Le Tissier Designs

Of Larks and Linnets and Flying Fingers

Category: Uncategorized

  • Have you ever…..

    Have you ever…..

    ….knit a moebius?

    What is a Moebius?

    Moebius Strip – from Wikipedia

    A Moebius is a mathematical concept discovered in the late 1800’s by two scientists working independently of each other.  Like the wheel, like knitting, it was it’s time to be discovered.

    Above is  Möbius strip made with a piece of paper and tape. If an ant were to crawl along the length of this strip, it would return to its starting point having traversed the entire length of the strip (on both sides of the original paper) without ever crossing an edge.  Wikipedia

    One type of Moebius – the scarf –  in knitting is often called an Infinity Scarf.  It can be created a couple of different ways.  The most common and easiest method of creation is by knitting a basic scarf and giving it a half twist before sewing the two end together.  Just like the piece of paper above.

    If you give the scarf a full twist it will no longer be a Moebius and it will just be twisted.

    And why is Cat Bordhi’s Technique so interesting?

    Cat Bordhi must have an amazing mind, to come up with such a unique cast-on and create a totally new way of looking at the way we knit!  Elizabeth Zimmermann once said that there is nothing truly new in knitting – new things to us are usually “unvented”, and just recently re-discovered!  Cat Bordhi truly “invented” something new and added to the body of work that is Knitting.

    The Moebius cast-on resembles a modified provisional cast-on; but is not provisional and becomes the two center rounds of your garment.  Like some cast-on’s, provisional or otherwise this cast-on is “un-tensioned” and requires patience for the first half of the round of knitting – the second half of the round is easy.  From the Moebius cast-on, like any other cast-on, a knitter can knit almost any kind of stitch and create a unique garment.

    Be prepared – each half of the curve is the mirror image of the other half.  For example; if every round after the cast-on is knit, one half of the moebius will appear as stockinet and the other half as reverse stockinet.  Because of this a reversible stitch is recommended for those knitters who want both sides to be visually the same.

    • River Moebius
    • Waves – Welted Moebius
    • Parquet Entre “Lace” Moebius
    • Victorian Grace Moebius
    • Tri Leaf Moebius
    • Cloisonne Moebius

    Cat Bordhi’s Collar Pattern – free pattern from Cat Bordhi

    Pop- Art Moebius – a free pattern of mine for Moebius.

    A long needle – at least 40″ – I like a 47″ – is required for the cast-on as you will be working with the needles doubled, circled around each other.  Each half round takes one half of the length of the needle.  In reality the round you are working with is only 20″ to 30″ long.

    As you knit the Moebius you will see the cords holding the two halves start to separate as each round takes them further from the cast-on and moves them closer to the final edge for cast-off.

    The moebius cast-on creates a unique shape that can showcase any type of stitch or knitting technique.

    Cat Bordhi did not limit her cast-on to infinity scarves alone.  She went on to create some amazing felted bowls and cat beds and other vessels – all starting with the Moebius cast-on.

    Once the books were out of print.  Cat Bordhi shared the cast-on on You-tube and made sure that it would not be forgotten. Cat Bordhi passed away Sept 19th 2020. I did not know her personally, but I “knew” her through her work. It was a great loss for all.

    If you have never played with this cast-on it is one that is worth exploring as it offers interesting possibilities for the adventurous knitter.  Not hard to do, just trust the instructions and try it out!

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette

  • On “Pooling”

    On “Pooling”

    Pooling in knitting is the deliberate knitting of hand-dyed yarn so that the colours stack upon each other or move in such a way as to create a definite pattern, such as Argyle. There are some machine dyed variegated yarns that can create very interesting pooling as well.

    A few years ago I tried pooling several different yarns with varying results. The resulting ebook was called Just “Pooling” Around.

    Hidden Pools Scarf and Hat, River Moebius and Delphinium Shawl are from Just “Pooling” Around

    I just finished another pooling project. A version of my new pattern Pinecones Cowl.

    From yarn to finish – Pooling Pine cones – Darlene and I both like the results. Elise too, it looks great on us all.

    I had forgotten how much fun it could be. When it works well! Or how frustrating it could be when the “drift”, colour movement, gets out of hand! Still it was more fun than frustrating! And I am very pleased with the results.

