Simple Brioche Cowl - Free Pattern

If you read my design blog on my web site called "new skills learnt" you will know that I have just learnt the Brioche stitch and I'm branching out and adding Brioche knitting patterns to my portfolio. Part of my learning experience was learning that Brioche is in fact a quite an easy stitch once you get past the new terminology and it's quite fun to do too.  

I believe that Brioche is in fact a stitch that is better and easier done in the round! and done in 2 colours ! When worked in the round you work one stitch pattern in one colour for the 1st round and then switch to the other colour, work another stitch pattern for the 2nd round and work like that until the end. 


I'll explain in a simple pattern; a lovely striped reversible cowl.
I used 1 x 50 gram ball of YarnStories fine merino and alpaca yarn in Aran weight and 1 x 50 gram skein of some lovely hand spun yarn of a similar weight and 4.5mm circular needles.


The finished size is: Circumference 28inches / 71cm , width 8inches/ 20cm.

INSTRUCTIONS

Cast on 100 sts using the 2 colour cable cast on technique, start with your MC colour and end with your CC. This creates a colourful 2 toned cast on edge.

Set up Round: Using your MC, *K1, SL1YO; rep from * to marker.

Next Round: Bring the CC yarn forward under the right needle tip and then use to,
*SL1YO, BRP; rep from * to marker

From now on, you will be working each round in alternate colours.
The MC will be worked in Knit (using the BRK and SL1YO stitches) and the CC
will be worked in Purl (using the SL1YO, BRP stitches).

Rnd 1 (RS): Using MC, *BRK, SL1YO; repeat from * to end.

[Tip: BRK, bring yarn to front of work, Slip 1 purlwise. The next BRK will create the YO]

Rnd 2: Using CC, *SL1YO, BRP; repeat from * to end.

[Tip: Slip 1 purlwise, take yarn over the needle to back of work and then bring to the front
inbetween the stitches, BRP].

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until desired width.

Cast off using 2 colours.

Work the purl stitches and yarn overs in the CC colour with yarn in front of the work.
Work the knit stitches in the MC with yarn at the back of the work.

Weave in the ends and block lightly, being careful not to flatten the rib stitches.

ABBREVIATIONS

BRK       Brioche knit. Knit the next stitch together with its Yarn over.      

BRP       Brioche purl. Purl the next stitch together with its Yarn over.

CC Contrast color.

K            Knit.

MC Main colour.

P Purl.

RS Right Side.

S1YO      Slip 1 stitch purlwise then yarn over.

WS Wrong side.

Addicted like me?
Check out my Brioche patterns on Ravelry or my kits on the web site for some
exciting designs.

Fair Isle Headband / Hat

One of the things I do when I'm starting work using a new technique is to develop little prototypes. Something I can use to ensure my stitching, colour work and shaping is all OK.

Well this time I was going to work in fair isle stitch , combining 2 and sometimes 3 colours together in colourful designs.

I had done some fair isle work before, but always chickened out when it came to knitting in the round. I wasn't sure I could control the pattern when it came to the point where the round joined and so steered well away from it. But recently I had been to a fair isle work shop with my new knitting group, here we had learned all about steeking (I'm sure I'll cover this in a later post) and the lady running the workshop had shown us some of her lovely fair isle knits that had been worked in the round. I couldn't for the life of my see where the round started and finished so I took my trust in this technique and decided to give it a go.

Last week I knit a fair isle headband. I liked the pattern I had designed on paper and loved the colours I had chosen. The stitching work was ok, but not brilliant BUT the headband , even though I measured it when I started) was too small:( . 

I quickly sussed out the problem , I had worked on the wrong needle size, picking up the incorrect circular needles to use (why don't they have the size on the needles?)

This had caused both the stitches to be a little tight and the size of the headband to be too small.

Today I set to, to create yet another prototype. This time working on the right size needles (just 0.25mm bigger) I set off working in the same pattern. I finished the headband off, tried it on and then realised I had created it too wide ! 

Golly gosh , why don't I put my brain in gear sometime!

Ha ha , so my headband is now a hat ! I used my experience of knitting hats for the Wool and Gang and shaped the top of the headband / hat as I went along. 

