Last but not least

I am feeling a bit giddy this week because we have almost finished the photo shoot for Vintage Knits for Modern Babies and I have handed in my manuscript including 25 knitting patterns - including a Layette Set, Organic Heirloom Blanket, Matinee Jacket, Ruby Slippers, Modern Baby Bonnet, Double Breasted Car Coat, Petite Beret, Charming Sweater, Cable Boots, Wavy Cashmere Blanket, Nana's Bunnies, Birdy Cardigan, Pixie Cap, Wee Mittens, Anya's Cardigan, Ballet Blossom Cardigan, Lavender Sachet, Baby Clothes Hangers, Hooded Capelet and last but not least...the Bunny Mobile. PHEW!

Early on in the concept stage, someone at the publisher said they would like to see a baby mobile in the book. 12 months ago this sounded like a fun idea so I made some sketches and kept putting it off until finally everything was completed except the blasted mobile. Well, after 20 hours of toil, my bunny mobile is complete and off to the Photographer in California. It was way more fun to make than I thought and as I was making it, I realized that there are so many ways you could take this pattern different. In the end, I wanted to keep it simple and this was the result.

Last but not least

I am feeling a bit giddy this week because we have almost finished the photo shoot for Vintage Knits for Modern Babies and I have handed in my manuscript including 25 knitting patterns - including a Layette Set, Organic Heirloom Blanket, Matinee Jacket, Ruby Slippers, Modern Baby Bonnet, Double Breasted Car Coat, Petite Beret, Charming Sweater, Cable Boots, Wavy Cashmere Blanket, Nana's Bunnies, Birdy Cardigan, Pixie Cap, Wee Mittens, Anya's Cardigan, Ballet Blossom Cardigan, Lavender Sachet, Baby Clothes Hangers, Hooded Capelet and last but not least...the Bunny Mobile. PHEW!

Early on in the concept stage, someone at the publisher said they would like to see a baby mobile in the book. 12 months ago this sounded like a fun idea so I made some sketches and kept putting it off until finally everything was completed except the blasted mobile. Well, after 20 hours of toil, my bunny mobile is complete and off to the Photographer in California. It was way more fun to make than I thought and as I was making it, I realized that there are so many ways you could take this pattern different. In the end, I wanted to keep it simple and this was the result.

Hooded Baby Capelet Pattern

Many of the 25 knitting patterns in my upcoming book were already in my head before I even started planning the book. Mostly all of my inspiration comes from my vintage knitting pattern collection. When I was planning out the patterns for the book I knew I wanted to include a baby cape or capelet. I have seen many lovely capes ranging from a long carrying cape to short little caplelets that are almost glorified collars. What I was really after was a fairy tale cape, the sort that Little Red Riding Hood would wear.


I found designing this pattern was a bit of a challenge for me because I was not sure how to approach it. Do I want it short and sweet, patterned or plain? Eventually I came across this Japeneese pattern and I was totally inspired to keep it simple (i.e. no teddy bear ears)...
After many trials and tweaks, I ended up with a pattern I call Hooded Baby Capelet. I think it is my favorite in the book and I so wish I had a little girl to knit one for. The pattern is streight forward, easy to knit and uses the most incredibly soft Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK. The best part about it is that it is insanely cute when worn. Just the kind of pattern I like to make. (The photo I took is pretty bad as lighting was low but I had to send the cape off to the Photographer today.) I can't wait to see the pictures of the model wearing the cape for the book!

Hooded Baby Capelet Pattern

Many of the 25 knitting patterns in my upcoming book were already in my head before I even started planning the book. Mostly all of my inspiration comes from my vintage knitting pattern collection. When I was planning out the patterns for the book I knew I wanted to include a baby cape or capelet. I have seen many lovely capes ranging from a long carrying cape to short little caplelets that are almost glorified collars. What I was really after was a fairy tale cape, the sort that Little Red Riding Hood would wear.


