Kat Coyle

St-Denis Spring Summer 2010 Issue 2

Kat — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:04:40 +0000

Veronique Avery’s St-Denis Issue 2 has been released, and I’m so proud to be a part of it. My Bright Stripes Lace scarf pattern is included in the collection, and I also have a two page photo spread of inspiration photos for my design.

I’m crazy for this yarn, Nordique, it’s very knitter friendly and eco-friendly (manufactured in the United States), a sport weight wool with just the right amount of body for texture without having too much bite, so it’s soft without being limp, and I think I counted 36 colors!

And, I can’t wait to try the new St-Denis lace weight yarn, Boreale. I think the Bright Stripes scarf would look great in lace weight yarn too, as a scarf or shawl. The stitch pattern is easy to memorize but not boring to knit. The textural knit and purl base looks beautiful on both sides of the fabric and as always, the diamond motif is one of my favorites.

Veronique knit her own version of Jared Flood’s gorgeous triangle shawl, Juneberry, in Boreale.

Take a look at the ravelry page for all the designs, there are so many winners, or look here on Classic Elite’s website. This is definitely a pattern book to take you through all seasons, especially if you live in a warm climate like Los Angeles.

babette blanket revived

Kat — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:38:18 +0000

During spring cleaning I uncovered a wip, Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick, that had started with so much promise, and now TWO YEARS later, it was still languishing at the bottom of a basket.

In the last couple of days I sewed sections 1 – 6 together and finished crocheting section 7.
As incentive, I decided it will live in the living room on the couch. Johnny and Felix approve and are excited about seeing all the happy colors.

The pattern is very simple, but I find that I spend a lot of time choosing the colors for each square. Which is funny, because it looks pretty random.
Here are two inspiration shots for color combinations…from my friend Lisa’s garden…

ravelry link

mother’s day

Kat — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:56:44 +0000

Felix’s present to me, a beautiful drawing of mom (me!) wearing a red dress. Red is his favorite color. I put it up on my wall and have been smiling ever since.

I knit some basics socks for my mom. She is a great knitter but never makes socks. These are kind of roomy, more like cozy bed socks, than socks to wear with shoes. I love self-striping sock yarn! They seemed to knit themselves I was so amused with watching the stripes appear.

…and us, posing together…
xoKat
p.s. knitterly details: Ribbed Socks by Vintage Vogue the pattern can be found in Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Sock Book.
scarf: Kusha Kusha scarf
Blue sweater: Ardent

New Shawl pattern, Courting Sophia at Twist Collective

Kat — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:28:50 +0000

The new Twist Collective came out last week, and it’s filled with beautiful knitting patterns. I’m so, so, so, pleased to be a part of it. My shawl pattern Courting Sophia is one of a few gorgeous lace shawl and scarf patterns. It’s great to have a nice variety of lace patterns to choose from. My piece was inspired by hand woven lace shawls from Mexico, fairy tales and the art knitting of Mary Walker Phillips.

The photo above is from Twist Collective. Photo copyright Caroline Bergeron.
I like the dramatic swirl of fabric and the dance like movement, dashing off to the spring fiesta.
Ravelry link for Courting Sophia.

As I recall the theme mentioned with the submission page had something to do with parties. In my imagination I pictured a landscape with wispy trees, lacy fences, and strings of lights. I tried to convey the landscape of romance at a summer party.
The folk art painting above is from a plate hanging in my mother’s house. I like to knit with her and I know that images like this plate influence my design work.

Shawl and skirt image from Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress, a book of Frida Kahlo’s wardrobe beautifully photographed and catalogued for the world to admire.

The lovely, golden yarn, Laci from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, in 24-karat color way, no less, adds to the effect of a deep summer glow.

After the issue came out, I got excited to knit another Courting Sophia. Lately, I’ve become obsessed with red.

After knitting a few rows, I thought it would be great fun to add more colors! In my mind, the mohair stripes with pink and white triangles represent the smoggy, horizon with mountains landscape of Los Angeles.
If you decide to include intarsia details, make sure you work with bobbins. At first, I tried it with the yarns hanging loose. What a mess! Imagine thirty different lace weight yarns tangled up. Once, I got organized with bobbins, everything got a lot simpler.

Here is my palette. A wide assortment of wool, mohair and alpaca yarns, with one mystery glitzy thread. Metallics used sparingly are like flashes of light.
ravelry link for the red Courting Sophia and yellow Courting Sophia.

More inspiration from Frida Kahlo’s closet.

Kids art and dolls

Kat — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 09:34:15 +0000

On the last day of Wisdom Arts Lab sewing camp the kids showed off all their dolls and doll accessories. Each child made a wood bed, sewed a mattress, made a quilt, a doll, doll clothes, little tiny journals and pencils! and more!
The best part is seeing all kids glowing with pride in their handwork. And, playing. There was lots of playing with the dolls.

A row of dolls sleeping peacefully…

Kai made a doll on the last day, and I think he captured a great personality. Every time I look at this guy I can’t help but smile. Biffy relaxing…

Isaac’s doll has rock and roll hair, jeans and a t-shirt…

Lily’s doll has a whole bedroom set and a fully decorated bed…

Lots more doll photos from WAL sewing camp are here!

Well, we’re off following the Easter bunny…happy happy! xo kat

sewing camp

Kat — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:25:22 +0000

I’ve been busy sewing sample projects for the kids to learn how to make at next weeks Spring Sewing Camp and the Wisdom Arts Lab.
The orange kitty is made from an old t-shirt. Can you “feel the power”!?

blue spring

Kat — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Two knits came back to me. Ardent Jacket and Petal Skirt from Twist Collective.

I’ve been living in Ardent. Ardently living?

…working on my self timer skills….

last night

Kat — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:33:46 +0000

good times at the opening!

Space Gallery

Felix has a new name “Cheeky Monkey”

textile show

Kat — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:27:51 +0000

xoKat

scarf!

Kat — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:15:29 +0000

I think this is the 8th scarf I’ve made from this GREAT book…
I’m not sure of the title, but 50 is in there and I counted 50 patterns.
ISBN978-4-579-11264-7
I bought my copy at the Kinokuniya Bookstore, but it’s listed here on amazon japan.

The scarf on the right is the pattern I used for the red one above. It’s constructed of one motif crocheted together in three rows.

…just a few more….