I think it's rather cute, don't you?

Very Berry

One of my "Thursdays ColourWays" series of blog postings.


Normally, this would be a colour that I would love to see in the height of summer, but because I had been out in the garden yesterday, doing a little tidying up, dead heading the lavender and rose bushes I hadn't done in autumn, then I was rudely reminded that summer was on its way. 

Hence today I'm celebrating a lovely combination of berry colours in style

Above is a lovely array of UK handmade products I found on Etsy this afternoon. 2 or more of them together would set off or make an outfit and you wouldn't have to wait for the summer to wear them. 

1. Wool asymmetric coat with kimono sleeves from Malure Studio
2. Organic beaded gloves from Maimy
3. Purple Berry Cloche from AndtheyLovedhats
4. Wool fingerless gloves from TheFeminineTouch
5. Camille Backless Purple Cocktail Dress from AnnaPopovitch
6. Silk Band with Handmade Beads from LunaMiaLtd
7. Berry Beautiful Burgundy Blooms from RockaBillyRedBristol
8. Cover boots from NomadGypsyDesign
9. Hand-painted 100% Silk Bow Tie from SharonBennet

Thursdays ColourWays - Black

Black is beautiful 

The darkest colour ever, the result of the absence of or complete absorption of light

Represents  - Sensuous, Sultry , Sexy , Gothic , Death, Evil, Witches , Magic , Mourning, The end, Violence, Power, Secrets, Elegance, Power, Dignity, Witchcraft, Romance , Melancholy, Hells Angels, Punk and Goth.

And is the colour of Ebony , Space , Coal and Midnight

And just to prove black is beautiful , check out these wonderful handcrafted items all from the UK

Bra - MissCroftonUnderwear
Earrings - Erika Price 
Flower Crown - FairyRingsShop 
Gloves - TheFeminineTouch
Jacket - Lovechildboudoir 
Leather Bag - Hapitat
Nails - Doobys1989 
Necklace - TataniaRosa
Pants - SukiComfortWear
Purse - Purse Poppet
Sweater - iLEAiYe
Utility Belt - GekkoBoHotique

Thursdays ColourWays - Colourful yarns

As knitters , we do have it so good. I'm amazed at the quality of yarns that are available nowadays from bamboo and banana yarn , silk and sari , cotton , cashmere and mohair.

Some of which are available from Ethnic crafts and Fyberspates

But today I totally fell in love with this beautiful colourful yarn that I spotted on the cover page of Posh Yarns and then to find out that Tony is the man behind all the wonderful dyeing that goes on in Posh Yarns.

  
Apparently he is passionate about dyeing and colour, and has developed his own special style and method of dyeing, which results in brilliant colour and subtle variations.

I love how on his web site , he goes on to explain how he describes the colours in his yarns , ie

Yellows

• Gold (deep but bright yellow)
• Butter (soft pale yellow)
• Lemon (pale bright yellow)
• Sunflower yellow (bright orange/yellow)
• Ochre (deep orange/yellow, murky)
• Saffron (deep yellow with a hint of orange)
• Mustard (dirty dark yellow)
• Primrose (pale cool yellow, with a hint of pale green)
• Daffodil (bright cool yellow)

and that the yarn that he dyes ranges from beautiful cobweb lace to aran and includes , sock yarn , sport  and double knit. Occasionally he dyes a chunky yarn too. 

This week , this yarn was my favourite. A wonderful colourful grey ! 

Name: - Pale Grey For Guilt

Yarn Details: - Robynn Sock, a sock weight yarn, made from 100% Grade A mulberry silk. 440 yards (400m) per 100g.

Colour Description: Ethereal semi solid: platinum, warm silver

So now I have found them , do you think I will be leaving them alone? Somehow I don't think so

Thursdays ColourWays - Coral

Most people instantly think of an orangey-red colour when they get asked ‘what colour is coral?

Many people remember it from when red coral was popular in the 70's and 80's. However coral can be found in almost any colour you can imagine.

Natural coral comes in a large variety of colour's: red, orange, pink, blue, white and black. Discolouration further increases the number of colours naturally available.

 

 
Precious coral or red coral is the common name given to Corallium rubrum and several related species of marine coral. The distinguishing characteristic of precious corals is their durable and intensely coloured red or pink skeleton, which is used for making jewelry.

