patterns Archives - Page 11 of 11

designer interview: Tanja Luescher Designs – knittedinswitzerland

Thunder and Lightning by Tanja Luescher Designs — Thunder and Lightning

Today my second interview with a fellow Indie designers participating in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014. I’m talking to Tanja Luescher from Tanja Luescher Designs, also known as knittedinswitzerland. She joined me in the chat room of the La Visch Designs group on Ravelry:

First of all, I’m very excited to be having this interview with you and get to know one of my fellow Indie Design Gift-A-Long designers a bit better. So thank you very much for having this interview with me!

Thanks to you for interviewing me 🙂

Would you please tell me (us) a little about yourself?

I live in Switzerland with my hubby and two cats. I learned to knit in 2003, when I met my husband. We were living 600 km apart from each other, and every Sunday when he brought me to the station, and we waited for the train, he was so cold. So I decided that I wanted to learn to knit and make him gloves. Unfortunately, he almost never wears knitted things, but I knit on anyway 😀 I soon began to make up own patterns (Top Down Custom Fit Raglans, for example) to get something that fits me. In 2013 I published my first pattern 🙂

That is so romantic!

🙂 Yes… apart from the “he doesn’t wear knitted things” part 🙂

Mine also doesn’t wear my knits 🙂

They don’t know what they’re missing…

So right! When looking at your portfolio, the emphasis seems to be on lace. How did you start designing lace shawls and other accessories?

I took a two part course from Renee Leverington (GoddessKnits), Design your own Shawl and Advanced Shawl Designing. I hadn’t even knit much lace or shawls before, but I was completely hooked 🙂

For me, lace is the most beautiful thing you can create with knitting

How would you describe your design style?

Well… Lacy, I guess 🙂 I try to design things that keep me (and hopefully) others motivated, miles of stockinette would probably kill me. I love the look of a nice stockinette sweater, but I can’t knit it without adding a cable here or a little something there. 🙂

Besides (obviously) lace, what’s your favorite thing to knit? Shawls, hats…?

At the moment it’s definitely shawls, and recently I’ve fallen in love with cowls. I also love knitting socks, although I might have a little bit of Second Sock Syndrome…

Ah, the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome… I’m a victim of that too. To battle it I usually knit 2 socks at the same time. Which means that my latest pair of socks has been without top ribbing for the last 2 years 😉

LOL Yes, two at a time is one of the greatest inventions of all time 🙂

What is your favorite pattern of your own design? And why?

The shawls I made for special people in my life (my friend Eri, my MIL Margrit, my great-grandmother Betty and my friend Jolanda) are close to my heart, of course. I couldn’t choose one of them – that’s like asking which of my four-legged children I love the most. 🙂

I was wondering about the names of your patterns… Could you tell me more about the background of one of those?

Okay… In May 2013, my father-in-law died all of a sudden, and we took my mother-in-law, Margrit, to live with us because she has Alzheimer’s. She loves to see me knitting, she always says “Tanja, you’re an artist” or “Martin, you married an artist, you know?”. At that time I was knitting a Pi Shawl, and she kept telling me how beautiful she thought it was. When it was done, her birthday was just around the corner, so I named the shawl Margrit and gave her the sample for her birthday.

That is such a touching story… And I must say, the Margrit shawl is really gorgeous!

Margrit Pi Shawl by Tanja Luescher Designs — Margrit Pi Shawl

I’m curious, what do you do in your down time besides knitting?

I love reading, sometimes I play the piano and I love to play The Sims (2 and 4) 🙂

What is your taste in books?

Many different things… The last two books I’ve read were a crime story and “Radical”, the biography of Majid Nawaz. I also love absolutely everything written by Jasper Fforde. But then I can’t say no to all the knitting novels out there, either …

I must admit I’m not familiar with these writers. I’m more of an old-school sci-fi person myself. I love me some Asimov, Vance and Niven 🙂

I’m a Trekkie deep in my heart 🙂

Old or new?

All 🙂

A true fan! 😉 Are you doing any gift knitting this year?

Yes, I’m making a blanket for my daddy and if I can somehow make the days have 48 hours I’ll also make him a few pairs of socks. 🙂

Wow, those are not small projects either! I can see where the wish for longer days comes into play.

The blanket is made from bulky yarn, fortunately. 🙂

That makes a big difference!

Oh yes 🙂 But the GAL with all its tempting patterns doesn’t really help 🙂 But it’s fun to knit from someone else’s patterns for a while.

