Le Tissier Designs

Of Larks and Linnets and Flying Fingers

Tag: new patterns

  • Are You Feeling Lucky?

    Are You Feeling Lucky?

    Are you Superstitious? I am, just a little. Most of my superstitions center around numbers. For example, my lucky number is 13. Many good things have happened for me when that number is involved. And a Friday the 13th is the best.

    I am participating in the MarlyBird 24 Days of Quickies which is 24 days of free patterns, each day a new knit and a new crochet pattern! My pattern Lucky Sevens will be available for free on Dec 15 from early morning to early morning Dec 16. I really wanted Dec 13 but it was already taken. So I went for the 15th, seven days after my birthday. This is new for me and with all those lucky sevens I am hoping that it will be a lucky for me as well!

    UPDATE: Well Lucky Sevens is no longer free but the link will take you to other free patterns from the Marly Bird site. I hope you “get lucky”!

    The number “seven” is a lucky number in many cultures and religions, and is especially significant in most Western Cultures. For example: seven days of the week, seven wonders of the world and Lucky Number Seven. So here is another lucky seven, the Lucky Sevens Beanie or Toque.

    This hat has the number seven in abundance.  Each cable is 7sts, a very traditional way of making the cables, not much seen nowadays.    There are seven twists on the beanie style hat and seven full cables on the toque style hat.  The cables are short, making them rounder than tall cables.  They are sometimes called “Coin” cables. Gold coins are a treasure in any culture and the colour red is a power colour. Symbolism abounds in these hats.

    These lucky “Coin” cables are mirrored and move up the body of this beanie or toque styled hat.  The cables are worked into the crown and then are evenly decreased as part of the crown, creating a flower finish.

    This pattern is easy to memorize, as the cable pattern repeats both around and up the hat, making it a a quick and easy knit. The recommended sport weight yarns are not too heavy, but the cable pattern keeps it warm. Make your Lucky Seven a beanie (gold hat) as shown or add one more Cable Chart repeat (8 rounds) for a more toque (red hat) like finish.

    The gold beanie was knit with Ulysse by de rerum natura in the colourway. The red toque was knit with Estelle yarns in their Eco Tweed DK. The sizes are small/medium adult or medium/large adult and either hat can be knit as a beanie (short) or as a toque (8 rounds longer),

    Materials: 50 grs 185m sport weight yarn will make either sizes, 3.5mm US #4 40cm 16inches circ and dpn’s, cable needle, markers and the regular notions.

    Lucky Sevens is available from my Etsy Shop or Ravelry.

    Happy Knitting!

    Lynette

    I hope that you are feeling very “LUCKY”!

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette

  • Make-A-Long a Blanket

    Make-A-Long a Blanket

    2026 is going to be the Year of Making a Blanket.  I need a new blanket for my new living room with my new couch and my new carpet! Every month I am going to make a new square or two. Do you need a new blanket or Afghan? Do you want to join me? This will be free. With a Blog post every month with a new square. You will need to subscribe to get the emails regularly! Post it where ever you knit with the hashtags #newblanket and #letissierdesigns. I would love to see your progress.

    I am going to be working the squares in Cascade 220 wool. I just started my first one! You can choose any worsted weight yarn you like. Or a fingering weight yarn, or any yarn. These are just going to be some squares. Some will be simple, others maybe not, it sort of depends on the other designs I will be working on, I may be trying out some different stitches. Sort of pre-swatching!

    Most of these squares will be based on the blanket I did 11 years ago with The Buffalo Wool Co. I am going to remake the squares in the cascade 220, the originals were done in the Tracks Sock. These will be quite a bit bigger!

    Look for some purple Sea Stars here and there! It is going to be called the Sea Star Blanket! Or maybe the West Coast Blanket!

    I have already started my first square. This is the informal or soft start of the project. I will be adding it formally to Ravelry next month!

    • – Knit one square a month – there will be a lap blanket at the end of the project.
    • – Knit two squares a month – there will be a full size Afghan blanket at the end of the project.
    • – Knit three or more squares a month – there will be a large bed sized blanket at the end of the project.

