alisonknits

Recent Posts

  • Crochet? Crochet!
  • New pattern: Elisa pullover
  • And another one: Antenor Beret
  • New Pattern: Pepita's Stocking
  • New Pattern: Gosport pullover
  • New pattern: Clotilde beret
  • Watcha Doin' Saturday??
  • 10 on Tuesday
  • New pattern: Inara cardigan
  • Im on the J. Knits

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    Crochet? Crochet!

    I've been in a little bit of a knitting funk for a while now. Most of my knitting energy has been going into submissions, and the last sweater I knit for my own self-published line didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, so I'll be ripping it out when I can bear to look at it again. Meanwhile, I've got two sweater patterns that I finished samples for ages ago and am working on getting the patterns written up. (Always a much more laborious process than I think it should be.) Also, I'm working on a new website and wil be moving my blog archives over there when it's ready to go.

    In an effort to bring some fun back into my crafting life, I've been crocheting. I haven't crocheted in years, although I actually learned as a child, a number of years before learning to knit. A couple weeks ago, at A Loom with a View where I teach every Tuesday night, Betsy (the owner) was checking in a book order which included Crochet In Color by Kathy Merrick, and the Splashy Flowers Scarf (Rav link) immediately caught my eye. On a whim, I bought a bunch of Silk Garden and was off to the races!

    IMG_0258

    It was a fun, easy and relatively quick project - I finished it in just over a week. Betsy tells me that people have been asking her for a beginner crochet class, so I decided to teach an Intro to Crochet workshop as well as a one in this project - both are scheduled for March.

    More photos & details for the scarf are over on Ravelry on my project page.

    Now my crochet appetite is whetted, and I headed to Amazon.com to order more crochet books (I ordered Crochet So Fine, which I've been eyeing since it came out last year, and well as The Crochet Answer Book, to bone up on my techniques in case anyone asks me any questions beyond beginner level in my crochet classes.) The books were supposedly delivered, but I can't find them. I'm slightly concerned that they may be outside covered in snow and I'll find them in April.

    Since I can't wait that long, on Saturday I spontaneously went at AC Moore (I "needed" some paper craft suppies as well), and ended up buying a book of crocheted doily patterns, crochet cotton thread and a tiny (1.5 mm) hook. Years ago I knitted a doily, when I was first getting into lace knitting and tiny needles. (I think I used a size 0 or 1.) I have no use for doilies... I mean, who does these days? I don't know where I'd even put them in my house, since every surface is covered with clutter (that's a whole nother blog post.) But there's just something about the tiny work, the exibition of skill, that I really enjoy. Here's the work in progress:

    IMG_0260

    It's so fun to have a challenging project where I can learn something new! Although there was one round that had me pulling my hair out - the one that creates the criss-crossed treble crochets on top of the single crochet background, near the center. Also, looking at the photo it appears that something is not quite lining up properly with the pineapple motifs that are starting in the row I'm working on. I don't know if I'll go back, though. This project is supposed to be just for fun, so I'm trying to overcome my perfectionist tendencies.

    Of course, I always have an impulse to professionalize everything, so now I'm thinking after I get a few more crochet projects under my belt I may start creating my own crochet designs. Or maybe I can just keep this one a hobby. What a thought!

    UPDATE: I ripped back and fixed that error. I feel much better.

    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

    New pattern: Elisa pullover

    Elisa-1

    Like many knit designers, most often I design garments that I want to wear myself. This sweater is no exception - in fact, the inspiration for it came from an old, basic, J. Crew sweater that I used to live in pretty much all winter long. What I loved about that sweater is the big, cozy collar and long sleeves. But that old sweater is also kind of a shapeless sack. So with this sweater I wanted to make a cozy winter sweater with a more flattering silhouette and some lacey interest to make it more feminine and more fun to knit.

    And the result is a sweater that I have been living in since i finished the sample in December! (So glad I made one in my own size for once.) Bye bye shapeless J. Crew sweater... you're getting worn thin in places anyway...

    Like all my self-published patterns, 50% of sales through 2/14 will go to Doctors Without Borders.

    Ravelry link

    Construction Notes
    Sweater is knit in the round from the hem to the underarm, then split at the armholes. Sleeves are knit in the round up to the sleeve cap, then back and forth from that point. Collar is worked separately in the round, then sewn in place.

    Measurements
    Finished Bust: 30 (32 ½, 34 ¾, 37 ¼, 39 ½, 42, 44 ¼, 46 ½, 49, 51 ¼)” / 76.5 (82.5, 88.5, 94.5, 100.5, 106.5, 112.5, 118.5, 124.5, 130.5) cm
    Recommended ease: 1 – 3” / 2.5 – 7.5 cm

    Shown in size 42” / 106.5 cm with approximately 3” / 7.5 cm of ease.

    Yarn
    Approximately 920 (970, 1100, 1150, 1230, 1300, 1350, 1470, 1530, 1600) yds / 835 (885, 1000, 1045, 1120, 1185, 1230, 1340, 1390, 1455) m heavy worsted weight yarn.
    Sample used Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair (70% Fine Wool / 30% Yearling Mohair.; 140 yds / 128 m per 2 oz / 57 g skein) in Raspberry.