    Have you ever tried pooling?

    Be well and knit Happy!

    Lynette

  • Time and Tide wait for No Man (or Woman)!

    Time and Tide wait for No Man (or Woman)!

    I think of that proverb often as I am something of a procrastinator! Never mind something of a procrastinator – I can and have at times turned it into a fine art!

    Procrastination, practiced properly is a time management tool that works to my advantage as I tend to work better when under just the right amount of pressure. That is what happens when I practice it consciously. When it sneaks up on me and I get distracted by the new toy – usually yarn – it can cause a bit of a disruption, which why I am releasing two patterns today – I, ummm, kinda missed last weekend somehow. It got lost in the sands of time and distraction.

    It wasn’t that I have been doing nothing. Just not the planned things.

    Two Versions of the bento box. So called because it is a little boxy with options, just like a bento box. PS – that is me in the Lapel version of the vest!

    Today’s releases are the Bento Box Vest and the Garry O’ hat. They represent totally opposite ends of the knitting spectrum.

    Garry O’

    The Bento Box Vest is knit with big needles, 10mm, (I used my super sparkly ones) and super bulky yarns and can be knit in a couple of days if you have a little time. Garry O’ is knit with much smaller needles, 2.5 and 3.0mm, and much finer yarns and will take a little time. Both are very satisfying knits for very different reasons!

    Today has been very busy! The first jam of the season – ummm, strawberry was made and Elise and I had a great photo shoot. Below is a sneak peak at some of the upcoming patterns for the Just Playing Around ebook.

    Some upcoming additions

    I hope that you have had a couple of great weeks. Working in your gardens or knitting up a storm, even working. Life is starting to feel just a little more optimistic.

    I have picked 8 whole strawberries from my pots so far – and I am seeing lots more forming. The peas are coming up almost faster than whatever bug is eating them and the beans and tomatoes are looking pretty healthy.

    It is the flowers that give me the greatest joy! Peonies, Poppies, Roses, Honeysuckle and Lavender are all blooming the thyme and sage as well. The bees are ecstatic and the humming birds as well. We are getting lots of rain right now which is good as this last Spring was way too dry. How does your garden grow?

    Be well and knit happy!

    Lynette

    A sneak peak into a fall project.

  • Walking in the Woods…

    Walking in the Woods…

    … Sitting in my garden

    They are my favourite places to relax and recharge at the start or the end of my day.

    Both give me peace and joy! Both help to still my mind and clarify my thoughts. They are constant inspiration for my designs, and life. Their scents and sights bring me great pleasure and are a powerful relaxant to my sometimes churning thoughts. They make me stop and take note of the small things that we sometime miss as we rush through our days.

    What are your places? Where do you find peace and joy? Are they one and the same or are they different?

    I hope that you have a great day! Be well.

    Lynette

    Neck Point Park
    • flowering snowbell
    Good Morning Garden! I wish you could smell the heady scents of rose and honeysuckle, damp earth and the incredible scent coming from the little weeping Japanese tree that is to the left of me as I sit in my chair. It is covered in very fragrant white blooms right now and is quite heavenly!

    Fragrant Flowering Japanese Snowbell

  • It’s Sunday

    It’s Sunday

    So it must be a good day to release a new pattern. Meet Pinecones Cowl. A fast and easy knit for you or for a gift. Infinitely versatile and can be used to try out a new technique – pooling.

    The pooling cowl is for me! My favourite colours all in one easy to wear piece. A rare photo of me (I never like pictures of me). wearing the pooling cowl.

    Elise and I got together this morning for a quick photo shoot! In the rain! But it was fun and went well. I love to photograph my knits in different lights and at different times of the day. Morning light, on grey days is my favourite, there just seems to be a freshness about it – the colours seem to come out better.

    The simpler version of the Plumier stole knit with Handmaiden Flyss.

    We were getting pictures of the Pinecones Cowl and of the Plumier Stole, a new pattern that will be ready in two or three weeks. There will be two versions. One version, a little simpler, was knit with Handmaiden Flyss and my favourite version, which is a little bit more challenging but I love the effect. Knit in two colours of BC Garn Bio Shetland. The lace patterns used are all Shetland in origin, my favourite style of lace if I had to pick a favourite! Really I haven’t met a lace pattern that hasn’t called to me in some way! LOL!)

