Blog: Patterns
Smile Cushionous | Autumnal Shades
Posted on - 23/11/2017
The new Smile Cushionous designed in Bessie May SMILE, using pop autumnal shades ~ so perfect for a starting project for the season.
Worked completely in Knit Stitch, with front and back of cushion worked in one piece, moving between four lovely shades. Commenced with just one stitch and increased every wrong side row as the front grows, then decreasing every wrong side row reducing and shaping back and cushion casing.
Additional techniques which are great to practice, are utilised in the adding of a side border to close one of two open sides, using pick up and knit, and then three cable cast off. The other open side being finished with style with a folding button band, which is a really neat and stylish way of adding a tidy, stylish and hardwearing button band, so a great skill to crack.
Completing the cushion cover with these borders means there is no seaming ~ which is the best missing technique!
If you just want a simple knit project, the above bands do not necessarily need to be added, as the single piece can simply be mattress stitched on only two sides fully enclosing the cushion pad.
We hope you enjoy ~ Kit can be found below!
Bessie May Knit Kit | Free Pattern Download | 5 Balls of Bessie May Smile
Smile Cushionous | Autumnal Shades
Posted on - 27/09/2017
The new Smile Cushionous designed in Bessie May SMILE, using pop autumnal shades ~ so perfect for a starting project for the season.
Worked completely in Knit Stitch, with front and back of cushion worked in one piece, moving between four lovely shades. Commenced with just one stitch and increased every wrong side row as the front grows, then decreasing every wrong side row reducing and shaping back and cushion casing.
Additional techniques which are great to practice, are utilised in the adding of a side border to close one of two open sides, using pick up and knit, and then three cable cast off. The other open side being finished with style with a folding button band, which is a really neat and stylish way of adding a tidy, stylish and hardwearing button band, so a great skill to crack.
Completing the cushion cover with these borders means there is no seaming ~ which is the best missing technique!
If you just want a simple knit project, the above bands do not necessarily need to be added, as the single piece can simply be mattress stitched on only two sides fully enclosing the cushion pad.
We hope you enjoy ~ Kit can be found below!
Bessie May Knit Kit | Free Pattern Download | 5 Balls of Bessie May Smile for the price of 4
BM Smile Lacy Leaf | Knit Shaping ~ Darts
Posted on - 15/07/2017
Shaping or sometimes referred to as fashioning, can be the difference between making a garment that fits well, looks beautiful and becomes a favourite to wear, to one that doesn’t fit or hang right, and is uncomfortable to wear.
As with sewing, knitting skills allow for different shaping methods, meaning that just because you are working in yarn, you don’t have to create something that hangs with little style.
Sometimes it is good to look at knitted garments manufactured for the shops, and you will see most shaping is done by working the pattern pieces flat and then cutting their shape and seaming together, which is the cheapest manufacturing method.
Some question why some knitwear that is ‘fashioned’ is so expensive. It is because it has been created using shaping methods, such as darts, raglan shaping for sleeves, etc, that mean the garment should fit well and look amazing when worn, as well as last forever if cared for, but of course making a garment this way takes more time and care, so costs more to manufacture.
The Smile Lacy Leaf Design is being knitted in one piece top down ~ a great method for incorporating shaping as you work, with the use of a mannequin you can ensure your fit is perfect as you go. Take a peek at why Provisional Cast Off is something worth giving a go.
Here you can see the shaping taking effect. Four Darts are being worked, one on the right and left side of the Front and Back. The Darts are positioned here so that they do not move the two parallel Lacy Leaf patterning, but as you can see enable fitting around the breast and into the waist.
These Darts are being worked by using a stitch marker at the position of where the dart is required, and then on appropriate rounds decreases are made by working to two stitches before the stitch marker and then working a Slip Slip Knit (SSK), slipping the stitch marker (sl marker), knitting one (K1), then knitting two together, (K2tog), reducing the stitch count by two. On the opposite dart on the piece, the workings are slightly different, knitting to three stitches before the stitch marker, then doing SSK, K1, sl marker, K2tog.
