Sandra's Designing Blog

This is an exclusive area of my web site where you can find out more about my knitted designs, what inspires me, how I work and what I like (and don't like) to design. 
 
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Category: Sideways top

  1. Between Seasons & Stitches

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    Playful Dungarees

    Between Seasons

    Now that summer has drawn to a close, the weather here in the UK can’t seem to make up its mind—one day it feels like autumn has arrived, the next the sunshine is back again. My weekends lately have been just as changeable, with plenty of travelling up and down the country to visit family. With three gorgeous grandchildren, all living more than 100 miles away (some north, some south), I’m clocking up the miles—but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

    I often think how lovely it would be to design more knits especially for them, but little ones grow so quickly! Weekends together are too precious to spend with measuring tapes in hand or setting up photoshoots. So instead, I make the most of every cuddle, laugh, and story we share.

    Today I thought I’d look back and share some of my favourite baby designs—patterns that I’ve loved creating, and I hope you’ll enjoy too. Who knows, you might find the perfect project for a little one in your life.

    “Here are a few of my favourite baby knits—click through to explore the patterns.”
     
     
    View All Baby Patterns

    On the Needles: Sideways-Knit Top

    Meanwhile, on my needles, the sideways-knit top I’ve been designing is steadily taking shape. Knitting sideways brings its own challenges and surprises, but it’s always exciting to see how the fabric grows and the design unfolds.

     

    As you can see my sideways-knit top is moving along nicely—I’ve finished the back and two fronts, and given them a good block to try and tame the curl (almost successful!). With the pieces pinned together and placed on my dummy, I’ve been checking the neckline placement against the original design. The good news? The design works beautifully! The seam runs lower down the back rather than sitting on the shoulders, which lifts the front pieces slightly and creates a lovely effect where the front looks shorter than the back.

    Now the real puzzle is what to do with the nest of yarn tangles that this sideways construction seems determined to create!

    “Knitting sideways brings its own challenges and surprises, but it’s exciting to see this design unfold. I’ll share more as it progresses—watch this space for the next installment.”
     

  2. Trusting the Process

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    Trusting the Process

    Today I’m sharing two projects close to my heart:

    The first is one I’m knitting myself from a design I created at a recent workshop. I talked about the design in my last newsletter, I'm part way through knitting the back, starting from one side edge and working across ways.

    Now I have some worries about this design that I know I will overcome in time.

    1. There is shaping for the shoulders which goes right up the back of the neck, which at the moment looks quite weird  This was also in Lisa's original design and I know that it sat nicely on my shoulders when I tried it on. Hopefully when I sew the shoulders together it will make sense.

    2. The fabric is knit in a slip stitch pattern, but I've knit the stiches (with some slips) on the right side row and purled the wrong side row so its basically a stocking stitch fabric. And as you know stocking stitch curls at the cast on and cast off edges. Because I'm working sideways, these edges will end up in the side seams (that's all ok) and the front edge border. So will I have to add on a front edge border to straighten out that curl?

    3. All those yarn ends that I will have to weave in. I'm going to do some research to see the best way of doing this to make sure it' doesn't end up bulky.

    I know I just have to trust the process stitch by stitch
     
    Scrap Yarn Designing Blog Post
    FREE PATTERN - Striata Cowl
    The high back neckline of Lisa Richardson's original design.
     

    The second one is soon to appear in "The Knitter" magazine, where as usual I’ve entrusted the process to a whole team.

     When I submit a design to a magazine, I place my trust in others. The technical editors check the numbers with precision, the photographers style and capture the garment in its best light, and the editors set the pattern beautifully within the pages. Each of us plays our part, and together the process works.
    Amesbury - A 'Zig Zaggy' Brioche scarf pattern is to appear in issue 220 available 2nd of October.  I'm so looking forward to the magazine popping through my letterbox in the next few days. In the meantime I'll share this one preview photo I have. 

    As designers, knitters and makers, we all have those moments of doubt—but trusting the process often leads to something more beautiful than we first imagined.

    So....... just trust the process & happy knitting x

    Sandra