My very talented and adorable seamstress friend, Chris Bobin, just got back from a trip to England. While she was there she visited the Imperial War Museum and picked up these interesting post card versions of old wartime prints asking women to lend a hand.

Chris gave me the one on the left, and she kept the one on the right (appropriately).  Don't you just love the little button feet and the thimble hat on that guy? And that tangle of yarn is a sight I'm pretty familiar with.

They are both a really interesting look into England's dramatic WWII history. They are so lighthearted and whimsical. It's hard to imagine how terrifying those times must have really been.

Just a quick note today, because I have really big news. I just signed a book contract with Interweave Press! My book is scheduled for release in the fall of 2014, and will be a collection of about 20 all new garments and accessory designs. I'm so excited!

My husband snapped a pic of me signing the contract. There's nothing like legal forms and champagne!

Unfortunately for my blog, I am unable to talk much about the new designs until the book is released. I'm going to try to make up for it though, with a new series of blog posts that I'm calling "5 Things". With each post, I'll talk about 5 things you should know about a variety of knitting topics and techniques. Also, to keep things lively, I am inviting some guest bloggers to contribute some very special posts (I'm looking at you, Mom!)

My newest design, The Reine Cardigan, was just released in Brooklyn Tweed's third Wool People Collection! Yay!

The design has a classic silhouette and interesting details. I used Brooklyn Tweed's Loft, which is a fingering weight yarn, at a larger gauge to make the cardigan light and airy - perfect for summer.

The design features a reversible cable edging, slanted patch pockets, and garter stitch details. The main part of the cardigan is knitted in one flat piece from the bottom up, then the sleeves are worked circularly from the top down. There is one seam that runs across the back of the shoulder which adds structure, preventing the shoulders from sagging. (more details & pictures here)

My goal with this design was to make a really wearable cardigan. The challenge is that wearable can often mean ordinary. I used special details like a reversible cable edging, slanted patch pockets, and garter stitch stripes to bring this design to the next level.

I originally submitted this design along, with a couple of others, when I was invited to contribute to Wool People Volume 2. Brooklyn Tweed decided to use my Arrowhead Mittens for that collection, but asked me to hold the other two designs to potentially use in their upcoming WP3. It's hard to just sit on designs without commitment, but Reine was just so perfect for BT's new Loft yarn, that I was happy to wait. I ended up developing the third design submission for an upcoming book. I'll have more on that later!

It's always hard putting my samples in the mail, but this one was particularly difficult to let go of. Reine is such a delightful thing to wear. It goes with almost everything and it's sure to be in heavy wardrobe rotation, just as soon as I get my sample back. Here's a cool picture from BT's blog showing two ways to wear the cardigan (with positive or negative ease).

It was such an honor being asked to contribute a third time to BT's Wool People collection. Of the three, this is definitely my favorite. I'd love to hear what you all think too, so please leave a comment below!

I'm so excited because my latest pattern, God's Eye Mitts, was just released in the new special accessories issue of Knitscene Magazine. The design features a funky asymmetrical diamond color-work motif, a cute little button tab, and striped garter stitch edging.

I feel like I made these FOREVER ago. I sent them off to Knitscene way back in December. Now, in the heat of the summer, they seem a little funny. I know I'm really going to love these come fall, though. Last year, I wore my Canyon Mitts all through fall, my Juris Mitts on the coldest days of winter, and my Mrs. Myrtle Mitts through the spring. I still occasionally wear a pair of mitts in my freezing cold office!

The diamond pattern reminded me of the god's eyes I used to make when I was a kid. That craft project was probably my first introduction to yarn, so God's Eye seemed an appropriate title, especially knowing the mythology around the symbol.

For the Huichol peoples of western Mexico, the God's Eye is symbolic of the power of seeing and understanding that which is unknown and unknowable, The Mystery. -Wikipedia

I'd love to hear what you all think about this new design. Drop me a note in the comments section below!

Check out the God's Eye Mitts pattern page here on Knit Darling for more info.

I just was over at Knitting Babes checking out some old posts, and I stumbled upon this amazing song that I thought we all could enjoy!

HILLARIOUS

Sweaters aren't really what they used to be, I guess. It might be less to do with the sweater, and more to do with the undergarments. Thoughts?

