Swatch Diaries

windowsill

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

oxalis.

beautiful whimsy

2012-02-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

These are some outtakes from Scarves etc....the shawl is Kat Coyle's design. I love her sensibility—the lace is both alluring to wear and knit. And, those bobbley-bits from the picot edging make me smile.

little cuffs

2012-02-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

These are 2 new designs--both for Immie. I'm hoping to release the top one some time this month. The bottom one is a part of a little collection that I'm hoping to release in March. I'm so excited to have some new little things for the babe!
left: chickadee/clay
right: chickadee/petal

yummy

2012-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

color palette: kittywake heathers, pomegranate, clay, and carrie's yellow

2012-02-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

I like to doodle.

studio

2012-02-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

Karen's side of our studio is very inspiring. I love sharing this space with her. Sometime, I'd love to take pictures of her work and share them here, if she'll let me...

miriam, oh miriam

2012-01-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

Back on Miriam...so sorry for the delay! It's been a long week and I have lots of excuses (had to put a cat down, gave away my bunny love boy, Immie is sick again, photo shoot with the amazing Cecily....) but I won't bore you with all that.

I have an updated version of Miriam available...email me at info@quinceandco.com if you bought it already and would like a fresh copy.

Here's what is different: the row gauge and the needle size. After many swatches, I ended up with 25 stitches and 37 rows equaling four inches on a US 4, steam-blocked. So, hopefully that is an easily achievable gauge for everyone!

And I just want to point out that the gauge is not wrong on the first pattern. There is a living example of it working right here in front of me. So, if you have already started knitting with that version and aren't having any problems, then go forth!

Also, I'd like to mention (and I'm sure you all do this anyway) that it is a good idea to do to your swatch what you do to the final sweater. If you are going to wet-block your sweater, then wet-block your gauge swatch...if you're going to steam it, then steam the swatch...etc. There was one part of the story I didn't mention and that was that the swatch was washed and the final sweater was steamed. Could this be the culprit? The reason the sweater gauge was different than the target gauge? Perhaps, but we never measured before steaming, so at this point it's a guessing game. And at this point, I'd like to just look to the future and get to work on knitting my Miriam.

So...has anyone ever knit a black sweater before? I haven't, but am going to give it a whirl. I think I'll get a lot of wear out of a little black cardi. So....casting on....

2012-01-26T12:12:00.000-08:00

A little belfast hoodie for Immie. Was supposed to be for her bday...better late than never! Still need buttons.

clementine

2012-01-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

yum.

gauge

2012-01-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

So, I understand there are a lot of knitter's out there having trouble with Miriam's gauge which is 6.25 sts to the inch on US 6 needles. Pam and I both swatched last week and we realized that the pattern needs to be tweaked because we both had to go way down on our needles. I have worked 2 swatches so far and got 25 sts (=4") on one swatch and 26 sts on the other--both on size US 3 needles. Pam was able to get 25 sts on US 3. So, needless to say, the pattern's needle size will be updated.

Let me give you the behind-the-scenes story. The pattern was written just about a year ago now and it took a while for me to perfect it. So the instructions didn't end up going to the knitter (the uber talented Bristol Ivy) until mid-summer. We're not sure if it was the heat/humidity of summer that made her knit tight or what, but somehow Bristol's gauge was different than my written pattern. The tech editor (the super wonderful knitter/crocheter/designer/tech editor Kristen TenDyke) ended up altering the gauge in the pattern to reflect the gauge of the knitted piece. SO, that's the scoop. Not very exciting...but now you know what I know.

So, I'm not sure why I got 2 different gauges on my 2 swatches, which were both knit with chickadee. One swatch was knit with Heathers and the other was in Leek. Maybe I was anxious and knit the second a little tighter? A slight difference in the heathers yarn? Oh, the mysteries of gauge! But, I am going to knit a third to swatch to see if I can get 6.25 sts to the inch (with yarn I will be casting on Miriam with). That's right. Anyone up for a knit-a-long? Or maybe I'll just see some of you over in the Quince & Co. group on Ravelry?

Thanks for your patience, knitters. I know this must have been frustrating for some of you. Please feel free to share your thoughts (and gauge!) in the comments section.