I very much admire the various sock yarn blankets that sometimes do their rounds over Ravelry, but for me personally that just is a no-go…

I’ve made one blanket from sock yarn held double, that was okay. Unfortunately, the cats have loved it to death…

For a very long time I’m now knitting a pattern form someone else and it so relaxing… Not having to think through every step 😉

So true 🙂 Just do what the pattern says, it will be alright 🙂 Tanja Luescher Designs

International cowl by Tanja Luescher Designs — International cowl

Pick one of your own designs that you think makes the perfect gift and tell us why you think that.

I’d say International Cowl – it’s an interesting Estonian stitch pattern and a quick knit.

That is indeed a very lovely pattern. Do you intend to make it a set with (fingerless) mittens and/or a hat in the future?

Not at the moment, I have too many new ideas 🙂 But who knows…

I know the feeling!

Lovely! That’s it for my questions. Thank you very much for your time. I really enjoyed this chance to get to know a fellow designer a little bit better 🙂

Thanks, I’ve enjoyed it, too 🙂

Wonderful and thank you. Have a great evening!

Same to you, have a nice weekend 🙂 Tanja Luescher Designs Tanja Luescher Designs

designer interview: Tanja Luescher Designs – knittedinswitzerland Read More »

zoel hat

The Zoel Hat is a very soft and delicate hat knit using lace weight mohair yarn. It is a great pattern to get familiar with using this type of yarn. Because of the simple two-row lace, this pattern not only lets the yarn shine but also makes for a wonderful portable project.

Pair it with the Zoel Scarf to warm up a cold day in autumn or winter.

Pay what you want: (minimum €4.90)

€

Skills required

This hat is knit in the round. Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog and the double decrease sl1-k2tog-psso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Zoel hat is available in 3 sizes: S (M, L). In the pictures, the M sized hat is worn with 7.5 cm (3 inches) of positive ease.
Finished size at brim: 55 (60, 65) cm, 21 1⁄2 (23 1⁄2, 25 1⁄2) inches.
Length from brim to crown: 20 cm, 7 3⁄4 inches.

Pattern details

Bottom-up
Written for gauge of approx. 14 sts / 24 rounds = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 2 pages (A4 size)

Materials

15 (16,17) g / 83 (89, 95) m (91 (98, 105) yards) of Lana Grossa Lace Pearls [40% wool, 26% polyamide, 18% alpaca, 18% mohair, 8% glass; 137 m (149 yds) per 25 g skein].
Substitute any lace weight kid mohair/silk type yarn for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round in the following sizes (or to match gauge): Size 4 mm (US #6) and size 4.5 mm (US #7)
Yarn needle
12 (13, 14) plain stitch markers
1 differently colored end-of-round stitch marker

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ijskristal slouchy hat

The IJskristal Slouchy Hat is a shapely tam which combines a simple and elegant lace repeat pattern with a wonderful amount of slouch.

Worked in the round from the bottom up, this pattern is available in two sizes. With both written and charted directions for the lace, this hat knits up like a dream. Pair it with the IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf for a lovely coordinating set.

Pay what you want: (minimum €4.90)

€

Skills required

The IJskristal Slouchy Hat is worked in the round starting at the rolled edge brim. Stitches used include knit, skp, k2tog, yo, M1 and the centered double decrease sl2-k1-p2sso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

To fit size: 51-53.5 (56-58.5) cm, 20-21 (22-23) inches.
Finished size at brim: 45 (49.5) cm, 17.75 (19.5) inches.
Length from brim to crown: 27.5 cm, 11 inches.

Pattern details

Bottom-up
Written for gauge of approx. 24 sts / 29 rounds = 10 cm (4 inches) over stockinette
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)

Materials

50 (60) g / 160 (192) m (175 (210) yards of DK weight alpaca yarn. The sample hat features Ice Yarns Pure Alpaca (100% Alpaca; 160 m (175 yds) / 50 g). Substitute for an alpaca yarn of comparable weight for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round in the following sizes (or to match gauge): Size 3 mm (US #2 ½) and size 3.5 mm (US #4)
Yarn needle
17 (19) stitch markers
1 differently colored end-of-round stitch marker

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bezaan

Inspired by the Dutch seafarers of old, this shawlette owes its distinct asymmetrical shape to the “bezaan” sail of the boats which sail the Zuiderzee. The waters of the Zuiderzee are often treacherous during stormy weather with the winds blowing its waves into dark gray ridges before breaking into heavy froth on the Dutch shores.

The textures of the moving waters are translated into the ridged body pattern and simple lace edging and border. Bezaan: a very different one skein shawl.

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

€

Difficulty level

Stitches used include knit, purl, kfb, M1, yo, p2tog, k2tog tbl. The pattern is suitable for the advanced beginner.

