Catching up on New Patterns: Whitemud Creek and Blooming Fine

I'm more than a little behind on things lately, and am going to try to catch up at least a little bit here. First off, I should be sure to tell you that my Whitemud Creek Pullover is on the cover of Knit Now Magazine Issue 109!

Image courtesy of Knit Now Magazine, used with permission

Image courtesy of Knit Now Magazine, used with permission

Worked in Rico Design Essentials Soft Merino, the Whitemud Creek Pullover is worked in the round to the underarms, then shaped and worked back and forth in rows to the shoulders. Shoulders are seamed, then stitches are picked up at the armhole edge and worked back and forth in rows, with a join worked at the underarm edge at each pass until the underarm is fully integrated into the sleeve. The sleeve is then worked in the round down to the cuff, and the collar is picked up and knit around the neckline.

Image courtesy of Knit Now Magazine, used with permission

Inspired by Autumn strolls over crunchy leaves in the Whitemud Creek Ravine near my childhood home, this pullover features a winding cable panel on the back and front that recalls that shallow meandering creek.

Image courtesy of Knit Now Magazine, used with permission

The magazine also features a pattern from a fellow Albertan, Barb Brown, who has designed a gorgeous Christmas Stocking.

Image courtesy of Knit Now Magazine, used with permission

You can order your copy and find out more information about the magazine here: https://www.knitnowmag.co.uk/2019/11/05/knit-now-issue-109-out-now/


I also have a new pattern out with Ancient Arts Yarns, and that one is a quick fun stranded colourwork knit: Blooming Fine Mitts!

Worked in Lascaux Fine, which is a two-ply fingering weight yarn that is a blend of Manx Loaghtan and Punta Arenas wool, the Blooming Fine Mitts feature a flower-like motif that is embellished with bobbles for a bit of extra fun. Two 50g skeins (one in each colour) gives you enough yarn to make two pairs if you reverse the colour scheme for the second pair.

You can buy kits for the mitts right here: https://ancientartsfibre.com/collections/yarn-and-kits/products/blooming-fine-mitts-kits

Laboratory Pullover

I have a new pattern available through Interweave Knits! The Laboratory Pullover was published the other day in Interweave Knits Winter 2019, The Science Issue. There are a lot of fun science-themed knits in the issue, and you can check it out in the Interweave store here.

Photo courtesy of Harper Point Adventures Photography and Interweave Knits

My men's pullover, inspired by Dutch Fishermen's sweaters was given a bit of a modern tweak with the neckline shaping and set-in sleeves, which are worked top-down in the round for a seamless knit. The pullover is worked in Sugarbush Yarns Crisp DK, a gorgeous 100% merino yarn. You can see the excellent stitch definition in the below photo particularly well.

If you noticed during last year's Gift-a-long that I had drifted away from the forums partway through and had trouble keeping up, it was because I was hard at work on this sweater! I'm very pleased with it, and love the pictures that Harper Point Adventures Photography took for Interweave! They do gorgeous work, and the model is handsome too! The sweater looks great on him, and I should add that the same size of sweater (medium), thanks to the stretchy nature of the rope-and-cable pattern, fits nicely up to a 40" frame as well, where it would still have standard ease of 3" in the chest. The full size range of measurements for the finished sweater around the chest at the underarms is: 40 (43¾, 48¾, 52¼, 56)“. For more construction notes as well as details on sizing, materials, notions, and gauge, check out the Laboratory Pullover's Ravelry page here, where you can add this sweater to your knitting queue!

Photo courtesy of Harper Point Adventures Photography and Interweave Knits

Photo courtesy of Harper Point Adventures Photography and Interweave Knits

Hey, look, I'm in a book!

If you're following me elsewhere, you probably already know, but here's the news: I have a pattern in a book!

Last week, Interweave Knits released their 100 Knits: Interweave's Ultimate Pattern Collection, featuring their most popular knitting patterns, and one of the selected patterns is my Mount Robson Pullover!

You can buy the book through your local independent bookstore (if it carries knitting books; sadly, mine tends not to), the Interweave website, and through Chapters and other big bookstores, as you might expect.

Playing/Working Catch Up (like the laundry, it never ends)

I'm catching up on work after a summer of very sporadic work hours, and was just about to start work on a post about sweaters when I spotted something. I have completely forgotten to share two pattern here, and what's more, forgot to share the completed Ásta Sóllilja sweater that I have worn several times since I last wrote about it while I was still in the middle of knitting it.

So, writing about sweaters can wait until next time. I've updated the patterns page (just under the page header, just to the right of "home", click on "patterns") to include the two following patterns:

Folk Tale Mitts

Soon to be available in kit form from Recreated Textiles , the Folk Tale Mitts are quick, fun, and cheerful. Just right to keep your hands warm while out for walks in the crisp autumn air, or surviving indoor winter at your summer office when someone cranks the AC up too high. Also a quick stocking stuffer for that matter, if it isn't too early to speak of such things...

