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Let me introduce the penultimate pattern of the upcoming summer collection. The top Ether pattern can be found here. Ether is an all-penetrating medium supposed in the outdated theories of ether, whose vibrations manifest themselves as electromagnetic waves. If you try to visualize the picture described above, Ether top can be a good illustration. Waves in some places oscillate at a constant frequency, in other places interrupt and become silent under the influence of random interference. Simple patterns, such as the Stockinette and Garter stitches get wavy due to abundant short rows, and the absence of the latter draws straight lines. Тhe difference in the height of waves and straight lines allowed me to design the necessary curves, darts, and slopes in this rather large and complex stitch pattern. *** Разрешите представить предпоследнее описание летней коллекции. Описание топа Ether можете найти здесь. Эфир – предполагаемая в устаревших теориях эфира всепроникающая среда, колебания которой проявляют себя как электромагнитные волны. Если попробовать визуально представить картинку описанного, топ Ether может стать неплохой иллюстрацией. Волны местами колеблются постоянной частотой, местами прерываются и замолкают под воздействием каких-либо помех. Простые узоры, такие, как лицевая гладь и платочная вязка здесь изгибаются благодаря множеству укороченных рядов, а отсутствие последних рисует прямые линии. Именно разница в высоте волн и прямых линий позволила смоделировать нужные изгибы, вытачки и скосы в этом достаточно крупном и сложном узоре. The stitch pattern of the top Ether I thought up for a very long time. It was clear that the number of rows in the vertical at any point of the knitted fabric should be the same, even though the stitch pattern is based on an abundance of short rows. It remains to come up with the rhythm, the height of the pattern repeat, sit down at the computer and start creating charts. When an idea has enough time to mature in the head, it appears in the form of matter rather quickly and without any disturbance. I knitted Ether from the first time, without re-knitting. That is the design I'm talking about: popped up like a mushroom after rain. That is another example of how the stitch pattern dictates the design. Gradual decreases and increases are impossible, which means that the V-neck is also impossible, and only a straight silhouette remains the only option. A fairly large pattern repeat also determines the depth of the armholes. Steps in sizes are possible only by the whole pattern repeat or by the half of it in some places of the pattern. That means that there are going to be united sizes and respectively, fewer of them. Short rows for bust darts and shoulder slopes are impossible because the stitch pattern itself consists of them. So, for horizontal shaping, we need to get rid of them completely. So there were the shoulder slopes and bust darts, and, as it turned out later, became the most beautiful design elements. The round shape of armholes and the front neck also appeared due to characteristics of the wave pattern. It seems that the Ether pattern throughout the design process spoke very clearly and loudly, telling how, where, and what to do. *** Узор топа Ether под тем же названием вынашивала очень долго. Я понимала, что количество рядов по вертикали в любой точке вязаного полотна должно быть одинаковое, не смотря на то, что узор рисуется множеством укороченных рядов. Осталось придумать ритм, высоту раппорта, сесть у компьютера и начать создавать схемы. Когда идея имеет достаточно времени созреть в голове, в мир она в виде материи появляется достаточно быстро и без помех. Ether связать получилось с первого раза, без перевязов. Это тот дизайн, о котором я говорю: выскочил как гриб после дождя. Это еще один пример того, как узор диктует условия моделирования. Постепенное убавление и прибавление невозможно, значит, также невозможна V-горловина и на выбор остается только прямой силуэт. Глубину пройм также определяет достаточно крупный раппорт. Размерные шаги возможны лишь на целый раппорт или на его половину в некоторых местах выкройки. Значит, будет объединенные размеры и их будет меньше. Укороченные ряды для вытачек и скосов плеч невозможны, потому, что сам узор состоит из них. Значит, для горизонтального моделирования нужно совсем от них избавиться. Так появились скосы плеч и вытачки для груди, и, как выяснилось позже, самые красивые элементы дизайна. Закругление пройм и горловины появилось также благодаря свойствам волнистого узора. Кажется, что узор в протяжении всей работы очень ясно и громко говорил, как, где и что нужно делать. The stitch pattern requires steaming and pressing. While the pieces are on the knitting needles, the fabric resembles an egg tray. But contact with water or steamy iron does wonder. I also recommend choosing contrasting colors. But, I suppose, if you knit in plain color and use smooth light-colored yarn, the relief of garter stitch stripes should