Pattern update very soon.

xo
c

a lesson learned

2012-01-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

I had a little visitor today! And she was wearing her booties around my office, but apparently I need to do a better job attaching pom-poms. You can see there was still one left (out of 4), but today she took care of that for me. She'd rather eat 'em than wear 'em. Oh, babies.

clemence

2012-01-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

So, I don't think I ever posted that I have a cowl, Clemence, in Wool People 2. Yes, I know, the cowl obsession continues (and actually, I have one more that will be released next month).

Here, Clemence is knit in lark/delft—you can't beat the stitch definition in that yarn! Need to weave in a few ends so I can photograph this baby properly.

2012-01-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

Winter light at Q's favorite marsh.

2012-01-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

I bought this book at Fiddlehead a while ago. Lots of girl clothing inspiration.

2012-01-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

feather and fan stitch.
yarn: chickadee
color: petal

2012

2012-01-06T13:01:00.001-08:00

It seems like I should have a way more interesting post after 2 holidays--but I have been taking it easy and have been putting my extra energy into giving my babe some special nurturing. Immie got really sick New Year's day (of course we were visiting with friends in Brooklyn) and so we spent a few unnerving hours at the Park Slope ER. She's on the mend THANK GOODNESS...finally crawling around the house and leaving our laps to play for a few moments at a time on her own.
I hope you all had a wonderful and more relaxing New Year's Day than me. I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to 2012! Lots of fun knits to come (I hope). And...next week is Imogen's first birthday!!

2011-12-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

Immie's Christmas stocking.

miriam

2011-12-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

Well, my devotion to garter stitch continues in my new pattern, Miriam. Strange how this cardi looks a lot like my December booties, huh? Well, I guess I inspired myself with gray, garter stitch. Heehee.

I fancy this cardi because it is easy to knit and easy to wear. And, it was knit with Kumlien's Gull—a favorite heathers shade of mine.

sew more

2011-12-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

I made Immie this fun cat skirt for xmas. Because every girl needs a cat skirt. Right?
Fabric is from one of the cutest fabric shops ever (in Belfast, ME)

winner

2011-12-12T05:45:00.001-08:00

And the winner is....Anne! Please email your full name and address to: maddermade@gmail.com.

Thank you everyone! Your comments were very sweet and much appreciated.

xo
c

my first giveaway

2011-12-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment below to be entered in the contest to win one skein of Lark/Kumlien's Gull, four pom-poms (made just last night), and the pattern for my December Booties. I'll announce the winner on Monday!

december booties

2011-12-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

I made these December booties as a Christmas gift for Imogen. Monday night I knit the first one and Tuesday night I knit the second. I'm sure those of you who can stay up past 9pm could knit them both in one night.

These are knit with Lark in Kumlien's Gull and the pom-poms add a little pop of color (these are created with Peacock, Leek, Carrie's Yellow and Pomegranate). Oh, and they are for babes: 12-18 months.

Can't wait to give them to her! Maybe I should give them to her as an early Christmas present?? I can't decide. But, there's still time to make these before the holiday if you need a last-minute baby gift.

xo
c

Also available on Ravelry.

2011-12-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

Pom-poms for Immie.

new tote

2011-12-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

Check it out...I made this bag! Can you believe it? I love sewing. I love fabric. I'm feeling a little obsessed.

2011-11-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

I had my last photo shoot with Chloe for a while...she's leaving to live in Merida, Yucatan for a few months. Wouldn't I LOVE to go down there for a little photo shoot??? (Yes.)

Afterwards, we warmed up at Scratch Bakery. I picked up their new magazine, Baker's Notes, which was wonderfully touched (design & Art Direction) by More & Co. The recipe I can't wait to bake? CHOCOLATE Chocolate chocolate (cake). Oh, it's a sweet issue. Yum.

leila babe cap

2011-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

On the drive to Rhinebeck I knit Immie a new cap. I replaced tern with chickadee (pomegranate) using my Leila Babe cap pattern. Not bad!

Yesterday was yet another mild, beautiful day. Immie and I wandered around the yard and looked at all the leaves that need to be raked(!). And, she let me photograph her (briefly) wearing her new cap. Thanks, babe, I love ya.

