Category: Knitting Design

Patterns in Nature, Patterns in Fiber Arts

Patterns in Nature, Patterns in Fiber Arts

Cynthia Coe

Why do some knitting patterns just “look right”? Where could you find inspiration for designing your next fiber arts project?

Look no further than Mother Nature herself! Certain patterns are found time and time again in nature. Intuitively, we are already hard-wired and attuned to recognizing these patterns. So if you find yourself stumped for design ideas or a pattern that’s sure to please, here are design elements found in nature and their knitting or other fiber arts equivalents.

The Wave: This pattern lends itself easily to the inherently linear nature of knitting. Most knitting patterns are done in rows, and rows are akin to long, thin waves. These waves can have crests and dips, interruptions and smooth sections – just like many knitting or crochet rows.  If you’re knitting in any kind of garter stitch pattern or with other repetitive lines, you’ve got your wave.

A pattern in nature related to the Wave includes the Meander pattern. Think a pathway, river, or snake. Though our finished products in knitting and other fiber arts usually no longer meander, our yarns certainly meander from our skeins to our needles as we’re working!

The Burst: Think of the iconic photograph of a drop of milk making a round, crown shaped pattern. Or the shape of a daisy or other flowers or plants “bursting” with a central point. This circular pattern is a bit trickier for knitters. Making a circular pattern with double pointed needles can be fiddly and, in my opinion, is a rather advanced skill. But if you want to knit to impress, this would be your “wow” pattern. This pattern is much easier in crochet, and many crochet patterns feature increasing numbers of stitches starting from a small space. 

The Spiral pattern is similar to the Burst pattern. Both are round patterns, with the spiral meandering around and around instead of making a round burst from a central point. Spirals are more often found in crochet patterns than knitting. 

Fractals: Think branches of a tree or other plant, fractals branch out from a central line, just as tree limbs or leaves branch out from a stem or trunk. We see a lot of fractals in embroidery and other fiber arts using decorative stitches. Many more advanced knitting stitches do feature fractals that mimic plant leaves. These are sure to give your design a nod to nature.

Cells and Bubbles: Cells are the building block of nature, so cell-like designs are often found in all finds of knitting, crochet, and other fiber arts. They may take the form of holes or spaces in our stitches, or we may make block-like patterns in our colorwork or stitching. Think moss stitch in knitting or even basketweave. Bubbles are similar to cell patterns and can give a pattern the feel of fun and joy. 

These patterns are all around us – in our own bodies, in plants, and in the heavens. We know these patterns; we recognize these patterns. Take a look at your favorite fiber arts patterns some time. What do you recognize from the natural world?

Enjoy Your Fiber Arts Designing…and Time in Nature! Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls. 

Be sure to check out my newly published A Prayer Shawl Handbook: Inspiration and Resources for Your Prayer Shawl Ministry, now available in paperback and e-book editions and included in Kindle Unlimited.

Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced in Knitting Patterns – What the Definitions Should Mean!

Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced in Knitting Patterns – What the Definitions Should Mean!

Cynthia Coe

Spoiler Alert: “Advanced” is reserved for “I couldn’t possibly knit that while watching TV”

Do you ever check the “Level of Difficulty” on a knitting pattern? Have you ever picked up a “beginner” level pattern, only to find it way, way, way beyond your skill level? Or found that an “intermediate” pattern required you to count each and every movement of the yarn you made, and it still didn’t come out right?

Friends, I’ve been there. I would consider myself a fairly experienced knitter, but I enjoy fairly mindless “meditative” knitting, especially while I’m watching TV or listening to an audio book. Recently, I grimaced in annoyance at a pattern that was labeled for “beginners.” This pattern required yarn-overs, yarn-overs on the purl side that required an extra loop that the pattern failed to mention, and slip stitches that were supposed to go over all that. And at beginner level knitter was supposed to navigate all that??? Really???

So here’s my own definitions of what “beginner,” “intermediate,” and “advanced” should mean in patterns for those of us who knit for pleasure:

Beginner means knits and purls only!!! Nothing else! I mean it! Most beginners are still trying to make consistent stitches that don’t look like something the cat got ahold of. The beginner knitter wants to begin and end with the same number stitches on the needle. If you’re a pattern designer and call your pattern “beginner” level, don’t throw in slip stitches, yarnovers, or anything else that needs explaining. Think stockinette stitch and garter stitches, maybe a moss stitch. There’s a lot you can do with these.

