1.17.2013

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! :)




63 comments:

Deb said...

Looking forward to adding your new book to my collection! Gorgeous designs.

nursenikkiknits said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations!

chris m said...

Gorgeous! I love every single pattern!I can't wait for the February release.

Monica said...

Alana, you have outdone yourself! Beautiful patterns, all of them!

Devin said...

These are so gorgeous! I just can't believe how much I love these designs. I will be buying the book and making every single thing in there! Amazing, Alana!

Mikaela said...

Oh I can´t wait to pre-order this beautiful book!! Lovely work, as always :)

Rumpelstiltskin said...

The model has to learn how to laugh ;)

I love the patterns! But I only knit for my daughters, not for me, so I really hope you will release these patterns for children too! They are awesome!

Toby said...

Love love love! Can. Not. Wait. To. Knit! Congratulations!!! You are one busy momma!

Julie Ann said...

Fabulous patterns. Can't wait for the book. BTW my grandaughter is enjoying Annie and The Swiss Cheese Scarf I gave her at Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Love! Love! Love!
The colors, the patterns ...

Only, I sorry that the model didn't smile ...

Zenitude said...

My goodness Alana! You are incredibly talented. I love your new designs and plan on knitting one of the cardigans as soon as I can get my hands on the book. Congratulations!

Blonde said...

Wow!!! Alana, you outdid yourself, these patterns are absolutely gorgeous!!! I want to make each and every sweater (as well as a couple of hats and mitts and...).

Suzanne said...

Wearing those knits would definitely put a big smile on my face. I can't wait to see the book in print.

Sasha said...

I love every single one. I pinned them all and added them to my favorites =D I can't wait until the book is released!!

knitalatte said...

Gorgeous designs and so uniquely Alana. Love the hats! Off to Ravelry to learn more. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

All of these designs are gorgeous! I think Twigs and Willows is my favourite, and I can't wait to start knitting it. I will definitely be ordering the e-book!

Silvia M. said...

Such beautiful designs! My queue just got bigger! :)

Rae Lynne said...

Alana, your designs are just beautiful and I love how you incorporate the leaves into this collection. I think Autumn's End is my favorite design by far. So delicate and pretty! :) Congratulations on your new book! :)

Karen said...

so so so beautiful!! great work!

jennybookworm said...

Wow - absolutely gorgeous collection of patterns! I'd love to know what the price for the book will be and if the patterns will be available for sale individually on Ravelry?

Kristina said...

They're beautiful! Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I love leaves! I will definitely get this book!

kjramstack said...

I think I'm in love. Did you create this book just for me? Because it feels that way...

Elida said...

I love your designs! What a beautiful book. How did you learn to design? Did you start out using stitch dictionaries and then create stitch patterns from there? How do you come up with the construction methods? I am interested in becoming a knitwear designer and would love any help you can offer.

Passionate Design said...

So I've pinned them all love them. My daughter (age 4) just loved the pockets on the Buds & Bloom cardi "oooh pockets" she said and tried to touch it on the computer screen.

Love the whole collection, I will be pacing the floor until it is released :)

shabby girl said...

Oh my gosh, I love them all! Congratulations on such a wonderful gathering of patterns!

nook. said...

this is a beautiful ebook! congrats on the publication of it! so much work has been put into this i'm sure! it's absolutely gorgeous! xo

Unknown said...

gorgeous as usual--can't wait to get my hands on this book!

Unknown said...

I love how nature has inspired you! What great patterns! I think the Oak Trail hat would have to be my favorite though!

GynnaB said...

Oh Wow! i love each and every single pattern!!!!! Will have a hard time choosing what to knit first! cannot wait for the booklet to come out!

Meg said...

CAN'T WAIT!

Brigi said...

Amazing! So beautiful!

A said...

Your designs are so lovely,can't wait to see the book.
I just wished that your Model would have looked a little happier!!It must be a pleasure to model such beautiful designs.

Alana said...

There is an explanation for my non-smiling model.... BRACES! :)

Thank you everyone for your nice comments about the book! :)

Very Shannon said...