I know this is a ridiculous amount of photos to post, but I couldn't help myself.

2011-11-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

I just found this picture of Chloe from our first photo shoot together and thought I'd post it for fun. She's wearing Pam's High Street cap.

finch

2011-11-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

The newest member to the Quince family is here! Erin, you were right about the name—how did you guess?
Well, it is great to hear about what some of your wishes are...will keep note of those comments for the future.

ps: OH...Finch is a sweet 4-ply yarn in all of our 37 colors, plus 4 shades of Heathers. Will post swatches soon.

new bird

2011-11-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Something new will be added to the Quince website next week! I'm really excited. I'll give you a hint: It's not the mug.

bittersweet

2011-11-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

You invasive beauty, you.

coastal knits

2011-10-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hello there, thanks for dropping by! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Carrie and I work as Art Director for Quince & Company. I do all the photography at Q, so taking snaps of knitwear is a usual occurrence. But, it is not everyday that I get invited to photograph a collection of garments for such a special project. I was honored and up for the task.

Actually, let me back up a bit and tell you about how Hannah and I first met. Do you mind Hannah?? Several years ago I moved here to Portland, Maine and was trying to find some work as a photo assistant. Diane (of the infamous Ferdinand) gave me the name of her friend Hannah, a local wedding photographer. Yes, that's right—both Hannah and I started off doing wedding photography! We corresponded, though didn't actually meet until a year or so later when I was working at the Fibre Company's mill. We both made the transition from wedding photography to knitting....because that's what everybody does, right? Strange...we were destined to work together.

So, Hannah asked me earlier this year if I'd be up for doing the photography for Coastal Knits. There were a few ideas kicking around, but eventually it was settled that Alana would photograph her pieces and I'd photograph Hannah's. I do believe, it all worked out for the best. Alana was able to capture the beauty of her west coast locations so nicely. And, since I share Hannah's love for this area, I hope I was able to capture a little of the magic of Maine.

I thought I'd keep things brief for the rest of this post and just show you some outtakes from the East Coast photo shoot.

The first location was Two Lights.

We started the day at dawn.

Had the most amazing morning fog. Dreamy.

Second location: Willard Beach

The fog held on. No complaints here.

We took a quick snack break at Scratch.

Third location: Casco Bay Ferry Lines
The fog was lifting.

Jocelyn, our model, was a natural.

Love this one in Sparrow!!

Fourth location: Eastern Promenade

The sun was out in full swing, so we hid under a tree.

Fifth location: The West End

The image below is the very last shot from this session. J was really workin' it. I believe this photo actually made it into the book but, I love it so much I had to include it here. I really like that L.L.Bean dress, too! Oh, and I should mention that amazing Volvo belongs to Hannah's husband, Abe. (Thanks for letting us cruise around town in it. So much fun.)

And, the oh so pretty streets of the West End.

That's it! Thanks for coming. And a big Thank you to Hannah & Alana for including me in Coastal Knits.
xo
c

yarn yarn yarn

2011-10-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have been super busy lately...still haven't gotten around to posting about Rhinebeck. Well, hopefully that will still come once I upload those photos to my computer. Til then, here is a peek at some new yarn I purchased.
The top photo is a lace weight I bought at The Sanguine Gryphon booth. And, of course, just as I found out about them (I'm a little behind...) as they are ending their business together. Ah, well. The bottom photo was also purchased at Rhinebeck at the The Greenwood Hill Farm booth. I LOVE this yarn. It's soft and lofty...can't wait to knit a pair of mittens with this.
The middle photo is some pretty String Theory yarn I bought at Purl Diva. I think this will become a sweater for Immie.

Stay tuned for this Wednesday—it is my turn on the Coastal Knits blog tour!

liesl

2011-10-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

Good Morning...

Want some cables to go with your cowl? Here is Liesl, my new design. Just in time for this chilly, chilly chill that has come our way! (I'm wearing this right now in fact.)

Liesl is knit flat and seamed together. Made with Lark in Peacock.

