Marnie, speak! Good girl.

Past the point of no return

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:51:41 -0800

For someone who rarely has occasion to wear anything fancier than pajamas and even fewer occasions to wear anything fancier than jean, it might be a little weird to love to sew dresses so much, even if it's a fun polka dot dress with a pink sash.

But you could always chalk that up to being more into the process than product of one's craft. There are some peculiarities that are harder to write off, like rushing to your craft room after work, pulling out more pink satin and sewing it up while laughing maniacally, then using your lunch break to take another round of pictures, like this:

And possibly this:

And of course this:

If Leo divorces me and takes Darwin with him, you'll know why. It was worth it, though.

Did you see the new Twist?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:17:14 -0800

I have two garment patterns in the newest Twist Collective.

The first is Lacewing, a feminine little tee, with a very adjustable neckline. It's worked in Kollage Corntastic and is trimmed with butterfly motifs around the hem and sleeves. I hope this is the sort of garment that people knit and love to wear because it's both flattering and comfortable. There's a bit of waist shaping, but not so much as to be clingy, and strategically placed lace meant to add femininity without being revealing or impractical. The pattern features tutorials for two types of picot cast ons that will be nice and stretchy so the hems form those beautiful scallops.

The second piece is Regent. This is the sort of garment I love both wearing and knitting. It's worked in a Catherine Lowe merino/silk blend, and features deep fluted ruffles around the entire cardigan and has a flattering curved hem. The optional tie can be used to cinch in the waist, but wearing it loose or with a purchased belt, works just as well. While I love ruffles, I always worry that they start to look clownish if one isn't careful. I wanted to make sure that these fell gracefully around the body. I think this is really wearable in a dark neutral shade, but imagine this worked with something a little more shimmery and it's perfect over a summer dress. Work it in a functional 100% wool, and you can wear it around the house in the fall, instead of turning up the heat. Of course, these are just two of many great new patterns available in the edition. You've got to see some of the gorgeous socks, shawls and many more garments. I know there's no pleasing everyone, but it's hard for me to imagine that anyone couldn't find something they love in the edition. So check out the whole magazine, including all the great articles, here. As a side note, I've contacted Carol, whose number was randomly chosen in the Kate Atherley book giveaway. Thanks to everyone who left a comment. It's always reassuring to find out that crafting and cooking failures are pretty universal for people who do either.

Pillows

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:18:59 -0800

If you've ever watched videos of people doing free motion quilting, it always looks so easy and fun. It might be the latter but it's most certainly not the former. I am glad I kept to a not-too-ambitious project for my first go at it.

These should fit in nicely in our breakfast nook which is currently upholstered in blue and white fabric against yellow walls, though we plan to change all of that, someday.

They are stuffed with polyfil, and backed with medium weight muslin.

The fabric is Moda Hometown and a single layer cake will make 9 of these 15" pillow tops or 4, 9 square pillows around 23" wide. You can get even more out of the layer cake if you don't insist on making all the accent squares dark red as I did.

If you want to try making these blocks yourself, here's a schematic (you can click through to get to the option to embiggen it)

The center row, with the two extra seams, will be an inch narrower than the top and bottom row so you'll have to trim down the block after assembly, to make it square.

You have been looking at the pillows, right? I mean, there wasn't anything distracting you in those photos, I hope.

It's important to focus on what matters.

Kate Atherley Beyond Knit and Purl Blog Tour

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:52:07 -0800

I'm stop number four on Kate Atherley's blog tour for her new book, Beyond Knit and Purl. She's kindly agreed to do an interview with me and has offered up a free digital download of her book to one of my readers. If you'd like a chance at winning a copy, leave me a comment telling me about your most epic crafting or cooking disaster. Enter by 5:00AM April 19, 2012 and I'll draw one name at random.

Now on to the interview.

Marnie MacLean [MM]: Hi Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to do an interview with me.

Kate Atherley [KA]: Thrilled to talk to you!

MM: For my readers who may not be familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

KA: I'm a teacher, a designer and a tech editor. I was born in the UK, but I live in Toronto. I'm lucky enough to live less than 2 blocks from my local yarn shop, Lettuce Knit. I studied mathematics at University, and worked in the IT industry for 15 years before becoming a full-time knit professional. When I'm not knitting, I can be found with my husband, walking our rescue hound-dog around our neighborhood, and drinking coffee.

Top-Down Triangle Shawl: Spring Leaves by Kate Atherley
Photograph © Kristen Caldwell

MM: Can you tell us a little about your new book Beyond Knit and Purl and for whom it's intended?

