May your 2013 be filled with lots of yarn
and knitting and/or crocheting!
and knitting and/or crocheting!
Quick Last Minute Gift
I have a tendency to overdo it with presents. I get it from
my mom, “Just one more little thing to open, you know…just cause.” Which means
even though I think I am done with my Christmas presents, I’m really not. But
who wants to go out into the madness of the shopping malls and centers at this
time of year? Not me! You know what that means. Yep, I am casting on something.
Each “sock” only takes about 20 yards, so you can get lots
of socks from a single skein of Alpaca Sox (available in Solids, Kettle Dyes or Hand Dyes) or Liberty Wool Light.
I hoped over to Ravelry to see what some of you have done
with this pattern in the past and there are lots of great ideas. I saw it used
as a gift tag with the person’s initial on it, as an ornament on trees, as an
advent calendar on a garland and even as doll socks.
Although there are only 3 knitting days left to Christmas,
you still have time to make a few of these.
Shawls, Wraps & Scarfs
Classic Elite Yarns and Sixth & Spring Publishing have
teamed up to create Shawls, Wraps &
Scarves. This book features 20 ideas
for shawls, wraps and scarves, each one done three different ways, which equals 60 possibilities.
The book features patterns by 17 different designers including Susan Mills, Nitza Coto, Carol Sulcoski, Linda Medina, Anastasia Blaes, Carolyn Noyes, Holli Yeoh, Brooke Nico, Jean Moss, Tonia Barry, Jacqueline Van Dillen, Jill Gutman Schoenfuss, Irina Poludnenko, Angela Tong, Cheryl Murray, Helen Bingham and Anniken Allis.
One of the great things about these ‘small’ projects is
chance to learn new techniques without committing to a huge project.
Looking to learn cables? The Power Cables patterns incorporate
a reversible cable to make a scarf, cowl or shawl. Using different yarns (Woodlandand Pirouette), each project has its own character.
How about lace? The Cream & Sugar patterns include a cowl,
a rectangle wrap and a triangle shawl. Using lighter weight yarns (Pirouetteand Vail), these lace projects create great layering pieces that can be worn
year round.
The words Fair Isle can strike fear in many knitter’s
hearts. But using the Nordic Star patterns you can incorporate as little or as
much as you would like.
Shawls, Wraps &
Scarves is available in local yarns stores now. You can also
purchase a copy online here. It would make a great gift for any knitter in your
life, whether they are a new knitter or an advanced stitcher.
All photos courtesy Sixth & Spring Books; photography Jack Deutsch.
All photos courtesy Sixth & Spring Books; photography Jack Deutsch.
Lowell Cowl
It happens every year. There is someone who you don't normally exchange gifts with, but they pull the ultimate surprise on you while having lunch or at a holiday get together. I like to have a backup plan in place at all times and keep something already wrapped in my desk or in the car for such occasions. Our Lowell Cowl is the perfect solution.
The recipient will be so impressed that you knit them something. They don't need to know that the cowl is made of a simple 'mistake' rib and garter stitch in the round on larger needles.
The Lowell Cowl is made with two different colors of Silky Alpaca Lace held together. It is sophisticated and practical at the same time. The silk in the yarn gives it a beautiful sheen, while the
alpaca will give it a nice halo and lots of warmth. It will be an accessory the
recipient (or yourself) can wear year round.
The cowl can be worn several ways - a single loop, a double
loop, as a shrug or even as a short scarf. With lots of solids and multi-colors
available, the possibilities really are endless.
Click here to download the free pattern.
Shadow Toque
The days are getting shorter and with a chill in the air, it
can mean one thing only...the holidays are closing in on us and our knitting time
is running out.
So what is a knitter to do? It has to be fast and yet
dramatic. The answer is simple. Hats, and in a chunky yarn.
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The Shadow Toque from the Fall 2011 Interweave Knits is the perfect solution. Knit in Tobbogan at 3 stitches per inch on US 10 ½ needles it works
up quickly. The cable detail makes it special
without making it too difficult.
Tobbogan is a wool and alpaca blend, so you know it will be
very soft to work with and keep the recipient’s head warm during the winter
months to come.
Taking only 1 skein and available in 21 colors, you can knit
one for everyone on your list, whether they were naughty or nice this year. A
second skein will enable you to make a big fluffy pom pom for the top, the
design detail of the season.
Purchase your copy of the pattern on Interweave’s website
here.
Photos courtesy of Interweave Press, Carmel Zucker, photographer.
Designer Spotlight: Laura Zukaite
We had such fun hearing from Laura Zukaite in October of last year that we thought we'd let you read about her design process again. Look for another great design from Laura in this week's Web-Letter.
--CEY, December 2012.
Laura Zukaite is an independent knitwear designer with an impossible-to-miss style and yen for luxury fibers and sophisticated looks. Her patterns are often thoughtful and well designed, with feminine details and a touch of the unexpected. Take a look at the Magnolia Swirl Cowl, a free pattern published in our weekly Web Letter. It is a tapered cabled strip that is joined in a coil of sorts, not with regular seams, but with a spiralling silk ribbon, integrating the finishing into the design.
Laura is already familiar with Magnolia, having used it in her Golden Girl Cardigan, another clever, feminine piece from her independently published collection at LauraZukaite.com.
She is the author of two books, Luxe Knits and Luxe Accessories, both featuring sophisticated designs in luxury yarns, and is also a frequent contributor to various online and print magazines, like Knitting, Vogue Knitting, and Knitty. She was kind enough to do an interview with us here at the blog.
How long have you been designing?
I have been knitting since I was five. All of my knits and later sweaters came out of just my imagination. Back then I never thought of what I was doing as "designing". But now when I think about it- I was designing all along.
How did you get started?
Actually, I do not remember. As far as my memory goes, I have always been knitting. My mother is an excellent knitter, so I assume that she taught me somewhere along the way. But I do not have a recollection of my first project or yarn that I used.
What's the first piece you ever designed (not necessarily for CEY)?
I think that the first piece that I have intentionally designed was when I was about 14 or 15. My mom bought me a cone of a beautiful Gray Heather Alpaca yarn and I knit myself an Aran Turtleneck. I still have it and wear it to this day: it became my favorite skiing sweater.
What pieces did you design in the Fall Collection?
For CEY Fall Collection I have designed two pieces in Kumara: Afternoon Light (off-shoulder top) and Landscape (ribbed hat), a piece in Ariosa: Glacier (ribbed cardigan), and an accessories set in Giselle: Merry and Bright (Hat and Cowl).
What is the timeline for one of your designs, from swatch to pattern to sample?
Depending on a complexity of a design- it could take anywhere from one to three weeks to turn around a sweater piece.
Approximately how many patterns do you publish a year?
20-30.
Do you use test knitters?
No.
What is your "design process"?
I usually start with the yarn and swatch. After I have the fabric created- then I move into sketching. I usually sketch-up a few ideas for one swatch and then pick my favorites. After that, I select colors and start the knitting process. I like to take notes as I knit and write the pattern afterwards.
Where do you do your design work? What does your "creative space" look like?
I usually design at home and execute “on-the-go”. But sometimes I would come up with ideas while just walking around and then only put it on paper when I get back to my studio. I knit pretty much anywhere (subway, train, waiting for doctor’s appointment…etc) but rarely at home.
What is your favorite piece you designed for the Fall Collection? What was your inspiration? My favorite piece is Afternoon Light (off-shoulder top) in Kumara. I remember at that time I was obsessed with subtle little ways of exposing the skin- and the piece just came to life naturally.
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