Knitting

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Eye Candy: SWTC Saphira

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saphira swtcOne of the great things about all the knitting-related work I do is that I get to play with a lot of different yarns and work on a lot of different projects. I thought it might be fun for you (and keep me trying new things so I can share them) if I posted every now and then notes on what I’m working on and what I’m working with.

Today I got into a moment (OK, a couple of hours) of panic about how soon it will be time for me to turn in my book and how much knitting I still have to do before then. I also got word that an adorable set of twins — a boy and a girl now eight weeks old — are going to model for my book. Which means I need something for them to wear.

I’m planning a pair of intarsia sweaters, probably one with a flower and one with a truck, but I’m not sure yet. I’ve long known, however, that I wanted to knit them in Saphira, a bulky superwash merino from South West Trading Company. I had a tiny (and I mean tiny, what you see in the picture is all there was, I didn’t even leave enough to bind off) sample of this yarn to play with and I love the softness, the fuziness and the nice even stitches, which should be great for intarsia. It also knits up super fast, which is great for needing to make two sweaters while the kids are still the same size!

Now that I know my gauge it will be a lot easier to estimate how much yarn I’ll need and to make the charts for my intarsia designs. I guess that’s what I’ll be working on this weekend!

What have you been working with lately? Any new projects on the horizon for the weekend? Spill it!

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Comments

  1. I can’t wait to see what your intarsia sweaters look like. That is so cool you are giving away a copy of Stitch London.

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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