Skip to content

Posts from the ‘designing’ Category

Berroco Design Team at Large, part deux

Norah, Warren and I headed West to attend The National Needlearts Association trade show in San Diego, CA. I’m used to trade shows being in sort of isolated areas but the location here was fabulous. It was breezy and sunny the whole time we were there and we enjoyed some distinctly California moments. Here are some highlights: 

It was so much fun to catch up with everyone, especially our fellow East Coasters (Mary-Heather is an honorary East Coast girl) the Ravelry gang! Casey was a little shaky as he took this picture and when Jess banned him from any more coffee I just about lost it. Speaking of caffeine, how cool is this new mug?! The whole design team is coffee powered so we just love this mug. 

Speaking of design, I have to get to work…on Fall 2009!! Can you believe??

Cheers, 

CR

UPDATE: Just noticed a free pattern for Green Squirrelgorgeous cabled hat (Ravelry link) designed by Katy Wight, a Western Massachusetts based designer who loves Ultra Alpaca. Looks like an excellent man hat, and it only takes one skein of Ultra Alpaca!

tuck

More excess –  this time in the form of knit-in tucks.

tuck-4830
Don’t you love that Eleanor can knit too?  We chose a different photo for the book – one  that focuses more on the vest, but I am still enamored of this shot. Adina Klein helped us out with the styling for this story  - that’s the Pure MerinoCapecho” she was knitting for her step mom, lent to Eleanor for the moment.

I can tell you more about the cool new yarn it’s knit in when I can link it all to the Berroco site.  

Norah

pucker

Norah Gaughan volume 4 is printed and shipping to stores!  We’ll be showing it on the Berroco website and launching all of the Spring 09 booklets in the Knitbits newsletter starting January 16th, but meanwhile, I thought (I was hoping) you might want to see a bit more. Doled out in moderation, of course.

 pucker-4559
This little number is knit in Seduce.  It’s in the story I named “excess” becasue all of the pieces have excess fabric that taken up in various ways.  In this case, triple decs and later incs make the eponymous puckers.

Norah

NGV4 photo

I am posting with my I-pod touch. That’s so cool, but kinda scary too. Is there no escape?

Check out a preview of NGV4:

wedgette instruction home

The bits and pieces of Wedgette, the sweater I’m designing for my Raverly fan group, seem to be all over the place and even I am finding them difficult to compile.  So, here is a digest of all of the instructions so far. I’ll be writing the sleeves and finishing soon. I’ll add them to this post, so all the bits will be together. Somehow, publishing the pattern booklets stalled my progress – go figure!

 

First, the schematic, in 7 sizes:

A fun way to test your gauge is to knit the wedge scarf, free pattern on the Berroco web site. Ok – TIME TO GET STARTED :)  

Some useful info: 
lace wedge bottom edge – 2.5(3-3.5-4-4.5-5-5.5)” 
empire seam edge – 1.5(2-2.5-3-3.5-4-4.5)” 
2,1”runs of garter 
1.75(2-2.25-2.5-2.75-3-3.25)“ between 
6 wedges, 5 betweens

scarf as gauge (using Pure Merino dk, as written): 
40 sts seven and a half ” across widest point 
40 sts = a generous 7” in garter st 
size 5 needle 3.75mm

ST ST GAUGE: 
5.75 sts = 1” 
23 sts & 32 rows = 4” (10 cm) 
garter st 23 sts = 4”

YARN AMOUNT I’d say this will take about the same amount of yarn as Calvert

to fit bust size 30(34-38-42-46-50)”
finished measurements
Bust (closed) – 30(34-38-42-46-50)”
materials
Berroco Pure™ Merino DK
color 4576 – 10(11-13-14-16-17), 50 gr balls

WEDGETTE CARDIGAN “SKIRT” 
Cast on 68(70-70-72-74-74-76)sts 
Wedge with garter: 
Knit 12 rows. Purl one row. 
Short row lace wedge (starts on a RS): 
1&2 – (Yo, p2tog) to the end, turn 
repeat rows 1&2 4(6-8-10-12-14-16) times more- 10(14-18-22-26-30-34) rows total 
3&4 – (Yo, p2tog) 32 times, turn 
5&6 – (Yo, p2tog) 24 times, turn 
7&8 – (Yo, p2tog) 16 times, turn 
9&10 – (Yo, p2tog) 8 times, turn 
Knit 12 rows. 
Stockinette st Separator: 
Work 1.75(2-2.25-2.5-2.75-3-3.25)“ in stst (starts and ends with a RS row). Work wedge with garter and separator 4 times more, then work wedge once more, Binding off on last row of garter st. (last knit row).

