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The catalogue is a text description of the items available which you can read through quickly without waiting for pictures to download. You can either work your way through the catalogue, by scrolling through, or go directly to a particular section by clicking on one of the titles below. If you want to see the pictures you can choose to by clicking on the "click for picture" option which you will see as you read through the text.
New this season is Colourwash Fabrics, stitchpatterns which move beyond the use of shading with dark/light stitch arrangements and allow you to actually change the colour of the fabric using the stitchpatterns and achieve a colourwash effect.
Contemporary Pattern - an eclectic mixture of this century's patterned textile designs. Don't miss Optical Illusions, designs which play tricks on the eye - you see different designs depending on the way a you look at them - Art Deco Designs reflecting the clean lines and contemporary appeal of the Art Deco era and Eastern Promise - a collection of contemporary Japanese-inspired designs.
Now you can
- work your way through the catalogue, by scrolling through, starting with Stitchpattern Books
- go directly to a particular section of the catalogue by clicking on one of the titles below
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Pattern Corrections |
Disks for disk drive FB100 or DAK disks are available for each book. DAK Disks cost £7 if supplied with the relevant book, or £8.50 without the book, Brother FB100 disks cost £8 and £9.50 respectively. (The FB100 disks cost more because they take so long to copy!!!)
Colourwash Fabrics
I began exploring the shading effects that knitters can achieve using only two yarn colours as long ago as . Since publishing the “Shadows” collection of black and white designs in 1990 I have always been fascinated by the use of stitch arrangements to create different shades and colours while using only two yarn colours throughout. In 1995 I again devoted a collection to shading designs “Tones and Shades” where designs are produced using intermediate stages of the two colours as well as just dark and light.
The Colourwash Fabrics collection contains stitchpatterns which move beyond the use of dark/light stitch arrangements and allow you to gradually change the colour of the fabric using the stitchpatterns and achieve a colourwash effect.
This effect lends itself particularly to fabric which has been felted after knitting, as this further blurs the colourchanges and increases the "wash" effect. For this reason I have included instructions for knitting and felting your fabric, as well as instructions for a set of projects such as the colourwash tote bag you can see on the front cover, and a series of stunning felted cushions for contemporary interiors.
The stitchpatterns and projects in this collection are suitable for standard gauge 24st., 40 st. or electronic machines and for handknitters and chunky (bulky) machines with 24 st. patterning facility.
Colourwash Fabrics costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD) + 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
continue below for machine knitting or:
Contemporary Pattern
Patterned textile designs have re-appeared in fashion and design in the first part of the new century and knitted fabric designs are no exception. This wave of interest in pattern embraces the quirky patterning of the sixties alongside the colourful mediterranean trends of the eighties and nineties, encompassing along the way, threads of art deco and japanese style monotones. All combine in this glorious riot of what is 21st Century Contemporary Pattern.
After several recent collections where I concentrated on the two-colour designs so beloved of busy knitters, I have again included some designs with rich colour combinations where some colour changing enhances the design, but where the knitting remains relatively straightforward - all changes at the same side of the knitting, only two colours in a row etc. At the same time I have kept at least half the designs to those which rely on the built-in patterning, not colour, for the impact of the design, so you can choose whether to go for something very quick, or whether to set aside some quality time for your knitting!!
Most of the designs in the book are suitable for both 24 and 40 stitch machines or have a separate version for each. There are a couple of larger designs suitable for electronics as well. For those lucky enought to own an electronic machine, the separate versions of the designs often produce a slightly different effect, thus giving you the choice of two designs. Many also produce attractive designs using the garter carriage
Contemporary Pattern costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD, depending on the exchange rate) + 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Optical Illusions
The designs in this collection share the common feature that they are not what they appear! The designs follow in the footsteps of the Japanese optical tradition as well as American patchwork designs which delight in forming squares which when pieced together illuminate circular or other shapes or objects. Many designs in the Optical Illusions collection incorporate multiple layers of patterning so that the design changes depending on the way you look at it. Different shapes come to the fore at different times, and sometimes all are perceived at once so that you might be seeing a series of circles, yet a series of squares or triangles at the same time. Alternatively you might see a series of blocks stacked up at first glance, but a series of flowers when you look again.
