And off we go! The first of 2 photo shoots for the self published book I an working on is done. Everything went incredibly well and I am so excited to get the photos from Carrie! She is a genius and Mandy, the model, was so easy to photograph and such and absolute pro.

We were able to get 7 pieces photographed, which means that we only have to shoot 5 more at the second shoot at the end of next month. The remaining pieces are almost done, just a collar left to knit for one of them. So, I am feeling very good about our schedule. (My deadline to have the books shipping by is October 1st)

Here are a few behind the scene shots from the shoot

This is what my clothing rack looked like before the shoot and I am super happy to say that it was completely empty by the end of the shoot!

And this is the prop table that I had set up, you never know when you need to add some color or silliness to a shot.

This is me asking Carrie ” How is the light, can we shoot this here?”

Ethan was a fantastic help and switched between light reflector holder and behind the scenes photographer, furniture mover, meter payer, and all around best guy!

This has been a such a busy week, I’m off to play catch up now!

Cecily

This Saturday, January 21 st, 2012, I will be at Another Yarn in Winchester, MA with Sarah Dimond (The Plucky Knitter) and her amazing yarn and Thea Colman (Baby Cocktails) and her amazing patterns!

For more info about the event and Another Yarn, here is a link- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Another-Yarn/233680413340670?sk=wall

I designed a reversible cowl for this event and released the pattern today, it only takes one skein of Plucky Primo fingering!

Winchester Cowl

Last week I also released a sweater pattern in Plucky Primo Worsted called Oakwood.

Oakwood is worked from the top down in one piece with waist shaping and optional patch pockets.

(Photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge)

I also released a cardigan named Chalet.

Chalet is worked from the bottom up with set in sleeves knit in Hazel Knits DK Lively.

(Photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge)

I’ve got to get back to work finishing up the the pieces and styling for the self published book I am working, the first of 2 photo shoots is drawing near.

I hope to see you at Another Yarn this weekend!

It has been quite awhile since my last blog post, but all for good reason. We moved to a wonderful old house in Portland right before the holidays ! I am still in the process of unpacking and catching up on work,  but I wanted to put up a quick blog post about 2 new designs and my self-published book adventure.

On Wednesday, two of my designs were released-

Katrine from Quince and Co

I designed Katrine to wear to Rhinebeck. I knit a size larger than I normally would so that I would be able to wear it as a jacket over another sweater to keep warm. I worked a cowl neck so that I could button it all the way up if the weather was really chilly and leave the sweater open during the warmer part of the day. Because I started it really late and Rhinebeck was getting close, I knit Katrine in Puffin from the top down so that I could work it for as long as I had time to. Puffin knits up up so beautifully and super fast, Katrine kept me very warm and cozy and you can hardly tell that I wore it a ton!

Photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge

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And Graham from Brooklyn Tweed/ Wool People 2

Graham is a cardigan that is worked from the bottom up with set in sleeves and fun and distinctive, but really easy to work, cable panels. It is not too frequently that I design a piece with cables, but Shelter is just too perfect for cables for me to resist! I added pockets to keep with the relaxed feel of the cardi and a collar that can be buttoned all the way up and be worn as a cowl neck. I am thrilled to get to be part of such an amazing collection of designs, I highly recommend checking out the Wool People 2 look book on Jared’s blog here: http://brooklyntweed.net/wp2lookbook.html

You can also see all the designs from Wool People 2 on Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/brooklyn-tweed–wool-people-vol-2/patterns

Photo by Jared Flood

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And an update about my self published book project, the swatches!

So, the book is going to have 8-10 sweaters designed by me and 3 accessories from guest designers. The number of sweaters is “to be determined” until we figure out how many patterns we can fit in the number of pages that I can afford. About 60% of the pieces are completely finished and the first photoshoot is going to be at the end of this month! So very exciting!

I hope that you all had a very wonderful holiday season and a happy new year,

Cecily

Welcome to Wool, book two, the second e-booklet collaboration from Melissa, Quince and me!

Wool, book two features patterns for 4 top down sweaters and a hat.

From Melissa-

Gladys: A perfect lacy hat

And Madigan: A top down round yoke pullover.

From me-

Sophia: A top down open cardigan with a reversible cable and garter stitch collar.

Irina: A top down, cowl neck pullover.

Eva: A short sleeve, tunic length pullover with simple colorwork details.

We love working with Quince! I hope that you enjoy Wool, book two .

Wool, book two is available for purchase as an e-booklet collection here: http://quinceandco.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_27

I think that by now you may all have already heard about (seen it? bought it?) the wonderful self published book by Hannah Fettig and Alana Dakos, Coastal Knits. If you do not yet know about Coastal Knits, I am thrilled to be the one to introduce it to you! I am sure that you will love it as much as I do.

Coastal Knit features 5 sweater patterns and 5 accessory patterns, half designed by Hannah and half by Alana. However, this is not only a beautiful collection of patterns, Coastal Knits also, in words and photos, takes you to beautiful places on the East and West Coasts of the US. You see, Hannah lives in Maine and Alana lives in California and this book definitely offers wonderful knits for those on each coast, and everywhere in between.

It was tough to narrow them down, but here are two of my favorite pieces in Coastal Knits:

The Wildflower Cardigan designed by Alana is a wonderful easy to wear shape, with beautiful decorative edging and POCKETS!

And Rocky Coast by Hannah- a top down, open, cabled cardi, what could be more perfect!?!

To see all of the beautiful designs in Coast Knits, click on this link: https://www.coastalknits.com/patterns.php

The patterns in Coastal Knits are wonderfully written, the photos are incredible, and the layout and graphics are perfect. I am very much impressed with and inspired by Coastal Knits and I think that you will be too.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you get your copy of Coastal Knits soon;)

Cecily

I have decided to self publish a book. It is altogether super exciting and scary!

Here are some of the yarns that I am starting with, 3 are not in the photo because they have not arrived or are with sample knitters:)

Design Theme:  simple, wearable designs with interesting shapes/ details.

Color Theme: the colors of seaglass (with a bit of leeway)

Photo/Styling Theme: Neutral styling and background colors. The pieces will be shot indoors with interesting architecture and some playful props and a theme of “home”.

I will continue posting about the steps in this crazy journey and looking for some feedback as I get further into it!

Thank you for visiting,

Cecily

I can not believe that it is already November, how did that happen!? I feel as if next time I look up from work, social, and just regular life plans, this year will be over. SO, I decided that I wanted to make sure to get one more pattern sale in before the years’ end.

Here it is-

From the release of this post through Tuesday November 8th at midnight EST, all patterns available in my Winged Knits section via Ravelry will be 20% off- just use the promo code TIME.

Winged Knits Rav link- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/winged-knits/patterns

And something that is now, and hopefully will be in the future, taking up much of my time- we are attempting to buy this house. Still a few more steps before we know if it is really ours, so I am trying not to be over excited. However, it is the most adorable almost 200 year old little house! It needs a little love and after the home inspection we will find out if it needs more than that, but we are hopeful and excited and nervous.

I just finished up a new collection of pieces that use yarns that are dyed using natural dyes by the companies that sell them. The e-booklet includes a blanket, a hat, a cardigan, and a pullover.

Although I did not do the dyeing, Ethan thought it would be silly to have me mixing a big dye pot on the cover. I love all the little friends that are helping me!

(Click on the photos for links to Ravelry and more photos)

Branch Blanket

A cozy and quick to knit blanket using a simple 4 row cable and lace pattern. Branch Blanket is worked in one-piece with a gorgeous un-dyed heavy weight yarn.

Finished Measurements: 42” by 46” after blocking

Materials

3-ply Heavy Fisherman Weight by Beaverslide Dry Goods (90% fine merino, 10% kid mohair; 4 oz skeins = approx 160 yards)

• 7 skeins color Natural Black Heather

• Approx yards: 1100 yards

Needles

• One 32” circular (circ) needle size US 11 (8mm). (Pc is worked flat, circular needle is used to accommodate the large amount of sts.)

Or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 16 sts and 20 rows in Pattern Stitch = 5 ½”, after blocking.

Vine Hat

A snug cap to keep out the chilly winter winds. Vine Hat is worked from the brim up in a yarn that is naturally dyed. It is knit in a fun and easy vine pattern with subtle crown shaping.

One size: To fit adult woman

Materials

Local Color by Green Mountain Spinnery (100% US Organic Wool; 2 oz skein = approx 180 yards)

• 1 skein color Blueberry

• Approx yards: 170 yards

Needles

• One each 16” circular (circ) needle size US 5 and 6 (3.75 and 4 mm).

• One set of double pointed needles (dpns) size US 6 (4 mm).

Or size to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Stitch markers

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch with larger needles.

Grayling

A garter stitch cardigan with three-quarter sleeves and overlapping fronts. Grayling is knit in a naturally dyed yarn from the top down in one piece with simple little flower medallion details.

Finished Measurements: 32 (34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55)” at bust, fronts overlapping.

Yarn

Dazzle BFL DK from The Natural Dye Studio (100% wool; 100 gram skein = approx 262 yds/ 240 m)

• 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins color Grayling

Approx yards: 930 (1000, 1040, 1160, 1230, 1300, 1370, 1430, 1510) yards

Needles

• One 29” circular (cir) needle size US 8 (5mm).

• One set of double pointed needle (dpns) size US 8 (5mm).

Or size to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Stitch markers (m)

• Stitch holders or waste yarn

• Crochet hook size G (4.25 mm).

Gauge: 16 sts and 28 rows = 4” in Garter St (Gtr St).

Coastline

An easy to wear pullover with three-quarter sleeves and lace pattern at the yoke. Coastline is knit in a naturally dyed yarn from the top down in one piece with ribbed trims.

Finished Measurements at bust: 30 ¾ (32, 35 ¼, 38 ¾, 40, 43 ¼, 46 ¾, 50, 53 ¼)”

Materials

4 ply Organic Poll Dorset by Renaissance Dyeing (100% wool; 100g skein = approx 375 yards)

• 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins color Pastel

• Approx yards: 970 (1030, 1130, 1210, 1270, 1360, 1445, 1560, 1635) yards

Needles

• One each 16” and 29” circular (circ) needle size US 5 (3.75 mm).

• One set double pointed needles size US 5 (3.75 mm).

Or size to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Stitch markers

• Stitch holders or waste yarn

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch (St st).

Thank you for visiting and I hope that you like the new knits:)

Artwork by Ethan MacDonald

Photos by Carrie Bostick Hoge (and her daughter Imogen is the special photo guest!)

Tech editing by Dawn Catanzaro

Grayling sample knit by Amanda Hosmer

Melissa and I will be at the lovely Purl Diva this weekend for a signing for Weekend Hats. We will also have the knits from Wool, book 1 with us.

We will be there on Sunday (Oct 2) from 2-4, and would love to see you.

Weekend Hats includes designs from:

It is kinda unbelievable, Melissa and I now have 2 print books with our names on the covers!

Our new book is called “Weekend Hats” and is a multi-designer book that features a wonderful collection of hat designs from an amazing group of designers.

Weekend Hats is now in stock on Interweave’s site- http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Weekend-Hats.html and available for pre-order on Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-Hats-Knitted-Berets-Cloches/dp/1596684380/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312952803&sr=1-1.

Hats are wonderful, portable projects, that you can never have enough of!

Hats also offer the perfect opportunity to learn a new technique, try a new yarn, or make a thoughtful yet quick to knit gift.

Jennifer Lang       Carrie Bostick Hoge      Melissa Wherle     Kirsten Kapur    Tanis Gray     Natalie Larson    Courtney Kelley     Kate Gagnon Osborn    Laura Irwin     Connie Chang Chinchio     Jared Flood     Jocelyn Tunney      Mary Jane Mucklestone     Anne Kuo Lukito              Cirilia Rose    Gudrun Johnston    Kristen TenDyke         Susan B. Anderson    Elisabeth Parker                     Melissa LaBarre    and,  me.

Thank you so much to all the designers for proving such wonderful designs for Weekend Hats!

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Self Published Pattern sale
To celebrate the release of Weekend Hats, I am having a sale on my self -published Winged Knits patterns that are available on Ravelry here- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/winged-knits/patterns

All patterns available from Winged Knits via Ravelry (click here for the link) will be 20% off starting now and until 12 midnight EST on Thursday Sept 22nd, with the use of the promotion code: WEEKENDHATS

Thank you for visiting and I hope that you enjoy the designs in Weekend Hats as much as I do, I plan to knit each and every one!

Thank you for visiting,

Cecily