    Plumier Stole – knit with BC Garn Bio Shetland – the colours are little brighter than reality.

    Today we are going to pick some rhubarb from the garden and I am going to make rhubarb strawberry pie – a favourite around here. How do you like your pie? Do you prefer it plain or serve it with whipping cream or ice-cream? We go both ways in our household.

    Rhubarb from the garden and purchased Strawberries. It should be the perfect temperature come dessert time.

    Well the pattern is up on Ravelry and the kettle is on for tea. The pie is out of the oven and I am ready to sit down and knit for a couple of moments before I contemplate making dinner.

    What’s for dinner at your house? Today I am cooking a roast. Sunday I always try to cook something that will produce enough leftovers for at least one meal – keeps life easier after work.

    Be well and Knit Happy!

    Lynette

  • Another Sunday, Another Pattern

    Another Sunday, Another Pattern

    Meet the Big Leaf Maple -Cowl and Toque. Knit with Handmaiden Flouf, on big needles – they are a quick and fun knit.

    Both items are knit in the round and from the top down. The big leaf stitch is a type of drawn stitch and the post here has a video that I did to show how to knit the stitch.

    Just Playing Around will be available at half price for just another evening. By around 9:00am pacific time the price will revert to the full price of $24.00.

    It has been a wonderfully sunny weekend here and I have spent a lot of time in the back Garden. We spend a lot of time here in the Summer.

    Where do you spend a lot of your Summer Time, well your free time anyway? On your Deck? In a your Garden? In a park? Out in the woods? We all have our favourite places, I hope to share some of mine with you!

    Be well and Knit Happy!

    Lynette

    Another pattern to be released soon! Elise and I had some fun with a photo shoot this morning.

    Crystalline
  • Drawing the Big Leaf

    Drawing the Big Leaf

    Video is approximately 3 min long. Watch and learn how to “draw” the motif for the Big Leaf Maple Cowl and Hat.

    Big Maple Cowl and Hat is worked in a “drawn” stitch in that the contrast yarns are drawn through an eyelet pattern created in the rows or rounds before the contrast colour is introduced. I was really taken with this technique as it creates another layer of colour over our base.

    This technique is some times called knitting into stitches below, though I think that drawn stitches better describes the technique as we are not really creating stitches, just loops. The yarn used is not really knit to begin with, just pulled through holes in our knitting and then knit together to gather and close the stitch.

    There will be a few more patterns in the Just Playing Around Ebook that will feature this stitch.

    Heading into Fall

    It always amazes me how much certain knit stitches can look like like flowers, or leaves or other natural shapes. Norah Gaughan really explored that concept in her book Knitting Nature.

    The Big Leaf Maple is a species of Maple that we see on Vancouver Island. I see it on all of my favourite walks and at all times of the year. It is truly a beautiful tree at all times but its leaves are immense – more than 12 inches across and perfectly formed, just as nature intended.

    This stitch was just a stitch until one day I saw it as a maple leaf now that is all I can see. I hope that you see it too!

    Turn on your speaker as you watch the video and you can hear my explanation as I knit and a little cursing as I correct myself!

    Be well and Knit Happy!

    Lynette

  • #Never Not Knitting

    #Never Not Knitting

    Is a hashtag that I use all the time, because, you know, I knit all of the time! LOL!

    As a crafter I really appreciate the hand work of other makers, like this gorgeous Pear Wood bowl by Terry Marshall of Bowled Over Woodturning. Sorry he is not on the Internet, but his bowls can be found at Mad About Ewe Fine Yarns.

    Not a yarn bowl, but a notions bowl, something to keep all my bits and bobs in line. Made of Pear wood with brass filings filling a crack in the bottom of the bowl.. Very cool..

    This week I have been working on the eb00k, Just Playing Around. and today I added two hat patterns to the book. Just Playing around is still available at half price until May 14th or 15th.

    Practically Perfect and Perfectly Practical, a aran weight simple cap that is a free download for all. Knit with Noro Kureyon.