Available on Madder and Quince and Ravelry.

xo
c

2011-10-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

I have just moved into a new Quince office, which is great in so many ways, but also sad since I'm not working from home and can't sneak little moments with my Immie.
But, there's nothing to complain about, really. The space is open and white. I'll be able to have mini photo shoots here—making the winter months less of a hassle in terms of location hunting. AND, I get to share it with my good friend, Karen. Not bad at all.
On the table are pieces of fabric I have been cutting out for a little tote bag. Cecily and I have been taking beginner sewing lessons together. SO MUCH FUN.

ps: I have a new pattern I'm releasing tomorrow...

2011-10-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Quick post....a photo taken yesterday by Purl Diva's owner, Ellen, at Hannah's book signing. Cecily, Immie, and I couldn't resist heading up to Brunswick to join in on the fun.

More soon!

Rhinebeck

2011-10-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

I'll be handing out Q button pins at Rhinebeck! Hope to see you there.
xo
c

birthday

2011-10-09T06:54:00.001-07:00

Today is my birthday! I thought it would be a fun time to offer a special 20% off promotion on my Ravelry patterns. Just enter the code: birthday. Hope you enjoy the day.

Offer expires end of day on Tuesday.

xo
c

awake

2011-10-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. It is 9am and I have already been up for over 4 hours now! Just finished photographing a model at Crescent Beach. So pretty—both the model and the location. There's more, more, more photography happening later today. I've been spending a lot of time behind the lens lately for a fellow designer's book (due out next year). So fun.

2011-09-29T04:32:00.000-07:00

Had a mini photo shoot yesterday for a friend. Borrowed these great tanks from one of my favorite Portland shops, Bliss.

astrid

2011-09-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

I have a new pattern and her name is Astrid. The sweater is actually very similar to one I made for myself a while back, however this one does not have set in sleeves and is knit in Lark, one of my favorite yarns. I think I may just live in this sweater all season long. It's simple to knit—one piece from bottom to top. Easy-peasy.

And, I know, I know—too many pictures in this post. But, the light was scrumptious that evening!

Pattern is available on Madder, Quince, and Ravelry.

xo
c

2011-09-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

still lusting for double seed stitch.

new wool

2011-09-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that Wool has a new logo? Well, Quince & Co. recently received an email from the lawyers who represent the designer Orla Kiely saying the leaf motif I created for the book was a trade marked design and we were infringing on her copyrighted work. Wow. I was really floored.

Yes, the designs look very similar. I absolutely agree to that. But, I saw the resemblance as being reminiscent of not just her design, but also of the design that appears on the Japaneses vintage mug above (maybe from the 70's?), and of our very talented, local designer Angela Adams, whom I have had the pleasure of working for for several years. So, if anyone gave me inspiration, it was Angela and that mug that I sipped my morning decaf coffee from every morning this summer. And, I really didn't see that I was infringing. When I started "doodling" around on Illustrator I wasn't thinking I want to make a leaf that looks a lot like Orla Kiely, but just different enough so no one notices. No, no, no. I started with some clip art, morphed it. Took off the petal top. Removed the stem. And, was left with 2 lovely, colorful, whimsical leaves. I saw the similarity, but it felt to me like we were different Airstreams at the same camp ground.

So, anyway, that's that. We changed the design as we didn't want to rock the boat and find ourselves drowning in a sea of a lawsuit. But, I am left wondering if a designers intention means anything? Having worked for Angela Adams, I am well aware that there are companies out there who blatantly sell products with designs that look almost identical to hers and so there is a need to protect the brand. However, it was never my intention to do this. I find it very disheartening to know that my creative process has led me to the path of "infringement".

It's an interesting topic. Us knitters are very lucky to have full access to several knit stitches that were thankfully never copyrighted. Barbara Walker has endowed the knitting community with some stitch treasures! We should all be so thankful for those books. Can you imagine if someone had copyrighted stockinette stitch? Or worse—garter stitch! Also, I must say that I am very happy my designer friends and I can laugh with each other when we design something similar or use a similar (or the same) stitch pattern. I joked with a couple of them recently, saying that I think we designers share a brain sometimes. What makes it okay is that we are able to recognize the differences in the design, making it unique to being "ours," if anything really is unique and ours.

