Handywoman in the shop

Kate Davies new book is a memoir and celebration of the power of making.

A hugely popular designer - in terms of aesthetic, technique and writing - Kate Davies has published many books and patterns and has her own yarn range.  This new book is a little bit different...

From the blurb...

"Paralysed by a stroke at the age of 36, Kate Davies' world turned upside-down. Forced to change direction, Kate took a radical new creative path. Handywoman tells this story. This is not a book about Kate's triumph over adversity. Rather, it is her account of the ordinary activities and everyday objects that stroke and disability made her see differently. From braiding hair for the first time to learning how to knit again; from the lessons of a working-class creative childhood to the support of the contemporary craft community; from the transformative effects of good design to developing a new identity as a disabled walker; in this engaging series of essays, Kate describes how the experience of brain injury allowed her to build a new kind of handmade life. Part memoir, part personal celebration of the power of making, in Handywoman Kate reclaims disability as in itself a form of practical creativity."

You can watch Kate's TEDx talk here.

There are no knitting patterns in this book.  If you want Kate's patterns, check out these books in the shop...

Carbeth Cardigan in Rowan Felted Tweed DK

Kate Davies' Carbeth sweater and cardigan appeared to cause a mass cast on earlier this year, so we've naturally jumped on the bandwagon and made one for the shop!

I've used Rowan Felted Tweed DK in two shades of purple, holding two strands together.

If you have a look through the projects listed on Ravelry you can see how versatile this seamless pattern is.

It's easy to change the length of the body (it's written as a cropped length) and the sleeves.  How about adding some shaping (it's a boxy shape) or stripes to destash.

We've got over 10 shades of Rowan Felted Tweed  in the shop, lots of lovely combos in you like the marled look.

You can buy the pattern on Ravelry yourself or in the shop.

West Highland Way by Kate Davies

Kate Davies newest book is in the shop!

Knit, Read, Walk: The West Highland Way is a collaborative project between Kate Davies and Tom Barr.  Kate has created a collection of twelve hand-knit designs inspired by the West Highland Way.

Each design is accompanied by an essay exploring the area that inspired it and there are many stunning photographs by Tom showing the West Highland Way's natural seasonal beauty.

A gorgeous book for knitters and non knitters too!

Check out the patterns on Ravelry.

This brings our Kate Davies book collection to six!

Happit by Kate Davies in the shop

see pattern details on Ravelry
£10.99

Happit features 5 of Kate's favourite wrap and hap designs.  It explores a range of different knitting techniques from simple lace to colourwork, each pattern has been carefully created with easy-to-follow directions (including charted and written instructions).  Accompanied by two essays by Kate, and stunning photography by Tom Barr.

4 of the patterns use Vivacious 4ply, Gleem and Socks Yeah! which we have in abundance!

{photo credits Kate Davies Designs}

Inspired by Islay - in the shop

Kate Davies new book has arrived!

The book blurb...

 "In this stunning new collection with her own Buachaille yarn, Kate takes inspiration from Islay’s landscape to create twelve new designs. From modern haps to traditional kilt hose; from Fairisle hoodies to cabled cardigans; the designs are arranged in four “stories” each of which explores a different island locale. With their roots in Islay’s distinctive history and culture, Kate’s designs suggest the rich breadth and depth of inspiration the island affords, from the archaeological legacy of the Lords of the Isles to the poetry and song of the Islay bards. In addition to Kate’s patterns, this book brings together beautiful photography of Islay by Tom Barr with essays by four contributors who share their varied local expertise. Gordon Yates introduces Islay’s wildlife, Anna MacQuarrie explores the important legacy of Gaelic in the island landscape, Jane Hunter explores Islay’s geology through the intriguing medium of tweed and stitches, while Susan Campbell tells us more about the island’s handcrafts. Open the pages of this beautiful book, join Kate on a journey to the Hebrides, and you too will be Inspired by Islay."

The patterns...

photo credit - Kate Davies Designs

You can find out more information about the designs on Ravelry.

Buachaille (the book!) now in the shop

Kate’s new book is a celebration of the life and landscape around her home in the Scottish Highlands.

The book includes 12 patterns for accessories.

You can check out the patterns on Ravelry here.

As well as Kate’s patterns, the book includes recipes by Tom Barr, together with essays, interviews, and a walk up Buachaille Etive Mor with mountain leader, Gordon Anderson,

£14.99, and remember we're happy to post!

Yokes!

It's here!!!!

From the book blurb...

"In this exciting new book, writer and designer Kate Davies unravels the tale of one of the Twentieth Century’s most distinctive sweater styles - the circular yoke.

From Shetland and Iceland to Canada and Sweden, Kate’s essays and conversations take you on a journey around the North Atlantic, exploring the yoke’s intriguing and often surprising regional narratives.

