Do you have any stitch dictionaries in your knitting library? I am somewhat of a stitch dictionary junky. I think I have most of them. I always have grand illusions of designing, and then I get bogged down with too many wonderful choices to play with. That didn’t stop me from being really excited when designer Debbie O’Neill told me that she was working on a new book – a stitch dictionary. I have always loved Debbie’s designs and knew the book would be great. (One of my very favorite Debbie designs is Celebratory Chevrons – free here on my blog. It’s one of the few sock patterns that I’ve chosen to knit more than once.) Last week, her publisher kindly sent me a copy of the new book – The Stitch Collection – and I dove in. Actually, it’s a slipcase with 5 smaller volumes tucked inside – Knit & Purl, Rib, Lace, Cables, and Specialty. 225 patterns in all. There are several things that make this one of my new favorites, and one that I will use frequently.
– I love the smaller sized books. Most stitch dictionaries are filled with every possible combination and they are big and heavy. Not something I would tuck into my project bag or take along on a trip. And a bit overwhelming to leaf through.
– I love that each page gives you a skill level and a drape level. Sometimes you don’t know how it will work from the photo, and I haven’t seen these ratings in other stitch dictionaries.
– Also different (and a real benefit), I like that each stitch is explained, along with particular characteristics: “It pulls in dramatically, but is very elastic. It will lie flat along the cast-on edge, but will tend to curl along the side edges.”
– I also appreciate the suggestions for use: “… can be used as an edge stitch for sweaters, hats, mittens or gloves, or as a panel or an overall pattern in an elaborate sweater.”
– And a few warnings on some, like: “This stitch pattern comes off the needles looking slanted, and a good blocking evens it out nicely. However, you may want to avoid using it across large areas because the larger the area, the harder it is to block out the slant.”
My only wish? I wish these were spiral bound. I think I will pop by Office Max and have mine done. (Do you do that with your favorite knitting books? I think it’s so handy to be able to open books all the way and have them lie flat when in use.) Also, there are no charts. But as someone who seldom knits from charts, that wasn’t a big deal for me. When I want to take written directions and turn them into charts, I’ve been using this program. Very easy to use, with great tutorials.
So all of this (stitch dictionaries, designing software) leads to the contest question of the month – have you ever tried to design something of your own to knit or crochet? Does the thought of it sound interesting, intimidating, or invigorating? Leave your answer in the comments and we’ll use the random generator to draw winners for $30 Gift Certificates to The Loopy Ewe next week!
Sheri whothinkssomeofyouaredesignersandyoudon’tevenknowityet!
No way would I design my own pattern! I have a hard enough time figuring out already proven patterns! God bless all of the hard working designers out there, thank you!
I’ve designed a couple of smaller items, but I’m very intimidated by it. I’m even more intimidated about the idea of sharing a pattern I created with anyone else. I hear people that I admire complaining about the ordeal of knitters taking issue with a pattern and it makes me want to keep them to myself.
I’ve used the Barbara Walker books to pick out scarf and sock patterns, but nothing beyond that!
No, I get nervous just making moderations to a pattern; never mind coming up with a whole new one by myself. I enjoy looking at the pretty stitch patterns and I also use them for reference when I get stuck on how to do a particular stitch.
Every boring meeting I’ve ever been in has produced a sketch of a sock, but I haven’t yet attempted to knit any of them!
I find not designing very relaxing- I’m leaving the heavy lifiting to the pros!
I’ve designed a few glove patterns using Barbara Walker’s stitch dictionaries. I would like to design a pair of socks next…just as soon as my 2 year old and my 10 month old let me. :o)
I designed a cowl using ruffles but not fancy stitches. I want to try to design some lace next!
I designed a scarf that I gave away as a gift. I don’t have much of a desire to do any more designing, but who knows when the mood will strike 🙂
Yes. But it never got further than the sketch book.
Now I *have* used stitch dictionaries for improvising edgings, or quickie scarves. Though I don’t think that counts so much as actual designing.
I would rather support those who are already designing than take the time to figure out how to design something.
I do a lot of toe-up socks. I keep the foot simple up to the heel. When I get to the leg, I pick a stitch pattern and maybe some type of different cuff. I don’t think of it as “design” but some of the patterns are unique to me, I guess. I’ve designed a couple of scarves, but to me that’s just giant swatching.