    So pick out a yarn, and the appropriate needle size.

    Fingering 3.25mm US #3 – Double Knit 4.0mm US #6 – Worsted Weight 4.5mm US #7

    Diagonal Rib Square for January (Shush! I am starting early, so can you!)

    Cast-on 56 sts

    • Row 1 – *(K2, P2); repeat from * to the end of the row.
    • Row 2 – *(K2, P2); repeat from * to the end of the row.
    • Row 3 – K1, *(P2, K2); repeat from *. end the last repeat with K1.
    • Row 4 – P1, *(K2, P2); repeat from *, end the last repeat with P1.
    • Row 5 – *(P2, K2); repeat from * to the end of the row.
    • Row 6 – *(P2, K2); repeat from * to the end of the row.
    • Row 7 – P1, *(K2, P2); repeat from *, end the last repeat P1.
    • Row 8 – K1, *(P2, K2); repeat from *, end the last repeat K1.

    Repeat the 8 row pattern 9 times.  Cast-off evenly.  It should be close to 11-12 inches square! I don’t know the size yet! But I will add it here as soon as I finish the block! LOL!

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette

  • Here’s a Little More Merry for your Season

    Here’s a Little More Merry for your Season

    Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Happy Hanukah, Blessings, or however your culture may celebrate or note the passing of the Winter Solstice.  I have noted that most of the celebrations involve gifts.  So here is my gift to you.  For the month of December and until Midnight of Jan 1, 2026, the Arrow Slouch will be available for free on Ravelry.

    A beautiful yarn and a simple repeating lace pattern combine to make this soft slouch.  The Arrow pattern repeats up the hat to the crown shaping. This creates soft points and folds as the stitches decrease to the optional I-cord Finish. The pattern repeat is small enough to offer a multiple of sizes so you can pick the head circumference and depth that best suits you.  The size shown is a X-large on a medium head.

    The Arrow Lace pattern grows from a knit3, purl3 ribbing that is deep enough to offer a nice contrast to the lace pattern.

    Pattern is both written and charted.

    The yarn shown is WOOLFOLK TYND! It is a gorgeously soft merino and just begs to be knit into something soft and Oh so touchable! Just like the Arrow Slouch!

    Knit Happy

    Lynette

    Does your tea need a Seasonal Cozy? Cozy Bells is waiting for you to knit.

  • Feather Mittens

    Feather Mittens

    My Feather Mittens Class went well yesterday. Well enough that I released the pattern on Etsy and Ravelry this morning! You may have noticed the Video blog I released earlier today!

    And I have already started on some new things! Right now I seem to be attracted to all shades of Green. It is Winter here so the predominant colours are shades of Green and Grey. We (I) am always influenced by the colours around me.

    Tomorrow I will be releasing by Christmas Pattern so look for the blog post and links in the morning. It will be free for the month of December until Midnight January 1st. It is green too!

    I am thinking of working with these two colours. I took this photo yesterday, in a planter in the courtyard outside of the store. Now that is a vivid contrast! Maybe Gloves? On a side note, does anyone know the name of this beauty?

    I hope that your day is going well! With lots of knitting and tea!

    Lynette

  • Feather Stitch Video

    Feather Stitch Video

    Jen and I talking about how to do the feather stitch on her mitts.
  • A Time of Giving

    A Time of Giving

    It’s time. Knitters warm your needles.

    There are many reasons’ for why we knit so crazily at this time of year. For me and perhaps to you, It is simply that this season of the year, what ever and how ever you celebrate always seems to involve gifting and sharing what we have and like you I like to create gifts for those I love and for those in need.

    Hurry Up HatDownload

    I always try to knit a few quick hats for the unhoused. I give them to a charity to distribute or simply place them where I have seen people congregate. This year things seem more dire than usual and I know that while I can’t make any substantive difference to their lives, I can offer some time to create a few hats. Above is my “go” to pattern. It is a very quick to knit and because of the ribbing will fit almost any head. It is free on Ravelry. But I thought I would make it easy and just put it in my post. Take a bulky weight yarn and knit it single, take 2 chunky weight yarns and knit them together on some 8mm needles. I have just finished my first hat.