    And Medieval Star, a classic toque with a romantic brim. Knit with Drops Alpaca Boucle and BC Garn Loch Lomond GOTS.

    I started a pooling project for the Just Playing Around ebook as well. Have you ever tried pooling – it is deliberately setting up your hand-dyed yarn to stack and form columns of glorious clear colour.

    Pooling with Llama Lace and Pine Cone lace pattern.

    Jana, my test knitter has finished her version of the stole, Plumier 2 and now I need to finish my version, Plumier 1! No rest for the wicked. Plumier 2 is knit with Handmaiden and Fleece Artist Flyss in the Tourmaline Colourway – look for this pattern to come out sometime early June.

    BC Garn Bio Shetland GOTS for Plumier 2. I am well into the second half, but still have about 2-3 weeks of knitting left.

    So that is what I am up to! What about yourselves? I hope that you are all making up a storm of things to eat, wear and share!

    Be Well and Knit Happy!

    Lynette

    A beautiful Pink Dogwood Bloom to celebrate this glorious Spring Day.

  • Mother’s Day Memories

    Mother’s Day Memories

    Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that brings up mixed emotions for most women. We remember and honour (or curse) our Mother if she is gone and celebrate her is she is here; we examine our own successes and failures as a mother and we look ahead to being a Grandmother, able to help (or hinder) the efforts of the mother of said grandchild, be she daughter or daughter in law!

    This is not just a female holiday – it is said that Son’s revere their Mother, or blame them for every wrong in life. I hope that my relationship with my son will have a balance of both!

    It is truly amazing how much influence a Mother, whether good or bad, has in our lives.

    Four generations of my family. I don’t have many pictures of my mother with me and this is the only one of us all together. My Grandmother passed a year later and my mother 2 years after her.

    My mother had issues. I still loved her – but never, ever, understood her. Even as she was dying, over thirty years ago, we still couldn’t communicate. Our points of reference had almost no convergence. There was one love that we shared, the love of working with our hands to create and this was important and grew more important as time passed. It allowed some avenue of communication. We loved hand work and beautiful fibres. Something that my daughter and I share as well.

    I parented by being the opposite of my mother. By asking what she would and then doing the opposite. I made different mistakes – is there ever a life without mistakes? But I did OK, so I guess we communicated better than I thought. We never had the storybook mother/daughter relationship, best friends and confidants, but I have strived to create something close to that with my daughter.

    Beth and i two years ago.

    And I have, I think. Beth and I have a solid loving relationship with boundaries and understanding and support and everything I wanted from my mother. Thank-you Mom for showing me how not to be, I am so sorry that we couldn’t have what we should have had! Perhaps next time around when the wheels of our lives converge again, things will be different.

    Have a wonderful Mothers Day!

    Lynette

  • Just Playing Around

    Just Playing Around

    Today is the release date of the Just Playing Around E-book.

    This is an ongoing project with a new pattern or two being released every week or so. The focus is on playing with our stash yarns – or lets face it – that new yarn that you have just fallen in love with.

    There will be patterns and small articles about the yarns we love. We will be exploring techniques that use up odd balls of stash and those bits of beautiful leftovers that we just couldn’t throw away.

    Techniques will in include stranded and fair-isle knitting, mosaic knitting, textural knitting, lace knitting and and a few embellishment knitting styles including working with beads or buttons, three dimensional shaping and embroidery style knit stitches.

    Projects will include a couple a lace shawls, a vest (maybe two), several hats, cowls, shrugs and mittens.

    There will be two projects released this week. A stranded hat called Flower Power – my personal nickname for it is “Mod Squad”, and an older shawl pattern of mine called Peace, Love and Understanding.

    Both projects focus on using stash yarns, usually single hanks or smaller quantities of yarn that we just couldn’t let go or mini skeins that we loved but don’t know quite what to do with.

    If you have a collection of bits and pieces of fingering, sport, dk, worsted weight, chunky or bulky yarn in your stash, you can knit a hat or a pair of fingerless mittens or any number of small things that can be knit with the yarns you pull from your stash. And we all have that collection.

    I hope that you like what you see! A sneak peak at some of what is coming.

    Be well and knit happy!

    Lynette

    Neck Point Nanaimo, Morning Walk