Mostly due to my particular set of work habits, the schedule I keep (which is never far enough ahead of time), and the fact that I'm a bit of a control freak, I tend to self publish more than submit to books and magazines.
However, sometimes the stars align and I can eke a few things out there. Which is what I managed to do earlier this year, and two of those designs are ready to share with you now. Both are in collections that feature work by a number of talented designers, and both are publications put together by inspiring women who I respect and love having in our knitting world.
First is Olivette, featured in the Summer 2016 Issue of PomPom magazine. I love PomPom and am so very honored to be a part of it. Lydia Gluck, Sophie Scott and Meghan Fernandes do such a beautiful job with the publication - both the content, the photography and all the charming touches in each issue. They manage to celebrate the world of indie design in a way that's thoughtful and intentional and inspiring. Plus, if you haven't listened to their podcast yet, you kind of need to - because they are also pretty entertaining. And one of them has the best laugh ever. (You'll have to listen to figure out who...)
I have become kind of obsessed with the entire UK knitting world this year, so the chance to work with these guys and use a bit more of my friend Victoria's gorgeous Eden Cottage Yarn was a joy for me. I got to spell color with a "u" and refer to the short version as a jumper - it was almost like being in London, but not quite.
I went with a seamless, bottom up design that can be knit as either a tunic or a regular length jumper. It's feminine and flattering and features a lace panel and a lot of simple stockinette, to show off the subtle beauty of the yarn we chose. The tunic has a hip pocket, which is fun to make - and the sweater is just a relaxing, beautiful piece to make. Both are easily modified for length or width and look just perfect in these subtle, pale shades of green and rose, which ECY is known for. Victoria just gets these sophisticated shades in a way nobody else does.
And because these colors are just so beautiful, she's gotten quite a few calls for the yarn (which is Eden Cottage Yarn's Oakworth DK in Briar Rose and Coppice), SO -- she has just announced pre-orders for the yarn in 10 of these beautiful, delicate shades. Details are on her website, here.
I may be partial to Olivette, but I hope you like the whole issue - I'd knit that cover pullover by Carol Feller if only I had the time, and there are some beautiful tanks, shawls, and accessories in there as well -- plus stories and features and lots more photos. I cannot wait for my copy to arrive -- and to get myself back over to the UK again soon.
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The other design that's just popped out in the world is featured in an upcoming book from one of my favorite pairs of designing ladies over here in the US -- Cecily Glowik McDonald and Melissa LaBarre. Cecily and Melissa are a well known pair in the publishing world who design gorgeous items themselves, and have already put together a few beautiful collections featuring modern twists on classic designs, mostly knit in yarns from small US producers. They are both kind and wonderful people with a great eye for pairing designers, yarns and projects together beautifully.
This time, they've put together Weekend Wraps - a lovely collection of 18 cowls, wraps and scarves inspired by the idea of spending a weekend at a lake house somewhere here in New England. It's available on Amazon now, and it features designs from some really wonderful designers - Bristol Ivy, Amy Christoffers, Leila Raabe, Tanis Gray, Hannah Thibault, Kate Gagnon Osborne, Kristen TenDyke, Angela Tong, Carrie Hoge, Jocely Tunney, Emma Welford and Rachel Stecker - plus Cecily and Melissa! We all made cozy things we'd throw on while hiking, spending time with friends, and enjoying a cool weekend in the woods.
There's a whole range of projects - big and small, from beginner to advanced, in all kinds of gorgeous yarns. My contribution is the Warm Cider Cowl - knit in Quince and Co Lark, in a beautiful yellow called Goldfinch. It's a fun cable and leaf motif that's geometric and textured and easy to memorize.
The Lark is a great yarn for texture and stitches knit in it are clear and distinct. Plus it makes a squishy, comfy fabric, perfect around your neck or your shoulders. You can make this cowl longer or shorter, or narrower or wider if desired.
So that's it for now -- but I do have ONE more thing publishing soon, so I'll pop on back with that in a bit....