    Needles & Notions
    Size 9 US / 5.5 mm circular needles, 16” / 40 cm, 24” / 60 cm (for smallest 2 sizes only), 32” / 80 cm (for all sizes except smallest 2), and double pointed needles.
    Stitch marker
    Stitch holders
    Tapestry needle

    Buy Now

    Elisa2

    Posted on February 09, 2010 at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

    And another one: Antenor Beret

    Hat6

    Here's a perfect project for your last-minute holiday knitting! I created this over a weekend just after Christmas last year, out of a skein of Madelinetosh Tosh Worsted that I bought in NYC. I'm so happy to finally bring the pattern out into the world!

    The pattern is written in two sizes, and a floppy and a regular version – so, four possibilities total (small/regular, small/floppy, large/regular and large/floppy). The hat is made by knitting the cable band lengthwise, then picking up stitches and knitting the hat body in the round.

    Hat4crop

    Floppy version (above)

    Yarn
    Approximately 160 yds / 143 m for regular style, or 200 yds / 183 m for floppy style, light worsted weight yarn.

    Samples each used 1 skein Madelinetosh Tosh Worsted (100% superwash merino wool; 225 yds / 206 m per 108 g skein); floppy style shown in Oxblood and regular style shown in Dusk.

    Needles & Notions
    Size 7 US / 4.5 mm circular needles, 16” / 40 cm long
    Size 7 US / 4.5 mm circular needles, 24” / 60 cm long (optional, for widest part of beret)
    Size 7 US / 4.5 double-pointed needles
    Stitch marker
    Cable needle
    Split-ring stitch markers

    Gauge
    20 sts and 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm over Stockinette stitch

    Lots more photos on the Ravelry page!

    $5.00

    Buy Now

    Posted on November 24, 2009 at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

    New Pattern: Pepita's Stocking

    Perhaps it's a little late to start knitting a Christmas stocking... but then again we knitters have been known to take on some crazy deadlines... At any rate, I thought I'd put this up now, and perhaps some folks will think of knitting one for Christmas 2010 if not 2009!

    Pepita1_blog
    This stocking is worked from the top down, with an easy lace cuff, stranded colorwork leg and foot, and an "afterthought" heel.

    Yarn:

    Worsted weight yarn in four colors - beige/off-white (MC), dark green (CC1), red (CC2), and light green (CC3).

    Sample used:

    • Araucania Nature Wool (100% Wool; 242 yds / 221 m per 3 ½ oz / 100 g skein) in #02 [discontinued color] (MC)
    • Ella Rae Classic (100% Wool; 219 yds / 200 m per 3 ½ oz / 100 g skein) in #110 (CC1), #21 (CC2) and #108 [discontinued color] (CC3)

    Needles & Notions

    • Size 7 US / 4.5 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm long.
    • Size 7 US / 4.5 mm double-pointed needles
    • Stitch marker Tapestry needle  

    Gauge: 25 sts and 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm over color work in stockinette stitch.

    $5.00

    Buy Now

    Posted on November 24, 2009 at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

    New Pattern: Gosport pullover

    DSCF3735

    My latest design is finally here! I say finally because this pattern has been a looooooong time coming... maybe five years? I first knit a version of this sweater I think in 2004 or 2005, and even wrote up a pattern for it and had it edited. Even though I had never self-published any patterns at that point and wasn't really sure how to go about it. I was focused on a different career path at that point, and the pattern went on the shelf while I pursued other things.

    Last winter I happened to be wearing the prototype sweater while visiting the fine folks at Yarn & Fiber in Derry, NH, and became acquainted with their lovely hand-dyed yarn line Ivy Brambles. We all agreed the sweater would be great in their Superwash Worsted, and I agreed to re-work the sweater in their yarn.

    More time passed, as I was occupied with other projects. Finally, after re-working the pattern in a different gauge and expanding the range of sizes, I had the sample knit by another knitter. She finished it in August. I went on vacation. Came back and scheduled a photoshoot. And rescheduled the photoshoot. And rescheduled the photoshoot. I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever put this puppy to bed. But now it's done!

    So you can imagine why I'm so excited to finally be able to bring you this pattern.

    DSCF3732

    Knit from the top down, this pattern is accessible for knitters at a variety of experience levels and is available in a wide range of sizes.

    Finished Bust Measurements: 31 (35 ½, 38 ¼, 41, 44 ½, 47, 50 ¼, 53 ¾)” / 79 (90.5, 97, 104, 113, 119.5, 127.5, 136.5) cm  

    Yarn

    1170 (1300, 1460, 1570, 1740, 1900, 2000, 2100) yds / 1070 (1190, 1340, 1440, 1590, 1740, 1830, 1920) m worsted weight yarn.

    Sample used Ivy Brambles Superwash Worsted (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 250 yards / 230 m per 3 ¾ oz / 105g skein) in Storm colorway.  

