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by Knit Picks Staff on November 5, 2012
If you're looking to take the chill out of a November morning, the Lampwork Hat & Mitts set is a colorful way to do just that! The pattern includes instructions for the beanie-style cap and fingerless mittens. Each piece is also multi-sized and customizeable for a perfect fit. Though the patterning itself is simple, a spicy touch is added... |
Category Archives: colorwork
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by Stacey on October 25, 2012
All of us here have been a fan of Stephanie Dosen AKA tiny owl knits for quite awhile - from her bunny slippers pattern hopsalot to her adorable deer with tiny antlers hat to her super popular & addicting beeskeeper's quilt, her whimsical patterns have delighted us for years. Now we are so excited to have her newest collection - The Woodsy Association! |
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by Knit Picks Staff on September 28, 2012
With chilly weather quickly approaching, it's time to start thinking about gloves. But one big problem with most gloves is that you have to take them off (or make do with chilly fingertips in fingerless gloves) to use your touch screen devices. What's worse than missing an important call because you can't get your gloves off in time? Naturally the fiber industry has stepped in with a fantastic material - Conductive Thread! We now carry the thread, and a great pattern that makes use of it. The In Touch gloves feature a circuitry-inspired motif and small pads of Conductive Thread on the fingertips. The way the thread works is by completing the circuit between your finger and the capacative touch screen of your phone, tablet or other device. As long as the thread touches both your finger and the screen, you can use the device just as you would with no gloves on at all! It doesn't take much, either... |
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by Knit Picks Staff on September 21, 2012
A very common question I get is, "how do I pick colors for my colorwork project?" The short answer is that that's a really personal decision. You know what colors you like or that you like to wear, and there's no set aesthetic regarding what colors 'should' go together. (believe me, since art school, my personal color palette includes all of them!) Generally, a safe bet for a 2-color sweater is to go with a light and dark version of the same color. So, that means a dark red and light red, dark blue and light blue, and so on. These colors can be interchangeable, so it can be a light or dark background. This is great if you have a favorite color in mind, or want to be completely sure that the colors will look good together. If you want to use two colors that you know go well together, be sure to use a light version of one and a dark version of the other. That said, choosing a basic palette for a garment starts with a few basic steps. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on September 20, 2012
Bohus sweaters are known for their subtle gradients of color and the fuzzy halo that gives them an almost ethereal glow. The tradition of Bohus sweater knitting is a recent and colorful one, inspired by many other European knitting styles and the fashions of the mid 20th century. The most recognizeable Bohus item is the yoked sweater. Though the typical elements of a Bohus-style sweater can be applied to lots of items like gloves and hats, a colorful stranded yoke really shows off the techniques used. Careful planning of increases, multiple colors in each row, knit and purl stitches and slipped stitches create a texture unique to Bohus knitting. This texture can make even the simplest motif, like stripes or dots, look exotic and unexpected. When I began thinking about Tuva, I wanted color to become the real focus, and let the stitches help to show them off. I didn't want this to be subtle - and immediately jumped for a vivid rainbow. With so many elements to balance, designing a Bohus-style yoked sweater presents some interesting challenges. |
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by Knit Picks Podcast on September 19, 2012
This week, take a tour of Scandinavia as you hear all about Kerin’s inspiration for Northern Lights, a new collection of patterns inspired by the region and its cultures that are steeped in a rich history of knitting. Featuring six stunning patterns, Kerin walks you through the traditions of Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden as she shares the stories and ideas behind each of the patterns. Naturally, Kerin put her special twist on each of the patterns by melding the traditions, color, and motifs of Scandinavia with updated shaping and elegant, modern details. If you enjoy hearing about the design process and how ideas are transformed from sketches and swatches into finished patterns and pullovers – you’ll love hearing Kerin’s stories behind each of the six designs of Northern Lights. History buffs will also love hearing more about the cultures and traditions of these six Scandinavian ... |
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by Knit Picks Staff on September 14, 2012
...through Scandinavia! My newest collection, Northern Lights, is out - just in time for fall knitting. The six patterns in this collection were inspired by the amazing knitting traditions of Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. The beautiful 8-pointed rose common in Norwegian designs becomes the highlight of the Aesa Pullover... |
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by Knit Picks Staff on August 31, 2012
Well, as if the shortening days weren't enough to tell us that summer is nearing its end, school is beginning again! Before you know it, there will be a chill in the morning air. Better get started on your super warm fall accessories now! If you really want to chase the chill away, why not try the Burdock Hat and Scarf kit? This is a super-soft, machine washable, totally reversible set. The pattern is inspired by the Burdock plant, a Scandinavian thistle, and Fana stripes. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on August 24, 2012
Even though it's still August, the first whispers of fall are in the air. It was downright chilly this morning, and the sun isn't really much help when I get up for work. Colder weather is on its way - perfect time to start planning your fall knitting projects! Just right for fall is the new Viticetum Coat. This duster-length coat has a pattern of swirling vines over a shifting background. In fact, just as an Arboretum is a collection of trees, a Viticetum is a collection of vines - just what you'll find in this coat! Smaller vine patterns appear in the edgings, and the coat is finished with elegant clasps. |
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by Knit Picks Podcast on August 2, 2012
This week, Kelley gets a chance to catch up with designer Mary Scott Huff. One look through her book The New Stranded Colorwork and you can clearly see that Mary’s passion is definitely colorwork knitting. Which is exactly why she’s the perfect person to write a book of the techniques for color knitting! Her new book Teach Yourself Visually Color Knitting highlights Mary’s expertise on the subject alongside clear, concise images that will help new knitters learn to master colorwork. Kelley talks with Mary about this unique process of writing a technique-based book, along with getting a few handy tips and tricks as Kelley and Mary walk through each chapter of the book which includes intarsia, entrelac, stranded colorwork, and even embroidery! Mary’s enthusiasm for color knitting is so infectious; you’ll be tempted to cast on a color knitting project right away. You can find Mary Scott Huff’s latest book here: Teach ... |
