Twist Collective Fall 2010 published today

I’m so excited!

Twist Collective Fall 2010 went live today and here’s a link to the pattern for my Kinsol Vest. While you’re there, take a peek at the other patterns in this issue – they are really awesome!!

The vest is knit using 3 pattern sequences: a cable pattern, a herringbone pattern and stockinette — interesting to knit yet subtle enough to be very wearable.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Twist Collective – Kinsol Trestle Men’s Vest

Alright, my dears, more snippets to whet the appetite and make you yearn for the Twist Collective Fall 2010 issue! Just sharing my excitement!!

Inspiration: The Kinsol Trestle

Kinsol Trestle pictures shown here with permission

While doing some vacation research online, I came across this absolutely awe-inspiring structure which became the inspiration for my design — the Kinsol Trestle men’s vest.

The Kinsol Trestle is a wooden railway trestle, built in 1911 – 1920, located in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. At 44m (145 feet) high and 188m (614 feet) long, it is the longest trestles in the British Commonwealth and one of the highest in the world.

Abandoned in 1980, preservation efforts have been underway to include this historic treasure as part of the Canada Trails system so it can be used by runners, hikers, cyclists and equestrians. There are many more pics and stories on their website http://www.kinsol.ca/

The Yarn

Briggs & Little Regal is a slightly rustic wool — you’ll find wee bits of vegetable matter that tell you the wool has not been overly processed. It provides beautiful stitch definition for this design. I chose the slightly heathered medium grey to reflect the colour of the aged wood of the trestle.

Design Elements

Knit-on Edging

The other two things I’ll share are a pic of:

1. the knit-on edging – rather unique, I think. It creates knit stitches that meet the fabric at an angle,

and

2. the V-neck

V-neck

Plus – there are cables and subtle textured stitches incorporated into the body design to reflect the wonderful structure that was its inspiration.

The vest is knit in the round to the underarms, so the only seaming is at the shoulders.

Hope you enjoy this one

Twist Collective Fall 2010 – post 1 – in awe

Let me just say my heart’s going pit-a-pat!!!!!

So, back in April I heard the exciting news that my men’s vest design (more to come in post 2) had been accepted for publication in Twist Collective (new Fall edition will be up in about a week). Well, with the publication date quickly approaching, we’re now allowed to put out some teasers!

For this first one, I’m going to squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee — because I just saw the list of designs and designers (no pics yet, of course!) on Ravelry — I am in the company of superstars like Annie Modesitt, Norah Gaughan, Kate Gilbert, Laura Chau, Fiona Ellis, Robin Melanson, Anne Kuo Lukito, Christa Giles, Connie Chang Chinchio, Sandi Rosner, Marnie MacLean and Pam Allen!!!!!!!  Can I just say….. actually, I don’t know what to say. Oh my!!!!!

Linear Symmetry Scarf

A little behind the season, but for those who like to get started on gift knitting for next winter, here’s a very versatile scarf.

The  chunky yarn makes for a quick knit of this 24-row repeat pattern.

Exciting News!

One of my designs has been accepted for publication in Twist Collective for their Fall 2010 issue! I’m very excited. Everyone’s been sooooo nice!!!

So, I’ve been re-writing the pattern draft (the chosen yarn was just a weeeee bit heavier that my original swatches) and have almost finished knitting the sample. I love the chosen Canadian yarn for this project – both the colour and texture are a perfect match to the spirit of the design!

This was my inspiration. Isn’t that a totally awe inspiring? I’ve been working on the design, off and on, for about a year and a half. From Wikipedia: “The Kinsol Trestle … is a wooden railway trestle located on Vancouver Island … Completed in 1920, its dimensions measure 44m (145 ft) high and 188m (614 ft) long, making it the largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth and one of the highest railway trestles in the world.”

Updated Manly Scarf #8 Pattern to include a hat

Yes, indeed, you now get a bonus hat pattern with this scarf; so, if you downloaded an earlier version, you might want to get this new one.

