The transition from winter to spring seems particularly noticeable this year. We are spending more time in our garden, and I’m taking time to notice the changes in the shrubs and trees while I slog my way around the park getting my early morning exercise. Our experiences of early 2020 will vary enormously, but nature is continuing to do its thing regardless.
It seems particularly apt that the latest Mason-Dixon Field Guide should launch today with the theme “Refresh” – focussing on seasonal transition and the perfect knitting to accompany that change. Field Guide No. 14 Refresh contains four beautiful patterns from our great friend, Carol Feller.
Read moreIt was frosty this morning as I walked to work. We are still without a car, and I am so enjoying noticing the differences in the hedgerows and front gardens as the weeks go by. I pulled my hat down over my ears and was particularly grateful for the cosy aran-weight colourwork of our newest pattern release – the Keyford Hat. Designed by Mary Henderson and featuring a bold, geometric motif as well as a neat 2x2 tubular cast on.
Read moreClearly I’m not yet done with helical designs! If you’ve already purchased Something New to Learn About Helical Knitting, this bonus design will be added to your Ravelry library later today, but this is also available as a single pattern download. Giuseppe Momo is the name of the architect who designed the newer 1932 double helix staircase at the Vatican Museum in Rome (below). This is one of the most spectacular double helix staircases, and so it seems a fitting name for a hat that features both helical garter stitch, and a cable panel that has a bit of a helical look to it!
Read moreJim and I love almost every aspect of running Arnall-Culliford Knitwear, but one of the tasks that we procrastinate the most is the naming of patterns. There are so many things to think about when you choose a pattern name. Has it been used before? Does it relate to the design in question? Is there a theme to the collection and does the name fit with the theme? And most importantly, does the name have unexpected connotations, both here in the UK and internationally? When I’m thinking about a pattern name I have learned the hard way to look it up on Google as well as Ravelry. I once worked on a collection where one of the patterns now shares a name with a cream used for a rather unspeakable ailment…
Read moreI love a big cosy triangular shawl! And I love designing in green. So perhaps it's no surprise that I designs a big cosy green triangular shawl for Something New to Learn About Lace...
Read moreWould you like a light scarf to wear on a summer evening? The weather is warm, but the sun has gone down and a little something around your shoulders just makes all the difference. Or perhaps you're looking for your next knitting project, and fancy trying your hand at lace? Donna Smith's Aphaca scarf is the first pattern in our new book, Something New to Learn About Lace.
Read moreChapter 2 of Something New To Learn About Cables features tutorials on what to do when something goes wrong with your cable. The accompanying patterns are the Otrera Mittens and Mitts by Jen Arnall-Culliford.
Read moreChapter 1 of Something New To Learn About Cables covers basic cable techniques and is supported by the Areto Hat by Rachel Coopey.
Read moreI've never been in a charity calendar (and never will), but for the purposes of A Year of Techniques, I'm Mr December. The combination of the deep green colour of the yarn we chose for the project and the tangled cable pattern made me think of the ivy that grew up the side of our shed many years ago. Hedera Helix, the Latin name for ivy, seemed apt.
Read moreThis month was all about knitted-on edgings, but as ever there has been plenty of discussion beyond the technique, in particular how to get the perfect finish and fit. Here's a brief guide form a selection of the projects completed recently.
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