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KnitBits®
#67
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The free e-mail newsletter from Berroco
http://www.berroco.com
#67, July 9, 2004
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Dear Knitters and Crocheters,
This edition of KnitBits obviously
arrived in your mailbox today, but I am actually in Florence,
Italy. I will return with loads of fashion news and inspiration
from the cradle of the world's textile industry. In my absence,
I have asked my friend Norah Gaughan to write a few words as my
"guest writer."
And so, Norah writes:
It's such a thrill to be working
with Margery again. An ever enthusiastic pillar of support, she's
always been able to bring out the best in me. We have the kind
of artistic relationship where 1+1 defies logic and adds up to
be more than 2. I had several designs published previous to meeting
Margery, but it was the work we did together as designer and editor
that propelled my career into a full time knitting adventure and
taught me as much as any graduate school could have. Some of my
favorite memories are of us excitedly bouncing thoughts and ideas
back and forth. The results would be an interesting combination
- fantastic whimsy with a sense of restraint.
Starting in the late 80s,
I spent the better part of a decade designing solely for magazines
and yarn companies. Developing pattern stitches, especially cabled
and twisted stitches, became my passion. I liked then (and still
do today) the challenge of making things really mine and expanding
the existing vocabulary of knit stitches.
In the mid 90s I was able
to exploit this experience by branching out a bit, designing pattern
stitches for the ready-to-wear industry. I also freelanced for
about ayear at Adrienne Vittadini as knitwear designer for their
sport division. My next six years were spent as design director
at Reynolds, Artful Yarns and Adrienne Vittadini Hand Knitting
Yarns.
Currently, I am very excited
to be working on my first hardcover book (look for it in 2006!)
as well as returning to freelance designing for the industry and
selling my unique pattern stitches in the form of swatches to
sweater manufacturers.
I want to be sure I mention
how much I genuinely love one of my favorite yarns, Berroco's
Suede. Of course, I always adore
yarns that show off cables well. Knitting with Suede gives fantastic
cable definition and a clean, modern texture at the same time.
The result is practically weightless, giving it a seasonless appeal.
The cabled pullover I designed
for the Fall 04 season is in a solid cream color - Dale Evans.
It started out with a sketch.
Margery commissioned me to make it for Berroco's pattern collection.
I think it looks beautiful in
photography. Please consider making it in one of my favorite
ombre colors. I'd like to make one for myself in the gorgeous
blue shades of Wrangler and I am very tempted by the vibrant new
hot pink—Belle Star. I always feel good in hot pink.
I'd wear it with my ankle length skirts as often as I would with
jeans. When your go to your yarn shop and have a look at the instructions
for Gina in Book #228, don't
let the charts scare you. If you haven't worked from a chart before,
it is well worth learning how. I find it so much easier to identify
little mistakes and to know where I am when I work from a chart.
Margery has asked me to show
you the Web Exclusive Free Pattern for this KnitBits. It is called
Keri. This is a very easy
pullover for a child. It's knit in Plush Colors and it's the perfect
kind of soft and easy sweatshirt that any child would love to
wear. Just print out the free
instructions and ask your local yarn shop for the popular
Plush Colors. You may want to knit several in some of the great,
kid conscious shades.
You might also want to knit one in a solid
shade.
I'm glad that Margery has invited me to write a guest column.
It's nice to "meet" you all. Margery will be back to
write Knitbits #68. I can't wait to hear all about her travels.
All the best,
Norah Gaughan
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