Designer Take Over! - Terri Kruse

It's time for another Designer Take Over!  Joining us today is Terri Kruse.

Terri has a really great mixture of knit for all ages.  Babies, kids, teens, adults - she's got something for everyone.  She also utilizes such a wide range of techniques.  She has designs that use intarsia, stripes, cables, and a wide range of stitch patterns.  And, to keep up with this theme, she has such a wide variety of types of patterns!  Terri has designs for hats, sweaters, tops, cowls, shawls, mittens, and more!  She really does have everything.

When did you first start designing?

"Almost immediately after I started knitting.  Not officially really, but I started modifying things right away and when I didn't find what I wanted, I just made something up."

What inspired you to design?

"Mostly my want for things that didn't exist.  As I went on, I found inspiration in things around me, but initially it was mostly just me not finding what I wanted."

Let's talk about your design process!

"I generally start with sketches and I will sketch 10-20 things at a time, file them, and come back later.  Sometimes I will sketch, then search for the appropriate yarn, attempt to find yarn support, and then swatch again when the yarn arrives.  Then, I do all the math and layout a first draft.  I then knit the sample and take notes on my pattern, usually completely rewriting it.  After the sample, I do a layout in InDesign and send it along to my tech editor.  At some point, I take photos, and test knit and ... phew, then release after fixing any issues."

How would you describe your design style?

"Hmm, mostly classic, with a bit of quirkyness I guess.  This is sort of an ever-changing thing for me.  It seems the further I go on, the more I embrace my inner quirkyness and it starts to come out more and more."

As I was going through Terri's designs for this post, I was amazed by everything I saw.  The colors, the patterns, the photography.  She is the whole package.  And while quite a few were very tempting there was one that I gave in and bought right away.  Her What You Wish Scarf and Cowl pictured above.  It's stunning and I cannot wait to make my own!  She has a lot of wonderful patterns and I'll leave it up to you to choose your favorite.  For now, let's take a closer look at a few of her patterns.

Abernathy Sweater
"A top down, cabled raglan for kids sizes 12m to 8.  I think the cable pattern and how it comes together is unique.  It has a classic sort of "grown up" look to it, which I like.  I also really like shawl collars.  I've gotten many requests to upsize this to an adult version and that is just about ready.  I can't wait."

Rhombi
"Is an open front cardigan with an embellished collar and diamond purl detail on the center back.  I think the textured collar and center back diamond make this unique.  It is also just a really versatile piece of clothing.  I ove open front cardigans for this reason.  They can dress things up or down."

Anonymous Vampire
"A lace scarf or shawl depending on the size you knit.  This was my first time modifying a lace pattern, so you actually won't find this one in a stitch dictionary ...  It is similar to another, but quite.  That was fun; though I am not a big lace knitter so this was 'outside my box' a bit.  I also really love the yarn color (Tiny Bloodsucking Dance by Indigodragonfly Yarns).  It inspired the entire design."

Go Buffalo
"A top down, striped cardigan.  Simple, classic.  I love hockey and I've always had two teams (Buffalo and LA).  I found these two skeins of yarn and wanted to make a cardigan for my son and that's how it came to be.  The colors reminded me of old school Buffalo Sabres colors.  I have had requests for this to also be upsized and so I am working on an adult version, but in LA colors (I really can't pull off that much blue and gold)."

Little Spare Time
"A top down raglan with a fun collar detail and pockets for kids sizes 12m-10.  The collar is pretty unique.  The shape of it.  I really love everything about this sweater.  It's really cute, a little bit classic, but modern and really wearable.  It is also my favorite color and done in one of my favorite yarns ever (Verdant Gryphon Traveller: Smuggler's Notch)."

Want more from Terri?
Check out her designer page on Ravelry HERE
Check out her blog HERE
Check her out on Facebook HERE
Find her on Twitter @ninja8tofu
Find her on Instagram as ninja8tofu9

Designer Take Over! - Maureen Foulds

It's time for another Designer Take Over!  Please give a warm welcome to Maureen Foulds.

