Designer comments from Rox This stuffed brim hat is one I’ve wanted to make again for many years, and this seemed like the perfect time. In the course of the project I realized that celebrating Mother’s day can continue even after one has no more mothers physically remaining. I remember that special glint in my [...]
Zara Franks is an innovative design entrepreneur based in San Francisco, founder of VENN Apparel. Her new accessory collection in tussah silk develops a statement that is elegantly simple yet sensuous, artful in its resonance with nature. Since the design process is so mysterious, we thought it would interest our readers to hear Zara’s take [...]
Lingo has called out to be a skirt ever since we started this line. Years ago Artfibers had a linen blend that worked very nicely for “pattern evolution shaping”. Lingo, being 100% linen seemed even more ideal for this technique, so I began experimenting with stitch patterns. What is “pattern evolution shaping”, you might ask. [...]
TUBA is a handsome cowl, quickly knit. High ‘apparent value’ makes it a perfect gift. The almost architectural depth of texture comes from a seldom used but easy technique called Float Stitch. The design is by Roxanne Seabright (Rox), founder of Artfibers, the mill that produces the yarn in the pictures. We show it here [...]
Multistranding combines two or more strands in each stitch, as you create a knit or crocheted fabric. The technique is also called carrying along, since the multiple strands are held together and worked as one. You can think of the resulting fabric as a kind of tweed, but much less regular in pattern than the [...]
In a world where praise is rare, it is both a pleasure and privilege to offer it. This post is wholehearted, unabashed praise for the work of another knitter/blogger, Smashingpuffin, from London. We can say little here to compare with her own words (here, here, and here), so please go to her blog and read [...]
Jody Meese sent pictures of two wonderful projects in Artfibers yarns, a LINGO (linen) hat and a GINKO (bamboo) top. Rox (in italics) interviewed Jody by email: Rox: Your sun hat, where did you find the pattern? Jody: It’s a Kristi Porter design from her new book “Knitting in the Sun”. She says she was [...]
Bee stitch is my favorite honeycomb stitch. It is easy to do, gives great texture and depth and holds its shape even loose knit. It is all knit stitches, but with an unusual element called “Knit Below”. The first time I used Bee stitch for a garment was while lying in bed with a flu/cold [...]
Forrest knew he wanted to learn to knit as soon as he entered the store. “I’d like to knit a sweater!” he said to me. I said it sounded pretty ambitious, but anything is possible. His grandmother Carole had come to buy some Artfibers yarns to make items to sell. I could see that she had passed her ‘focus’ gene down to ‘almost seven’ year old Forrest when we sat down for his first lesson.
His first knitwear design was actually a scarf in 3 beautifully chosen colors of Satori and Kyoto yarn. I showed him the cast on technique and he said “is it like tying my shoes – because I haven’t learned that yet.” I cast on about 16 stitches slowly so he could see that process, then showed him each subtle step to making a knit stitch. I gave him the needles and guided him a little on the first few stitches of his own.
“I have finished my sweater, the rib lace pullover and it is truly the most beautiful item I have ever made. I love it and I loved working with that yarn. I will try to send you a photo as you requested.”
“I am wondering if you would possibly have a pattern recommendation or search site for a V neck men’s vest, pullover that I could make with one of your beautiful fibers. My husband loves my sweater so much he would like me to make him a vest. I may also utilize your customized pattern service in making this for him.”