be sufficient so that the play of waves appears. The Ether stitch pattern captured me. That means that I will twist and turn it in the future, and more designs will appear using the Ether stitch pattern or its modifications. I feel that I have not yet discovered all its possibilities. *** Узор требует отпаривания. Пока детали на спицах, полотно напоминает яичный лоток. Но контакт с водой или паром делает чудеса. Я также рекомендую выбирать контрастные цвета, но, предполагаю, если вязать одноцветным и использовать гладкую светлую пряжу, рельеф полосок платочной вязки должен быть достаточным, чтобы игра волн проявилась. Узор взял меня в плен. Это значит, что я буду крутить и вертеть его в будущем, и появится еще дизайны на подобии Эфира. Я чувствую, что я еще не открыла всех его возможностей. Testing passed, as they say, in the normal mode, and as a result, we got some gorgeous finished projects, including a couple of dresses in "flapper dress" style of the twenties. I will upload here a few of them, and the rest you can find on Ravelry. *** Тестирование прошло, как говорится, в штатном режиме, и в итоге у нас появилось несколько шикарнейших воплощений, включая парочку платьев в стиле "flapper dress" двадцатых годов. Покажу несколько работ, а остальные вы сможете посмотреть на Ravelry. This time the choice of the winner will seem a little unexpected, but the most enjoyable. This Early Bird managed to take part in every single one testing of four seasonal collections. Moreover, at times, she managed to knit two or three variations. A unique phenomenon, of course, worth a separate post on the blog, but now I picking up the winner only based on the results of this particular testing. She finished the first, and my jaw dropped and kept open for some time. It seems that I got into a fairy tale, and want to stay in it. Valeria, let me thank you for your resilience and for your company during a long voyage in the world of knitting, which lasted almost three years. As a symbolic prize, you will receive a summer collection book as a souvenir when it is published. @valeriyavinn *** В этот раз выбор победительницы покажется немного неожиданным, но самым приятным. Эта ласточка успела принять участие во всех тестированиях четырех сезонных коллекций. Мало того, она временами успевала связать по две или три вариации. Уникальное явление, конечно, стоящее отдельной статьи, но победителя сейчас я выбираю только по итогам конкретного тестирования. Ее показ был первым, и заставил мою челюсть на долго отвиснуть. Кажется, что я попала в сказку, и захотела в ней остаться. Валерия, разрешите поблагодарить вас за устойчивость и за компанию во время долгого путешествия в мире вязания, длившегося почти три года. В качестве символического приза вы получите книгу летней коллекции на память, когда она выйдет в свет. @valeriyavinn Testings of the summer collection are drawing to an end. At the very end of this week, the last pattern of the Wind top is going to be released, followed by a lookbook, then I will work on the book. The book of summer knitting patterns will complete the quadrilogy of books with knitting patterns for each season. *** Тестирования летней коллекции подходят к концу. В конце этой недели в свет выйдет последнее описание топа Wind, альбом для просмотра, далее займусь работой над книгой. Летняя книга завершит тетралогию книг с вязальными описаниями на каждый сезон.

I'm glad to present the fifth design and pattern of the upcoming summer collection "Tops! Summer Solstice" – the linen top Airy. In the hot summer, there is nothing better than linen yarn, eyelets, and “flying” silhouette. All these characteristics make it possible to feel comfortable even in the most intense summer heat. The back and front of the top Airy are knitted from the bottom up in separate pieces and have different degrees of A-shape. Sleeve ruffles are picked-up at armholes edge and knitted in the round. The elongated upper back and diagonal bust darts make the top extremely comfortable. We can say that all these qualities create the perfect “airy” knitted wardrobe piece for the midsummer. *** Я очень рада представить пятый дизайн и описание предстоящей летней коллекции "Tops! Summer Solstice" – льняной топ Airy. Жарким летом нет ничего лучше льна, ажура и «летящего» силуэта. Как раз все эти свойства позволяют чувствовать себя комфортно даже в самую большую жару. Спинка и перед топа Airy связаны снизу вверх отдельными деталями и имеют разную степень расширения. Рукава-«крылышки» связаны по кругу из пройм. Удлиненная верхняя часть спинки, а также диагональные вытачки для груди добавляют удобства. Можно сказать, что все эти качества создают идеальный «воздушный» вязаный предмет гардероба для середины лета. If you look for the coolest knitting project for the summer, it will, of course, be Airy. Linen yarn, eyelets and loose flying A-shape with sleeves-ruffles. The only place where the top touches the body is the shoulders. You can say that it justifies its name one hundred percent. Before starting