Welcome to Kate Knits
After years of knitting I am going to 'come out' with this website and officially become one of those 'knitters with a web-site'. This may or may not be of any use to anyone! but in an attempt to catalogue some of my work, I hope at the same time to be of some use to other knitting addicts out there. I know there are many other sad knitting cases out there and I want you to know that you are not alone! So I'll get on with it before the senile dementia sets in (those rows are already getting harder to count), and try to remember something of what I have studied and learned over the years.
I started knitting at the age of seven when my mother who was a very advanced and polific knitter, seamstress and lace maker - (with four kids the mind boggles at how she found the time) taught me how and threw me in at the deep end with a woolly bobble hat in a tricky 'one plain one purl' rib. After no end of complaining no doubt, I did eventually finish it months later and EVEN wore it but the project was somewhat counter-productive because I don't remember picking up the needles again until I was in my teens. As a wannabe fashion designer I ventured into the world of giant baggy jumpers (sweaters), cut-off mittens (obligatory fashion accessory at the time - in black only) and bizarre stripey hats with tassles, pom-poms, ear-flaps and sometimes all three.
I started knitting at the age of seven when my mother who was a very advanced and polific knitter, seamstress and lace maker - (with four kids the mind boggles at how she found the time) taught me how and threw me in at the deep end with a woolly bobble hat in a tricky 'one plain one purl' rib. After no end of complaining no doubt, I did eventually finish it months later and EVEN wore it but the project was somewhat counter-productive because I don't remember picking up the needles again until I was in my teens. As a wannabe fashion designer I ventured into the world of giant baggy jumpers (sweaters), cut-off mittens (obligatory fashion accessory at the time - in black only) and bizarre stripey hats with tassles, pom-poms, ear-flaps and sometimes all three.
Kaffe Fassett
One of the reasons I am knitter today is because of a book that came out in the 90s called 'Glorious Colour' by Kaffe Fassett. (see http://www.kaffefassett.com/ ) A must for all fiber art fans, his books were undoubtedly the biggest inspirations to me as a knitter. Kaffe (a Californian native raised in the Big Sur area) had studied at the Royal College of Art as a painter but moved into knitting design and yarn production with his collaboration with Rowan Yarns. Glorious Knits was the first in a series of books embodying the 'free-style' ethic of knitting from the heart by using colour and texture to create something uniquely yours. Kaffe's patterns were only 'suggestions' in a world of endless possibilities. I studied the designs and using multi-coloured stranded and intarsia knitting techniques (knitting in the ends critical to avoiding masses of darning in at the finishing stage) became an avid disciple of his. It was a bit like learning how to ride a bike at first but eventually the liberation that came from knitting in this way was pure joy. The idea of recycling old yarn was and still is also very appealing in a world of expensive designer yarns and little surplus cash. Charity (thrift) shop bargain-hunting became an obsession and the projects could not be completed fast enough before the next one was in the works. This was my most technically challenging but creative and experimental phase as a knitter .
Knitted with Love.
Made with a friend in mind this sweater was my first big journey into 'free-form' knitting. The pattern was taken from the Kaffe Fassett 'Glorious Knits' book but the colours were my own. The sweater was entirely knitted on the side by starting with one sleeve, casting on for the front and back of the body (lots of stitches), shaping a circle in the middle for the neck and then binding off and completing the other sleeve. The neck and bottom edging were added at the end. The stitch grain running from side to side didn't affect the hang of the garment but the cat clawing at it did! A bit hippyish by today's standards but still a fave sweater for its owner.
Dress or Fancy Dress?
No one has ever worn this coat dress. If there is someone out there who would die for it then let me know. It makes me sad to think that such a big project is going to waste but then again maybe I'll put it in the kids' fancy dress chest! Another Kaffe Fassett inspired design based on a jewelled Tudor 'top coat'. I love the idea of historical themes in knitting and the way knitting can be used to construct fitted garments. It is definitely something to be explored more. On the subject of history, for a good read about the fascinating history of knitting check out the 'Knit Couture' book by Gail Downey & Henry Conway and 'A History of Hand Knitting' by Richard Rutt published by Interweave Press.
Below is another historically inspired design by Kaffe Fasset based upon an 18th century brocade fragment.
Below is another historically inspired design by Kaffe Fasset based upon an 18th century brocade fragment.