    Have you ever noticed that your to do list is greater than your time available? How many times have you given gifts on the needle or even just a picture and a promise? I am particularly guilty of the gifts on the needles. And while I am not sure if I will do as much personal knitting this year, I am sure that I won’t be able to resist creating a few little things….

    One of the things I have been working and thinking on are next years classes at Mad About Ewe. Which techniques I want to teach and how to best present them as good learning opportunities for my students.

    Maybe a unique take on a yoked sweater?
    Or, how about some Cables and Garter St?
    Though I am fond of simple stitchery on top of our knitting! So many possibilities!

    I am also working on getting my patterns on Etsy. This is a bit of a process and takes a little time. I am also working on my Gosadi Site. I think it is looking pretty good. I still have a long way to go. It is in the testing stage for makers so if you are interested you can look at joining yourself and have your say in helping us create a great working space.

    My first gift given for Christmas will be for you! For the last 10 or so years I have released a new pattern on Ravelry as a thank-you for the support thoughout the years. Next Monday, Dec 1, my Christmas pattern will be available here and on Ravelry. It will be free for the month of December. Keep your eyes peeled!

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette

  • Squared Off

    Squared Off

    A square is a pretty simple shape, but it hold so many possibilities. For a knitter a square is often a nuisance, an “I told you so!” and “…really, do I have too!”

    And yes “Really you do! Or should!”

    I swatch a lot. As a designer it is really important to understand the yarn chosen, what it can and cannot do and make sure before you start that the results will be as expected. So I swatch. And I make a lot of squares to find the perfect yarn for the project in my head.

    Sometimes my swatches are not square – they are round! They are hats! Loads and loads of hats! Elizabeth Zimmermann often swatched a hat to test out a circular gauge. Someone always needs a hat! But most of my swatches are square.

    This morning I finished another swatch. This one isn’t just square. This one has dimensions, this one has “POUF!” It is a Poufy swatch for a Poufy Vest. A new Spring Class that I am developing! While knitting this swatch and thinking about the class I came up with a couple of ideas for using this particular swatch. So I have created a little pattern to go with my list of uses!

    The Gallery below might help with your process as you try one of these squares out!

    Squaring AroundDownload

    I hope that you give this a try. It has been fun and wait till you see what this is a swatch for!

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette

    These are the East Coast Mittens – don’t they look like fun. Click on the photo below for the Ravelry link.

  • Up and Coming

    Up and Coming

    In this last week I have been very busy. Thanks in part or whole to GoSadi and the designers I am in contact with there! I have spent the week setting myself up for the three following events/activities! Lots of computer work and learning curves.

    First up – the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long – which runs from Nov 20th until Dec 31 on Ravelry. This looks like a lot of fun for all – KALs and CALs, prizes and patterns at a reduced price. I am one of the participating designers and I would love to see you participate.

    Second up – Something special with Marly Bird – stay tuned for more!

    Third up – The Malabrigo Quickies – I sent off 4 different ideas – lets see what comes back! I most likely won’t hear back from them until early next year. So patience is indicated.

    I am also working on next years Classes for Mad About Ewe. I am thinking socks might be a bit too limiting, maybe I will add gloves and mittens. It has been a long time since I taught a basic glove class. Would you like to learn how to knit gloves? I love knitting them. They always fit my hands so much better than anything I can buy from the store.

    Maybe something with a beaded cuff? Or are you looking for something more basic?

    I love fancy gloves – they are always noticed and they still keep your hands warm.

    This morning I went for a walk at Pipers Lagoon and it was a suitably moody West Coast Morning! But there was no wind and no rain so it was a very pleasant walk.

    Even the ferry was moody this morning! This little bit of Old Man’s Beard caught my eye, it was so bright against the drab of the bare branches and dried up Rose Hips.

