cornflower shell

I’m on a roll with the new design releases! The Spring 2012 issue of Interweave Knits is out and my Cornflower Shell is part of this fantastic issue!

(all photos are courtesy of, and copyright of, Interweave Knits)

The Cornflower Shell is the perfect light layer for transitional weather, which we all know that the Spring season has in abundance! Try it over a feminine blush-tinged outfit, as shown here, or try it from a sportier angle with jeans! Written for five sizes, this V-neck vest is knit with Louet’s sportweight Euroflax yarn, a 100% wet spun linen, and features a bit of waist shaping to enhance your silhouette. The name for the shell came from the delicate coloring of the sample, a complex combination of steel blue, gray, and even a bit of lavender.

What’s so neat about this vest is its fabric. Using two VERY different needle sizes (US 3 and US 10.5), the fabric changes between nubbly garter stitch and open, floaty stockinette stitch. As a result, this vest is actually a very speedy knit for sportweight yarn!

I designed this with simplicity in mind, as always, so the vest is knit in the round from the bottom up to the armholes, and is then knit flat for the front and back. Garter stitch edges the neck and armholes for clean edges that echo the vest fabric. And finally, for a smidge of fun and beautiful finishing, the shoulders are shaped with short rows and are seamed with a three-needle bind off. Believe me, this makes a difference when you’re trying to seam linen fabric knit on a US 10.5 needle! 🙂

Like their sister publication, Knitscene, the folks at Interweave Knits are a fantastic and supportive bunch who are a blast to work with. Since this was only my second garment design, their editorial staff was invaluable with their keen editing skills and I can’t wait to work with them again!

I believe that the issue is on newsstands now, or will be shortly, and is infused with all kinds of beautiful transitional pieces that will work perfectly for the coming months. In fact, my good friend Lisa Hoffman also has a design in this issue, and not just any design, but the one that graces the cover!

Her Manteo Cardigan is a lacy and feminine design that’s knit with laceweight cashmere yarn. What’s not to love?

Here’s to Spring coming soon, but not too soon. I can’t help it – the winter weather just gives me more excuses to knit! And speaking of knitting, there’s more designing in the works. I should have the Integral Mitts, designed to match my Integral Shawlette and Shawl ready for release next week once my awesome testers have finished. I’m also finishing up another design that I can’t show you quite yet, but it’s an oversized squishy, texture-y cowl knit all in the most gorgeous teal merino yarn you’ve ever seen. Intrigued? 😉