VERSION 2 – MORE FLARE 
WEDGETTE CARDIGAN “SKIRT”
 
The bottom edge will be approximately 12” larger than the high waist. (In the original version the bottom edge is 6” larger than the high waist.) 
Cast on 68(70-70-72-74-74-76)sts 
Wedge with garter: 
Knit 12 rows. Purl one row. 
Short row lace wedge (starts on a RS): 
1&2 – (Yo, p2tog) to the end, turn 
repeat rows 1&2 4(6-8-10-12-14-16) times more- 10(14-18-22-26-30-34) rows total 
3&4 – (Yo, p2tog) 32 times, turn 
5&6 – (Yo, p2tog) 28 times, turn 
7&8 – (Yo, p2tog) 24 times, turn 
9&10 – (Yo, p2tog) 20 times, turn 
11&12 – (Yo, p2tog) 16 times, turn 
13&14 – (Yo, p2tog) 12 times, turn 
15&16 – (Yo, p2tog) 8 times, turn 
17&18 – (Yo, p2tog) 4 times, turn 
Knit 12 rows. 
Stockinette st Separator: 
Work 1.75(2-2.25-2.5-2.75-3-3.25)“ in stst (starts and ends with a RS row). If you prefer a more finished bottom edge, you may want to work the last 4 sts of the WS row as knit to make a garter edging on the st st section. 
Work wedge with garter and separator 4 times more, then work wedge once more, Binding off on last row of garter st. (last knit row).

BODICE In diagram form: 

alt text

BODICE: 
With RS facing, pick up 172(196-220-244-264-288-312)sts along top edge of “skirt”. First row – K 43(49-55-61-66-72-78)sts, place marker, k 86(98-110-122-132-144-156)sts, place marker, k remaining 43(49-55-61-66-72-78)sts Knit 4 more rows. Buttohole row – knit 6, bo 2 sts, knit to end. Knit the next row, and cast on 2 sts over bound off 2. Knit 3 rows. Next row (WS) – K 6 sts and place them on a holder. K to last 6 sts, place last 6 on a holder. Change to st st and work 4 rows straight begin neckline shaping. 
Neckline shaping:
Dec row (RS)- k3, k2 tog, k to last 5 sts, ssk, k3.
Repeat dec row every 6th row 2(3-0-0-0-0-0) times. 
Then, Repeat dec row every 8th row 9(9-12-13-13-13-14) times. 
(Meanwhile you will be shaping the armholes, and later the shoulders.) 
When piece measures 2.75(3-3.25-3.5-3.75-4-4.25)” from top of skirt, ending with a wrong side row it’s time to separate the fronts from the back. Directions assume you are working one section at a time.

RIGHT FRONT 
(While continuing neck shaping) work to first maker. turn, begin armhole shaping. 
Armhole shaping 
Bind off at armhole 4 sts once, 3 sts once, 2 sts 1(1-2-3-4-5-6) times. Dec one st (following neckline necks as a model) 3(5-6-7-8-9-10) times 
When piece measures 7(7.5-8-8.5-9-9.5-10)” from beg of armhole shaping, begin shoulder shaping. (You may still be shaping the neckline).

Shoulder shaping 
Bind off at shoulder edge, 3(5-5-5-6-7-8) sts 2(1-4-2-4-1-1) time(s), then 4(4-0-6-0-6-7)sts 2(3-0-2-0-3-3) times.

BACK 
With RS facing, join yarn to back and work armhole shaping at each edge. Work shoulder shaping at each shoulder as described above.

LEFT FRONT 
With RS facing, join yarn to left front and work armhole shaping at beg of RS rows. (Continue with neckline shaping as well). Work shoulder shaping at beg of RS rows as described above.

