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Accessories available on Etsy

This is a bit of a deviation from my typical lace work, which is often done in one color and features lots of holes! Recently I’ve been working on some of the more complicated colorwork techniques of Fair Isle and intarsia knitting for a special project.

True Fair Isle knitting involves using two strands of yarn on each row or round (one strand at at time) to create designs, or motifs. As the color not in use is carried across the back of the work, It also creates fabrics that are warmer and more durable than single-color knitting.

The intarsia technique makes it possible to create large fields of color (as in the argyle sock you see below), using bobbins wound with the various colors that are held behind your work. This is typically worked flat.

Other examples of colorwork in knitting include double knitting and slip-stitch color.

Fair Isle Wristlet

A good basic reference for Fair Isle knitting is available online:
“Fair Isle Knitting.” VogueKnitting.com. Beyond the Basics. http://www.vogueknitting.com/pattern_help/how-to/beyond_the_basics/fair_isle_knitting

A good reference book is available as well if you’d like a guide that takes you through the whole process from selecting colors to casting on to working a variety of motifs:
Watterson, Lynne. The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting. Kent, UK: Search Press Ltd, 2014.

Argyle Sock

If you’re interested in learning more about intarsia, try this online reference:
“Intarsia.” VogueKnitting.com. Beyond the Basics. 26 September 2016 http://www.vogueknitting.com/pattern_help/how-to/beyond_the_basics/intarsia

If you’d like to see a video on how it’s done, try this:
Knit Purl Hunter. “Intarsia.” YouTube.com. 23 April 2011. 27 September 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeH4IrN-oOE&spfreload=1

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

My newest shawl pattern, By the Sea, is available from Cascade Yarns as a free download.

Here’s the link:
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patternsFree/FW229_FHByTheSea.pdf

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

This lace knit scarf is the perfect choice for fall/autumn days and a perfect color for the season.

I chose a Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace in color 502 (gold) for my Garden at Nighttime Lace Knit Scarf Pattern. The yarn is a blend of silk and fine merino.

This is an extended length version of the scarf (78 inches/198 cm) that’s easily accomplished by continuing the stitch pattern repeats until it’s as long as you like.

Pattern available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and Craftsy.
Here’s the Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-at-nighttime-lace-scarf

Just $2.50!

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Happy September!

Just a quick update on what I’ve been up to – and a link to a special pattern offer for Christmas.

You may have noticed that I haven’t released any shawl or wrap patterns recently, and there’s a reason for that! I’ve been designing a series of lace knit wraps and shawls for a major U.S. yarn company, and they will appear on their website in the near future. As soon as that happens, I’ll post a link on the blog.

The good news is that they will be free! There will be a variety of shapes and yarn weights, and all patterns will have both written and charted directions.

Early in the spring I will have a wrap pattern featured in an online Irish magazine. That will also be free and I’ll post a link to that when it’s been published.

So, I’ve been staying busy – I’m also working through the Master Hand Knitter program of The Knitting Guild Association. It’s quite a challenge, with work product at three different levels. I’m about half way there, and am learning lots of new techniques.

As I progress through the program, I’ll share some of what I learn on the blog here.

 A very early Merry Christmas to you! Get a head start on your Christmas knitting with this special package that includes an adult scarf pattern plus two additional smaller scarf patterns – suitable for toddlers, tots, or pets.

 

1. Christmas Trees and Snowflakes Lace Knit Scarf – 7.5 x 66 inches (19 x 167 cm)
2. Snowflakes Lace Knit Scarf – 3.5 x 30 inches (9 x 76 cm)
3. Christmas Trees Lace Knit Scarf – 3.5 x 32 inches (9 x 81 cm)

The smaller scarves have a button added to make sure they stay in place.

Save almost 30 percent with this package: it’s just $3.00!

Christmas Package of Lace Knit Scarf Patterns

Happy Knitting,
Michael

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I recently started work on a custom order for one of my favorite scarf patterns. You can see a photo of the original below, in a dark blue – the name of the design is Garden at Midnight.
The request, from a customer of mine, was for the scarf to be done in a yarn of the same weight (lace) in a deep gold.  Here’s the work in progress:
The yarn is a luxurious blend of silk (45%) and merino wool (55%), by Fyberspates. It’s called Scrumptious Lace and the color is #502, gold.

If you’d like to give this pattern a try, it’s available on my Ravelry page.