'Knitting-on'
'Knitting-on' patchwork style squares should come with a hazard warning! It is highly addictive and dishes remain in the sink for days. Still, it is a very effective way to use up all those little scraps of leftover yarn, not to mention the elimination of all that darning in of loose ends associated with patchwork knitting. The mitered square is knitted on in the same way but going around clockwise to form a larger square, usually leaving only a few edges to sew up at the end. The books by Vivian Hoxboro are fascinating and inspirational in the use of this technique and use much more textural yarns for a more dimensional finish. See: The books by Vivian Hoxboro at www.viv.dk I love the simplicity and logic of constructing these designs combined with the random philosophy of color selection. Never a dull moment! The top cushion in this picture is actually taken from a fab book called 'Mason*Dixon Knitting - The Curious Knitters Guide' see www.masondixonknitting.com
Fairisle or Stranded Knitting - The Wedding Sweater
And why not get married in a sweater! This one was constructed mostly from some scratchy hand spindle-spun wool bought from a womens' co-operative in Guatemala. The overall feel of the jumper was softened up by blending it with some softer mill-spun wool. I've probably had more comments about this sweater than any other, the design was made up from various fairisle motives, and no the marrige didn't last but the sweater lives on!
I'm all in favour of acquiring wool from other countries, especially if someone is sending it to me! I made this from some New Zealand merino my Mum sent me. The trick of putting together a garment when you have limited amounts of different colours can be a challenge. I seem to remember unpicking this a few times to allocate the colours correctly. I took the pattern motives mostly from Dale pattern books. Hoods are fun, much easier than they look, basically two flaps sew together then edged along with the front button band.
Little Cardy, little needles - BIG job
This was a pattern taken from the 'Lise Kolstad & Tone Takle' book 'Small Sweaters'(see www.tonetakle.com) Such inspiring patterns for the aspiring fairisle knitter, but on a small scale all the complexities of knitting a stranded sweater seemed to be increased and although the challenge is worth it in the end, definitely not something to be taken on during a power-out or if you are trying to watch your favourite show on TV! This was the first time I ever 'cut' knitting - always a nerve wracking business. The knitted 'steeks' were cut and then machine basted around the armholes to prevent fraying. This was made in lovely washable 'Baby Ull' by Dale and as much as I tried to imagine it in other colours there was and only ever will be one of these!! It could only have been harder if I had tried to do it in cotton. For some 'Steek Action' you can google 'cutting steeks' and you will find numerous www.utube.com videos of how to do it. It's amazing what else you can find on 'utube' also with regards to knitting, just about every technique you would wish to find demonstrated is there; from fair isle knitting, to socks, to picking up dropped stitches to.....it goes on and on! Amazing!
More Kids stuff
This one got handed on a lot I seem to remember. A personal favourite of mine the lama/Inca pyramid motif was inspired by the alpaca yarn and the camels came along for the ride! I think the hat turned out too small and became a teddy bear accessory. I frequently miscalculate the size of babies' heads - they can be bigger than you think they are so if you are not following a pattern always cast on more stitches than you think you're going to need, especially if you are doing a multi-stranded design!
Ladybugs
Part of my journey as knitter took a turn towards teaching when I had the good fortune to land a job in a yarn store in Davis, California. Man! I miss that shop. The infantory was spell-binding and my wages NEVER left the store. I made this Dale 'Ladybug Sweater' at least four times for various people, it had me seeing spots before my eyes! the buttons are ladybugs too, again hair-raising scissor cut steeks but a pretty rolled neck and cuffs with picot edge. I finally relented and bought a plastic pompom maker for this one too, that was a good idea, no more cut up cereal boxes! Seem to remember doing a pink version for a girl too which was cute; where are they now? All in Dale 'Baby Ull' (see www.Dale.com)
Nothing but cashmere
My son won't wear anything but cashmere!..now that I've ruined him with two 'Cashmerino' sweaters and if I can get him to wear this one at all I'm lucky. It is now his designated 'Camping Jumper' and has no other purpose. This one knitted Top Down in Debbie Bliss's gorgeous 'Cashmerino Aran'. Pattern from Interweave Press. Top-downs are very cool, anything which cuts down on sewing up is fine by me! For more top down instructions check out Elizabeth Zimmerman's classic 'Knitting Without Tears'.
Later on I added to the 'rarely worn children's sweater collection' by making my daughter a matching smock jacket as captured in a rare moment below - what did I expect raising my kids in a warm climate!
Later on I added to the 'rarely worn children's sweater collection' by making my daughter a matching smock jacket as captured in a rare moment below - what did I expect raising my kids in a warm climate!