I'm thinking of that saying that there is nothing new in art anymore. And, the mug pictured above (I imagine was created long before Orla hit the market), makes me think that there are only manipulations of what has already been created. Well...I don't know....maybe not. Who knows! I'm just a little designer who likes to knit things, who like to draw from time to time, and likes to design book layouts. Excuse these ramblings and back to what I was originally writing here: Wool has a new logo—dots. Colorful little circles. Hopefully, those haven't been copyrighted already, too.

plant

2011-09-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

velvet texture from the farmer's market.

2011-09-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

for immie.

2011-09-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

I have been spending a lot of time with the new book Interwoven. I would kiss it, but that's a little odd, so I just look through the pages with complete admiration instead. Stephanie Barnes and Maria Vettese make up the team 3191 Miles Apart, a creative force that continues to inspire, excite, and engage me. And you, too, I imagine. Their work always makes me want to dream just a little bit longer, you know?

Quince is so lucky the project spiraled into this keepsake-of-a-book. When really, I just got in touch with Maria (who I've met only a couple of times through a mutual friend) to see if she would be willing to take still life snaps of our yarn. She and Stephanie cooked up a book idea and off they went making this incredible goodness.

I'm pondering colors for my necklace...I'd like to make a bracelet, too.

2011-09-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Immie is 8 months old today! I can't believe how fast time flies. She is crawling, climbing up onto anything she can find, and even tries to stand up on her own. AH! She'll be walking soon—I know it. Oh, and note she has 2 teeth on the bottom and they are crooked. So cute.

ps: she is wearing her immie tee a lot these days. we have chilly nights and mornings, here.

pretty penobscot

2011-09-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Immie and I took a quick trip up north to visit my folk's place. We always take a walk down Lighthouse Road—it has such a nice view of the bay. So calm and peaceful today.

2011-09-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

texture rocks. (heehee.)

good things

2011-09-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Remember this post? I was working on a layout...
Well, alas, this past Wednesday Quince & Co. launched an e-book called Wool. Did you see it? Probably. Sorry—a bit late to the party here but, I wanted to post about it anyway because I love those girls, Cecily and Melissa. They are both so talented!
There are 5 gorgeous projects included in the e-book, along with tips and a few bits about wool itself. I'd really like to knit Anastasia in gingerbread and Lena in boothbay. Just need another pair of hands! But, seriously, I'd really like to knit them both. Will you be making anything from Wool?
OH— the other project I've been excited about was just mentioned here. More on that soon.

gladiolus

2011-08-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

Glad to see you Glads (a sweet gift from my mom).

2011-08-27T11:00:00.001-07:00

waves of Blue.

2011-08-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

Loving double seed stitch right now.

simple beauty

2011-08-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

I adore this simple stockinette stitch beret by Pam Allen. I have a long list of other people's patterns I want to knit, but I think this is one for the top of that list.

2011-08-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Still working with my frost flower element. And, looking at the new Toast collection.

2011-08-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

Pretty light from Friday morning's shoot. And pretty Hélène by Véronik.

2011-08-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Pam and I decided on an early sunrise shoot to photograph next week's e-letter. We headed to the same beautiful marshy area we photographed Nyanen and Lida. Look what I found—another feather. And a spider's web. Wonderful.

2011-08-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Thinking chickadee/peacock...and little pearly buttons.

2011-08-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

On my studio steps this morning. Thank you Blue Jay.

2011-08-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hanging out.

botanical

2011-08-04T04:22:00.001-07:00

inspiration.

2011-08-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

I spent the day photographing some of Hannah's new knits. They're all gorgeous, of course! And, we had some equally beautiful fog in the early morning. Dreamy.

immie baby blanket

2011-07-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

It is nice to end these revealings with this quiet and cozy baby blanket. I knit this at the same time as the immie tee and it was great to see the same stitch pattern worked up in Opsrey, a heavier yarn. It went so fast!
The blanket is 23" x 23" and is the perfect woobie size.

Yarn: Osprey / Lupine
Pattern is available on Madder and Ravelry.

