18 December 2014

Interview on Denise's Needleworks

And now my interview with the lovely Denise is up on her blog here! Had such fun answering her questions.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

15 December 2014

The Wonders of Violently Domestic

Are you a sock knitter? Then you probably already know the talented Hunter of Violently Domestic and Pantsville Press. I had certainly heard of Hunter and seen her Cabinet of Curiosity books, but because I am (embarassingly) not a sock knitter, I didn't really know too much about her. Thanks to the 2014 Indie Designer Gift-A-Long, I got a chance to check out Hunter's lovely work.

She has 159 designs on Ravelry! one. hundred. fifty-nine. And not just socks, but shawls, hats, cowls, and fingerless gloves, too. There is even a fun, free pattern for your very own whack of tentacles!

Gripping from Violently Domestic
Hunter published her first book, Silk Road Socks, with Cooperative Press back in 2011. Fourteen lovely sock patterns inspired by Oriental rugs. I remember hearing about that book, but it was the first of The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet books that really caught my attention:

The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet by Hunter Hammersen

Patterns inspired by vintage botanical illustrations?! What a lovely concept (and as an art director, I'm always excited to see work inspired by print publications) to inspire 20 sock and accessory patterns. The cover socks, Chrysanthemum frutescens socks, are my favorite. The photography (and photo direction) is also lovely, and impressive. I mean, how many ways are there to photograph socks (or other small accessories), really? Yet, each one is unique, showing off the details and the yarn.

Of curiosity cabinets in general, Hunter says:

Curiosity cabinets were collections of treasures—fossils and feathers, 
plants and paintings, skeletons and statues—assembled to help their 
owners make sense of the world. Offered here is a knitter’s interpretation 
of a curiosity cabinet. This is a collection, not of rocks and seeds and 
gemstones, but of fancy edgings, delicate lace, and captivating stitches 
all brought together to create charming sock and accessory patterns. 

Doesn't that sound wonderful? Who doesn't love a collection of treasures from the natural world? Hunter followed that up with two more volumes (because it's amazing how many treasures there are to be found once you start exploring):

The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet, Volume II by Hunter Hammersen

Volume II focused on butterflies. Socks, hats, cuffs, cowls, and a lovely shawl.

The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet, Volume III by Hunter Hammersen
And Volume III (after my own heart) found fodder in the sea. Again, accessories covering all major appendages, my favorite is a jellyfish-inspired chapeau.

Hunter has also published patterns with Knitty, the Rockin' Sock Club, Sockupied, and other highly-regarded publications. But it's her own books that she publishes through her independent Pantsville Press that grabbed my attention. Not only is she prolific, but the production values she brings to her patterns, books, and website are great. In browsing Violently Domestic, I came across a few posts that share some of the book writing/publishing process that you might enjoy: How to Write a Book and How to Organize a Book. But don't stop there! Hunter's blog is full of socks and yarn and cats and all sorts of adventures worth exploring.

What may be most impressive about Hunter and her knitting is her inauspicious beginning as told on her blog way back in ... wait for it ... 2009 (and that post was two years after she first learned to knit!) - what a great story! You've come a long way, lady :)

So, be sure to check out Hunter's blog and book sites, if you haven't already. And don't forget all the other talented designers who are part of the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long this year.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

16 November 2014

Livestream recording. A digital age oxymoron.

Final prep for my talk

Talking as captured by Penelope

You can hear my talk in the livestream recording here: 
http://new.livestream.com/tedx/TEDxYouthTheSchool2014

I'm on from about the 8:30 mark to 15:30. The easiest thing to do is to hold down the fast forward button and advance to my talk (at least that was easiest for me - when I tried to drag the progress bar to the right spot it jumped all over). But don't just click the fast forward thing, as it will just skip to the end that way. Ah, technology. 

They have to slice the livestream recording into all the different presentations before it goes up on YouTube, but I'll be sure to send out that link when I get it. 

It was a great day. All the speakers were so interesting, and I was particularly impressed with how well the students spoke. And the workshop was fun. It's always neat to see what other people come up with. 

Penelope got to spend a little time at AJ Jacobs's workshop on the Global Family Reunion and learned that we are related to Ringo and Paul (she's a Beatles fan), as well as George Washington.  She wants there to be TED talks at school every day :)

This talk was also a good warmup for me for my designer talk in January at Knitty City. More on that as we get closer. 

