True - New - Same

While nothing is the SAME any longer, I must say it is TRUE that with my knitting live nothing is NEW. I am as busy knitting as I have always been, and then some.

Patterns on ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/renate-kamm

Besides the commercial side of knitting I do as I always have. I knit for the ones around me, and for myself. With that out of the way, let's just look at the projects that kept me busy knitting. 

Firstly, I made a hoody for Ruben. It's as he always wanted: Mexican Flag colors, no sleeves, cropped length, machine washable yarn.

Before that, made my first top-down yoke sweater. This experiment is for myself. The yarn was from a Guild stash sale. I like everything about it. 

There was a pattern that had the rights reverted back to me in March. I did not have the shawl because I gave it away (as I do a lot). I used the opportunity to make Joycejubilair again, and give it an alternate lace edging. 

Knitpicks Original

New version

I am ready for the 2nd half of this wondrous  year. No one know where this is going!

2020, how did I get here?

One of my sisters is turning 70 in a few days and it made me "stoeber" (look through) old photos from when we were children.
First I must say that we are incredibly lucky to have pictures from so long ago. My mother only had one photo from her childhood. My grandmother did not have any, not even one.

We were 6 children in the household and every one of us had a different talent. Mine was always crafting something. My sister drew with a pencil, portraits and other stills. My photo album is illustrated by her drawings. I am looking forward to speak with her on her special day.

Starting with that special event, this year is going to be exciting all the way through. Looking at the release schedule of my knitting patterns, I am hopeful to have made many knitters happy with some easy, some intricate, and some unusual patterns.

The past year included a wedding and the new year will have one too. Nieces and nephews are at the age to get married and I am happy to join all the celebrations.

Just to be a little cautious I have not blogged much in the last 6 month for a very specific reason. I have noticed that some very 'unsavory' websites are tracking my blog, log it, link it, and continually monitor it, AND I DON'T LIKE IT......

I am not giving-up on the idea of intertwining live and knitting on this blog, but I am more cautions now.
There will be less blogging until the trackers give up on me and focus more on other blogs. So, be sure that there will be more in the future.

Happy Knitting

Story: Origins of Truth or Consequences Ruana

True Story:
Years ago, on a cold winter's night, I looked at a sale of 100% cashmere yarn. It was Mongolian cashmere offered at a unbelievable half off price. (BTW, many of my knitting stories start that way.)
The yarn came in many colors and the chore to narrow it done to just a few was really difficult.
After some time, I finally decided to just "Act like I was designing with a specific theme for a magazine" in mind, and Et Voila, the yarn color spoke "We belong together", loudly!

Once the yarn arrived I was was overjoyed. The colors were so true to their on-line images, which is not always the case.
Now the yarn needed to be wound and cashmere in hand is an amazing experience. If you have never felt it, go try it. After that the yarn just waited. It even disappeared back in the box with a rubber band around it for at least a year.
It is winter again. In San Diego this means sunshine until that first cold day, from then on it is cold. There is no Autumn Season. I had completed my Christmas projects of one knitted hat for each of my Nieces and Nephews. A period of me-time was ahead. I remembered the cashmere and pulled it out from the box. I first expanded on the mood board because I needed to define this project more. It needed shape and form.

OK, I thought: I can do this! It looked to me like there is going to be a sweater/coat made from this yarn, with a southwestern look. To stay authentic to that Theme I made sure the collar of this garment will have the shape as the coats that a saw researching the southwestern theme.

It was time to create this new coat closely adhering to the original Theme. Stripes, triangles, shawl collar, long, pockets, but basic. Because I had purchased the yarn years ago, I had one special constraint: the colors needed to be balanced such that I did not run out of yarn!!!

I was so proud of my accomplishment. This sweater gets used all winter long.

Don't go yet, the story has an even greater ending.

 To my surprise, there was an actual call for submissions to a publication called Nomadic Knits. It is a newer kind of knitting pattern print book and e-book publication. For the 3rd issue the theme was Arizona/New Mexico.
I had the idea to just take my design and make it into a ruana. The idea was accepted and now, this April 22, 2019 the book is released. You can make this ruana. The yarn for the pattern is from Arizona, just as colorful, and even contains some cashmere.
The book or e-book can be purchased here:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/nomadic-knits-issue-three-arizona-new-mexico

The yarn already prepared as a kit for 2 sizes can be purchased here:
https://gherkinsbucket.com/listing/685174356/hand-dyed-dk-yarn-kit-for-nomadic-knits

Laine Issue 7, what's next

Now, 1 week after the Laine Issue 7 release, which features one of my designs at the same time and next to Stephen West and Nancy Marchant, some of the top designers today, everything is back to normal.