The hat is reversible, so it will please those who like a lot of texture as well as those who don’t. It’s also long enough that you can fold up a generous brim — double layers to keep the ears warm!

The pattern is a simple 2 row repeat, so it’s a very quick knit.

Download now from Ravelry.com

Transitions Scarf

Here’s the newest item off the needles — the Transitions Scarf. If you can knit and purl, you can easily make this scarf!  A very clever slipped-stitch edge provides a lovely finish on each side. And, there’s still time to knit this one before the Holidays!

The sample shown here was knit using Bernat Soy Natural Blends yarn — a lovely yarn with just that little bit of sheen that will make this a perfect “out on the town” scarf. Knit it in a lovely merino and it becomes great for everyday wear.

see the PurpleSage Designs pattern page for lots more details!

purchase this downloadable pdf knitting pattern through Ravelry.com for only $2.00USD

Jenna H. Designer News

Duineil Cabled Cardigan by Jenna H.

Well, LOTS of things have been happening!

Jenna H’s Duineil (Ravelry link — if you’re not a member, sign up — it’s free and gives you access to much fibery goodness!) has been published in the Fall 2009 Issue of Janet Szabo’s Twists and Turns Newletter.   Congratulations, Jenna!

Lasa Cadais Short-Sleeved Top by Jenna H.

Jenna has also just published the Lása series — a set of 3 patterns which includes:

Lása Cadáis (Ravelry link –) is the short-sleeved version

and the Lása Olann Pullover and Lása Olann Cardigan (Ravelry links) — you can also see pics and the story on Jenna’s Knits ‘n’ Wovens blog.

These beautiful patterns can be purchased individually or as a set through the Ravelry links above or from Jenna’s blog.

Lasa Olann Pullover by Jenna H.

(photos published here with permission of the designer)

Lasa Olann Cardigan by Jenna H.

New Free Manly Scarf – Pattern #8

Manly Scarf #8: Knotted Rib Scarf

The newest pattern in the Manly Scarf Series has just been posted on the PurpleSage website. You can download the free pattern pdf there.

Like all the other scarves in this series, this one is free too. Just a small way for me to say, “Thanks for supporting my designs!”

The pattern stitch is from the Harmony Guides 450 Knitting Stitches V2 (2004) – Knotted Rib pattern and I’ve added a 4-stitch moss border on either side.

If you just want a quick peek, here’s the pattern worked over 38 sts:

Row 1 {RS}: {k1, p1} twice; p2, *kfb, p4; repeat from * to last 7 sts; kfb, p2, {k1, p1} twice

Row 2: {p1, k1} twice; k2, *p2tog, k4; repeat from *to last 8 sts; p2tog, k2, {p1, k1} twice

All abbreviations, yarn requirements, sizes, etc. are in the pdf on the website.

Dec 11/09 edit:
k – knit;
p – purl;
kfb – knit into front and back of the same stitch (makes 2 stitches out of 1);
p2tog – purl 2 stitches together

Since it is mainly purl on the RS and knit on the WS, it does have a tendency to curl along the scarf, so blocking is in order.

RS and WS of Knotted Rib Scarf

Both the RS and WS provide a nice face.

Close-up of Rib pattern stitch

Men’s Standard Sizing Charts

For quite a while I’ve been meaning to consolidate all of my men’s sizing information into one chart and I finally did it! It just takes so much out of knitting time

So, I’ve just added the following charts to the Designer Resources page:
–  men’s standard measurements (in inches)
– men’s sweater measurements (in inches)
– men’s standard measurements (in centimeteres)
– men’s sweater measurements (in centimeters)

The charts represent averaged numbers from various sources in chest sizes 34″ – 52″ (86 – 132cm). Please read the caveats, limitations and source information on the Designer Resources page. Please feel free to use the information in these charts in your designing if you find them useful.

I’ve also added some resource links to other sizing information for preemies, babies, children and adults.