designing, I always surf into my collection of original stitch patterns. More than once, it was they who suggested the design idea, and this time, the Molecule pattern popped up. Symmetrical eyelets made with the A-decrease technique have been waiting for their reveal for almost three years. I slightly defused the eyelets. Linen yarn, how dense you knit, remains sparse, and the eyelets pattern in it are hardly identifiable if they are located too close to each other. *** Если искать самую "прохладную" вязаную модель для лета, это, конечно же, будет Airy ("Воздушный"). Лен, дырочки ажура и свободный летящий силуэт "А" с рукавами-воланами. Единственное место, где топ прикасается к телу – это плечи. Можно сказать, что свое название он оправдывает на все сто процентов. Перед началом работы над дизайном, я всегда заглядываю в свою коллекцию узоров. Уже не раз именно они подсказали идею для дизайна, и в этот раз узор Molecule заговорил громче всех. Симметричные дырочки, выполненные в технике А-убавлений ждали своего выхода почти три года. Дырочки я немного разрядила. Лен, как плотно его не вяжи, все равно остается дырчатым, и дырочки визуально в нем теряются, если они расположены слишком близко друг к другу. To say that everything went like clockwork is to tell a lie. Airy turned out only the second time and was completely re-knitted. That it would be a loose A-line shape, I knew from the very beginning. It was necessary to use the characteristic of linen yarn to fall well in a knitted fabric under the influence of its weight. The back of Airy was planned to be straight with pleats. The front of it – in the form of a trapeze. Linen is one of the heaviest yarns, and four wide pleats on the back required a lot of knitted material. In the end, the weight of the back turned out to be almost two times heavier than the front. Obviously, the back has outweighed the front, the neck of the back slipped back, the neck of the front climbed up to the throat, the side seams went forward, the shoulder seams went backward, and the front shortened. And why I went to this misadventure in advance knowing that I would fail, I still do not understand. What is permissible for Jove is not permissible for a bull. If it were light cashmere or mohair, where weight is not so important, everything would be fine. And linen yarn in this situation was the most unsuitable yarn of all. When you make mistakes without knowing you at least learn from your mistakes. And when you make mistakes clearly realizing what you get, and the name other than the highest stupidity, you can not find. Sorry for the poor quality of the working photo – these are the last days of my old dying phone. But strangely, now I am happy having this photo, the title of which is – “You have nothing else to do?” It is necessary to put it on the desktop as a constant reminder. *** Сказать, что все шло как по маслу, это сильно наврать. Airy получился только со второго раза и был полностью перевязан. Что это будет свободный силуэт А, я знала с самого начала. Нужно было использовать свойство льня хорошо падать в вязаном полотне под воздействием своей тяжести. Спинка Airy планировалась быть прямая, но со складками, и только перед – в форме трапеции. Лен – одна из самых тяжелых пряж, и четыре широкие складки на спине потребовали немало вязаного полотна. В конечном итоге вес спинки получился почти в два раза больше, чем вес переда. Очевидно, что спинка перевесила перед, горловина спинки опустилась, горловина переда залезла на горло, боковые швы ушли вперед, плечевые – назад, перед укоротился. И почему я пошла на эту авантюру заранее зная, что у меня получится, я до сих пор не понимаю. Что дозволено Юпитеру, не дозволено быку. Был бы это легкий кашемир или мохер, где вес имеет мало значения, было бы все в порядке. А лен в этой ситуации оказался самой неподходящей пряжей из всех возможных. Когда делаешь ошибки не зная, ты хотя бы учишься на своих ошибках. А когда делаешь ошибки осозновая, что тебя ждет, другого названия, кроме высочайшей глупости, подобрать нельзя. Простите за плохое качество рабочего фото – это последние дни умирающего телефона. Но странным образом теперь я рада этой фотографии, название которой – "Тебе что, больше нечем заняться?" Надо поставить ее на рабочий стол, как постоянное напоминание. The top was planned to be sleeveless. But when I was going to re-knit, I realized that it would be too humble, too simple, not even looking at added metallic yarn, eyelets, and quite a joyful color. A-line needed support in the form of sleeves. And here again, the torture of not being able to choose has begun. The usual short set-in sleeve, puffed sleeve with the gatherings at the cuff, full to the elbow. And even a sleeve-tulip. For the latter, I made a chart on a real scale so that I could transfer the pattern. Then I realized the number of finishing, tiny details, increases at the edge, and such numerous small things which in the summer yarn are not welcome. And the tulip had to be abandoned. Lyrical digression. There are notes