 A garment with unexpected national and political resonances; an important marker of personal and cultural identity; a fashionable barometer of trends and technical transformations from the 1920s to today, yokes have connected the lives and livelihoods of many different women.

In this book you’ll hear the voices of those women, from designers to artists, from knitters to entrepreneurs. You will read about Elizabeth Zimmermann’s seamless innovations, learn more of Kerstin Olsson’s knitterly aesthetics, and discover the fascinating influence of the Greenlandic nuilarmiut. The essays and conversations are accompanied by a collection of eleven signature yoke patterns. Featuring a wide range of design elements from colourwork and cables to beads and texture,

Kate has created a yoke for every knitter. So take up your needles, open up this book, and discover the story of the sweater that changed the shape of modern knitting."

Check out the designs on Ravelry and read more about the book on Kate's blog.  There is a special info page on Kate's blog featuring a handy cheat sheet on all the designs!

New Kate Davies in the shop!

Our Kate Davies pattern collection has just got bigger...

Firth o' Forth

Firth o' Forth is worked in a lace weight yarn.  Inspired by the silvery, ovular shapes of Firth o’ Forth oysters, this drapey cardigan is worked in one piece with an easy-to-memorise lace pattern.  The design booklet includes pattern, charts & schematics, photographic lookbook and essay exploring the history of the Firth o’ Forth and its famous oysters.

Ecclefechan Mitts

These 4ply Ecclefechan Mitts are contemporary interpretation of the graphic and striking two-colour gloves traditionally knitted in Dentdale and the Scottish Borders.   Pattern includes a recipe for Ecclefechan tarts!

Port o' Leith

Port o' Leith is a cosy aran weight gansey featuring a seamless construction, saddle-shoulder shaping, twisted-stitch cables, AND a detachable cowl-collar, inspired by the maritime heritage of the Port o’ Leith. 

The 12 page pattern booklet includes two patterns for gansey and collar, full charts, photographic look book, detailed schematic and sizing table, and a short essay exploring Leith’s historic connections with the Scottish wool trade.

First Footing

A Kate Davies' Sock! Released at Christmas, this seasonal design celebrates the Scottish New-Year tradition of First Footing.

But we think it would look great anytime of the year!

So combined with Colours of Shetland we have over 30 Kate Davies patterns in the shop!  That's a whole lot of Kate...

{photo credit... for the many photos: Kate Davies}

Snawpaws - the power of blocking...

How are you getting on with your Snawpaws mitts?

You can read more about out knit along here using Kate Davies' Snawpaws.

(Fiona) After you've finished them the pattern recommends blocking.

I soaked them in some Eucalan  then gently squeezed out excess water in a towel.

Kate recommends using a hand blocker.  I don't have a hand blocker, so I simply laid them flat.  Smoothing out the fabric.

And blocking really does make a difference!

unblocked v's blocked

The snowflakes look smoother and the fabric has bloomed and looks and feels softer.

So, don't skip this step... blocking is not just for lace!

a Blaithin...

oh pockets!

Penny (aka The Little Herb Farm) has featured many times on our website.  She's completed several lovely (and challenging) projects, despite only knitting for a year and a bit!

Penny's 3rd garment is Blaithin, designed by Kate Davies.  You can see Penny's other sweaters here and here!

After a few hats, including a Kate Davies Peerie Flooers and Scatness Tam she jumped right into her first steeking project... in fact there were several firsts in this project (for many of us!)

steeked!

She used Jamieson's of Shetland Heather (and some stashed Scrumptious Silk to sew on her buttons...) and it looks AMAZING - a lovely woolly yarn and a great finish and fit.

Penny has now cast on another of Kate's patterns... a Mini Manu in Rowan Felted Tweed.  Kate Davies fan much?

Snawpaws - the colours, a cast on and a few alterations

We're having a knit along for Kate Davies' Snawpaws.

natural white and sheala

(Fiona)  After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing I decided on a classic dark grey and white colour combo.  I was slightly distracted when I started this project so I made a few mistakes - pattern alterations.

I am a loose knitter and usually go down 0.5mm in needle size.  Given that its stranded colourwork I guessed 0.25mm would be sufficient (allowing for the floats at the back of the work to tighten it up too).

So I need 2.25mm and 2.5mm double pointed needles in a decent length (20cm).  I only had 2.25mm at home and I was desperate to start so I cast on with the 2.25mm and vowed to knit even looser for the hand part (which was suppose to be on the larger needle).

I cast on with my contrast colour and knitted merrily away for a couple of rows and then realised I should have switched to the main colour straight after the cast on!  First mistake.  Once corrected it was plain sailing (after a few false starts I got into the swing of the beaded rib.  I ended up doing a couple of extra rows... which I would like to say was intentional...

