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The Production of a Knitting Pattern — Part 1
In this series I’m going to describe my design process of a cardigan. This series is not intended to be a tutorial and only serves to satisfy the curiosity of those that wonder what kind of works go behind the production of a knitting pattern. Most of my designs come from my sketch book, on which I record all the random ideas that come to mind. My sketches are just some rough pencil drawings. I’m mostly interested in recording the proportion of design elements. After a design that has been sat in my sketch book for weeks, if I still feel excited about it, I begin to look at stitch…
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Free Pattern: Simple Mohair Scarf
Yarn Lace weight Shown here: Hamanaka Twin Gradation (72% Mohair, 28% Nylon; 150 m/164 yds, 25 g/0.88 oz ball): 2 balls Needles 4.5 mm (US 7) needles, any type Finished Measurements 206 cm x 16 cm / 81″ x 6.25″ Gauge is not critical Abbreviations k – knit p – purl sts – stitches YO – yarn over Directions Cast on 30 sts. Set-up row: Knit to end. Row 1: [K6, YO, ssk, p2, k2tog, YO] 2 times, k6. Row 2: Knit to end. Row 3: [K6, p1, YO, ssk, k2tog, YO, p1] 2 times, k6. Row 4: Knit to end. Repeat [Rows 1-4] until piece measures 206 cm /…
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Olimpia Pullover
Olimpia Pullover Sizes 76-112 cm / 30-44″ — € () or Olimpia is a wrap-over style pullover with set-in sleeves. The pattern sections are worked from the bottom-up to simplify shaping in pattern. The body ribbing section is worked from the top-down to for easy length adjustment. Worked in sport weight yarn it is a versatile lightweight garment comfortable to be wore indoor. As a plus, it works well as a nursing garment too. Both written and charted directions are given for the stitch pattern. Measurements are given in both cm and inches. MATERIALS YARN Sport weight Shown here: Fili & Fili Gaia (100% wool; 150 m/164 yds, 50 g/1.75…
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Errata: Minimissimi Sweater Coat
This errata has been moved to https://www.minimiknitdesign.comerrata.html
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Yardage and Yarn Substitution
I hate having all the odd balls but I hate even more when I run out of yarn. So I always buy an extra skein for a project when using other’s pattern and get at least one extra skein when designing my own pattern. I love the freedom the extra yarn gives me during the design process. I avoid constraints whenever I can (one of the main reason why I love to publish my patterns independently). I know that it’s hard to know how much yard to buy when you substitute yarn in a pattern. If it calls for 5 balls of a yarn that has 100 m per skein,…
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What am I working at?
Currently I’ve four designs at different stages of their development. Veneta Shell is a versatile layering piece in its final round of tech editing. Olimpia is a wrap-over style cardigan that has been test knitted by a fabulous test knitter lilixlabaleine on Ravelry. The pattern is complete but I’m rewritting some parts of it before handing it to my tech editor. Turkis (temporary name)Fiori di Cuore is a pullover in Wollmeise “Pure” worked from the top-down with simultaneous set-in sleeves. This is the first time that I start knitting after grading and writing the pattern. Basically I’m test knitting the sample. Feather (temporary name)Minimi’s Shawl or Cardigan is a kimono…
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Why should a hand knitter need a knitting machine?
Before my baby was born, I was never interested in knitting machines. I didn’t even know how they look like. I like knitting as I like the tactile experience. Then my baby came and I had almost no knitting time left. The few knitting time I had I was knitting exclusively baby things in stockinette stitch using fine yarns. Not exactly what I would like to knit. But I needed those clothes for my fast growing baby. Then I’ve got my first knitting machine, a much dated Brother KH 830 standard gauge machine. It suits my needs perfectly. The knitting machine does the boring stuff and I could finally knit…
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Free Pattern: Motorcycle moebius scarf
Disclaimer: This is an old pattern published in 2008. It has not been updated since then and does not reflect my current style of pattern writing. This scarf is inspired by the neck warmer of motorcyclists. Yarn: Worsted weight (shown here: Noro Aurora color #02, 1.5 skeins) Gauge: 26 sts and 30 rows = 10x10cm in 1×1 ribbing, blocked Finished size: 46 cm along the center of the scarf (the “circumference”), height: 23 cm Needles: 3.75 mm circular needles at least 80 cm long Tubular Set-up Use the Tubular Method to cast on 256 stitches. Make 2 full twists before joining in the round. Round 1: [Knit 1, slip 1…
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Machine knitting
I have received my Brother KH830 knitting machine two weeks ago. I didn’t know anything about knitting machines and they seemed pretty complicated. I have read some articles on the Internet but the terminologies sounded so unfamiliar. I didn’t even know what parts ought to be come with the machine. Despite so I took the risk to buy a used one. In the worst case, I can resell it. Overall I am very happy with the machine. It is not complicated at all. I have already made a baby sweater, a baby body, a scarf and I am making an adult cardigan. All in two weeks! All of the items…
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knitting for babies and toddlers
After becoming a mother I realized how little knitting time remains. Babies grow fast, but the main problem is the lack of time. Especially if your little one naps little or only naps in arms as mine does. When I design something for DS, I aim for a design that fits reasonably well over a long time. Knitwear for babies and toddlers should last for YEARS and not MONTHS (with the exception of newborns). I also find most commercial baby knitwear impractical. Sweaters are usually too short. If you pick up your baby a lot, you’ll know that you really need a long sweater to keep his/her tummy well covered.…
