Twist Collective Blog

Design Process: Uji

Details

Published on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 13:24

Today's post is brought to you by Ann-Marie Jackson, designer of the wonderful textured coat, Uji, from our Winter issue (she is also the designer of this gorgeous pullover). You can learn more about her and her designs on her website. One of the things you'll find there is a post about the Briggs and Little yarn she used for this project.

Like many knitters, I'm fascinated by cables. I particularly like traditional aran sweater cables; the overall honeycomb cable that's often worked into a wide centre panel on the front or back of the garment was my inspiration here. I wanted an oversized cardigan or coat, and thought that overall cables in a bulky yarn would be perfect for a heavy, textured, sink-your-fingers-in fabric.

Inspiration. Clockwise from top left: undyed yarns, even Steve McQueen liked Aran sweaters, INHABIT baby camel cocoon cardigan, Anthropologie cardigan, 1960s Bear Brand & Fleischer Yarn pattern.

Uji is worked flat in pieces that are seamed together after blocking. I know seamless garments are very popular right now, but seams are more necessity than preference for this sweater. Although the cables give plenty of structure and strength to the fabric, Uji is heavy and needs seams to prevent pulling, stretching, and shapelessness. It's finished off with generous buttonbands and a big cozy collar. At the last minute, I decided to add pockets, because no coat can do without pockets.

Did you notice that the two cables used on Uji are essentially the same cable? The chevron cable is the bottom half of the honeycomb cable. It seems an obvious design move now, but it didn't start out that way: I swatched several different cable combinations (some of them nearly impossible to fit together) before I decided on these two. They're the simplest and, I think, the prettiest of all my swatches. Occam's razor strikes again!

Quick Dispatch: Lending a helping paw

Details

Published on Monday, 04 March 2013 11:53

Marnie's pup Panda helps prepare her Fall submission.

Twist Style Friday: Simsbury

Details

Published on Friday, 01 March 2013 02:57

Every Friday we feature one of the garments from the magazine in a post about styling. We suggest different ways to wear the garment in question using mock-ups from Polyvore. We encourage readers to tell us what they think about these outfits via our Facebook page or Twitter, and if folks want to make their own outfits, please tweet them at us with the hashtag #twiststyle. You can find all of the Style Friday posts here.

When I logged into Polyvore last night to look at shoes for today's styling post, do you know what I saw?? Sandals. Tons and tons of sandals. Working for a quarterly magazine as I do, I am somewhat familiar with working a season (or sometimes two) ahead, but somehow this still caught me off guard. Between that and my leaky roof, I guess we can say that spring is coming. Happy March!

I know that fall and winter are really prime knitter times, but handknits are dreamy to have around on cool spring mornings and summer sunsets by the water. This week's featured garment is perfect for layering, which makes it great for just about any season. The pockets make it extra practical, and the dipping neckline is just a teeny bit saucy. The color of our sample is pretty stunning, and though you could obviously make it in whatever color you like, something saturated really makes the simple shape and unfussy lace sing. Hello Simsbury.

Want to take a close look at some of those details? Goody, me too.

Here are just a few of the zillions of things you could pair this fantastic sweater with:

How would you wear Simsbury?

Design Process: Luggala

Details

Published on Thursday, 28 February 2013 09:06

Today's post is brought to you by Aine Ryan, designer of the lovely Luggala and first-time Twist contributor. You can find out more about Aine (as well as this post) on her blog, here. Enjoy!

Way back in November 2012, I was privileged to be included in the Twist Collective Winter 2012 issue. My design was ‘Luggala’, a long-line jumper / sweater / pullover with a lacy cowl neck and kangaroo pocket.

A few years ago when I was keen to start knitting again, but tired of unflattering, outdated patterns, I did an internet search for things like ‘modern knitting patterns’ or ‘trendy knitting patterns’ or something similarly cheesy. This was when I came across Twist and specifically, their Fall 2009 issue. And I fell in love. The ‘Bus Stop‘ story completely won my heart and it wasn’t long before Ysolda’s Vine Yoke Cardigan was on my needles. I had found an up-to-date, fashionable, beautiful source of knitting patterns! Yay!

So when I decided to give designing a go, I knew exactly where I wanted to start – Twist! Aim high, I thought! When I submitted my design proposal back in April 2012, I had never designed anything before, let alone prepare a submission. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I found out it had been accepted and then to finally see it in print last November.

I wanted to create a cosy Winter garment that would keep the wearer warm without being too bulky or heavy. So I designed a fitted, slightly long length jumper. Raglan sleeves, because they’re may favourite and always flattering. To keep it warm and cozy, I added a cowl neck, but in lace, to keep it light and feminine.

The final touch, to make it a little bit different and fun, was the kangaroo or hoodie style pocket. I added this for a note of casual, comfy styling, but again it’s knit in lace.

In the submission sketch, I just drew it simply with skinny jeans / leggings, which is how Twist styled it too in the end! I’m no fashion artist and I’ll let you in on my secret tool – Fashionary templates (psst- bloglady's note- also check out the Style Friday post where we featured Luggala).

I hope you like Luggala which can be bought directly from Twist Collective.

Finally, a note on the name. ‘Luggala’ is a place in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, where I spent many Summers as a child. Enjoy a few pics. Lots more on Flickr.