Pattern details

Knit sideways from tip to tip
One size – easily adjustable
Written for a gauge of approx. 18.5 sts / 24 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over body pattern
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)

Materials needed for Bezaan

400-420 m (437 – 459 yds) / 100 g fingering weight yarn.
A circular needle size 4 mm (US #6), 80 cm (32 inches) long.
Yarn needle
4 stitch markers

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moerbei

Inspired by the lovely texture and color of almost-ripe moerbei or mulberry fruit, the Moerbei shawl is juicy and sweet and exactly what you need.

Knitted sideways from tip to tip with only 100 g or 420 m (460 yds) of fingering weight yarn, it’s the perfect project for that special skein of yarn. This shawl features both an appealing textured body achieved by working bobbles, as well as a delicate looking and easy to work border. Once the body of the shawl is complete, stitches are picked up for the border and dropped to create the ruffle effect.

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

€

Skills required

This pattern features bobbles, a slipped stitch edge, as well as picking up and knitting stitches for the drop-stitch border. Stitches used include knit, purl, k2tog, kfb, M1 and yo. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Pattern details

Top-down
One size – easily adjustable
Written for gauge of approx. 17 sts / 25 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over stockinette
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)

Materials for Moerbei

420 m (460 yds) / 100 g fingering weight yarn
A circular needle size 4 mm (US #6), 80 cm (32 inches) long.
Yarn needle
1 stitch marker

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kimono wrap revisited

Kimono Wrap Revisited: a highly customizable crochet wrap pattern with sizes ranging from 3 months to 10 years and multiple options for finishing and closures. Make it in a camouflage variegated yarn or make a very girly version in pink with a picot or shell edging. Anything is possible!

This kimono wrap is worked back and forth from the top down in one piece, with either single crochet, reverse single crochet, picot or shell neck and hem finishing. You can add cute ties, or loops and buttons, to fasten. You can make it sleeveless, or with long sleeves.

This pattern is written in American English crochet terminology.

Pay what you want: (minimum €7.10)

€

Sizing

Kimono Wrap Revisited includes the following baby, toddler and children’s sizes: 3M (6M, 12M, 18M), 2, 3, 4, {6, 8, 10}. The pattern includes approx. 8 to 9 cm (3 ¼ to 3 ½ inches) of positive ease.

Difficulty

Techniques used consist of half double crochet foundation row, hdc, hdc increases and hdc decreases. Because of this the pattern is suitable for the advanced beginner.

Pattern details

Top-down
Gauge: 15.6 stitches and 12.7 rows = 4 inches in hdc
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (A4 size)

Yarn

Yarn in DK weight in the following quantities:

MC short sleeve version: 255 (285, 300, 350), 385, 420, 475, {550, 660, 795} m or 280 (310, 330, 385), 420, 460, 520, {600, 720, 870} yds.
MC long sleeve version: 325 (365, 405, 455), 505, 550, 620, {715, 855, 1020} m or 355 (400, 445, 385), 500, 550, 600, {680, 935, 1115} yds.
CC both versions: 65 (70, 70, 75), 80, 80, 85, {90, 95, 105} m or 70 (75, 75, 80), 85, 85, 95, {95, 105, 115} yds.

Materials

Size 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook
Yarn needle
4 removable stitch markers
2 size 2.5 cm (1 inch) button (optional)

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zomer zilt

Sometimes when I think of summer, I get this picture of a turquoise sea, rolling gently over a white sandy beach. Imagine the heat of the sun and the cool breeze carrying the scent of salt. This image of summer bliss is what inspired me to design the Zomer Zilt shawl, which is just right to throw on when the sun goes down and the air becomes a tad chilly. Knitted from the top down, with only 100 g of fingering weight yarn, it’s the perfect summer project.

This design features broomstick lace, so called because it is similar to lace created with a broomstick and crochet hook. It is worked over two rows: on the first row, the yarn is wrapped twice around the needle between each knit stitch. On the next row, the wraps are dropped to create elongated stitches, which are worked in groups of four.

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

€

Skills required

Zomer Zilt features knitted broomstick lace as well as various increases and decreases. Stitches used include knit, purl, k2tog tbl, kfb, M1R, M1L, yo and double yo. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Pattern details

Top-down
No sewing
One size – easily adjustable
Pattern languages included: English, German and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse, Duitse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size) for the English version (updated pattern format per August 2023), and 3 pages (A4 size) for the other versions.

