Wishing everyone a holiday season that is lovely and smooth. We’re relaxing and enjoying our family time together.

These little needle felted snowmen put a smile on our faces as Devan and I made them for Christmas gifts this year.

The idea for these little guys came from an image I found on Pinterest. The knitting pattern can be found on Ravelry. Since we were needle felting instead of knitting, I just winged it for the bodies. Devan made the carrot noses and we used tiny seed beads for the eyes. The scarves are needle felted in place.

Freelance deadlines were my priority well into December so I got quite a late start on my Christmas knitting. First to be finished will be Kabouter by Woolly Wormhead for Devan. I want him to  have a chance to wear it before the big day.

Knit Simple is on the newsstands and I just received my copy in the mail yesterday. One of my designs is included in the Toggle Mania story.

Knit Simple Winter 2012, photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com

The Garter-Stripe cardigan has a series of toggles attached with i-cord to the wide garter stitch front bands which are worked in Noro Kureyon. The rest of the cardigan uses Debbie Bliss’ Cashmerino Aran and is beautifully soft. I just love the mallard colourway paired with the Noro yarn in teals, blues, hot pinks and browns.

The garter stitch front bands are worked separately and sewn to the cardigan fronts. Long lengths of i-cord are knit, threaded through the toggles and then sewn to the front bands.

It has set-in sleeves and a short stand up garter stitch collar. The collar can also lie flat like a lapel jacket if desired.

I found the Kureyon/Cashmerino selection of yarns the publisher sent me to have two completely different textures and drapes. The garter stitch panels overlap a fair degree (like a double breasted jacket) and are somewhat stiff. I might choose to try Silk Garden or KnitPicks Chroma Worsted with the Cashmerino instead. Another option would be to choose a stiffer yarn for the solid colour. Maybe something like Cascade 220 or Létt-Lopi (Lite Lopi) or Galway.

All that said, this is another project that I would wear if I was able to keep it!

Publication: Knit Simple Winter 2012
Publisher: SoHo Publishing Company
Yarn: Cashmerino Aran by Debbie Bliss in #56 mallard and Kureyon by Noro in #259

One of the pieces in the exhibit, Low-Tech Factory offers a new interpretation on the rocking chair and on knitting. The chair is all about productive relaxation—the movement of the chair operates a simple circular knitting machine that produces a toque.

Artists Damien Ludi & Colin Peillex. Photo © Nicolas Genta. Image courtesy of ECAL.

While I’m intrigued by this project, I do find it curious that the students of the University of Art and Design Lausanne (ECAL) paired two stereotypical grandmotherly attributes: the rocking chair and knitting. To be fair, the people the artists chose to be photographed or filmed with the artwork are not women. Why is it that people—non-knitters and even some knitters—seem to constantly want to perpetuate the myth that knitting is only for grannies. I’m no granny and I love to knit!

Sometimes it’s nice to outline an intarsia shape with some embroidery, like in the last post. And then sometimes it’s easier to do that embellished embroidery with a crochet hook instead.

The chain stitch is one of my favourite embroidery stitches and it’s really the same thing as a crocheted chain that goes through a supporting fabric. Why not crochet it instead?

The plan for this project is to crochet around the concentric circles in the flower shape. This will help make a smoother transition between colours for the rounded shape. There’s also the added benefit that it masks any sloppy intarsia colour transitions–great for beginners!

Supplies:

You’ll need coloured yarns in the same or similar weight to your knitted project. They can be contrasting or matching. You’ll need a crochet hook (the same size or slightly smaller than the project needles) and a blunt tipped tapestry needle. I used Cascade 220 Superwash Sport with size 3.75 mm (US 5) to knit the project and I used a 3 mm (approx US D-3) crochet hook.

Step-by-Step:

1. Choose a point to begin and insert the crochet hook from front to back.

2. From the back, pick up a loop of yarn …

3. and pull the loop through to the front.

4. Move the crochet hook one stitch to the right and insert hook again.

5. Wind the yarn once around the hook and pull it through to the front.

6. There are now two sts on the crochet hook. Slide the first stitch through the second stitch, leaving one st on the hook.

