Turtle :: Knitting Inspiration ::

Sincerely Jules

Happy Tuesday everyone! Well, I love turtle necks - just the name is brilliant. And there are in fashion this winter, but shouldn't they always be in fashion when it gets really cold (or that just too practical of me?). I love how Sincerely Jules styled hers (I may also want her bag, and shoes, but that is another discussion). And since seeing this picture, I have been researching knitting patterns. 

I have to tell you, I have a favourite - Beaubourg by Julie Hoover.If you were looking for more texture, you might be interested in another pattern by Birch Bay.  I love the collar of Lanvad (and it is knitted in one of my favourite yarn). If you are looking for oversized Chaleur might be for you (I may have 3 Julie Hoover's designs, it is only coincidence). Flet - a bit more tailored - looks great too (and based on Ravelry's pics, it seems to look great on everyone too. The plain and simple pullover by Veera Välimäki is a free pattern worth considering too. I am not a fan, but I think this free pattern does provide a good basis to make your own turtle neck jumper. 

So what is your pick? Which colour would you go for?

Pattern Picks| BT Fall Vol. 14 {Knitting}

*For a chance to win one yard of organic cotton fabric dyed naturally

please make sure you enter the giveaway here*

It is out... Another 16 patterns released yesterday by the designer team over at Brooklyn Tweed - and if you are a fan of cables you are in for a treat. These patterns are meant to be knitted in the long nights that are coming with the winter. It is intricate work - and some patterns are beautiful. However I am not totally overwhelmed by one pattern - they are all very beautiful, just maybe not my style, or some awkward shaping? 

I do have some favourites - and it is interesting to compare my favourites to the ones on Ravelry (if you go on the pattern list, you can see for instance that Wake is currently the favourite but does not feature on my list). 

I am not sure what is more appealing - the styling of Ludlow (love the burnt orange/electric blue combo) or the geometric pattern. I like the idea that there is no wrong side to the wrap. It mentions that this would be a project that you can leave and pick up whenever you want, again probably the sort of project that would appeal to me right now, or when the baby is here. I do love a big stole to wrap around my neck in winters. 

I think I like Backbay, but I definitely don't like it in that colour. It reminds me of course of Berenice from BT Kids - and I would actually consider make a short sleeves version of it to layer on top of a chambray shirt - an all-year-round garment. I am not sure about the bottom ribbing, it looks funny - maybe it is a question of proportions, a longer ribbing may be better? 

I am not as inspired by Skiff as I was by Bough but it may be a great hat for Mr MiH especially in that chocolate brown colour. I do love the cable work and how it comes together at the crown of the hat. There is a slouchy version too, but even with the addition of a pompom, and we know how much I like a pompom, Bough still wins. 

Rowe would be like my ultimate knit. Chunky ribbing, amazing cable work - I would be impressed if I were able to every finish it, and how amazing would that be. It would be perfect for the winter. But I have to be realistic, this is not going to happen this year - or until I have to attend the boys' sport training sessions, and get 'free' time to knit. 

Tiller may be also a  for Mr MiH . I gave Wayfarer to my Mum - Mr MiH was never wearing it, and then he decided (of course) that he liked it... The net of it is that I owe him a scarf, and Tiller might just be the ticket. I think it is probably too chunky for me, but at 6'2 Mr MiH could handle all that pattern. Also I think I would be learning quite a few techniques from it, a bonus of course. 

So what is your favourite? What did you think? Other patterns, and beautiful photographs are of course on line in the Ebook available here.

Pattern Picks | BT Kids {Knitting}

As you can imagine I was very excited about the prospect of Brooklyn Tweed publishing a volume solely dedicated to patterns for kids. It is lucky that 1/ I am a slow knitter, and 2/ that Baby MiH is a size bigger than 18 mo, as the pattern sizing starts at 2-year old. However there are a blanket, teddy bear and cushion patterns that may be able to adorn the second baby bedroom. 

So what do I think? Well, I am not a fan of fair isle, and there is quite a bit of fair isle (the inspiration of the volume is classic traditional knitwear). There is a definite BT vibe to the volume, and there are some very cute patterns - if you were knitting for a girl. I suppose with boys, it seems that you always find the same silhouettes, they are cute of course, but nothing I have not seen before.

So here are my picks (for the boys)... 

The Sock Monkey Sweater, by the one and only Jared Flood. Looks cool, easy to put on (see head opening, very important in the morning) - and you can probably have a fair few declinations of this sweater whether you knit in block colour, or with the different colours. It has a lot of potential and is quite a timeless design. 

Only added the picture of Humphrey the bear because of that super cute little face - OMG, the best picture ever. Could I possibly knit this bear just so I can try to have the same picture, am I that crazy? well maybe I am... We will have to see.

The cutest cushion ever - Winslow - would challenge my knitting skills, but I may be ready for the challenge, just so that I can have Winslow in my house..

 

I love this jumper, but I know for a fact that Baby MiH will never want to wear it and it would be a struggle when it is the last remaining clean item of clothing in his wardrobe. I will have to keep the pattern for when he is older, and does not mind being dressed in the morning..

Wyatt is pretty cool - again check out that neck opening which will make my life easier in the morning. The stitch used seems simple enough - so I could probably finish it easily. I do love the colour it has been knitted in for the photoshoot.

 

I know I said patterns to suit the boys, but this is not for Baby MiH, this is a call to the BT's team to have Berenice in an adult size, please, pretty please. I love that pattern. 

So what is your favourite? What did you think? Other patterns, and beautiful photographs are of course on line in the Ebook available here.