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.

I am not lazy

I haven't been knitting since sooooo long but not because I am lazy. I have been painting for a custom order since one week. 21 boxes to match the furniture in one room for a special customer. My main concern is now how to ship them from Istanbul to Austin, Texas. I approximate the total weight to 30 kg (66 lbs). When ready, I'll post picture with my creations. In the meantime, I miss my dear knitting needle. I recently received "Knitting Nature" by Norah Gaughan. I usually don't write reviews, but, when I'll have some spare time, I want to write down my thoughts on this amazing book.

Shopping for yarn in Istanbul

lori l. , who will visit Istanbul soon, asked my recommendation for yarn shops in Istanbul. Well lori, there are 2-3 good brands: Feza (the best yarn), YarnArt and Anchor (in this order). You will see Bravo (which looks so nice, a true eye-catcher), but I don't recommend unless you never wash your knits. One brand is very popular here: Nako. It is quite cheap, they have mostly acrylics. From Nako I suggest only yarns with minimum 50 % wool.

Yarn shops are everywhere here, as 90% of Turkish women are knitting. But, the magic yarn land, a street only with (cheap) yarn shops is in Eminőnű district and the place's name is Kűrkçű Han. Actually, this district of Istanbul, Eminőnű, is the shopping paradise. Words are not enough to describe the experience of shopping here. One day is not enough. Here you can find everything (gold jewelry, yarn, clothing, kitchenware, spices, beading accessories, fabrics, etc) at any price. As a foreigner, YOU MUST BARGAIN. The rule is: you say you like the goods (never offend a Turkish seller by telling him his goods are not nice just to get a discount) but you can't afford this price. You pretend you leave his shop, he calls you back to "talk again", you still say you don't agree and leave again, he calls you again. Patience. This "game" might be tiring for you but is usual here.

It seems lori l. will have a great time in Istanbul.

I am back!

Just want to let you know I am back in Istanbul. I spent a great time in Constanta.

happy birthday to me!

Today I am 32 years old. How do I celebrate my birthday? In airports, plane... in few hours I'll be headed to Romania.
I finished my Latoya tank from berroco.



It is very stretchy. I am still not happy with the straps but I was pressed by time so I didn't make any changes. After this project, I realized that I have to improve my finishing techniques.

My next project (in September) will be Norah Gaughan's capecho. I am also dreaming of designing something by myself. A tank or maybe a short sleeve sweater. Something simple but chic.

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).

FREE cable knit stitch pattern

Multiple of 18 sts + 2 extra border sts (the 2 border sts are not mentioned in the pattern)
In the above picture, the pattern is repeated twice horizontally.

Row 1 (RS): p1; k8; p1; k8

Row 2 and every alt rows: purl the purls and knit the knits

Row 3: p1; k4; c4b; p1; c4f; k4

Row 5: p1; k2; c4b; k2; p1; k2; c4f; k2

Row 7: p1; c4b; c4b; p1; c4f; c4f

Row 9: p1; k2; c4b; k2; p1; k2; c4f; k2

Row 11: p1; c4b; c4bp; p1; c4fp; c4f

Row 13: p1; k2; c4bp; p5; c4fp; k2

Row 15: p1; c4bp; p9; c4fp

Row 17: p1; k2; p13; k2

Row 19: p1; c4f; p9; c4b

Row 21: p1; k2; c4f; p5; c4b; k2

Row 23: p1; c4f; c4f; p1; c4b; c4b

Row 25: p1; k2; c4f; k2; p1; k2; c4b; k2

Row 27: p1; c4f; c4f; p1; c4b; c4b

Row 29: p1; k2; c4f; k2; p1; k2; c4b; k2

Row 31: p1; k4; c4f; p1; c4b; k4


Repeat these 32 rows


Stitch glossary:

C4b = slip 2 sts on cn and hold in back, k2, then k2 from cn

C4f = slip 2 sts on cn and hold in front, k2, then k2 from cn

C4bp = slip 2 sts on cn and hold in back, k2, then p2 from cn

C4fp = slip 2 sts on cn and hold in front, p2, then k2 from cn

Coachella in Istanbul

I finished Coachella in 2 days. Personally, I feel the drape hangs too low in the middle that's why I'm wearing it over a white tank. But I like it a lot, it's simple yet elegant.

It lifts my spirit

There’s one blog that I like to visit almost every day. It is not related to knitting, it is about something I like to knit: bags. Why I love these bags? Because they are so pretty, and well finished and Debra ( she’s the “guilty” one for crafting such a gorgeous bags) is so creative in choosing and matching the colors. Her colors combination influences my mood, it makes me smile and feel happier. Debra is a gifted photographer too and her bags, wallets and pouches are very well pictured (good background and positioning of items). My favorite bags are:

yet another knitted bag

It's another knitted bag, a present for my sister-in-law. I was very crafty: I knitted, I cut one big wooden ring, I drilled holes in it, I painted it and finally it became a wooden button (the cerulean blue one with pale green dots)

My bag stitch pattern

So, for Justine, and not only, my bag stitch pattern.
Note: very easy



This stitch pattern requires multiple of 5 stitches + 2 extra stitches (border stitches, i.e. one st for each side). I won't mention the border stitches in the pattern.

Row1 (RS): Knit till end of row
Rows 2-4 : Knit till end of row
Row 5: *[yo twice, K], repeat from * till end of row
Row 6: *[Slip 5 sts purlwise to RH needle, dropping same time the yo's from previous row; slip these 5 sts back to the LH needle and Ktbl, do not drop the stitch from LH needle, (yo, Ktbl) twice in the same stitch. Now pass(dropp) all the 5 sts to the RH needle.] Repeat from * till end of row. Now you should have the same no of sts on yr needle.

Repeat rows 1-6

For the swatch in the above picture, I casted on 32 sts (30 sts + 2 border sts). If you still have questions regarding this stitsch pattern, pls let me know.

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.

bag knitting stitch

Ta-da! At the end I succeeded! I think I'll use this stitch for a purse, handbag. Do you wanna know how to do this stitch?

She made me knit again!

Of course I enjoyed myself at maximum in Constanta. It was great to see my parents again after so long. But, the best thing during this trip was to find again my best friend from childhood – Florina. We accidentally came across in a bookshop. After 7 years we can keep in touch again. It is wonderful and I am so happy. On 24^th June it’s her birthday and I am planning to mail her a hand knitted purse as a present. My first thought was to use some black color yarn to match almost all of her clothing. Yesterday I visited 2 LYS but couldn’t find something really eye-catcher. I still came back home with a pair of bamboo bag handles and 2 balls of 100% cotton green! yarn. Those shades of green appealed mostly to my eyes. But green is not black! Finally, I decided on some fancy ribbon yarn from my stash. It’s not black. So it wont be a casual purse but a fancy one. I know, I am too undecided; Last evening I had already started this project and now I don’t have any more reasons to think and re-think on this matter. I can’t post pictures of the yarn, I am afraid Florina might read this post and her birthday present won’t be a surprise anymore. But who knows what my itchy hands will do?

I'm back!

I'm back in Istanbul. Istanbul is very hot. I am still trying to accomodate myself to this temperature. I haven't started any knitting project, this hot weather really discourages me. Tomorrow I will re-arrange my yarns on shelves in cabinet. Let's see if my inspiration will come.