7. Continue in this manner around your shape.

8. To join the crocheted chain to it’s beginning to become an enclosed shape, cut the yarn leaving a tail at least 6″ (15 cm) long and pull it through the loop on the hook. Thread the tail onto a needle.

9. Insert the needle behind both sides of the first stitch.

10. Gently pull the yarn through the stitch, maintaining tension.

11. Insert the needle into the pointy end of the tear-drop shaped stitch you’re creating and through the fabric to the WS.

12. Pull the yarn through and secure on the WS.

The Flower Motif Pullover pattern by yours truly can be found in 60 More Quick Baby Knits.

Sometimes a project needs just a little more than colourful areas of intarsia. Embroidery is an effective way to give your knits a polished look. You can revitalize old knits (even commercial knits) or plan to embellish your project from the get go.

From the beginning I knew that I wanted to smooth out the lines of this colourful flower with some embroidered stitches. It would be a fun way to add even more colour and texture to a cute baby sweater. I thought you might like to see the design submission I sent in for 60 More Quick Baby Knits.

It’s been a long time since I’ve done any embroidery, but once you know how, you never forget, right? Well, if that’s not quite the case for everyone, here’s a tutorial to help you brush up on your technique.

1. Start by threading a blunt-tipped needle with the colour of your choice. I’m using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport for both the project and the embroidery. The weight of yarn you use doesn’t have to be exactly the same as your project. Just keep the scale within reason. I probably wouldn’t use bulky embroidery yarn on a lace-weight project!

2. From the WS, insert your needle through the fabric to the RS and pull the yarn through.

3. Insert the needle into the same place where the yarn emerged, then bring the needle tip back through to the RS a short distance away (a stitch length) and wrap the yarn around the tip of the needle.

4. Gently pull the needle and yarn through the fabric until the stitch is a tear-drop shape (pointed on one end and rounded on the other).

5. Make the next stitch in the chain by going back into the first stitch where the yarn emerges and bring the needle tip up outside of the stitch.

6. Be sure the yarn is wrapped around the tip of the needle before pulling the yarn through.

7. When completing the enclosed shape, slip the needle under the both sides of the first stitch created and pull the yarn through. Finish off by inserting the needle into the last st where the yarn emerges and pull through to the back.

Sometimes I change my mind about the right colour combination to use, so I pulled out those stitches and did it again with a different colour!

Next time I’ll show you how to achieve the same look as the embroidered chain stitch, but using a crochet hook instead.

I’ve rewritten my Entrelac Mittens pattern in five sizes—enough for the whole family. The design is featured in Knit Noro: Accessories. After I found out that the publishers decided to offer it in just one size I wanted to test out my sizing theory. First I sized the mitten up, then down, down and down again. Devan is modeling his mittens which are one size smaller than the ones in the book.

Unfortunately I can’t publish the other sizes, but the publisher has given me permission to teach a class based on the mitten pattern and provide the full pattern as published in the book plus add the four extra sizes. This workshop is the only place to get your hands on all the other sizes.

The workshop will be held next month at Knit City fibre festival in Vancouver. Registration in the class will also get you into the marketplace with over 50 booths and some well-known names such as SweetGeorgia Yarns, Jane Richmond, Indigodragonfly, Briggs and Little, and Elann among many, many more. Check out the full list here.

The workshop project is a mitten in the smallest size which fits a 2 to 4-yr-old and a pair takes only one ball of Noro Kureyon. You may use any other worsted weight yarn, but Kureyon is so fun to work with because of the lovely colours.

