Category: Uncategorized

Winter’s slowly ending?

by WakefulKnits, posted in Stash busting, Uncategorized

It’s been so cold and rainy for so long now, but the glow of the Happy Wanderer manages to penetrate through the gloom and make the cubby house look even better!

All in good time the sun comes out, and Kitty B keeps watch for us. 🌞

For the first time ever, I’ve had a blocked ear for over a week. Is this a symptom of advancing age and a cold dry winter? A doctor’s visit has me using ear drops for even longer than the bottle suggests and waiting to go back for another visit next week. I’m getting used to a constantly blocked ear, and that’s probably not a good thing. 😅

While I’m waiting on yarn for my next project, I’m using up some leftover De Rerum Natura Albertine to make a #3 Slouchy Hat, from the now sadly discontinued Knit Simple magazine, Winter 2018. One of the most incredible features of Ravelry, is the ability to search patterns within your own library, by amount and weight of yarn used. It’s absolutely fabulous for finding ways to use up specific amounts of specific yarns! You can do this in the Advance Pattern search area. Tick the “In my library” box, tick the relevant box in the Meterage/Yardage area, tick the box for the relevant yarn weight in the Weight area, and all the possible patterns that you already own, pop up for you to browse. How fantastic! If you want to be even more specific, you can filter for type of Fibre, category of pattern and lots of other things. How do you go about searching for patterns to use up leftover yarn?

elegant style

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

My latest design, the Stars Through the Mist Scarf, has just been published on Ravelry and LoveCrafts. Knit 2 Below is the only stitch used in this scarf other than Knit. It’s very simple and easy to remember the pattern as you go. I’ve used the lovely De Rerum Natura Albertine, a gorgeous merino silk blend, in two complementary shades. It’s beautifully soft to knit with and to wear next to the skin and drapes so nicely!

In these shades the patterns reminds me of stars seen through mist. You can use complementary shades like I have, or go for a bigger contrast to make more of a splash, with more than 20 colours to choose from in this yarn.

This scarf is great for casual and dressy occasions.

Available in one size, the scarf measures 21cm (8 in) x 212cm (83 in).

440 yards of each colour is needed for this design.

Visit my pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $4.95 USD.

classic cables

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

You can’t beat the appeal of a classic cable in a classic vintage style, v neck vest. It just never goes out of style! Using the beautifully light and warm Juniper Moon Farm Patagonia Organic Merino it’s a match made in heaven. This lovely cable stitch even has tiny little cables within the larger ones, so there’s the chunky look of the larger cable, with more details to delight, on a closer viewing!

Churchill Island Vest

Churchill Island is an historic island, connected to Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia. The historic house and farm buildings still remain, along with animals including the gorgeous Highland Cows. I can imagine residents of the island wearing a vest like this to go about their daily tasks in years gone by.

The vest is easy to wear, easy to move in, warm and light.

A fitted, cable and twist stitch patterned, hip bone length vest with a V neck and some shaping from waist to bust, in Merino, using Juniper Moon Farm Patagonia Organic Merino which Sunspun Yarns currently stock in a lovely range of 29 colours. There’s bound to be a colour that takes your fancy in subdued earthy tones, or something to make more of a splash.

Size inclusive, this is available for sizes 29 inch to 57 inch bust.

It needs 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins of 382 yards each.

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $6.00 USD.

find the power in softness

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

Softness has power. I’m excited that I’ve been able to release my latest pattern! It’s the lovely, lacy, Soft Power Vest. Feel powerful in your vintage style, timeless classic vest, like our can-do predecessors.

Soft Power Vest

You’ll be ready for action in this vest, that also has the softness of merino yarn, and lace patterning.

A fitted, lace patterned, hip bone length vest with a V neck and some shaping from waist to bust, in Superfine Merino, using Cleckheaton Australian Superfine Merino which comes in 24 beautiful colours.

It’s a great weight to provide some extra warmth over a shirt, and maybe under a jacket. The eye-catching lace pattern is great to look at and fun to knit.

Size inclusive, this is available for sizes 29 inch to 57 inch bust.

Uses 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) balls of 145 yards each.

Acknowledge your power, and knit the Soft Power Vest.

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for an introductory low price of $4.55 USD.

