I have a fun new pattern and collaboration with Ewe Ewe Yarns to share with you! If you like knitting vests and love a fun theme then this will be right up your alley! The Back Story First, the back-story. Heather (the owner of Ewe Ewe Yarns) and I met virtually over 10 years ago. About 5 years ago we realized that we were both born in the same year, and both in March (only 8 days apart). And around the time of our 40th birthday, we thought it would be fun to do a collaboration together to celebrate. I used her “Ewe So Sporty” yarn and created “Sporty 40“, a fun multi-color shawlette/scarf d ..read more

You may remember that earlier this year I hosted a knitalong for my “Learn to Make Alanis” course. This was the first course on my new learning platform that’s set-up like a full online class with learning modules and step-by-step video lessons for every section of the pattern. Because this course was so well received, I now have it available for purchase as a stand-alone online course that you can take in your own time, at your own pace! Visit my course info page here. This online course is perfect for anyone who wants step-by-step video lessons on every aspect of making Alanis and wants a ..read more

The “feels like” temperature here in Maine today is 31 degrees F, but summer is in the air with my latest collection! Last summer Berroco approached me about doing a pattern or two together as part of their independent designer collaboration program. I have worked with Berroco on several occasions (and knit with their yarns for decades now!) and so I was super excited to collaborate together on this project. Introducing my sand & sea mini collection with Berroco, featuring the Rising Tide cardigan vest and the Coastland tee & cowl: Rising Tide, knit in Berroco Pima 100 Rising Tide ..read more

Let’s go back to 2009. Wow, 15 years ago! I was…let’s see…30 years old and just in the beginning years of my knitting design endeavors (while still working full-time in my advertising career). The year before this I had become so obsessed with learning knitting design and spent most of my free time studying and working on it – studying, practicing, making mistakes, learning some more (it was a long process, that still continues!). At this point I had designed mostly accessories and baby sweaters, but I hadn’t yet published an adult sweater – not until ‘Mud Season’!  Mud Season was my ve ..read more

I’m so thrilled to announce that I have a new Spring capsule collection that released today, in collaboration with my friends over at Fairmount Fibers (the US distributor of Manos del Uruguay yarns)! This mini collection includes 3 light layers, all using their Milo yarn, a DK-weight merino/linen blend: Leafing Out poncho Daffodil Days shawlette/scarf First Crocus tee [photos courtesy of Fairmount Fibers] Each piece uses eyelets and colorblocking to play with 2 colors of the Milo yarn. And with it’s DK-weight and linen blend, it’s such a great yarn for the Spring season. The patterns ar ..read more

One of the most useful tools you’ll encounter in knitting is the stitch marker. If you are a newer knitter, you may be unsure about what they are, how to use them and which style you’re supposed to use (they are so many options out there now!). So in this post I hope to answer all of those questions! I also share some additional ways you can use stitch markers, so even if you are a more experienced knitter you may learn a couple new tips. Why are stitch patterns used in pattern directions? Designers will incorporate the use of stitch markers into patterns to help make the knitting process eas ..read more

I love seamless knitting. But…there are some issues that can come up when knitting seamlessly – specifically, issues that arise due to working part of the garment in the round and part of it flat. For example, I have many pullover-style garment patterns that are knit seamlessly from the bottom-up. The body of the sweater is all worked in the round but then once the front and back of the garment are divided at the underarm, you work each side flat (i.e, back and forth, not in the round). An example of this is my Azalea top, featured below: Or if you’re knitting a cardigan seamlessly and the w ..read more

A very common vest construction I love to design is the drop-shoulder. What I love about them is that they make great layering pieces (and you know I love to layer!) and they are super customizable. Unlike a more traditional set-in sleeve vest, a drop-shoulder has simple armhole opening and what this means is that you can very easily add sleeves to your garment. You can add sleeves to a traditional vest as well but typically short rows are needed to shape the sleeve cap (or they have to be worked separately and then seamed in. But in drop-shoulder pieces, like my Alanis, it’s much simpler. B ..read more

I’m a big fan of circular knitting needles. Whether or not I’m knitting in the round or flat, I’m always on a circular needle. But it can be a bit overwhelming for beginner knitters or those new to circulars because there are SO many different types of needles and lengths available. So I thought it would be helpful to outline some basic information about circular needle lengths should you be new to this circular world of knitting! Circular needles have 2 important measurements When purchasing circular needles, the important thing to know is that there are 2 measurements. One is the actual nee ..read more

I love knit accessories that can be worn in multiple ways. Combine that with something relatively simple to make and a fun color palette to work with too, and – voila – you have the ingredients for a lovely new knitting project! Introducing my newest design that includes all of that (simple, fun colors, versatile styling) and it’s called Magic Hour… This DK-weight shawl/wrap is constructed just like a regular top-down triangle shawl, but includes buttons (and an eyelet edge that serves as buttonholes) so it can be worn in multiple ways. I used the yarn Craggy Tweed by Farmer’s Daught ..read more