in the corner, and they are in three languages. I always make my notes in a sketchbook, and all of them are trilingual. And the language changes randomly, like blank verses. In one sentence you can often meet "Knit 1 еще akį". *** Топ планировался быть без рукавов, в виде майки. Но когда я его собралась перевязывать, поняла, что он будет слишком скромным, слишком простым, не смотря даже на люрекс, ажур и достаточно радостный цвет. Силуэт "А" попросил поддержки в виде рукавов. И тут опять начались муки выбора. Обычный короткий втачной, пышный рукав со сборкой у манжеты, широкий до локтя. И даже рукав-тюльпан. Для последнего сделала попетельнуя схему в реальном масштабе, чтобы смогла перенести выкройку. Потом поняла количество отделки, деталей, прибавлений у края, а такие всякие многочисленные мелочи в летней пряже не приветствуется. И от тюльпана пришлось отказаться. Лирическое отступление. В углу есть заметки. Они на трех языках. Я так всегда веду свои записи в черновике и все они трехязычные. И язык меняется произвольно, как белые стихи. В одном предложении у меня часто можно встретить "Knit еще 1 akį". Then I remembered that I never knitted sleeves picked up from the armhole, and then everything turned out almost immediately and in support of the main idea of the design – "flying in the air." Both sleeves were made in about a day. *** Потом вспомнила, что я никогда не вязала рукавов из проймы, и тут все свершилось почти сразу и в поддержку главной идеи дизайна – воздушный, летящий. Оба рукава были связаны примерно за день. There are two more topics I want to talk about. That is a rounded bottom and the bust darts. Basically, in knitting, the A-line is shaped only by decreases at the sidelines; as a result, we have a trapeze shape, where its height is geometrically shorter than the sides. It can often be noted that the sidelines of such garments sag a little. Here the bottoms of both pieces are slightly rounded, leveling the difference in length. The top already in a finished form more closely resembles the shape of a truncated cone, rather than two flat trapezes joined together. *** Есть еще два момента, о которых хочется рассказать. Это закругленный низ и вытачка для груди. В основном в вязании силуэт "А" формируется только убавлениями у боковых линий; в итоге мы имеем форму трапеции, где ее высота геометрически короче боковых сторон. Часто можно заметить, что бока таких изделий немного провисают. Здесь низы деталей слегка закругленные, выравнивающие разницу в длине, и топ уже в готовом виде скорее напоминает фигуру усеченного конуса, нежели двух соединенных плоских трапеций. In this seemingly small top, my adventures are still not over. Here I tried the first time scattered diagonal armhole bust darts. I already knitted diagonal bust darts more than once. Birch Sap, Oxygen, Freon, Morning – just such darts were used in these designs. *** В таком, казалось бы, маленьком топе мои приключения все еще не закончились. Здесь я первый раз попробовала разбросанную диагональную вытачку для груди. Диагональную вытачку я уже вязала не раз. Birch Sap, Oxygen, Freon, Morning – в этих дизайнах как раз такая вытачка применялась. It is very convenient in patterns when you need to lengthen the front, and at the same time reduce the width above the bust. But in the Airy, the Stockinette stitch prevails, and this was just the right case when I was able to try to expand the distance between turns/decreases and bring the dart shape closer to the ones in sewing. The experiment was a success, even a formula appeared, and I will definitely continue to work with this type of bust dart. *** Она очень удобна в узорах, когда нужно удлинить деталь переда, и одновременно убавить ширину поверх груди. Но в топе Airy преобладает лицевая гладь, и это как раз удобный случай, когда я смогла попробовать расширить расстояния между поворотами/убавлениями и приблизить форму вытачки к швейной. Эксперимент удался на славу, даже появилась формула, и я обязательно продолжу работу с этой вытачкой для груди. It's time to show what we did in the testing. The results pleased one after another, the beautiful finished projects of the Early Birds never ceased to amaze. The testing was numerous; here, I will show only some of the projects, all of them you can find on Ravelry. Some ladies even managed to finish two tops in the timing of testing (to scroll, click the arrow). *** Пришла пора показать, что нам удалось в рамках тестирования. Результаты радовали один за другим, прекрасные воплощения Первых ласточек не переставали удивлять. Тестирование было многочисленным, здесь покажу только некоторые из работ, остальные можете посмотреть на Ravelry. Некоторые ласточки успели даже связать по два изделия (чтобы пролистать, нажмите стрелку). The highlight of testing was the understanding that Airy can have not one, but two or even three lives: not only in the form of a top but also a tunic ... *** Самым ярким моментом тестировния оказалось понимание, что Airy может иметь не одну, а две или даже три жизни: не