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen 

15 November 2014

Livestream of TEDxYouth@TheSchool

http://new.livestream.com/tedx/TEDxYouthTheSchool2014

You can catch the whole event today from 11-2. My talk will be some time before noon. And the talks will be archived on YouTube afterwards. 

The sweaters that are coming with me to the talk. They look very excited, don't they ;)

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen 

13 November 2014

Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014!

It’s that time of year, folks! This year I’ve joined the Indie Design Gift-A-Long, since it sounded like such fun last year. I hope you’ll join me.
What is the Indie Design Gift-A-Long?
It’s prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers!
The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 2 month long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by 293 independent designers. From November 13 at 8pm US EST through - November 21, 2014 at 11:59pm US EST these 293 indie designers will be discounting between 4 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. There are eight KAL/CALs to participate in, prizes of all sorts given out, games, and generally a lot of fun! The Gift-A-Long KAL/CALs will run from November 13 at 8pm US EST through - December 31, 2014 at 11:59pm US EST
This year the Gift-A-Long is run on US EST so here is a link to a world clock time converter so you can all keep track of how that related to the time where you are: click here
Which Designers are participating?
We have a list of participating designers with photos here
We have a page just listing all the participating designers here.
Which patterns are discounted?
All the participating designers have posted in this thread including a link to the bundle of patterns they are discounting, and showing a photo so that you can get a sense of their style, if you aren’t already familiar with them. In addition, some of our industrious indie design elves have put together an amazing group of Pinterest boards that will allow you to browse through lots of designs at the same time. You can find all the links to the different boards here.
How do I get the discount?
It’s easy peasy! Just purchase the patterns you want directly from the designers’ Ravelry shops between 8 pm US EST on Thursday, November 13th and 11:59 pm on Friday, November 21st, and enter the coupon code giftalong2014 at checkout and 25% will be automatically taken off the total price.
And here are the patterns I’ve discounted for the Gift-A-Long:

11 November 2014

TEDxYouth

Very excited to share with you all that I will be speaking at TEDxYouth@TheSchool (be sure to check out the charming video at that link) this Saturday. This year's TEDxYouth theme is Worlds Imagined, so I will talk a bit about knitting and creativity, my design process and such. It's only a five minute talk, so hopefully I won't fall over :) The event will be live-streamed along with other TEDxYouth events all over the world, and I'll be sure to share the YouTube video when it's all said and done.

I'm off to rewrite my speech for the umpteenth time and pull together my slide show. Tomorrow I'll share another newly published design, so be sure to visit again soon.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

07 November 2014

New pattern: Strawberry-Picking Shrug

Hop on over to Jane Austen Knits for my next design.

Strawberry-Picking Shrug, Jane Austen Knits 2014

Perfect for Emma to wear on a visit to Donwell Abbey, the Strawberry-Picking Shrug is pretty enough for Emma, while warm enough to satisfy Mr. Woodhouse's fears of catching a chill. Knit in Malabrigo's Lace yarn in the Cactus Flower colorway, this project is a manageable introduction to lace knitting on both sides of the work. 

Strawberry-Picking Shrug, Jane Austen Knits 2014

Since the shrug is worked as a rectangle, you won't have to fuss with shaping within this pattern, which will give you the freedom to concentrate on the two-sided lace. Can you see the delicate single strands radiating out from each strawberry? That's thanks to the decreases and yarnovers being worked on both sides. When you create lace with a stockinette stitch base, you usually purl back or knit alternate rounds, which creates two-strand lines in your lace. While that kind of lace is lovely (and the kind I usually play around with because, let's be honest, who doesn't love a soothing purl-back row or alternate round of knit stitches?), there is a delicacy to lace worked on both sides.

Two tiny seams and a few ends to weave in are all you'll have to do to finish this project. If you're ready to take your knitting skills to the next level, this pretty little shrug should be your next project.

Order your own copy of Jane Austen Knits 2014. Or grab one at your LYS - Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 29th!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

06 November 2014

Pattern: Ozark Wrap

So, I haven't been particularly busy, knitting-wise of late, but my Springtime busy-ness has finally borne fruit! First up:

Ozark Wrap, Interweave Knits, Winter 2015
The cozy, bulky Ozark Wrap is knit in sheepy Takhi Yarns Montana (a minimally processed, roving-style yarn available in natural sheep colors), shown here in the #001 Natural colorway. This one begins with a stretch of i-cord and ends with an i-cord bindoff. In between you work a textural knit-purl chevron pattern (reversible!) and some i-cord cleverness for a beautifully edged piece. The only finishing you'll have to do is weave in some ends. This one is a perfect winter project, as it can almost double as a blankie, while you're working on it. If we're in for another polar vortex this Winter, you'll be psyched to wrap yourself up in all this sheepy goodness.

