Issue 4, Wild About Yarn Magazine out now PLUS bonus free magazine

WILD ABOUT YARN MAGAZINE, ISSUE 4 - VINTAGE

I was so happy to finally get Issue 4 of Wild About Yarn Magazine out on the PDF 'shelves' and sent off to subscribers all over the world!  Have you seen it yet?  Even better that I could offer a bonus FREE magazine that traces the history of knitting from the 1920s to the 1960s. (When postage in Australia increased by 40 percent between two of my issues, I had to make the sad decision to publish the magazine as a PDF download but the feedback has been positive.)   

Casey Maura 

it was with delight that Casey Maura and Amy Appel both accepted  my invitation to be our feature maker and designer respectively. This was another bonus as I've admired their work for a while now.  Casey epitomises vintage in almost every way from her 1940s and 50s inspired dresses to the sweaters she knits, often acting as a test knitter for other designers including Amy Appel. Casey has a regular podcast  on which she discusses her knitting, sewing and spinning, and Amy  can be found on Ravelry with several design ranges and a swag of fellow knitter/ followers who love her sweater and turban designs. 

The next addition to the Rockabilly Queen Collection
The Money Honey Turban
Find it here: Money Honey Turban

New sock pattern from Casey
Find them here:
Mischief Maker Socks

And...
I couldn't wait to announce their new  designs.  Casey has just published her first sock pattern, Mischief Maker Socks  (I hope to start mine soon when the KAL commences in 2018), and Amy is adding to her Rockabilly Queen Collection with the versatile Money Honey Turban- the KAL has just finished but you can still find it on Ravelry.  

A little knitting history... 

Knitting and crochet have had a bad rap  for a long time and I'm not so sure that they've gained more status despite how hard creators and makers have worked to bring them into the 21st century.  they are still considered an activity for older women and perhaps we'll never re-educate everyone on how incredible designers are now.  I'm heartened to see women of all ages  reviving it in huge sweeps with innovative and vibrant designs.  It's ironic that it's now considered more a 'woman's activity' when it is believed that the first knitters were fishermen.  In the  Middle Ages, knitting was done exclusively by men who had to pass a series of exams and tests which took some 6 years to complete, in order to  be considered qualified professional knitters. By the 1400s, guilds were established but again, these were only for men. 

1920s- Flapper, masculine shapes

1930s feminine style, nipped in waists,
 fairisle

The true shift of knitting by women came in the Victorian era. In 1589, William Lee invented the first stocking frame knitting machine which is still in use today.  With the advent of this and subsequent knitting machines, there wasn't the necessity for  men to spend years doing their apprenticeships to become qualified knitters.  Knitting machines did this for them, thereby diminishing the number of men who knit.  Knitting then shifted to a craft that women took up  in the home, but the activity of knitting was only considered 'a wifely one' not a professional one as it had for men.  Far from feeling that way, Amy Appel, in our  second interview, discusses how empowered she feels as a young woman, knitting in modern times, knitting anywhere and knitting with other women.   

Vintage supplement - bonus free issue  (24 pages)

Wild ABout Yarn magazine traces the collision of knitting and culture, of how politics, combat between countries and advances in technology shaped not only how we proceeded as a society but how knitting progressed. 

The main issue consists of two interviews, two articles-tips for adjusting Vintage Patterns in the 21st Century and the Make, Do and Mend Era of the 1940s.  And finally, in Kitchen Bites there's a recipe for Delicious Strawberry Swirl Vanilla cake. 

(Try it, I think you'll like it! Make it for your next knitting group gathering!)

The BONUS FREE issue is  24 pages jam-packed full of the history of knitting through the years.  It's been so much fun creating the mood boards for this issue.  I learned so much and I hope you do too.  

Find the link to my Etsy store here Wild About Yarn  This is a PDF download delivered directly to your email.  

Happy Yarning,
Lu x


If you make any of the  patterns, please tag your projects on Instagram with:

#wildaboutyarnvintage  #wildaboutyarn #vintagestyle 

You can find me here:

Instagram: @wildaboutyarn

Email:          wildaboutyarn@outlook.com
    

  

Patterns for the Citrus Twist dyed yarns

 Yarn Stories  in the Citrus Twist Range
(left) *She ran naked through the citrus orchard
(middle) * Delicious blood oranges in her hands
(right) *And lime juice sprinkling on the earth below

 Patterns for Yarn Stories hand dyed yarn

'Citrus Twist' colourways

Hi  Knitters!   