I then realised I had cast on too many stitches!  Instead of ripping it all out I skipped the increase row and hoped that my rib was sufficiently tight to compensate for an extra 10 stitches...

I then hoped that my knitting and floats would be sufficiently loose so as not to cut of circulation in my hands...  I consoled myself that I am a very loose knitter, I have small hands and that it could be a shop sample if it all went (a tight) pear shape...

New Kate Davies patterns in the shop...

Sixareen Kep and Cape sold separately

Snawheid - with GIANT pom pom and without GIANT pom pom1

Snawpaws comes as mittens and mitts!

So many of you enjoyed our Sheep Carousel knit along that we're having another one... Snawpaws!

The Snawpaws pattern includes instructions for mittens and mitts (fingerless mittens!)

These are the sizes:-
Actual hand circumference above thumb: 19cm/7.5in
Actual length of mitts from cuff to tip: 16.25cm / 6.5in (easily lengthened if required)
Actual length of mittens from cuff to tip: 23cm /9.2 in

You'll need a 4ply weight yarn - We're using Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift.

You'll need 115m (165m) of the main Colour (MC) and 115m (115m) of the Contrast Colour (CC) for the mitts (mittens).

We've checked with Kate and 1 ball of Spindrift in main colour and 1 ball of the contrast colour is fine for the mitts unless you make them longer!) and 2 balls in the main colour and 1 of the contrast colour for the mittens.

For needles you will need:-
2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) double-pointed needles or circular needle for working in the magic loop method (or size to get gauge)
If you are using a circular needle, then spare 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) dpns will be needed for working the afterthought thumb
 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) double-pointed needles or circular needle for working in the magic loop method (or size to get gauge)

Techniques used include:-
working in the round
beaded rib stitch
increasing
stranded colourwork
after thought thumb (oh, never done that before!)

So, no provisional cast on, steeking, vikkel braids or double centred decreasing (like the Sheep Carousel).

Like our Sheep Carousel and All You Need knit along we'll post updates and tutorials on this website, So even if you can't get to the shop you can still knit along!

Fancy joining in?  You can get the pattern and 2 balls of Spindrift for £7.50 until 20th April.  If you want to do the Mittens (and so need an extra ball it will only be £9.50)

But of course you can always use stash yarn too!  The pattern is £2.95.

Kate Davies visited The Woolly Brew!

Mel & Kate

On Saturday, Kate (wearing a puffin sweater) and Mel (wearing Warriston) arrived with a large suitcase,  some dummies and a box of books...

The book is gorgeous... its not just 10 fabulous knitting patterns with clear instructions, multiple sizes and beautiful finishing techniques, but its a celebration of Shetland - the landscape and heritage.  It includes stunning photographs and wonderful text, about the history and people of Shetland AND Kate's own design inspirations.

We still have a few signed copies of the book in the shop... but sadly the samples have gone!

Thanks to Kate and Mel for their time on Saturday and to all the knitters who came!  We really appreciate all your support in helping to make these events happen.

Next up YarnPony on Saturday 26th January....

Kate Davies to visit The Woolly Brew!

We're really excited to tell you that Kate Davies and lots of her knitted garments and accessories will be at the shop on Saturday 12th January - between 12 and 2pm.

Kate Davies is a knitwear designer and writer living in Edinburgh.  It is very likely you will have seen some of her iconic designs...  We stock these and many more in the shop!

Rams & Yowes blanket and Sheepheid  tam

Owls

Sheep Carousel - see our knit along here

Her blog has lots of beautiful photographs of Scotland and lots about the history of Scottish knitting and details of her design process.  It also includes tutorials on her favourite techniques and access to her e-magazine Textisles.

Kate has recently published her first book - Colours of Shetland.  And we'll have copies of her book available too!

About Colours of Shetland.... "With its beautiful photography, engaging writing, and signature hand-knit designs, Colours of Shetland will inspire you with the varied shades and hues of Britain’s most Northerly isles. 

From Edinburgh writer and designer, Kate Davies, comes a book that brings the creative process of hand-knit design to life in an exciting new way. In Colours of Shetland, Kate takes you on a northern journey, exploring wild and beautiful island landscapes through words, projects and pictures. Situated in the rich context of the Shetland places, wildlife, objects and people that have inspired Kate, each design in this book has its own engaging ‘colour story’ to tell. 

 Through the pages of this book, you will get a taste of the heritage that makes Shetland one of the world’s most knitterly destinations, and be inspired to knit with yarn that has a genuine connection to the landscape in which it is produced. Showcasing Jamieson and Smith Jumper Weight, the flagship Shetland yarn with a marvellously varied palette, each project features the clear instructions and attention to detail that are hallmarks of Kate’s designs. 

Alongside ten original patterns that are a joy to make and wear, Colours of Shetland offers the hand-knitter food for thought and a feast for the eyes."