    Needles and Notions

    Size 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm length

    Size 8 / 5 mm circular needles, 16” / 40 cm and 29” / 74 cm lengths

    Size 8 / 5 mm double pointed needles

    Or sizes needed to obtain gauge  

    Stitch markers in 2 colors

    Stitch holders or waste yarn

    Cable needle  

    Gauge

    18 sts and 26 rows = 4” over St st using larger needles


    $7.00

    Buy Now

    Posted on October 13, 2009 at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

    New pattern: Clotilde beret

    Clotilde1

    I'm welcoming the cooler weather here in the northern hemisphere with my new beret pattern, Clotilde. This charming hat features twisted-stitch cables that grow out of the brim's ribbing, diminishing to the top.
    Clotilde-back

    The pattern includes both charted and line-by-line instructions.

    Finished Brim Circumference: 19 ½” / 50 cm.

    Yarn: Approximately 275 yds / 250 m DK weight yarn

    Sample used 2 skeins Green Mountain Spinnery Sylvan Spirit (50% wool, 50% Tencel; 180 yds / 165 m per 2 oz / 57 g skein) in Sterling.

    Needles & Notions

    Sizes 4 US / 3.5 mm and 6 US / 4 mm circular needles, 16” / 40 cm long

    Size 6 US / 4 mm circular needles, 24” / 60 cm long (optional, for widest part of beret)

    Size 6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles

    Stitch marker


    Gauge

    22 sts and 48 rows = 4” / 10 cm over Twisted Rib pattern on size 4 US / 3.5 mm needles.

    27 sts and 38 rows = 4” / 10 cm over chart pattern on size 6  US / 4 mm needles.


    $5.00 
    Buy Now

    Posted on September 10, 2009 at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

    Watcha Doin' Saturday??

    I hope that if you're around MA/southern NH, you'll join me and many lovely fiber folk at the 3rd annual Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA. There will be classes, vendors, animals, and lots of knitting & spinning. I'm teaching a Magic Loop class, where we will make a good start on these easy and cute fingerless mitts:

    Magicloopmitt

    Email me [alison at alisongreenwill dot com]  to sign up for the class, which will be in the afternoon.

    Hope to see you there!

    Posted on August 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

    10 on Tuesday

    I always enjoy reading Terry's 10 on Tuesday posts, and this one was too fun to resist. So I'm jumping on the 10 on Tuesday bandwagon. Let's see how long this lasts....

    10 Favorite Songs from the 80s (in no particular order... it was hard enough to pick only 10, I can't possibly rank them!):

    1. Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
    2. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N Roses
    3. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
    (Digression: This is quite possibly my favorite video ever. Or it's tied with Take On Me, which is also such a classic 80's video but the song doesn't quite stand the test of time like this one does. And okay, now that I watch that video again, it seems pretty silly. Nevermind. Sometimes nostalgia should remain nostalgia.)
    4. Love Is a Battlefield - Pat Benetar (Also one of my favorite karaoke songs.)
    5. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
    6. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics
    7. It's the End of the World (And I Feel Fine) - R.E.M.
    8. I Love Rock N Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
    9. Super Freak - Rick James
    10. Faith - George Michael

    That was fun.

    Posted on July 14, 2009 at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

    New pattern: Inara cardigan

    My latest pattern is available, and I've named her Inara.
    Inara1

    This wrap-style cardigan features a simple yet lovely cable & lace edging. It is knit in one piece to the armholes, where it is split back and fronts, with the 3/4 sleeves worked separately. Short-row shaping is cleverly hidden in the edging pattern to keep the edging lying flat at the front edges and back neck.

    Knit in linen, it is the perfect cardigan to keep off the chill of a summer evening or an overly air-conditioned office!

    Sleevedetail

    Details...

    Finished Measurements
    Bust: 34 (37, 39 ½, 42 ½, 45, 48, 50 ½, 53 ½)” / 86.5 (94, 100.5, 108, 114.5, 122, 128.5, 136) cm, closed.
    Length: 21 ¾ (22 ¼, 22 ¾, 23, 23 ½, 23 ¾, 24, 24 ½)” / 55 (56.5, 58, 58.5, 59.5, 60.5, 61, 62) cm

    Yarn
    Approximately 1400 (1600, 1600, 1700, 1850, 1900, 1900, 2000) yds / 1300 (1450, 1450, 1550, 1700, 1750, 1750, 1850) m sport weight yarn
    Sample used Louet Euroflax Originals (100% linen; 270 yds / 247 m per 3.5 oz / 200 g skein) in #18.42 Eggplant.  (Note: this yarn was discontinued and replaced with Louet Euroflax Sport Weight, which is very similar.)

    Needles & Notions
    Size 5 circular needles, at least 32” / 80 cm long for 4 smallest sizes; at least 40” / 100 cm for 4 largest sizes.
    Size 5 double-pointed needles for I-cord ties
    Stitch markers
    Stitch holders (2)

    Gauge
    23 sts and 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm over St st.

    PDF download: $7.00

    Buy Now

    Posted on July 08, 2009 at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

    I'm on the J. Knits podcast! Hear me & Julie chat about lace, Michael Jackson, and my illustrious career. Download it here.

    Posted on June 29, 2009 at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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