YAY!!!! This is gorgeous!!!! So excited for you Alana!!! It's stunning! If you do a blog tour please let me know. I'd love to help promote your book :) Congrats!

Cinnamon said...

Oh my goodness! These patterns are fantastic!!! I can't wait to get my hands on the collection. Beautiful work Alana. I am in awe.

Deb said...

Hey - I thought the model looked beautiful and set the right mood. Smiling might have been too catalog-y!

Rachael said...

These are stunning and I can't wait to cast on for the Wrapped in Leaves!

YarnTraveler said...

Lovely designs, I've already favorited a few to remind me when the book is available. However, I just have to say that I really find the model dour and off-putting. Not a single smile? Poor woman looks like she was black mailed into modeling.

Alana said...

YarnTraveler,

She would be sad to read that. As I mentioned in a previous comment, unfortunately my model had to get braces just weeks before our photoshoot. Lots and lots of braces. :)

After months of knitting garments to fit her body, there wasn't much we could do.

Courtney is a very fun and lively person and was more than happy to be a part of this project. I feel bad that her expression has come off as "off-putting". I was hoping for "dramatic" :)

Devin said...

I disagree wholeheartedly! The model is stunning, and she looks fabulous. Models aren't supposed to be smiley! Gorgeous! I thought she was a professional.

9crafty11 said...

Wow, wow , wow!! Wowsers! Just wonderfully sumptious designs!! Cannot wait for the release! Congratulations on your new book!!

Michaeline said...

Alana,
The designs are beautiful!! I have several that I am interested in knitting. I will certainly look forward to getting my copy of your book. Congratulations on a wonderful job!

Knit Scrap Labs said...

Oooh. I want. Definitely will pick up a copy of this book!
I agree about the model, she's a little sulky for wearing such beautiful happy knits.

Nicky said...

Beautiful designs.
Well done.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful!
I especially love Autumn's End and the Twigs and Willows cardigan.

Cathy said...

I also love your designs. I have Coastal Knits and will be interested in getting this book too.
I also enjoy your podcast very much. You have a very pleasant way about you.

Toadstool Knittery said...

Absolutely lovely!! I love designs with leaves and flowers and your new patterns are so gorgeous. Really, without kidding, I never before liked every pattern from a book. Usually there are some patterns I love and some I maybe like but would never knit. But in this case, I love one pattern more than the other!
Very well done!

Kind regards,
Maike

Unknown said...

who cannot resist the loveliness of fall leaves changing colors!!!
^)^ linda

rinebird said...

Each pattern is a must have.The yarn colors are amazing too.Congrats.Alana
rinebird on Ravelry

Mallory said...

These look gorgeous! I will definitely be pre-ordering!

Anonymous said...

Alana, you're so talented! Those are gorgeous designs!

Kathy said...

Oh wow! I will be buying your book for SURE! These items are all just gorgeous.

Maryse said...

Absolutely beautiful! I was wondering just today when it would be out! Congratulations! It will be a great success for sure!

christine m. said...

As someone who lives in an area with 4 distinct seasons who also happens to love the Fall, I have to say these patterns are just glorious! Nice work, Alanna girl. :)

Michelle B said...

Wow your patterns are amazing! Just beautiful!

But can I say your model is super serious!

Erika said...

Wow! Hope I'll be able to buy the book here in Sweden.

Carol said...

Oooohhhh! Each design is cuter than the next! Just pinned a bunch of these. Can't wait for the book!

Julie said...

Wow Alana, you really knocked it out of the park! Every single one of these designs is utterly beautiful, and I would totally knit and wear them all. You are amazing!! I'm definitely getting this collection.

Unknown said...

Alana, this collection is SO beautiful. Each piece makes me go, "why didn't I design that?" I don't usually have time to knit other designers' patterns but I might have to make time to make myself an oak leaf hat.

Joanne said...

Gorgeous designs!

Anonymous said...

I cannot wait to get this book and love that you can get the digital version right away. Can't wait to start knitting. (start working on your next book!)

Unknown said...

I've been off blogs for ages with moving and getting ready for our first baby. I'm trying to make time to catch up. Congratulations!!!