Introducing... Botanical Knits!

OK, enough with the sneak peeks!

  I am happy to now introduce my 12 new patterns to you... in the world's longest blog post. Ever.
 These are all part of my upcoming design book!

Have I mentioned how incredibly excited I am about these new designs?? 

I would like you to meet...

This raglan-style pullover is knit in one piece from the bottom up. This pattern was definitely the most challenging to engineer because of the lace pattern, but thankfully with the help of 2 technical editors and 2 different test knitters, we were able to write up this pattern with the raglan shaping all charted out. That makes it so much easier to decrease the stitches for the yoke while still maintaining the beautiful lace-leaf stitch pattern.

I have had this design in mind for the past few years, ever since I designed the Oak Grove Mitts. I guess it is no surprise that I am a bit obsessed with oak leaves! This particular hat design is one of my favorite pieces in the book. The construction of it is very interesting and fun to knit. You start off by knitting a strip of fabric, picking up stitches along one side and joining it into the round for the body of the hat. In doing so, the bottom brim over-laps itself. I have always found the cloche to be a very stylish choice.

Ever since I designed the Cedar Leaf Shawlette back in 2010, I have had knitters contacting me requesting a larger version. I thought that this new design collection was the perfect opportunity to address this request. This shawl has the same look as the original shawlette with a similar leafy border, but offers a different construction and larger body for more coverage. The result is cozy but also quite elegant.

Entangled Vines is probably the simplest sweater in the book to execute. This is a top-down raglan construction that you can try on as you knit for the best fit. The sleeves have a pretty twining vine motif that serves as an interesting detail amidst the backdrop of plain stockinette. This sweater knits up quickly and the changing pattern on the sleeves keeps your interest. I was especially happy with how the top cable motif ended up gracefully cupping the top of the shoulder.

For this hat I designed a stitch pattern with a series of subtle cable and lace stitches that resemble fallen autumn leaves overlapping each other. Sort of like a... forest floor! I think that the resulting texture is very interesting and cozy. I would like to use this stitch pattern in a future design.

You might remember this sweater from this little sneak peek I posted several months back of my first design prototype. As soon as I posted these pictures, this knit began receiving quite a bit of attention. I think that the wide collar really makes it stand out. Another design element that I am especially proud of is the circular pockets which are joined into the sweater as you knit the fronts. They were very fun to design and also to knit. I enjoy knitting projects with unusual construction and details. It keeps me interested in the piece while it is on the needles. This cardigan certainly fits the bill!

This is the first item that I designed for the book. I found a version of this stitch pattern in a stitch dictionary and absolutely fell in love right away! I love the texture and the lines of the leaves and arches is so graceful and inviting. This pattern was originally released last year as part of the Tanis Fiber Arts Year in Colour Club under the name of Arching Leaves. I love these socks so much, I was happy to include this pattern again in this new collection.

I had to make these mittens to match because the socks were just not enough! It's too pretty of a stitch pattern to be hidden on your feet. Plus, when I was designing the socks, I put one on my hand for some reason and that was that... mittens were born. These are knit in the same fingering weight yarn as the socks but at a slightly looser gauge for a more flexible fabric for your hands. I love the way these turned out!

This cardigan is my favorite among the sweater patterns included in this book. I love how the elegant little branches frame the neckline. Between the waist shaping on the cardigan body and this pretty stitch detail on the yoke, I think that this is a very flattering sweater. It draws the attention up towards your face.

You may remember me complaining heavily about a cable breaking on one of my sweater projects in this podcast episode. Yep. It was this project! One of the sweater fronts had to be ripped back significantly and knit again. Terrible memory.. but the result was worth it!

Every design collection needs at least one easy quick knit. Something that you can whip up in a weekend as a gift for a friend, or a last minute winter accessory. This leafy loop accomplishes just that. It's knit with bulky yarn and big needles and only took me a few evenings to make two of them!

When I was a teenager, I had this frame on my wall with 2 leaves pressed underneath the glass. The body of the leaves had kind of worn away and all that was left were the veins. I loved that frame. It was so pretty to me. I wanted to capture that same look of pressed leaves in this beret. I designed this stitch pattern to focus on the outline and structure of the leaf using twisted knit stitches.

In these cozy fingerless mitts, a budding plant grows up one side and into the thumb gusset.
Careful shaping is added on the opposite side of the mitt for a nice fit and to follow the curve of the wrist in a flattering way. When I see these mitts I think of new growth, and spring. They are functional because they are of course warm and cozy, but also an eye-catching accessory.

The lovely photography in this book was provided by a few of my talented friends. The main photographer being Carlee Tatum of prettyminded.com. The model is my friend Courtney who also happens to be Carlee's sister. How fortunate am I to have photogenic, creative friends? :)

I hope that all of you will enjoy these knits! I certainly did enjoy designing them.
 Botanical Knits: Twelve Designs Inspired by Foliage and Trees, will be an 8.5 x 11 inch, 112 page book that will be available in February to pre-order. It will also be available digitally.



For now, all of the patterns and information is up on Ravelry, so head on over and start queuing up your favorites! Click HERE! I was so pleased to see that 4 of these new designs made it into Ravelry's top 5 "hot right now" patterns just this evening! Thanks everyone!

Additionally, I have started a Botanical Knits Ravelry group. I hope that you will all join and let me know which projects you are interested in starting when the book is released. I will be checking in to to help you plan out your projects.

Also, if you have any questions for me about these knits, the design collection as a whole, my design process, etc.. please leave your question in a comment below and I will go through and answer it in my next podcast episode due out at the end of this month.

As always, thank you everyone for your support! I am super excited about this new book! I will be sure to keep you updated when it's finally available! :)