 I thought I'd start a new feature for my hand dyed yarns by finding you some delightful patterns. This time it's knitting patterns but I'm sure you can come up with some crocheted designs. 



Sock yarn doesn't have to end up as a sock or two 😉 (although I know there are quite a few sock addicts out there or why would there be a hashtag for it? #sockaddict.)  

For those of you who are new 
to dyeing, 'naked' yarn is the natural 
colour BD = before dyeing.Have you seen  what I've done to the naked yarn I purchased? It's no longer 'naked'. 

My Merino sock base is soft, 437yards, 100gms, 85%merino/15%  nylon,  and wonderful to knit with.  Find my yarn on Etsy (click here Lu Douglas Designs, Etsy or on the ETSY icon right)  

 Go to this blog post to read about Citrus Twist dyed yarn by Lu and  how I started my Yarn Stories. I'm having lots of fun creating these ranges and I'm pleased to say that other yarn lovers are liking them too! 

A new feature of my dyed yarns is finding you some wonderful and easy patterns for you to make in the yarn. 

Feast your eyes on these gorgeous designs… (click on the links) 

Simple shawl - Jane Hunter  (free) 
  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-shawl-8     (Requirements -1 skein) A garter stitch shawl that would look great in any of the colours of Citrus Twist and an easy project for beginners wanting to learn how to knit shawls.

Shawl -  On the Spice market Shawl  -  5.20 euro
 (link -On the Spice Market Shawl  ) 
(Requirements 2 skeins)  This is  one of my most favourite shawls and would look so fresh  in the Citrus Twist colourways. 

Socks - Socks on a Plane on a Plane (free) 
  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socks-on-a-plane 

socks on a plane

 (Requirements -1 skein) I have a soft spot for 
these socks having knitted two and wanting to 
cast on a third.

Shawl -  The Hitchhiker Shawl  3.90 euro
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker    

(Requirements - 1 ½ skeins)This shawl has appeared in many feeds on social media and I still love it!

Yoga Socks (free) - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yoga-socks-153  (Requirements -1 skein and enough left over to make more!)

(My Rose City Roller socks )

Anklet Socks  (free) - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rose-city-rollers  
(Requirements less than 1 skein)   I love this free sock pattern and since these are short anklet socks, you'll have enough left over to make more! 

Baby cardigan - (click here Baby cardigan  £1.50 
 from Woolzone.  (Requirements -100g sock yarn so plenty left over)  The sweetest and most easy all-in-one cardigan. You could make matching booties or a beanie. 

Crochet shawl - free and skill level easy
(Requirements - 1 skein) I have long since loved the Elise shawl by Evan Pavlinski.  

Let me know if you make something from any of the three yarns on offer by using any or all of the hashtags

 #citrustwist #yarnstories #wildaboutyarn  

or email your photos to me at   linda.p.douglas@outlook.com

I'd love to see it. 

Happy  Knitting, 

Lu x

Instagram: @wildaboutyarn

Etsy: ludouglasdesigns
Facebook: LindaDouglas

Yarn Stories - The Circus Series Range,hand dyed yarn!

🌟MORE  exciting news! 🌟

Postage  on yarn is now $10.00 overseas NOT $18.00!  (In actual fact, sending yarn from Australia  is $21.00 which is prohibitive so this is a huge bonus  and I couldn't be happier!  

Introducing The Circus from  myYARN STORIES range.  I will be releasing a new yarn every month! 

To purchase this yarn, click on the link  Lu Douglas Designs, Etsy

Yarn Stories, April

                                         

At last, it's happened!  The yarn is dried, the Circus tent is up and ready for business!  It’s been so much fun designing the yarn and just as exciting creating the accompanying art to advertise it! Look out on Instagram for some fun videos and photos!

The Story

To me, everything has a story, even if it is tracing the history of the yarn  or learning about the methods of dyeing from ancient times. I enjoy creating work for exhibitions in clay, paper and print and making stories about them, so why not do the same with yarn??

I fell in love with Lotus Yarns (http://www.lotusyarns.com/).  The New Sock and the Aran Cashmere blends are my choice because they are silky soft and knit and crochet up well. (*** Note that the Aran is 8ply (DK) not 10ply in the lotus Yarn range)

 Since socks are my passion,  THE CIRCUS Series  is fingering weight, hand dyed in Australia and ready to send all over the world!  Yes, postage is ridiculous everywhere  but there's a BONUS:

               You will receive one of my stitchmarkers or zipper pulls for your project bag FREE! (value $8.00)  with every skein of yarn purchased (One per order) for the duration of 2017, and there might just be another little surprise in there as well…J

 The Circus Range has one side dyed with bands of colour while the other is speckled – oh how I have grown to love speckled yarn!!!!!!!!!!  

