Design Discussion: Flying Geese

This knitting pattern is for a ladies vest. The sample garment was knit out of Black Water Abbey 2 ply Worsted Weight yarn, and the finished chest measurements are 38, 42, 46, 50, & 54 inches. This particular design was done in 2002. At that time I was selling my patterns only through Black Water Abbey, so it was naturally done in her yarn. In the case of this particular design, it fit what I wanted as it made it to a completed pattern.

I wanted to do a project that would be good for the fall, and began looking through stitch pattern library books for ideas. I fell in love with this particular stitch pattern, as it made me think of geese flying south for the winter. We see this in the fall in this part of the country, just as many parts of North American and Canada do.

The stitch pattern forms V’s of garter stitch, and it is this portion of the pattern that made me think of flying geese. It is also made me think of a quilt block called flying geese. I needed to look no further for an Autumn vest, as I had the imagery of quilt blocks and migrating geese to inspire my design.  I chose the color Ocean, a lovely blue green color, as it made me think of some of the colors the shakers used (also colors used in New England traditionally).

Setting off the bottom of the garment is three repeats of all pattern rows with yarn overs worked where the increases are worked to give a lacey effect at the edge of the garment. So, there you have it. Curl up in a cozy quilt on a brisk fall day with your knitting, and hear the geese as they pass overhead, the first herald of the winter to come.

Peace and Knitting, JoLene

The Design Process: Fox Island

This lace knitting pattern is for ladies finished chest width 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 inches. It has average ease, and is 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24 inches inches long. The sample garment was knit with Black Water Abbey 2/8 organic Fingering Weight yarn.

Fox Island was actually inspired by a nature reserve near my home in Fort Wayne. The stitch pattern was chosen because it looks like little fox heads lined up, peaking out at you. You don’t see them right away but they’re there, watching and waiting.

This is an example where the stitch pattern itself led to the inspiration of the design. It works that way sometimes, where I am trying a stitch pattern in a swatch and I look at it and one thought or feeling leads to another. Thoughts and feelings about things, as well as our own imagination, are powerful inspirations and a good starting point for a design.

As it has a very natural inspiration, the qualities of the yarn it was knit with were perfect in representing the inspiration. That is not to say that you could not use any other fingering weight yarn you wish…it would be wonderful in a fingering weight cashmere too. For my interpretation, my repeating the story back to you, it set the mood for how I wanted to express it.

As always, if you like it and would prefer a different finish (different yarn) by all means choose something you love to knit it with.

Peace and Knitting, JoLene