New Website and New Blog are Live

Announcing the new website for Nadine McLeod Designs that launched earlier today!

I wanted to update the look and feel of the new website that now includes eCommerce. Check out the very cool Knitting Bags that are available for sale to hold your knitting projects (they can also be used as an overnight bag). I'm working on an exciting new product that will be coming out later this year. Stay tuned for more details...

I also moved the blog to a new hosting site earlier this month and love the new and layout. Please feel free to sign up to follow by email.

FISHTAIL LACE

STITCH OF THE MONTH - July 2013

Fishtail Lace is a traditional vertical lace stitch pattern.  This popular pattern that is widely used creates a lace pattern that resembles fishtails with lovely rounded-points at the case-on edge. The pattern has a simple repetition of 8-stitches by 6-rows.

Fishtail Lace Stitch Pattern

(Multiples of 8 stitches + 1 stitch)

Row 1 (RS):  K1, *yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k1; repeat from * to end

Row 2 and all WS rows:  Purl

Row 3:  K2, *yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k3; repeat from * to last 7 sts; yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k2

Row 5:  K3, *yo, sk2p, yo, k5; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, sk2p, yo, k3

Row 6:  Purl

These 6 rows form the Fishtail Lace stitch pattern.

Abbreviations

sk2p       slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over

yo            yarn over

KAYLA CAMISOLE

Introducing the Kayla Camisole for Spring/Summer 2013. 

The camisole has been worked in a beautiful silk alpaca blend by Blue Sky Alpacas which lends a beautiful draping quality to the camisole.

The inspiration for the design was simple elegance. The idea was to create a lace pattern worked at the bottom edge of the camisole and continued through the fabric flowing into the lace straps. The lovely and simple lace pattern also adorns the center inset panel and the neck edge of the camisole.

The cami is knit in two pieces, front and back, from the bottom up on straight needles.

The pattern is available now through Ravelry, PatternFish and Craftsy.

BEGINNER'S LACE

STITCH OF THE MONTH - June 2013

I came across this lace stitch pattern that is lovely in its simplicity although it looks more complicated than it actually is to knit.  It works well as an all-over lace pattern but can also be used as an edging on sweaters or jackets.  This stitch pattern has very good drape once the garment has been knit and blocked.

Beginner’s Lace

(Multiples of 6 stitches + 1)

Row 1 and all WS rows      Purl

Rows 2, 4 and 6  K1, *yo, skp, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; repeat from * to end.

Row 8                   K2, *yo, sk2p, yo, k3, repeat from *, end last repeat k2.

Row 10                 K1, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k1; repeat from * to end

Row 12                 K2tog, *yo, k3, yo, sk2p; repeat from *, end last repeat skp.

These 12 rows form the Beginner’s Lace stitch pattern.

Abbreviations

k2tog  knit 2 stitches together

skp     slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over

sk2p   slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over

WS     wrong side

yo        yarn over

FEATHER & FAN STITCH

STITCH OF THE MONTH - May 2013

Feather and Fan is a classic Shetland lace stitch that is also known as Old Shale.  This simple lace pattern naturally forms a scalloped edge and produces waves of lacy fans.  It provides excellent drape to a knitted item.

The unique qualities of this stitch pattern makes it an ideal choice for projects where interesting edgings and lace fabric compliment the design such as afghans, baby blankets, socks and scarves.  It also makes a lovely edging for sweaters and jackets rather than a typical ribbed edge.

Feather and Fan
(Multiples of 18 stitches + 2)

Row 1        Knit
Row 2        Purl
Row 3        K1, *[k2tog] 3 times, [yo, k1] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times; repeat from * to last st; k1
Row 4        Knit
These 4 rows form the Feather and Fan stitch pattern.

KNITTER'S FROLIC

I had such a wonderful time at the annual Knitter’s Frolic that was held on Saturday, April 27th.  As I arrived at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Toronto where the event was held, I was instantly mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colour and the smell of the yarn that tends to send us knitters into a bit of a frenzy. 

