Author: WakefulKnits

A self-taught (thanks to some fanstastic books) knitwear designer. Currently this is fitted in between my many other and varied responsibilities.

A big catch up with two new knitting patterns

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

My most recent knitting pattern for my new lovely, timeless Dilettante Cushion Cover  is now available!

Dilettante Cushion Cover

It’s done in a classic jacquard style, stranded colourwork pattern and is worked in the round for faster knitting and minimal finishing.  I’ve worked it in Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumperweight,  which comes in a massive array of colours. I’ve chosen shades 87 and 9144, but any dark and light colour combo could work, with colours which compliment your decor, or give a beautiful impact of contrast.  The cover stretches to fit a 30cm x 40cm (12 in x 16 in) cushion insert, or you can stuff with loose filling, as I’ve done.

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $5.25 USD.

Then going back to December last year, I also published a Men’s Pullover pattern, a long time in the making. The design work didn’t take to long, but I’m not fast with Fair Isle, so the sample took quite some time, when I didn’t have a lot of time to dedicate to it. And here it is – the Catchword Pullover now available!

Catchword Pullover

This is a timeless Fair Isle style, men’s stranded colourwork pullover, with the modern touch of some whimsical wording across the chest. I’ve worked it in Heirloom (Australia) Easy Care 8 ply,  which comes in a lovely array of 54 colours as of today. The intended wearer can choose their own colours for maximised chance of wearing. Some contrasts look great in the ball, but not so good knitted up, as I found. A tension square/gauge swatch is the only safe way to confirm the colour choices.

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $5.50 USD.

New Bona Fide Vest Pattern Available

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

The knitting pattern for my new lovely, timeless Bona Fide Vest is now available!

Lovely Timeless Vest Knitting Pattern - Bona Fide

It’s done in my interpretation of a Guernsey Style Stitch Pattern and has a flattering Turtle Neck collar for added style and warmth for mid-season wear.  I’ve worked it in Cascade 220 Yarn which comes in a massive array of colours, so you’re certainly not limited to the classic grey which I’ve chosen.  The fitted style vest reaches around hip-bone length for that classic vintage look, and increases from the waist to the bust to keep a trim fit.

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $7.00 USD.

Post holiday return to knitting

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

 

It’s great to take photos to appreciate the big picture look of the piece.  It’s revealing itself to be a lovely, timeless pullover/sweater, and a knitting pattern will be available when test knitting has confirmed all the lovely details.

If you like it please share it.

A new lovely timeless knitting pattern

by WakefulKnits, posted in lovely timeless knitting pattern, pullover, sweater, Uncategorized

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The West-Northwest Pullover can now been seen on the Pullovers and Cardigans page.

It was one of those designs where I was wondering, “Am I crazy to be doing this?”.  For some reason, these always end up to be my favourites.  It’s worked in a 4ply/Fingering yarn and covered in small rib, cables and twist stitches, hence my doubts about my own state of mind.  And of course a collar, which is so simple but transforms it to another level.  The outcome is so worth it.  I love the vintage look that I ended up with!

If you like it, please tweet it.

Plodding slowly

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

We’re having a very out-of-routine few weeks at the moment, so very little is getting done on the knitting front.  As I’d already picked up the stitches for an armhole for the Virgo Vest one evening, I managed to knit the armhole band in the car yesterday. So, as you can see, I have the neck band and one armhole band completed.  Don’t hold your breath, but I’ll get there in the end.

Virgo Vest
Virgo Vest

I’m already thinking about what I’m going to design when this vest is completed.  The plan is for a small lace bag (what is it with me and lace?) worked in a cotton/linen blend.  When on a trip into town on Monday, I visited Clegs on the off chance that I’d find the sort of thing I was after.  Having failed in my search on their website, due no doubt to my lack of skills, while wandering the shelves I managed to find some Katia Linen.  “Ooooh!”, I exclaimed, and purchased it at once.  Stay tuned for further updates.

Alpaca Lace Vest nearly there

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

My alpaca lace vest is nearing completion.  The front an back are both finished and are currently blocking.  Here is a picture of the back before blocking.  It looks rather crumpled here, but the blocking is doing it wonders.

Virgo Vest
Virgo Vest

 

Tonight, I’ll be able to sew it together and measure up to calculate the required stitches for the neck band and armhole bands.  Now to see if I have the right sized circular needle for the bands! The yarn is a little fuzzy, so I wasn’t sure how well the pattern would be visible, but it looks fine in this photo.

It’s great that it’ll be ready for Southern Hemisphere Spring wear, and Northern Hemisphere Autumn/Fall wear.  A win for everybody!!

Beatles Pullover is go.

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

The Beatles Pullover I referred to in my last post is now complete.  Here it is!  It turned out really well and is well liked.  There’s just a line visible between the L and the E where I’ve caught the floats.  I’ve obviously got some learning to do on how to avoid that happening.  Suggestions?  Comments?

Beatles Pullover
Beatles Pullover

The lace vest I’m working on is coming along nicely.  I’ve just finished the back and have started on the front.

I’ve also had a design appear in Issue 30 of Yarn Magazine. Yay!  It’s my Hayley Ear Flap Hat.  It’s a quick and cute big needle knit.  Keep your head warm this winter! 🙂

 

Hayley Ear Flap Hat
Hayley Ear Flap Hat

 

How many pattern multiples to fit ……

by WakefulKnits, posted in tension square, Uncategorized

I’ve had ideas to design an alpaca lace vest.  I’ve knitted up my swatch in Heirloom Alpaca using a Falling Leaf lace pattern.  My thought was to have a button up vest, but the size of the multiples doesn’t make that easy.  It’s working out to 5.3cm per pattern multiple. For the five sizes I’m planning, that would give 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 multiples at the waist, and this stitch pattern doesn’t halve very well.  For the odd numbers (7 and 9), I could drop one repeat and have 3 or 4 repeats for the left and right front, then make up the dropped repeat with a 5.3cm button band.  That’s a pretty wide button band in anyone’s language.  For the odd numbers it just wouldn’t work, and I don’t want to limit it to two sizes.  That’s just not enough. But I love this stitch pattern in this yarn.  What to do?  Well, instead of making it a button up vest, I’ve decided it will be a pullover vest, with a scoop neck.  I can design another button up vest later on.

Alpaca Lace Vest swatch
Alpaca Lace Vest swatch

However, the vest will have to wait for the moment.  In the meantime, I’ve had a request for a Beatles pullover from my youngest.  I’ve found a pattern for a Beatles Needle Case on Ravelry. In my collection of magazines I have the pattern for the Quilting a la Knitting pullover, by Norah Gaughan.  This pullover is in the shape and yarn weight requested, so I’m just making it in one colour, plonking in the Beatles design at the front and changing the neckline as requested.  I find this much stocking stitch pretty boring, but I’ve found a lot of pluses.  It’s a lot faster than using a stitch pattern and I can knit for cms without having to refer to the pattern.  I’m making great headway.  At this rate I should be finished a lot sooner than I estimated, so it will hopefully get plenty of winter wear. (Southern hemisphere). 🙂  The yarn I’m using is Cleckheaton Country Aran, which is the same yarn that I used for the Kinematics Scarf, but this time in the cream colourway.

Beatles pullover
Beatles pullover