Spats, Hats and More

And there are more!

 Strictly Stylish Spats by Susan Crawford.

This weekend has seen the released of another four patterns which include a brand new design from Susan. Stricty Stylish Spats is a great project for a beginner or to carry in your handbag and that will make you stand out from the crowd when you wear them. They make a great introduction to short row shaping, if you're new to that or just want to practice on a small project.

There’s also an updated of Susan’s pretty Hair Bow pattern which has had a rewrite.

 Hair Bow by Susan Crawford

We also have to offer a revised version of WoollyWormhead’s sideways-knit slouchy hat, Ziggy, below, which comes with all-new charts.

 Ziggy by Woolly Wormhead

…and top of that there is the popular Taj Mahal summer top by Gudrun Johnston which would be just right for this time of year (in the northern hemisphere, of course!)

Taj Mahal by Gudrun Johnston

You can find all of the patterns on the What’s New page at knitonthenet.

Find knitonthenet all over the Web

With such a flurry of new social media out there, it may well be hard to know where to find us. Are we pinterested or not? Are we displaying our pictures on photobucket or flickr? Well indeed. We do extend our web presence beyond just the main knitonthenet site and the blog and below I have updated whereabouts you can find knitonthenet on the web. Just find us by clicking on the links.

Knitonthenet has a Facebook page, a Twitter stream, a Flickr group (that is in it's small beginnings, but which we'd love you to add your photographs to) and a Ravelry group that has been a little quiet of late. Please do come along and put your two penneth in about the site as we'd love to talk! Oh, and if you're already on Ravelry, you could always pop in to our two sister groups, Just Call Me Susan (for our lovely editor, Susan's knitting patterns) or A Stitch in Time 2008, which is exactly as it says!

Fern by Catherine Wilson

You can also find Arbour House Publishing on both Facebook and Twitter. AHP isn't as chatty as knitonthenet, but we put out all the important book information there, so it's well worth checking if you're wondering about how we're getting on with A Stitch in Time volume 2.

It's not exactly social media, but don't forget too, that you can sign up for all of the latest news from knitonthenet at the top right hand side of any page of the site, by filling in the form. You can click here to read our latest email newsletter to go out to knitonthenet subscribers, if you aren't signed up already and would like to see the sort of newsletter that you'd be recieving.

Sea-Waves and Sunny Days Ahead by Susan Crawford from A Stitch in Time vol 1

Well now you know where we are, why not hop over and join in the conversation about knitting bathing costumes in the A Stitch in Time group on Ravelry. I bet you want to knit one...

Happy internetting
Ingrid x

A Stitch in Time 2: On Film!

We were lucky enough at one of the most recent photoshoots for  A Stitch in Time Volume 2 to have a film student, Scott Willis videoing us behind the scenes. Scott is one of Susan's daughter, Charlie's friends from university where they are both studying film. At first it was a strange feeling, having the day documented on film, but we all got used to it very quickly and Scott's camera blended into the background. He got some really wonderful footage and has since spent lots of time editing it down into this fabulous film. It gives a real sense of both the photoshoot and of the forthcoming book. Do enjoy it!


A Stitch In Time Photo Shoot from Scott Willis on Vimeo.

There is a lot more information on Susan's blog about the knitted garments that are featured, so do click on over and have a read.

More Patterns Updated! (19th May edition)

We are pleased to announce that we've two more of our patterns up on the site once more, from our back catalogue. If you've been waiting for either Molly or Venta, wait no longer.

 

 Molly is a lovely hat by top hat-designer Woolly Wormhead. It was inspired by Molly Ringwald as Andie in Pretty in Pink, with her quirky and individual style of dressing and her love of the colour pink! This hat is knitted sideways on straight needles using short rows for shaping. The hat is then joined together invisibly using kitchener stitch (grafting).

With both written and charted instructions, the pattern is multi-sized with three sizes to ensure the perfect fit.

The lace panel and frilled brim hark back to the seventies and before that to mop caps of the victorian era. It is also a fabulous stash buster using only 100 grams of yarn.

You can find Molly by clicking here.

Venta is a versatile neck warmer designed by Ingrid Murnane (that's me!) It was inspired by a pub discussion about the perfect scarf / neck warmer which could keep your face, neck and décolletage warm in one garment.

