Roundabout Leaf Tank by Norah Gaughan from Knitting Nature book

This is my first WIP (work in progress) after my return from Romania and my second project from Norah's book: Knitting Nature. The first project was Droplet Hat. The hat for a swap on Ravelry but I am making this lovely tank for myself. I am using Turkish yarn from Linate Okiteks, CotoLin Gold: 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. It was a true bargain as it's a discontinued yarn and the seller told me it was the last batch. I just adore the color: yellow peach, very close to the skin color. My gauge/tension is 20 sts per 4'' with US 7/4.5 mm needle and I cast on for the smallest size. My nickel-plated KnitPicks interchangeable circular needles are perfect for this type of yarn.

Tomis tank: inspired by Norah Gaughan

Inspired by Norah Gaughan's genius work with geometric shapes, this high empire waist tank is my first attempt to write a pattern for multiple sizes. It has a deep V-neck and a lovely A-line shape which is just perfect for those who don't like the idea of an exposed belly. The generous armhole shaping make possible to wear this tank over a t-shirt or shirt or even another tank. Link to this pattern here.

SKILLS: Easy (increasing, decreasing, picking up stitches)

SIZE
32 [34, 36, 38, 40] inch bust


FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 33.5[35, 37, 39, 41.5] inches

MATERIALS
Alize Lidya [60% viscose, 40% acrylic; 186yd/170m per 100g skein];
color: LSD 15; 4[4, 5, 5, 6] skeins
1 40-inch US #8/5mm circular needle
Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle

Tips for replacing the yarn
Replace Lidya from Alize with soft yarns which produce very drape-y fabrics. I recommend blends of acrylic with cotton, linen, rayon or viscose.


GAUGE: 16 sts x 24 rows/ 4” in Stockinette stitch

All rights reserved. This pattern may be used to make items for your own personal use, for gifts, or for charitable donations. It may not be used to knit up items for sale. You may make copies for your own personal use. You many not distribute it in any hardcopy or electronic format.

2 FOs for my swap pal: Norah Gaughan's Droplet Hat and Calorimetry from Knitty.com

Norah Gaughan's droplet hat from Knitting Nature book. It was quite a fast knit (2 days). I hope my swap pal will like and wear it. As an alternative, I knit the Calorimetry from knitty.com. t was another super fast knit (2 headbands in one day).

Another FO: Norah Gaughan's Capecho

It took more than one month to finish this project. I used Alize Cashmira 100% wool for this capecho, my gauge/tension was 20 sts per 4" (10 cm) and I used 4 mm INOX circular needles. I cast on for M size to compensate the gauge (18 sts/4 "). It is still not well fitted but if I would knit this again with the same yarn, I would cast on for S size and decrease the cables to 6 sts. Or, another way is to decrease the numbers of pentagons in the first row with one pentagon i.e. 6 pentagons instead of 7.

sabinette tank

This is my own pattern, inspired from Sabinette scarf, a Norah Gaughan design found on berroco's site. After I finished the front panel, I picked up stitches along one side and continued to work horizontally. I worked 5 edge (both edges) stitches in garter stitch. The middle of back has 5 rows of eyelet (yo, p2tog on WS) to avoid shrinkage.

Vogue Knitting on the go! Crocheted Scarves. Designs from Norah Gaughan, Teva Durham, Mari Lynn Patrick, Sasha Kagan

Vogue Knitting on the go! Crocheted Scarves
Book Review

This book is small as a size only, because its content is very rich: 25 crochet patterns for scarves, shawls, wraps and stoles. The projects range from beginner to experienced skill level. I was pleasantly surprised to see among the designers famous names: Norah Gaughan (there are 2 designs of her), Teva Durham with a very intriguing free form scarf, Mari Lynn Patrick, Sasha Kagan, Katherine Fedewa. Definitely there is something for everybody and this book in very inspiring too: nice color combinations, nice stitches which can be used in other projects too, nice yarns combination.

Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan. Book Review

I hesitated a lot before writing a review for Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan. I was afraid that I can’t put in the true beauty of this book. This book is far beyond knitwear designs inspired from nature. It shows new, innovative and unusual ways of garment constructions. The patterns are not for a beginner, but a beginner knitter can buy this book and knit the garments when becomes more experienced as I am sure the patterns in this book won’t get old-fashioned.
After seeing and contemplating Norah’s designs in this book, I am so proud to knit. Knitting is no more only for bored stay-at-home grandmas, hand knitting means fashionable garments, eye-catching and intriguing designs. There are cardigans, sweaters, tops, tanks, tunics, pullovers, skirts, hats, scarves, ponchos, mittens, afghans, all in 39 superb designs from a beautiful mind.

Latoya tank vs. Norah’s capecho

Three days ago I started to knit Latoya from berroco.com (free and gorgeous pattern). On 16th July it will be my birthday and I was planning to wear Latoya tank on that special day (which I may celebrate it in the air as I’m planning to visit my parents in Romania and reach there by plane). I substituted the yarn with YarnArt merino stretch (50% merinowool, 40% acrylic, 10% elastane)

But, yesterday I found in the mailbox the winter issue of VogueKnitting magazine. My friend from Holland, Nadina, sent it to me as an early present for my birthday (thanks Nadina). She knew I was so excited to knit Norah’s capecho.

Now I am still undecided: to finish Latoya tank and then to start Norah’s capecho or to have two WIPs same time (which means I won't wear the tank on my birthday).

My Brea Bag from Berroco

I hope my friend will love it. This bag is her birthday present. It was a total challenge: knit, paint the wooden rings, make the handles somehow, use X-ray films to keep the lining&bag sturdy.