I found designing this pattern was a bit of a challenge for me because I was not sure how to approach it. Do I want it short and sweet, patterned or plain? Eventually I came across this Japeneese pattern and I was totally inspired to keep it simple (i.e. no teddy bear ears)...
After many trials and tweaks, I ended up with a pattern I call Hooded Baby Capelet. I think it is my favorite in the book and I so wish I had a little girl to knit one for. The pattern is streight forward, easy to knit and uses the most incredibly soft Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK. The best part about it is that it is insanely cute when worn. Just the kind of pattern I like to make. (The photo I took is pretty bad as lighting was low but I had to send the cape off to the Photographer today.) I can't wait to see the pictures of the model wearing the cape for the book!

Who taught you to knit?

I remember pretty clearly learning to knit with my mom. We would spend weekends down-the-shore in Long Beach Island, New Jersey during Sept/Oct weekends. All my memories of these weekends involved board games and some sort of craft. My mom worked full time and her idea of craft meant a really fun kit of some kind (think Pot-Holder Loops). My mom did not knit but something must have inspired her to get some red white and blue yarn (duh, it was 1976) and make me the most god awful sweater you can imagine. I must have liked it too because I wore it to my school picture day to have it immortalized.

During this patriotic sweater making time, my mom taught me to knit. I didn't really take to it but always wished I had. It was only in my mid twenties that I picked up the needles again and like riding a bicycle, it all came back to me, however slowly.

Do you remember learning to knit? Maybe you were taught at school, or by a member of your family? Perhaps you learned to knit later in life? Did you find it easy or a struggle? Tell me your stories about how you learned to knit.

Who taught you to knit?

I remember pretty clearly learning to knit with my mom. We would spend weekends down-the-shore in Long Beach Island, New Jersey during Sept/Oct weekends. All my memories of these weekends involved board games and some sort of craft. My mom worked full time and her idea of craft meant a really fun kit of some kind (think Pot-Holder Loops). My mom did not knit but something must have inspired her to get some red white and blue yarn (duh, it was 1976) and make me the most god awful sweater you can imagine. I must have liked it too because I wore it to my school picture day to have it immortalized.

During this patriotic sweater making time, my mom taught me to knit. I didn't really take to it but always wished I had. It was only in my mid twenties that I picked up the needles again and like riding a bicycle, it all came back to me, however slowly.

Do you remember learning to knit? Maybe you were taught at school, or by a member of your family? Perhaps you learned to knit later in life? Did you find it easy or a struggle? Tell me your stories about how you learned to knit.

the book the book the book......

All I think about and all I do is work on the book these days. It continues to be highly enjoyable and with the deadline looming in October, I am thinking about what's next for me. I am already thinking about a huge hole in the knitting pattern market for Childrens Patterns (4-10yrs). It seems as though there is not much out there designed for this age group. Having kids this age I know that it is almost impossible to find anything decent to knit them. The things I have found are either highly impracticle (Rowan) or seriously dorky. If you have any recommendations for knitting patterns please let me know.

I have been churning out patterns at record pace and I am really happy with the designs. Some are still being finished but these in the photo are ready to go. The final colors in the book will all be different than the ones shown in the pix. I am taking some more photos today of the next batch of knits completed and hope to have them up by the end of the week. (I am fighting a bit of a cold so we will see how I go).

the book the book the book......

All I think about and all I do is work on the book these days. It continues to be highly enjoyable and with the deadline looming in October, I am thinking about what's next for me. I am already thinking about a huge hole in the knitting pattern market for Childrens Patterns (4-10yrs). It seems as though there is not much out there designed for this age group. Having kids this age I know that it is almost impossible to find anything decent to knit them. The things I have found are either highly impracticle (Rowan) or seriously dorky. If you have any recommendations for knitting patterns please let me know.

I have been churning out patterns at record pace and I am really happy with the designs. Some are still being finished but these in the photo are ready to go. The final colors in the book will all be different than the ones shown in the pix. I am taking some more photos today of the next batch of knits completed and hope to have them up by the end of the week. (I am fighting a bit of a cold so we will see how I go).