Intermediate means a few tricks that don’t require excessive brain power. Intermediate means you’ve mastered the basic knit and purl stitches and can make a piece of fabric you’re not embarrassed to show other people. You’re now ready to throw in a few fancy stitches that will add texture and impress the heck out of your friends, but you do not have to count beyond the number 4.  For pattern designers, this means stuff like increases, decreases, slip stitches if you explain them properly, and yarnovers. If it’s a sweater pattern, you may ask the knitter to pick up stitches for the button band, but you better provide a video.

Advanced means the knitter will need to turn off the TV, mute the phone, and tell everyone to leave her alone for the next hour. For pattern designers, bring it. You may ask the knitter to count in sets of twelve if you want. You may ask the knitter to knit 9 tog with yarn so thin you have to squint to see it. You may include German short rows, whatever those things are. You may ask your knitter to turn the fabric upside down and flip it over twice every two rows. It’s fine. This knitter has been forewarned and is game for anything. 

Pattern designers, take note and proceed accordingly! Tell us what we’re getting into! And in plain English, please!

Love and kisses to designers who think I knit better than I do, Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls. 

Be sure to check out my newly published A Prayer Shawl Handbook: Inspiration and Resources for Your Prayer Shawl Ministry, now available in paperback and e-book editions and included in Kindle Unlimited.

It’s All About Color: Crafting Color Symbolism in Every Stitch

It’s All About Color: Crafting Color Symbolism in Every Stitch

Cynthia Coe

Exploring Symbolic Colors in Prayer Shawl Design

When you embark on the journey of creating a prayer shawl – or any other crafting project – the choice of colors goes beyond aesthetics; it can carry profound symbolism. Across various traditions, colors have played a significant role in conveying concepts and stories. Whether you’re crafting for spiritual or personal reasons, understanding the symbolism of colors can add a meaningful layer to your prayer shawl design.

Here’s list of common colors and traditional symbolism associated with each:

  • Red: Passion, Love, and Energy
  • Red symbolizes passion, love, energy, courage, warning, power, celebration, and attention, with its meanings varying across cultures and contexts.
  • White: Celebration and Renewal
  • White, representing celebration and renewal, symbolizes purity, a fresh start, and the illuminating power of light.
  • Purple: Rich Emotions
  • Purple can evoke both warmth and calmness.
  • Blue: Calmness and Spirituality
  • Blue brings a sense of calmness. It suggests elements of water, peace, and the expansive sky.
  • Green: Growth and Abundance
  • The color of growth, green is used after Pentecost. It signifies nature, abundance, and tranquility.
  • Yellow and Gold: Warmth and Cheerfulness
  • Yellow suggests cheerfulness and sunshine, while gold brings a sense of coziness and warmth.
  • Pink: Joy and Playfulness
  • Pink represents joy, youthfulness, and cheerfulness.
  • Brown: Earthy Humility
  • Brown symbolizes humility, reminiscent of monk’s robes. It brings warmth through its connection to nature and soil.
  • Beige: Calming Desert Tones
  • A calming color reminiscent of sand, beige can symbolize time spent in the desert or on the beach.

In moments of uncertainty, neutral tones such as beige, cream, grey, taupe, and sand always make for a beautiful prayer shawl. Consider the soothing, cozy, and comfortable feelings these colors can evoke. After all, your hand-crafted work aims to embrace someone with a heartfelt hug.

Whether you find inspiration in religious symbolism or personal preferences, let your prayer shawl be a reflection of warmth, comfort, and love.

Happy knitting!

Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls. 

Be sure to check out my newly published A Prayer Shawl Handbook: Inspiration and Resources for Your Prayer Shawl Ministry, now available in paperback and e-book editions and included in Kindle Unlimited.

Snow-Bound? Stranded? Time for Creative Yarn De-Stashing

Snow-Bound? Stranded? Time for Creative Yarn De-Stashing

Cynthia Coe

I’ve found myself in Florida much longer than expected, and I’m a knitter stranded alone with a “mystery stash” of yarn. What to do???