If you’d like to custom order a scarf, shawl, or wrap from any of my other patterns (from my Ravelry page), just let me know.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

The first of two man’s cardigan jackets is finally done and here’s a photo. I’m quite pleased with the result.

As you can see from the photo below, Boon, the recipient, seems to be pleased with the result as well!

One last tip on finishing:
Sewing on buttons
http://www.sewdaily.com/how-to-sew/buttonholes/tips-for-sewing-buttons-on-handknits

The next cardigan is for me, and so far I’ve knit only a few inches of the back ribbing and body.  I won’t be boring you with a chronicle of the progress, but will probably post a photo of the finished product – months from now.
Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Almost there! The photo above shows all the pieces of the garment in place. The buttonhole band has been knitted on, with buttonholes worked along the band, the sleeves have been set in, and the sleeve seams have been sewn. In addition, the left side seam is finished.

Here’s a bit more detail of the buttonhole band and a finished sleeve.

Side seam (just above pocket band) is nearly invisible.

So, the last two items of finishing left are sewing the right side seam and sewing on the buttons. You’ll get to see the completed cardi jacket next week!

Some sources I found useful:
1. Set in sleeve and seam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urOn3DSHBlc
2. Starting the seam
http://whitehorsedesigns.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-figure-8-join.html
3. Seaming vertical edges
https://www.woolandthegang.com/how-to/knit/vertical-invisible-seaming#

Thanks for following along on this and for being patient. Final photos of cardigan/jacket number one next week.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I’m back from my travels and have completed another step in the finishing phase of cardigan #1: picking up and knitting a front button band. Here are a couple of photos of how the garment’s progressing.

The threads are place markers for the buttons and will also be used as guides for buttonhole spacing on the front buttonhole band.

I’m pleased with how this turned out, as it’s not as straightforward as doing shoulder seaming. There are not the same number of rows as stitches to be picked up, so some planning is required.

Here’s a link to an expert’s advice on how to pick up and knit stitches from a vertical edge – such as the front of a cardigan:

http://www.arendaholladay.com/2013/07/picking-up-stitches-on-vertical-edge.html
You’ll find a helpful video link on this page as well.

Did you know…?
In Scandinavian knitting, needle sizes include full and half-sizes only, such as 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, etc. There are no .25 or .75 sizes available (such as 2.75mm, 3.25mm, etc). I found this to be true in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden at the yarn shops I visited and from the owners of the shops.

Here are a few more shots of yarn shops, signs, and windows in Sweden and Norway.

That’s it for this week – time to get back to the cardigan.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I had to stop at this shop in Oslo for some knitting supplies for a Master Hand Knitting Level 2 project – a man’s vest in a light-colored medium weight wool.

I’m on a week-long trip to Scandinavia to escape the heat and rain in Thailand and to visit a part of the world that I haven’t been to before.

Yesterday was Copenhagen, today Oslo, tomorrow northern Norway, then Bergen, Stockholm, Gothenburg, and then back home.

I’ll be finishing my work on cardigan no.1 when I return next week!

Happy Knitting
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Assembly required for the first cardigan jacket!

As you can see the basics are completed and I’ve started on the finishing aspect. The shoulders are seamed, the pockets attached to the inside of the fronts, and the stitches picked up and knit for the pocket bands.

 Shoulder seam

  Pocket band

Next (and I’m working on it now) is the collar, which is 5 inches/12 cm of k1p1 ribbing. Then picking up and knitting the front bands (and the dreaded buttonholes), setting in the sleeves, and seaming the sleeves and sides.

It almost seems like finishing takes longer than knitting the cardigan itself – and with procrastination, that’s probably true.

A couple of points that I thought I’d mention and that might come in useful if you’re planning to knit your first seamed cardigan:

1. Shoulder seams: Here’s a useful technique for seaming a shoulder invisibly in stockinette stitch

Tuesday Tip: Seaming Knitted Shoulders

2. Picking up stitches for pocket band: Picking up stitches vertically is a bit different. I  found this post to be useful
http://www.arendaholladay.com/2013/07/picking-up-stitches-on-vertical-edge.html

I’m heading to Scandinavia this weekend for a holiday and to escape the heat and rain of Thailand! I’ll also be on the lookout for anything of knitting interest, and will share whatever I find with you here.

Happy knitting!
MikeH