LACY ZIGZAG STITCH

STITCH OF THE MONTH - January 2016
The Lacy Zigzag is a feminine stitch pattern that combines a zigzagging wave of stockinette stitch eyelet stitches. This pretty pattern would be lovely worked in a scarf, accessories or as a lace inset panel.  

Lacy Zig Zag
(Multiples of 6 sts + 3)

Row 1 (RS)   K1, *skp, k2, yo, k2; repeat from * to last st, k2

Row 2           Purl

Repeat rows 1 and 2 twice.

Row 7           K4, *yo, k2, k2tog; k2; repeat from * to last 5 sts; yo, k2, k2tog, k1.
Row 8           Purl

Repeat rows 7 and 8 twice.

These 12 rows form the Lazy Zigzag stitch pattern.

Abbreviations

K2tog - knit 2 together

RS - right side

Skp - slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over

Yo - yarn over

Pantone Color of the Year 2016: ROSE QUARTZ and SERENITY

For the first time, Pantone^®, the leading global color authority, has named two shades as its color of the year for 2016. The pastel pairing includes ROSE QUARTZ, a gentle shade of pink, and SERENITY, a calming tranquil blue like the name suggests.

Pantone

The colors are a nod to equality reflecting our changing attitudes towards typical gender stereotypes.

In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer's increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judge and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.~ Pantone

These softer tones are quite a departure from the bold colors of the past few years. They are meant to demonstrate balance and wellness, order and peace.

Fashion

Crissy Teigan

Interior Design

via Vogue Living

Beauty

Sephora 2016 Color of the Year Collection

TRAVELLING VINE LACE

Stitch of the Month - December 2015
The Travelling Vine Lace stitch is a lovely stitch with lovely waves of lace travelling up the fabric.

After working an odd row (RS), there are multiples of 9 stitches. Therefore, only count your stitches after working an even (WS) row.

Travelling Vine Stitch
(Multiples of 8 sts + 2)

Row 1 (RS)	K1, *yf, K1tbl, yf, k2tog tbl, k5; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2	P5, *p2tog tbl, p7; rep from * to last 6 sts, p2tog tbl, p4.
Row 3	K1, *yf, K1tbl, yf, k2, k2tog tbl, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 4	P3, *p2tog tbl, p7; rep from * to last 8 sts, p2tog tbl, p6.
Row 5	K1, *K1tbl, yf, k4, k2tog tbl, k1, yf; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 6	P2, *p2tog tbl, p7; rep to end.
Row 7	K6, *k2tog, yf, k1tbl, yf, k5; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2tog, yf, k1tbl, yf, k1.
Row 8	P4, *p2tog, p7; rep to last 7 sts, p2tog, p5.
Row 9	K4, *k2tog, k2, yf, k1tbl, yf, k3; rep from * to last 6 sts, k2tog, k2, yf, k1tbl, yf, k1.
Row 10	P6, *p2tog, p7; rep to last 5 sts, p2tog, p3.

Abbreviations
k1tbl - knit 1 through back loop
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together
k2tog tbl - knit 2 stitches together through back loops
p2tog - purl 2 stitches together
p2tog tbl - purl 2 stitch together through back loops
rep - repeat
rs - right side
st(s) - stitch(es)
ws - wrong side

SIMPLE LACE FAGGOTING

November Stitch of the Month

Simple Lace Faggoting is a basic lace stitch where every stitch is worked with either a yarn over or a decrease. The stitch pattern is worked over one row which results in a reversible stitch pattern.The faggoting stitch produces an elastic fabric that resembles netting. 

There are many variations to the faggoting stitch such as the Purse stitch, Turkish stitch and Feather faggot using the same principle of working a yarn over and a decrease.

Simple Faggoting Stitch

(Even number of stitches)

K1, *yo, ssk; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.

This row forms the Simple Faggoting Stitch.

Abbreviations

SSK - Slip, slip, knit.

GATHERED STITCH

October Stitch of the Month

The Gathered Stitch is a segment of ruched stitches worked in stockinette stitch against segments of garter stitches. The gathered or ruched effect is created by doubling the quantity of stitches at the start of the stockinette stitch section and then reducing the stitches in half before working the segment of garter stitch. 

The fabric tends to become a bit bulky where the stitches are doubled so swatching is a good idea to ensure that desired effect is achieved. Perhaps go up a needle size or two if the stockinette stitch is too bulky.

Gathered Stitch
(Any number of stitches)
Row 1 (RS)  Knit
Row 2 to 6  Knit
Row 7  *Make 1 in each stitch: repeat from * to end
Rows 8, 10, 12  Purl
Rows 9 & 11  Knit
Row 13  *K2tog; repeat from * to end
Repeat row 2 - 13 to form the Gathered Stitch

Abbreviations
K2tog  Knit 2 stitches together
M1  Make one (knit in front and back of stitch)
RS  Right side

PANTONE FASHION COLOR REPORT SPRING 2016

Pantone^® released its Top Ten list of colors for Spring 2016 this past week during New York's Fashion Week. The theme for the Spring season is: A Transporting and Transformative Collection.

"Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves. With our culture still surrounded by so much uncertainty, we are continuing to yearn for those softer shade that offer a sense of calm and relaxation. This calming color pallet with a few energetic colors has been influenced by the world of art and the contrast of the urban landscape against lush vegetation." ~ Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

This season's pallet was inspired by the world of art as well as the contrast between urban design and lush vegetation. It's all about transporting the wearer to a tranquil environment giving way to curiosity and exploration  

The pallet features six new colors from Pantone: Rose Quartz, Peach Echo, Serenity, Limpet Shell, Lilac Gray and Iced Coffee. 

Rose Quartz - A gentle shade of pale pink tops the charts for Spring 2016

Peach Echo - A warm pinkish-orange
Serenity - A calming sky blue like the name suggests.
Snorkel Blue - A marine-inspired blue that serves as an anchor for the pallet.
Buttercup - Sunshine and happiness in a rich, buttery hue.
Limpet Shell - A cool and tranquil shade of aqua.
Lilac Gray - A soft and subtle neutral with a hint of purple.
Fiesta - A warm, fiery and exciting red.
Iced Coffee - A warm neutral color that combines well with others in the pallet.
Green Flash - A bright green with a yellow undertone.

Angel Sanchez

Dennis Basso

Houghton

Photos from the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2016. Click here to read the full report from Pantone.

RIDGED LACE STITCH

Stitch of the Month - September 2015

The Ridged Lace stitch pattern creates a vertical ribbed mesh design that has a lovely texture of mesh against textured raised ridges. It's worked in a simple two stitch and two row pattern repeat. 

The stitch pattern would look great used in hats and scarves or on edgings instead of ribbing.

Ridged Lace
(Multiples of 2 stitches)
Row 1 (RS)  K1, *yo, k2tog tbl; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2  P1, *yo, p2tog,; repeat from * to last st, p1.
These 2 rows form the Ridged Lace stitch pattern.

Abbreviations
k2tog tbl - Knit 2 stitches together through back loops
p2tog - Purl 2 stitch together
RS - right side

DOUBLE BASKET STITCH PATTERN

Stitch of the Month – August 2015

The Double Basket stitch pattern creates a lot of texture. The pattern is worked using only knit and purl stitches but the textured effect is quite dramatic. The pattern is reversible making it a good choice for scarves and shawls.

The fabric tends to pull in slightly through the width so it’s a good idea to do a swatch particularly when combining the Double Basket stitch with another stitch pattern.

Double Basket Stitch

(Multiples of 18 stitches + 10)

Row 1 (RS) *K11, p2, k2, p2, k1; repeat from * to last 10 sts; k10

Row 2  P1, k8, p1, *p1, [k2, p2] twice, k8, p1; repeat from * to end

Row 3  *K1, p8, [k2, p2] twice, k1; rep from * to last 10 sts; k1, p8, k1

Row 4  p10, *p1, k2, p2, k2, p11; repeat from * to end

Rows 5 to 8  Repeat rows 1 through 4

Row 9  Knit

Row 10  [p2, k2] twice, p2, *p10, [k2, p2] twice; rep from * to end

Row 11  *[k2, p2] twice, k2, p8; rep from *, repeat fro * to last 10 sts; [k2, p2] twice, k2

Row 12  [p2, k2] twice, p2, *k8, [p2, k2] twice, p2; rep from * to end

Row 13  *[k2, p2] twice, k10; rep from *, repeat from * to last 10 sts; [k2, p2] twice, k2

Rows 14 to 17  Repeat rows 10 through 13

Row 18  Purl

These 18 rows form the Double Basket stitch pattern.

FRILLED EDGING

STITCH OF THE MONTH - July 2015

This lovely single frill adds a nice ruffly edging to knits. It creates a touch of femininity to sweaters, jackets or skirts. This unique edging also looks lovely on shawls, scarves, blankets and throws. 

The frilled edging is worked by casting on four times the number of stitches required for the garment. It is then reduced by 50% on the first row and another 50% on the second row.

The sample shown below has been worked with a cable cast on edge that gives it a strong but flexible cast on.

FRILLED EDGING
(Cast on 4 times the finished number of stitches required)
Row 1 (RS)  *K2, lift 2nd stitch over knit stitch and off RH needle; repeat from * to end
Row 2  *P2tog; repeat from * to end 
These 2 rows form the frilled edging - continue knitting in pattern once the frilled edge has been worked.

ANDALUSIAN STITCH

STITCH OF THE MONTH - June 2015

The Andalusian stitch is a simple pattern that adds a subtle depth and texture to an otherwise plain stockinette stitch. I particularly like using the Andalusian stitch when knitting with a variegated yarn to add a soft but effective texture to the fabric.

Andalusia is a region in Spain where the stitch may have been named for or where the stitch may have originated. 

ANDALUSIAN STITCH
(Multiples of 2 stitches)
Row 1 (RS)  Knit
Row 2  Purl
Row 3  *K1, p1; repeat from * to end
Row 4  Purl
These 4 rows for the Andalusian stitch pattern

THE ART OF KNITTING - Transcending Yarn

I'm excited to announce that I will be presenting at the Toronto Knitters Guild meeting on Wednesday, June 17th.

The Art of Knitting - Transcending Yarn

The presentation will provide an inspirational look at the popularity of knitting and how the current knitting craze has impacted our pop culture and the art world with a focus on art installations and urban street art.

Date

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Time

7:30 - 9:30 pm

Venue

Innis Town Hall

2 Sussex Avenue

Toronto, ON M5S 1J5

Click here for additional information.