If you can't wait for the kit, head here:



Chesterfield Slippers


Named for the plaid Chesterfield in the living room from when I was a kid, these cozy Chesterfield Slippers are worked in Sea Turtle Fibre Arts Lagoon DK in Plaid Flannel. Also a nice and quick knit, these slippers were designed to look great in any colourway, using a simple pattern to add interest without being hidden behind the busier handpainted colourways. Whether you opt for a semi-solid or go for a yarn with gusto, the Chesterfield Slippers will keep your feet (or those of anyone you knit them for) nice and toasty while settling down on the Chesterfield/Couch/Sofa with a compelling book.









Now for the just for fun knitting! The rest of my knitting time on Ásta Sóllilja by Kate Davies was almost entirely without incident, and quite enjoyable. It took a bit of fortitude to weave-in all the ends, but that's pretty much the cost of a gorgeous colourwork garment, so it was entirely worth it.

I only made the one modification, and minor one at that, which was to modify the waist shaping to not nip the waist in quite as much. This worked great, but did call for a few extra yards of yarn than the seventh size calls for. Luckily a friend had some to spare (Thanks Vanessa!), so I finished off the last three rounds with hers. I loved knitting this sweater; it's always nice to just knit something from a pattern for fun (and for the end product, of course) and enjoy the whole process. It's toasty warm, which trades off nicely for the fact that the yarn gets to me after awhile in any of the areas where it is next to skin. Sometimes the warmth is just more important than any other consideration, and this sweater got me through several baseball games this year when it was colder out than expected.

Presenting Hank's Pullover in Interweave Knits Fall 2017

Interweave Knits Fall 2017 is out, and I have a pattern in it! I'd like to present to you: Hank's Pullover.

I had originally conceived of this sweater as a casual, relaxed sort of pullover, but when it came to thinking through the finishing touches, I wanted to add a little something special. I spent a bit of time swatching and planning, then decided to dress it up with a welted collar accent that resembles piping. This added touch makes Hank's Pullover the sort of sweater that you can wear dressed-up or dressed-down depending on what you pair it with.

Hank's Pullover is worked in Harrisville Designs WATERshed, which is an excellent woollen-spun yarn, and transfers its properties to this pullover. The yarn has made this sweater marvellously light in weight, yet very warm, as a woollen-spun yarn traps a lot of air within its fibres, providing additional insulation. This makes the sweater an excellent choice for travelling or backpacking, as it weighs less than the same sweater would with the same yardage of a worsted-spun yarn. WATERshed transforms as it is washed, with the yarn blooming to make the fabric more cohesive, yet also drapier and softer to the touch.

WATERshed has a variety of lovely heathered colours; this sweater is knit in Mallard. Which colour would you choose?

As always, I really enjoyed working with Interweave Knits and all their great staff! All photos in this post are courtesy of Harper Point Photography for Interweave Knits. Go check out the rest of the issue for more great photos!

Bangor Pullover

I'm proud, pleased, and excited to be able to say that Interweave Knits Winter 2017 is out, and in it you will find my Bangor Pullover! This issue of Interweave Knits is available via the Interweave Store (here: print edition or here: digital edition ), and my contribution was part of the Whiskey and Wool theme, which features an excellent array of cabled knitwear worked in gorgeous wool.

Photo by Harper Point Photography for Interweave Knits. Used with Permission.

I'm particularly proud of this sweater, and I've had a closeup of it as the wallpaper on my mobile ever since the day I sent in the sample! I love the yarn; it has good stitch definition, feels great, and looks amazing. Worked in Cascade 220 Heathers, in Pumpkin Spice, the colour has a brilliant amount of depth. Every person who saw the sample in person while I was knitting it exclaimed at the colour and looked closer to see the different shades that worked together to make a great blend.

Photo by Harper Point Photography for Interweave Knits. Used with Permission.

My goal with this sweater was to make a comfortable yet stylish pullover. The cables remind me of the grains of rye that are used to flavour Canadian whisky, and the seed stitch works with the cables to add more texture while keeping simple clean lines. The cables on the sleeves continue up into a saddle-shoulder for a handsome finishing detail.

Photo by Harper Point Photography for Interweave Knits. Used with Permission.

The Bangor Pullover is worked from the bottom-up, in the round to the underarms, then front and back are worked flat separately. The sleeves are likewise worked cuff-up in the round to the underarm, with the sleeve caps and saddle worked flat, then set-in and seamed, with the collar picked up and worked in the round to finish. This sweater is a good choice for those who are new or newer to cables, as the cable is a simple one worked at regular intervals.

Photo by Harper Point Photography for Interweave Knits. Used with Permission.

Finished Size: 36 (39½, 44¼, 46¾, 51½)" chest circumference. Pullover shown measures 44¼"; modeled with 4¼" of positive ease.