 The first recorded use of coral as a colour name in English was in 1513.

It can range from a shade of pink to a soft terracotta. It is also referred to as salmon, peach, apricot or melon. 

 A shade is achieved by adding black to any pure hue, 

while a tint is created by mixing white to any pure colour.

 I have tracked down the perfect clothes and accessories so you look right on trend wearing Coral and you help support the British handmade community too.

Mohair Scarf - TheFeminineTouch
Leather Shoes - FairySteps 
Silk Purse - RedRubyRose
Lace Cocktail Dress - Alexandrakingdesign
Denim Coat -13threads
Long Earrings - Chikakojewellery


Did you know? - Coral is a female first name of Indo-European origins. It was the 943rd most popular name in the United States from 1900-1909, the 977th in 1991, and 988th in 1992.

Thursdays Colour Ways – Radiant Orchid

I’m getting ready for the International  Colour Day on the 21st March , by writing my first “Colour” blog posting.

You will see my “Colour” blog postings always on a Thursday , and I’m going to call them “Thursdays Colour Ways”

And no surprise to you all , but the first colour I will be writing about is the gorgeous outstanding Radiant Orchid. Chosen by Pantone it’s the colour of 2014, it is both striking & beautiful . Its one of those colours where you have to have a lot of self confidence to wear it or have it in your house. But just think what you are missing out on if you don’t have anything in this colour.

I have scoured my favourite on-line site , one where I both sell and buy from – Etsy , its full of handmade & colourful goodies.  Below are some radiant orchid items you might buy and wear.

 Vintage Wool Hounds-tooth Draped Cocoon Cape - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KheGreen

Big bold oversized statement handmade ring - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/StudioLeanne

Lace Collar Necklace - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/callmemimi

Geometric Acetate fabric String Bikini  - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/sunclassixx

Brass Book Locket Pendant - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Blucha

Purple hand knitted scarf - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheFeminineTouch  ME!

HEART Personalized Leather Key Fob - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Sakao

Extra long fingerless gloves hand knit armwarmers - http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/irmasknittings

WoW , totally stunning and No , you wouldn’t probably wear more than 1 of these items at one time.  Statement pieces to show off the rest of your wardrobe , perhaps.


 I also found these lovely cushion covers on Etsy and its plain to see , the designers have decided that you should  incorporate radiant orchid with other stunning colours. They have chosen green, white and grey. In this way the colour doesn’t overwhelm you , but it does bring the cushion to life , bringing it to another dimension.

Waverly Radiant Orchid and Green Pillow Cover http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ChloeandOliveDotCom

Lavender & Linen Colorblock Pillow http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JillianReneDecor

Then putting my Interior Designer hat on (I’m only part way through the course but that’s another story) , I thought , let's find some room layouts that incorporate the colour. Here are a few of my favourites.

 Image from Decor6blog – Holly Becker best-selling author, pro-blogger, stylist and founder of decor8blog.com .  

More wonderful room images using Radiant orchid - http://decor8blog.com/2014/01/21/how-to-decorate-radiant-orchid/


I love the subtle use of the colour , yes the rug that takes up most of the bottom half of the photo is in the glorious radiant orchid , but have you noticed the geometric cushion?  or the book covers in the background? And.....just think what this room would look like without this colour included , boring and bland.

 Decor Decom - http://www.decordemon.com/

From one extreme to the other , this room layout is transformed with beautiful geometric  wall coverings  in the gorgeous radiant orchid , along with white and greys . Silver and Black in the mirror and cabinet accentuate the wall too. Stunning !

It doesn’t just have to be living rooms that can be brought to life with radiant orchid. Just look at this kitchen ! It so makes you want to cook AND bake !




 WA Designs - http://www.houzz.com/photos/461005/Stinson-Beach-House-beach-style-kitchen-san-francisco

And a simple rug , lamp and throw out in the garden , porch or conservatory

 Bo Bedre - http://bobedre.dk/article/164526-nye-behov---ny-have/gallery/689090

This is my favourite ! 

Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.
From http://www.pantone.co.uk/pages/index.aspx?pg=21129