Eclectic Closet Litblog, Book Reviews & Knitting Designs

A litblog dedicated to book reviews/recommendations, as well as literary and publishing news. Now enhanced with knitting designs.

Vittorio Cowl featured in MDK’s Pattern Party

March31

I am so honoured to have my Vittorio Cowl featured in the Cardigans and Cowls category of Modern Daily Knitting’s Pattern Party, celebrating the great independently published knitting patterns of 2020.

Vittorio Cowl Beauty shot

MDK said “We’re always on the lookout for great mini-skein patterns, and these swirls of chevrons are it.”

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Kits available through Shall We Knit?

Vittorio Cowl

December2

I’m so happy to finally be able to talk about this new design. Introducing Vittorio Cowl, designed for Shall We Knit? yarn store advent calendar and knit with 24 of Koigu’s mini skeins. It comes in two sizes and uses up all the yarn. Join in the advent calendar fun with this Missoni-inspired cowl, named for Vittorio Missoni who turned the fashion brand into a global powerhouse.

Note: This cowl was designed using Koigu ‘Minis’ which are labeled at 11 yds (10 m) each. On average, these skeinettes are longer than labeled and the cowl was designed to use up as much yarn as possible. Therefore, the overall yardage used is more than the equivalent of 24 skeinettes of the Koigu ‘Minis.’ If you are substituting yarn, please use the listed yardage rather than calculating from Koigu ‘Minis.’ You will use up almost every bit of yarn for this project, I finished with about 5 yards left (made up of bits of different colours).

In the photo showing the three cowls on the fence, the cowl on the left was knit using the Minis randomly, the one on the right was knit after having organized the Minis in a gradient. The cowl in the middle is the smaller size, knit with the Minis in random order.

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Hraunfossar Stole

November20

The inspiration for the stitch patterns used in this design (especially the main body pattern) was Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets in Western Iceland. The name comes from the Icelandic word for lava (hraun) and the word for waterfalls (fossar).1

This shawl was originally designed in 2014 when I was knitter in residence at Shall We Knit. As happens sometimes, life gets in the way and the piece wasn’t finished until 2017 and now it’s 2020 – in some cases ideas need time. I’m so pleased to finally be able to share this design with you.

Hraunfossar on the Hvítá river by Tim Waters under CC licence

This pattern is the fourth release in Northern Landscape, Part 3.

Patterns in Northern Landscapes, part three are available individually or as part of collection. During the pre-order period, the ebook is available at a special, discounted price of $24.95. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the rest of the patterns will be published. Once all the patterns have been released individually, the eBook version of the patterns will be uploaded (tentatively release date – March 2022). At that time the price of the eBook rises to $35.95 (full retail price of the individual patterns is approximately $90).

The Northern Landscapes collection, part one is available here and Northern Landscapes collection, part two is available here.

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1 Patel, Samir S. (May–Jun 2017). “Blackner’s Cave”. Archaeology. 70 (3): 36. ISSN 0003-8113. Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via EBSCO’s Master File Complete (subscription required)

Beaded Knots Cowl

November3

This pattern was inspired by the knotwork found in ruins of an abbey in The Burren. These unique three-part cables feature an arm running up the centre. To me, in the narrow panel on the right, these look like “beads” running up a chain.

This pattern is the third release in Northern Landscape, Part 3.

Patterns in Northern Landscapes, part three are available individually or as part of collection. During the pre-order period, the ebook is available at a special, discounted price of $24.95. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the rest of the patterns will be published. Once all the patterns have been released individually, the eBook version of the patterns will be uploaded (tentatively release date – March 2022). At that time the price of the eBook rises to $35.95 (full retail price of the individual patterns is approximately $90).

The Northern Landscapes collection, part one is available here and Northern Landscapes collection, part two is available here.

Ruin in the Burren by IMBiblio under CC licence

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Klambratún Stole

October22

The inspiration for the stitch patterns used in this design was the birch trees found in Klambratún Park in Reykjavik, Iceland.

This shawl was originally designed in 2017 using a special colourway of Caper Sock dyed to celebrate Shall We Knit’s 10th anniversary. As happens sometimes, this pattern’s release was delayed until now and I’ve just found out that String Theory is retiring from the yarn business. I won’t be able to buy my beloved Caper Sock anymore but for those of you with this luscious yarn in your stash, here’s a pattern to show off its depth of colour and beautiful stitch definition it provides.