It uses the Roman Rib stitch pattern to create stretch and texture. Knitted flat, it fastens with 23 buttons which can be done up all the way for protection against icy winds or alternatively some buttons can be left open to create a collar, as seen in the picture. It can be worn with or without a coat, in place of a scarf and is a unisex pattern. Although fitting much like a cowl around the neck, the ribbing pattern allows it to stay in place.

You can find the pattern page for Venta by clicking here.

We'll keep you updated as to which patterns are back up, here on the blog, on the facebook page, in the ravelry group, in our twitter feed, and of course, in the newsletter (sign up at the top right of any page of knitonthenet). 

Happy knitting

Ingrid x

All images copyright Arbour House Publishing

New Pattern: Carol

Carol is an unusual asymmetrical top from French-Canadian designer Isabelle Boutin. Isabelle has been designing for a few years now, but this is her first design for knitonthenet. She is working on having all of her designs eventually available in both English and French, reflecting her heritage.

 Carol uses a combination of two lace patterns, i-cord and some interesting construction techniques, so this might be a good garment to make in order to challenge your existing knitting techniques and learn something new. It is knitted up in a sport weight yarn and is available in six sizes to fit bust 30" to 50". The pattern is rated skill level three (of three).

 We think that Carol is a very versatile top that will be perfect for any occasion. Worn under a jacket to go to work, layered over a long sleeved tee or worn alone for a sunny summer afternoon or even to go out at night, you can wear it in many ways.

You can find Carol here on knitonthenet where the pattern is available for download for £4.00 sterling, and there is a Ravelry page too, if you're a member.
Do let us know if you knit one.

Happy knitting
Ingrid x

All images copyright Arbour House Publishing.

Festivals and Flags

Last Sunday saw the very first Vintage festival at Farnham Maltings.

My chap, Giles and I donned our most comfortable vintage-looking clothes and went on our way. We didn’t go that far back, perhaps to the 60s or 70s. We definitely felt ‘the part’ while we were there and that was what mattered. We had a splendid morning and came back with some wonderful bookish finds from the festival. We’re really hoping they do another next year, for which we will make more of an effort in order to perhaps be in with a chance for the Best Dressed contest.

As well as having a fabulous time perusing the rails of pinnies and needlework books of old (me) and the rather large selection of vintage cameras (Giles), we also made a few purchases.

The tantalising stack of books above, comprises three bound volumes of Stitchcraft from the early 1930s and 1940s (you can read more about them in a post on my own blog, here)…and underneath is an original guide to the Festival of Britain in 1951. 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the national exhibition which opened in London on 3rd May 1951.  The Festival was put on in a time when Britain was in ruins from bombing and still living with austerity measures after the Second World War. It was part of a larger strategy to aid the feeling of recovery and to promote quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities following the war.

The Festival also celebrated the centenary of the 1851 Great Exhibition, an anniversary in itself. The main exhibition site was on the South Bank in London, but lots of others were held in other parts of London, Glasgow and many other festival sites around the country.

The picture above shows the layout on the South Bank in London. Buildings such as the Royal Festival Hall were built especially for the festival and remain today. This particular piece of Thames riverside was given a complete overhaul, having previously been shipping wharves, but for 4 months in 1951 it was the centre of Britain's cultural universe.

This year's 60th anniversary celebrations this summer sound like a lot of good fun. There will be all sorts of music, art exhibitions, a literary festival, vintage stylings and lots more. Although many of the original features won't be there, I'm going to take my 1951 guidebook with me and see if I can recreate the original in my mind, if not in reality.

 

I think a really great thing to wear at the South Bank would be Helene Magnusson's Flag cardigan don't you? I can see visitors wrapped up in wonderfully patriotic garb in the evenings, whilst watching some outdoor comedy and enjoying a cup of tea.

You could get one knitted, if you started now, you know...

Happy knitting
Ingrid x

A Sneak Peek: The Jan Sweater

Just a few of days ago we released this gorgeous pattern to everybody who has pre-ordered A Stitch in Time Volume 2 (and this is the pattern that any new pre-orders will also receive as a PDF). It is called The Jan Sweater.

Copyright Arbour House Publishing 2011

Susan says: Jan is knitted in Excelana 4 ply using the shade Powdered Egg. The original design is from 1938. It features a classic boat neck and deep ribbed welt. The lace pattern is very easy to follow particularly as the body is unshaped between the welt and the underarm.

Copyright Arbour House Publishing 2011

On this jumper, the front and the back are worked exactly the same (as are the arms, of course). The lace pattern is easy to follow and the sweater is very flattering, with a boat neck. Jan is a good project for people knitting their first garment, or who have not yet dipped their needles into vintage knitting. If you'd like to see some more specifics of the pattern and are a member of Ravelry, the project page is here.
 
Don't forget that you can still pre-order A Stitch in Time volume 2 from the knitonthenet shop and recieve:

A signed copy of A Stitch in Time Volume Two
A Susan Crawford project bag
Discount vouchers
PDF preview pattern

 for £30 + £4 P&P to anywhere in the world.

Happy knitting
Ingrid x

Evangeline: first the pattern, now the kit!

Evangeline is a gorgeous hat pattern that was originally featured in Issue 10 of knitonthenet. Designed by Just call me Ruby this quick knit is inspired by 1920s and 30s cloche hats. As you may have seen, we have recently launched a series of knitting kits on the knitonthenet shop, and Evangeline is the latest.

The construction of Evangeline is updated from the interwar originals in that short rows and seamless shaping are used. The hat is also knitted in contrast to many original patterns which were crocheted. If you remember the wonderful BBC series, The House of Eliott you may have guessed that this pattern was named after Louise Lombard's character.

Although the picture above shows the contents of the kit to make a Greta turban, the Evangeline kit is presented in the same lovely red jute project bag, and includes the following.

1 skein Babylonglegs SW Merino DK

3.25mm needles, 4mm circular needle, 4mm double pointed needles

1 vintage button

Pattern Booklet

In short, everything you'll need to make your own Evangeline. The kits are available in a range of four colourways: A - Rusty Cage, B -Purple Tempest, C- Grue and D - Caramel.

Evangeline is the perfect hat on which to show off a lovely vintage button too, which is included in a colour and style to fit in with whichever colourway of yarn you have chosen for your Evangeline kit.

You can buy an Evangeline hat kit from the knitonthenet shop for £25.00.

New Pattern: Myrtle Knitting Bag

 In the first of five posts focusing on our newest knitonthenet patterns, we take a look at the Myrtle knitting bag. I already posted the design story to my own blog, so instead of rewriting it, I'll share it with you here.

Myrtle is a knitting bag that would easily double as a bag for the beach. The pattern used in the bag is the brickwork stitch pattern, which is known in the US as the 'ball band' pattern (although I've never found out why - do you know?)

The bag has its roots in a real knitting bag. My grandmother, Myrtle, kept her knitting patterns in a patchwork, brick patterned bag while I was growing up. My Mum tells me that it was made in the 1950s, while she was a girl and by the time I remember it, in the early '80s it was well worn to say the least.
I stayed with my grandparents on the Isle of Wight often when I was growing up, and whenever we went out for the day, the bag would be used. It carried our sandwiches, a flask of tea and a bottle of squash, and of course, Nan's knitting.

I wanted to recreate something from this memory for today. As well as taking my handbag with me, I like a market type bag to take on a day out. One that you can fit lots of knitting into, but that doesn't get in your way held on your arm while you peruse the seaside postcards. A knitting bag that you could also use to throw in a light book, some marmite sandwiches and run with to catch the train to the coast. You have to wrap up the sandwiches well though, you understand. Don't want the marmite getting on your knitting ;)

So, to the specifics: I used a cotton DK (Jo Sharpe's Soho Summer), to give ithe bag that slouchy look, but also so it would dry out easily if you (horror of horrors) accidentally dangled it in the sea while knitting on the sea wall.

 

You knit the bag base-first, with the body picked-up and knitted in the round. The opening is finished with an i-cord cast off. There's a lining to make and add if you wish, and you'll need a set of handles too. The ones that I used were donated by Susan. I love them.

The bag's finished dimensions are 40cm x 16cm x 30cm (16 x 12 x 6.5 inches). I have been keeping my many, many UFOs in it and let me tell you, you can fit in a fair few!
Myrtle is available to download here on knitonthenet, and costs £4 sterling. Do let me know if you knit one.

Happy knitting
Ingrid x

p.s As we've been asked a few times, here's some extra info. The top in the pictures is called 'Have You Made a Jumper Yet?" and is the first garment in A Stitch in Time, Volume 1. The design is originally from 1921 and Susan included it in the photoshoot as we are planning to do a blog post on how vintage garments can also be worn in a very contemporary way.

All images copyright Arbour House Publishing