I hope you find exciting ways to use my limited edition, hand dyed yarn,  The Circus.   Please use the hashtags   #yarnstories  #thecircusseries  and tag me @wildaboutyarn  for any of your posts on Instagram or Facebook.   Socks were  first on my list, what will be on yours – socks for you, socks for a family member, a hand knitted toy, a shawl?? 

 I can’t wait to see! 

Some great free sock patterns are:

Hermoine’s everyday  socks – Erica Leuder   (CUFF DOWN)   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hermiones-everyday-socks

Monkey Socks - Cookie A  (CUFF DOWN)

  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monkey-socks

Vanilla Sock -Mary Lucas (TOE UP)

  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/so-vanilla-socks


Happy Circus days!

Lu x

Favourite things of 2016

Hello November

where did the year go? 

The other day, I sat and wrote down all the projects that were my favourites for 2016.  Socks, dyeing, flowers, little bejewelled blankets...too many to include here!  I think you all know that knitting socks is one of my favourite things to do...it's theraputic for me and now that I've gotten my formatting down, I can do it without a pattern.  You could too if you tried.
(Free tips on knitting socks here...☺
                              http://wildaboutyarn.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/aburning-sock-desire-sock-knitting-in.html  )

This is Secret Garden yarn, gifted to me by the lovely Connie  who has just uploaded a whole new batch of delicious yarns!

(Find these beautiful yarns here...Chile Knitz yarns

I fell in love with this Regis Thelma colourway  - this is the basic sock pattern

Hermione socks http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hermiones-everyday-socks  in Kaleidoscopeali Paintbox 7 yarn

 I wanted ankle socks and Rosecity Rollers  (Find them here...) seemed perfect, 

quick to make and are so cute.    (I used a Madeline Tosh  - light pink - and  a multi coloured sock yarn from Spotlight for the toes and cuff.)

Nature featured in many of my projects this year whether it was in dyeing or prints.   I travelled extensively throughout Queensland this year teaching workshops. It's my passion and seeing the achievements of all those who attended is just one of the rewards of being able to share my knowledge and skills. At last count, there were more than 120 participants  who took part in my classes this year. A huge thank you to everyone for the support and creative fun we had.

Sock yarn dyed with avocado pits/skins and wattle

DYEING yarn and paper were part of some of the workshops.  Dyeing is easy to achieve for beginners but the process  always offers a uniqueness;  there is some ofthe unknown in how it turns out which makes it  exciting.

Are you like I am & want to knit every skein you dye just to see what colour pattern emerges? Alas, some fly out the door to other homes before there's a chance but there's always the thrill of seeing the variations once the skein is dried and caked up.  Gathering plants in season ensures I achieve the colours I want so keep that in mind. (Freeze the leaves and flowers for later use.)

You don't need to use plants to achieve dyes.  The yarn on the left has been dyed with food colouring and yes, it's permanent.  In the 3rd issue of  Wild About Yarn Magazine (still available here Wild About Yarn issue 3, PDF download only ) there is a yarn dyeing tutorial using food colouring showing how easy it is for anyone.  The magazine also has an interview with the very generous Heike Gittens of Madewithloops  and did you know Heike and Claudia  now have a new book available? (Find it here A Little Book of Shawls).  



 Dyeing with plants is a matter of science and sometimes serendipity even when you follow all the rules!  Water quality effects the ph balance too, so what might have been purple can turn out brown.  I teach yarn and fabric dyeing workshops so if you are interested in a workshop, contact me for details. (wildaboutyarn@outlook.com) 
Announcement: Later this year, my book  - The Magic of Microwave Dyeing - will be published! 

Flowers

One of the most popular photos this year has been my knitted and crocheted flower arrangements. I created my own secret garden.
We have the best of both worlds today - the colours of our yarn choices are innumerable and the internet brings many designs and tutorials for us to try.   I love that more designers are creating wearable art and home decor that fits in well in contemporary times.  And I look forward to discovering more creative ways to display and arrange yarn projects.  Pinterest (Lu Douglas Pinterest crochet)
Pinterest is nothing short of magic.






Montages are compact moments of  personal history and every month, I prepare one. It reminds me of just what I've achieved and I don't mind telling you that I sometimes surprise myself.

