that I’ll need to bind off 3 stitches once, then at the beginning of the next 4 rows, a total of 5 times). I’ll also need to bind off 2 stitches at the neck edge, on the left neck edge on the RS rows and the right neck edge on the WS rows). After I’ve completed these rows, I need to decrease once at each neck edge but only on the right side rows, which is reflected in my list. I just cross off everything after I’ve done it and before I know it, I’m done! Easy.
Norah’s notes:
I like to make a diagrammatic representation of AT THE SAME TIME. I make a quick sketch of the piece I’m working on, especially when 2 or 3 things are happening at once – like armhole, neck and shoulder shaping. This way, I don’t have to keep searching in the written instructions for the the armhole shaping or the neck shaping, which I might easily get confused if I wasn’t reading carefully. I can glance at down at my sketch and know what’s next.
Anais, the pullover sketched above, has armhole and front neck shaping happening at the same time and then shoulder shaping pops in at the top, when you may or may not have the neck shaping completed. I very roughly drew an armhole, neck and shoulder, and then wrote in the shaping, using my own short hand. On the armhole, 5 means Bind off 5 stitches, and -1 x 8 means I make the one stitch decrease 8 times (the every RS row is implied because that’s normal). We all have our own quirks, so you use a notation you understand.
I think of the edges of my piece separately while I am knitting and take each edge as it comes. So, on the pullover above the first thing that happens on a RS row is the armhole. I look at the diagram, do what it says at the armhole. Then I work to the neck and do a neck decrease on one side, then the other side, then finish the row. The neck shaping and armhole shaping are symmetrical so I didn’t bother to draw out the second side of the neck or the second armhole. You could cross out or check off each bind off or dec as you do it so you’ll know what you’ve done already and know where you are. I never seem to have a pencil handy, or I am too lazy to get up so I always look at my work to see how many decreases or bind offs are already completed to determine where I am in the shaping. Sure, sometimes I need to look back at the written pattern to see just how I was supposed to work that decrease , but my diagram speeds things along and helps me keep my head straight. –NG
I hope these methods will help you in developing your own note-taking habits. A little bit of paper, a pencil and some planning can prevent a LOT of ripping.
Cheers,
CR
Did you see today’s free pattern? Biff is based on Baffin, a baby pattern from Booklet #292 DK Baby.
I was completely tickled to see this video from the NY Times. This booklet is for the fashion forward baby, yo!
CR
Hi everyone! It’s the end of the aughts! We’re almost in the tens! This is crazy. And I have some crazy good news for local knitters! I’m very excited to be teaching a workshop at the Slater Mill Knitting Weekend in Pawtucket, January 22-24th. I’ll be presenting a Berroco Trunk Show on Friday evening and on Saturday I’ll share the finishing tricks I’ve picked up over the years.
How has this decade been for you, knitting wise? I’ve known how to knit since I was 7 but when Debbie Stoller’s Stitch and Bitch guide hit the market in 2004, the game changed forever for me. It went from a quaint hobby to an all-encompassing lifestyle. That change was cemented when I joined the ranks of Ravelry in 2007. I’m forever grateful for this site since it allows all of us to feel like we’re in a vast (and TALENTED) community. Case in point? I recently posted some of my favorite Berroco accessories and the list was so long I decided to save my favorite cardigans for another day. That day is today!
A gorgeous Angela knit by Raveler Martel in Sundae (I recently finished a Sundae sweater in 24 hours!!)
Claire-Bennet, an original design in Peruvia by Raveler Ariane Caron-Lacoste. I love her adorable photography.
Next up is a pattern I truly wish I could knit for myself. It was designed by fellow Providence designer Deborah Newton, shown here knit by Lucy in Ultra Alpaca in a color I like to call “sweatshirt grey.” Such a pretty way to keep cozy!
I have a half-knit Treeline Striped Cardigan under my bed, but I was boring and started it in the very same colors shown in the original pattern. I love the winter fresh combination Elif chose–Peruvia in green and white.
