Introducing More Knitting In The Sun

Designer Kristi Porter’s brand-new sequel to her Knitting In the Sun is all about warm-weather knitted clothes for children. And I am honored to have a project included in it: the Matilda Tunic.

The projects are whimsical and fetching in all the ways that appeal most to the kids who wear our knits: colorful, comfortable, and loaded with cute details. For us knitters, they are also sized across a generous range and made of (mostly) easy-care fibers.

Here is my Matilda Tunic, modeled by a child who – with her blonde hair and red glasses – is a dead-ringer for me as a child (according to my husband). Only, I have to say that this child model is much cuter than I ever was…

…though no less inclined to mug for the camera, as you can see.

My tunic (made in the requested sample size 6) was a snap to work up with 5 skeins of KFI’s Sublime Bamboo and Pearls DK, even though it is knit on relatively small US Size 5 needles. I had such fun working out the details of the side panels, which give the tunic its flare.  And that sweatshirt pocket – what kid doesn’t love a pocket for stashing treasures collected over the course of an average day?

This project can definitely be made longer and worn as a jumper over a tee shirt, or as a sleeveless dress on a really hot day.

There are lots of other projects in More Knitting In the Sun that I’d love to make, and I’ll share some of those in my next post.

More Fabulous Places to Knit

Tacoma, Washington is home to Yorkshire Yarns, where I had the pleasure of spending an evening recently to do a signing and trunk show for Brave New Knits. I love the wire mannequin on the far left of the photo below; so Victorian looking, and so perfect for modeling the Silke Jacket.

Sonya Acord is Yorkshire Yarn’s owner; she organized a very fun evening for the book signing event complete with snacks and refreshments.

Yorkshire Yarns is also the LYS of my new friend, Jen Hagan (far right in the photo below), who introduced me to Sonya and facilitated the event. Jen hosted me during my visit to the Pacific Northwest; one more example of how the knitters’ community has grown because of the Internet. I never would have met Jen (and her sweet husband, Fred) if it weren’t for Ravelry and knitting blogs!

A good friend of Jen’s did a fantastic job modeling many of the garments from Brave New Knits. Here she is in the Krookus Cardigan:

And here she is in Jen’s own Global Cable Coat (with one of the pretty little Lace Flower Pins on the lapel). Jen is making a second Global Cable Coat to try out a different yarn… it’s gorgeous already, and I saw only the first six inches or so.

Next stop on my whirlwind tour was Seattle’s Tricoter. I confess that it has been one of the biggest goals in my knitting life to visit Tricoter, which has been one of the premier yarn shops in the U.S. for many years, and whose owners have published a few knitting books of their own.

Below is the staff of Tricoter, from left to right: Jason, Beryl, Julie, Ola, and Lindy. I spent a lovely afternoon there signing copies of Brave New Knits and meeting some of the knitters who are lucky to call this wonderful shop their LYS.

Jen met me at Tricoter for the afternoon to see the shop for herself after hearing so much about it over the years, and to introduce her amazing pattern line, Figheadh Yarnworks, to the owners. Below you see her working on that second Global Cable Coat… thanks for the company, Jen!

Vampire Knits: A Bloody Good Read!

Say Hello To Vampire Knits!

When Genevieve Miller invited me to design a project for her upcoming book, Vampire Knits, I couldn’t refuse. My daughter is an ardent Twilight fan, to the point of lining up for the midnight premieres of the first movies in the series. And I enjoyed Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles books tremendously when they came out years ago.

Vampire Knits’ release date is just a couple of weeks away, and my project is called the “Under Cover of Midnight Cowl.” Genevieve previewed it on her Vampire Knits blog so I don’t think I’m spoiling the surprise by giving you a sneak preview here:

Copyright 2010 Potter Craft

Genevieve is running a series of designer spotlights similar to mine, featuring each of the designers who contributed a project to Vampire Knits. I’m pleased to share mine with you here. Enjoy!