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.

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.

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

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)

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:
Ravelry: Click here
LoveCrafts: Click here
Payhip: Click here

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.

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

Lá Bealtaine

June15

Janelle Martin_MG_2886 sized watermarked
Lá Bealtaine
was designed for Wooly Wonka Fibers’ Celtic Year club, inspired by the Gaelic May Day festival Beltane – one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals at which special bonfires were kindled. Lá Bealtaine is the Irish Gaelic name for Beltane.

The pattern includes three sizes for this design: a shoulder wrap with buttons, a scarf and a rectangular stole.

Janelle Martin_MG_2933 sized watermarked

Patterns for period drama lovers

November28

I love period dramas and will happily watch a marathon of Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, The Miss Fisher Mysteries or The Paradise. Many of these feature fantastic knit or crochet garments and all have inspired designers with their aesthetic. Here are some of my picks for those who desire a bit of vintage style with their knitting/crochet.

Flapper Cloche by Megan Nodecker

Flapper Cloche by Megan Nodecker

 

Pride and Prejudice Mittens by Christelle Nihoul

Pride and Prejudice Mittens by Christelle Nihoul

 

Sanguinaria yarn bag by Naomi Parkhurst

Sanguinaria yarn bag by Naomi Parkhurst

 

Paris 1925 by Marie Greene

Paris 1925 by Marie Greene

 

Parisian Delight by Andrea Rangel

Parisian Delight by Andrea Rangel

 

Ninetta Neckwarmer by Nina Machlin Dayton

Ninetta Neckwarmer by Nina Machlin Dayton

 

 

 

In Case of Draughts by Hunter Hammersen

In Case of Draughts by Hunter Hammersen

 

Nola Cloche by Hilary Smith Callis

Nola Cloche by Hilary Smith Callis

 

Bellocq by Marnie MacLean

Bellocq by Marnie MacLean

 

Lady Sybil's Crescent by Michele DuNaier

Lady Sybil’s Crescent by Michele DuNaier

 

What is the Gift-A-Long? The GAL is a big knitting and crochet designer promotion with prizes and more than 5,000 people participating in a giant KAL/CAL. Come join the GAL group on Ravelry!

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Cartouche Cowl

December4

Cartouche cowl glamour shot

When I first started designing I spent a lot of time paging through Japanese stitch dictionaries (and still do!) and found the main pattern used in this cowl. It reminded me of an Egyptian cartouche and I visualized it in a deeper vibrant red. That design, Cartouche Shawl, was published in Knitty, Winter 2011. I’ve since used these stitch patterns in the Cartouche Slouchy Beret and the Cartouche Stole; however, I still wasn’t done with this design and knew that I wanted to do a cowl and fingerless gloves to complete the set.

Cartouche cowl stitch pattern detail

And here is the result, the penultimate piece in the Cartouche series – the Cartouche Cowl.

Interview: Tabi Ferguson

November20

Today’s interview is with Tabi Ferguson of Sericin Silkworks. There must be something in the water here locally, for Tabi is just one of many amazing designers hailing from my local community (Sally Melville, Debbie New and the many interviewed as part of last year’s series).

Editor’s Note: Tabi’s yarns are truly luscious and I highly recommend you visit her store! For the sake of total transparency, I have designed several pieces in her yarns (Gothic Forest Scarf, Pyrenees Shawl, and Crow’s Foot Cowl). Tabi currently has yarn kits available for the Crow’s Foot Cowl which include a coupon for the pattern.

Ceylon Cowl

Tabi modeling the Cowl of Ceylon

Who taught you to knit/How did you learn to knit? And dyeing?
My grandmother taught me to knit when I was fairly young, maybe 6 or 7 years old. She also crocheted and sewed. I started dyeing in 2010 because I wanted to create hand dyed silks for spinning.

How did you get started designing?
I also started designing in 2010. I love lace designs and had knit quite a few Nieblings so I was intrigued by his unique style. I also wanted to create motifs that weren’t in stitch dictionaries.

What inspires your designs and dyeing?
My designs are often inspired by architecture here and abroad and design magazines and websites. I enjoy re-interpreting classic shapes that we might see in stone, tile or wood and translating them into texture and colour. Dyeing is almost always the serendipity of the day.

Which comes first – the yarn or the inspiration?
It really depends on the project, but usually the inspiration comes first, then I get excited imagining all the different types of yarns I can use for the implementation.

What characteristics do you try to incorporate in your designs?
I prefer my designs to be concise with minimal finishing or simple shaping. I’m a slow knitter, so I try to consider ‘quicker’ techniques such as stranded colourwork vs. double knitting or brioche or mosaic. The effect is subtly different, but it’s much faster (for me) to knit.

