For past couple weeks I have been working on a jacket designed by Vladimir Teriokhinissued in the Winter 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting. I have chosen to modify the collar a bit so it fits my body frame better; though I like the original collar design, I don't think it would look good on me. I have heard about some errors involve with this pattern by other folks, who contacted me to get help, so in the future post I might try to sum up some of the errors with the pattern as I and others see it.
Right now, I just wanted to share some pictures of the jacket. These pictures were taken about a week ago and since then I have joined the collar and sewn the shoulder seams and the back neck seem. I also worked the support for the collar, which I did not really fully understood from the instructions. But I had to modify that support since I have made a different collar. I made the support more like a lining for the collar and I'll see how it'll work. Also I have finished both of the sleeves and I am wet blocking all the pieces but the final sewn-on 18-st cable, which I am still working on at the moment. Now I have lots of sewing to work on. I guess I will turn some fun music on and try to do it in as short time as possible. Sewing is not my favorite thing to do, I confess.
Yes, I have just finished another Bell Sleeve Shrug! So now each of my girls have one of their own. They really like to wear them a lot, even though my girl in this pictures was not in the mood of taking pictures, can you tell? This time I used different yarn yet again. See the info below.
Bell Sleeve Shrug #3 Pattern: Bell Sleeve Shrug Size: 8 yrs (she's 7 yrs old) Yarn: Caron Simply Soft - 1 ball! Needles: Us #8 (5 mm)
Couple of days ago I have sent a few proposal to a mag publisher for summer issue. I love the swatching and sketching and designing part, but I always dread doing the administrative part of it: the actual scanning of everything into the computer, filing and making comprehensive proposals themselves, printing, packaging - in short, the office work. So I am always happy when that's done; and now I can hope that they like one or two of the designs.
I have finished all three shrugs for my girls. I have also finished the Men's Ladder socks - though I have not finished writing the pattern yet. I am still debating if I should send it to Knitty or not. I am itching to post the pictures and put the pattern on Etsy. I'll see what kind of pictures we can take of it because, honestly, I think you have to have awesome pictures (plus of course a great pattern to go with it) in order to be considered for being published in Knitty. But there's still time, I think the due date for submission is March or so. I should check it out, just to make sure not to miss the deadline.
Teriokhin Cape Jacket Now I have started working on my next project for me. I really like a few designs in the new Vogue Knitting magazine. I chose to work on the Cape Collar Jacket (#16) by Vladimir Teriokhin. I love the silhouette and the style of the design. I like the collar on the model; but not for me, so I will modify it to make it not so wide, more traditional width. I am about 20% through the project and it's coming along rather quick, since I am actually following a written pattern! So this is a fun and pleasure knitting for me. I am using different yarn; I bought Bernat Soy Natural Blend. I love the drape of it. I am using US #8 (5 mm) needles and I am getting the same 19 st per 4" gauge as they are with #4 needles. I guess the yarn they used in the sample must be very soft, fluffy yarn, since it's also medium weight yarn; or the sample knitter knits very loosely. At left you can see some pictures of the jacket in progress.
The new Vote on the Cover feature for the new spring issue of Knitters magazine #90 is up on the Knitting Universe website. If you want, you can check it out here and vote. This time it's none of my designs on the cover, but they all look pretty exciting. What's your favorite? So go and vote and see what the editors are going to choose at the end.
This weekend I was testing the new pattern Bell Sleeve Shrug. I made it for my youngest daughter in size 6yrs. She is only 4 years old but wears size 5/6.
Bell Sleeve Shrug #2 Size: 6 Yarn: Red Heart Ltd. Soft Yarn Solids Needles: US#8 (5mm)
Now I am going to work on the size 8 yrs because my middle daughter want one too.
Thank you guys for offering to test knit for me. As of now, I have enough knitters to try the new pattern. The pattern will be available in my Etsy store as soon as we're done testing it.
The pattern for the Bell Sleeve Shrug is done. I have offered couple knitters the opportunity to knit this garment for free in exchange for feedback on the pattern. I have one knitter to test-knit the size 4 yrs. If you'd like to test-knit the shrug in sizes 12 yrs or 14 yrs, please contact me. You can just leave a comment on the site; I will get back to you.
Please see previous posts for further information on the project.
Today, I have been working on the pattern for the Bell Sleeve Shrug. Now I just need to proofread it and find some test knitters. If you'd like to try the pattern and would be willing to give me feedback on it, please contact me and I'll send it to you free of charge. This is a fast knit; it should not take longer than a week to complete. I'd be most interested to have somebody knit the size 14 yrs or 4 yrs. Below are the measurements for each size
SIZES: 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) yrs
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Back 9 3/4 (11, 11 3/4, 13, 14, 14 3/4)"- measured from underarm to underarm; it's supposed to have a tight fit.
Gauge: 17 sts and 23 rows = 4" square over St st with US size #8 (5mm).
You will need Aran weight yarn and circular and a set of 5 dpn needles size US #8 (5mm).
Yesterday we had gone to visit our Czech friends. We had great time and so did the kids. We came home quite late, so today we took it easy and hung around the house.