My knitting blog and designer buddy, Allyson Dykhuizen, just published the inaugural issue of her highly anticipated and novel subscription ebook: Holla Knits. Allyson's design sense is right in line with my own so I jumped at the opportunity to review the collection. An $18 subscription will get you 4 issues, each with 6 patterns from various independent designers. Brilliant, and ambitious, I know!

This first ebook has a great quirky attitude featuring summery designs with contemporary silhouettes and funky graphic design. Holla Knit's 39 full color pages are filled with great photography, designer bios, and of course beautifully laid out patterns for the young hip knitter in us all. Check below for details about the awesome giveaway that I've arranged with Allyson.

1. Umbre Lovre: Design by Allyson Dykhuizen
When I first laid eyes on this off the shoulder design, I thought, now here's something I'd love to knit! It features so many of my favorite thing: STRIPES! The design also features a current silhouette that isn't featured much in magazines or books, and isn't overly fussy with unnecessary details. Despite the seemingly simple construction of this summery top, there's a lot to hold a knitters interest here. Also, using FOUR colors, you could really have some fun at the yarn shop! What colors would you choose?

2. Romp Around the Clock: Design by Lilith Ubbelohde
This is such an awesome and unusual piece. The strapless romper design has a lot of interest around the hips adding sweet feminine detailing to an area that some of us might otherwise be a little shy about. I would definitely rock one of these rompers in the spring time in Brooklyn! I love it with a blazer, but I'd also wear a long necklace or maybe a belt slung around the hips. How would you wear it?

3. Put a Belt On It: Design by Allyson Dykhuizen
This might be my favorite design in the collection. I've been dreaming of knitting a vest for like 2 years, but just haven't gotten it together to do so. This design has a lot going on: cable panels on the back add interest, and I'm always a sucker for multi-directional knitting. Allyson put together a great video where you can see the design in action on two different models.

(Check out the videos for each design on the Holla Knits individual pattern pages)

4. Finishing School: Design by Katie Canavan
Finishing School is a sleeveless top with tailored details and a retro feel. Reminiscent of the collar on a US Navy uniform, the striking lines on this top make this an eye catching project that is sure to turn heads. I love the curved hem and contrasting colored details. It has a really interesting construction, knitted from the front hem, up over the shoulders, and worked back down to the back hem. Wouldn't this be a super cute trendy summer shirt in mint green with navy details?

5. In a While Crocodile: Design by Allyson Dykhuizen
This is a great basic raglan style tee with some interesting crocheted details on the sleeves that add depth and texture to this otherwise simple garment. The design features knitted hems, waist shaping, and delicate purl stripes on the sleeves. This a great base pattern with so many possibilities for further embellishment. For instance, wouldn't it be adorable with a button tab at the collar, or in a tunic length, or in stripes? What would you add to this pattern to make it your own?

6. Holla Back Tank: Design by Emma Welford.
It's another clean simple garment from the front, but turn around and surprise, LACE! What a super functional piece for the summer months.  It's hard to believe that this is the first garment pattern from this new designer. I'm excited to see what Emma comes up with next!

Get a subscription (a steal at $18/year) or the individual patterns ($6 per) at the Holla Knits shop now.

Wait, there's GIVEAWAY too!
Tell me which is your favorite design from the Holla Knits collection in the comments section of this post, for your chance to win that pattern. But WAIT, there's MORE! If you tweet about your favorite pattern @alexiswinslow and @sweatshopoflove you'll be entered too. So don't be shy; I love to hear what you think!

CONTEST ENDS ON MONDAY, APRIL 30th

Last Fall, while my dear friend Sascha was planning her wedding, I offered to make her something as a gift. As I mentioned in an older post, she requested that I knit a fancy little bolero to go with her wedding dress. I got to work, and designed the Georgina Cardigan (pattern sold here). Sascha requested a few modifications to the original design, such as a shorter length, an open front with a daintier collar, and tighter fitting sleeves.

Getting this project together was so much fun! Before one of Sascha's dress fittings, I stopped into La Casita Yarn Shop and bought one skein of any kind of yarn that I thought might work. Sascha picked her favorite, and I exchanged all the rejects for this DELICIOUS PILE OF AWESOME!

Louisa Harding Willow Tweed is as beautiful knitted up as it is in the skein. It's a much finer yarn than the Berroco Ultra Alpaca that I originally designed Georgina with. I thought this choice would compliment the antique lace in Sascha's wedding dress nicely.