I love stitch dictionaries!
I don’t feel like it is design when I make a new scarf, but often I am charting out images like the current double knit scarf that I am whiling my time away with. I’ve done hats and scarves in a similar fashion by figuring out how many stitches I would need for the width I wanted and then play around with the look and feel.
Of course, I might feel more like a designer if I ripped more things out rather than just ignoring them or finishing them anyway. I have Knitting Over the Edge as my only knitting stitch dictionary. I have a motif dictionary for crochet as well.
I have designed an iPhone case and a pair of socks. If I had more knitting time to devote to design, I probably would.
A little – it’s usually more of a heavily modifying an existing pattern (i.e. designing a colorwork pattern on the back of an originally plain dog sweater or completely reworking the shaping for a fitted sweater) but i have yet to design something completely from scratch.
I’m working on some design stuff–simple things mostly. Can’t say I really aspire to sweaters and the like but that’s not really why I knit. I do like taking a completed pattern and modifying a little but again, I’m usually happy to leave the original work to someone else. And with Rav and blogs etc, there are a lot of options to choose from.
I wouldn’t say I’ve “designed” so much as “improvised” – there are many times when I’ve started a pattern but I didn’t have enough yarn, or I didn’t have the right weight, and after lots of little tweaks, I suppose I end up with something wholly different from the original pattern. 🙂
I am currently working on a pair of socks that I have “sort of” designed by combining elements of other patterns that I like. But I have been thinking lately of actually trying to design something original. We’ll see!
I have taken Sock Knitters Anon’s DYO sock challenge on both last year and this. I knit up some OSU socks last year, with minimal success. This year was much better and finished writing the pattern up for publication this past week! It’s a lace sock with a heart pattern on it. Similar to the pattern from http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/path-of-the-heart .
At the moment I am not interested in designing anything. I have a very limited amount of time to knit and am a slow knitter at that. There are already so many wonderful patterns and yarns on the “To-be knit” list that I don’t feel the urge to add any of my own.
I have never really done a design that I charted out-hope to do some designing as I progress in my knitting skills.
I don’t know that I would call it “designing” but when I couldn’t find a pattern I liked for a baby dress, I made up my own. I was pleased with it and the recipient loved it, too.
Yes, definitely!!! I would love to design. Right now I’m working on my first design which I am hoping to put up on Ravelry should I work up the courage–a very simple wavy baby blanket with a simple little border. I’m hoping to do more as I become more experienced.
I haven’t released any patterns of my own yet, but I’m hoping to design a non-triangular lace shawl. I’m incapable of doing patterns as written, most things get a modification somewhere along the line.
I’ve always wanted to design something but it definitely intimidates me, that and I barely have the time to knit all the other projects that are in my queue!
I’ve designed several socks for local sock clubs, as well as several scarf patterns that I offer for sale on my blog. I have a whole shelf full of stitch dictionaries and add to it on a regular basis — you can never have enough stitch dictionaries! I love just sitting and going through them and getting ideas. One of these days I will tackle a sweater design. Not sure if I’ll turn it into a pattern for selling, though, because the prospect of sizing is daunting. But I have Knitgrrl’s new book to help inspire me through the process, so who knows? 🙂
i tried designing my dad an aran sweater. it’s a work in progress. i wasn’t patient enough to make a real series of gauge swatches. so it’s incubating….
I have used the stitch dictionaries for sock, mitt and scarf ideas. And I’ve designed, well, if you could call it that, a top down short sleeved, collared T. It’s really basic and it’s actually a WIP because I lost interest – sad. I wasn’t exactly jumping with excitement when I saw you were going to talk about stitch dictionaries – I too have more than I need….or so I thought. It sounds like these really do add something new and different and very very useful. I see them in my future. Thanks for reviewing them!
I’ve thought about it, but, the farthest I’ve ever gotten is revising existing patterns. My friend has designed a shawl and a pair of socks. This dictionary would make a good present for her!
Yes, I’ve incorporated a stitch pattern into socks. I love stitch dictionaries. So much inspiration!
I love coming up with ideas and then making them, whether it’s knitting or art or cooking. In knitting, I usually stick to simple stuff, like socks and bags. I’ve been reading the Fit to Flatter series though, and it’s really inspiring me to try a sweater, or at least play around with modifications to someone else’s pattern.