The Bangor Pullover pattern can also be purchased individually from the Interweave Store here: Bangor Pullover

Fall Knitting is for the Summertime: Presenting the OXO Pullover!

As a knitter, I say it's never too early to start thinking of Fall. I also say that Summer is the time to start knitting up sweaters so they're ready to wear in the Fall, not to mention the odd chilly day out camping during the summer. Luckily, Love of Knitting seem to be in agreement on the subject, as they have just released their Fall 2016 issue. I am also very happy to say that I have a design included in this issue!

Presenting the OXO Pullover!

Photo by  Carmel Zucker for Love of Knitting. Used with permission.

I was so excited to see these photos when they arrived in my in-box. The model is just so adorable, and they did such a lovely job!

Photo by  Carmel Zucker for Love of Knitting.
Used with permission.

The OXO Pullover is a classic child's pullover with a bold X and O cable pattern forming columns.

Worked in Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash, the wool is warm, cozy, soft, durable, and machine-washable; all things that are ideal for a child's sweater. This yarn comes in a variety of colours that will appeal to kids and grown-ups alike, and I had many comments on the beautiful emerald colour as I was working on the sample.

Photo by  Carmel Zucker for Love of Knitting.
Used with permission.

The single-rib side panels give the sweater extra stretch allow extra room as your child grows; this and the modified drop-sleeve style allow for a comfortable relaxed fit without a lot of extra fabric to get in the way of a day of play. Finished Size: 25½ (27, 28, 29½ , 31)" chest circumference. Shown in size 28".

Photo by  Carmel Zucker for Love of Knitting. Used with permission.

Photo by  Carmel Zucker for Love of Knitting.
Used with permission.

The Fall 2016 issue of Love of Knitting is coming to newstands very soon, but in the meantime, you can order a print copy here:

http://www.interweavestore.com/love-of-knitting-fall-2016-print-edition

or a digital copy here:

 http://www.interweavestore.com/love-of-knitting-fall-2016-digital-edition

Frobisher

This past week, I've had two designs published (which makes for an exciting week!), and I am so glad to be able to finally share this one with you!

Photograph by Dan Walmsley for Practical Publishing

Frobisher is named for the rose in the Explorer series, which in turn is named for the explorer of the same name; quite appropriate for a sweater with both British and Canadian connections, right? The Canadian connection is of course myself, and the British connection is Knit Now Magazine, who have published my sweater in issue number 53, available for online purchase from Moremags at this link.

Photograph by Dan Walmsley for Practical Publishing

I am so pleased to have my sweater on the cover of this magazine, which is full of delicious cables, colourwork, and tweed; just the thing for October. There's even a crossword puzzle I'm hoping to try out over coffee later on; that too is full of woolly goodness!

Worked in Sirdar Wool Rich Aran, Frobisher features plenty of cables, including a large cable running up the sleeve into the saddle shoulders. The shawl collar is thoroughly cozy, and the choice of fit is reasonably flexible with the stretch in the cabled ribbing; that is, the size small fits me if I want a snug-but-comfortable fit, but if I wanted a more relaxed fit I would go with the medium that I usually wear. Sized in women's sizes from XS to 3XL, the sweater is actually unisex, so observe the actual measurements in centimetres to choose the size to knit for men.

I wanted the Frobisher pullover to be at once rugged and cozy, and there is just something about cables that speaks of both to me. I enjoyed designing and knitting Frobisher, and hope you will enjoy knitting it just as much!

Mount Robson Sneak Peek

I am extremely pleased to announce that I have a men's pullover design in Interweave Knits Summer 2015!

Photo courtesy of Harper Point Photography for Interweave Knits Summer 2015, used with permission

Interweave is the first knitting magazine that I ever bought, back when I first started knitting, so I am extremely delighted to have my Mount Robson Pullover be a part of it. If you follow the above link, you can check out the issue preview and see lots of great knits. I particularly love the Chesapeake Jacket, where a sea critter and knitwear unite in the best way possible!

Mount Robson Peak

Emperor Falls

I named my men's pullover after Mount Robson, which I hiked back in 1998 with my Karate club. We worked our way up to Berg Lake and back down the same day, with a stop at Emperor Falls for lunch. I had the dubious distinction of being longest on the trail (tip: Break in your hiking boots before your trip!), but had a great time no matter how sore my feet got.

Berg Glacier above Berg Lake

The sweater itself is great for hiking. Lightweight yet warm, it proves that wool is for Summer too! As you're climbing, the weather can shift fairly dramatically as you reach higher altitudes, so a wool sweater like this one is just the thing to carry in your backpack; extra warmth without extra weight to carry.









The slip-stitch rib pattern gives considerable stretch to the garment for ease of layering, and it features contrasting texture with the stockinette saddles. For more photos, the Ravelry preview is also up.

You can buy your copy of the magazine here: Interweave Store

Kinney Lake