Ramble Poncho

Happy Knitting and Happy New Year! It is time to share my latest design for 2019 – Ramble Poncho. I made this super warm and super comfortable poncho for my older daughter. Knitted with super bulky yarn, the Ramble Poncho is designed to keep you away from the wind and cold this winter season. It has a comfortable hood for extra warmth and front pocket for hands.

Front and back of poncho are knitted separately back and forth. After shoulder seams are sewn the stitches are picked up for the hood. For the better fit of hood there are couple of rows are knitted in the round for the short collar. Then the hood is knitted back and forth. The hood band is also knitted in the round. The poncho is designed with positive ease of 20-25 cm/8-10 inches. The measurements of the poncho are given including shoulders.

I used The Wool yarn from We Are Knitters and 12 mm knitting needles. The knitting pattern is easy to follow and suitable for intermediate knitters. It is written for all sizes from toddler through adult L/XL.

The knitting pattern for Ramble Poncho is available: 

on Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ramble-poncho

on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/657156972/knitting-pattern-ramble-poncho-all-sizes

and on Loveknitting:
https://www.loveknitting.com/catalog/product/view/id/233690/

Instyle Shawl

Happy Knitting Everyone! The test knit for my for the Instyle Shawl has finished and the knitting pattern is available from Ravelry now.

Thank you so much to my test knitters for the great help and time. You can see all their beautiful shawls here.

The knitting pattern for Instyle Shawl is also available from Craftsy.

Fascination Poncho and Hat Set

Happy knitting everyone!
Please welcome my latest knitting design – Fascination Poncho and Hat set.

For some time, I’ve been thinking about designing of poncho which would have the same shape like Temptation Poncho (modified raglan sleeves, long neck, curve bottom band) but would be easier and faster to knit.  So, here it is. Knitted with bulky weight yarn this poncho has all these features and the matching hat too!

This set is stylish and super cosy clothing for you and your little one.
It is designed to keep you and your little one away from wind and cold.

For this set I used Cloufborn Fibers Superwash Merino Bulky. Front, Back and sleeves of poncho are knitted back and forth up to neck line, the collar is knitted in the round. The hat is knitted in the round too.

The knitting pattern for Fascination Poncho and Hat is written for all sizes from toddler through adult L/XL and available from my pattern stores:
on Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fascination-poncho-and-hat-set

on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/664215575

on LoveKnitting:
https://www.loveknitting.com/catalog/product/view/id/231949/

and on Craftsy:
https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/patterns/fascination-poncho-and-hat-set/663680

Dream Hat and Cowl

Happy knitting! Today I’d like to share my latest knitting design – Dream Hat and Cowl.

I’ve got so many complicated designs knitted with textured and cable stitches so this time I wanted to create something simple yet elegant and cozy. I think I’ve done it.

Both parts of the set are knitted in stockinette stitch in the round and decorated with narrow garter stripe. The hat has a fancy loop at the top. The cowl has a triangular shape at front. It is knitted started from the bottom point back and forth up to shoulders and the finished in the round.

For this set I used the softest merino wool I’ve ever tried – Classy from Dream in Colour. For the set size child I used just one skein.

The knitting pattern for Dream Hat and Cowl is available from my pattern stores:
on Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dream-hat-and-cowl

on Craftsy:
https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/patterns/dream-hat-and-cowl/660324

Knit a Gauge Swatch

Knitting a swatch and checking your gauge are essentials for almost every knitting project. Many knitters ignore this task and jump to cast on as soon as possible. As a result, they can have a wrong size garment or get very stiff/loose fabric.

So, knitting a swatch can help you:
-    Choose a correct size of knitting needles and the knitted fabric will look beautiful.
-    To get a right size of the finished garment.

Knitting pattern’s gauge is determined by the designer and can be slightly different from the gauge recommended by the yarn’s manufacturer. You need to follow the designer’s gauge in order to get the correct size of the finished garment.

Also the gauge depends on many other factors such as: personal knitting gauge (some knitters knit loose while the others - tight), yarn type and fibre content, knitting needles material and shape. Some yarn will change its size after washing. So, even if you knit with the yarn recommended in the pattern it is still essential to knit your own swatch and make sure that it matches the pattern one.

Swatch Knitting Tips:
1.    Knit a swatch with the yarn you plan to knit your project with.
2.    Knit a swatches for all stitches used in a pattern if it is recommended by the designer.
3.    Do not knit a tiny swatch. The size of your swatch should be at least 10 cm/4 inch.
4.    Block your swatch before taking your measurements.
5.    Knit your swatch in the round if the garment you going to knit is knitted on circular needles seamlessly.

Knitting Gauge problems:
If a gauge of your swatch matches the recommended gauge for both stitches and rows you can cast on your project and enjoy knitting. If your swatch doesn’t meet the gauge you need to adjust the knitting needle size or in rare cases to change the yarn.
-    If you’ve got more stitches per 10 cm/4” (your stitches are too small) than you need to knit another swatch with bigger needles.
-    If you’ve got fever stitches per 10cm/4” (your stitches are too large) than you need to knit another swatch with smaller needles.

Row gauge:
It is more difficult to get the correct row gauge than stitch gauge sometimes. If you’ve got this problem, you can try using wooden needles instead of metal ones and vice-versa.  The change in needles material can help sometimes. If even after using of different type of needles the row gauge is still incorrect you need to change the yarn.
However, if the pattern instructions are based on length measurement and not quantity of rows you can ignore the row gauge.

Get swatching :) 
So even if you feel this crafty itch in your hands don’t skip this important step and knit your swatch first. It is a great opportunity to try your yarn and test out the stitch especially if you’ve never knitted with it before. It can save your time and give your assurance that your project going to come out correctly.