Check out Ozark Wrap's pattern page on Ravelry.
Order your own copy of Interweave Knits, Winter 2015. Or better yet: visit your LYS to pick up your own copy. Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 29th - be sure to support your favorite!

Ozark Wrap, Interweave Knits, Winter 2015
Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,
Kathleen

23 September 2014

Sad news

This is strange to write, but it is part of my life and so are you, dear reader.

My ex-husband passed away unexpectedly ten days ago. I am sad that he is gone yet relieved that I don't have to worry about him now. We are all coping as best we can. There will be a memorial service down the line.

I'm not sure how much I will be on the blog for a while, but I will keep knitting (and designing - I can't help it), and there are some upcoming publication designs, as well as things I need to convert from samples and notes and charts to patterns for you.

Sorry for the weird post, but thanks for stopping by. Happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

11 September 2014

New pattern: Thistle Leaf Shawl

I've got a new one for you! Thistle Leaf Shawl is now available on Ravelry for your knitting pleasure.

Thistle Leaf Shawl by Kathleen Dames

One skein of fingering weight yarn (approx. 400yds) - I used Julie Asselin's lovely Milis in the Confiture colorway - will give you this lovely small shawl with a deep Thistle Leaf edging. Worked in one piece from the neck down with a simple bindoff that highlights the scallop-y beauty of the thistle leaves. As you can see, I often wear mine "bandit style" around my neck to keep me warm and bring a pop of color to whatever I'm wearing.



The pattern is in my new layout. What do you think? The cover has the lovely photos, the second page has all the information you'll need to get ready (specs, notes, abbreviations), and the pattern itself (charted and written) is on the third page. So, if you want to save ink/paper, page three is the one to print.


And, since I have my patterns printed for distribution (ask your LYS to contact me), there is a fourth page with a catalog of my other designs. You don't need to print that one, either, but you might find another pattern you like :)

Now that my summer travels have come to an end (sob), I'm over the flu thing that had me in bed with a fever for two days (can't remember the last time I was that sick), and the kids are back in school (finally), I plan to write up a bunch of patterns for you. Stay tuned :)

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

30 July 2014

New pattern: Honest Woodsman Pullover

Exciting news! Pattern number two (of six) from my crazy spring of knitting has been released! Honest Woodsman is one of 27 knitting patterns in Interweave's newest specialty publication Enchanted Knits. You can find the Ravelry pattern page (size info, etc.) here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honest-woodsman-pullover


Have you got a man on your hands who needs a new pullover (the holidays are closer than you think, especially if you're thinking of knitting a man's sweater by then!)? The soon-to-be-released Enchanted Knits contains my latest design: Honest Woodsman Pullover. 


Worked from the bottom up in the round, this pullover is finished off with a shirt-yoke pullover a la EZ while the body is covered with the easy to work (and remember) Woodgrain cable stitch. A rolled neck and turned hems finish things off. 


The shirt yoke is worked with short rows joining front to back body and closed up with a bit of Kitchener stitch at the side of the neck. 


My sample was worked in Madeline Tosh Vintage (7, 8, 8, 10, 11, 13 skeins) in Bark, and I think the handdyed yarn makes this sweater a knockout. Little flimmers of different tones add  depth to the cable stitch, as well as making the stockinette portions a little bit special. 

Enchanted Knits should appear in your LYS any day now and is available for immediate download from Interweave here: http://www.interweavestore.com/enchanted-knits-group

For those of you only interested in Honest Woodsman, Interweave's policy is to make the pattern available for individual download once the print edition has sold out. My downloadable version will be available from Ravelry/Craftsy/Etsy one year after the magazine publication date. And for those of you kind enough to be concerned, I do receive a royalty for those Interweave downloads :)

Hope you like this one. I'm looking forward to wearing it this winter in unisex slouchy style :)

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen 

24 July 2014

JAK collection from Interweave

Interweave has put together a collection of the three Jane Austen Knits issues on CD or as an instant download. For $29.99 you get 95 patterns including five of mine: An Aran for Anne, An Aran for Frederick, A Vest for Charles, Benwick, and Sotherton. There are also entertaining and informative articles to enjoy. 
An Aran for Anne 

I'm posting from my phone so links can't be formatted. Here is where you can get your JAK collection:

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen 

15 July 2014

Trip Report: Berlin, part 2

Views of urban living

Moon rising over the courtyard (loved the windows in the apartment: if you turned the handle horizontally, the window would tilt in with a 6" opening at the top, and if you turned the handle up vertically, the whole window would open on the left and swing into the apartment. No screens, lots of fresh air, and surprisingly few bugs. In our NYC apartment, the windows are bumpered to only open about 12" and that opening is covered with a guard - guess we can't trust anyone not to fall out of a window in this country!