It’s a great luxury to plan a project, decide exactly what yarn to use, and even mull over exactly what color you’ll use from a wide selection available. It’s nice to make a few swatches and decide which size knitting needles to use. 

But what if you can’t? 

I checked into a condo in Florida at the end of December, and I’m still here. With Tennessee closed for snow for the foreseeable future, I’ll be here for a while. Fortunately, I had ordered a “mystery stash” of clearance sale yarn shipped to me before I arrived, so I’m not exactly hurting for high quality yarn to knit with.

The problem is, I received 4 skeins of two different yarns from this mystery box – 4 skeins of a dark grey yarn, and 4 skeins of a bold pink and grey striped yarn. From past experience, I know it usually takes 5 skeins of these kinds of yarn to make a sweater (which I need; it’s 34 degrees here in paradise today). I puzzled over these yarns and made a swatch with the only needles I’ve got on hand. Mercifully, the needles will work with the yarn. But what to do with an underabundance of one or the other color of each yarn?

This is where necessity becomes creativity’s best friend. Like it or not, I’m looking at stripes. With the loud pink, I could end up with a sweater I wouldn’t be caught dead in. Or I could end up with a sweater I never would have planned but turns out better than expected. So I cast on and see how it goes.

I’ve ended up with a sweater with more texture and interest than I would have designed if I’d had my pick of materials. It’s mostly dark grey, in a heavy wool and alpaca, with pink and grey stripes that pop…but not too much.  Heck, it might be one of my favorite sweaters!

And all because I’m stranded and used what I had. Sometimes maybe we need to look at what’s in front of us and work out a solution we wouldn’t have even considered otherwise. Maybe that’s what makes the best crafting – letting necessity befriend and collaborate with the creativity that needs a little shove before it kicks into action. 

Blessings to those who are snowed in or stranded this winter day!

Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, interrelated short stories woven around those who make and receive handmade, prayerfully crafted gifts of prayer shawls. Click this link to order or for more information. 

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls. 

Be sure to check out my newly published A Prayer Shawl Handbook: Inspiration and Resources for Your Prayer Shawl Ministry, now available in paperback and e-book editions and included in Kindle Unlimited.

Write Your Own Knitting Patterns? Yes, You Can!

Write Your Own Knitting Patterns? Yes, You Can!

Cynthia Coe

Inside: My story of how I wrote my first knitting patterns

You’ve made lovely hand-knitted sweaters and scarves. You have a go-to blanket pattern etched in your head. You constantly hear, “what pattern is that?” and you sheepishly say, “uh…I just made it up.” Then you hear, “no kidding? You should publish that!”

Yes, you should. And with a plethora of self-publishing and crafty platforms available to everyone, you absolutely can publish anything you want, including your own knitting patterns.

But how to get started?

Reader, I faced this problem just a couple of months ago. In writing my upcoming new book, “A Prayer Shawl Handbook,” I knew I had to provide some basic prayer shawl patterns for my readers to truly call this book a comprehensive handbook for this crafting ministry. 

A Sneak Preview of Cindy’s Upcoming New Book, “A Prayer Shawl Handbook”

I have several “go-to” prayer shawl patterns in my head – patterns I don’t even think about and can simply cast-on and knit. But write these down???? Gasp. I’m not a technical writer by any stretch of the imagination. Fiction writing and knitting pattern writing are not, in my poor little mind, in the same skill set. 

How to get started? Try. Sit yourself down, pull out a pencil and a blank sheet of paper, and take your first stab at it. 

What about formatting your pattern?

Fortunately, a new book called “The Knitting Pattern Handbook: How to Write Great Patterns That Knitters Will Love to Make” by Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth has just been published, and I was fortunate enough to be given an advance copy for review by the publisher.  What timing! I gulped down this little book and decided, yes, I could do this.

I cast on my favorite memorized patterns and took notes as I went along. I ripped out, re-figured, crumbled up and tossed some early drafts in the trash can. But I persevered until I got some basic prayer shawl patterns knocked out, along with three prayer patch patterns. 

Yes, there are formats you need to use and abbreviations you need to adhere to. You probably recognized them from your own knitting projects you’ve made from other people’s patterns. You just need to focus on these things and make sure you’re consistent.