KA: I've been teaching knitting for 10 years, and my most popular class is the Project Class. It's a multi-week workshop and knitters bring whatever they want to work on. Every month I meet knitter who have mastered the basics of working the knit and purl stitch, but are struggling to make the leap to working a pattern. My book is for those knitters, or for knitters who are looking to expand their skills and are seeking a way to learn about socks, lace, cables and colorwork. It's not just for new knitters: it's for any knitter who is looking to better understand the craft, the techniques and the patterns.
Learning to handle needles and yarn doesn't teach you anything about choosing or reading patterns – they are totally different skill sets. My book addresses that side of things. I've tried to capture all those things you need to know to be successful in knitting from a pattern – things that aren't typically written down. I've included a glossary to help understand how patterns are written, I've included an explanation of sizing, how to read a schematic, information on ease and tables of standard ease for different styles. I've got suggestions for specific project types based on skill level. I've got explanations on how to join a new ball of yarn, and lots of advice of choosing and substituting yarn.

MM: In my experience, designing simpler patterns can sometimes be even harder than designing involved patterns, as you really have to think like the knitter instead of running with your own whims. What sorts of goals did you set in designing the patterns in the book and what sorts of hurdles did you face?

KA: The objective was to design patterns that are simple to execute and yet build skills at the same time. Because the book is organized by "skills" – shaping, working in the round, socks, cables, lace and colorwork – I had a framework for the patterns – each pattern includes skills from a previous section, and one or two of the skills taught in that particular chapter.
The key is to remember what it's like to be new – to remember that knitter might not know how to weave in ends yet. I had to question everything about the patterns and the designs – would a knitter understand and know everything they need to know to work it? And if they might not, then it was up to me to teach the skill. For example, I have a top-down one piece baby sweater in the first set of patterns, and although the first version of the pattern had the sleeves worked in the round, I had to remind myself that knitters might not yet know how to do that, so I had to adjust the pattern to allow for the sleeves to be worked flat. And then, of course, I teach mattress stitch so that knitters can be confident about seaming the sleeves.
And I have a built-in test audience: the students in my classes. Many of the projects in my book come directly from these classes, and have been road-tested by knitters of all skill levels. If a pattern isn't successful, my students aren't shy about letting me know!

Classic Cabled Sock by Kate Atherley
Photograph © Kristen Caldwell

MM: When did you learn to knit and how long did it take to become a passion for you?

KA: My grandmother, Hilda, taught me to knit when I was a young girl – probably 5 or 6. I don't actually remember learning, it's just something I've always done! Although I knitted on and off through my childhood and teens, I didn't take it up seriously until I finished university and had some spare time on my hands. And it became a passion and a serious pursuit for me when I found the first edition Nancy Bush's Folk Socks. I loved the idea of making socks, but because I have pretty small feet I embarked on a journey to learn enough to modify the designs to make them fit.

MM: Was there anyone in particular that helped usher you into designing and teaching?

KA: Folk Socks is what pushed me into designing, although at first I was designing just for myself. I started teaching when the girlfriend of a co-worker opened a yarn shop, and she needed instructors. And I've never looked back! I am very grateful to Lorena for giving me that break!

MM: What has been your most epic knitting disaster?

KA: That's easy: the big green monster. Before I understood anything about gauge or ease or fit, I made a reckless yarn substitution. I worked a pattern for a cropped, slightly loose and boxy turtleneck sweater written for 18sts/4 inches in a bulky lime green mohair at about 14 sts/4 inches. It's still cropped but hilariously wide – about 50 inches around when it should have been 38 or so – and what should have been a turtleneck is a wide and short cowl. But I still have it – and I actually wear it! With a miniskirt, boots and a fitted turtleneck under it, it's a fun outfit for the coldest days of winter. Plus an excellent cautionary tale.

MM: Excluding glaring mistakes and omissions, what is your personal pattern peeve when working from someone else's patterns?

KA: It's a little thing, but I get pretty worked up about SSK. A common "definition" or explanation of SSK is given as "slip, slip, knit". I teach a lot of newer knitters, and if that's the description you give them, things are going to go horribly awry… There are so many ways of messing up SSK, and if we don't give a proper definition, we can't expect knitters to get it right! If I could change one thing about the way the world writes patterns, is that we stop spelling it out as "slip, slip, knit" and give a proper definition: "slip next 2 sts one-by-one as if to knit; insert tip of left needle from left to right into the fronts of these two sts and knit them together".
I'm also very disappointed by patterns for socks and mittens that are "one size fits all". The size of adult hands and feet can vary enormously: I have a US size 6 foot, and one of my best friends wears a size 11. The idea that the same size sock will fit us both comfortably is ridiculous! If we're going to go to the trouble of knitting socks, they should fit well.