Materials

100 g fingering (sock) weight yarn. Yarn used in sample: Hand dyed sock yarn by “Atelier Kleurrijk Vilt” [75% wool, 25% polyamide; 333 m (364 yds) / 100 g skein]. Substitute any fingering weight yarn for a similar result.
Circular needle size 4 mm (US 6), 80 cm (32 inches)
Yarn needle
4 stitch markers

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sweet as pi

Sweet as Pi is a sweet little baby cardigan for that special little baby in your life. Worked back and forth from the top down in one piece, with i-cord neck and hem finishing and either a cute tie or loop and button closure. As a finishing touch, an applique of either the Pi symbol, a rabbit or a sheep is applied with duplicate stitching. If desired, the picture could also be made using intarsia instead.

Pay what you want: (minimum €7.10)

€

Sizing

This pattern includes 4 baby and toddler sizes: Newborn (3 – 6 months, 12 – 18 months, 24 months). Written with 2.5 – 5 cm (1-2 inches) of positive ease.

Skills required

Techniques used consist of provisional cast on, i-cord bind off, regular i-cord and duplicate stitching. For duplicate stitching, a photo tutorial is included. Stitches used: k, p, kfb, and slipped stitches. Therefore, the pattern for the Sweet as Pi baby cardigan is suitable for the beginning knitter, who is ready to learn new finishing techniques.

Pattern details

Top-down
No sewing
Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 6 pages (A4 size)

Materials

Yarn in DK weight in the following quantities:
Main color: 150 (220, 290, 360) m (164 (241, 317, 394) yds)
Contrast color: 65 (70, 80, 95) m (71 (77, 87, 104) yds)
Circular needles in sizes 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4.0 mm (US 6), with a length of 80 cm (32 inches)
Yarn needle for duplicate stitching
Waste yarn for provisional CO and to hold sleeve stitches
6 stitch markers
2.5 cm (1 inch) button (optional)

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stormy seas shawl

Stormy Seas is a half circle shawl, featuring Sea Foam lace. It shows off variegated and self striping yarns with long to medium lengths of color wonderfully. Combined with the all-over garter stitch, it gives an airy, textured, reversible fabric. While my version is in a hand spun yarn, it can, of course, also be knit with a commercial yarn. Make the shawl as small or large as you like, just knit until your yarn runs out!

The instructions for the lace are, of course, both charted and fully written out.

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

€

Difficulty level

This pattern features the Sea Foam stitch, which requires multiple yarn overs, that are dropped on the following row. This takes some getting used to, but is quite easy to execute. Stitches used include knit, kfb, k2tog tbl, yo and multiple yo’s. This pattern is suitable for the beginning to intermediate lace knitter

The Sea Foam lace pattern is both charted and written out
One size (wingspan of 148 cm (58 inches) measured from tip to tip)– easily adjustable
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)

Materials

420 – 630 m (460 – 690 yds) of fingering or sport weight yarn. The sample shawl features a hand spun yarn.
Size 4.5 mm (US 7) / 100 cm (40 inches) circular needles were used for the sample shawl. Use needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
Yarn needle.
32 stitch markers (optional)

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handspun delight

The Handspun Delight shawl showcases hand spun yarn. It has been designed to be knit with the typical thick-and-thin yarn which most new spinners produce with their first efforts. This design works well with hand-dyed, variegated yarns, or with a combination of yarn odds and ends. Because of this it is also great for some stash busting.

The shawl consists of a stockinette body and a border based on the Old Shale lace pattern. Charts and full written instructions are given.

This pattern gives instructions for shawls in three sizes: S (M, L) with 5 (7, 9) Old Shale lace fans. On all three versions it is possible to extend the lace edging.
Bulky weight yarn in size S will give a shawlette sized piece similar to the pink sample. Worsted weight yarn in size L and the extended lace border gives a very generous shawl as in the blue-green sample. Working the largest size and border with fingering weight yarn would give a decent shawlette.

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

€

Skills required

This pattern uses various increases and decreases: k2tog, k2tog tbl, skp, kfb, M1, pfb and yo. Because of this it is suitable for the intermediate knitter, or the more adventurous beginning lace knitter.

Pattern details

Top-down
Written for any gauge
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)

Materials

The pattern for the Handspun Delight shawl works well with a large variety of yarn weights. Here are some guidelines for the required amount:

Small size: 200 – 250 m (218 – 273 yards) of aran to bulky weight yarn.
Medium size: 250 – 350 m (273 – 383 yards) of worsted to bulky weight yarn.
Large size: 350 – 600 m (383 – 656 yards) of fingering to worsted weight yarn.

Yardage estimates are variable due to differences in yarn thickness, needles chosen, preferred gauge and depth of border.

Needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
Yarn needle
6 (8, 10) stitch markers

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