I love the way all of her designs feature fun and interesting stitch patterns.  All of her designs give knitters a chance to show off what they can do with yarn and a set of needles.  Whether it's cables, lace, or one of the other techniques she utilizes, each stitch design really sings in all of her garments and accessories.  And boy does she have a lot to choose from!  Socks, mittens, hats, shawls - she has 34 designs up on Ravelry!  You can tell she's been busy.  So let's get to know more about Maureen!

When did you first start designing?

"I published my first sock pattern in 2010.  I had found a luscious skein of HandMaiden sock yarn in purple and wanted a pattern that would really show the yarn off.  Nothing I saw on Ravelry felt right, so I cam up with my own design Trellis and Coin.

What inspired you to design?

"As a knitter I'm constantly trying to challenge myself with new techniques and skills.  And once I've got a handle on those techniques I want to share what I've learned with others.  In my day job I'm a technical writer - I write manuals on how to use complex business software.  So my training in explaining complicated things to users so that they can understand it and replicate the steps.

Put my professional skills together with my love of knitting and writing patterns was an inevitable next step."

Let's talk about your design process!

"Inspiration can come from anywhere.  I've been inspired by nature, architecture, the pattern on a hotel bedspread, and a pair of gloves knit by my great-grandmother.  Or, I start with a skein of yarn and start imagining what pattern would suit it best: something organic (leaves, curves) or structured (cables, angles).  When I design for yarn clubs, the club theme is the stepping off point for inspiration.

Once I have an idea, I try to do a basic sketch to map it out.  Then comes the math to make it fit.  Next, I have to actually knit out a swatch or sample to make all the pieces come together.  Different sizes might require different treatment, so I have to note those differences for the pattern.  And with socks, I usually offer toe up as well as cuff-down for the same pattern, so I have to knit the toe up version as well to work out any quirks.

Then comes the pattern writing and charting.  It's a lot harder than you'd think trying to keep things simple, clear and concise.  That's where test knitters come in - they provide feedback on things I may have missed and offer different perspectives on the pattern as written.  Tech editing is my last step - the final tightening and cleaning up of the words and numbers to ensure the pattern is ready to debut."

How would you describe your design style?

"I prefer to design simple patterns that are (relatively) easy to knit.  It might be redundant to say so, but I design things that I'd want to knit.  I want a pattern that looks fantastic, but isn't ridiculously complicated.  I want it to be easy, without being boring.  I want to challenge myself a little, but not make things more difficult than they need to be.

I also like to encourage pattern modifications.  I write my patterns so that knitters can substitute their preferred heel and toe methods if they like.  And often I'll suggest pattern mods within the pattern itself."

I'm fascinated by all of the patterns Maureen has for sale on Ravelry.  Who doesn't love the look of complicated without the effort?  Let's take a closer look at some of her designs!

And Then There Were Mitts
"These mitts are based on a sock pattern I did (And Then There Were None).  I love the story behind the design.  One of the Rav forums was having a challenge to create a design inspired by a book.  I was listening to a lot of Agatha Christie audiobooks at the time, so I was thinking about the challenge as I drifted off to sleep.  All at once I though of her novel "Ten Little Indians" (later renamed to "And Then There Were None") which I'd read in my youth, where the victims get murdered one by one on an island until only the murderer is left, and then he too dies.  I imagined a series of cables, getting cut off one by one until only one was left.

What's also neat about the fingerless mitt pattern is that someone had mentioned in a forum that the sock pattern would also be great as fingerless mitts.  She'd ear burned me in her post, so I chimed in that it was a great idea.  In fact, I'd work the pattern up for her, which I did.  Then I offered the pattern up for free, thinking it wouldn't be right to make her pay for a pattern she'd inspired.  Next thing I knew, there were over 6,000 downloads of the pattern on Ravelry!  After a few weeks, once the flurry of downloads tapered off, I changed it to a paid pattern."

Swirl Socks

"These are typical 'me' socks in that they look complicated but are in fact very simple.  Every other row is a rest row, making it a quick knit.  They are also designed to be easy to customize to suit different foot sizes.  And when a knitter suggested an easier heel method, I added that option to the pattern and sent out updates to everyone.  So people can choose whichever method works best for them."