Thank you to everyone who visits this blog and thank you for all your nice comments. It is so appreciated. Happy Friday to you!

xo
c

immie tee

2011-07-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

This is the piece that started my frost flowers obsession—the Immie Tee. And you know, I still don't feel like I have gotten a great photograph of it. Who knew photographing babies in sweaters was so hard!? She's either moving, looking away from the camera, making funny faces, drooling....etc. But, gotta love her for putting up with me trying (so many times).

The Immie Tee was featured in today's e-letter for Quince & Co. My little super model.

Yarn: Tern/Buoy
Pattern is available on Madder and Quince and Ravelry.

Please excuse the excessive use of photos in this posting. I could not help myself.

imogen cowl

2011-07-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

Good morning...ready for more frost flowers? This time, in the form of a cowl. It is kind of deluxe, kind of fancy for me, but I'm so loving this about it. There is an heirloom quality to this piece. Imogen's heirlooms.

Oh and here is a little secret about frost flowers the stitch pattern: it's not as difficult as it looks. There are 24 rows to the repeat, but they are not 24 different rows. No, no. The pattern has two 4-row repeats, so really, you just need to familiarize yourself with 8 rows. And, if you can k2tog, ssk, and yo—you can make frost flowers.

Imogen cowl is made in Tern/Oyster. Pattern is available on Madder and Ravelry.
xo
c

imogen tee

2011-07-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy to introduce you to Imogen. No, not my baby, my sweater.
Imogen (the person) inspires me everyday. To no end. I love her, love her, love her. To no end. And so I wanted to knit something as beautiful as she. When I saw this lovely stitch pattern, frost flowers, come to life on my needles I knew it was the one worthy of my daughter's name. (Too sappy!? I don't care one bit. It's true.)

Hope you like it. There's more frost flowers coming this week, so stay tuned.

Oh, and what a way to start a week--did you see Wool People? I happen to have a couple designs in there. Thanks, Jared, for including me! SO many wonderful projects in there.

ABOVE

yarn: Tern

color: Stonington

Patterns are available on Madder and Quince and Ravelry!

2011-07-25T04:51:00.001-07:00

Good Monday morning to ya.
(Just messing around with big stitches here).

2011-07-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Immie just wanted to pop by to say she's serious about her sheep.

2011-07-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

Fall colors for Imogen and me.

2011-07-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Some really fun things are happening at Qiunce & Co., one of which is a project we'll be releasing next month. The cards on the table are images I'm trying to sort out...what goes where...that sort of thing. So many great photos! Wait, is that bragging? Really, it is just because of the smashing models, styling, and knitwear. Working on the layout is a pleasure.

2011-07-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Last week marked the one year anniversary of Quince's launch! Cecily's talented husband, Ethan, is keeping us all well fashioned with silk screened Q tees. Imogen loves wearing hers. Thanks E!

2011-07-03T05:07:00.000-07:00

Fun fabric from ikea.

2011-06-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

And, something for mama in Tern/Stonington.

I think that's it for the teaser shots for a while. It may be a couple weeks before this little collection is ready for release. Can't wait to show you!

xo

L.O.V.E.

2011-06-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

This is an element I pulled from Frost Flowers (my current stitch obsession). On its own, it is lovely. Oh, so lovely. (lark/clay)

So, Immie's yellow sweater. It is done. The pattern has been written. The sweater has been photographed. Now, I just need to send it off to the tech editor. The sweater will be accompanied by a few other pieces...finishing those up as well. It's a little Frost Flowers series! (Obsessed, I know.)

2011-06-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

Finished yellow sweater #2. More later...

2011-06-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

more gingham goodness. and some chickadee/egret love.

2011-06-19T04:18:00.000-07:00

gotta love gingham check.

2011-06-15T04:44:00.000-07:00

A quick snap of the babe from Sunday. It's been cold here, so these 2 gifts have come in handy. Melissa's bonnet and Cecily's sweater.
ps: did I mention she needed knitwear...in June?! unbelievable.

