“Hitch” available for preorder next week!

Way back in March last year, I tentatively answered (for the first time) a call for submisssions. The project was a book to be “curated” by Stephannie Tallent, and the theme was “Patterns inspired by the films of Alfred Hitchcock”.

This was my initial sketch

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I wanted to create something sublimely feminine; echoing the graceful look of Grace Kelly as Lisa in Rear Window. This is a top that would really look sexy on a woman with curves. I used a whole bunch of tricks to enhance the hourglass look: a crossover top, ease difference between upper and lower body, deep waistband, geometric chevrons at the waist and some deep waist shaping. The sleeves are 3/4 length, coming to just below the elbow, with lots of curves to echo the body. Instead of chiffon, I made the sleeves loose, worked up with a mesh stitch so when the light’s right, you can see through them. I am VERY pleased with the result. It’s by no means an easy knit, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

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This photo by Nick Murway.

 

Preordering will begin on September 5.

Catchloops Update – And it’s also post #100!

Half the reason I don’t post as often as I should is that I feel like I must have pics every time I do. That’s another of the “golden rules” of blogging. 1) Post often, 2) Have pics 3) Be interesting. 3)’s kinda optional.

Of late, I’ve been working on a secret design for Knit Now 27; getting submissions together – can’t show you any pics of them either for much the same reason, and I have two designs in testing at the mo too. One of those (le sigh) is also secret, but the other is the Kaava Shawlette that I flashed the other day.

bottom_croppedThis is my first lace shawl and I’m going to release it just as soon as it’s tech-edited and tested. Could be as close as two weeks away or as much as a month, but either way looks like it’s going to be my next released pattern.

I’m stoked to say that the response to Kaava has been overwhelmingly good. The yarn is 100% blue-faced leicester, handdyed by a friend and member of The Harrow Knitters, Shamu Makes, who has a fab eye for colour. I made it originally to go with a purple dress, but actually, it looks gorgeous with turquoise. I blocked it really hard and it has graceful, flowing drape. The main stitch patterns in it are Stocking Stitch, Shower Stitch and Lacy Rib, and the crochet bind-off reminds me of castle crenels or cogs. Something very engineering-y, anyway :)

My next projects are lots and lots of proposals – sketching, swatching and specc’ing, but I do also has some more of my own patterns in the pipeline. I find it hard to prioritise my own patterns over everything else that needs to be done – any one out there want to be my drill sergeant?

I’m looking forward to the Summer holidays – I’ll be home in Dublin for a week in August, so I’d love to catch up with the Irish yarny world, aon sceal nua for me?

Hugs, and proud to get to post #100! (It’s the little accomplishments!)

x Elanor

 

 

 

 

 

Kaava Shawlette – Testers Needed!

Here’s a shawlette that’s a little bit of a challenge, but in manageable doses.

Moody, arty shot follows:

Kaava Shawlette
Kaava Shawlette (Moody shot!)

The Kaava shawlette is knit flat, top-down, starting with a garter st tab CO. Then there are three featured sts: st st, shower st (a double-sided lace) and Lacy Rib (which is a super simple one-sided lace). Then a crochet bind-off gives the shawl edge the appearance of a clockwork cog.

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I’m looking for testers now, so drop by the Free Pattern Testers group if you’re interested! I’ll put a link here when the request is approved.

Win, win, win! “In the Loop” goodies and Knit Now 22!

Competition time!

To celebrate my first published pattern, I’m having a giveaway!

Win yarn, needles and a copy of Knit Now 22!

In the Loop Cowl
Josephine Anderson for BOSS models is wearing my latest pattern “In the Loop”. This cowl features a funky 3D stitch pattern that creates leaning holes and loops, all without  breaking the yarn. It’s knit with Wendy Roam Fusion and the pattern is available in Knit Now 22  – which goes on sale May 30th.  Photos by Dan Walmsley and reproduced here with kind permission from Practical Publishing.

All you have to do is comment below describing or linking to your favourite 3D or innovative stitch pattern. Leave me a way to get back in touch! (i.e. don’t be anonymous!)

Yarn and Needles and Mag!
Win yarn and needles to make my “In the Loop” cowl from Knit Now 22.

The prize is a ball of Wendy Roam 4 ply, Knitpro 100cm circular needles, size 2.75mm and a copy of Knit Now 22, which goes on sale on May 30th.

The competition is open to residents in the UK and Ireland. I reserve the right to add further competition caveats and rules as I go along.

Also, thought you should know, I made and frogged a small (tiny) tension swatch with the first few yards of the yarn. Soz!

Zebra Chevrons in Slip-Stitch (or Mosaic) Colourwork

The Zebra Chevron Slip-Stitch Colourwork pattern is one of my favourite stitch patterns, and it’s surprisingly easy to work. I think you’ll agree it makes for a striking pattern, and all it is is stripes of knit sts with a few slip stitches thrown in.

Zebra Chevron Swatch
Zebra Chevron Swatch

To work this st, you work in stripes of colours, knitting 1 to 3 sts in the colour you are using this stripe, and slipping sts that you want to leave in the contrasting colour. Always slip purlwise, so no twist is introduced into the st.

Rnds 1 & 2: With colour A, [k2, sl1] 8 times.
Rnds 3 & 4: With colour B, [sl1, k2] 3 times, sl1, k3, [sl1, k2] 3 times, sl1, k1.
Rnds 5 & 6: With A, k1, sl1, [k2, sl1] 3 times, k1, sl1, [k2, sl1] 3 times, k2.
Rnds 7 & 8: With B, repeat Rows 1 & 2.
Rnds 9 & 10: With A, repeat Rows 3 & 4.
Rnds 11 & 12: With B, repeat Rows 5 & 6.

To knit it flat, work the odd rows as written, and then for the even rows, just slip (wyif) the slip sts and purl the knit sts of the previous row.

Here’s the chart:

Zebra Chevron Chart

zebrakey

The fabric produced when working a mosaic or slip-stitch pattern is much denser than plain stocking st. This is because you’re effectively working every row twice; once with each colour. The fabric is firmer, with less stretch, but it’s warmer too.

I have used this stitch pattern in an up-coming garment at the waistband. The geometric lines plus a little extra shaping draw the eye in at the waist, so if you’ve got curves, this is a great way to show ’em off. Sneaky peek:

Zebra Chevron Slip Stitch Colourwork

Unravel 2013

Had a marvellous time at unravel today. Met lots of wonderful people and so many lovely compliments on Wildacres.

Wildacres Preview
Wildacres coming soon

It’s in the final stages of testing so it will be up on ravelry soon, soon, soon.

Here are some detail shots:

Wildacres - Shoulder view
Wildacres – Shoulder view
Wildacres - Front top
Wildacres – Front top
Wildacres - detail
Wildacres – detail

Bow Ties Are Cool

I’m pleased to introduce my latest pattern, Bow Ties Are Cool, lots of puns intended.

This cosy cowl will keep you warm any time you feel like running away with a madman in a box. The funky 3D pattern is created by casting stitches on and off in the middle of a row.

The pattern uses 100g of DK weight yarn.

Available to buy for £2.95 from my ravelry store

Bow Ties Are Cool Cowl
Bow Ties Are Cool Cowl
Bow Ties Are Cool Cowl
Keep stylishly warm!
Bow Ties Are Cool Cowl and Uppingham Hat
Coming soon: Uppingham Hat