Hello everyone!

I can't believe I've just found this CAL! Thank you Julia and Marnie ;-) for let me in. It will take a while for me to go through all your wonderful design projects here, and I'm sure that I can learn a lot.

I've been knitting for many years and seldom followed a pattern. This April I started my knitting blog and pattern writing. Like many of you, I consider designing a fun creative outlet, and I post my designing process all the time. For this CAL I plan to use Rowan Calmer first, for there are a few balls lying in my very small stash, and it's a great summer yarn!

Happy knitting and designing,

Iris

Hi everybody!

I am so excited to join the CAL. My name is Monica Brown, and I have been designing for about three years. My blog (http://www.m1designs.typepad.com/) has photos of my designs to date. I both knit and crochet, so I am hoping to post both a knit and crochet design. For the knit sweater, I have been playing with the idea of knitting a sweater with two different weights of yarn. My plan was to use a finer yarn for a lace yoke and a heavy yarn for the sweater body. My original idea was to use Rowan Yarn's Cashcotton DK and 4ply. For the CAL, I have decided to try using Kidsilk Haze. I would double the yarn for the body to achieve the DK weight and then use a single strand for the lace. I am hoping to knit the sweater from the top down using Barbara Walker's "Seamless Set-In Sleeve" sweater design. Has anyone used this design?


For the crochet sweater, I plan to use Classic Elite Premiere. Again I hope to crochet it from the top down. I love the square neck, boxy blouses that I have seen in the stores this spring. So, I want to try capture that feeling with a crocheted sweater.


I hope to have my swatches and sketches finished this weekend, so I will have photos to post soon!

Inspiration

Hi everyone! It just occurred to me that I haven’t introduced myself yet. People call me Nonnahs and I may be found knitting (and sometimes spinning) alongside two blogmates at A Little Loopy. A little bit about me: I learned to knit almost three years ago, when my future blogmates and I decided to teach ourselves. Not the most efficient way to learn, perhaps, but it was fun. Come to think of it, that last statement pretty much sums up my knitterly learning process. I tend to learn things in a roundabout way and many times on a need-to-know basis, which is one reason I try to push myself out of my comfort zone as much as possible, to choose projects that will allow me a new experience in the process.

It wasn’t too long after I started knitting when I realized I would want to design someday. I envisioned that day being a little further in my future, but then this fabulous CAL came along, so here I go (Thanks, Julia and Marnie)! What a fantastic forum to get my feet wet! I’ve made minor modifications to patterns I’ve knit in the past, but this will be my first foray into designing from the ground up, and I’m really looking forward to it!

I’m starting off small (literally) and simple. My projects will be two semi-matching infant dresses for my twin nieces, Kyra and Ally, also affectionately known as the Peanuts. Exhibit A:

Peanutty Inspiration: A & K

The Peanuts usually don coordinating outfits (as opposed to dressing exactly alike), my goal is to create dresses along those lines. What I have in mind are coordinating a-line dresses with straps that tie up top at the shoulders. Besides the fact that I think the straps will look cute, my thought is that they will also allow for adjustment, as the girls grow. My hope is that they will able to wear these garments as dresses initially and as tops later on. (I try to be practical.) I have the general shape in mind, but want to wait until I have my yarn in hand, to see how I will be inspired when it comes to other design elements.

So, my yarn. I will be using Classic Elite Premiere. Reason? I haven’t used it yet, and I’ve heard great things. Calmer would have been my first instinct otherwise, because I love it so, but I’m already knitting with it currently and I also have another project waiting in the wings that the rest of the Calmer in my stash is earmarked for (Hi, Deciduous!). Besides, I’ve wanted to work with Premiere, and this seems to be the perfect opportunity to try it!

I really look forward to sharing what ought to be an entertaining (if nothing else) journey with you as I embark on this whole design thing, and I especially look forward to seeing everyone else’s design process as well- I’ve already been learning so much from everyone’s posts thus far. I am so inspired by you all! Team Premiere, here I come!

Late to the party

Hello all, my name is Angela and I've been designing knitwear for about a year and a half now, and blogging here since November '05. If you'd like a peek at some of my designs, there are several free patterns (and several non-free ones) on my blog. Allora. (That's Italian for something like "OK, well then." My husband and I moved our family from Boston to Lake Como, Italy last September, for two years or so.)