But, what is that NEW NORMAL?

Since all my retired life is not even 2 years old, there actually is no NORMAL yet.
It is however extremely funny, I think, that I live in a Neighborhood in San Diego that is called NORMAL HEIGHTS. That is right, it's no joke.

Normal Heights is such great neighborhood, with a little Bank, a Post Office, a Grocer, a Pharmacy, and many Bars, Restaurants, Hair Salons, and Specialty Shops. We have Art, and love Art.

Back to topic, the NEW NORMAL. 
Normally - I think of patterns to knit most everyday.
Normally - I put together knitting ideas and submit them to websites, yarn companies, and publications every week. Some are accepted, YAHHHHH.
So here is the after Laine Issue 7 Release schedule. Since most of the releases are based on 'secret or previously unreleased' designs, I can't show them yet, but the release dates can be shared with some details about the projects.
Nomadic Knits Issue 3, American South West will include my Ranchita Ruana, a stockinette stitch ruana, with a 5 color intarsia design on the back and both fronts. The entire ruana is framed by a sections of all colors - knitted sideways. From that, beginning and ending yarn strands are used for fringe. A most efficient way to do intarsia, where there are many ends to sew in, all of the ends from the sideways stripes are used for the fringe and are part of the final design. Release date is not published yet, but I am guessing April 2019

Knotions.com Special Shawl Issue, will include my Impressionist Fields Shawl. This narrow triangle shaped shawl is special to me. It is made of basic garter stitch, timed increases on both edges, but with additional short rows on just one edge. The amazing-nes of this shawl is that another color is used to knit rectangles vertically into the horizontal fabric. Everything is basic garter stitch, but the resulting fabric will turn heads.  Release date is not published yet, again I am guessing April 2019

KnitCrate Sock Membership program, I have received a skein of color last week that matches the circus theme. That is all I can share at this time. I have already swatched and shown the design to the KnitCrate folks and they loved it. Once the Crate is revealed I will blog about it. Expected release July 2019

Knitpicks Socks Special Collection, Basic socks was the call and my Rosemarie's Socks were the perfect fit. Made up of a 2 color 1-row slip stitch pattern, the socks look marled and complicated, but they are as easy as any basic sock. Release date is July 24, 2019.
I am just now finishing up my pair.

Fiber Seed Yarn Co, Swifties program, Later this year the Fiber Seed Yarn Co is going to send me a skein of yarn, and I have agreed to provide a scarf design tailored for this specific colorway. I am to receive the yarn in April, so expected release might by sometime July/Aug.

Knitpicks Gansey Special Collection, my Gansey knitting tradition researched landed me this acceptance. The Jetty Pullover is packed with tradition all wrapped into one fully reversible, even inside-out reversible, pullover. I am finishing up the pattern this weekend and can't wait to see this pattern modeled and in print. the sample looks extraordinary. Release date is September 4, 2019

KnitCrate Membership program, Later this year knitcrate also contracted with me to design a shawl made form 2 skeins of their yarn. The theme is Peru, that's all I know so far. scheduled release date October 2019

Making Stories, Issue 2, a design that has the pattern already written, but I am still waiting for the actual yarn. Coming from the UK, it has me waiting, and waiting. I am sure it will be worth it. Stay positive Renate.....the seelenwarmer jacket will be mostly stockinette stitch, but with a wide 2-color brioche shawl collar. Stunningly simple and cozy, perfectly timed for an October release.

What could possibly be next?

Texture Knitting

Last Year, one day in January ( I don't remember exactly which day it was ) I had decided to make a new vest for my husband Ruben. I searched for some good warm wool and knitted along, just nicely. It did not take long at all. The vest had some knit/purl patterns in it, not much to post about.

I have to say 'had' because after the first wash ( now here you need to know that Ruben washes all clothes ) the vest has shrunk so much that even I could not wear it anymore.

Time to make another one, a promise is a PROMISE.

For the next version I had a different idea. My ideas just come out of nowhere and, lucky for me, I have the time and yarn to translate the idea into something wearable.



The next vest was smarter, had a texture to it and some cables.

He calls it 'Elvis' because of the collar.

This little vest has become a basis for a few of my recent published patterns.

The cables and collar design is mirrored in the sweater named Turfside.






It is published by knitpicks as part of the Crossings collection.





Single pattern link: Turfside



Crossing link: Crossings Collection










BUT WAIT, there is more!!!!!

