Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012

We've spotted another lovely knit design using Scrumptious yarns and this time it's in the very prestigious Vogue Knitting Magazine. The issue is already released, Early Fall 2012, and is available from your local yarn shop or retailer and features a combination of 2 different weights of yarn to great effect.

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012, photo by Rose Callahan

The design is called the 'Fisherman Rib Scarf' and is designed by Christina Behnke. The scarf measures 8 inches wide by 63 inches long but would obviously be very easy to adapt. The thick sections of Behnke’s thick-and-thin banded fisherman’s rib scarf are created by holding together a strand of Scrumptious 4-Ply Sport and Scrumptious Lace. The wavy look is created by alternating two needles of different sizes and strategically placing increases and decreases.

To create your own Fisherman's Rib Scarf, you will need 1 skein of Scrumptious 4-Ply Sport Superwash and Scrumptious Lace. The sample is shown here in the 'Teal' colourway. Don't forget to check out the website or your local yarn store for some Scrumptious.

Gray

Finally in our series of single patterns exclusively designed for Fyberspates is 'Gray' by Susan Crawford. This is one of three patterns released this month that are available for direct download via the website and is just perfect for getting ahead for colder weather to come.

Gray is a wonderful cardigan to snuggle into on long walks, knitted in Scrumptious Chunky silk and merino luxury yarn. This is a very cleverly constructed garment to ensure the shape is maintained with the lace work for a flattery fit. Instructions in the pattern are written as well as charted and includes detailed schematics to help guide your knitting and fit choices.



The Gray cardigan is available in a range of sizes from 32 - 50 inch bust and features negative ease to achieve that slouchy effect. The Scrumptious Chunky weight yarn is featured here in the 'Slate' colourway to give a classic feel and we just know there's going to be some great use of colour from different knitters as this is such a versatile knit.


You may recognise our model here as we've featured Susan's daughter, Charlie for both this pattern and 'Cocktail Cherry'; she's so versatile! Susan is a great photographer so it's a real pleasure to feature both her designing and photography talents.

To purchase your pattern copy direct for download, please visit the Fyberspates website where you can also make your yarn selection as well as download a PDF directly.

 

Winding Path

Next in our series of single patterns exclusively designed for Fyberspates is 'Winding Path' by Anniken Allis. This is one of three patterns released this month that are available for direct download via the website and is perfect for stretching out the last few days of summer.

This elegant, generously-sized shawl is knitted in Scrumptious 4ply silk and merino luxury yarn. It is knit from side to side so grows to the tip before decreasing again to make the large triangle shape. The pattern instructions include written as well as charted lace instructions and the lace repeat is simple enough for new lace knitters, eager to sink their teeth into a substantial knit.


You may recognise the ever so talented Lily France as our model here. Lily agreed to model the shawl for the pattern and her Mum, Amanda did fantastic work on the photography. It's always a pleasure to welcome familar faces into the Fyberspates team: Anni, Lily and Amanda are all regular Fyberspates contributors.

To purchase your pattern copy direct for download, please visit the Fyberspates website where you can also make your yarn selection as well as download a PDF directly.

 

Cocktail Cherry

We've been so busy celebrating so much good news and so many fab designers that we haven't yet revealed all the details of our three newest single patterns, released exclusively for Fyberspates. The patterns are available for direct download the website but we couldn't wait any longer to share the details so you can plan your knits.


The first pattern we're featuring is 'Cocktail Cherry', created by Jen Arnall-Culliford. Cocktail Cherry is a beaded short cardigan, perfect for eveningwear,knitted in Scrumptious Aran silk and merino yarn. Available in a size range from 27.5 - 55 inches and with written  instructions as well as schematics, this knit would a suitable knit for an adventurous beginner or intermediate knitter. 

The cardigan is designed to hang open, or simply fasten at the top. The garment is knit in peices with clear instructions included in the pattern for making up.  The yarn required is Fyberspates Scrumptious Aran (45% silk, 55% merino; 100g skeins) and is shown here in the colourway 'Cherry'.

To purchase your pattern copy direct for download, please visit the Fyberspates website where you can also make your yarn selection as well as download a PDF directly.

Fyberspates Trunk Show

Last June we had great fun visiting Purlescence with our trunk show where we shared samples, yarn, patterns and giggles. You can read about it here if you missed it.

We're heading back there again this weekend so please come and join us if you can for more chances to see the Fyberspates range and try on some knitwear. There will be plenty of retail therapy, plus tea and home-made cakes…and even the possibility of some Pimms…..

Please check out the full details here to join us at the Purlescence shop in Wantage on the 18th August 2012, 10am- 4pm. Hopefully see you there!

Don't Forget

Excitement is already building for what has already been fondly dubbed 'Andy Fest', the event to be hosted by Mr Bluefaced aka Mr Wool. I know Jeni is super excited about this and I'm seeing lots of Twitter buzz so if you've not planned to come down yet, get organising because things are going to be lots of fun over the bank holiday.

