For the Love of Counterpane

Before I begin, what exactly is a counterpane?  I'm sure at least one of you is wondering.  Historically speaking, it is a blanket worked in blocks either from fabric (as in quilting) or knitted/crocheted and sewn together.  But lately in the knitting world 'counterpane' has referred to the construction of a knitted piece when it is worked from the center outwards (and sometimes outer edge to the center).  If you type 'counterpane' into the search field in the Patterns section of Ravelry you will come up with some lovely sweaters and blankets with lacy motifs that are worked from the center outwards.  While working on some new designs, I came to realize that counterpane constructions are sort of my 'thing'.  I love designing with them, and thus far my counterpane designs have been my most successful.  See Camellia Shrug from Knitscene, self published Aster Vest, and now my newly published Sakura Tee in Interweave Knits.  (Sorry I can't seem to put the photos next to each other.  I don't know how to fix the HTML :(   )

My love affair with counterpane constructions began with the second sweater I ever made, The Starburst Sweater by Kristin Omdahl.  Back then it was a pattern available on Knit Picks and I loved the flower motif on the back.  I knit it up in a slightly obnoxious pink color and ended up with a very warm and cozy sweater that I loved.  (As a side note, there are lots of things wrong with how I knit up this sweater, namely twisting my stitches and not checking my gauge.  Not a fault at all with the pattern, totally a problem with me!)

It wasn't until years later and after making lots of hats from the top down that I learned to love the center-outwards construction and wondered how that could translate into clothing.  I think it was while I was looking at a pretty circular lace shawl in A Gathering of Lace that it really hit me that a lace vest with a circular medallion would be pretty awesome.  After that it didn't take long for me to conceptualize the design for my Aster Vest.  I thought it was a pretty design, but I had no idea it would become my best seller or get so many positive comments.  It was modeled in a fiber-arts fashion show (mostly because we needed a few more outfits) and much to my surprise the audience gasped when the model turned around the showed off the back.

As pretty as counterpane (or as I usually call them 'medallion') constructions are, they bring up a set of problems on their own.  How does one deal with the multi-directional knitting? How do you make a square or circle conform to the human body?  When making larger sizes, how do you compensate for the longer length as well as width since people get much wider before they get longer?  It takes some creative shaping and designing and involves lots of math when it comes to making mutliple sizes.  But I think it is worth the effort when you end up with a unique design.  I will have more counterpane designs for you in the future, but just wanted to share my thoughts with you on the subject.

Saying Goodbye to Friends

Tonight I have to say goodbye to two friends.  Such is the way of military life.  People seem to come and go so quickly, you start to get to know them then it is time to say goodbye when they move on to a new post.  Pretty soon I'll be the one moving on, this time to North Carolina.  I'm hoping to find some fiber loving friends there and hopefully settle down for a couple of years.  One of the best parts of being a knitwear designer is that I can design anywhere in the world.  Hopefully all this travelling will mean I am exposed to new sources of inspiration.

On another note, I've already seen the beginnings of two Sakura Tee.  Can't wait to see some finished projects!

Interweave Knits Summer 2012

Greetings again, knitters.  Now for the happy news of the day.  I am proud to announce that I have two patterns in the new issue of Interweave Knits.  They are Endira Necklace and Sakura Tee.  You can see the preview for the entire issue of Interweave Knits Summer 2012 here.  So many lovely patterns in this issue, I can't wait to get my copy.

Photos are courtesy of Interweave, except for the close up photo of the necklace.  This is my own image, I added it to show the close up detail of the necklace.

Endira Necklace:  Designing a knitted necklace was a challenge.  With the exception of knitted wire and beads, I haven't found too many knitted necklaces that I thought were fashionable and wearable.  While pondering what I could design, I happened to see a collar style necklace on the pages of Lucky magazine.  I felt like it was sheer serendipity that I saw it and grabbed some graph paper and started designing the lace pattern.  Interweave sent me a lovely linen laceweight yarn in a sage green that completely complimented the silver beads.

Sakura Tee:  I love lace and I love designing with a counterpane construction.  Maybe you can say that counterpane is my 'thing'.  Sakura is an adventure in multi-directional knitting.  The front is begun in the center of the flower motif and worked outwards.  Increases are worked in four corners to make a square.  Each side of the square is separated and each side continued on in Stockinette stitch.  The yokes are worked in an eyelet mesh and the edges are worked in a simple k2, p2 rib.  I used Cascade Pima Silk and it knitted up like a dream.  I only had one previous experience with cotton, and it gave me tremendous amounts of wrist pain and numbness is my fingers.  This yarn was the complete opposite.  It glided around my needles (not too slippery, not too stiff) and had the most wonderful sheen and drape.  I would love to work with this yarn again.  Sakura Tee is meant to be worn with a couple inches of positive ease, to make a comfy but chic tee to wear in hot weather.

