Namesake of a distant paternal cousin (with a special wink to a current day pal) is lovely Laura worn by lovely Juliet. Another delightful collaboration between us has resulted in this sweet design – making me quite ready to rename my enterprise Deb and Juliet Hoss Knits, but how fun is that!
It takes 2 images to show the fullness of this piece – simple in the front and lacy in the back – with garter trimming wrapping it all together. A fitting valentine for my girl.
"Fresh and modern" is how one ravelry follower described Jeanette, this latest lacy pullover – thrilling feedback to be sure! And although I'd like to take full design credit, alas, I cannot. This is the brainchild of Juliet, who wears it so well. Truly my muse, my daughter aims to keep my thinking young (while nature takes its course with all other parts of me).
Jeanette is the name of my grand-aunt Margareta's daughter-in-law (and also of her granddaughter) – appropriate namesake for this piece I'd say. With a slightly longer bodice, three-quarter sleeves, and garter trimming Margareta's been jazzed up a bit – much as, I'd like to think, my girl does for me.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
Oh the trials of photographing all the details of a black lace sweater in low-light January! But we've made it work I think, I hope.
Jazzy Jeanette pattern coming soon.
A short name for a short and happy project!
Warm and cozy, just what I had in mind for Anne – my latest sweater release, a vest with deep pockets and stripes! This is a shapely piece worked in seeded rib check on worsted weight wool. Its colors intertwine as pocket linings segue into upper bodice stripes that finish at neckline and armhole trims. The neckline sits just low enough to allow a peek of tee shirt from underneath. It's a quick knit you'll surely enjoy.
No blocking required, except for pocket linings, as this pleasing fabric lies flat and stays true to gauge. Pieces are knit flat, bottom-up, with seaming, and circular knitting on trims.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
Agnes was the name of my grandmother, matriarch of dad's family, and also of her third daughter, my aunt. Turns out they shared Jane as their middle names too – who knew! Happily, me now, thanks to dad's work on his family tree.
Keeping spirits alive, I'm pleased to introduce my Jane Cowl Series, namesake of the Agnes Janes.
We're having an unseasonably warm day here in Boston so I persuaded Pete to take some preview photos of my Jane Grand Cowl, the first of 3 in my Jane Cowl series. This simple sheath took a few trials to get the shaping just right, but boy am I happy with the result. Wear it around your neck as a regular lacy scarf,
or slip it over your shoulders for some extra stylish fun.
Yum, huh? I hope to get this, along with the Little Loop and Double Loop versions published very soon for Ravelry sale. Pattern writing is underway!
My foray into a gift-worthy knit this year has turned into a thesis – my cowl thesis! And as long as I stay within gift giving deadlines, an enjoyable one at that. I don't typically wear cowls so exploring their variations in dimension, fit, and fabric drape has created a bit of a research project for me.
All versions have their lace in common – flame chevron – named appropriately I'd say for taking the chill off. This stitch pattern is shown above worked in Baby Alpaca DK (green tea) by Shibui Knits and Lark (frost) by Quince & Co. And just to prove my mettle, I've worked another, not shown, in Quince & Co's Chickadee!
The piece I'll gift is slowly coming into focus and will require a 4th version, slated to be on my needles today. I plan to offer them all as a set in a single pattern – soon – for other knitters to enjoy.
Teresa married Bernard Henry. Bernard's father was named Bernard Henry too, and so was his son. His grandson they named Henry Bernard, probably because his cousin Bernard Henry had already snagged it in its original form. Confused yet? Henry Bernard's grandson – my dad – was a Bernard Henry too, and I'm pretty sure that's the end of the naming line. I know of no Bernards and Henrys within the family since then. Probably a good thing.
This sweater is named for great-great-grandmother Teresa, and dedicated to all the Bernard Henrys and at least one of the Henry Bernards I know of.
Introducing Teresa, a long-sleeved cardigan with a deep v-neckline. Worked in 2 colors (one main and its trim), Seeded Rib Check is its stitch – a simple alternating sequence of knits and purls, dense and springy, and super comfortable. Horizontal pockets positioned at the hips are lined with the color of its trim, for some secret fun. Pieces are knit flat, bottom-up, with seaming.
Versatile Teresa will surely become one of my year-round favorites. I can just tell.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
I decided to try something new. Brooklyn Tweed puts out a very cool set of Look Book Collections so I ordered a skein of their Shelter wool in color Sweatshirt. I'll admit that its name had a lot to do with my selection, for some reason bringing me back to Sky King on Saturday mornings after swimming lessons when I was eight – oy. The wool proved to be in keeping with its name so I've been working a correspondingly cozy design in my head with this wool, while actively knitting Terasa (below) – a 2 color cardigan worked in seeded rib check, the same stitch pattern I used with Amelia.
Teresa, now happily done, was fun to make and I'm pleased with the resulting fabric, fit, and colors! I used Quince Chickadee wool in marsh and crocus and I think they bring out the best in each other. Hope to have this pattern posted by tomorrow, I'll be working on it next.
Dear Amelia published at last! Namesake of my great-great-grand aunt and my self-selected alter-identity in 7th grade German class! Coincidence?? hee hee, ya..but what fun.