My kids go to Brownies troop and on their next try-out they are doing Stitching. So I have picked to volunteer this Try-It. I have bought some felt and we'll be working on making Brownies purses and heart pouches for whatever (bonbons, messages, etc.) . And me being a pattern writer, I have made step-by-step picture instructions of what we'll be doing. I hope this way it will be easier for the kids to know what to do; and if necessary they'll be able to finish it at home should we run out of time at our meeting. Below you can see the simple projects.
Swatching Today I have been also re-working some swatches for felted bag using Patons Classic Wool Merino. I have finished it on Friday, though when I was felting in in my washing machine, my neighbor came over and I got distracted and over felted it. Ugh! So I am doing it again because I feel this is going to look quite nice if done properly. The yarn knits up and felts quite nicely if fabric is knitted; though I tried another swatch that was crochet and that one did not felt so good. I think the crocheted article must take much longer to felt than knitted fabric.
Men's Socks I am still working also on the men's socks; I have about 4 more inches to go. So hopefully it will done soon. I can't wait for my hubby to wear it. They should be pretty warm.
I wanted to share some pictures of my daughter's shrug she was begging me for for longest time. I finally made it for her before Christmas; and she's been wearing it since. It is a rather quick knit worked from top downwards all in one piece without any sewing involved. The sleeves flare a bit at the ends forming bell sleeves style. To finish, stitches are picked up along the neck, front, and back edges to knit the edging on. I have started writing the pattern for this, but got busy with other projects over the holidays. So I have to get back to it; and hopefully I will make it for the February pattern of the month.
Bell Sleeve Shrug info: Sizes: 4 - 14. Pictured in size 10. Yarn: 3 balls of Caron Simply Soft Shadows 3oz/ 85 g; 150 yd; autumn color. Needle size: US #8 (5.00 mm) circular needles and 1 set of 5 dpns. Gauge: 15 sts and 25 rows = 4" square over St st with US #8 needles.
I liked working with the yarn; it was nice and soft. But when my daughter started to wear it, it started to pill on the sleeves somewhat. Yesterday I machine washed and dried it; and it did not shed or pill at all (which I was pleasantly surprised); only some of the pill on the sleeves stayed. But the yarn is a good value for the money and is great for the kids.
It's been a while since I wrote anything on my blog, so I want to take a moment and wish you all happy, healthy and productive new year 2008.
December flew by so quickly for me that I did not even notice that I have not blogged a bit. Many things happened work-wise that I will have to go bit by bit in the upcoming blogs. I've been designing and swatching as usual. I really enjoy this time when I am dreaming up stuff; on the other hand, I have so many ideas that I get overwhelmed sometimes and have to try to turn my mind off. I just do not have enough time to work on all my ideas. and that's what's probably overwhelming. Anyways.
Scarf with Hood I'd like to share with you a new pattern, which is published in a new book Vogue Knitting on the Go: Cables: Mittens, Hats & Scarves. The pattern is for a Scarf with Hood. The pattern info is listed below.
I loved working on this scarf. The yarn is so soft and yummy, you just want to cuddle in it. I have to make one for myself; it will definitely be used a lot in this time of a year. Below you can see the scarf from different angles. Unfortunately, in the book you can see only one pictures, so here you can get a closer look of how the scarf is made.
Man's Socks I've been working on a pair of socks for my husband. I am using the Regia sock yarn - the design line Kaffe Fassett. I really like how they are turning out. I knitted one just to see if it will be big enough for my husband, and it fitted well, so now I am working on the other one. I will not post any pictures yet, since I am deciding if I should submit the pattern to Knitty.com. I will know once I am finished if I do it or not. I have to say that I really like working with this yarn; I am using US #1 size needles and despite the small size, the socks are coming along rather quick.
Girls Shrug My daughter have been begging me to knit her a long sleeve shrug for over a year, and I never seemed to find time to do that. So at the begging of December I have made her one. I have also started working on the pattern, though, I have not finished it yet. I am trying to make it again in a wide range of sizes. I have to look for the pictures, I will post them in my upcoming blogs.
CROCHET In past few months I had been brainstorming new ideas for garment designs, and some of the ideas that came to my mind where hard to be completed as knitted projects. So I have been brushing up on my crochet skills - and truth be told - I am learning tons of new tricks and stitches, and it's opening totally a new world to me. I had gotten myself a few crochet stitch books for Christmas, ye! I like listing through them because I get quite inspired. Right now I have finished a new pattern for a publication; and I am very pleased how it turned out. I hope they like it too.
Anyways, it's nice to be back. I have also skipped on my KNIT TIPS. I have to say that I am running low on ideas for the tips. So if you have any problem with your knitting, let me know, I will try to answer it and possibly turn in into a TIP.
For past couple weeks I have been working on a jacket designed by Vladimir Teriokhin issued in the Winter 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting. I have chosen to modify the collar a bit so it fits my body frame better; though I like the original collar design, I don't think it would look good on me. I have heard about some errors involve with this pattern by other folks, who contacted me to get help, so in the future post I might try to sum up some of the errors with the pattern as I and others see it. 
