Curves & Corners Scarf Pattern

My Curves & Corners Scarf pattern is now available in my Ravelry Store. The scarf is knitted in sections that are picked up as you go. The corners are mitred corners with a garter stitch ridge pattern and the curves are created using short row shaping in a rib and twisted stitch pattern. The stitch patterns are reversible.

Curves & Corners Scarf
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining

Curves & Corners Scarf
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining

The scarf begins with a little corner and a short curve and then builds up to bigger and bigger sections. As the sections are worked and the scarf grows longer, it begins to curl. The length along inside curved edge is approximately 170cm/ 67in.

Curves & Corners Scarf
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining

There are many ways to wear Curves & Corners; draped lengthwise, wrapped around several times or folded in half and looped through itself. All ways of wearing make the corners stand out and give great structure to the scarf. When not being worn, the scarf can be coiled up and looks good stacked from small to large corner.

The scarf shown in the pattern is knitted using 3x50g balls of Sirdar Click Chunky with Wool in shade (119) Flinty (70% Acrylic, 30% Wool, 75m/50g). Please take a look at my Ravelry Projects page for versions in other yarns. Generally, the heavier the weight of the yarn the bigger the corners and curves will be. I have also knitted a version in 4ply yarn which results in a very delicate twist, but needs lots of extra sections worked.

Curves & Corners Scarf
2 Colour Sirdar Click Chunky
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining

Curves & Corners Scarf
 Rohrspatz & Wollmeise 100% Merino Superwash
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining 

Curves & Corners Scarf
Hand Dyed Silk yarn
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining

Curves & Corners Scarf
Pasea by Plymouth Yarn
Pattern and Photo © Emma Vining

This pattern is very adaptable and I hope knitters will enjoy making this versatile scarf.

Cappuccino Felted Bag Pattern

My Cappuccino Felted Bag pattern uses reverse Fair Isle patterning to form a series of textured ridges, which separate graphic strips of ‘right way round’ Fair Isle. The 'Right and Wrong Side' Fair Isle stitch pattern is knitted in Blacker Yarns Pure Ryeland Aran Wool (Aran weight, 100% wool, 70m/76yds per 50g ball). To make the bag, you will need 4 x 50g balls of Dark Brown and 2 x 50g balls of Cream.

Cappuccino Felted Bag
© Emma Vining

Leather handles complete the smart look. The handles shown here are leather piped 18inch bag handles in shade 'Dk Choc', available from U-handbag.com.

Cappuccino Felted Bag
© Emma Vining

The Cappuccino bag is knitted in one piece and felted in the washing machine after sewing up. Felting gives the bag a lovely soft look and feel. After felting, the bag measures approximately 29cm wide and 30cm long.

Cappuccino Felted Bag
© Emma Vining

Cappuccino is now available in my Ravelry Store. The pattern was first published as a 'subscriber exclusive' in The Knitter Magazine, Issue 48.

Little Sunsets Scarf Pattern

My Little Sunsets Scarf pattern is now available from my Ravelry Store. Little Sunsets is knitted in four different shades of lace weight yarn from Rowan, Debbie Bliss and Manos del Uruguay. The colour combination of these lovely yarns reminds me of a beautiful sunset at the end of a summer’s day. 

Little Sunsets Scarf
Pattern and Photo By Emma Vining

The scarf is knitted lengthwise, using short row shaping to make the little sunsets in pink and red. The borders and stripes have a row of grey eyelets set between black garter stitch ridges. The pattern uses 20-25g/ 160-200m of each lace weight yarn shade. Detailed yarn information can be found on my Ravelry page.

Little Sunsets Scarf
Pattern and Photo By Emma Vining

I really like the reverse side too as the colours blend so well together and the lines of eyelets form beautiful waves.

Little Sunsets Scarf Reverse Side
Pattern and Photo By Emma Vining

Little Sunsets Scarf
Pattern and Photo By Emma Vining

Little Sunsets is part of a collection of scarf designs that use short row shaping to create 'pops' of colour. My Little Suns scarf pattern, which was published in the Knitter Magazine, Issue 47, uses two shades of Malabrigo Lace yarn to make bright yellow suns set in a blue sky.

The Mendocino Yarn Shop

The Mendocino Yarn Shop is a very friendly and wonderfully stocked yarn shop in the picturesque Northern Californian Coastal town of Mendocino. Both the shop and the town are an absolute delight to visit.

Mendocino Yarn Shop on Albion Street
Photo by Emma V

This yarn shop has so many different yarns in such a wonderful selection of weights and shades that it took me some moments to get orientated!

Lots of yarn
Photo by Emma V

More yarn!
Photo by Emma V

Buttons too!
Photo by Emma V

Luckily I had done some planning and was looking for Aran or chunky weight yarn to knit my curves and corners scarf. In the end I decided on Pasea by Plymouth Yarn and I will post the results shortly!