Northmavine Hap

Ursula Cardigan

Scatness Tunic

We even have our first Scatness Tam!  Penny (aka Little Herb Farm) knitted hers in Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift...

Penny's Scatness Tam

Come and meet Kate and see her lovely samples on  Saturday 12th January - between 12 and 2pm.

baa x 2

Michele & Lorna and their Rams & Yowes blanket

Michele and Lorna brought along their recently completed Rams & Yowes blankets to last nights knitting group.

Rams & Yowes is a blanket pattern (which includes Sheep Heid too) by Kate Davies.  These blankets look amazing, the central panel apparently flew by, but the outer edges felt a bit of a slog.  But it was absolutely worth the effort.

Lorna is planning another one already!

We have patterns and Jamieson's of Shetland natural shades in the shop.

If you can't face a blanket how about a hat?

Sheep Heid by Kate Davies

Or a tea cosy... you can follow our shop Knit Along here...

Sheep Carousel by Kate Davies

Or maybe you'd like it a little brighter?

Fiona Morrison's Rams & Yowes

Fiona Morrision will be joining us at our evening shopping event on Wednesday 14th November.  She'll be bringing along her Nirvana Spa at Home products.

Sheep Carousel - time for tea?

After a wee soak and a squeeze the tea cosy was dried on the teapot.

(Fiona)  I've really enjoyed this project and although daunting at first, each technique was quite straightforward (with a little help from Google).  My top tip is - read the WHOLE pattern and mark on the chart page any special instructions...

I do need to improve my left hand tension when knitting two handed though...

How are you doing?  Any top tips?

Sheep Carousel - the bind off (s)

We're having a Knit A Long for Kate Davies' Sheep Carousel... a tea cosy packed with techniques.

After the steeks we need to fold back the flaps and stitch them down to the inside of the tea cosy.

(Fiona) I used the purple yarn and was careful to sew it to the back of the stitches (the bumps) and not the floats.

Also don't pull too tight or it could pucker.  I took the opportunity to tidy up any ragged ends too... in particular at the top of the steek.

Next step is to pick up and knit stitches around the spout and the handle holes.

I wasn't sure where to pick up the stitches... You'll see when you come to it that you have one line of purple stitches on one side and two lines on the other side.  I chose to pick up stitches so that only one line of purple stitches framed the bind off.

You can see a video here  by Knit Picks about picking up stitches.  It is rare for me to manage to pick up the 'correct' number of stitches and as usual I picked up more than recommended by Kate... 30 on the spout and 40 on the handle.  It doesn't appear to made any difference and looks straight and neat regardless.  I used 3mm double pointed needles.

The bind off instructions left me confused.  I have seen someone do one before but this was a different technique to that.  A quick google revealed this video by knittingtipsbyjudy which matched Kate's instructions and made it much clearer.

I joined the edges of the bind off using a kind of mattress stitch to make it 'look' seamless and hid all my ends inside the steek flap.

the i cord bind off

top of the i cord bind off

Next up is unzipping the provisional cast on...  I was more apprehensive about this than the steeks... the provisional cast on was the foundation for the whole tea cosy which was to all intents and purposes finished... if this went wrong I wasn't sure how I'd find the stitches again in the corrugated ribbing...

But unzipping... like most techniques on this project was actually relatively painless.  I made sure I went round backwards... unravelling the green chained stitches which I had done last and sticking my needle into the purple stitch as I pulled it loose... thus picking up the live stitch.  Be careful you don't pick up a float instead.  This happened to me a few times as my floats hung down below the green provisional stitches...

I then finished off with another i cord bind off.

all bound off

next up soaking and blocking...

Sheep Carousel - the steek... eek!

We're having a Knit A Long for Kate Davies Sheep Carousel, you can follow along here.

ready for cutting

After the knitting comes the cutting...

You can see more about cutting steeks at Knitting Daily and on Kate's website.

(Fiona)  I worked double crochet reinforcements as instructed by the pattern.  The photo tutorial on Kate's website is good.  You can also see more about double crochet here.

Remember double crochet is the British term, in US terms its called single crochet.

double crochet reinforcements

cut the strands between the crochet reinforcements

its cut!

looking secure...

Mmmmm maybe not so secure...

This problem is really to do with how I secured my crochet reinforcement to the cast off edge of my steek stitches.  I perhaps didn't get under all the stitch or maybe I should have chained a few stitches before doing the double crochet?

Anyway!  It didn't unravel and it held well, even when I did this...

nearly done!

Now onto securing the 'flaps' and the icord bind off...

Yesterday we had a knit in at the shop for fellow Carouselers...

Karen

Ginny

Janet

Lorna

How are you getting on?  There is also lots of chat over on our Ravelry group...