Yes. Anyway, I've already read some great posts on CAL, and I'm looking forward to posting about my design process, but first things first: The Yarn. I've used Cotton Classic and appreciate it for its stitch definition, huge palette of colors, and durability, but at the moment I' m preferring cotton blends--lighter and more resilient than all cotton. I'm using Premiere right now for a project (non-bloggable--but it's over half done already anyway, and that would sort of be cheating?!), and loving it. I don't do mohair, so the Kidsilk Haze is right out, and the Denim--intriguing, but some other time. Now the Calmer--I've read many comments about using it, pro and con, and I've been wanting to try it. So here it is: Premiere, or Calmer? And now I need some help, because I'm going to have to order the yarn online; regrettably, there are no LYSs here which carry either one.

Premiere: Color 5271, Jasmine. Is this a PALE pink, as it appears on the Classic Elite website, or is it pinker in real life? And what about 5235, Key Lime? Would it go with the earring at left?

Calmer: Color 488 Sugar, vs. 482 Powder Puff. On the Rowan website, "Sugar" would be my first choice, but on other sites, the colors look totally different. I want to avoid a pastel pink. On the Rowan website, Color 463 Calmer looks like it might go with that earring, but on the other site, it looks too teal. ("Calmer Calmer?" Shouldn't they just call it "comatose"?) The other Rowan blues and greens don't look like they would work for me.

So, if anyone who has seen these yarns in person could point me in the direction of a pale, almost neutral pink, OR a pale aqua or green (see photo!), I would be grateful. I'm itching to get my yarn and get started.

Here in Guam

Well I would say this is my first bit of blogging, but I made a blog in order to be able to join in here (I just went ahead because it was easier at the time while two toddlers were screaming in my ear and the kids in the video game saying " Get the balloons monkey" over and over again!!!!!! Curious George). I'm hoping to spread my wings a little here. I have modified patterns in the past to fit my daughter, G, and I made a simple roll neck, drop sleeved sweater for my son, W, without a pattern. My recent creation was a tank top for G to mimic the one that I saw here in the Ralph Lauren Duty Free store. I was restricted to using LionBrand Microfiber because it was the only thing that I had AND there is no LYS here on-island. I have to search online for all my knitting needs. I haven't figured out what I want to knit yet. I have three skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic and I've settled on three different ideas. Seeing as I have no clue when it comes to calculating the needed yardage for a project, I'm currently trying to decide which of the three designs will matchup with the amount that I have on hand. I am considering just swatching some of what I have and then ordering more and maybe combining with some Kidsilk in a contrasting color. I just have to find a online store that will deliver here AND carries Tahki. I'd also like to find a store that has Calmer since I have heard it's yummy to work with and would like to try my hand ( I have a chemo cap project that uses Calmer). I was happy to hear this may stretch to September because it may take that long for me to decide on something and make sure that I have all the yarn, needles and what nots that I need ( I'm bad with commitment......I can't tell you how many times I have started and frogged an entire project over and over again!)
By the by any one have any ideas for what to do with a linen/cotton blend ribbon, sport weight?

I create with knitting looms

Thank you for accepting me into the group. I am a designer of sorts, my medium is through the use of knitting looms--you have probably seen these gadgets at your local craft store--plastic round things with pegs poking out. Anyways, I use these gadgets to create designs for the loom knitting community.

I recently re-learn to needle knit so I could learn techniques and apply them to my loom knit designs.

You can see some of my designs on my blog album...they are nothing fancy but as time goes by I learn new techniques and my designs get a little bit better.

Thanks again for accepting me into the group.

I design yarn!

OK, I thought I'd introduce myself too and a little about my knitting. Edna! I live mere blocks from you (well, maybe about 10 blocks). I've been meaning to stop in your store and now I will - because I sort of feel like I've met you. In fact do you carry the yarns we're limiting ourselves to?

I recently lost my job as a biochemist and now I design yarn which will eventually go under my Chameleon Colorworks label. I would say "for a living" except I don't make a living at it yet. I am hoping to launch my yarn at the summer TNNA in Ohio. I am also a heavy duty spinner and I put out an online magazine about spinning, Spindlicity. One of the things I need to help sell my yarn is pattern support and so I've started knitting a lot again because I can't afford designers yet. I'm now going full circle back to the thing that got me into spinning and yarn design in the first place! My original goal in all of this about 18 years ago was to be a knitwear designer. So I am really looking forward to having people give me feedback.

