This is Lucas’s first Christmas and his Mummy has just finished her first knitting project. It’s made from this pattern, in deliciously soft  Blue Sky Dyed Organic Cotton.

I think he likes it.

and I’d like to be him, sitting on the sofa sucking my thumb, leaving all the worrying and panicking and shopping to the grown ups.

But there’s no need to panic about presents when you can knit and sew, right?

Here’s what I’ve been making for those people in my life who are difficult to buy gifts for: the men of the family.

A shirt for David in seersucker bought at a vintage textile show back in September. Considering the leaning tower of Pisa that is my fabric collection, I’m quite pleased with myself for actually using this one. I hope it fits!

I’m always at a loss to know what to give my son Pete. Being a young man in London, site of recent heavy snowfall, he tells me he needs mittens for when he rides his bike, so I’ve made him these, in Jade Sapphire 6 ply cashmere.

Isn’t it helpful when people tell you what they want? It spoils the surprise but at least you know that the thing you laboured over doesn’t end up lining the dog’s basket.

The pattern is from Robyn Melanson’s lovely book Knitting New Mitten and Gloves.

and for a little South Seas Christmas spirit, here’s our native Stitchbird (Maori name Hihi) sitting on a Pohutukawa, which is known in the USA as the New Zealand Christmas Tree.

In California they bloom in June but here in the southern hemisphere they put on a spectacular show for us at Christmas. It sort of makes up for our lack of tinsel and snow.

Happy holidays!

Kimono-ish is now ready and can be purchased as a PDF here.

It has a simple crochet edging around the fronts and neck, but for those who don’t crochet, it could be left out. In that case the button loops, which are written as part of the crochet edging, could be made as chains and attached separately. Even the buttons aren’t really necessary. I added them just in case I wanted the option of wearing it closed but for the most part, I wear it unbuttoned.

and now, to food.

David and I went to see Julie & Julia the other day. If you’re going to have your life story made into a movie and you’re a woman, you’re in good hands with Nora Ephron directing the proceedings. What a beautiful film, full of humour and humanity. I’m brimming with love for this movie. Much has been said about Meryl Streep’s genius. What I adore about her is the twinkle in her eye and her lack of vanity. She IS Julia Child.

It’s hard not to view Julie Powell, (whose book on which half of the movie was based I have not read) as a coattail rider. Contrasted with Julia’s good humoured perseverance during ten years of writing her tome on French cooking and being rejected by numerous publishers, the younger woman’s tantrums when things aren’t going her way make her seem shallow and self involved. But thankfully, Amy Adams makes her likable and Julie Powell must be applauded for bringing a new audience to Julia’s life’s work. Even loyal fans of Julia would have to admit that in recent times the fad for “quick and easy” cooking has replaced the long, slow simmer.

I recently watched some of Julia’s shows with a group of foodie girlfriends. My favourite was the “bouillabaisse” episode. Julia made it from scratch, using a whole fish. No pre-chopped chowder pieces for her. Her earthy style is a far cry from the glitz of Gordon Ramsey and the kittenishness of Nigella Lawson. Julia is simply herself, selling a love of food and it’s careful preparation with more than an ounce of wit and charm.

Like cooking, knitting has been through it’s fast fad days. Chunky ten minute knits. Why bother, when the real pleasure is in the knitting, not a race to the finish line?

Even though I enjoy making small, easily completed projects while I’m working on a marathon, I almost never choose a yarn because it will be a fast knit. At some point word got around that it was faster to use huge needles and chunky yarn and new knitters thought that’s what you did. Some would look at a 5mm needle and gasp “how tiny, I can’t knit with that!” I always thought it odd, because the actual knitting, the fun part, is much slower on huge needles.

Julie Powell’s year of cooking and writing her blog has reminded us of Julia’s work and the fact that not everything must be done in a hurry.

Speaking of food, who doesn’t love Blue Sky Alpacas’ Knit Chickens (above) or the knitted cupcakes in Leigh Radford’s  book, One Skein.

Julia would approve, I’m sure.

Swing is now available as a PDF here.

It’s knit with the gorgeous Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted, one of my favourite yarns. I love it because it’s incredibly soft but also drapes beautifully, which is perfect for this jacket.

Two of my own personal wardrobe rules have been broken with Swing: I stay away from chunky yarns and cables, since they tend to add a few inches. But this I will wear (now that a size Large is on the needles) because the yoke-in-the-round and the three-quarter sleeves are flattering.

The pattern is mostly plain sailing, a  6+4 rib changing by way of a cable to 4+4  until you get to the yoke, where the fun begins. The cables for each size resolve in a different way. The model in the photo is the smallest size.

I’ve knitted all four sizes of the yoke myself and do my utmost to present patterns with no errors, but very occasionally one slips through. Please, If you think you’ve found an error in any of my patterns, email me and I’ll sort it out.

and here’s Crystal.

Crystal is knitted with Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend, which I like to think is the shy, less famous younger sister of Wool Clasica, with a completely different personality. It’s more dressy but every bit as lovable. Crystal would look lovely over a summer dress or with some Kate Hepburn wide leg pants, or skinny jeans.

happy knitting!

–Mel

This is one of my favourite garments. It can be made in cotton or wool for any season. The version pictured here on my lovely friend, Colleen, is made with Koigu KPM merino, which makes a wonderful lightweight warm t-shirt for autumn, winter or spring.

I made mine a few years ago using Rowan Siena mercerized cotton and wear it every summer with a pair of comfy sandals and a skirt. It’s still looking good after much machine washing and drying. Siena comes in some gorgeous colours, like  “Pacific” which is calling my name….

There’s a little shaping at the sides and an optional drawstring at the hem, which we made extra long, with tassels. You could choose a size close to your own measurement and wear it fitting (it’s very flattering that way) or you could make a larger size and wear it as a loose blouse. It’s written for 6 sizes, 82cm(32″) to 132cm(52″) chest.

Town Girl Country Girl is available as a PDF here.

Happy knitting!

–Mel

Congratulations to Manos Del Uruguay! 

They’ve been admitted as a full member of the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) and are the only South American Yarn company to receive this honour. WFTO is a global body of over 350 organizations committed to 100% Fair Trade. This recognizes Manos’s mission to eradicate poverty through sustainable economic development, pioneering social and environmental policy and practice, and continual reinvestment in marginalized artisans, farmers and producer communities.

I’ve loved Wool Clasica ever since I discovered the colourful world of artisan yarns. I would be a sad woman without my stash of Manos. The subtle beauty of the enormous range of colours and rustic charm of the yarn itself contribute to a very satisfying knitting experience and with this news, there’s yet another reason to love it.

It’s wonderful for crochet as well as knitting, and being a single, is perfect for felting. It’s hard to resist when you see it in person. I’m thrilled that Manos’s strong ethics and sense of community have been rewarded. If you haven’t already, try their beautiful yarn! 

Your can read more of the fascinating story of the company here

Wondering what you can make with Wool Clasica? Check out this fabulous coat by Deborah Newton on the cover of the Fall 2009 Knits magazine

Katje from Coco Knits would be lovely

and this easy top down bolero from Knitting Pure and Simple

for a wee one, Ragman cardigan from Heirloom Stitches

If you want to try just one skein, knit and felt our Agnes Clutch

There are so many possibilites for this beautiful yarn!

–Mel

For the month of July, all of our delectable Koigu Kersti is on sale. It’s $14 NZ per hank (calculate your currency here)

Kersti is the sister of the more famous KPPPM and KPM. It was named after a little girl, the daughter and granddaughter of Taiu and Maie Landra of Koigu Wool Designs, two women who live on a secluded  farm in Ontario, Canada. Their unparalleled sense of colour is the result of good taste and years of experimentation and discovery from which we knitters are allowed to benefit. Lucky us.

It’s easy to see why this yarn was given a child’s name. Although playfully colourful and beautiful, it is a hardy, crepe yarn suitable to much wear and tear.

Here are some of my favourite colours:

Above, perfect for children’s garments, K207, K103, and K450

Below, 2 gorgeous solid colours, left to right, 1193 and 2300 

Two duskier beauties, 105D and 118L

an unusual combination of orange, coral, blue, and lavender, K523

Dark and beautiful with the zest and sweetness of berries, K859

and the subtle, sepia toned shade that could have been dipped in tea, 2392…. 

But what to make with these beauties?

Here are some suggestions of patterns suitable for this very special dk yarn……

First, for the fashion conscious (it’s not just children who deserve to wear Kersti)

Carli, from Coco Knits….

Frostbite, from Jacquelyne Landry

How about Wicked, a popular pick from the girls at Zephyr Style…..

or a variation on the classic v-neck cardy from Knitting Pure and Simple…….

and lastly, for those adorable little pumpkins in your life, spoil them with

Ted, by Knitting at KNoon….

or the irresistible Blossom……

and what little girl, two or ten, wouldn’t love this shrug to keep her cozy?……

Happy knitting!

–Mel

Having decided to make good use of my buttons, I’ve now made three of these simple clutches. I think I’ll take one out to afternoon tea at Agnes Curran, my favourite tea shop.

As well as being lovely purses, they’d also be useful for keeping knitting and crochet tools. The underside of the flap could hold sewing needles while dpns, crochet hooks and scissors would fit nicely into the approx 25cm length (height 24cm). Each took one evening and one hank of Manos Wool Clasica. 

They’re easy to make and the really fun part is going to be deciding who their new owners will be. There are many more ways you could embellish: applique, embroidery or beads, for example. 

Inspired by Pearly Kings and Queens, I went a little wild with pearl buttons on the Lapis bag(below). The twinkling pearls against the dark blue seemed perfect for the evening bag I’ve been yearning for. I’m keeping this one for myself. The buttons weigh down the flap so that it’s not necessary to have a closure although you could use a snap if you like.

The bag is worked in the round, with a provisional cast on so that you can graft the stitches at the base, and there is a small v-shaped gusset to give it some depth. If you don’t like doing Kitchener Stitch, a three needle bind off would work, too, or you could simply cast on normally and sew the bag together at the base. You’ll need size 8mm [US11] 60cm circular needles. 

Here they are before felting. I used colours 17-cheek and 37-thrush

As usual I had to wash them twice to achieve the right amount of shrinkage, and I used a large towel for friction. I try not to panic at the end of the first wash when my projects emerge floppy and not nearly felted enough. It’s the second wash that does the trick. Stuff your bag with some newsprint while it dries, to hold the shape.

The pattern is free with yarn purchase. Just send a message when you order and we’ll include it.

OR you can purchase the pattern here.

Happy knitting!

Mel

At last, this pattern is in printed version. I made and wore it last winter and have been intending to publish it myself, but what with one thing and another, it has come out to play in the current Australian Yarn Magazine, Issue 13. I have used my own photographs here. They are different to the ones in the magazine.

While there is an element of retro sporty chic in the inspiration, especially the saddle shoulders, it’s decidedly modern in its relaxed femininity. 

To make the cable I experimented with ruching:doubling and halving the stitch count in various ways. The result is a cable that folds and gathers in places. High Tide is knit in the round from the hem and is a perfect project to click away at while watching foreign movies or costume dramas so lush that you can’t afford to take your eye off the screen in case you miss an idea for your next project. All the drama happens in the front panel, which has just enough complexity to keep me alert without having to check the pattern every round. 

It should be worn slightly loose. The pattern is written for sizes XS to XXL.

It’s available here and through Yarn Magazine where it will be available for download.