In addition to learning how to size the mitten, I’ll also teach you:

• the entrelac technique (naturally)
• how to knit back backwards (so handy when working rows with only 9 sts)
• how to work a side thumb gusset in the centre of an entrelac diamond
• right and left-slanting make-one increases
• right and left-slanting decreases on RS and WS (most notably the ssp)
• the ratio of entrelac stitches to stocking stitches
• how to use a single circular needle using the magic loop technique for knitting in the round
• mitten blocking

Class details
Entrelac Mittens
date: October 13, 2012
time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
location: Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
contact: Amanda and Fiona
bonus: you don’t have to buy the book, the pattern is provided in the cost of the workshop

Months ago my cousin sent me pictures of her adorable daughter, Mara wearing the sweater that “Auntie Patti” knit for her. Of course, Auntie Patti is my Mum.

Mum knit Candace in yarn that I recognize as a discontinued colourway of OnLine. Candace is my most classic baby cardigan pattern and works equally well for a girl or boy. If you’re knitting for someone who’s expecting a baby, this is a great choice. Pick a colourway that’s fun and gendre-neutral and you’re all set.

I always recommend knitting a 12-24 month size even if you’re giving it to a newborn. Those tiny babies outgrow their clothes so quickly in the first year. Considering the time you put into knitting it, you want more wearing time out of your handknit gift. Besides, baby can always wear a “too large” sweater with the sleeves rolled up for a while first.

Send me pictures of your Holli Yeoh knits. I would love to see them.

Photography © Rose Callahan © 2012 Sixth&Spring Books/Knitting Fever, Inc

If you’ve wanted to learn how to knit entrelac in-the-round, this is your chance.

If you’ve wanted to knit my Entrelac Mittens from Knit Noro: Accessories in a smaller or larger size than the one published, this is your chance.

How about knitting back backwards; have you wanted to learn that? This is your chance.

Come take my entrelac mitten workshop at the upcoming Knit City fibre festival in Vancouver next month (Oct 13 & 14). In addition to learning the intricacies of entrelac, you will receive the full pattern with the added bonus of extra sizes; enough to fit the whole family.

Registration in a workshop gets you a full weekend pass to the Marketplace and demos. Marketplace hours are Sat 11-7 & Sun 11-5. Check out the list of vendors.

The mittens are created out of just eight large-scale diamonds and the thumb gusset flows out of the centre of one of those diamonds. Knit in Noro Kureyon, it’s a treat to watch each colourful diamond grow one by one as you work the technique.

Entrelac Mittens (direct link to registration page)
October 13, 2012 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

I knit this hoodie during spring break in Palm Springs and had the pieces blocking on towels on the hotel room floor. I got some strange looks around the pool while wearing my bathing suit and knitting away with bulky yarn.

The inspiration to embellish the seams with a decorative overcast stitch came from a contestant’s sweater on America’s Next Top Model several seasons back. I jotted the idea down in my sketchbook which I always keep near me when watching tv.

Now that the season is right the raglan hoodie is on the newsstands in the latest Knit Simple magazine. Go get your copy before the Holiday issue comes out in early October.

We took a quick little trip to Whistler on the Rocky Mountaineer train. What a great way to travel. Lovely views, tasty food and great service.

While wandering in the village, Devan spotted some yarn bombing. I just love it when my non-knitting family has my best interests at heart and are quick to share fibre finds with me. Do your loved ones do that too?

There are so many ways to wear the reversible cable vest I designed for Noro Magazine. The wave cable stitch pattern is quite simple without any cross overs and while it’s the size of a small blanket you can wrap its cozy warmth around yourself in a number of different ways.

You can wear it “inside-out” and let the cable patterning show on the lapels when they flip back. Pin it in place with a stick pin at waist level or a kilt pin just under the breasts. Pin it high up near your shoulder and fold over a little flap for an interesting neckline.

I think it’s most stylish when the back neck is folded over like a shawl collar. It adds some structure and I like the gently dipping back neckline.

The vest looks great belted and don’t forget to try it with the cable pattern showing on the outside with the folded back lapels showing the more subtle undulating pattern of the “wrong side” of the fabric. The lapels don’t need to be folded back symetrically either, on colder days keep one lapel wrapped around the front chest and flip the other lapel back for a jaunty look.

For a funnel neck effect, don’t fold the back neck down and pin the fronts together just above the collar bone.

What’s your favourite look for this versatile vest?