(top right) current Scrappy socks   (bottom left) daisy granny squares for a blanket

                               (bottom right) basket made using foraged plants

Clockwise from top left:  I called this my Bijoux Blanket and have been working on it with my multi talented friend, Teresa Mercer, from Montana (find her crocheted items and jewellery here  Mercer Made)  This tiny block is a universal one but how delightful to create a join-as-you-go project when the larger ones get to be overwhelming. (You could join us too. See below for the method and hashtag it   #bijouxblanket on Instagram. Tag me please @wildaboutyarn)  
Thank you Alice (Instagram @alicebyday)  for the inspirational photo. 
The Bijoux Blanket is a great way to use up left overs for a runner or a small throw; make it into a bag and line it, or add more blocks to the design to create a shawl.  So many possibilities.

BIJOUX BLANKET METHOD
Magic ring. (UK TERMS) 
ch3, 2tr into ring, *ch3, 3tr into ring, repeat twice more from *, slst into the 3rd ch of the beg ch3.  Done. :-) 
For subsequent motifs, use join-as-you-go method at the ch3 section by doing ch1, slst into the corner of the first motif, ch1, continue with 3tr into the ring, Repeat this at the next corner and at corners where the motifs meet.   Work in rows. 

 Remember to put aside a little time each day for you...and enjoy November before the rush of Christmas begins.

Happy stitching,
Lu

Socks, socks, knitted socks for the Yal, 2015

YAL Year of the Flower 2015  March project

BOUQUET OF FLOWERS, SOCKS, cuff down

Hello lovely friends!  This month is filled with socks - my most favourite thing to make.  I designed a knitted sock for the YAL for March, but I haven't forgotten the crocheters .  There's a pair of slip-ons for you to dance around in at home.  :-)  See the next post.  

Inspiration for the arrangement

watercolour of the design

sample of the design...

This delicate sock pattern has been a delight to knit with its easy 6 row repeat. I hope you can see the bouquet of flowers.

Materials

350m sock yarn, 4ply

Circular needle    2.5 needles or 5 x 2.5 double pointed needles (dpns)

Stitch markers-  2

Gauge: 2.5mm needles, 9sts x 9 rows = 1in

Bouquet of flowers graph

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Repeat this around all needles…

The anatomy of a sock is simple...

the anatomy of a sock...

Abbreviations

|  Knit

-  Purl

M – Make 1

/3 – Purl 3 tog     = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased

ssk = slip one knitwise, slip the next one knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit (Find this here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwcYW3GG3M)

M1  (below) - Work to the place where the increase is to be made. Insert the left needle from front to back into the horizontal strand between the two stitches: Knit the stitch through the back loop as shown. On the purl side, insert the needle from front to back and then purl the stitch through the back loop. (Find it here on Knitwitch’s site… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmUSinUjZbE)

CUFF  

Cast on 65 stitches using the continental cast on.(Find this here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjpLK8w2rkM ) This gives a stretchy opening.

Divide the stitches equally between the circular needle’s two ends – 32 ON LEFT NEEDLE, 33 ON RIGHT.

TWO TIPS TO AVOID THE BEGINNING GAP:  

                     1. Cast on ONE more stitch then necessary - 33 sts.  Before starting, knit the first stitch onto the right needle and then pass the second stitch on the right side over the one you just knit. (PSSO)

                     2.  Weave the tail into the knitting on the first row as you go.  This can be pulled on later to help close up the gap at the beginning.

 To start, knit the first stitch then pass the second stitch on the right needle (the extra stitch) over the stitch you have knitted.  This is quite awkward and is not compulsory but it does help to minimise the beginning gap! NB:  Once you have done the  PSSO, you will have 32 stitches on each needle.

 *Weave in the tail at the back as you knit the first row.   

This cuff is a standard rib pattern: K1, P1 all round.  Repeat this until your cuff measures 1 ¼ inches or 3cm ( or longer if you wish). Place a marker at the beginning of the first round.

Leg  

NOTE: Every second (even) row is the same:   knit 13, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1

Work Rounds 1-6 of pattern 9 times by repeating it around the 64 sts.   (If you want a longer sock, repeat the pattern 11 times.)

Heel Flap – worked on ONE needle back and forth, not in the round, as follows:

Set up row 1:  K16.   Turn your work so that the WS is facing.

Set-up Row 2: Sl 1 purlwise, purl the 16 st you just knit and then purl the next 16. These 32 will now all be on one needle.  Arrange the cable so the other two- 16 st sections-  are on the other needle end; these form the INSTEP and will lie dormant while you work the heel flap.  Keep them separated by the stitch marker.

