Newhaven is my gansey that appeared in my first book and the second as well. Now I am releasing it as a stand-alone pattern. This gansey is patterned horizontally which means it is easier to knit, having only one motif to contend with at a time. There are two options for the neckband: a rolled […]
Over the three years that I have been posting on my Patreon project, I have covered historic knitting, highlights of my travels to China and the UK, created videos of technique and sent copies of my patterns to my patrons. Through February and March, I discussed the wonderful Swedish sweaters from the Halland district that were knitted for pay for a known customer in the late 1800s to early 1900s. In the past month, I have delved deeper into the construction of the Scottish Sanquhar gloves.
I have just completed writing a new class and handout focused on some of the beautiful Latvian Cuff methods not regularly seen in today’s mittens. IN this class, students will create three edges: the Twisted Garter Edge, the Scalloped Edge, and the Diagonal Boxes Cuff. They all require three colors. As one cuff is practiced, […]
I have released a new pattern for Sanquhar gloves!
The Humber Star was a popular feature on some of the ganseys worn on the inland waterways of England in the nineteenth century. I wanted to include this iconic motif in these mittens, using the classic Norwegian Selbu Mittens as a template. Rather than using two colors, as Norwegian mittens are traditionally worked, this mitten uses knits and purls to create a textured design. The pattern is written for three sizes and full charts are given for each size.
Recently released is my pattern, Mallaig Socks: a worsted weight boot sock pattern in three sizes. The cuff is made of a herringbone motif while diamonds decorate the back and front of the socks. It comes in three sizes: Woman’s Medium (Woman’s Large/Man’s Small, Man’s Large).
When I wrote the second edition of Knitting Gansey, I designed six accessories to be included in the book. Due to an unfortunate lack of space, they were cut from the book. Interweave made a PDF of these designs to sell, but as F&W Media went into bankruptcy, this PDF disappeared. I wrote, and I […]
Spring is arriving here in Vermont. The maple tree outside my window is leafing out, and the grass is turning green. And yet, most of us are still indoors, trying to cope, and stay busy. I think knitters have a definite advantage during this time. We can all dive into our stashes to make something soothing, beautiful, or useful.
Here it is–the year 2020! One of the things the New Year causes me to do is to look back at the year just completed. It was a doozy! Besides a few personal goals attained, I traveled to teach in some remarkable places. In May, I flew to Shanghai, China and taught several of my […]
Around mid-August, I notice that the crickets chirping at night are louder and more numerous. To me, this is the sign that autumn is on the way. I am looking forward to the crisp evenings and cooler days ahead. The really ambitious deciduous trees are just beginning to fade, showing a hint of red or yellow along the I-91 corridor, while the conifers remain steadfast in their dark green. New England is the place to be at this time of year!
Students will learn about Maine mitten construction by knitting a substantial part of several mittens (and a glove if desired) in two or more colors, circularly on double pointed needles, and dealing with many possible pattern repeats, individualized thumb gusset increasing, and tip shaping. (If you prefer, you can use the magic loop or two circulars if […]
Hey everybody! I would love to host a KAL in November. We can start with selecting yarns and swatching. I’ll post my photos and explanations here in my blog. But I’d love to hear your opinion. Do you think everyone should choose a gansey of their choice from my book, or should we all work on ONE design from my book–or from the Gansey Accessories PDF?
I am leaving tomorrow for Shetland where I will be teaching the Cowichan-Inspired Pullover (because a Shetland woman figures into its history), Traditional Cast-Ons, and Gansey Techniques. I am still packing and tying up loose ends (like my newsletter…) and wondering how I can fit everything into one suitcase, a carry-on, and a small backpack. My clothes aren’t the issue, my teaching stuff is. That actually will exceed the small plane guidelines and one suitcase may be left behind to go on another plane the next day.
I am looking forward to September 14-15, when I will hold a slide show and lecture on the British Gansey Friday night, and teach my workshop “Gansey Techniques” on Saturday at Sheep and Shawl in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Call 413-397-3680 to register.
The folks at Interweave Press filmed this video about my new book, Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Expanded, at YarnFest this year. It shows some of the pages inside, and some of the history and garments that are featured as well. I hope you enjoy it! You can pre-order the book here. It will be released at the end of July 2018.
While in Albuquerque in October, I met Christina Campbell, the woman behind World Wide Knit-In For Peace Day, which is December 21 this year. Project Peace is a knit-along from December 1-21 and Christina will supplement this with daily blog posts about peace.
Gansey Fingerless Mitts
Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll give you a free pattern download for our Gansey Fingerless Mitts. The Knitting Traditions newsletter is published once (and occasionally two times) per month and is chock full of tips, ideas, and gorgeous knitting projects from Beth. As our way of saying thanks, we’ll give you the Gansey Fingerless Mitts pattern to try right away. (Please note the pattern link will expire in 48 hours, so please download it immediately.) We think you’re going to love traditional knitting!
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