Happy knitting!!!

Broken Symmetry Sweater and Giveaway

Happy Knitting Everyone :)

I’ve got a couple of news to share with you today.
First of all, I’ve finished working on my new sweater design which I created for my baby son. It is Broken Symmetry Sweater. Even though I designed it for a boy the design turned out as a perfect unisex garment.

The sweater is knitted with sport weight wool yarn. It is a perfect item for layering with any shirt or T-shirt. The sweater can be combined with a matching Broken Symmetry Hat too.

Constructed with raglan sleeves this sweater is knitted top down seamlessly on circular needles. The front part is knitted with combination of stockinette and stripe stitch. The neck, cuffs and bottom edge of sweater are knitted with 2 by 2 ribbing.

The pattern was successfully test knitted on Ravelry. You can check and adore beautiful projects from my test knitters here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/broken-symmetry-sweater/people

The PDF pattern is written for the sizes from baby to child and available from my pattern stores on Ravelry, Craftsy, Etsy and Loveknitting.

I also run a giveaway for knitters in Knitting with ViTalina Craft group on Ravelry.

For your chance to win please head to my knitting group for more info.

Instyle Shawl Test Knit

One more news from me today :)
I’ve just opened a test knit for my new shawl design. If you would like to participate in it you can find more info in Knitting with ViTalinaCraft group on Ravelry.

The asymmetrical triangle shawl is knitted sideways starting from a corner. The simple garter stripes are combined with beautiful lace stitch. I used Milburn 4-ply yarn from Eden Cottage Yarn in shade Althaea.

Broken Symmetry Hat

Happy Knitting Everyone! Today I’d like to share my new hat design for Broken Symmetry Hat, which I made for my baby son.

Knitted with sport weight yarn, the Broken Symmetry Hat is a perfect accessory for any autumn/winter wardrobe. It is knitted in the round in combination of stockinette and stripe stitches. The brim of hat is knitted with 2 by 2 ribbing.

The design of hat is simple but a bit challenging. Because these two stitches have a different gauge. To compensate the different gauge, the two pairs of different sizes of circular needles are used at the same time. The pattern has got a photo tutorial for this technique.

The knitting pattern for the Broken Symmetry Hat is available from my pattern stores:

Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/broken-symmetry-hat

Craftsy:
https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/patterns/broken-symmetry-hat/651262

Etsy:

Loveknitting:

Acorn Hat

Happy Knitting Everyone. :))
Autumn is always a busy time for the knitters. You need to prepare yourself and your loved ones for the cold season as well as start thinking about all these presents for coming Christmas and etc. I believe the perfect gift for the knitter is a fancy new knitting pattern. So today I’d like to share my very first hat design for boys – Acorn hat.

Acorn hat is a perfect accessory for your little men. The hat is knitted in the round on circular needles bottom up in stockinette stitch. The brim of hat is started with provisional cast on and decorated with horizontal fold going around.

Although the hat is knitted in stockinette stitch you wouldn’t get bored while working on it because the hat includes a couple of fancy techniques such as provisional cast on, making horizontal fold, knitting with two circular needles and etc. 

The pattern for the Acorn Hat is available from my pattern stores:

on Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/acorn-hat-21

on Craftsy:
https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/patterns/acorn-hat/644073

Loveknitting:

Flash Lace Hat

Hello fellow knitters!
I’ve just tested and published my new hat design – Flash Lace Hat.
Knitted with pretty lace stitch this beanie is a perfect addition for your wardrobe for offseason while you can enjoy the warm weather with a bit of chill.

 

Flash Lace hat is knitted in the round with DK/8-ply weight yarn. The beautiful lace stitch is combined with twisted rib for more sophisticated finish. 

Thank you to my lovely test knitters for the help. You can see the result here

The knitting pattern for Flash Lace hat is available from my pattern stores:

Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flash-lace-hat

Craftsy:
https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/patterns/flash-lace-hat/640489

Loveknitting:
https://www.loveknitting.com/flash-lace-hat-knitting-pattern-by-vitalina-craft

Magic Leaves Tunic and Ravelry Knitting Group

Hello fellow knitters, I believe you keep your knitting needles busy with your lovely WIPs to get ready for incoming cold weather. Today I’d like to share two great news:
Firstly, I’ve opened my knitting group on Ravelry. It is a new place where I’m going to run my test knits, share the latest news and help with my patterns. So if you are fancy to share you ViTalina Craft projects and have a little chat about it, please come along and do it. Here the link for the Knitting with ViTalina Craft group:

https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-with-vitalinacraft

Secondly, I’d like to share my latest knitted design – Magic Leaves Tunic, which I created for my girls.

I think it is turned out so pretty and comfortable. It looks so gorgeous on these two little besties. 

The A-shape tunic is knitted bottom up in the round up to underarms, then the front and back are knitted back and forth separately. The frill and sleeves are knitted in stockinette stitch; the body of tunic is knitted in reverse stockinette with fancy leaves motif at front. 

The tunic can be knitted with worsted or Aran weight yarn. It is designed with about 17 cm/ 6½ inches positive ease.

The purple tunic is knitted with Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted. Looks like it is my new favourite yarn for this winter. The pink tunic is knitted with Lang Yarns Merino+ Superwash.

The knitting pattern for Magic Leaves tunic is available from my pattern stores:

Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/magic-leaves-tunic

Etsy:

Loveknitting:

https://www.loveknitting.com/magic-leaves-tunic-knitting-pattern-by-vitalina-craft

Craftsy:
https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/patterns/magic-leaves-tunic/639137