The heel flap will be worked back and forth on the first 32 sts that you knitted. 

HEEL FLAP INSTRUCTIONS

heel flap worked  back and forth 

All sl1 will be done purlwise- insert your needle as if to purl then slip the stitch onto the right side needle ( if you are right handed) . 

Row 1 : Sl 1, k31. Turn…
Row 2 : Sl 1, p31. Turn…
Repeat these 2 rows 14 times more. There will be 15 slipped sts along each side edge of the heel flap.

Turning the Heel

Row 1. : K17, ssk, k1.

Row 2.  Sl1, p3, p2tog, p1 .

Row 3.  Sl1, K4, ssk, k1

turning the heel

Row 4.  Sl1, p5, p2tog,  p1

Row 5.  Sl1, K6, ssk, k,

Row 6.   Sl1, p7, p2tog, p1

Row 7 : Sl1, k8, ssk, k1 
Row 8 : Sl1, p9, p2tog, p1.
Row 9 : Sl1, k10, ssk, k1.
Row 10 : Sl1, p11, p2tog, p1.
Row 11 : Sl1, k12, ssk, k1.
Row 12 : Sl1, p13, p2tog, p1.
Row 13 : Sl1, k14, ssk, k1
Row 14 : Sl1, p15, p2tog, p1. 18 sts remain.
Row 15 : K9.  This brings you to the centre of the heel. 

 From this point, needles will be situated with the number 1 at the middle of the heel.

Gusset  

Gusset joins the heel to the body of the sock

Tbl = through the back loop – this is done because the row before is a purl row and the stitches will have a twist if you don’t knit through the back loop. 

Reminder: Beginning at the centre of the heel, the gusset will be all knit and is termed as needles 1 and 4 (which are on one circular point,  and needles 2 and 3   (on the other circular pointed end) are knitted from the patterned graph.  

Round 1:

Using Needle 1, knit the remaining 9 sts of  the heel flap, pick up and k 15 sts along side edge of heel flap (1 st in each slipped st) and  then 1 st between top of heel flap and held instep sts (16 sts)

For needles 2 and 3, k 16 sts of the pattern, put a marker, knit the next 16 sts of the pattern

For Needle 4, pick up and k 1 st between instep sts and top of heel flap, pick up and k 15 sts along side edge of heel flap, k remaining 9 sts of heel flap. 82 sts: 25 sts each on Needles 1 and 4, 16 sts each on Needles 2 and 3.

Round 2: K9, k14 tbl, k2tog; work Row 2 of flower Pattern over sts on Needles 2 and 3; ssk, k14 tbl, k9.

Round 3: K to end of Needle 1; work next row of flower pattern over sts on Needles 2 and 3; k to end of Needle 4.

Round 4: K to last 2 sts of Needle 1, k2tog; work next row of flower pattern over Needles 2 and 3; ssk, k to end of Needle 4.

Repeat Rounds 3 and 4 seven times more. 64 sts  (16 sts on each needle).

Foot
Continue in pattern as set, working sts on Needles 1  as knit and sts on Needles 2 and 3 in the flower Pattern, until work measures approx. 1.5 inches less than desired length to the toe, ending with Row 6 of the flower Pattern.   

foot in progress, pattern on the top (needles 2 & 3) ,
plain knit on the bottom (needles 1 & 4)

Toe
1.  K  all around
2. Decrease Round: K to last 3 sts on Needle 1, k2tog, k1,

                               k1, ssk, k to end of Needle 2,

                               k to last 3 sts on Needle 3, k2tog, k1,

                               k1, ssk, k to end of Needle 4.

Repeat these 2 rounds 8 times more. (28 sts remain).

Using Needle 4, k to end of Needle 1.
Slip sts from Needle 2 to Needle 3. You now have 14 stitches on each needle and will now use kitchener stitch to close off the toe. (Splendid Sticks blog – an excellent resource for yarny things)  Find  how to do  Kitchener stitch here...http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/blog/?p=5316

FINISHING

Weave in all ends and block well.

Don't worry if you don't have sock blockers. This is a wonderful tutorial on how to make sock blockers. http://yayforyarn.com/diy-sock-blocker-tool/

Dampen your socks and slide them over the blockers. Leave to dry.  


Tag me on Instagram or comment below if you join us for the Yarn A-Long! 

I'll be off stitching a new sock.  :-) 

Lu x

Ravelry: Lu Douglas

Instagram: @wildaboutyarn

Email: wildaboutyarn@outlook.com

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/au/shop/ludouglasdesigns