My tip: don’t skip steps or assume the reader of the pattern knows everything there is to know about knitting. Especially if your patterns are geared towards beginners (which mine are), something you think is obvious may not be. 

Get friends to help proof and test your draft patterns

This is where it gets really terrifying, in my experience. You hand off your draft pattern to a trusted fellow knitter and see if they come up with what you came up with. They may say, “this makes no sense whatsoever.” They may say, “I just don’t understand what you mean by a yarn-over. What is that?” You go back to the drawing board and explain the details you thought you included but didn’t. 

The authors of the new Knitting Pattern Handbook suggest that you hire technical editors and pay them for proofing and revising your patterns. Did I do this? No. I’m just starting out, and I can’t justify shelling out a lot of money for some basic patterns. Friends who knit told me what I needed to know. If I get the notion to start designing intricate sweaters in five different sizes, I’ll certainly re-think and probably get professional help. But as a newbie knitting designer, that’s not where I am.

Everybody starts with the basics

Where I am as a knitting designer is at the beginning. I have some basic patterns that are great for beginners and for simple “meditative” knitting. These are patterns I’d like to share with my readers, so I will. 

If you, too, have some basic knitting patterns you’d like to at least share with friends, go for it! If you’d like to get into the knitting design business and make a few bucks (or a lot!), go for that, too! Every knitting designer starts somewhere, likely with a nice, basic design. And you can, too!

Blessings on your knitting designs, no matter how intricate or basic! Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, interrelated short stories woven around those who make and receive handmade, prayerfully crafted gifts of prayer shawls. Click this link to order or for more information. 

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As an Amazon Associate and Author, I provide links to products (including books I have written) and earn a very small fee if you click on the links and buy something. There is no additional charge to you!

Writing Knitting Patterns – Is There Hope for a Creative “Pantser” Like Me?

Writing Knitting Patterns – Is There Hope for a Creative “Pantser” Like Me?

Cynthia Coe

Do you write knitting patterns? Do you love the process or – like me – feel your soul enter a state of utter dread when you even ponder such a thing?

As I prepare the final draft of a new book, I know I need to include at least a few knitting patterns in this book (it’s a non-fiction how-to book). I know this, but I have yet to put pattern to paper. And yes, this is supposed to be a “final” draft.

In writing terms, I’m a total “pantser.” This means I generally fly by the seat of my pants when I work on creative projects. This process works beautifully for some of us.( Just start typing and feel awe and wonder at what appears on the screen!!!) Other writers are “plotters.” They plan out every single step of their writing projects, complete with detailed outline (or so I’m told). 

As a knitting designer, I’m a “pantser” as well. People ask what I’m making, and I say, “a prayer shawl, I hope.” I cast on a hundred or so stitches and see what happens. I usually come up with an interesting pattern with texture, contrasting elements, whimsy – all that stuff. But if asked to duplicate what I’ve done…that’s a problem.

I’ve discerned that pattern writing and “pantsing” are not compatible. And yet, I really need to share my prayer shawl patterns. As I’ve recruited fellow church members to knit or crochet prayer shawls for our parish ministry, they inevitably ask, “got a pattern for me?” 

I got my hands on a soon-to-be published pattern writing handbook and eagerly jumped in, hoping for some inspiration. I felt filled with growing confidence for a couple of chapters. Then, the authors tell me I need to find “beta testers” and “tech editors.” Really???? Just for a simple prayer shawl pattern I could do in my sleep?

As I begin to work on my new book, I hear a song playing in the background. “Don’t worry about a thing,” the lyrics tell me. I proceed in hope.

Do you write knitting patterns? Tips or tricks? Feel free to drop them in the comments!

Be sure to check out The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook, scheduled for publication on October 31 and available for pre-order. A great resource, especially for newbies and pattern-writing wanna be’s like me. 

Blessings, Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, interrelated stories about knitters and those for whom they knit and love. The sequel to this book, The Knitting Guild of All Saints, has been released! Available in paperback and on Kindle, included in Kindle Unlimited. 

As an Amazon Associate and Author, I provide links to products (including books I have written) and earn a very small fee if you click on the links and buy something. There is no additional charge to you!

