Tag Archives: Meghan Babin

Bowery Tunic in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2017

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I am thrilled to show you my latest design the Bowery Tunic published in the knit.wear Spring/Summer 2017 issue in the company of other designers such as: Pam Allen and  Carol Feller. On the cover is Mary Anne Benedetto’s stunning Park Slope Top. My working title for the design was Jarre: A cable panel with electronic vibes, not unlike Jean-Michel Jarre renown music, is the focus point for this a-line pullover with a longer back ending in a vent in the sides. The collar, just like the bottom edge, is in garter stitch and crowns the garment ending in an i-cord bind off.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The tunic is knitted in madelinetosh, Tosh DK, a hand-dyed merino wool with crisp stitch definition, in a divine medium grey called Tern. The yarn comes in 100 gram skeins with 205 meters/225 yards and knits with a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch to 10 cm/4″ square.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The sample is knitted in size 105.5 cm/41.5″ (third size) bust circumference and modelled with 18.5 cm/7.25″ of positive ease on the model. The tunic is graded into 6 sizes with a bust circumference from 85 to 136 cm/33.5 to 53.5″. The back is one cable pattern repeat longer than the front, 11 cm/4.25″.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The intricate cables are fun to knit in a mixture of rib and garter stitch that moves across both the front and the back of the tunic. I found their volume and texture too much for the sleeves and opted for a garter stitch panel on the center of the sleeve since I do love texture. As you might know I also get easily bored working just in stocking stitch.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The gorgeous photos are taken by Harper Point Photography, while the photo styling is by Tina Gill and Hair & Makeup is by Janie Rocek. Thank you to editor Meghan Babin and the Interweave team for accepting yet another of my designs!

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear Spring/Summer 2017 is available in both a digital and a print edition. This large issue also includes 4 of the designs from the Wool Studio volume 1 digital magazine, including the popular Hyannis Port Pullover by Bristol Ivy.

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Wool Studio 2016 with My Design

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Interweave Knits and knit.wear editor Meghan Babin sent me an invitation to submit to their new special collection for knit.wear, called Wool Studio 2016, back in March. I was delighted to have this extra opportunity to submit. The result: “Wool Studio is a digital lookbook featuring clean, accessible knitwear designs for every woman.” We are 9 contributing designers, and it is an impressive list: Norah Gaughan, Bristol Ivy, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Sarah Salamon, Amanda Scheuzger, Mary Anne Benedetto, Amanda Bell, Emma Welford and myself. On the stunning cover is Truro Pullover by Amanda Scheuzger. My submission was accepted and here it is, beautifully captured by Harper Point Photography; the Brewster Cardigan.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

Here is the introduction to the cardigan from the webzine: “Alluring cables and a draped loop cowl create the unusual but captivating silhouette of the Brewster Cardigan. The generous loop cowl can double as pockets, or the extension can be omitted entirely! Either way, the stunning cables and comfortable fit will make this cardigan a favorite for years to come.”

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The Brewster Cardigan is knitted in Valley Yarns Northfield using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The lush yarn is a mixture made of 70% merino wool, 20% baby alpaca, 10% silk with 113 meters/124 yards on each 50 gram ball, and has a divine stitch definition.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece to the armholes, and then the fronts and back are worked separately. The sleeves are worked in the round, with the sleeve cap worked flat. The loop collar is made in two pieces and joined using a three-needle bind off.  There are no cables on the fronts, since the wide loop collar is made of the several cable repeats with garter edges and attached along each front with the extra loop hanging loose. In these photos you see the loop collar hanging around the neck once, but it is also possible to hang it twice hence pull the cardigan together or cross the loop at the front for a different look. I will show you these options in the photos my husband took of me in a later blogpost.

Interweave / Harper Point Photography

The sample shown is the third of six sizes and it measures 101.5 cm/40″ around the bust and is modelled with 6″ of positive ease. The smallest size measures 89 cm/35″ and the largest measures 136 cm/53.5″. If you do not like the loop collar you could easily just make it long enough to fit along the opening. Do take a look at the clean and crisp collection that Wool Studio 2016 is.  I am so proud to be part of it! Thank you Interweave!