One wall of the courtyard is covered with this creeping, blooming vine. The green wall is delightful!

View into the courtyard from the street entrance. Everyone has a bicycle. Wish this blog had smell-o-vision so you could enjoy the lovely whiff of lilies every time you walk through. Sometimes the lily is too overwhelming inside, but it was just right out in the garden. 

Heading out of the courtyard for the final chemo

Venturing out on my own. Virtually everything is recycled, and the bins behind me were for compost, trash, and all the different recyclables. You can see my sister's bicycle in the left, though I somehow missed capturing her sparkly silver streamers and bell. 

 These "stumble upon" bricks are scattered amongst the cobblestones between the main sidewalks and building all over Berlin in memory of individuals who were taken by the nazis. A small yet strong reminder

Such a wide variety of architectural styles everywhere. Some colorful, some plain, some old, some new. 

Trip Report: Berlin, part 1

Last week I went to Berlin to spend some time with my sister. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this winter and was having her last chemo treatment in Monday. I was so happy I could be with her. Her strength and good spirits through her treatment to date have been amazing. 

If you follow me on social media (links in the sidebar), you may have seen these, but I thought I'd share them here in the blog, too, and relive my German adventure. 

Yarn for travel projects (clockwise from top left): a sweater's worth of  Pashmina in Bloomsbury to be reknit after the cardigan I made didn't work gauge-wise; Silk Lace in Manor for a square lace shawl design; Prairie in Esoteric for a light cardigan design; and Tosh Sock in Ms. Taylor for a lace front pullover that also had a gauge problem. Guess this was a Tosh Trip!

A World Cup quarter final game took place while I was waiting for my flight at JFK. Every place with a tv screen was mobbed. This was the international terminal, after all. 

One of the artistic apples on display in the terminal "In Honor of Helsinki". 

After dropping off my bags, we strolled through the local weekend flea market. Not surprisingly I was drawn to this wee knit lace doily. 

The big excitement was realizing that there was a yarn store across the street from mysisters's apartment

Needles & Pins is a little subterranean shop with a small but nice selection of wool and needles and a nice English-speaking proprietress. Thank goodness most Germans speak some English, so I could manage when I went out without my sister. 

To help with my jet lag (and really just to enjoy the lovely weather), we walked in the park, admired the tumbling stream, and quaffed a stein of beer in the Biergarten 

It was definitely a lovely time of year to visit. Almost everywhere you looked, something was growing and blooming. 

04 July 2014

Happy July! 20% off all accessory patterns

To celebrate July and summer and all things hot in the Northern Hemisphere, you get 20% off all accessory patterns in my Ravelry store - no coupon necessary!

While I may have a pile of wool in my lap, you should definitely choose something smaller :)

Maybe get a head start on holiday gifts? My JOY garland is a great stash buster, as are the Matryoshkas, and I bet there is someone who could use a lovingly handknit tie - Dennis, anyone?

I'm off to Germany on Saturday to visit my dear sister, so there will be a shawl in my future. They really are the perfect travel knitting: one skein laceweight or fingering yarn + one needle (maybe a set of DPNs) + one pattern = one souvenir FO. Hap-py was a vacation knit that has enough going on to keep your interest, but not so much that you need to lock yourself away.

To be the first to hear about such sales, join my newsletter mailing list here. I promise never to sell your information (ew) or pester you too often (it's been once every couple of months, but things are picking up, and I plan to share something with you once or twice a month).

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen

03 July 2014

A Vest for Charles + Benwick now available from Interweave as individual downloads

A Vest for Charles and Benwick are now available from Interweave as individual downloads, and it looks like they are on sale at the moment.

A Vest for Charles - download from Interweave

Benwick - download from Interweave


For those of you who are kind enough to worry, please know that I do receive a royalty on all patterns sold by Interweave. However, I will sell my own versions of these patterns once the exclusivity term is up, which will be late Fall 2014, at which point I will make them available on Craftsy, Etsy, and, of course, Ravelry.