What is your favourite type of item to design?
Because I’m not great at fit, I still mainly design accessories, particularly stoles and scarves, but also socks and gloves. Overall stoles are my favourite because you can tell a story across its width, similar to medieval tapestries.

How do your travels connect into your dyeing?
My travels connect directly with both my dyeing and my designs. I’m often inspired by the architecture and carvings of temples, churches, palaces of far-off places, but also ‘mundane’ objects like baskets and piles of fresh produce in open air markets.

Do you have an aspirational knit – a complicated/challenging design that you want to knit “some day” when you feel ready?
I would love to do a Fair Isle cardigan at some point incorporating my handspun yarns.

What is coming next? What’s in your release queue?
I have a double sided (but not double knit!) reversible colour work scarf and neckwarmer design in the immediate queue. I knit the original scarf for my partner, but I keep stealing it (I usually ask first), so I decided to knit and write up a neckwarmer version so we can figure out who gets which.

Your desert island yarn? (if you could only knit with one yarn from now on which would it be?)
That’s way too hard! My first answer would be any handspun, but mill spun yarn would have to be Sericin Silkworks 50/50 Bison/Silk.

Which is your most under-appreciated design?
That’s a tough one. Either my Clouds of Luxury Fair Isle Fingerless Gloves or Stupas and Spires. Clouds was inspired by the many beautiful fair isle patterns, but with a more modern look. It was spun then knit from a luxury fiber sample pack, but I’ve since knit the pattern with fine fingering weight yarns, a shetland yarn would be perfect, and I even knit a worsted version for my mom from commercial yarn.

Stupas and Spires was released in the Spring 2014 PLY magazine. It is a side-to-side stole, originally made from a graduated handspun laceweight yarn whose colours and design were inspired by the temple complexes of Sri Lanka.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d like to share with other knitters?
I don’t feel I’m a very accomplished knitter. Although I enjoy complicated lace and colourwork, I’m terrible at fit and shaping. However, I’m very fortunate to have a great LYS, Shall We Knit?, and many local talented knitting friends and designers. My biggest piece of advice is to seek out other knitting friends, you will learn so much, not only about knitting but life!

If you could have dinner with one knitting designer (living or dead) who would it be and why?
Herbert Niebling. He was able to sit down and immediately translate an organic (ie. non-geometric) motif to a lace design.

Any knitting/designing New Year’s resolutions?
I need to get better at queuing up my next knitting or spinning projects before finishing the current one. I often find myself knit- or spin-less for a week or two between projects. Valuable time wasted! Plus it’s embarrassing when you get invited to knit or spin-ins and you don’t have a project. 🙂

View all of Tabi’s patterns here. Photos copyright Tabi Ferguson. All images used by permission.

What is the Gift-A-Long? The GAL is a big knitting and crochet designer promotion with prizes and more than 5,000 people participating in a giant KAL/CAL. Come join the GAL group on Ravelry!

Secret Society Shawl

July5

Secret Society in Bare Naked Wools Mrs Lincolns Lace
I am thrilled to announce that I’ve released the “teaser” pattern for my new collection, Northern Landscapes. I’ve been working on these pieces for the past nine months and am excited to see the work nearing release.

You can purchase Secret Society either as an individual pattern for $7.50 or by pre-ordering the ebook. The ebook (a $75.00 value) is available for $24.95 until the rest of the patterns are released in mid-August, at which time the price for the ebook increases to $35.95.

Secret Society in Stone Soup Fingering

The patterns in the collection are also collated as a “set” in Ravelry. You can purchase individual patterns and these will be credited toward the cost of the ebook. Once you’ve spent $34.95 you will automatically receive the rest of the patterns from the collection in your library.

Purchase Secret Society:

Purchase Northern Landscapes, part one ebook:

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My Knitting Patterns


Audrey II



Angular Path Scarf



Cartouche Stole



Fossetta Cowl



Fossetta Hat



Sargaço Shawl



Whitman Hat



Every Which Way Cowl



Every Which Way Hat



Every Which Way Fingerless Mitts



Gothic Forest Scarf



Valencia Scarf



Branching Path Cowl



Flower Bell Stole



Whitman Cowl



New Tech Cowl



Vieux Carré Stole



Stacks Socks



Anna Perenna Shawlette



Taming of the Fox


Don't Ask Y

Cantilevering Leaves



Amplification Stole



Combs Cowl



Mindfulness Cowl



Tipsy Scarf



Gridwork Scarf
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