new kids collection

out today!!!!

Swans Island published their new kids collection today and me myself and I
had the pleasure to be part of this collection ;)

 Maritime Pullover

Sailor Pullover

hope you enjoy these cuties♥
...will definitely think about adult versions of both designs....still in love with them

way behind....as always

think you all know my lack of professionalism.....always way behind....
nevertheless...here we go
I did a few testknits and released two lovely patterns the last weeks

first the testknits...

I did a testknit for Sylvie (poloetcie at ravelry)...a wonderful...fantastic.... super colourful...gorgeous...and huge shawl!

mine is a tidy bit smaller than the pattern called for....

I followed the pattern until I had 345 sts (in section 4), then skipped the following rows and continued with instructions written for 377 sts (therefore only 20 repeats per half instead of 22 repeats)...no other mods

I used a lot of leftovers and single skeins....for the main colour (the grey) I used lithuanian wool I purchased ages ago ...rustic, but extremely lovey ;))

the next test was for Heleen, one of my all-time-favorite-speedy-testknitters

she designed a top that matches my Dexter cardigan 

I did mine a bit different:

due to this strange yarn I used (Moina by LANG YARNS), that was stretchy like hell and did what it wants to do...my gauge was off

I started with instructions for size XS until I reached the underarms, then I increased some stitches in the first round after Broken Seed Stitch to achieve a casual fit around the bust. On the way down to the bottom ribbing I added 4 increase rounds (no waistshaping for me....hahaha). that's it...and here it is (I love it)

 

...makes me feel like I need a matching grey Dexter in the near future...

now to the business (hahaha)

I published Edie and Reagan  (...you all know this....hahaha, but I never mentioned it here on the blog...)

I am still in love with both of them...maybe you'd like to knit one of your own and join our 'Take your pick KAL' ?

for all of you longing for news about Max (he was in hospital - myocarditis - some weeks ago)...he's doing better every day (yay!!!!), his last blood levels and ECG were fine!

altough I never, ever want to be in this situation again, it helped me to focus on the important things in life...there's nothing more important than our lovelies

isa m.

 

 

 

the Boardwalk Collection Blog Tour Part 3

...today's my day of the Blog Tour...so...here we go!

The Boardwalk Collection has been designed to showcase Islington DK, Kettle Yarn Co.'s thicker weight yarn in the same fibre content as the popular Islington fingering - 55% British Bluefaced Leicester/ 45% silk. A digital issuu ‘look-book’ was created for the heirloom collection with each pattern available digitally from the designers direct by on Ravelry.

...and me and myself were lucky enough to be part of this journey... :)

Arcade – a sumptuous A-line top by Isabell Kraemer 

Bagatelle – a long, sensuous lace cowl by Rachel Brown

Pavilion – an opulently glamorous rectangular wrap by Renée Callahan

Promenade - a exquisite lace cardigan by Maria Magnusson

Jetty – a gently flowing, crescent shawl by Linda Lencovic

Seaward – an elegant lace and cabled hat by Rachel Coopey

When Linda offered me to work with her beautiful yarn I had some difficulties to choose from her wonderful range of bases. But then she told me about Islington DK and I knew I had to try this one....:)

Islington DK is a luxurious blend of 55% British Bluefaced Leicester and 45% silk that is robust (that's what I most love about it....quirky, I know ;)) and versatile while maintaining buttery softness. Each 100g skein measures 212m/232yds.

The collection highlights six shimmering, juicy new shades: Marigold, Padparadscha, Peony, Purple Reign, Verdigris, and Neckinger.

look at these gorgeous colours....makes me wonder why I decided to go with a grey (...not that Old Smoke isn't a stunning colourway as well) 

When I wound the first skein I knew that I had to create a sweater that showcases the elegance of the yarn, and still is casual enough to wear it with jeans

...here it is....Arcade

a jumper that can be dressed up or worn casual with jeans (...or maybe a striped shirt underneath.....hahaha). Worked seamlessly from the top down, Arcade is an easy knit that can be adjusted to your own liking (you know that you can try your garments on from time to time to check the overall fit and length of the yoke, when you work from the top down, don't you?). Just for the fun of it I added diagonal eyelet stripes to both front and back and they turned out soooo lovely...that a tester (Lydia - gypsythedog) added them to her sleeves as well (gorgeous addition....love the creativity of my 'gang')...go check out their stunning testknits here

Want to get your hands on Islington DK this summer??? You can buy the yarn online at kettleyarnco.co.uk or see Kettle Yarn Co. at Fibre East 25-26 July and the Yarn in the City Pop-Up Marketplace in London on 5 September.

tomorrow the Blog Tour stops at Curious Handmade

see ya' there ♥

The Boardwalk Collection Blog Tour Part 1

The Boardwalk Collection Blog Tour Part 2 

The Boardwalk Collection Blog Tour Part 4

 

Kaarina and Ingrid....after a long journey

it's been a while that I made these 2 beauties....
don't ask me what happend during the last months...
but finally the pattern for Ingrid 

and for Kaarina
were released today!!!!

 

maybe we can do a KAL (no fear! not immediatley....., I know...holiday season, hot weather,.....) in the group? I thought about a general sweater KAL in fall (starting beg of september or so)...what do you think? 

hope you all have fun out there

xxx

isa m.

 

Dexter left the house

....it's 'only' 4 weeks that I last wrote here...yay!!!
maybe I can keep going on this way...1 post a month should be doable.... ;)

 

the pattern is published and I am happy to hear (and see...hahaha)  that some of you already started their very own Dexter 

it is a versatile, cute cardigan that can be worn with jeans, or your favorite summer dress

 for the red sample I worked with easyknits.co.uk Arcadia a lovely alpaca base that comes in some really, really beautiful colours 

there are so many other things going on at the same time right now (seams that this is usual behaviour for my life for quiet a while now)

running 5 testknits at a time (2 public - go and have a look through the test threads in the group ...and 3 secret ones)...I should quit my dayjob....

today another long kept secret was published

 

Arcade  was a perfect collaboration between kettleyarnco.co.uk and me...

Linda does such a glorious dyejob... (I am only a knitter...not a dyer...and I am impressed by those lovely colours one can do)

it's not usual that all is going smooth within such collaborations, but this one was pure pleasure for me...I just had to create a new sweater...everything else ( and I bet there was a lot of work behind) was done by Linda...

go and check out her beautiful yarns here...

you won't regret it , I swear ;)

some more designs with her lovely Islington Dk base will show the next days, stay tuned and check out The Boardwalk Collection

love ya' all

Isabell