    The only knitting I have accomplished this week was to add to my Legend Sweater. I am about to separate the sides for a split hem, one of my favourite finishes.

    I don’t think that this version will end up fitting me. I may have made it too small and I have already started another one the next size up. Blocking will really tell the tale, but I am suspicious, it is too close, but maybe not close enough. I am rushing along now just so that I can block it.

    I hope that you are having a great weekend! Just as productive as you want it to be and just as lazy as you need it to be!

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette

  • What’s On Your Needles?

    What’s On Your Needles?

    Right now I am working on a few different ideas. A cabled hat, a dress and a shawl (both have been hibernation for too long), a headband, a couple of sweaters, and way too many others projects that need assessment!

    I think this one exceeds the sum of its parts! What do you think? More pictures below.

    Quickie Update

    Well it is obvious that Quickie needs a new name. For starters it really wasn’t that quick and really it doesn’t suit the beauty that this project turned into! It is blocking right now – and I am rushing it along with a few blasts of warm air from the blow dryer so that I can share some pictures.

    So lets have a little competition. I am looking for a name for this very pretty, textured, and quite happy shawl. It has beautiful stripes highlighted with waves of lace patterning and is finished with cheerful, bouncy bobbles! I think that it has quite the playful vibe. The winner can pick one of my patterns on Ravelry and I will gift it to you! (You would need to be on Ravelry for this as I would need a rav name to send it to!) So put your thinking caps on and come up with something that you think appropriate.

    I cannot say enough great things about the Poema Stripes yarn that I used for this. The colours move beautifully and the merino is very soft and bouncy. It made for a very satisfying knit. This yarn is not cheap, but at 150 grs and 450m, there was value for the cost. It is a non superwash which was important to me as well. Some other things on my knitting list (you know the one – it is never ending), were pushed to the side while I played with this yarn. The way this yarn has been spun is amazing. The average yardage in 300grs of worsted weight wool is approx 600m or 660yds. Poema has 900m, which makes for a very light, but cozy shawl.

    Basic Stats: 300 grs, or 900M worsted weight yarn, 5.5mm US#9 long circular needle. The bind-off round took almost 35 -40grs (approx 100 – 120 yds) of yarn. I had only 13 grs left after the bind-off. Bobbles do eat up yardage. The pattern will need to be updated, but that might take a while. It was approx 50 inches by 18 inches before blocking. After a relaxed blocking; it was wet blocked but not pinned or stretched, just smoothed out onto the towels. After a relaxed blocking it was 68 inches long and 22 inches wide. Each lace pattern measures 4inches across.

    The bobbles as a closures was a complete fluke! But it looks deliberate! Sometimes in design things just happen!
    I chose bobbles for the border simply because I think of them as happy and fun and a little playful. Which is how I think of this piece.

    Next Year at Mad About Ewe

    I have been working on the theme for next years classes at Mad About Ewe Fine Yarns and I think I have come up with a bit of theme. I am going to spend the year looking at socks. I haven’t designed any in a while and there seems to be a renewed interest in knitting the more interesting kinds. So are you interested in socks? Did you try them and go “never again”, or did you become hooked?

    When I started knitting socks I think I knit over a hundred pairs of heavy socks to give away, sell and wear. Once I move onto 4-ply socks the knitting slowed down, but I still have over 20 pairs in my sock drawer that are worn in rotation. This way very few of them wear out. I also have a few pairs umm, only half done or some just started – It is the way of socks.

    There are sooo many options for socks; different heels, classic, dutch, afterthought, short-rowed and toes, box, blossom, grafted; different ways of construction including top-down and toe-up, with double points, long circs, short circs etc. Tube Socks (perfect for kids), Spiral Socks, Work Socks, Dress Socks, Slip-Stitch Socks and even the lowly basic sock, which takes on a new life in all of the fabulous socks yarns we have today.