2011-06-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

knit & purl simplicity (sparrow).

prototype

2011-06-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Just found this cardigan I designed last Fall (in chickadee) buried under a pile of clothes. Mostly, I like this little number. It does, however, lack one essential necessity—a good fit. A lesson that not all ideas work out the way you imagine them in your head. With a little tweaking, though, I'm fairly sure I can get it right. But, not today. Today, I'm going north to Boothbay to visit with friends. Hope you all have something fun planned, too.

2011-06-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

some Q colors I like (glacier, lichen, bird's egg, egret, pomegranate, clay, petal, peacock, chanterelle).

iris

2011-06-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

my projects match my plants.

2011-06-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Feeding my obsession with this stitch pattern.
yarn: osprey
color: apricot

2011-05-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

I have been accumulating many skeins of Malabrigo Lace for what seems like years. I'm finally feeling the urge to knit with it! Maybe it's because I was working with Hannah (the lady who is famous for her lace weight sweaters) this morning?
I'm seriously thinking Imogen needs a little Annabel Cardigan made from it. It would be Immie's third yellow sweater (currently working on #2). Never too many of those, right?

my yard

2011-05-25T16:46:00.000-07:00

pretty.

2011-05-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

nice spring colors in chickadee.

just for fun

2011-05-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I knit myself a beret version of Leila in Kelp to match a vintage dress. A dress that I can not (will not, and never have been able to) fit into. But, I knew just the gal with just the right (slender) measurements who would be able to slide that zipper up with no trouble at all—Abigail. She's a lovely model we use for Quince and she was getting ready to move away from Portland (boohoo!) last Monday. I really wanted to give her the dress before she set sail, but I also really, really wanted to photograph her in it. Just for fun. And, so I did...wearing Leila.
Note to the stylist (that was me): Pull hat up off forehead, so it actually looks like a beret. (oh, the things I think of after the shoot is over.)

ps: that is Abigail's empty apartment. such a beautiful space.

quince and rain

2011-05-19T04:58:00.001-07:00

2011-05-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

2011-05-16T05:35:00.000-07:00

This was us all weekend...baby watching mama knit.

2011-05-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the aroma from my yard this weekend. Viburnum in bloom. Knitting a beret while baby sleeps. Dreaming of a cleaner house.
Wondering what you all are up to?

this weekend...

2011-05-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

it's me and you, kelp.

2011-05-05T04:07:00.000-07:00

Imogen is still sporting her annabel and leila. I'll be so sad when they don't fit her anymore. She's already outgrown so many of her clothes. How quickly they grow! But, on the good side, now she's fitting into some adorable socks that my friend Hannah gave us. And those pants crack me up with the giant cupcake that is on the bum.

sunny sunday

2011-05-01T05:21:00.001-07:00

Up early, excited for this day with my friend who is visiting from Seattle. Knitting for babe in Tern/Buoy. Happy Sunday!

2011-04-20T04:55:00.000-07:00

Working on something in sparrow. This swatch has been washed and tossed in the dryer on delicate. It's nice and soft now. J'taime.

2011-04-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

Over at Quince & Co., we launched five new sparrow patterns today, one of which is my Calla Cami.
It's fairly easy since you change needle size to create the a-line silhouette. The trickiest part is the top shaping. BUT, I'm pretty excited that in the pattern we were able to include a chart of the shaping for each size.

2011-04-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

some fabrics I want to use soon.

weekend sale

2011-04-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Monday through Friday is a lot of fun because I love what I do at Quince & Co. But, weekends are extra special for me due to a certain little girl named Imogen. I get to spend every second of Saturday & Sunday kissing her plump little cheeks. So, in celebration of this time, I have a sale running all weekend in both my Madder shop (prices reflect a 20% discount) and my Ravelry shop (for 20% off, use promo code: weekend).

eti (just for immie)

2011-04-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

It's hard work being a model! Immie's yawns are so darn cute...couldn't help but post this picture even though it is not the most flattering of the little sweater. It is a baby version of Etienne. I couldn't resist making it—Road to China was calling eti's name.

2011-04-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

Camilla Kid is available! I started working on this a while back, before Imogen was born, so it feels great to see it all finished and up on my website.
The model is one of Immie's friends, Madeline. Isn't she sweet?!

camilla kid

2011-04-06T04:44:00.000-07:00

pattern coming soon.