только в виде топа, но и туники ... ... and even a dress! Thanks to the brave and courageous ladies, who were not afraid of a relatively large project and managed to make it on time. *** ... и даже платья! Спасибо отважным и смелым ласточкам, которые не побоялись сравнительно большого проекта и справились вовремя. Each time testing ends with the announcing of the winner, who receives one pattern as a gift as a symbolic prize. I have not been able to enjoy enough Elena’s appearance in our company. Active, supportive, she is always up to date. Thanks to her, the forum never sleeps. And her finished project could not be ignored. Although I am not a fan of deviations from the strict rules of testing – do not change anything in the design, but sometimes the heart does not stand up to such beauty. Elena, my congratulations, and thank you for everything! @sparky_helen *** Каждый раз тестирование заканчивается выбором победительницы, которая в качестве символического приза получает одно описание в подарок. Я уже давно не могу нарадоваться появлением Елены в нашем кругу. Активная, доброжелательная, она всегда в курсе последних событий. Благодаря ей форум никогда не спит. И ее воплощение не могло остаться без внимания. Хотя я не являюсь поклонницей отклонений от строгих правил тестирования – ничего не менять в дизайне, но сердце иногда не выдерживает такой красоты. Елена, мои поздравления и спасибо тебе за все! @sparky_helen

Every design begins with a sketch in my sketchbook. It helps me to visualize my design, to check how all elements work together and how to implement stitch pattern as well as fit improvements. My collection "Merino Hug. Winter Solstice" also had begun as sketches and you can find them in a lookbook, also in an e-book. So take a look at the sketches of the upcoming spring collection "Merino Hug. Spring Equinox", which is dedicated to knitted outerwear.

Sometimes (and even more often) we cannot have the original yarn, which is required to knit the design we've chosen. If you think it's a problem, think again: it's not a problem at all. The one and the only thing you should know is that you can knit everything using yarn substitutes. If the pattern says, you should use only recommended yarn it is not true. You can find hundreds of substitutes in your stash, on the internet or in the closest yarn shop. You can choose another brand. Merino wool is easily substituted with alpaca, cotton or simple wool as well as all kinds of blends. Linen substitutes with cotton or rayon, mohair with angora, cashmere with merino extrafine, camel wool or baby alpaca and vice versa. There are two more things you should know. Choose among the same yarn weight and after the yarn was chosen try to match the given gauge experimenting with different sizes of needles. Sometimes it doesn't work and mismatching the gauge even by half of a stitch can lead to the wrong size of a garment. It's handy to have a 1 or 2 ply yarns of the similar color in your stash to add to your main yarn and increase your yarn weight. Sometimes you can knit with the thin yarn held doubled and get an Aran, DK or Sports weight. If your yarn is slightly heavier, just change your needle size by one. The option of not having the original yarn shouldn't stop you from knitting your dream sweater. I have over a hundred finished projects on Ravelry. Only two of them had been knitted with the original yarn.

I want to introduce you my dear knitting friend Margarita Popova. She lives in Saki, Crimea. Rita came to our knitting forum two years ago and stayed. She belongs to that kind of knitters, who approaches knitting very thoughtfully, mathematically and with love. She is very generous with her advice, she shares her experience and helps others a lot. Rita loves the minimalistic style of knitting, clear lines, basic colors. She said some time ago that she adores when the garment shaping techniques (i.e., darts, decreases, etc.) are well thought-out that could be intentionally exposed or combined into a pattern, making nice looking and clever lines, which flatter the figure. That was the moment when I realized that we have so much in common. I was so excited when Rita expressed a desire to become a member of an Early Birds group and test some of my designs. You could not be happier having such an experienced and talented knitter in your team. It helps you grow. Let's take a look at some of Rita's projects. That's not all. Also, Rita has a knitting channel on Youtube, Sunny Knits. There are a lot of knitting treasures dug deep into it. Do not hesitate to watch her videos despite the fact that they are in Russian. All knitters of our planet speak one common Knitting language, so the techniques Rita demonstrates in her videos speak for themselves. In that regard take a look at her video, where she teaches us about using Excel as software for creating pattern schematics. I'm so happy to present some videos, in which I have a small input myself, and Rita made those ideas alive. Find Margarita on Ravelry and Instagram.

