Accidents Happen

I made a start on a project recently. It is going to be a Christmas gift for a "very special person" (sorry, can't be sure how much time he spends spying on me online, so cannot be specific). I made a gauge test, calculated all measurements and proportions and, after a couple of days of prepping, I finally cast on. I worked the rib for a little while and than I realized that it will not fit him - instead it will fit me! So, I have gracefully accepted the sudden change of plans. He is still getting a sweater. I am not giving up so easily. (A good excuse to buy another lot of gorgeous Blue Sky Baby Alpaca :) Will be back with the pics. Meanwhile, be warned: GAUGE TESTS CAN BE FICKLE. It's hard to be reminded when one considers oneself to be a savvy knitter and well above these kinds of mishaps. Side effects are not too unpleasant in this particular case though.

Vest on the Way

Ok i have started my Vest. It's made from 8 ply pure wool. I am worried about it, it doesn't feel soft. So i measured myself and had a omg moment. Nothing like a tape measure to boost your confidence. Cast on my stitches and knitted about a inch and "SNAP". Yep broke a needle (Grumble Grumble)and had to start again. So I ran out and brought circular needles. Which i am finding that they take the weight better and are easy to use when you don't have a lot of arm room. I cast on using size four mm needles ( just to give it a bit of give around my girlish curves and not make it feel like i am wearing a rubber band) and did size rows of rib, Changed to 3.75 mm and continued in stocking stitch. Doing ten rows of green , two rows of purple, Two rows of green, two rows of purple, repeat. Any way there is pictures on my blog.

new project

I'm planning a jumper for my 2yr old son, I'm just doing a little experimentation at the moment as I would like it to be really textural...



I've got an idea for the style of sweater, just messing about with stitches at the moment.

Pleased to be here

Hello everyone :)
I was quite excited to find this group on the KAL list. I am facinated by design and although I haven't been knitting for very long, I decided to undertake the challenge of design to stretch my understanding of construction and increase my comprehension of what a workable design really entails. At this point, I am not concerned about the selling or market for a design, just the experience of going through the process.

I am in my late 30's and have been knitting for a little over 2 years. I found Alice Starmore and stranded colorwork very early in my knitting explorations and have been drawn to colorwork ever since. A definite "I want to do THIS" type of reaction.

My first design initiative is for a stranded colorwork sweater. My first focus for this inspiration was to come up with a pattern repeat that met my personal criteria for enjoyable stranding; floats no longer than 6-7 stitches and a stitch pattern with a distinctive rhythm but not overwhelming monotony. I went for an allover type stitch pattern with multiple symetry. I chose a lattice format and instead of a single repeat within the lattice structure, I tweaked it to provide two distinct but very similar stitch patterns that come together at the lattice crosses and provide a third visual pattern to provide more interest. As I was playing with this, I was inspired again by the vision of the Ambassador bridge, a lighted suspension bridge that connects Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Canada, that I pass by every day on my ride to work. This vision really cemented the stitch pattern design and I chose to do the pattern in only two colors - the midnight sky and the pearl of the lights on the bridge and the cars traversing it. I will get some photos of my sketches (drawing is so not one of my talents) and better samples of what I have done so far for my next post. Right now, I'm just happy to be here :)

Intro Quickie

Heya all just wanted to introduce my self i am Racheal aka Impulsiveknittingmama, live in SA Australia raising my two children by myself. Love to knit and design. I have started workiing on a Ballet style wrap for my cousin. Post photos soon
Love all

Do you? Feel like I do?

I was thinking about why designers might not want to divulge their designs here. Is the risk of a design being "stolen" holding us all back from sharing? Why don't we share more about how our creativity works, and share what you're creating if you feel comfortable with that? What gets you inspired? How do you go about creating a project? Do you decide to knit something (like a cardigan) and then go about getting inspired to design one? Or do you get inspired by design and then fit it to a project? Do you plan it out, or just start knitting? Does your project take over and move in a direction you didn't expect? What do you do when the well runs dry?

An Introduction and an invitation!

Hi! I'm so happy to join this KAL, since I tend to only work on original designs and haven't seen another KAL that tempted me!

I've just started to publish my own patterns for sale at my local yarn shops and online, along with creating my podcast, Christa Knits, which is all about emerging designers! Learn more at http://podcast.christagiles.com and let me know if you'd be interested in recording yourself talking about your design process for the podcast :)

The piece I'll be working on as part of this KAL is a sweater (or cardigan) for myself, out of a wonderful yarn, English Tweed by Gedifra, in a deep yummy forest green. I'm hoping to make it a fairly fast knit (once I put down the rest of my design-for-work projects) so I'm thinking about trying steeking, just so I can work in the round to have the right side facing and do mostly knits (I knit continental, and purling is a bit slower), and then potentially graft on the front band, as I've already knit two looong cabled bands (one started out as a swatch, but then I decided that I liked the randomness of the cables, so I copied it for the other side). I'll do the sleeves in the round, too, up to the armpits, then join and do raglan shaping for the sleeves.

Oh, a bit more personal stuff about me: I'm 34, I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I work as a knitting instructor, designer, and p/t in a yarn shop located 15 minutes (walking) away from my house. I also teach hoop dance with giant, adult-sized hula hoops, coach waterpolo, and teach lifeguarding and first aid courses. My favourite things to knit are hats or bags for instant gratification and a small-scale canvas for cables and other texture patterns, or stranded colourwork.

Nice to meet all of you!