Most of the designs in the book are suitable for both 24 and 40 stitch machines and electronics, are quick and easy to knit and all have at least one version with short floats.
In addition the designs double up as textured fabric designs which can be knitted on the garter carriage and some of the textured versions are illustrated in the book.
Optical Illusions costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD) + 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Art Deco Designs
The Art Deco style evolved during the 1920’s and 1930’s and celebrated clean, even stark lines, new shapes and incorporated a feeling of power and movement. Art Deco sits well both with classic and minimalist themes and now seems to have come full circle. Once again at the beginning of the new century we have come to appreciate this unfussy, sophisticated and slightly quirky design style.
There are 20 designs in this collection - some linear or angular, some circular, rounded or oval, some designs incorporating a feeling of movement and energy others reflecting calm and order. There are a number of border designs as well as the full complement of all-over textile designs, all suitable both for garments and furnishing fabrics.
Knitting
The designs in the book are suitable for both 24 and 40 stitch machines and electronics using the fairisle setting, and are quick and easy to knit. In addition many are very successful knitted as textured designs on the garter carriage.
As usual the all-over designs feature short floats, but with the borders I have allowed myself some leeway. The odd area of long floats in these designs allows a bolder design, or allows a design to taper off into a plain area of fabric so there is no perceptable join between the two areas, and the finished knitting will appear as a single bordered fabric. Since normally only one repeat will be knitted, the floats can be easily dealt with. Art Deco Designs costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD) Click here for pictures
50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Eastern Promise - Contemporary Japanese-inspired designs
For 24 & 40 st. machines. This collection gathers together a very varied selection of designs although they all echo the distinctive simplicity and clean lines of Japanese and eastern style and all are based on two knitting colours only.
The book contains 49 punchcard diagrams, based on 26 design ideas and producing over 60 different fabrics if you count the totally different ones that are sometimes obtained just by swopping dark and light yarns around! As usual the design ideas in the book are suitable for both 24 and 40 stitch machines and electronics using the fairisle setting, and are quick and easy to knit with short floats. They can be used both for garments and interior furnishings, and many are also very successful knitted as textured designs on the garter carriage.
(In the next paragraph, if you click on the highlighted words you will open a picture file, so if you just want to read straight through quickly, don't click! You can wait till the bottom of the paragraph and then go to the pictures, if you prefer)
There are a number of bold distinctive designs featuring circles, fan shapes and lozenges, a group of "optical" designs - where shapes and lines seem to emerge from nowhere and change depending on the way you look at the design. There is also a group of purely abstract contemporary designs where irregular shapes emerge subtly from a textured looking background. These are particularly useful for those seeking almost floatless knitting - some have a maximum float length of 3 stitches. In addition to these there are a number of stencil designs based on the japanese stencil tradition - a couple of designs which "patchwork" different fabrics together in interesting crazy paving effects, and finally for those who yearn for something leaning towards the traditional - some more intricate designs mirroring Japanese stencils, fern and floral shapes.
Eastern Promise costs £6.50 (approx 10-11 USD)
50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Fabric weaves
A book of stitchpattern designs for 24st, 40st and electronic machines. In spite of the name the designs are not actually for weaving, but instead explore the possibilities of using woven-looking designs on knitted fairisle fabrics. As a bonus this sort of design also produces unique textured fabrics when used on the garter carriage.
The fairisle fabrics you produce can be used for anything from silky scarves to ottoman covers. Even with the bolder designs however, the fairisle floats are short, some as short as 2 stitches. Again no colour changing is needed to gain the effect. Using the garter carriage you can knit doubleknit cable-effect sweaters as well as finer decorative fabrics as the designs vary from big and bold to subtle and understated. Fabric Weaves costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Designs for Interiors
A collection of 33 fabrics for 24st, 40st and electronic machines intended as a design sourcebook for knitters who want to extend the scope of their work to include projects for the home as well as knitting garments. The fabrics in this collection reflect the current preference for clean smooth lines in furnishings such as canvas and awning designs, ticking, pinstripes, contemporary colourwash and quirky modern stripes where the edges are wavy or blurred, as well as more traditional Regency stripes, ginghams and checks.