    I love the Fall, the changing of the leaves, the cooling of the temperatures and even the way the skies darken so much earlier. Even in the Fall the lingering flowers have great beauty. I have been watching the hydrangea in my new place slowly fade as the cold progresses and isn’t it beautiful?

    Last Wednesday I was out at Rathtrevor with a friend. It was glorious, the wind was howling, the waves had whitecaps and the clouds were racing across the sky. There were a couple of kite surfers on the water and we watched them for a while. The eagles and gulls were gliding on the winds and the small birds were darting around the tangled rose bushes. It was an amazingly exhilarating walk! It started to rain just as we left. What a day.

    Are you a soup person? I have noticed that some people don’t like soups. I love soup. I could easily have soup every day for lunch, even in the Summer. Soup with crackers, soup with bread, soup with croutons – just soup!

    I baked a ham earlier in the week so I am currently making a stock with the bone and vegetables and herbs. I will most likely make a pot of split pea soup this evening. Something for lunches this week at work. There should be enough broth for me to freeze so that I can make a pot of split pea soup another weekend. Ham, at the end of the day, is a very economical purchase and now-a-days that is important. It does dinner, breakfast and lunches and then offers up a couple of meals of soup!

    Happy Knitting! I am hoping for a few good names to show up!

    Lynette

  • Expanding My World

    Expanding My World

    I have been blogging off and on for about fifteen years or thereabouts. My first blog was simply called LeTissier Designs. It was great until I tried to monetize it and destroyed the work a friend had put into it for me. I sort of gave up on the idea for a while. The blog is still out there.

    Expanding my world is my retirement project. Yes I am still working, but 1 day less a week. Expanding my digital world was me making sure I was always involved and interested in the world of designing, knitting and yarn. And doing so in a meaningful modern way!

    Some of my initial shots of the Victorian Falls Wrap that were the basis of the LeTissier Designs blog site background and my winning pattern for Magic of Mohair in 2011. It was handpainted with dyes in a gorgeous blend of silk and mohair.

    So a few years ago I started this blog. It is a little more about me and less about the knitting, though really the two are so intertwined it is hard to pull one from the other.

    How do these fit together?

    Well about 7 months ago I heard of a new site being developed, something to make being a small independent designer a little easier. So I started to look into it. And was introduced to GoSadi, a centralized site designed to help whomever was registered organize and share their patterns across other selling channels. This site is in the testing stage and I am testing it out.

    So far I am very impressed. Just so you know, this is an unsolicited Rave about my new thing.

    Next year the site goes live and right now they are looking for makers to join and test out the features. It would be similar to Ravelry in that there would be pages for your faves and your projects but the groups would be smaller and people more connected – sort of like Ravelry in the early days. I am less familiar with this aspect of the site. But if they do it as well as they have for the Designers I am thinking that it may be the next big thing in knitting.

    This site does not replace Ravelry or Etsy or a personal website. It simply makes it easier for the designer, me to share my pattern across other websites. And you the knitter to find and keep track of the designers work your love.

    For example I now have an Etsy site – it is about 4 weeks old and I am thrilled. I joined Etsy 10 years ago with the intention of learning how to sell on it! Well that never happened. And here I am selling patterns! Well only a couple so far! But this is a new audience, many of whom have never seen me or my patterns before! And it was easy, so much earlier than I expected.

    So here I am, a technical luddite – but smart enough to take the help and expand my world. GoSadi isn’t free, but it isn’t expensive either and the help provided has been worth every penny. They have opened up new avenues of opportunity. I have an opportunity to send a couple of samples to a Vogue Knitting Event and another opportunity to participate in a Christmas Event with Marly Bird, all because of the new connections.

    Today I added a pattern to Ravelry and 5 minutes later it was up on Etsy! My new pattern is the Abbreviated Vest – a short and sassy vest. A quick and easy knit.

    AI version of my initial sketch of the Abbreviated Vest
    Abbreviated Vest on me!

    So my digital world is growing and I am finding uses for it I had never every conceived of. I hope that all of this keeps on being fun and keeps me young in mind and heart.

    Happy Knitting

    Lynette