New Knitting & Crochet Books Coming Fall 2023

New Knitting & Crochet Books Coming Fall 2023

Cynthia Coe

Hello Crafty Readers! I’m blogging for the first time in a while. I just finished the first draft of a new novel in The Prayer Shawl Chronicles series, so my head and heart have been preoccupied with that these past several months.

My new novel will probably come out some time in 2024, but in the meantime, there’s plenty of new knitting and crochet books to keep all of us occupied. 

I review books for NetGalley, and publishers kindly give me pre-publication peeks of their new books. Here’s what’s on tap for us crafty types (all available for pre-order; click the links for more info):

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook by Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth (Storey Publishing). Highly recommended if you write your own knitting patterns or plan to in the future. This little book tells you all you need to know to put your own patterns out into the world. Concise, plain language. Invaluable if you sell patterns online; helpful if you just want to share patterns with friends or understand what all those abbreviations mean. 

A Year of Knitting Stitches by Tabetha Hedrick (Globe Pequot, Stackpole Books). This is an excellent collection of knitting stitch patterns. I’ve used a couple in the past and always found several stitches that became “keepers.” This will definitely sit on my desk next year; the perfect gift for a knitter.

A Year of Crochet Stitches by Jill Wright (Globe Pequot, Stackpole Books). This is an equally excellent collection of crochet stitches for those of us who enjoy making up our own patterns or just want something different and all our own. In this collection, stitches are nicely organized by type of stitch (e.g. all kinds of bobble stitches). Perfect for the intermediate and advanced crocheter and an excellent gift idea.

Oversize Fashion Crochet by Salena Baca (Globe Pequot, Stackpole Books). This is a collection of only 6 patterns of oversized sweaters, a poncho, and other bulky garments. While this is a limited group of patterns, I found them all do-able and attractive for the average crafter. The schematics and drawings of how to assemble the garments were particularly good. 

More blogging to come, now that my next novel is on the back burner for a bit!

Happy Crafting, Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, interrelated short stories woven around those who make and receive handmade, prayerfully crafted gifts of prayer shawls. Click this link to order or for more information. 

DIY Knitting Design – When You Can’t Find a Pattern That’s Just Right

DIY Knitting Design – When You Can’t Find a Pattern That’s Just Right

Cynthia Coe

You may have heard that knitted vests are all the rage these days. I’ve seen quite a number of knitted vests and armless tunics featured in fashion magazines, though I haven’t really seen many in the stores yet. 

Honestly, I haven’t worn a knitted vest since around 1987. Would I wear one again? I just might. If I could find a pattern I liked….

With plenty of yarn at my disposal (my yarn cabinet overflows), I have many yarn options available. The problem? I can’t find a pattern that works. I searched high and low on Ravelry for a free pattern. But everything on offer featured complicated details, the dreaded short rows, or intricate stitching that would ruin my eyesight. The few I liked called for fingerling yarn (too small) or bulky (too large). I just couldn’t find that Goldilocks “just right” pattern.

As I’ve found many times in my knitting life, sometimes it’s just easier to make up your own pattern that works for you. In fact, unless you have EXACTLY the yarn called for in a pattern – which is rare – you might save yourself a lot of time searching through the multitude of patterns on the web by scribbling out your own design.

It’s not that hard to come up with your own design. Here’s my process:

  • Identify a favorite sweater that fits just right. It can be store bought and manufactured.
  • Measure it. Write down the width and the length of the body, along with the dimensions of the arms and the neck.
  • Knit a swatch and determine the gauge. How many stitches to an inch? Multiply the dimensions of the favorite sweater by your gauge, subtracting stitches for neckline, armpits, and so forth. If you’re off, forgive yourself and carry on. 
  • Use your favorite stitches to give your garment some zing. I usually do this as I go.

Do you need pages-long instructions and umpteen books to do DIY Knit Design? Nope. What I find most helpful are bare bones charts for top-down sweaters (telling me how many stitches to increase on top and how many stitches to put on a lifeline for the arms) and a comprehensive stitch dictionary. Here are my current go-to sources:

As a knitter, you have skills. You have the ability to make precisely what you want. Go for it!

Blessings on your DIY Designs, Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls.