Shout Out to Designers

While I am hoping to help support small businesses the focus has been on indie dyers. However, there are knitwear designers out there who make a living on their creativity too. I know it will come as a shock to some but I am primarily a sock knitter. This year I was hoping to challenge myself to move beyond that and I still hope to do that. It’s just on hold for now. While I was making these plans I started collecting some patterns and I have come across a few favourite designers thanks to watching podcasts. I thought I would share some of the patterns I have bought recently. I apologise that the photographs above only give you a partial view of the pattern but these images aren’t mine. I thought the collage would give you a hint and you can follow the links to each pattern to better see it.

1. Waterscapes pullover by Katerina C. Rieckel. I came across this gorgeous jumper through instagram. The designer was offering it for free for people during our current social distancing. This offer is no longer available and she did ask that those who could pay did. Which I did. I thought it was a lovely offer and I can’t wait to knit this.

2. City Limits by Tanis Fibre Arts. I do like Tanis Fibre Arts. I’ve became a fan thanks to watching the Grocery Girls. I’m not sure if I cam across this pattern on the podcast (although they sisters have talked about it) or instagram. I love a fade pattern although have yet to knit one. This was free too for a while. I like the fact that it is reversible too.

3. Summer Long by Sosu. Another I came across on Instagram. I loved this cardigan because it looked so comfortable. I can picture wearing this while lounging around the flat. Perfect since I get to do that on my days off. It looks like something I could do as a beginner too.

4. Common Ground by Elizabeth Smith Knits. Yet another Instagram find. The designer posted a photo of her newly published pattern and I knew instantly I had to knit it in the future. A cardigan with a hood! It’s pretty too.

Of course I couldn’t leave out socks entirely. I have been trying to stick to mainly garments when buying patterns as I have so many sock knitting books. Easier said than done though.

1. Knit Like It’s 1999 by Tricot & Stitch. I don’t remember where I first saw this pattern. I have seen it so many times though being knitted up by fellow sock knitters and I felt left out. Such a pretty pattern and I love the fact that it is different for each foot.

2. Sweet & Tartan by Tracie Millar. These gorgeous socks were designed by Tracie of the Grocery Girls and I definitely came across it thanks to their podcast. I have been rather impatiently waiting for it to be published. I now have the yarn to knit them too which I will show off in next months yarn. I am intrigued by how the pattern will read as it uses slip stitches rather than colour work. Looking forward to it.

I am also taking part in another knit along. This will be my FIRST garment for myself. I can’t wait to try it. I will be posting more on that early next week.

I hope you are all safe and well and please feel free to share some of your favourite patterns from indie knitwear designers.