Growing WILDFLOWER(s)

Even as I'm preparing to plant my first real seeds of the season, my next pattern collection is rapidly growing. 

I'm now less than a month away from launching WILDFLOWER, which means I'm neck-deep in partially-finished samples, pattern edits and kit supplies. Mr. Cleaver is being extremely patient about the number of project bags and cardboard boxes littering our house at moment. 

But even in the midst of all this chaos, the beauty of it all, like a bud peaking out of the dirt, is apparent and I'm relishing all the time I'm getting to spend with these beautiful threads and yarns in their vernal greens, pinks and purples. 

To be the first to know when this collection launches, which includes some limited-edition hand-dyed kits, sign up for my newsletter below. You'll receive a special discount and a free garden planning template (excel) as my thank you to you!

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Planting Seeds for WILDFLOWER

The WOODLAND collection came together as a collection more or less by accident. I had a few designs I wanted to do and as I was working on them, I realized that they had a similar theme, so I decided to go with the flow. That said, I quickly learned that I liked working in the collection format - even if it mean photographing a half dozen things in about 45 minutes. So when I starting thing about where I wanted to go with my design work, doing more in the collection format immediately sprung to the top of list. 

And so, in December, I started thinking Spring. 

WILDFLOWER seemed like a good good follow up to woodland theme, so I started gathering images and thinking about what the collection would be. I also knew I wanted my work to be more collaborative this year, so I'm partnering with indie dyers NabiWoolStudio and RedSockBlueSock for two of the knitwear designs. At this point, all the planning stuff is pretty much done and I'm deep in pattern writing and sample making. There will be three new knitwear designs and three embroidery hoops and it's all going to be so pretty!

So wish me luck as I furiously stitch and try to find a spring-esque photoshoot location in Maine in Feb/March!

Inspiration images from top to bottom:

• Andrew Wyeth's Around the Corner
• Old farmer sowing seeds from traditional apron, Hilltown, Co. Down, 1970s, Bobbie Hanvey, photographer.

• "Miss Rumphius" by Barbara Cooney

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New Kits for Spring and a KAL!

For a long time, I've been wanting to expand my designs beyond just knitting patterns, so I'm pleased to introduce my first trio of embroidery designs! Each design can be purchased as a PDF pattern or as a complete kit with pre-printed fabric, needle, thread and hoop. I've always found embroidery quite soothing, and when the design is already on the fabric, its even easier to incorporate a little slow stitching into your day. 

In addition to the embroidery designs, I'm also pleased to offer my Domenic Duck pattern as kits. This oldie but a goody has been slightly revamped for even more adorable shaping and is the perfect size for snuggling. It's also quick enough to work up for inclusion in this year's Easter baskets. 

One of the comments I hear most frequently in relation to my designs is some variation of "That's beautiful, but I'm not there yet."  

I never want anyone to feel like my designs are out of reach, and I feel like I gain so much when I try to stretch my own skills, so I've been working to make my designs more accessible for crafters of all skill levels.

This means that my new stuffed animal kits will be paired with a step-by-step online tutorial series/KAL (with prizes!) and all embroidery kits come with a basic stitch guide. Hopefully these tools will give you the confidence to take the leap and try something new!

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Quick Winter Knits and a Pop-Up Shop!!

I've been a busy little beaver of late. Without any looming deadlines, I've had time to just play with my knitting design, and in doing so, I've come up with a lot of fun, quick accessories to share with you, just in time for your own holiday knitting.

First up is Eiswasser: this spiraling knit toque is inspired by the snowpack on top of the mountains that melts into rivulets, which turns into streams and rivers. Eiswasser (or ice water in German) recreates those streams in a densely-cabled toque that is incredibly warm, despite its name and lighter-weight yarn. Top it off with a fluffy (faux) fur pompom or leave the spiraling crown open to view. The sample is knit in Manos Del Uruguay Milo in Lisboa a Merino/Linen blend that is divine to knit with and has a beautiful rustic look, but soft feel. Never have I been more sad to hand a sample off than I was when I dropped this off at Knitwit last week.

Next in the quick-knit accessory line is the West Branch cowl. Designed to show off a special skein of handspun or hand-dyed yarn, this simple, but gracefully cozy cowl is the perfect knit for those looking to learn lace or who just want to use a special skein. A few big buttons add an extra fun with minimal effort. This cowl works in a variety of fiber weights. The pink sample, shown in One Lupine’s West Branch in Berry, is a worsted weight wool/silk blend available Exclusively at Knitwit, while the white sample is an all-wool Aran weight yarn of my own handspun. Very different in drape, but equally beautiful.

Pop-Up Shop

In other big news, if you've been poking around the website, you may have noticed I now sell a curated range of craft supplies and kits! I'm very excited to share this new endeavor with you all and will be adding more items in the coming months. If you're in the Southern Maine area, I'd invite you to join me at Knitwit in Portland this Saturday from 1-3, where I'll be having a mini pop-up shop as part of their holiday knitting kick-off event. I'll be selling project bags and polar bear kits, and have sample of several designs to try on. 

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