I have designed nearly everything I knit, but I rarely write down the pattern and even more rarely make it accessible to other people. This last year I have published several patterns in my magazine Spindlicity like these socks and this doubleknit fulled purse with pockets inside and out, and here's a poncho from last year made from handspun yarn and an older lace shawl pattern from about 10 years ago. I have yet to publish a sweater pattern. So that is my next goal. I am a complete novice regarding pattern sizing so that is also a goal here. If any of you have constructive criticism regarding the pattern writeups I have in Spindlicity I would love to hear them. Writing out the patterns is still pretty hard for me.


I'm not familiar with any of the yarns we'll be using so that will be sort of an adventure for me. I'm also a self-taught knitter so occasionally I might ask the name of a technique that I understand what it does but not what it's called. I recently discovered that the way I knit is called a combination knitter (knit continental and purl using the continental scooping method or whatever that purl method is called) which causes different stitch mount depending on whether I am knitting in the round or in the flat. For the longest time I had no idea the difference between SSK and K2tog because it would change depending on my stitch mount, but I would just think of it as this is the way my stitch is facing and that's the way I want the decrease to lean. However that's not too easy to write into a patter, so I've now made an effort to learn it. I also have a funky way of casting on that is unique to me I think. So my goal with all of this is to learn more accessible ways of doing things, and how to write them out so someone else can understand what the heck I'm trying to say.

I'm currently designing a series of socks for my sock of the month club, so every month I have to design a new sock. This has been a wonderful exercise for me to learn all that stuff I just said above. But for this group, I think I'll try to dive into a sweater.

OK, I've rambled on quite a bit. I look forward to seeing what we all create.

added 1 second later:

Oh yeah, my name is Janel and I live in Silverlake and my blogger account is for a blog for a cruise I'm hosting to Alaska so that's why my name shows up as Cruise to Alaska or whatever.

MY NAME IS EDNA AND I'M A KNITAHOLIC

I started to design when my best friend had a baby girl 17yrs ago, but have just recently gotten serious about it. I have four patterns in a children's book coming out this year BOHO BABY by KAT COYLE and one design in KNITSIMPLE FALL 2007 and one in KNITSCENE FALL 2007. I own a shop in Silverlake, Calf and live only two blocks away with my two dogs-Lucy and Cerino.
I am either going to use two colors of Calmer or Calmer and Kid Silk to do a striped top. I usually start my design with a Yarn in mind and I love yarn & color combining. I think that is my thing. I like to look at the the style web sites and different on line shops to see what's going on in fashion (for regular people that is). I than do some sketches and when I decide what shape I like I do my swatch. Some times I do swatches in several needle sizes till I get the one I like. I don't usually do a garment that is too difficult and relay on the yarn and shape to make my finished piece shine. My BLOG name is Edna Hart Boutique
http://www.ednahartboutique.blogspot.com/

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Lara and my blog is Yarn It. I have been knitting for almost two years and love it. I designed a sweater for my daughter this winter. It was a simple top down and it didn't turn out anything like I imagined. Not even close. Needless to say, it was a learning experience. I just didn't go about the design process the right way.

I am anxious to see everyone's creative process as they design their knits. I plan on using Rowan Calmer. I am currently knitting a Rowan pattern with it and I love it. I bought it on ebay today and hope to have it sometime next week. Once I have it in hand and have made my swatches I will share with you what I have planned. Until then, I look forward to seeing you what all of you come up with!

introduction

How rude of me, to jump in and ask a question without introducing myself! My name is Joanna, and my blog is definitelyMaybe Knits. I'm in grad school for mechanical engineering, and I definitely approach knitting and designing from the perspective of an engineer rather than an artist. I love unique garment construction and I think that a good attention to detail can elevate a piece from ordinary to amazing. My goal is to design sweaters that are both wearable and interesting, which can be a challenge!

I'm excited about the CAL because while I have designed a few things in the past, I've been making things up as I go along. I feel comfortable designing for myself, but when it comes to writing and resizing patterns, I have a little trouble. I'm currently in the process of writing up the pattern for this tanktop, which is actually knit out of CE Premiere:



As I alluded to in my previous post, I plan on using Calmer to design another tanktop/shell. There are a lot of ideas bouncing around in my head, but I want to wait until I can play with the yarn before I commit to something. Now I just need to pick a color - I can't decide between a bright, cheery color (which I'd have more fun working with, but it would make the FO more casual) or a deep, more subtle color. I have some other projects to finish before I can start this one, though, so I have some time to decide.

hello.

