Inspired by my sister’s request for a pair of knit boot cuffs, I put together a new pattern over the weekend. “Jen’s Boot Cuffs” has already been completed by one test-knitter and I am sending it off to a technical editor when I am done this post. While my first pattern “Everyday Hoodie” is still being perfected, this new pattern has flown off the needles and should be released very soon. I can’t contain my excitement!
Tag: knitwear design
Oh Boy
I’ve been finding myself walking around lately with my shoulders hunched up by my ears. I’m waking up with a sore jaw and a headache from clenching my teeth all night. And you know what is causing all of this tension? My hobby. Ever since I got the notion to turn this pastime into a tiny business I have found it to be less-than relaxing, but that’s not something I would change. It is giving me something to work on besides the day to day keep-the-children-alive-and-make-sure-they-don’t-turn-into-axe-murderers. The biggest problem is that I have all these ideas floating through my head and not much time to work on them, nor the patience to allow it to happen slowly. My incredibly calm, patient and supportive husband sat down and worked out a plan for me and it’s starting to look less overwhelming. My shoulders can now be found at chin-level!
It’s a Process
Now that I have finished Ryan’s socks I can turn my attention to the sweater design that is brewing in my head. My original plan was to use this beautiful plum-coloured lace weight alpaca yarn from Misti Alpaca. I had never used lace weight yarn before so I wasn’t really sure how it was going to go. So on Friday night I got a chance to sit down and start a swatch with my 2.25 mm needles. Result: yuck! Speaking as someone who generally has very good tension, it is damn-near impossible to do so with tiny yarn and tiny needles. So that idea was scrapped.
Then I got to thinking, if I’m going to knit a sweater for a toddler then the yarn definitely needs to be strong, and it needs to be superwash. I also want it to be fingering weight yarn. What does that leave me with: sock yarn! I didn’t have anything on hand that was appropriate for this project so I just had to head to The Loop and pick up something pretty. I ended up with the most beautiful teal Cascade Heritage sock yarn, 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon. Perfect!
I started my swatch and really like the look of it in stockinette stitch, but the lace pattern I picked out just wasn’t going to work on a toddler shirt. That, coupled with the fact that Pippa screams like a banshee any time I try to put anything hand-made on her lately, may mean that this turns into a sweater for me. While I don’t relish the idea of making an adult sweater with fingering yarn, I think it would be very pretty and appeal to a wider audience. There will be more swatching tonight so we will see.
Also, I was a jelly-making machine today, pounding out a batch each of mint and jalapeno jellies. Stay tuned for jelly-post-palooza.
The Other Person Who Lives Here
I’ve already introduced you to my kids so now it’s time to tell you about the other VVIP in my life, my husband C. He is a mild-mannered scientist by day and a mild-mannered sports-fan by night. He is an incredible father who took paternity leave to be a stay-at-home-dad while I finished university. He really is my “better half” as he possesses all of the important qualities in life that I lack. Like, say, organizational skills, money skills, anger management skills, garbage removal skills. Girls really do like guys with skills!
He’s also very knit-worthy. He has already worn through the first pair of socks I knit him and is pestering me for more. His Rogers-esque Cardigan Jacket gets worn a lot. The sweater was pretty labour-intensive, with a lot of seams and a lot more stitches than your average cardigan, but it was worth it. The look would not have been the same if it had been a simple top-down raglan. We both love how it turned out, and I’ve been known to steal it from time to time.
Coming Soon to a Blog Near You…
This blog is going to be the launching-board for my explorations into knitwear design. I’ve got a pattern almost ready to go and lots of ideas festering. I’ll be linking to my patterns for download on Ravelry as well as blogging about the creative process along the way. I’ll probably also talk a bit about my other domestic adventures in sewing and cooking.
And now for a sneak-peek at what I’m working on right now…
Cowtown Knits 