MM: Is there anything that you particularly like to see in patterns, that is not necessarily the norm?

KA: The majority of sock and mittens patterns are prescriptive about needle configuration: 4 or 5 double-pointed needles, or magic loop, or 2 circulars. They don't need to be! After all, the basic construction is the same, it shouldn't matter what needles the knitter chooses to work with. We put knitters off if we're prescriptive: if you're only a magic looper, then you'll avoid all those patterns written specifically for DPNs. I love seeing patterns that are written generically, that work with any needle configuration. More options for knitters!

MM: You're going to be on an extended vacation, somewhere cool and isolated, with lots of alone time. What will you bring with you?

KA: My Signature 2.5mm DPNs and a huge collection of wild colors of self-striping sock yarn, and 5000 yds of laceweight and a bunch of Japanese stitch libraries!

MM: Back to your book, which pattern are you most pleased with and why?

KA: I must confess I love the houndstooth socks in the colorwork chapter. They look so much more difficult than they actually are!

MM: Are there any other patterns you'd like to make special note of in this book?

KA: Each chapter has a mini-project, to allow you to practice and build your skills. They're no more than an evening's work, using up scraps of yarn, so you can try something out without making a major commitment of time or money. There's a dishcloth, a lacy bookmark, a catnip-stuffed cat toy, a mini sock ornament, a coffee cup cozy and a phone cozy. These were a hoot to design, and I think they're just as much fun to knit. I also included a top-down one-piece construction baby sweater as it's such a popular type of project – and can be so very daunting to new knitters.

Houndstooth Sock by Kate Atherley
Photograph © Kristen Caldwell

MM: You got lots of great hints and tips from knitters, peppered throughout the book. Can you tell us a bit about why you talked to the people you did and what you think their input brings to the book?

KA: I talked to my friends, my colleagues and my students – both experts and new knitters. I wanted to capture those little bits of wisdom that don't normally get written done, the advice that you get when hanging around your local yarn shop. It was important to me to talk to new and "average" knitters, as their experiences and advice are most relevant to the readers of my book.

MM: Is there anything else you think people should know about this book?

KA: It's not just for newer knitters – even experienced knitters have told me that they've learned new things and had questions answered. For example, I explain what the big deal is about "twisting the round", and why I never worry about it until after my first round is complete because it can be fixed. Even my editor told me she didn't know that trick!

MM: Thank you again for taking the time to do this interview with me. I think it'll be a great resource for new knitters.

PLAIDitude

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:14:09 -0800

I love bad puns. The title of this post reminds me of one of my favorite puns. I'd like to believe I coined this one. Please don't crush my dreams, if it isn't true. Colleague: How're you doing Marnie? Me: Just ducky, thank you. Colleague: Ducky? Me: That's my duck-billed platitude. Your eye roll is compliment enough for me. Anyway, plaid:

It's Vogue 8701. I talked about the nuts and bolts here. It's got a wide ballet neck in front and deeper v-neck in back

This is my first try matching plaid. It's not for the faint of heart, but I loves me some plaid so it won't be long before I try it again. I find the best solution to plaid that might not perfectly match, is to show it next to something cute and distracting.

Admit it, it totally worked. Slip me some skin, Thea.

Even better, just leave the dress out altogether.

TA-DA!

Free to be you and twee*

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:25:50 -0800

Last year, I made some reusable shopping bags that I shipped off to loved ones for the holidays

It's from a fantastic pattern I picked up at a local quilt shop, but which you may purchase here, if you're so inclined. While I was sad to see them go, I knew I'd make more, I just didn't know (though I should have) that making 12 of the same item is a special kind of torture for me. It's not that they are hard or laborious or anything, it's just, well, more and more of the same thing. But after sitting on these half finished bags for months, I finally found the motivation to finish them up, in all their glorious adorableness.

Six folded bags and a sash to keep them tidy. Don't mind the wonky hook and loop tape.

The sash can hold up to 6 bags...

...or as few as 2 bags

Templates for the tree and leaves are included in the pattern.

And seriously, how fricken cute is this fabric?

The squirrels are killing me

I believe it's now discontinued so you'd have to hunt around if you wanted to get some. it's called Woodlands from Anthology and I made the whole set with 1 half-yard bundle of the entire line, along with a few yards of bleached muslin to line the bags. And before you ask, yes, I still knit. I even have proof:

This one isn't even a deadline project, just something that might end up being self published.