The evil "C" word: Copyright

"Copyright"- no other word, when mentioned on Ravelry, can bring such vitriol and heated arguments.  Usually I skip over those discussions that argue what copyright covers and what is actually means.  It can all be confusing, as some people think that copyright, licensing, and trademark are all the same thing and finding clear and decisive information is difficult.  Today on Twitter I stumbled across a tweet linking to this free e-book by Knitting Daily on copyright.  It provides clear information and explanations for knitters, designers and yarn store owners.  I think you have to be a member of Knitting Daily to see it, but it is worth signing up if you aren't already a member.  You can find out (in plain English) what exactly you are allowed to do with a pattern and it's accompanying photos.

More exciting news later on today.

Morrison Cardigan available for sale from Interweave

My Morrison Cardigan, originally published in Knitscene Fall 2011, is now available as an individual pattern pdf download from the Interweave Store.  It is a drape front cardigan worked in a textured stripe with a solid lace yoke.  This is one of my favorite designs, and I am dreaming of the day when I will have time to knit one for myself in a squooshy alpaca yarn.

Pattern available here for $5.50

Stitches South

I'm back from Stitches South and had a fabulous time.  I will start off by saying that I was bad and didn't take a single photo.  I was too busy having fun!  I started off by wandering around the marketplace for a couple hours and managed to spend all my yarn money on gorgeous yarns by independent yarn dyers.  Among them were Madelinetosh, Miss Babs, Neighborhood Fiber Company, and Dragonfly Fibers.  I try to buy indie dyed yarns in person because photos just don't do justice to the vibrant color variations.  While I can't show you my yarns in person, here is a photo of my colorful purchase.  I can't wait to finish my current freelance projects and start designing with these yarns.

 

My most favorite purchase was from the Fiesta Yarns booth, and it wasn't even yarn!  It was a lavender scented lotion bar made by Milk and Honey.  Here is their awesome website.  I think I see more lotion bars and handmade soap in my future.

I took two classes and both were awesome.  First was Designing a Triangle Shawl with Brooke Nico.  She presented us with a very clear presentation on how triangle shawls are shaped and how to work in additional lace repeats as the shawl gets bigger.  Then we were on our own and got to design our own triangle lace shawl.  On Sunday I took The Entrelac Shift with Gwen Bortner.  The focus of the class was how to incorporate other stitch patterns with entrelac and have a smooth transition.  Gwen provided excellent physical samples and lots of humorous stories while we were working.  Overall the classes were great and I would love to go back next year!

Out in the Garden & Stitches South

Lots of super secret knitting going on around here, which unfortunately I can't share for awhile.  But what I can share is a few pictures from my garden.  It was my New Year's resolution this year to rid myself of my very black thumb and learn how to grow my own vegetables.  The first round failed miserably, but the second round is still going strong.  So far I have been enjoying homegrown lettuce, radishes, beets, chives and parsley.  In February I was grumbling about how slow my plants were growing, so my husband humored me and bought me some lettuce seedlings.  We have eaten most of that lettuce, and much to my surprise after picking off all the  leaves more lettuce is growing back!  I was happily shocked when I saw the new leaves sprout.  Well, I guess it is the plant that keeps on giving.  I went out this morning after the rain stopped to give my plants their daily inspection.  I had a furry little helper too, who was keeping an eye on the mail man.

I will be moving in a few months, and hopefully my new home will have a patio or some sort of space for my container garden.  I'm hoping to even have enough room for some vines- maybe cucumber, zucchini or pumpkin.  Or maybe all three?  Whenever my husband wants to go to Home Depot or Lowe's I always wander into the nursery and daydream in front of all the seed packets.  Speaking or seeds, (or I guess writing of seeds) I have a special picture of my favorite plant.  This is a cherry tomato plant that I grew from seeds and it has sprouted its first batch of tomatoes.  It might sound funny to anyone who grew up in the country, but being a city girl I have a certain pride when I put the bowl of salad on the dinner table and say "Hey, I GREW all the stuff in this bowl!"

On another note, Stitches South is this weekend in Atlanta and I get to go!  So happy!  This will be my first year going to any sort of knitting convention.  I'm going alone, so I am a little nervous.  I don't get to interact with other crafters here in Georgia, so it will be a welcome relief to see some handknits and knitting needles. I'm taking two classes, Design Your Own Triangle Shawl and The Entrelac Shift: Combining Fabrics for Maximum Effect.  I've spent a lot of time trying to learn both of those subjects on my own and didn't get too far, so I can't wait to take these classes.  Of course I am also excited about buying more yarn.  I'm hoping to find some Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light.  I have a few designs in mind that I think would pair perfectly with the sheen and drape of that singles yarn.

Well, hopefully my next post will be a summary of the goings on at Stitches.  See you then!