FRONT BANDS 
With smaller needles (2 sizes smaller) and WS facing, slip sts for right front holder to needle. Join yarn, p1, k1 (m1p, k1) 3 times, p1 – 9 sts. Work 1/1 rib for the same # of rows as the front edge. 
Trick – work the rib until you think it’s about right. Don’t’ bind off. Sew it to the front using the mattress st – one full st in and taking one row at a time. When you get to the top adjust the # of rib rows as you complete the sewing and bind off. For the left band, begin with RS facing, join yarn, k1, p1 (m1k, p1) 3 times, k1.

FRONT BANDS (revised 2/20/09)

With smaller needles (2 sizes smaller) and WS facing, slip sts for right front holder to needle. Join yarn, p1, k1 (m1p, k1) 3 times, p1 – 9 sts. Work 1/1 rib  for the same # of rows as the front edge + 3(3-3-3.25-3.25-3.25-3.5)”.

Trick – work the rib until you think it’s about right. Don’t’ bind off. Sew it to the front using the mattress st – one full st in and taking one row at a time. Then continue sewing the band to the back neck until you reach the center back. When you get to the center back adjust the # of rib rows as you complete the sewing and bind off. The neck line will lie more nicely if the band is stretched across the back neck, so too few rows is better than too many. For the left band, begin with RS facing, join yarn, k1, p1 (m1k, p1) 3 times, k1. Sew the bind off ends of the bands to each other.

 

LONG SLEEVE (make 2)

With larger needles cast on  46(49-52-55-58-61-64) sts. Knit 6 rows. Change to stst and work ½” straight, ending with a WS row.  Inc row (RS)- K3, m1, k to last 3 sts, m1, k3.  Repeat increase row every 14th(12th-10th-10th- 8th-8th-6th) row 8 (9-11-12-14-15-17) times more – 64(69-76-81-88-97-100) sts.  Work straight until piece measures 18” (or desired length to undersarm). Shape sleeve cap – Bind off 3 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows. Bind off 2 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows. Work dec row (as for bodice) every RS row 6 [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] times. Work dec row every 4th  row 2 times. Work dec row every RS row 8 [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] times. Bind off 2 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows. Bind off 3 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows. On next RS row, bind off remaining 12 [13, 16, 17, 20, 25, 24] sts.

espy excess

One story in norah gaughan volume 4 is all about excess fabric

That’s all I can say for now.

the return of wedgette

For those of you working on wedgette, I have decided to present the bodice numbers in a diagrammatic way, well, like a worksheet, before I write them out.

BODICE:

With RS facing, pick up 172(196-220-244-264-288-312)sts along top edge of “skirt”. First row – K 43(49-55-61-66-72-78)sts, place marker, k 86(98-110-122-132-144-156)sts, place marker, k remaining 43(49-55-61-66-72-78)sts  Knit 4 more rows. Buttohole row -  knit 6, bo 2 sts, knit to end.  Knit the next row, and cast on 2 sts over bound off 2. Knit 3 rows. Next row (WS) – K 6 sts and place them on a holder. K to last 6 sts, place last 6 on a holder. Change to st st and work 4 rows straight begin neckline shaping.

Neckline shaping 

Dec row (RS)- k3, k2 tog, k to last 5 sts, ssk, k3. 

Repeat  dec row every 6th row 2(3-0-0-0-0-0) times.

Then, Repeat  dec row every 8th row 9(9-12-13-13-13-14) times.

(Meanwhile you will be shaping the armholes, and later the shoulders.)

When piece measures 2.75(3-3.25-3.5-3.75-4-4.25)” from top of skirt, ending with a wrong side row it’s time to separate the fronts from the back. Directions assume you are working one section at a time.

 

RIGHT FRONT

. turn, begin armhole shaping.

Bind off at  armhole 4 sts once, 3 sts once, 2 sts 1(1-2-3-4-5-6) times. Dec one st (following neckline necks as a model) 3(5-6-7-8-9-10) times

When piece measures 7(7.5-8-8.5-9-9.5-10)” from beg of armhole shaping, begin shoulder shaping. (You may still be shaping the neckline).

 

Shoulder shaping

Bind off at shoulder edge, 3(5-5-5-6-7-8) sts 2(1-4-2-4-1-1) time(s), then  4(4-0-6-0-6-7)sts 2(3-0-2-0-3-3) times.

 

BACK

With RS facing, join yarn to back and work armhole shaping at each edge.  Work shoudler shaping at each shoulder as described above.

