Temptation Sweater - pattern release

Temptation Sweater is comfortable over-sized garment which will keep your little fashionista warm and cozy even the coldest winter days. The sweater has classic boxy silhouette and pretty cables combination.

It is knitted back and forth with minimal shaping. The sweater is designed with positive ease about 25 – 30 cm/ 10 - 12 inches, dropped shoulder and long neck. All parts of the sweater: back, front and sleeves are knitted separately. After the shoulder seams are completed, the stitches are picked up for collar which is knitted in the round.
Pattern is written for sizes from 2-4 years up to 13-14 years. Bigger sizes are in the adult pattern - Big Temptation Sweater.

The sweater can be knitted with Aran or worsted weight yarn. So it is quite fast and enjoyable knit. I used Fleece Bluefaced Leicester by Wets Yorkshire Spinners in Ecru. The following yarn substitutes can be used:

- Mary Maxim Woodlands

- Hudson Worsted by the Yarn Collective

- Drops Nepal by Garnstudio

- Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted

- Patons North America Decor

Knitting pattern for Temptation sweater is available from LoveCrafts and Ravelry

This sweater was designed based on my Temptation Poncho and Hat set which I knitted for my daughter a few years ago. I still love the poncho a lot, but I wanted to make more universal garment which can be worn under the coat as well as without. Knitting pattern for Temptation Poncho is available from Etsy, Ravelry and LoveCrafts as well as in Mary Maxim knitting kits

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Pattern release - Glamrock Sweater

Last summer I have treated myself with a few types of unusual yarn from ITO. Most of their yarns are lace weight which is good for shawls but to get a light weight garment it should be knitted in two strands of yarn hold together. This gives you a chance to experiment and mix different fibres and create a new beautiful fabrics. So, today I’d like to share my first out of two new designs knitted with ITO yarn – Glamrock Sweater.

This sweater is knitted with two yarns – ITO Kinu and ITO Washi.

ITO Kinu is a 100% silk noil yarn, also called organic silk, as it is produced from the leftovers of spun filament silk. Differently colored fibers are blended for this silk yarn, to produce a melange effect. I used ITO Kinu in shade Chili Pepper.

ITO Washi is made of paper and viscose. It follows the tradition of noble Japanese paper yarns with an extremely silky softness. The paper is twisted with a rayon thread which gives the stability to the garments. Despite this yarn is made with paper it is washable. I used ITO Washi in neutral shade Angora.

To emphasize the beauty of the fabric created by these two yarns, I decided to knit a simple summer sweater with boxy shape and a lot of positive ease. Also, I decided to stick with very simple stitch so my choice was a stockinette stitch with horizontal purl rows every six rows.
The result is great, especially the feel of those yarns. The photos were taken in a very hot summer day (I completed the sweater last summer but wasn’t able to write a pattern) but despite on long sleeves I did not feel hot at all. The gentle light weight fabric was as my second skin. Sweater is turned out really light weight and breathable. 

The Glamrock Sweater can be knitted with two strands of any lace weight yarn or, alternatively, with single strand of Sport weight yarn. It looks beautiful in all shades -  solid, semi-solid or yarn with melange effect.

As I’ve already mentioned the sweater has a very simple construction – front and back are knitted separately bottom up. After shoulder seams are closed, the stitches are picked up for neck and sleeves. The neck is knitted in the round, while the sleeves are knitted back and forth top down, which allows to adjust the length on the go.

Another good thing about this pattern is that it is size inclusive. The pattern is written for wide range of sizes from XS through 5XL. It can be purchased on Ravelry.

To celebrate the pattern release I would like to offer you 10% off on Ravelry until 25th of May. Use code GLAMROCK10 to get your discount.

List of recommended sport weight substitutes:
- Malabrigo Arroyo
- The Yarn collective Rivoli Sport
- Phildar Merino 3.5
- The Fibre Co. Road to China Light
- Schachenmayr Catania Denim
- Cascade 220 Superwash Sport

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Arlet Vest

I’m happy to share the result of my recent collaboration with Eden Cottage Yarn. It is local UK yarn company which produce gorgeous hand dyed yarn is small batches. They have got a beautiful selection of yarn for all knitter’s need from lace weight yarn for shawls to chunky yarn for warm and cozy winter knits.
So here is my Arlet vest designed with absolutely beautiful Hayton DK in shade Woodland. This yarn creates perfect drapery fabric which doesn’t change or fade after washing.

I wanted to make a perfect sleeveless vest which can be worn with wide range of clothing as a top layer. I think I’ve reached my goal. I knitted this vest with about 20cm of positive ease which makes it relly comfortable to wear 

The design of Arlet vest is simple and elegant. It features dropped shoulders, little insert pocket at front, split hem and longer back. Also, the front of vest is decorated with beautiful cable.

Front and back of vest are knitted separately bottom up starting with broken rib. After front and back are completed and shoulder seams are sewn the stitches are picked up for neck and armholes finishing.

Knitting pattern for Arlet vest is available from Ravelry and LoveCrafts

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