Scourie - a special collaboration

Today I'm introducing a new design that I've worked on with Ripples Crafts yarns. Together we thought it'd be pretty cool to do something special for Loch Ness Knit Fest and here it is.

Scourie is sideways knit, with short row colourwork. With this design I wanted try something different with this technique to show that short row colourwork isn't just intarsia - it can be stranded, too. Several of the Elemental Hats use stranded techniques but not obviously so and not to this extent, and so I started to explore shapes and details that could look effective as well as not be too tricksy to knit!

This pattern will have you changing colours at short row points, but given a little practice with tension, it's not something that should trip anyone up. Don't tug the yarn too hard, but similarly don't let it slacken off too much - firm and gently is the right approach, and you'll find it easier than you think.

The instructions are provided as a panel map - a method I first put to use with the Elemental Hats that has proved to be pretty popular. It's a directional map, so the symbols show you which direction you're knitting and how many stitches are worked in any given row, to make it easier to keep track of the short rows. I've a blog post about this method of charting in the works, so do keep an eye out for that.

Scourie will be available in print only initially. As this is a special project for LNKF, we thought it best to offer it in print only for a limited time. Helen will have plenty of yarn on her stand to put together for kits, and I'll be ordering plenty of copies of the pattern.

Fear not, though - Scourie *will* be available as a digital single pattern in due course! I've the MKAL coming up (our 10th!), and another special pattern for another KAL (busy is an understatement) and I don't want to release Scourie and have it lost in the crowd. I will let you know as soon as it's available, I promise (and if you haven't already, do sign up to the newsletter)

Did I introduce you to Molly yet? We've only started working together in this last week and it's already clear that not only does the camera love her, but also that she's a natural at modelling. Molly grew up around these parts and I'm really pleased to able to work with her.

Scourie uses Ripples Crafts merino sport weight, which is such a lovely yarn - such bounce and definition, and it takes the dye beautifully. Different sizes in the pattern are achieved via panel repeats, but gauge can also help play a part - with a finer gauge, a short Hat can be achieved, and vice versa. The panel width is pretty narrow so you can repeat it until it fits just so (that try-it-on-as-you-knit aspect of sideways Hats is pretty dandy)

And there we have it! See you at LNKF?

ps/ there are still some places on my workshops, so do sign up now if you want to take a class with me - all events need a minimum number of bums on seats to run classes and it helps everyone to book in advance.

Introducing Campello

A few months ago Marcin of Martin's Lab Yarns got in touch to ask if I'd be willing to contribute a design to a new book he was curating. It was just at the point where I'd decided to say no to all commissions going forward, but fortunately I had a design already mapped out that suited the yarn, and with a bit of arm twisting I was in.

The collection is called Stillness, and is launching this weekend at Yarndale. Fret not if you can't get there - they ship worldwide and will be catching up on orders after the show.

The Hat is designed for squishy Aran weight yarn, and is perfect for showcasing hand-dyed yarns. Throw in 2 buttons, a bit of sideways knitting and a classic texture and you have yourself a very gratifying Hat.

As I know you'll ask, the rights revert back to me later in December. Martin's Lab are only selling the book in print, so if you'd prefer digital you'll need to wait a little longer. If you like your print books though, especially ones with beautiful photography and layout, you may want to check out the other fab designs (and designers - there's quite the line up!) then place yourself an order.

Introducing Parallelo

I've another new design to talk about today! (it's going to be like this for some time... I promise that life is still going on and I'm getting some rest and sleep)

Parallelo is a design using short row colourwork, and was the very first design I did with the Bloomsbury DK that I used for the Elemental collection.

When the idea of working colourwork sideways hit, and wanting to use short rows to achieve those colour changes, the collection was going to be more minimal and graphic in style. I had the photoshoot planned out, a good 3 or 4 designs mapped out. And then I designed Toph and that all changed.

This Hat was already a written pattern and knitted sample when things changed direction, so here it is. It gives an intro to the techniques used in the Elemental collection, and is a great pattern to start with if you're a little unsure about diving in. It's also a different style - Hat shape wise as well as design wise - so if slouchy organic forms are not for you, Parallelo might be just right.

Parallelo is available as a single pattern from me through my usual outlets, but it's also available through the Yarn Collective where you can buy a kit with the Bloomsbury DK.

Like the Elemental Hats, this one is graded through gauge. There is room to make some adjustment within the plain panels - something I'll talk about more on the forum for anyone interested. It also has a bit of a mix and match feel to it - there are two panels charted, and any combination of them will give you a finished Hat - so you can mix up those stripes or have a solo striped panel amongst the plain ones.

Those other graphic designs I'd planned have been parked, but not for long. I have So Many Ideas for this technique that I can't write them down quick enough! In the meantime though, do have a go at Parallelo, and I'll let you know how the other ideas come along.

(so many Hats, so little time)

Elemental - a look at the crowns

I thought perhaps you'd like to see how the Elemental Hats look from the top, with their crowns as circles?

They're as beautiful as you might imagine them to be :)

We're getting close to release time now! Remember to either sign up for my newsletter, follow along on Instagram or keep up with the blog (or all three!) to know as soon as Elemental is published.

Elemental - the cover revealed!

We're so close now to publishing the Elemental collection. The book is in the very final stages with the editors checking every last detail for you. There's three editors working away on this, each bringing a different perspective and expertise.

And now... here is the cover! We do hope you like it :)

pssst/ if you haven't already, sign up for my newsletter to have details of it's publication come straight to your inbox.

I can't wait for you to see it!