If you want an exact composition match (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon), have a look at Squishy by Anzula, Djinni Sock by Dragonfly Fibers, Swanky Sock by Magpie Fibers or Capretta by Knit Picks. For those just interested in a similar hand, any fingering weight Merino/Cashmere/Nylon or Merino/Cashmere/Silk blend will work.

Icelandic Birch Klambratún Park Reykjavík by Thomas under CC licence

This pattern is the second release in Northern Landscape, Part 3.

Patterns in Northern Landscapes, part three are available individually or as part of collection. During the pre-order period, the ebook is available at a special, discounted price of $24.95. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the rest of the patterns will be published. Once all the patterns have been released individually, the eBook version of the patterns will be uploaded (tentatively release date – March 2022). At that time the price of the eBook rises to $35.95 (full retail price of the individual patterns is approximately $90).

The Northern Landscapes collection, part one is available here and Northern Landscapes collection, part two is available here.

Available to purchase through:
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LoveCrafts: Click here
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Sauveuse des Anges

October20

Outlander Knits is released today and I am so pleased to be part of an amazing group of designers with my design Sauveuse des Anges. Outlander Knits was edited by the amazing Kate Atherley. Thanks Gale Zucker for the stunning photographs!

Inspired by the stunning mustard coloured cape/cloak worn by Claire in Season 2, Episode 3 and named for the hospital she visits, this design is a lace capelet that can be worn tied with ribbons or using a pretty closure.

The lace patterns were selected based on the lace on the front of Annalise’s gown, worn at Versailles.

For a younger look that pays homage to kilts and aprons, the capelet can be worn over a short (or long) skirt, knee high boots, and fastened with JUL toggle closure.

Knit top down, the design begins with a stable edging of linen stitch and the linen stitch continues down the sides for a smooth edging. The shape is created using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Pi Shawl shaping between the lace patterns.

Sveinstekksfoss Stole

October19

Introducing Sveinstekksfoss Stole, the first pattern release in the Northern Landscape, part 3 collection.

Named for the waterfall in Iceland, the stitch pattern used for the border reminded me of the rocks sticking out of the waterfall’s rivulets.

Sveinsstekksfoss by James Stringer under CC licence

Patterns in Northern Landscapes, part three are available individually or as part of collection. During the pre-order period, the ebook is available at a special, discounted price of $24.95. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the rest of the patterns will be published. Once all the patterns have been released individually, the eBook version of the patterns will be uploaded (tentatively release date – March 2022). At that time the price of the eBook rises to $35.95 (full retail price of the individual patterns is approximately $90).

The Northern Landscapes collection, part one is available here and Northern Landscapes collection, part two is available here.

Available to purchase through:
Ravelry: Click here
LoveCrafts: Click here
Payhip: Click here

Foxy Stripes Cowl

October14

I’m so please to announce that Foxy Stripes Cowl is now available!

In Fall 2019 I took a class with Bristol Ivy on “Knitting Outside the Box” and my mind was blown! She took us through a number of exercises to help our creative process and one of these was an exercise using Mad Libs. We each got three words and we were to use these to come up with a knitting concept.

I got ‘stripes,’ ‘cowl’ and ‘goofy’ and this cowl design was the result. Thanks Bristol! The yarn is the wonderful Blue Sky Fibers Woodstock Worsted.

Note: I used all but a few yards of the 3 skeins of Woolstok for my cowl. You may wish to purchase extra if you are using Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted to ensure you have enough to finish the cowl.

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Palmaria Scarf

September27

A companion piece to the Palmaria Shawl, part of the Northern Landscapes Collection, part 2. The slip stitch pattern was inspired by the waved ridges of seaweed left on the rocky shores at Cape Norman, Newfoundland. Palmaria palmate, often known as Dulse, is a seaweed commonly found in the north east Atlantic.

This piece is also an homage to the ever popular Bias ‘Before & After’ Scarf by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas.

Instructions are included for versions with and without beads and two colours vs a single colour.

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Counterpoise Scarf

September19

This scarf was designed to use 22 colourways of Koigu ‘Minis’ (using 2 skeinettes of each colour) and to use up all the yarn. If you are using a different yarn or working at a different tension, you may require additional yarn to reach the size listed.

Available to purchase through:
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Payhip: Click here

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