Styles Court Socks

"I love the clean, 'classic' look of these socks.  And it's a simple 4 row repeat.  These were initially released in 2 sizes cuff down only.  But I kept getting requests for a toe up version.  So I went back to the drawing board and wrote them toe up.  And with the help of a tech editor, added another size.

Wrought Iron Socks

"These are typical me - cables, cables, cables!  I love cables.  But to balance out the fabric created by cables, I put in some ribbing on the back of the sock to add stretch.  Again, the ribbing allows you to adjust the sock size if needed and the pattern is available in both toe up and cuff down."

Want more from Maureen?

Check out her Ravelry designer page HERE

Check out her blog HERE

Designer Take Over! - Vikki Bird

Today's designer take over comes from the woman behind Vikki Bird Designs!

Who doesn't love precious baby and children knits?  These brightly colored designs are sure to bring a smile to anyones face.  I love how she combines practicality with a fun-loving style so indicative of a young child's imagination and playful spirit.  She even has designs that cater to all of us older children (more commonly known as adults)! 

When did you first start designing?

"I've been designing ever since I learnt to knit when I was about seven, although I have moved on a bit form making teddy bear waistcoats out of a few rectangles and some buttons.  My first published design that I thought was worth publishing was my Christmas Pudding Hat, which I designed for my son in 2012."

What inspired you to design?

"When I learnt to knit, I mostly knitted Jean Greenhow's soft toys and thought it was amazing that I could create three-dimensional shapes out of lengths of yarn.  I also loved to knit intarsia jumpers for my sister, who is nine years younger than me.  After many years of modifying patterns to fit or adding different features I started coming up with ideas that no one else had done before and I thought 'why not just knit them,' so really it was a very gradual experience that led to me creating my own designs."

Let's talk about your design process!

"My designs usually start with a person or occasion in mind, I then start sketching an approximation of what I'm aiming for, then refine it until it looks the way I want.  A lot of my designs feature intarsia, so once I've worked out what item I want to knit, I determine the approximate dimensions and knit a swatch in the yarn I want to use.  I then make a grid and redraw the design onto the grid, by hand, colouring squares in (and rubbing them out) until the image looks exactly how I want it to.  I always have the majority of the pattern written before I cast on; if there are any bits I can't work out, I doodle with some yarn until I get the right shape!"

How would you describe your design style?

"Quirky, bright, and bold.  I don't have the patience for knitting lace, and have never been all that keen on pastels and neutral colours.  I want people to have a bit of fun with my designs.

Fun-Fact!

"Since I've worked out how to knit cables without a cable needle I've been enjoying them much more, and am hoping to branch out in to a few more cabled designs in the future.  I don't think I'll ever have the patience to knit an intricate lace shawl, I have huge admiration for anyone who can!"

I really love all of Vikki's designs.  She lets her style shine through each and every one of them and I think that's so important for designers.  I'm so inspired by all the cheerfulness embedded in her patterns.  I'm excited to be able to share a closer look at some of her designs!

Nature's Way Baby Blanket

"A nature themed baby blanket made up of squares featuring different nature-inspired images.  The images in this blanket are all very personal to me; teh snail is my favourite, he's been doodled on all sorts of things over the years; I love the super-friendly ladybird with his happy smiley face.  The original went to one of my oldest friends, which makes this blanket extra special."

Want to make one yourself?  Click the picture or the pattern name and be instantly transported to the pattern page on Ravelry!
Here's what you'll need:
- 4 mm (US 6) needles, 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles
- dk yarn.  The sample is done in Stylecraft Special DK - 1 ball each in white, black, matador, cloud blue, copper, meadow, magenta, green, jaffa, citron, and clematis.  Approximately 294 m (322 yds) per skein.

Rudi
"A children's Christmas picture sweater featuring a cartoon reindeer head.  The intarsia cartoon reindeer is very characteristic of my style; intarsia is my favourite technique - I love to see the image emerge as I knit."