Two new vest patterns available

by WakefulKnits, posted in cotton, knitting, knitting pattern, lovely timeless knitting pattern, new pattern, pattern release, Uncategorized, vest, vest pattern

The knitting patterns for two of my new lovely, timeless, vintage style vest patterns are now available!

First is the Everything Crossed Vest pattern.

Everything Crossed Vest

We’re hoping for good luck for the future and have “Everything Crossed”!

A fitted, slip stitch, hip bone length vest with a V neck and some shaping from waist to bust, in pure wool, using Cascade 220 Heathers yarn.

This stitch pattern makes a lovely thick warm fabric.

This is my version of vintage style, with increasing happening from the waist to the bust.

In an earthy tone, this makes a great wardrobe staple, or go for a more eye-catching colour and make it a feature piece.

Size inclusive, this is available for sizes 29 inch to 57 inch bust.

Uses 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of 220 yards each.

Keep everything crossed with me, and knit the Everything Crossed Vest.

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $6.80 USD.

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The next and most recent pattern is the Yarra Road Vest.

Yarra Road Vest

I have the absolute luck to be able to use the gorgeous Yarra Road to avoid school traffic on my way to work, not only avoiding horrible traffic jams, but also getting a calming, beautiful rural drive. Winter drives along this road have been the inspiration for the Yarra Road Vest.

A fitted, slip stitch rib, hip bone length vest with a V neck and some shaping from waist to bust, in a cotton blend, the beautifully soft Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus. Cabling completes the slip stitch pattern on every 6th row.

Size inclusive, this is available in 8 sizes from 29 inch to 57 inch bust.

  • Grey 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6) skeins
  • Pearl 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
  • Blue 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins

This is my version of vintage style, with increasing happening from the waist to the bust.

Mine is grey clouds in amongst the white in a blue sky. Or go for something really bright!

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $6.50 USD.

New Instil Joy Pattern Available

by WakefulKnits, posted in Uncategorized

The knitting pattern for my new lovely, timeless, vintage style Instil Joy Vest is now available!

This is designed in a cosy, all-over textured “bobble style” stitch. It has a classic boat neck, which never goes out of style.  I’ve worked it in Rowan Hemp Tweed Yarn which comes in a lovely set of natural looking colours, including the gorgeous “Paprika”, which I’ve chosen.  I have to admit that tweed yarn makes me swoon. 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. The “bobbles” require very little effort, as they are simply a p3 together on the wrong side of the fabric.

Instil some Joy in your life, with the Instil Joy Vest!

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $6.50 USD.

Seeking Test Knitters

by WakefulKnits, posted in test knitting, Uncategorized

I’ve completed writing up the pattern for my latest design! It’s the Instil Joy Vest.

It’s a boat neck vest in a bobble-like textured stitch, very easy as it’s only using double decreases to make the bumps. I’ve worked it in Rowan Hemp Tweed Yarn, but you can use any Aran / 10 ply yarn you wish. I swoon for Tweed Yarns! I’m looking for test knitters for this pattern. If you’re interested I’m running the test in my Ravelry Group which you can access from my Ravelry designer page. All the details are available there. If you’re not a Ravelry user, but are still interested let me know, and I can give you the details and another way to participate.

The Humanise Throw Rug, for when you’re feeling not quite human

by WakefulKnits, posted in hand knit throw rug, knitting, knitting pattern, lace, lovely timeless knitting pattern, Uncategorized

I have a new knitting pattern available! It’s for my new lovely, comforting Humanise Throw Rug  classically styled, in a timeless cables and lace stitch pattern.

After a hectic day of too much to do, and being pulled in multiple directions, do you feel not quite human? Snuggle under the Humanise Throw Rug to humanise yourself again.

The simple, but effective stitch pattern is therapeutic to knit, and lovely to rest under.

It’s done in a classic cables and lace style, and is worked flat, in one piece for faster knitting and minimal finishing.  I’ve worked it in FibraNatura Cottonwood,  which comes in a massive array of colours. I’ve chosen beige, which is great for matching with other home decor, but any colour which complements or contrasts with your decor would work.  The throw rug finished size is 102cm (40 in) x 77cm (30.5 in).

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to find out more!

It’s available to buy for $3.50 USD.

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.