Yes, I’ve designed afghans, scarves, hats, socks, and sweaters. I use Harmony Guides the old ones but would prefer charts. I may have to check out the program you linked.
I very rarely knit a project without modifying the pattern at least slightly, but I have never ventured into free-style pattern-on-the-fly knitting
I designed a vest for my late great Mom in an oatmeal color yarn she had picked out, the vest included blocks of her fave stitches, moss, mock cable, bobble, a few others. I wasn’t sure of the end result but she LOVED it. I believe I used one of Barbara Walker’s stitch guides to accomplish this.
The only thing I’ve done is modify existing patterns, but I’ve been considering getting a stitch dictionary and stepping out of my comfort zone. I really like the idea of several smaller, focused volumes instead of one honking big book.
Designing is such a grand word 😉 but I have put together a basic toe-up sock pattern of my own and I use it all the time with different stitch patterns. And I usually tweak patterns, is that designing? I cast on a pullover for my Dad today from a pattern, but with a nice textured pattern instead of just stockinette.
I actually have a couple of free patterns on Ravelry; a baby pullover, a baby mitt and a shawl. I would love to know how to design lace shawls though… but I don’t know where to start.
The closest I have come is to modify existing patterns, but maybe someday…
I’ve designed a pair of socks and it turned out to be a lot more difficult than I had expected. After much ripping back, my design ended up being much simpler than I had originally intended, and my respect for designers went *way* up.
I haven’t ever designed a garment but I am a tweaker, modifying something to my specs till I am happy with it. I see patterns as guidelines only and usually change at least one thing.
Oh, I would love to design patterns – but I am a little intimidated by the process. The closest I’ve come is inserting my own stitch pattern into a sock template. I get grand ideas, sometimes, but they pretty much just stay that way – ideas. Perhaps I need to just get out a pencil and paper and some yarn and needles and try it!
I’ve designed a couple of really simple sock patterns. I hope to do more designing in the future. I used to design quilt patterns and really enjoyed the process of creating something unique from beginning to end.
I have all the Vogue Stitchionary set including the new lace one and I love them but I am always eying other sets: the Harmony guides, the set you have which looks like an excellent one. I also have books by Nicky Epstein and Debbie Bliss with lots of stitch patterns in them. I love considering the possibilities! So far though, I have only designed one wrap (thanks to an amazing shawl design class taught by Amy Singer) using a variety of stitches, an edging treatment, a border treatment and a center panel treatment. I got so much satisfaction out of charting and swatching my design and while it’s languishing in the bad knitting pile (thank god for lifelines) I will finish it!
OF course, most of us design a simple sock pattern that we use over and over. I’ve designed scarves from stitch dictionaries: easy peasy. And I have designed one pair of mittlets, like the easy sock pattern, just the basics. I ventured into hat territory once, and have trouble looking at that particular FO.
I would like to design one day, but haven’t really yet. I usually jump in on something and try to change things around (ahem…gauge) on the fly and get messed up and have to frog. Right now I’m focusing on knitting things that are a little easy for me and following the directions. And you know what? I’m really enjoying it!
I haven’t designed anything yet but I have a few ideas. One I’d like to do is a hat and cowl colorwork design and I think I should design a shawl at some point because I love knitting them so much! I could really use a stitch dictionary and this one sounds awesome!
I have never designed something to knit yet. It seems too intimidating to me. I just want to follow someone else’s directions.
WOW – never thought to take my knitting books to the office supply store to get them spiral bound. I am forever trying to keep them open with this and that. THANKS for that tip! The only thing I did on my own was adapt an already designed pattern to fit what I was knitting – modified the patten – took a few go arounds but it worked out well. Off to call Staples and Office Depot…. 🙂
I do a lot of modifications – but alas, not many actual “designs.”
It depends on what you mean by design. When it comes to socks, I almost always change something, often to the point of keeping only one element of the original pattern. That type of design is easy and natural to me. What’s intimidating is when I start from scratch and design something that wasn’t heavily modified from another pattern. Somehow not having a base to jump from is scarier than changing everything about a garment.
i have done small pouches and things of the sort but i really want to design a lace shawl or something larger. I have been quite intimidated though by this thought!