This is such a fun pattern to knit, I could hardly put it down! I even worked on it while on vacation. It flew off my needles, taking just a few weeks to complete. I was so nervous when Sascha tried it on for the first time!

It all worked out though. Doesn't Sascha looks so pretty?!

This is moments before the wedding. I have no idea what I'm doing there. Pre-wedding massage, perhaps?

Awww....

Double Awww.... (awww...)

It was such an honor to create something for Sascha, someone who is so special to me, to wear on her wedding day.

Did you wear something handmade on your big day? Did you make it yourself? Was it a gift, or borrowed? I thought it would be a good idea to make my own wedding dress. I was obviously out of my mind!

Delancey Cardigan pattern in five new plus sizes (yay!). I've posted it for sale here at knitdarling and on my Ravelry page.

I was inspired to do this because of the upcoming knit-along sponsored by Allyson Dykhuizen at her Sweat Shop of Love blog. A nice lady who wanted to participate wrote me to see if I could help her modify the pattern to a plus size. I thought I'd do one better!

I'm publishing this pattern separately for several reasons. Most importantly, because it's not just the same pattern in bigger sizes. I've done some research on grading for plus sizes, and have learned that they work differently than their smaller counterparts. While the end result will look just like the original Delancey, the instructions are different, and the fit is intended to flatter a different type of body.

I hope to get some pictures soon of one of the plus sizes, so please stay tuned for that!

I'm so curious, what are some of your favorite plus size designs/designers? What do you look for in a plus size pattern that some designers just don't seem to get? I'd love to hear your opinions, so please leave a comment below!

 

I am so happy to introduce my latest pattern, the Arrowhead Mittens, that were just released in Brooklyn Tweed's "Wool People Volume 2" Collection!

The pattern features a bold zig-zag and arrow color-work design that is worked from a chart, and an unusual twisted garter stitch hem that looks something like a cable, but a bit softer. Both design elements make for a unique look that is both interesting to knit, and is sure to inspire compliments.

They were a lot of fun to design, and even more fun to knit. Even though I used size 1 needles, I couldn't believe how fast they knitted up (done in under a week).

The pattern, selling for $6, is available on Ravelry, or through Brooklyn Tweed's Website. I've posted some of their pictures on Knit Darling here.

I love the strong contrasting colors in this sample, because they really show off the design. I used a beautiful pinkish grey called Postcard, and a nice dark brown called Pumpernickle in the Brooklyn Tweed Loft yarn.  I think the mittens would also look great using a neutral color for the background and an intensely colored bright yarn for the contrast. Maybe a light tweedy taupe with a bright turquoise or burnt orange. What colors would you pick for your arrowhead mittens?

You may have noticed a few weeks ago that I slipped in a couple new patterns; The Juris Mitts and the Tilt Cowl were released in the new Interweave Knits Accessories magazine.
You can purchase and download this issue here.

The Juris Mitts pattern is for a basic uni-sex pair of convertible mittens with tipless gloves. The Mittens have gotten a great response and have been gaining popularity on Ravelry. It’s so neat to see everyone’s project pictures!

I love this pattern so much, that I made myself a pair. It’s been absolutely frigid in New York, so needless to say, these mittens are my new favorite thing! I left the tip off of the right thumb so I could still use my iphone, though having my thumb out all the time has been amazingly useful for all sorts of things. For example, just check out this super awesome thumbs up I am able to achieve.

I originally made these gloves in secret as a Christmas gift for my husband. I started them when I was picked to serve on a jury. The trial lasted for more than two weeks so I had the perfect opportunity to knit under the radar! Below are the original gloves that I made for him:

My other pattern in the magazine, the Tilt Cowl, is another must-have basic that would make a great easy gift for a guy or a girl.

I also originally made this for my husband. He's not a big fan of scarves, which would be absolutely heartbreaking for many knitters. Despite his egregious misjudgment of neckwear, like any good knitter, I insisted that he needed something to keep him warm. After all, he does ride his bike to work everyday, even in January.  This cowl seemed like a good solution for his neck coldness issues. I'm happy to say that he does actually wear it.

I’d love to hear what you all think. Does your husband think scarves are sissy too? Please leave a comment in the section below!