These fabrics are ideal for blinds, cushions, chair coverings, Roman blinds, mats, curtains, tie-backs, ottoman covers, bedspreads, lampshades and so on and are designed to be knitted quickly with no colour changing, so that you can quickly knit "yardages" which can then be used for furnishings. The interest is created through the stitchpatterns themselves, many of which use shading to create the appearance of a third colour. However most of the stitchpatterns are remarkably small and can be punched or marked out very quickly and 24st and 40st punchcard versions are provided for each of them. As well as the stitchpatterns themselves the book includes information about knitting for the home - which materials to use, tips for pattern matching, as well as ideas for projects. Designs for Interiors costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Tones and Shades
Designs with short floats and no colour changes, making use of toning and shading techniques to create designs using shades of grey, and intermediate colours purely by the imaginative arrangement of dark and light stitches. 24st and 40 st. versions of all the designs
Special Effects
Instructions for various different colourways. Innovative collection including a variety of all-over textile designs for imaginative knitters moving away from traditional designs for knitwear. Contains imitation leopard, lion, zebra and giraffe skin designs as well as paint effects like sponging, stippling and ragrolling. There are also designs for gradual black - to- white and colour-to-colour margins, woodgrain and camouflage designs. One volume contains both 24 & 40 st. versions of the designs. Special Effects costs £6.50 (approx 11-12 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Tartans, Tweeds and Checks
For 24 & 40 st. machines. Instructions for various different colourways. Contains a library of tartans (plaids) tweeds and checks, traditional and modern which can be used for knitwear and furnishings in a variety of different fibres. The basic designs can be knitted in many different colour combinations and instructions are provided for a total of 46 different fabrics. One volume contains both 24 & 40 st. versions of the designs. Tartans, Tweeds and Checks costs £6 (approx 10-11 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Fabrics for Felting
For 24 st. and 40 st. machines. Instructions for various different colourways. Collection of textile designs specially created to be used for felted fabrics. Two reference sections, one on techniques, one on applications and materials. One volume contains both 24st. and 40st. versions of the designs. Fabrics for Felting costs £6 (approx 10-11 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Patchworks 24
For 24 st. machines Instructions for various different colourways. The designs in this collection are inspired by traditional American pieced designs, and mirror the three-dimensional qualities of traditional quilted patchwork. There are optical illusion designs, stylized angular baskets and flower patterns and designs where foreground and background seem to interchange bringing different shapes to the fore. Patchworks 24 costs £6 (approx 10-11 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Colourways 40
For 40 st. machines. Instructions for various different colourways. A Selection of Artika stitchpatterns for 40st. punchcard machines and electronics. The designs include 40st. versions of some favourites such as Trellis and Willow plus others created specially to take advantage of the added possibilities of the 40st. repeat. Colourways 40 costs £6 (approx 10-11 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Nomad Collection
For 24 st. machines. Punchcard diagrams are exact size (Japanese machines). This collection brings together the traditional shapes and burnt colours of the carpets and textiles of the desert peoples of the Americas and the east. One double jacquard template. Nomad Collection costs £6 (approx 10-11 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Trellis Collection
For 24 st. machines. Punchcard diagrams are exact size (Japanese machines). A collection of abstract geometric designs based on diagonals. Contains the highly effective Trellis design which seems to be three-dimensional although knitted using just a straightforward fairisle method. Great designs for men. Trellis Collection costs £6 (approx 10-11 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Début Collection
For 24 st. machines As well as the hugely popular Willow design, this collection contains many useful stitchpatterns, such as a three colour small argyl, an optical illusion block design, and other designs with short floats suitable especially for men and children. Debut Collection costs £5. (approx 8-9 USD) 50p postage in the U.K. For overseas postage click here
Italian Collection
For 24 st. machines. Punchcard diagrams are exact size. A collection of abstract geometric designs inspired by the jagged mountain shapes and vibrant colour contrast of Northern Italy under snow. Most designs have short floats and many are suitable for men and children. Italian Collection costs £5. (approx 8-9 USD) 50p postage in the U.K., or see table below for overseas postage charges.
* the dollar-pound exchange rate has been changing constantly recently, so check, if this is important to you. It can vary between 1.4 to 1.95!! End of stitchpattern section
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