Hi, I'm Emily. I'm posting partly to introduce myself and partly to describe my plans for the project. I blog, normally, at thelovelyemily.blogspot.com.

I'm lucky enough, with this project, to have the yarn already - I have eight balls of black Calmer in my stash, and two balls of khaki, which I probably won't use (does anybody want two balls of khaki Calmer? Seriously - I'll give them to you, I got them for next to nothing.) I'd like to make a zip-up sweater modeled partly off my favorite zip-up sweatshirt:



American Apparel's California Fleece Zip Jogger. I own two of these and I'd like to try a sweatery, "Calm" version. I actually have a pattern for it (sort of) from Rowan #37, called Hike, but the pattern isn't exactly what I want. I plan to make big changes to it - maybe use some of the directions in it, but exclude certain elements (front pockets, for instance). I hope that's all right.

I've designed things before, but not a sweater. There are lots of things I don't like about the way Rowan patterns are normally set up - I hate knitting sweaters in pieces, for instance. So this is going to be a Zimmerman-type sweater, knit in one piece.

Anyway, nice to meet you all, and I'm looking forward to hearing more from you about your plans for the project.

Welcome to the Create-Along

I have always been a pretty crappy knit-alonger. I like the idea of the knit-along in theory. I love the community experience, and I value the knowledge that knitters are able to share when we make something together. It's the practice of the knit-along that gets me. I love to see cool variations of a project, but by the time I get around to knitting myself, I've seen the piece everywhere and lose interest, even if it is wonderful.



A swatch of stitch patterns for one of my designs.

I long to find blogs showcasing new and original pieces, and to find knitters who create projects that I haven't seen before or that put an interesting twist on a well-known theme. I came up with the idea of the create along (CAL) in the hopes that I could have the best of all worlds - the community spirit and shared wisdom and the originality.

The create along was also inspired by my desire to draw more people into designing. I think that a lot of knitters are intimidated by design if they haven't attempted it before. But the fact is you don't have to start by making a fitted sweater with set-in sleeves. If design intimidates you, you can start small. Play with a stitch pattern and see where it leads. You may start with a rectangular wrap or a baby sweater with minimal shaping. Begin inside your comfort zone and then move out as you feel more confident.

Remember that you don't have to re-invent the wheel. A lot of what designers do is to simply combine elements that they see elsewhere and like. They find a stitch pattern that works well with a particular yarn and apply it to a silhouette, adding details - perhaps a notched collar, or bell sleeves. All of these things have been done before, the designer simply has the vision to put them together.



My "studio" at Chez W. last year and the just ducky pillow plans.

Being the geeks that we are, Marnie and I get together and talk about knitwear design ad nauseum. Between the spin-outs, road trips, and slumber parties (aka "business trips to LA"), we have had a lot of opportunity to discuss process together. I am always amazed by the different ways that we choose to attack the same problems, and the ways in which our initial creative processes meet and diverge. I've learned a lot in the course of our knit blab sessions, and I find the process of design an ever-fascinating topic. So fascinating, in fact, that I think it's worth having an entire blog about.

So here's the idea: we'll take five yarns (yarns which Marnie and I happen to have in our stashes - yay! - stash-busting!) and see what our group of Create-Alongers can do with them. The yarns, and our plans to design something original are the common thread, much as the design itself is in the usual knit-along.

Here are the rules:

1. You must use Classic Elite Premiere, Rowan Calmer, Rowan Denim, Tahki Cotton Classic, or Rowan Kidsilk Haze as the main yarn in your design. It is fine to go outside these choices for accents, but one of these yarns should be the main ingredient.

2. Design something original. It can be anything you want - simple, complex, garment, decor, art, whatever.

3. Write about your creative process. This can be your thought process, the actual knitting, mistakes, accidental triumphs, brilliant problem-solving, etc. Feel free to pose questions that others can answer in the comments or give us a little tutorial on a technique or discuss a source of inspiration. As long as it's related to your process (or someone else's), it's fair game. Please keep it to process, though. It's fine to introduce yourself, but please do it in a post with knitting content.

4. Create as many FO's as you like from as many yarns as you want to use on the list.

5. Start now! We'll most likely run from now until September-ish. We'll see how it goes.

Marnie and I will try to get everyone's creative juices flowing early on with posts on our projects and processes. I will be starting with Classic Elite Premiere, and she's kicking it off with Rowan Calmer. To join, e-mail us at create along (at) gmail dot com with the subject line JOIN and we'll send you an invite to the blog, so that you can post.

Go team Premiere!