I liked the way this simple textured panel knitted up. I mean, I liked the rhythmic K2 - P2 on one side, work the stitches as you see them on the other, and then switch to P2 - K2 on one side, and again work the stitches as you see them on the other. All I had to do was hang a marker on the right side of the fabric to remember if it was time to switch.
I was not the only one that liked the looks of this texture. The women that put together Laine Magazine liked it as well. In their Issue #7, released February 15, 2019 my Laemmin Vest was included.

 The entire fabric is made of these texture stitches. Knitted in one piece, from the bottom up, the vest is truly amazing, I think.

I might be biased, a little. The knitting experience is what is drawing me to make this vest over, and perhaps over.

Featuring I-cord edging on the front and the sleeve openings, and a slip stitch hem and collar, the Leammin vest is still easy to make.

I will help anyone that asks.

Vitality Wrap Pattern released

A new Digital Pattern Collection from KnitScene is now released on Interweave and Ravelry.
The collection is named Knitscene Accents 2018 and contains 20 knit patterns.
Knitscene Accents 2018 Digital Edition

My Vitality Wrap is among those special knits, perfect for any knitter, beginner or experienced.



••This shawl is worked back and forth in rows
from the bottom up.
••When working the brioche rib, two consecutive
right-side rows and two consecutive wrong-side
rows are worked by sliding the stitches from one
end of the circular needle to the other.
•• In brioche stitch, when counting stitches, each
slipped stitch with its companion yarnover
count as one stitch. When counting rows, one
visible row counts as two rows.
•• Do not break yarn at color changes. Carry
unused color up the side of work until it is needed
again. Bring new color under color just used.
•• Slip stitches purlwise with yarn in front.



This project was a joy to knit and wear. The yarn is a squishy soft dream. Try it, you will see what I mean.

My modelling before the shawl was shipped to the Magazine

Bailiff Scarf Pattern

Alpaca fibers are somewhat new to me.
I always thought of wool being scratchy. I just could not wear it. Throughout my many years of knitting the fibers I worked with where mostly cotton, or some kind of poly-amid/wool mix. A few years ago I have read somewhere that alpaca fibers are without some of the 'hooks' that makes yarn scratchy and felt easily. It made sense to me after I also found out that the absence of these hooks makes items knitted with alpaca tend to stretch over time. No hooks in the fiber = no hold of the fiber = stretch.
For the Bailiff Scarf the design was optimized to keep the shape and reduce the natural tendency to stretch by using the yarn 2 strands held together. This 2-stranded knitting also allows the play with color combinations and produced the fabulous marled look.
If you never have entered the world of fisherman's rib knitting, you should. The new Bailiff Pattern is perfect for the first try, or the fully experienced fisherman's rib knitter.
For approx $32.00 dollars (small version) this scarf can be knitted. For yourself, or for your favorite man (husband, boyfriend, friend, buddy). It is super cuddly because the entire scarf is worked 2-stranded which makes the already cushiony fisherman's rib double soft. Alpaca warmth and then double stranded makes this the go-to scarf for keeping deep winter temperatures at bay.
Bailiff Scarf

A year "CHOCK-FULL" of Pattern Releases

When I stepped into my first retirement year I had hopes and dreams. My ambition was to create knitwear that knitters will find interesting enough to make.
I have self published some patterns on ravelry.com for a while now, but to reach more knitters and draw attention to my designs I had to learn a lot more.

First step:  I had to get the attention of some of today's most popular knitting publications.
Second step: Learn how and where to present my ideas
Third step: Learn about yarn. Oh there are so many possibilities
Fourth step: Knit a good sample
Fifth step: write the pattern and adapt it to the particular magazine's style
Sixth step: Don't show picture, keep it secret, don't talk about it.
Seventh step: FINALLY, a pattern is ready to release.

Take a look at Apple Cider Scarf. just released in Creative Knitting Magazine
Pretty Presents

Now I can talk about the project, show my own pictures and feel proud of being a published knitwear designer.

A Knitting Pattern Story

With my mother's passing, just a month ago, the circumstances of the last year of her life brought me and my Sister-in-Law Christiane closer together. I live far away from the sleepy little German town of Sulzbach-Rosenberg, where my mother spent most of her life and where the rest of our large Family can be found close by. The distance from Bavaria to California had to be bridged somehow, there was no doubt about that. With all the hospital visits my mother had to endure and numerous dramatic events happening without forewarning, it was hard being so far away.
My mother and I used to talk every week on Sunday. But that was no longer possible. She could no longer reach the phone or speak clearly, recognize the person on the other end or make cohesive sentences. It was time to find another way to stay connected. I was able to visit in September and see her. 