I was happily swept away with the crowd and quickly found myself caressing skeins of cashmere, mohair and alpaca – wonderfully luxurious yarns available in an array of beautiful colours.  There were about 60 vendors with something for everyone who loves knit, crochet and spin.  It was definitely a day to indulge in yarn and everything ‘knitting’.

There was such a sense of camaraderie and everyone I met excitedly shared stories of the wonderful yarns they had purchased, workshops they attended and new techniques they learned.  There was also a great deal of discussion about how to deal with the growing ‘stash’ at home although the consensus seemed to be that there is no such thing as too much yarn just a need for creative ideas about how to store (and in some cases hide) the stash.

I loved the display booth for Sheppard Handmade.  Laura had some beautiful pottery with really interesting texture and unique designs.  I picked up a piece to hold my DPNs which I will proudly keep out on display (they're usually tucked away in a coffee can). I also bought some buttons that will add some character and beauty to a sweater. 

    
 Simply a wonderful day...only 363 more sleeps!

BRICK STITCH

STITCH OF THE MONTH – April 2013

The Brick Stitch pattern adds unique texture and contour to a knitted fabric with purl rows and elongated slip stitches against a stockinette stitch background.  This stitch pattern works well for use in home décor items such as pillows, blankets and wash cloths.  The knitted fabric does not have a lot of drape due the texture of the stitch pattern.

Brick Stitch
(Multiples of 4 stitches + 1 stitch) 
Row 1 (RS)  K4, *k1 winding yarn twice around needle, k3; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 2          P4, *sl1 purlwise dropping extra loop, p3; repeat from * to last st, p1
Row 3          K4, *sl1 purlwise, k3; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 4          K4, *yf, sl1 purlwise, yb, k3; rep from * to last st, k1
Row 5          K2, *k1 winding yarn twice around the needle, k3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k1   winding twice around needle, k2
Row 6          P2, *sl1 purlwise dropping extra loop, p3; rep from * to last 3 sts, sl1 purlwise, p2
Row 7          K2, *sl1 purlwise, k3; rep from * to last 3 sts, sl1 purlwise, k2
Row 8          K2, *yf, sl1 purlwise, yb, k3; rep from * to last 3 sts, yf, sl1 purlwise, yb, k2
These 8 rows form the Brick Stitch

FLORAL WRIST CORSAGE

Introducing the Floral Wrist Corsage. The five-petal flower is knit flat and the yarn is woven through the flower to create the petals and center of the flower. The bracelet is knit separately in a slip-stitch pattern. The flower is attached once the bracelet has been sewn together and blocked. 

I chose to knit the project using Qina by Mirasol yarns which is a worsted-weight yarn made from a blend of alpaca and bamboo yarn making the finished project incredibly soft.  Alpaca and bamboo yarns are naturally hypo-allergenic fibers which means that people with sensitivities can wear these fibers next to their skin.  

• Makes a great accessory for weddings and proms.  Choose a yarn color that is featured at the event or select a color to compliment any outfit.
• The bracelet can be made to fit any wrist size. Just take your wrist measurement and subtract 1.5 cm (1/2”) from the length.  The negative ease will help it stay in place on your wrist.
• Sewing beads or pearls in the center of the flower will add some drama and sparkle.

The pattern is available through Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.

LATTICE STITCH

STITCH OF THE MONTH - March 2013

The lattice cable stitch pattern produces a raised lattice (or diamond) texture against a stockinette stitch background.  The cable stitches are knit using both left and right twists which are produced by crossing two stitches over one another without using a cable needle.

How to Knit the Left and Right Twists
Left Twist (LT) - Skip the first stitch and knit the second stitch through the back loop keeping the stitch on the needle, and then knit the skipped stitch.  Slip both stitches from the needle together.
Right Twist (RT) - Skip the first stitch and knit the second stitch keeping the stitch on the needle, then knit the skipped stitch.  Slip both stitches from the needle together.