The SSK and K2tog mean that the decrease is neat, as the stitches point downwards towards each other on the garment, creating a symmetrical ‘V’, so the shaping looks professionally styled.
For those who have not worked a Slip Slip Knit (SSK), which decreases one stitch, this is done by slipping two stitches knitwise one at a time, inserting the tip of the left needle into both stitches and knitting the two stitches together.
Shaping can be used in so many ways, so learning different methods is never wasted energy, as even when working a garment that is not coming out as expected, add a few shaping techniques in and it can change that right around.
Cold Snap Projects
Posted on - 01/12/2016
With the cold snap everywhere Winter Projects certainly kick in in earnest, and now feel right. Having been so mild it has felt weird working with chunky wool and making large wooly creations designed to suit the weather we now have.
It is so quick and easy to create a warm scarf, or mitts for yourself or for a gift for someone you love, and an endless choice of colours and styles.
Even if you can only work in knit stitch or stockinette stitch, a scarf in a colour you love, or yarn that you can’t resist touching, you can make something not only practical, but at the same time beautiful. Also you gain satisfaction, relaxation and build your skills ~ so why wouldn’t you?…
We hope you have the confidence to have a go, and even if you don’t, jump in and your confidence will quickly follow.
Have a browse of some of our scarves and cowl kits and get inspired to start clicking those needles.
xx
FREE Crochet Patterns | Mug Hugs
Posted on - 19/01/2015
How about trying some new Crochet Stitches, and ending up with three pretty Mug Hugs
Below is the link to the FREE Patterns from Simply Crochet, all done in Bessie May Smile, in pretty Berry, Kiss & Lichen, yum. x
Carole’s Cowl
Posted on - 01/07/2014
Carole has completed her Bessie May Nettle Wave & Cable Cowl ~ using Bessie May Nettle in the silvery grey shade of Ash
Oh such a beautiful job x
Elvenden Scarf
Posted on - 28/05/2014
Beautiful Design | Elvenden Scarf by Zsuzsa Kiss |
Yarn ~ Bessie May SMILE & Bessie May GRACE
Where ~ Knit Now Magazine issue 35, May 2014
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elveden-scarf
FREE 100g Knit Pattern ~ Chevron Lace Scarf ~ Bessie May Grace
Posted on - 05/02/2014
The Knitter is offering their beautiful Bessie May Grace, Chevron Lace Scarf pattern FREE.
An easy project, but so soft and special. Using just 100g’s of Bessie May Grace, Super Kid Mohair and Silk. This has already been made in all of the different Bessie May Grace Shades, so can be subtle or bold, depending on how the mood takes.
FREE POSTAGE in UK for 4 ball’s required for this pattern
Here is what The Knitter has to say:
‘We love the versatility of this airy chevron lace scarf by Rosee Woodland. Long, light and delicate, it’s perfect for adding a subtle layer of warmth to any outfit – you could even wear it as a dainty shawl with an elegant dress.
The ultra-soft Bessie May yarn is a gorgeous blend of kid mohair and silk, so that it won’t itch when worn against bare skin. Using just 100g of Bessie May’s Grace yarn, this luxury yarn will be a good investment too.”
Please share pics of any of the lovely creations you make. x
Hearts & Lace | BM | Designs
Posted on - 13/01/2014
With Valentines Day approaching, hearts influenced by vintage shades and lace are being designed in the Bessie May Studio
Gentle soft stitch work in 4ply Bessie May SNIKEL, extra fine merino, matching perfectly with the delicate laces of pure cotton, in matching shades.
Knit Now ~ Vertebrae Pullover
Posted on - 26/11/2013
Beautiful design by Megan Grewal of a Cable Vertebrae Pullover, using Bessie May Smitsy, in the lovely shade of Calm, our pure aran fine merino.
Knitted bottom up with cable shaping and raglan sleeves, so no seams. Available in Issue 29 of Knit Now.
We love it x