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Kohno Kimono Again

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xt1a8593I know you have seen the Kohno Kimono before, since it was published in knit.wear Fall/Winter 2016, but I wanted to show the photos my husband took of me wearing it in our garden last February, just before I sent it off to Interweave. This is how I introduced it: Inspired by the sculptural aesthetic of architect Hugo Kohno’s work in Tokyo, is this oversized long kimono style jacket with short wide raglan sleeves. It is adorned with a domed check pattern ending in wide moss stitch borders at the front, bottom and in the sides.

xt1a8586The yarn I suggested and had used in my swatch was a favourite combination of Rowan Lima – an alpaca and merino blend in a chainette yarn – together with Rowan Fine Tweed. Instead editor Meghan Babin suggested using The Fibre Company, Acadia and that was a clever choice since it is a lovely yarn to knit with and has a luxurious feel to it. This is how it is described by The Fibre Company themselves: “Acadia is a 2-ply yarn with a rustic look and a soft hand. A subtle tweed effect created by the silk noil is combined with a heathered base and then overdyed”. It is made of 60% wool, 20% alpaca, 20% silk with 133 m/145 yards on each 50 g skein and takes a 4 mm/US 6 needle. The gauge is 21 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The sample is knitted in Sea Lavender, a soft grey with lilac undertones. The Kimono takes 13 (13, 14, 15, 16, 16) skeins. The Fibre Company Yarns are distributed by Kelbourne Woolens in the US.

xt1a8591-editThe Kohno Kimono is oversized and I am wearing the third size with a bust circumference of 124 cm/49″ with 32 cm/12.5″ of positive ease. The finished size: 112 (118, 124, 132, 137, 142) cm/44 (46½, 49, 52, 54, 56½)”. I was delighted to see one of the knitters attending my workshop in Stavanger had started knitting it. The English pattern is available as a single pattern to download but also as part of the wonderful knit.wear Fall/Winter 2016  digital issue available both as a digital issue or as a print issue. I have ordered a few more colours of Acadia and cannot wait to see them and swatch with them.

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knit.wear with my Kohno Kimono

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kw-f2016-coverI was excited from the moment I saw the submission call for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2016 with a Japanese theme. It turned out to be an exotic issue with inspiring knits and I am so thrilled to be included. In the editorial letter Meghan Babin writes:

“After that first day in Kinokuniya (a Japanese book store in Portland, Oregon, ed note), I’ve pondered my response to the Japanese aesthetic. In this fast-paced, homogenized, modern age, I’ve found that it strikes a deep chord that resonates on both a personal and a societal level. We desire and constantly seek simplicity, minimalism, peace, beauty, and the unique. In my off -and-on research over the years, I’ve noticed that books, yarns, and designs from Japan off er these desired elements. This issue’s eye is turned to the East to celebrate and explore the beauty of Japan and the unique contributions it has made to the knitting industry.

In this issue of knit.wear, we’ve gathered designs inspired by the Iki aesthetic, interpreted as a chic, sophisticated, minimalist sense of style. The designs focus on the details, finishing work, and precise construction necessary to produce an impeccable garment that remains a pleasure to knit.”

knit.wear/Harper Point Photography

knit.wear/Harper Point Photography

This is how I introduced the Kohno Kimono in the submission: Inspired by the sculptural aesthetic of architect Hugo Kohno’s work in Tokyo, is this oversized long kimono style jacket with short wide raglan sleeves. It is adorned with a domed check pattern ending in wide moss stitch borders at the front, bottom and in the sides.

knit.wear/Harper Point Photography

knit.wear/Harper Point Photography

If you did attend the The National NeedleArt Association (TNNA) Trade Show in Washington in June you might have spotted it in the fashion show. I was not there, but I was pleased that the Norwegian designer Tove Fevang was. Tove was ever so surprised to find two of my designs in the show (the other one was the Amara cardigan). It was shown with black trousers there, but is even more elegant with a pencil skirt like the one the amazing stylist Tina Gill chose. The brilliant photography is by Harper Point Photography. I am ever so impressed with the Japanese hair and make up by Janie Rocek too! Check out those hair pleats in the photo above.