Lattice Cable Stitch Pattern
(Multiples of 8 stitches + 2 stitches)
Row 1 (WS) and all other WS rows:  Purl.
Row 2:         K1, *LT, k4, RT; rep from *, end k1.
Row 4          K2, *LT, k2, RT, k2; rep from *.
Row 6          K3, *LT, RT, k4; rep from *, end LT, RT, k3.
Row 8          K4, *RT, k6; rep from *, end RT, k4.
Row 10        K3, *RT, LT, k4; rep from *, end last repeat k3.
Row 12        K2, *RT, k2, LT, k2; rep from *.
Row 14        K1, *RT, k4, LT; rep from *, end K1.
Row 16        K8, *LT, k6; rep from *, end k2.
These 16 rows form the Lattice Cable stitch pattern.

DESIGNER STYLE CHALLENGE+AWARDS

The results are in for the People's Choice Awards from the Designer Style Challenge at the Creativ Festival.  The winner in the Knitting & Crochet category is....

The Challenge
Create an original mixed media work of art -- we're searching for the best in Canada! There's an incredible array of talent out there, some known and some yet undiscovered. We're excited to invite you to showcase your expression of creativity.

The Theme is "Celebration" with a touch of silver
The theme is celebration and because it's Creativ Festival's 25th SILVER anniversary a touch of silver (from minimal to maximum) is required as the continuous thread throughout all entries. Otherwise open ended to encourage creativity.

The Awards & 8 Categories
As part of Creativ Festival's on-going evolution and one of its many new 25th SILVER anniversary initiatives, Designer Style Awards will give recognition to those who excel in the arts of quilting, beadwork & jewellery design, needle art, knitting/crochet, fashion sewing & design, fibre art/surface design, paper art and the hot trend of upcycling.

The Judging Criteria
- inspiration and creativity
- craftsmanship and quality
- intricacy and complexity of the design
- innovative use and diversity of materials
- finishing

The Submission
A double-pendant lamp shade accented with silver seed beads throughout the fabric and hanging Swarovski crystal beads set against a knit lace stitch pattern. The mixed media included lace knitting with seed beads, plain stocking stitch knitting, Swarovski crystals to add 'jewelry' to the lamp shade and a hanging double-pendant lamp-shade. The touch of silver was the use of 525 silver seed beads knit into lace stitch pattern throughout the fabric.

Thank you to everyone who voted for 'Starry Nights' as their favorite design!

PANTONE FASHION COLOR REPORT FALL 2013

Pantone® today released their fashion colors for fall 2013 during the first day of New York Fashion Week.  The colors are described as a ‘Palette of Many Moods’. These moods range from sophisticated and structured to lively and wild.  “Just as the leaves change in autumn, the consumer will enjoy the ability to change their ‘look’ and try a new approach to their wardrobe for brisk days ahead,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.  “The fall 2013 palette allow for that versatility and experimentation.”

The color palette is diverse and reflects the use of unconventional color combinations that designers have embraced - it provides an exciting opportunity to mix bold, vibrant colors with a neutral staple.

The following are the top 10 colors for Fall 2013:

1. Deep Lichen Green      lush, mossy shade of green 
2. Acai                              deep purple inspired by the acai berry
3. Emerald                        lively, radiant lush green - color of the year 2013
4. Mykonos blue               bold blue named for the seas off a Greek island
5. Turbulance                   dark mercurial gray - a neutral staple
6. Samba                          fiery and spirited red
7. Linden Green               yellow-toned green
8. Carafe                          warm, rich coffee brown
9. Koi                                a variation on Tangerine - the 2012 color of the year
10. Vivacious                      deep fuchsia

Pantone is the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industry.  The Fashion Color Report is used as a reference tool by designers in the fashion and home furnishings industry.  The colors will be seen this fall in fashion and home, jewelry and cosmetics.