Last but not least, this is a stunning Moch Cardi knit by Julia in Inca Gold. I can’t say enough about this pattern, this knitter, this yarn, it’s all good!! Very very good!
I don’t know about you, but I am really looking forward to finding a bit of down time during the holidays…to knit like MAD!!
Cheers,
Cirilia
I am a very lucky lady. It is part of my job to spend at least a few minutes everyday perusing Ravelry to see what is up in the knitting world. The sheer volume of greatness out there is kind of staggering! It’s especially fun when I spot Berroco FOs! Since I can’t share what’s on my needles (even though I really, really want to), here are the items I really wish I’d had a chance to knit for myself, things I wish I had in MY winter wardrobe. Hope they inspire you as well…
First up is a gorgeous accessory set from prolific sweater designer Connie Chang Chinchio. This FO was knit by Sarah from Scotland, who used less than 2 skeins of Ultra Alpaca!
Next up are Sniffle Mitts from the shop owner of Purl Diva! No pattern yet, but we suspect these are going to be HUGE in New England! She used just 1 skein of Ultra Alpaca.
The End of May Hat and End of May Mittens are yet another fantastic Ultra Alpaca project and perfect for colorwork lovers. The only difficult part is picking two shades–I love the combination Mandy has come up with (Tiger’s Eye Mix and Prune Mix, I believe).
I’ve also noticed a few Sundae FOs! Since Sundae knits at 2.5 stitches to the inch, there is still plenty of time to whip up a holiday gift using it, perhaps something from Booklet #287. That is where Joan found the pattern to knit Rickie for her adorable daughter (Joan also made a really cool looking Gondry–lucky daughter!)
While we’re looking at quick knitting hats, I have to point out I Come From the North, appropriately designed by Canadian designer Ariane Caron-Lacoste, who offers very cool translation services for knitters! She knit this very cute earflap hat with Peruvia Quick, another project you can whip up in an evening or two.
I’ll be back in a few days to share my favorite garments! Cheers,
Cirilia
So, as many of you in the Northeast know, Rhinebeck was this past weekend! We’re still recovering from the rush of spring photography and I almost bailed for some much needed rest, but when I woke to a gorgeous fall Saturday, I grabbed my keys and my knitwear and I hit the road! I didn’t regret it for a minute =)
The drive along the Mass Pike and the Taconic Parkway was absolutely stunning. The weather was perfectly Octoberish, grey and cool with vibrant leaf squalls swirling around me. The weather report was grim so the night before I had started a Hill Country Hat (a free excerpt from Clara Parkes’ new book) using 1 skein of Cuzco in Prune Mix. It wasn’t exactly as chunky as the pattern called for, but I used my size 10 needles, confident that I could adjust it if I needed to (the hat is knit top down). I knit it exactly as written and while it might be a little lacier than the hat from the book, it stretched and fit just fine. I had plenty of yarn, too! I bound off and wove in my ends at a scenic rest area on the Taconic:
It kept me perfectly warm! I took loads of pictures while I was at Rhinebeck, you can view them here. I had a few key Berroco spottings at the Ravelry party! First up is Sarah from Team Rav wearing a Ripley that she knit using the Vintage that we donated to the Sock Summit prize bags. So cute!
Next I met a witty woman named Thea Colman from the blog BabyCocktails who showed off her very cute Ultra Alpaca cardigan, pattern coming soon! The picture I took was very blurry, but I promise, it’s adorable!
Last but by no means least…I give you, Bob, Team Ravelry mascot. Well, it’s our Scottish friend Ysolda wearing a ridiculously accurate BOB HEAD that she knit in A WEEK. The best part? Bob’s tongue and ears were knit using Comfort Chunky! Besides those eyes, these are arguably the cutest parts of Bob!
If you went to Rhinebeck, I hope you had a great time! And if you didn’t, spend some time poking around the Internet, I think you’ll find plenty of excellent travelogues. I can’t recommend fiber festivals highly enough. Between the beautiful countryside, the excellent nosh and the bevvy of likeminded fibery friends, it’s the perfect way to kick off autumn.
Happy knitting,
CR