This is a two-color, shaped, sweater with three-quarter length raglan sleeves, worked entirely in seeded rib check – a most comfortable, squishy, and delicate fabric comprised of alternating knits and purls. The trim at hem and collar is worked in a rib variation of its primary texture – a sweet detail. You’ll find this piece is versatile and multi-season, well worth the enjoyable investment in its making.
No blocking required, pieces are knit flat, bottom up, with seaming.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
Posted originally in 2011 I took a second look at Dorothy recently and decided to spiff her up a bit. Spawned from Katherine (who, in namesake, is in fact her mother – how ideal!), here she is re-orchestrated this time, on circular needles – so NO seams! Hooray :), and so fun to knit.
Welcome Katherine – just in time for summer! This summery shell of chevron lace is a quick knit, a perfect summer project. You'll find its 9 stitch by 8 row lace pattern repeat is easily mastered, creating just enough stitch variety to keep things interesting while flying off the needles. Add a belt for a pop of color, or wear it without accessories to reveal a sleek and slim silhouette.
Meet Margareta, this design the namesake of my grand-aunt, dad's aunt. She was not only my grandmother's sister, but her sister-in-law as well! How possible? Sisters of one family married brothers of another! How fun is that, and a bit risky too for relationships overall – but so it goes in matters of the heart.
Margareta is a two-color, short-sleeved tee worked in fingering-weight wool – light and airy for warm days and nights. Its sleeves and shoulders are worked in ribbon lace – an easily mastered 9 stitch by 20 row repeat – in a complimentary color that provides a fresh pop and textural companion – a bit of frosting – to the stockinette stitch simplicity of its lower bodice. This tee is slim-fitting, shaped, and extends mid-hip in length. Worked bottom-up, the lower portion begins as one piece on circular needles, until the starting point of the lace at the underarm where it splits and each side is worked separately.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
Oh, I get so excited when I launch a new piece. This one is for my aunts, both named Helen.
My Helen sweater is a shapely, lacy, v-neck pullover. Its Hexagon Fern lace – an easily mastered 18 stitch by 16 row repeat – is worked throughout and echoes the lines of its 1x1 rib trim and angled neckline. The bodice is slim fitting, extending mid-hip in length, and follows body curves. Narrow sleeves end just below the elbow, long short sleeves that feel ample. This versatile piece may be dressed up or down and layered, establishing it as one of my all-occasion, year-round favorites.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
Perfect for spring, or any season, is my latest design – the Mary jacket. I ventured into new territory this time working the oh-so-easy garter stitch on Quince&Co's Osprey aran weight wool. The happy result is this most comfortable and stylish (if I do say so myself) Mary jacket. You'll find it a snap to knit (bottom-up) with no seams (except for set-in sleeves; kitchener weaving at shoulders and back neck), and all shaping so subtle and wonderfully invisible.
What a treat to make and wear!
Nelly was my dad's aunt and I was a little girl when I knew her. She sold newspapers in the underground subway station at Park Street in Boston. It's not likely she ever had a sweater as nice as this, but she certainly deserved one. For you, Nelly.
This is a slim fitted, lace covered pullover. Its narrow sleeves are generously long. The lace, named alternating leaf, is an easily mastered 10 stitch by 12 row repeat. Pieces are knit flat, bottom up, with seaming.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
I'm delighted to present my latest design, Agnes, inspired by a simple long sleeved tee shirt. The fit is just right, just as I planned – for a change. Interesting how the process of design unfolds. I can count on my initial aim to take several turns during the making. That said, I've sketched out my goals for the year: 12 designs or so, one a month... The theme is mostly long and lean, like Agnes. There's a cape, jacket (double breasted), a cardigan or 2, a lacy number, some of these with a trim – fringe or ruffle, and probably a stole or cowl to round things out.
Moving into colder weather, the diamond brocade of this cozy pullover is reminiscent of lace – winter lace. Johanna's simple brocade repeat and slim-fitted styling create a romantic silhouette. Bodice and sleeves are long. Garter bands define the waist, neckline, and hems. a 3-button placket closure at the shoulder gives easy access and a bit of additional decoration. Pieces are knit flat, bottom up, with seaming.
Click here for pattern details. You'll find this pattern for sale on Ravelry.
Just under the wire for 2011, here we are wearing Johanna. Juliet's in her black and white randomly striped version and I'm in the very textural diamond brocade – or winter lace as I've come to think of it. Both have been knit with Quince & Co.'s delightful chickadee wool.
Pattern will be posted on Ravelry by tomorrow – if the Fates allow – though I'll likely toast its launch tonight! I just can't wait.
Thank you family, friends, and Ravelry fans, for inspiration, motivation, and support. It's been a fun year of happy knitting.
Here's a peek at my next piece, Johanna, named for my grandmother's grandmother.
I just love the delicate texture of this diamond brocade that feels like lace to me without the holes. Juliet and I collaborated on the sweater design, but she wanted stripes – random stripes! and although her wish is my command I feared random stripes might intimidate prospective knitters especially in light of shaping and buttoned cuffs. (I'll admit to being a bit intimidated myself!) So I've made her version first, serving the groundwork for dimensions and sizing. It looks fabulous on her and we'll certainly get a picture during our next photo shoot. Meanwhile my work continues, happily, on this – aiming for a December pattern launch. Stay tuned!