There will be a Bluefaced open weekend on the 25th and 26th of Aug 2012 – 10am to 4pm. Not only will Mr Wool be sharing his full range of products but there will also be stall holders featuring Baby Longlegs, Easy Knits, Fyberspates, Laughing Hens, The Knitting Goddess, The Natural Dye Studio, Nicsknots and Posh Yarn. This is a great opportunity to see lots of different vendors products, have fun and support a local charity. The £1 entrance fee will be donated in full to Walton Neuro Care Hospital, who provide excellent specialist help.

The event will take place at Meadow Lea Farm , Station Lane , Mickle Trafford Chester CH2 4EH and you can purchase your ticket already here. We hope to see you there!

Peru Calling

Many of you might know that Jeni is currently visiting the mill in Peru that produces Scrumptious yarns and is having a wonderful time. Yes, Jeni is truly a jet setting hand dye genius this year and this time she is videoblogging her experiences as she goes. There's just a short introduction of Jeni's arrival in Peru at the moment but we've been promised lots more as Jeni's up to lots of interesting things while over there.

We'll share more news about the trip when Jeni gets back I'm sure but in the meantime, you can find the videoblog over on the Fyberspates Youtube page by clicking this link.

Featuring Louise Zass-Bangham

We've really enjoyed featuring lots of new designs and the designers that created beautiful pieces using Fyberspates and Scrumptious yarns. A while ago we featured 'Song of the Sea', a beautiful design created by Louise. Louise has also created Midnight Ocean, using Sheila's Sparkle Sock, so we thought it would be lovely to ask her some interview questions to share a little more about this great designer.

 

Midnight Ocean

What is your inspiration when creating knitwear?
Most often I’m drawn to beautiful yarns - I have a big jar on my desk so I can see my favourite skeins. I love to test yarns to see how they behave, trying to find a way to show them off best. I do a lot of messing around with stitch patterns, which has given me a reputation for being an inveterate swatcher!

My studio is crammed with inspiration - I have piles of yarn, sketchbooks, photos and design books that I dive into. I love lots of other design disciplines, so I have books on jewellery, gardens, art, fashion, furniture, wrought iron...the list is long. The V&A is the most inspiring place for creativity in general. It’s completely overwhelming but I could just move in there.

I also get lots of ideas out walking absolutely anywhere. If I’ve got a good camera with me, I drive my husband mad taking photos. I always buy books about beautiful places I have visited, so I can remind myself later.

Song of the Sea

What particularly inspired these two designs?
I was tinkering with lots of variations inspired by a stitch pattern I like. I scribbled many charts and swatched in everything from stiff cotton glace to mohair, fine silk blends to worsted wool mixes. Then a swatch in Scrumptious started looking like waves to me. So I looked at some of my beach pictures to help develop the idea in that direction.

The version I liked best was worked in every row, rather than having a “rest” purl row. It was also much easier to see what was going on if it was worked on the right side only, so knitters would have fewer mistakes. I abandoned scarf and shawl ideas to develop the cowl and capelet shapes. Worked in the round they would result in an easy-to-knit design that would look great - my requirements for a good pattern.

What is it that draws you to Fyberspates yarns?
I love the colours and luxuriousness of Fyberspates yarns so I took some swatches to the stand at the Unravel show in my search for yarns. I was looking for a gorgeous sea-blue for Song of the Sea, and I found it in the interesting dyeing of Rural Charm - it has more life than a flat solid colour and I thought that would help the design have more movement and character, like waves.

For Midnight Ocean, I wanted a 150g skein for the yardage needed and the sparkle sock was perfect. The colours and twinkling stellina reminded me of light catching the waves at night. I went back with the yarn to a favourite photograph to finish the design. I knew the sparkle would make the capelet more suitable for special occasions, but was still subtle and elegant. I can be a bit impatient to see things finished and I didn’t fancy the time it would take to bead the piece, so I knew the yarn would add the glamour element for me. Perfect.


Can you share any quick tips for successful knits?
Use the best quality yarn you can afford - to borrow from computing, garbage in means garbage out! It’s not much fun knitting yarn that squeaks, and you want hours of knitting pleasure not purgatory.

The right colour makes or breaks a design, and ultimately determines if a handknit is actually worn or not. Choose yarns in shades you, or your recipient, regularly wear.

When you’ve finished, wet blocking is only for lace or very open structures. Otherwise, just steam finished pieces. I rarely actually press handknits because it makes the textures and colours go flat. I want to enjoy the sculptural handknitting and beautiful yarns at their best.

 

A huge thank you to Louise for taking the time to talk to us and answer these questions. To knit your own versions of the patterns, please see Louise's pattern page on Ravelry to directly download a PDF. To choose your yarn, please visit the Fyberspates shop.