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knit.wear/Harper Point Photography

My Kohno Kimono is knitted in The Fibre Company Acadia made of 60% wool, 20% alpaca, 20% silk with 133 meters/145 yards on each 50 gram skein. The sample is knitted in Sea Lavender in the third size (of six) with a bust circumference of 124.5 cm/49″ and modelled with 38 cm/15″ of ease. It was the first time for me knitting with Acadia and I loved the tweedy look of it as well as the soft luxurious feel to it. The gauge is 21 stitches and 32 rows in both Domed check pattern and in Stockinette stitch to 10 cm/4″ square using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. This kimono is worked from the bottom and up in pieces. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches.

The digital issue of knit.wear Fall/Winter 2016 magazine is now available, and so is the single pattern pdf of Kohno Kimono. The printed issue of the magazine can be pre-ordered and will be shipped soon.

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Harding Cardigan in Interweave Knits Summer 2016

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FC_KNSummer16_NB-768x1018I am so thrilled to be part of the exciting Interweave Knits Summer 2016 issue with my Harding Cardigan. On the cover is the beautiful lace top; Clemente Tank by Mary Anne Benedetto, aka Apriori Knits. I was inspired by the submission call and its topics: Boho Lace and Mountain House Retreat. My submission was accepted and fitted into the last theme. I choose to design in the rustic Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and instantly knew what stitch pattern I wanted for the collar: Cabled Rib Cord from “Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand New Groundbreaking Patterns. The openwork texture of it is a great contrast to any denser cabled fabric on the body. Here is my introduction to the cardigan with the working title of Barr Cardigan: Allover telescope lattice gives this straight long cardigan a textural feel. An open rib cable cord collar, knitted separately, adds a modern look to the cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin. The cardigan is named after the cabled rib cord pattern’s creator; Lynne Barr. The body is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts with extra ease for comfort, while the sleeves are knitted in the round.

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

I choose to use a 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle for density and to accommodate the large number of stitches. While the body is densely cabled, the collar pattern is created by working extra rows in rib before each cable crossing. The gauge for the allover Telescope Lattice pattern is 22 sts and 27 rows, while it is 26 sts and 18 rows in the Cabled Rib Cord pattern. The cardigan pattern is available in 6 sizes with a bust circumference of 85 (90, 96, 106, 114, 123) cm/33.5 (35.5, 38, 41.5, 45, 48.5)”. The model is wearing the second size with 1.5″ of positive ease.

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

In my submission I suggested neutral colors like Woodsmoke, Nest or Sweatshirt, but editor Meghan Babin wanted Foothills. I had no objections to the color change and thought it was a clever choice, especially after reading how Brooklyn Tweed describes the color: “Prairie haze. Fields after the harvest. Foothills is a mild sage green comprising white, grey, and yellow shaded with black, the palest member of a family that includes Tent and Artifact.” This issue of Interweave Knits is Meghan’s first “full” issue and I think she has done a brilliant job, together with the Interweave team!

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

The photographs are taken by Harper Point Photography in the snowy mountains of Los Padres national Forest in California, as the Interweave team decided for this issue to follow the move of the photography studio from Fort Collins, Colorado to Ventura, California.

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Interweave/Harper Point Photography

The photo above also shows the sewn – not knitted – Whisperwool Clutch by Kathy Fogarty. Look out for her ready to wear and sewing patterns coming soon under her own label “Midnight Mercantile”. I am delighted with the trendy photos of my cardigan. The magazine is available in both print and digitally, in addition it is possible to buy each digital pattern separately. I hope you will enjoy the magazine as much as I do!

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