New Knitting Pattern - Orbs Cowl

Knitting magazine design submission calls, or 'sub calls' (when magazines email designers to request design submissions for specific issues) are always fun. The themes, suggestions and photos they send spark a lot of ideas and even when I don't submit anything, I enjoy reading the final issue and comparing it to what I had in mind when I received the sub call. Sometimes they are different than you might expect!

When I received the email from Knitscene last year with a call for designs for their planned new accessories issue, I was especially intrigued. 

The part of the note that really caught my attention was a request for loop/ infinity style cowls and scarves, built around a theme of outer space or sci-fi inspiration.

I love the beauty of the heavens and the quiet mystery of space. And I am a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek and other space-adventure movies.

I contemplated the brilliance of the night stars in the Milky Way,

Saturn's mysterious rings,

and the luminous path of the moon around the Earth. This lunar eclipse photo suggests to scientists that there might be mountains on the moon.

I wanted to make something just a little funky and offbeat and yet still very simple.

All these things influenced the final design I submitted for this issue, the Orbs Cowl (the pattern name was a total surprise as it was not the one we worked with almost until publication, but I think it's a nice fit also).

The cowl's deeply textured stitch pattern reminds me of the moon's craters and craggy surface.

 

The decision of which end is up is 'wearer's choice' with this cowl since the reversible chevron stitch means there is no wrong side up, down, inside or out.

Worked in the round on size US 10.5 needles, the Orbs Cowl is a fast and fun knit, and it's easy to add or subtract pattern repeats to adjust the size of your project.

Berroco's Flicker yarn was a simple choice for the cowl as it has wonderful loft and airiness from a tubular construction, and a lot of 'give' in the strand - a nice quality in an alpaca yarn.

The sub call suggested sparkles or sequins, which I am not normally prone to knitting with, but the metallic thread running through Flicker is very subtle and adds a soft, pretty touch of shine without being flashy.

I am happy to be included in this premier accessories-specific issue alongside so many other wonderful designs. Knitscene Accessories 2012 is packed full with loads of great small projects, perfect for summer travel and early holiday gift knitting. The issue is currently available for preview and purchase online and will be in stores soon.

For fiber fans in Ohio, the Great Lakes Fiber Show will be held this weekend in Wooster. I'm hoping to get up there, so check back here in coming weeks for a rundown and photos from the show.

Thanks for stopping by everyone, I wish you much peace, many blessings and to my US readers, a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!

photo credits:

milky way

saturn

moon

Knitscene photos courtesy of Interweave Press

Living in Scarfland

I've been in a frenzy of scarf knitting lately, what with Christmas and work on my Lingonberry Loop (LL) pattern, not to mention my Thanksgiving scarf (still a WIP). I love scarves as a fashion accent, as an on-the-go project, and as a warm winter layer.  It's amazing how wearing one around our chilly house warms me up.

I pretty much always have one or two on the needles and over the years I've made plenty, some better than others, LOL.  

 

 

 

This week I finally bound off an aran-weight LL in Berroco Peruvia, and also sewed very light shell buttons on the very first version, knit in fingering weight Frog Tree Brushed Suri alpaca.

This yarn has a gorgeous halo that looks a little like mohair, but has more drape/ less spring, and a matte finish with less luster.  In the hand it is very soft, but reminds me more of wool than mohair.

 

I'd forgotten how much I loved knitting this, since I designed it in August 2010, and now I can't wait to wear it.  

When finalizing the pattern, I actually had two versions written up, one for fingering and one for chunky, both of which I liked.  

The deciding factor at the time was to go with chunky since it is much faster to knit, very warm for deep winter, and also more trend-current.  But boy do I love the light weight one!  

It's shorter and wider than the published version, allowing it to be worn many ways, but perhaps not a width that would be comfortable in a much heavier yarn.  It might feel too much like a blanket.  But then, just look at some of the ginormous (as my niece likes to say) scarves and cowls out there right now and who knows?

I like how the lacy pattern stitch is equally beautiful on both sides so you can wear it as a moebius with a half-twist before buttoning (as shown in top photo above), and how it allows buttons to go through along the sides for a shawl/ wrap style.

I'm considering publishing a second version of the LL pattern in the lighter weight.  Or will people adapt and modify the current one and it would be a waste of time?  Hmmm....

The grey one is still lacking buttons, so I'll save the FO shots for later.  Lots to think about.