Christine stepped right up. She became the bridge and closed the gap of thousands of miles. She used a phone App to connect with me every time she visited my mother, no matter where and when that might be. I just had to get up early and receive the most amazing video calls.

Mensch aeregere Dich nicht ( Aggravation in English) was her favorite board game when she could not play card games any longer.

The knitting pattern that is forever linked with this life story is named HABILIMENTS.

It's a sock pattern that was created for Christiane. What was happening in her life was the focus of this pattern. She was important to me! She was the bridge I needed! She had monumental changes in her life that needed her full attention. Despite that, she came through for me. 

I have designed this pair of socks for her.

Chriatiane is a woman who has made it up the ladder in the men’s world. She even went as far as always keeping a very short hairstyle and wearing exclusively pant suits to work to achieve success. A few days before Christmas, she started her early retirement. In conversations leading up to the day I could sense her fear of the unknown. I could hear her usual assuredness fade. It was time to make her realize that this was the perfect opportunity, the right time, to re-make herself. It was not the end, but the beginning. To live without the corporate constraints, to break free and fully embrace the woman in her.
The word Habiliments when used in a sentence: “The women’s rich habiliments made one think she was someone important”, that’s the flair I wanted for her when wearing these socks. The rich red color, the bead work highlights, and the hint of cashmere luxury in the yarn does just that.
These socks include several knitting features that contribute to the impression of 19th century womanly richness. The toe-up pattern begins with a Turkish cast on, includes a reverse Dutch heel, and carries a small elegant mock-cable to separate the varying front and back designs. Highlighting a beaded star pattern on the front leg and topping off the design with Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off.

You can download the pattern as it was released today for free on knitty.com

Joycejubilair is finally released! Yahhhh

It was a long wait, but now it is real. Knit Picks has released a Book 'Everyday Wraps' made from fingering weight yarn. My pattern Joycejubilair is part of the collection. The book can also be purchased as instant download e-book, and all patterns are also available as singe pattern downloads.

Everyday Wraps 

Originally the shawl was designed for Joyce. I have never met Joyce but from my husbands description I was impressed by her resolve. She lives with illness that is ever present and un-diagnosed. The shawl has many strong columns and supporting arches that Joyce can wrap herself in.

The first edition of the shawl was made with Forbidden Woolery Superstition in Rosegarden and Knit Picks Stroll in Dogwood Heather.

Once Knit Picks decided to include the shawl in the collection I knitted Joycejubilair for a second time. I had chosen Stroll Hand Painted in Coffee Shop and Stroll Sock in Mint.

The version in the collection book is done with colors that are more blue. I can only say: "regardless of the colors you choose you will not be disappointed". The body of the shawl is knitted easily and quickly, and the lace section is rewarding. 

The body of the shawl is knitted easily and quickly, and the lace section is rewarding. 
It is not easy to accomplish but with just a little attention the repeats are not difficult and adding the beads make this a stunner.

Waiting for a pattern release

A few years back I found a sale of cotton yarn. It was a little 'minty' colored speckled yarn, just my color. I made a v-neck sweater for myself, named it Valace and produced a few photos. I like it and like to wear it.

 

In September last year Knitpicks introduced a new yarn named Color Mist. Its 75% cotton and 25% Acrylic, worsted weight, washable, and I could see it being ideal for Valace. Knitpicks agreed! Yaeh!

After knitting the sweater in Color Mist the photos looked amazing, don't you think?

Knitpicks wanted the chance to produce professional photos with their in-house photographer and I agreed to wait with the pattern release until then. WAITING IS HARD!!!!!!!
If you like this sweater and would like to look at the yarn and pick your favorite shade, here is a link to Color Mist

Some Details to help you decide:

Knitted Sweater Measurements: Bust 36 (39, 43, 46, 50)” with 2 (3, 4, 4, 5)” positive ease. Length 23½ (23½, 24½, 25, 25½). Upper arm 12 (12, 14, 15, 16)

Material: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) skeins (each 219 yards/100grams) of Knit Picks Color Mist, 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic, worsted weight, in Lilac Breeze color #27460

Needles: US #7 / 4.5mm circular 32 inches long, or a set of straight needles, or size to obtain Gauge. One additional needle to hold work temporarily, same size or smaller. 

Gauge: 19 sts and 25 rows = 4” / 10 cm over stockinette stitch.