 

LEFT FRONT

With RS facing, join yarn to left front and work armhole shaping at beg of RS rows. (Continuse with neckline shaping as well). Work shoulder shaping at beg of RS rows as described above.

 

FRONT BANDS

With smaller needles (2 sizes smaller) and WS facing, slip sts for right front holder to needle. Join yarn, p1, k1 (m1p, k1) 3 times, p1 – 9 sts. Work 1/1 rib  for the same # of rows as the front edge.

Trick – work the rib until you think it’s about right. Don’t’ bind off. Sew it to the front using the mattress st – one full st in and taking one row at a time. When you get to the top adjust the # of rib rows as you complete the sewing and bind off. For the left band, begin with RS facing, join yarn, k1, p1 (m1k, p1) 3 times, k1. 

a tease from NGV4

I feel a bit like I’m emerging from captivity, although not an unpleasant captivity, just an intense one. I spend the last month designing the pieces for the 4th Berroco volume with my name on it. Let’s refer to the upcoming book as NGV4 , eliminating the need to type my own name over and over like a crazed ego manic (or a little kid just learning to write). I swatched, I sketched, and then the hard part began. In order to actually make my ideas work I drew up very detailed schematics and wrote the first instruction. Wow, that took so much time! Why can’t I just do normal sweaters?! :)

Ok, I don’t really mean that, since I thrive on doing things I haven’t done before. So now, there are 14 sample garments (some, risky experiments and some, not so much) out there in the hands of a dozen of the best knitters I’ve worked with.

…the tease:

My pile of swatches.

“You could live in a van!!”

That’s what Margery said when she saw me winding a skein of Ultra Alpaca from a little nook at my desk.

I’ve certainly settled in, populating every corner with knitting essentials: stitch dictionaries, shade cards and a bulletin board that holds inspiring images and a detailed calendar. I’m getting used to forgetting what day/month/season it is! It’s a little disorienting to plan summery photo shoots, arrange a palette of autumnal colors and squish skeins of wintry wool blends all in the span of a day.

In spite of that, it’s a very happy perch…

Yesterday Norah and I returned to Western Mass for an interactive trunk show at Webs. Norah introduced the sweaters from NG vol. 3 and Andra (the Northeast Berroco sales representative) and I walked the runway showing two sizes of many of the most popular sweaters. Andra was a natural and Kathy took quite a bit of video footage (I’ll link to it when she posts it). Usually people are pretty shy about trying on sample garments but this was pure sweater madness–it looked like Filene’s Basement!

As usual, unconventional shapes were surprisingly flattering on a wide range of bodies, and using the tried and true upside-down trick, options were multiplied. One attendee tried on Linear but didn’t feel comfortable with the flyaway shape. We turned it upside down and voila–no exposed belly and a lush shawl collar gave it a wholly different ‘grandpa chic’ look. Eastlake was a crowd favorite, but I was impressed by Cosmia–everyone on Ravelry says it’s super fast which sounds ideal as the mercury is plummeting here faster than I can knit!
CR

Preparation Time

A while back, a curious reader left this comment:

I am loving this peek into your design process! And at the same time as I look at your sheets feeling ever do disorganized!
As I also watched your latest video slideshow for booklet 279 (keep doing these slide shows they are great) one question kept coming to mind. I was wondering how far ahead do you prepare these designs for the booklets? The way you both spoke of the designs in the slideshow they sounded like, well, old friends!

First, I have to say, that while we have to stay organized in order to produce so many new patterns each season, the rest of my office does not look so very organized. Here is the truth. My desk, right now:

My boss kinda understands that we designers need to be a bit messy, but I am forced to clean up periodically to clear my mind (or prep for an impending visitor). Right now we are finishing up the last minute designing for Spring ’09. Our sales reps are on the road with the photos in a few months, we show all at the TNNA trade show in January and all the info goes up on the web in January. Spring hits the stores, well, when ever they want it, starting in January or February. So really, we are not all that far ahead, 6 months, give or take. We are BUYING yarns for Fall 09 now though. As soon as this season is all wrapped up will be off and running with that one.

The sweaters DO feel like old friends by the time the books are in the yarn stores.  We know all of their names (as odd as they may be). We’ve talked about them and written about them ad nauseam and yet we still love them.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 330 other followers