Want to make one yourself?  Click the picture or the pattern name and be instantly transported to the pattern page on Ravelry!
Here's what you'll need:
- 4.5 mm (US 7 needles), 5 mm (US 8 needles), and 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles
- aran/worsted weight yarn: MC 320 (410, 500) m / 350 (450, 540) yds, CC 100 (130, 150) m / 110 (140, 160 yds), red (oddment, 10 m / 10 yds), dark brown (oddment, 20 m / 20 yds), light brown (oddment 45 m / 45 yds), white (oddment, 5 m / 5 yds), and black (oddment, 5m / 5 yds)

Vroom Vroom, Beep Beep
"A baby blanket featuring cars in an assortment of colours.  While this was designed for a friend's son, it was inspired by my son and his favourite activity of making traffic jams with his toy cars.  Again it's intarsia, and I love that it's such a simple but effective motif."

Want to make one yourself?  Click the picture or the pattern name and be instantly transported to the pattern page on Ravelry!
Here's what you'll need:
- 4mm (US 6) needles and 3.5 mm (US 5) circular needles
- dk yarn: MC 560 m / 610 yds, 80 m / 90 yds each of 5 CCs, yellow for wheels 25 m / 30 yds, black 75 m / 85 yds

Want more from Vikki?

Check out her Ravelry designer page Vikki Bird Designs

or her blog over at Bake Day Wednesday

Designer Take Over! - Triona Murphy

For those of you knitters/crocheters I really hope you know all about Ravelry!  If not, please take the time to check it out.  Quick summary - it's an online pattern database.  I'm talking thousands of patterns (upwards of 450,000!)  There are also wonderful forums where you can get answers to any questions you may have, suggestions on patterns to try out, wonderful information on new techniques, and more.  There's a lot more to it but I'm limited on space for this post.

Currently there is a group on Ravelry hosting what they are calling: Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014 (or GAL).  So what exactly is the GAL?  All of the information can be found in the Announcements & Map thread in the Ravelry group.

Today I am hosting a "Designer Take Over!" featuring one of the 200+ designers participating in this years GAL.

Taking over the blog today is the wonderful Triona Murphy of Triona Designs.  Browsing through her patterns I'm amazed by how she take a simple, clean design and make it seem so stunning elegant.  And she has a great collection of all different types of patterns.  She has things for any and everyone!  Baby items, adult sweaters and tops, hats for all ages, fingerless gloves, and more.  Triona really has it all.

When did you first start designing?

"I released my first design in the summer of 2011, so about 3.5 years ago now."

What inspired you to design?

"I had a store-bought sweater I really liked in theory, but the execution was lacking.  I got the idea to try to design a better version of it an ended up with something that barely resembled the original, but I loved it!  I posted a project on Ravelry and got enough comments saying they'd buy a pattern that I thought I'd give it a shot.  Because I don't like to do anything halfway, I spent a few months reading through a whole bunch of sweater patterns and design books to figure out how to word the instructions correctly.  That design did really well, and I had so much fun creating it that I never looked back!

Let's talk about your design process!

"Just about everything inspires me!  I take pictures on my phone of everything interesting that catches my eye, whether that's someone's cool sweater or a geometric tile pattern.  I usually start with a loose idea of the type of garment or accessory I want to make (a fitted sweater with cables, for example), and then I spend a good amount of time flipping through my stitch dictionaries, sketching, and swatching before I come up with something that I like."

How would you describe your design style?

" I like to describe my designs as classic with a modern twist.  Often that modern detail is the fit since today's sweaters tend to fit more closely to the body.  I like to experiment with shaping and detail placement for body-flattering fits on a wide range of sizes.

Triona's designs remind me that you don't need to go crazy when designing.  She's great at creating a big effect while keeping it classic.  Let's get a closer look at one of her patterns!

Dream A Little Dream
"A fitted sweater with fun, mock cable details!  It's simple to execute (top down in the round, easy mock cable pattern), but it's flattering on many different body types and has enough interest to be a fun knit."

Want to make one yourself?  Click the picture or the pattern name and be instantly transported to the pattern page on Ravelry!
Here's what you'll need:
- US 5 (3.75 mm) needles and US 6 (4.0 mm) needles
- "Fingering or sport weight yarn at a loose gauge.  Because it's a loose gauge, you don't need as much yardage, so it's a good yarn stretcher" (900-1750 yds depending on size)


Want more from Triona?

Check out her Ravelry designer page Triona Designs
Her website trionadesigns.com

She even has a blog linked to her website!  visit it here