We are so excited to introduce Evi T’Bolt, knitwear designer extraordinaire and creator of Ivel, this stunning  that you can see if you visit The Knitter’s Studio. Evi will be teaching a three-part class on Ivel starting at the end of November. Below she talks about Ivel’s conception and evolution.

When I made the first incarnation of Ivel three years ago, known then as the King Charles Brocade, I had noidea that it would change my life. There was no Ravelry, there was no Sublevi label, just vague notions of my future as a knitwear designer and a life-long passion for knitting. There was, of course, the Knitter’s Studio and its gushing walls of perfectly coordinated yarn to entice and inspire.

Fast forward to 2007, the year that brought us Ravelry, and I found myself in the midst of a most extraordinary frenzy over my projects. Members from around the world left kind comments and pleaded for patterns. There is nothing like the feeling of someone appreciating your work, and I finally buckled up to draft proper pattern instructions, beginning with everyone’s favorite…

Writing out the pattern gave me an opportunity to take the original idea to a whole new level. The foundation was there, but it needed refinement. Everyone was charmed by the royal quilting motif and the delicate hem, but I knew from experience that it would not hold up to gravity and time. First things first, I tightened the gauge to prevent sagging and stretching. Next, I worked out a raglan decrease for the sleeves to keep the bodice snug and svelte. Most importantly, however, I devised front and back shaping that mimicked true darts. The final result is a coat that feels strong, but graceful, giving justice to the beautiful stitch motif.

Still, the hardest part was at the finish line, with hems and closures. The original piece reinforced the hems with embroidery, but it wouldn’t be fair to alienate those who are not comfortable with sewing. Plus, the simple crochet chain ties didn’t do much for the coat’s elegance. In fact they seemed quite lacking by comparison. A couple of sleepless nights later, I figured out an interior hem solution that would neatly hide a series of hook-and-eyes and secure them to the core selvedge instead of that on the hem. No pulling, no tugging, just a neat, almost invisible front closure.

I have to admit that drafting the instructions was at times gruesome and trying, but in the end so very rewarding. There is nothing like knitting by hand, and Ivel is how I tip my hat to this very special skill. In the end, the pattern avoids unnecessary complexity, and takes advantage of the repetitive nature of the stitch motif. When I knit the final sample, I fell right into that comfortable rhythm you can all probably relate to. It’s there. Ivel has it all, a little bit of soothing monotony, and plenty of turns to keep you interested along the way.

I am so thrilled for The Knitter’s Studio to embrace my design and give me the opportunity to teach a class on Ivel. Liz and the staff have always been so welcoming and supportive, and it’s a real joy to make my contribution to this wonderful community. And there is more where that came from so stop by the Sublevi website, sign-up for the updates, or catch me on Ravelry!

Some days you wander into work expecting business as usual and instead discover that you get to create a mini-sock pattern, knit it, photograph it, and post instructions on-line. Today was one of those days.

Despite my current feelings about mini-socks, I will still say that they are very useful. They make cute ornaments on a Christmas tree, keychains, baby booties, and are a good stepping stone towards making a full sized sock. Give these a try or if you need some help, come to one of our classes.

Mine was done using Crystal Palace Double Points in size 1 and Koigu KPPPM in color 1100. Any scraps of fingering weight will do.

Cast on 30 stitches and join in the round without twisting.

K1 P1 all the way around to create a ribbed cuff. This can be as long or short as you want. I did it for 1″.

Switch to stockinette stitch (knitting only) for another inch.

Heel Flap:

Slip the next 14 sts onto one needle, and you will be working flat (back and forth) for the next part of the sock.
Row 1: Repeat(Sl1 K1) across
Row 2: Sl1 P across.

Repeat these two rows 7 times total.

Turn Heel:

Row 1: sl1 k7 ssk k1 turn
Row 2: sl1 p4 p2tog p1 turn
Row 3: sl1 k5 ssk k1 turn
Row 4: sl1 p6 p2tog p1 turn
Row 5: sl1 k7 ssk turn
Row 6: sl1 p6 p2tog turn

There are now 8 stitches left on the needle.

Now it’s time to pick up stitches and start working in the round again.

Knit across your 8 stitches, and then using that needle pick up 7 stitches along the edge of the gusset, plus 1 stitch between the gusset and the next needle.

Knit across the next 16 stitches so they are all on the same needle.

Using an empty needle pick up 1 stitch between the needle and the gusset, pick up 7 stitches along the edge of the gusset, and 4 stitches off the next needle. Your needles should have stitches as follows:

Needle 1: 12 sts
Needle 2: 16 sts
Needle 3: 12 sts

Start knitting in the round again.

Row 1: Knit all the way around
Row 2:  Needle 1, knit until 3 stitches before the end, k2tog, k1
Needle 2, knit all the way across.
Needle 3, knit 1, ssk, knit until the end

Repeat these two rows 5 times total.

Now your needles should be as follows:

Needle 1: 7 sts
Needle 2: 16 sts
Needle 3: 7 sts

Knit all the way around for another inch.

Toe:

Row 1: (k4 k2tog) Repeat around
Row 2: knit around
Row 3: (k3 k2tog) Repeat around
Row 4: knit around
Row 5: (k2 k2tog) Repeat around
Row 6: knit around
Row 7: (k1 k2tog) Repeat around
Row 8: knit around
Row 9: k2tog all the way around

Cut tail, thread a darning needle and gather up the remaining stitches. Weave ends inside and Voila!

Sock:

The moment I saw and touched Debbie Bliss’ Luxury Tweed I was in love. Having had a grandmother who was a true Anglophile (think gilt frames adorning her room with pics of Princess Di and the royals), I have also had a secret passion for tweed anything. There is something about those little flecks of color colour running throughout the fiber that just makes me think of my Nanny and hand knit cardis. So, as soon as I held a ball of Debbie’s Tweed, I knew-this yarn was for  knitculture.com. It is a classic Tweed but it has just the right amount of lovely soft angora to give it loft and heavenly softness. It also comes in beautiful and fun colours- such as Orange, Mustard, Dark Lime and classics like Denim, Charcoal and Scarlet.

Next, I needed to find a wonderful and worthy pattern to knit up some skeins. Blessed with endless crafting creativity, Debbie managed to come up with a wonderful collection of patterns in her pamphlet book, Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Collection.  I chose “Daisy” because I loved the detail and challenge of the design. This piece is knit up in 11 individual pieces. I really enjoyed the range of technique from cables to bobbles and double point knitting-I was never bored so it was knit up in a flash. This was not going to be a UFO! Another suggestion: the Daisy pattern squares can be worked up into a very unique afghan!

We think you will find that whatever you make with Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed you will enjoy the knitting experience and make something that will be treasured for years to come-even if you don’t have a family crest.