This and that

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:28:24 -0800

I've been sitting here for minutes trying to come up with a blog post title so I could start writing this post. I've decided to give you a crappy post title so I can just get on with it. Last weekend, Kate and I went to Madison to present a Twist Collective fashion show. Kate blogged about it here. It was a heck of a lot of fun. The folks in Wisconsin are friendly and welcoming and clearly appreciate knitting. Go...um...Badgers, I guess. I think that might be one of them there sports teams out yonder. Speaking of badgers, you might as well watch this:

We are crazy busy with Twist stuff right now, and I have a few other secret knits in the wings, but I've fit in a bit more sewing. I mentioned with my last post on sewing, that I'd taken the Bombshell Dress course at Craftsy. Well, I signed up for Susan Khalje's Couture Dress class and instead of using the included pattern, I went with something a little more my style, if I had a style, and any occasion to wear such a dress.

If you are into sewing, you can read more about it over here. I'm also signed up for the Starlet Jacket class, which is good because my sleeve setting in skills are pretty lacking. Also, I'm unreasonably excited to try my first bound buttonhole. And, of course, we try to put aside a little time and money to hit the coast with the beasts.

Rain or shine, it's always gorgeous there. Also, seriously, look at this face.

Ridiculous.

Yah yah yah, cue the double rainbow guy

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:25:45 -0800

Last weekend was my birthday; one of those unremarkable, mid-decade, you're-too-old-to-care-about-your-birthday-still kind of birthdays. We're still eking by on a single salary, and unemployment has dried up so there were no big plans. We figured, being our frugal new selves, that we'd lump my birthday, Thea's 5th birthday, and valentine's day all into one "celebration." I think we managed to pull it off on a shoestring budget. Check out the decorations at our fête!

D-dog provided streamers

There was an air show

Panda entertained us with her acrobatics

And the other birthday girl seemed utterly pleased with the whole day.

I guess it works out that the things the birthday girls want to do most, cost us very little. I believe they call us "cheap dates." If you average out for dog years, Thea and I are about the same age, this year. As a pup, she was such a handful, unfazed by reprimand, destructive, and mischievous. She's matured into one of the most sweet, loving and playful girls you could ever imagine. I love her so much and am glad to have an excuse to share my birthday celebration with her. Here's to many more years to come.

All dressed up and no place to go

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:20:57 -0800

I've read a good number of books on sewing, over the years, including an 80s era edition of Vogue Sewing and while doing so has certainly been helpful, when it comes time to actually sew a garment, I'm often at a loss to remember which couture tips should be employed and how. I end up sewing garments just as the instructions tell me to, not that there's anything wrong with that. To be honest, though, I have tended to pass up patterns that require things like linings or boning or other more advanced construction features because I still feel like a real rookie at the whole process. What I needed was a good class but time and money make that a bit tough. Lucky me, Craftsy offers some online courses and one of them is all about making a well constructed, perfectly fitted, couture style bombshell dress. Yes please, and may I have some more?

The class was a lot of fun. I worked on mine over the holidays so I really didn't get the benefit of the direct interaction with the instructor. On the one hand, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't ask questions and get answers but in truth, even without that feature, I learned so much and the class was so comprehensive that I still think it was well worth the money and since I got the class while it was nearly half price (and as if this moment, it is still only $29) I really don't think I have much room to complain. I hear she's working on another class and I'll definitely check it out when it is available. For those of you who might want to try the class out as well, the largest size available for the pattern is only 39" at the bust (100 cm), though the instructor does walk you through a draping technique for fitting a fuller bust, it may not work for you if you are substantially larger, all over, than the largest size. She does make recommendations for other patterns, but you'll have to pay for those separately, which will increase the overall cost of the class. I went through the details of my project, over on Sewing Pattern Central. I talked about some of the construction details covered in the class and the modifications I had to make to the pattern. I don't really think I'll wear this dress much. My life involves a lot more pajamas and jeans than bustiers and boning. But I think I'll be able to take a lot of what I learned and apply it to other projects I sew. Of course, I had to have my quality assurance team inspect the work. Thea weighed in on the hem.

I think she's not impressed.

Celebration

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:32:03 -0800

Guests of honor

Over the last 3 weeks we had three milestones to celebrate:

Panda turned 11
We celebrated our 1 year anniversary with Darwin
And Leo and I hit 11 years together (eesh, how did that happen?)

So we celebrated all three, on Friday, with another trip to the coast. It seemed appropriate.

Here's to many more birthdays and anniversaries to come.

If the amish made video games

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:46:46 -0800

My brother's not amish, but he plays one in his mirror. Check him out here, talking about Trey Parker and Matt Stone like they are his besties. I'll admit it, I love RPG games, I love South Park, I think my brother doesn't suck. I'm going to buy this game if it's available in a format I can play.

Cercis

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:51:09 -0800

About 6 years ago, I designed Deciduous. I really loved the idea of the pattern, with it's organically shaped cables forming trees up the front. I've always known, though, that it would have a very limited appeal, being worked in an expensive yarn that's hard to substitute (cables on a tank top can't be worked in many yarns and still remain comfortable) in a style that may not be appropriate for many people's lifestyles and climate. I've had it in my head for a long time that I'd like to use those cables in a long sleeve garment using a yarn that's readily available, affordable and easy to substitute. It's been a long time coming, but Cercis is the result.

Cercis is offered in 12 sizes: 32 ½ (34, 36 ½, 38, 40 ½, 41 ½, 44, 45 ½, 48, 52, 55 ½, 59 ½)" 82.5 (86.5, 92.5, 96.5, 103, 105.5, 112, 115.5, 122, 132, 141, 151) cm It's worked in 4 easy pieces and seamed together. The pattern has tons of fitting tips, row and stitch counts at every step and every chart has a chart key on the same page. While the document is 11 pages long total, I've grouped information so you'll only need to print a few pages, as needed, saving you ink and paper.

In addition to releasing this pattern, I've decided to adjust my pricing model to be more consistent across the board. This means I've dropped the price of almost all my self published garment patterns (my Twist Patterns are not effected by this change.) Check out all the details of the pattern here Find the pattern on Ravelry here.

On the horizon

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:44:14 -0800

I feel like I'm on a designing kick right now. I just released two patterns for Twist, I have yarn for two deadline projects, due to publish next spring and I just sent a new design, Cercis, to my tech editor to be self published.

I took some pictures of Cercis this weekend, while we were at the coast. I thought I'd share my favorite outtake. It's useless for actually seeing the sweater but it has everything I love; my pack, haystack rock, a bright sunny day, knitting and the ocean. I hope to have this pattern ready for release in the next couple of weeks. Until then, I have some designing to do.

Cathedral Windows Hot Pad

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:09:31 -0800

In the short time that I've been quilting I've learned enough to know that I have a lot to learn. I'm still really bad at it but I've been obsessively scouring the internet to bolster my skills.

While I've stuck with simple quilts so far, there's one slightly more advanced quilt that always catches my eye, the Cathedral Windows pattern. The first one I ever saw was here (youtube video). Amazing, right? But jeeze o pete, that's a lot of handwork.

Then I found this tutorial on the Moda Bakeshop site and a whole bunch of the handwork was taken out without losing a lot of what makes the pattern appealing to me. I tried the technique and ended up making this and while I liked it, there were a couple of things about the pattern I didn't love (and I really needed to work on my top stitching).

So based on the techniques I saw online and a few things I wanted to change slightly, I came up with this variation. The one I'm demoing, (shown above) doesn't cut off the edges of the windows around the edge and can be adapted to any size you like. It also has batting behind it, for a little more dimensionality. This could be easily adapted to a table runner, lap quilt or wall hanging. For bags and pillows, you could leave the backing off, if you wanted to.

Supplies

Fabric

1 - 14" x 14" backing piece (shown in white)
1 - 14" x 14" piece of batting. If you plan to use this as a hot pad, use 100% cotton
1 - 14" x 14" piece of border fabric (shown in Moda Cotton Blossoms 55005)
4 - 9.5" x 9.5" for windows (shown in white)
1 - 5" x 5" or 4 - 2.5" x 2.5" square(s) for window panes (shown in Moda Terrain by Kate Spain in 27092-13)
Binding fabric (Shown in...heck if I know)

Other supplies

Sewing machine
Thread
Rotary cutter/ruler/mat
Marking tools
Pins
Hand sewing needle
Point turner
Iron and ironing surface
Hand sewing needle

Optional

Basting glue
Water spray bottle
Spray starch
Scotch Guard

All images may be clicked to view them full size.

Theano and Zosia

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:58:43 -0800

The new Twist Collective is live. I know I say it every season and I mean it, I am honored and humbled to be a part of such an amazing magazine. My two patterns this season are Theano

And Zosia

As always, I'll talk more about the designs in a follow-up post. For now, go see everything in this beautiful edition, including all the amazing articles.