A new pattern, just in time for Stitches. Shane is one of those garments that appears to be really tricky to knit, but in fact is quite simple. The fabric is created using an easy slipped stitch pattern to create a fair isle-esque look. It’s knit from the top down in one piece. There are no side seams, which means you won’t have to try to line up the stripes on the sides. The collar is a loose-knit scarf that is sewn along the edges of the vest. After all my indecision on this vest, I’m really pleased with how it came out. Download it here.
This garment, along with all of our patterns, will be available for inspection, trying on, etc, at Stitches West this Thursday-Sunday. Hope to see you there.
I’ve been on quite an emotional roller coaster with my latest design. We have a love/hate relationship. Back in October I purchased some yarn for a fair isle vest. I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like and was anxious to get started (LOVE). I wound the yarn into balls and there they sat on my coffee table for two months just mocking me. I couldn’t get the fair isle to do what I wanted (HATE).
Last week I suddenly realized I was approaching it all wrong. Forget fair isle! Go for fake fair isle created by slipping stitches. So much easier, faster and was exactly the look I wanted (LOVE). Made a swatch and got started on the back. I was now in the obsessive phase of wanting only to knit and do nothing else. When I got to the armholes I had to make a decision. Did I want to stick with my original idea for a traditional vest? No, of course not.
Designing does not come easy for me. I toil with angst, wondering if I’ve made the right decisions. There are so many options; shawl collar, v-neck, crew neck, pullover, buttondown, fitted, loose, long, cropped? Should it even be a vest? How about a cardigan? By this time I had a big headache, was dehydrated and hadn’t been outside in days (HATE). A decision had to be made.
Just got back yesterday from spending a week with my family in Lake Tahoe. It was absolutely beautiful there. The first couple of days it snowed, covering everything with a white blanket. We bundled up and did the only reasonable thing we could do…knit. My mom, sister, gran, aunt, cousin and I all headed down to Lake Tahoe Yarn Company. We entered, each carrying a different Jordana Paige bag and had Kelly, the shop owner, thinking it was a bit interesting. I introduced myself to her, which was such a nice opportunity since she carries our products, and made sense of the walking JP show that we were.
I helped my family pick out the yarn and needles they needed all the while circling back to the shelf of Isager yarn. I had no intention of buying yarn, but I finally gave in. It had its hold on me and will be perfect for my next design–a fair isle vest. Isager is 50% alpaca and 50% wool. It’s very soft. The color story is so homey and warm.
After the snow melted (aren’t I nice to my model) we did a photo shoot at Squaw Valley of the pattern I gave you a sneak peak of. It’s my favorite photo shoot to date. Still haven’t written the pattern, but it’s on my to do list for the week. Should have it all ready sometime next week.
Lastly, if you’re in the Bay Area, mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 28th from 5-7pm. I’ll be visiting Nine Rubies in San Mateo with all my knitwear samples and bags. Nine Rubies is a beautiful shop. I’m sure it will be a really fun evening.
A new pattern, just in time for Stitches. Shane is one of those garments that appears to be really tricky to knit, but in fact is quite simple. The fabric is created using an easy slipped stitch pattern to create a fair isle-esque look. It’s knit from the top down in one piece. There are no side seams, which means you won’t have to try to line up the stripes on the sides. The collar is a loose-knit scarf that is sewn along the edges of the vest. After all my indecision on this vest, I’m really pleased with how it came out. Download it here.