Pasea by Plymouth Yarn
Photo taken at Mendocino Headlands by Emma V

I enjoyed my visit so much that I returned the next day to purchase some lovely northern Californian Brittany knitting needles (almost have all of the sizes, but not quite!). This wonderful bright green lace weight Silky Alpaca yarn by Classic Elite Yarns had already caught my eye. Can't wait to design a pattern for the two 100g balls I bought. 

Silky Alpaca by Classic Elite Yarns
Photo taken at Point Cabrillo Light Station by Emma V

UKHKA Knitted Textile Awards Finalist!

I am so excited and proud to have been chosen as a finalist in the Open Category of the UK Hand Knitting Association Knitted Textile Awards!

The Knitted Textile Awards are a showcase for all kinds of knitted or crocheted garments, soft furnishings and 3D structure. To celebrate 10 years of the awards, the UKHKA introduced a new Open Category for anyone with a passion for hand knitting or crochet. 

Along with the other open category finalists and student finalists, I will be showing my Kagome Cardigan at the Knitting and Stitching Shows at Alexandra Palace, London and the International Centre, Harrogate. 

I am so excited about this fantastic opportunity and cant wait for the shows!

Zandra Rhodes: Unseen

Zandra Rhodes: Unseen is the inspiring new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London. I spent an enjoyable few hours at the Exhibition on Saturday discovering new insights into this fascinating designer, her archive and her studio.

Throughout the exhibition there are wonderful examples of Zandra's amazing garment designs, beginning with a room featuring intricate beading.

Zandra Rhodes beaded garments
Photo by Emma Vining

Beading close up
Photo by Emma Vining

The display cases of sample designs show the level of detail that goes into each design. I particularly like the ones that look like drawing with stitches, beads and sequins. 

Zandra Rhodes Beading and Stitching Samples
Photo by Emma Vining

Zandra Rhodes Beading and Stitch Samples
Photo by Emma Vining

Zandra Rhodes Beading and Stitching Samples
Photo by Emma Vining

Zandra Rhodes Beading and Stitching Samples
Photo by Emma Vining

A highlight of the exhibition for me were the sketchbook dresses from the latest collection. The enlarged pages from Zandra's sketchbooks show how important drawing and sketching are to her. 

Zandra Rhodes Sketchbook Collection
Photo by Emma Vining

Zandra Rhodes Sketchbook Collection
Photo by Emma Vining

Zandra Rhodes Sketchbook Collection
Photo by Emma Vining

I enjoyed watching the short films that are part of the exhibition. In the first one (downstairs), Zandra talks about her design inspirations and her work ethic. She is so passionate about her work and her enthusiasm is infectious! In particular, she emphasises her inspiration from her drawing, making sure she completes a drawing a day. This is not always a design for a garment or print but one that might lead to such a design. She says that taking a photo is not enough and feels that a drawing goes more into your head. 

Zandra Rhodes Sketchbook
Photo by Emma Vining

The second film (upstairs) reveales Zandra's involvement with the ENO and the Opera, Aida. The costumes she designed are the perfect fit for the mood and drama of this Opera and her description of the design process involved is fascinating. 

Her sketchbooks are on display throughout. There is a lovely note in one of them that begins:

"don't panic.

Ideas cannot be forced.

Relax and give them the freedom to come out"

Excellent advice to those of us admiring her creativity at the exhibition. 

Zandra Rhodes Sketchbook
Photo by Emma Vining

Exhibition Dates
Image from the FTM website

Kaffe Fassett: A Life in Colour - Highlights Tour

Excellent day on Wednesday at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London! I joined the highlights tour of the Kaffe Fasset Exhibition, led by Celia Joicey, head of the FTM. What a great opportunity to hear more about the background of the Exhibition while being inspired by all this glorious colour.

Kaffe Fassett Knitted Shawl

We gathered in the first room, where Celia introduced the FTM and the Exhibition. Kaffe's family photos and some of his early work were on display and I particularly enjoyed looking at the sketch books with these beautiful detailed studies.

Kaffe Fassett Sketchbook

Kaffe Fassett Sketchbook

Celia highlighted the importance of Kaffe's collaborations with Bill Gib, Ehrman Tapestries, Missoni and Rowan Yarns. She told us that the Kaffe Fassett studio now produces around 90 fabric prints a year for Rowan, which are then used in their quilt designs. A huge number of print and knit samples are pinned to the wall in the middle of the Exhibition. I spent lots of time here!

Kaffe Fassett knit and print samples

Kaffe Fassett knit and print samples

Kaffe Fassett knit and print samples

After the tour, I took a closer look at the colour charts and designs hanging in the conference room upstairs. These framed studies show the level of detail and the incredible number of colour combinations that go into Kaffe Fassett designs.

Kaffe Fassett Colour detail

Kaffe Fassett Colour detail

Kaffe Fassett Colour detail

This was my second visit to the Exhibition and I really enjoyed having another look at everything. These amazing knitted coats stood out for me.

Detail on back of Kaffe Fassett Coat

Detail on back of Kaffe Fassett Coat

 

Kaffe Fassett Coat

The Kaffe Fassett: A Life in Colour Exhibition is on until 29th June 2013 and the last Highlights Tour is on 26th June at 1pm.