I want to introduce you my dear knitting friend Elena Khristova, Bulgaria, Varna. She came to my knitting forum thread two years ago and showed us some gorgeous projects. And time after time every project she'd revealed to us made us realize we found a shiny diamond in a boundless world of knitting. Every time Elena excites us and every time she brings us inspiration and belief that knitting is more than a stitch combination in a complicated pattern. As you see, Elena uses simple and quiet stitch patterns, such as knit, purl and slipped stitches, which do not distract attention from the shape, form, and lines of the garment. Every single piece is a sculpture made of a soft and stretchy material, trying to unite the science of knitting and tailoring in one piece of art. Besides the visual impact of every piece, I would like to point your attention to the complex and tricky fit improvements, where the tailoring part of every garment shines up bright making the model (Elena herself) look luxurious, sartorial and feel comfortable. Elena said to me, that the knitting direction, which now fascinates her a lot is experiments and a search of new silhouettes, shapes, textures, opportunities, which hand knitting could discover. "Therefore while in my projects there is no wide variety of stitch patterns, I concentrate on the shape, the silhouette, and the texture. I am literally bewitched by this feature of a knitted garment - a visually strict form but a tactile soft and comfortable piece. Moreover, in hand knitting, many complex modeling techniques can be performed much more elegantly compare to tailored clothes. Darts can begin and end anywhere; the garment can be knitted seamlessly or be made as intended or designed not being restricted to the print or the width of the weaved fabric. But at first, all my projects begin with a good fit, taking into account the lines and shapes of the body, the accuracy of fulfillment". Elena came to my forum thread to learn. She learned, progressed and left us far behind. I'm so proud of her, and I'm thrilled to meet her in my life. Take a look at some of her creations and be ready for the life-changing journey. I mean the knitting life.

If you want to become a member of Early Birds group and test my designs, you will need to: 1. Speak and type the Russian language, at least in a beginner level (at the moment there is an only option. It may change in the future). 2. Be registered in a forum. We have a special testing thread there, where we communicate, help each other, find mistakes and post pictures of a process and finished projects. Check it out. 3. Read the rules and send me an application form as a private message when the announcement of the new testing is published in a testings forum thread. 4. Have at minimum intermediate skills in knitting. To prove your skill level, you should send me a link to your Ravelry page or a social media pages, where your knitted projects are posted. Every testing takes about 5-12 weeks, depending on a volume of work, we test 5 to 7 sizes, starting from XS to XXXL. Every size requires 2-3 Early Birds, so 10 to 20 members participate. We are very friendly and talented community, so every testing experience is a joyful and knowledgeful adventure. Just take a look at some amazing Early Birds finished projects. Let the photos speak for themselves. Photos courtesy of Early Birds group.

My upcoming spring collection is dedicated to knitted outerwear and the attention to details. Take a look at some of them at a closer look.

Winter is almost over; it's time for photo shoots. Five pieces of the upcoming spring collection Merino Hug. Spring Equinox patiently wait for the camera and a model (me) to go outside and finally make those pictures. I want to present a coat April, which was finished in October 2017. Testing is going on, and the pattern of April will be published late April.

I've recently finished knitting my Spring Collection and so quickly jumped to work on the Autumn that I did not even have time to enjoy it. Today I decided to take a break and look back. The first stitches had been cast on at the very beginning of June 2017. Nine months passed, and at the very beginning of March 2018, the last stitches were bound off. It turns out I count my years by collections... I think that the pictures below will tell you better what I feel. The first picture shows the yarn picked by me for the Spring Collection. Catkin, Sprout, Drop, April, Sunbeam and others rest petrified in those cones and skeins. The second picture shows successfully disenchanted designs nine months later. Still, a lot of work to do with patterns and testings, but you can already enjoy three of them: Birch Sap, Catkin, Lilac. And more. I've always had a dream: to shoot a photograph of the Winter Collection on the rack (I understand, my dream is rather strange, but I already saw Paris and the Himalayas, so I can let myself dream about the rack). I bought this rack about a year ago, as well as those lovely hangers, but I never got around to shoot the picture of my dreams. A year later, my dream came true, only now the entirely different collection hangs on a rack.

This is the 5th piece of my upcoming Spring collection, which is dedicated to knitted outerwear. The back side of this yoke has elongated back, which covers your back neck. One more technique, which makes the garment fit you perfectly, is the shoulder darts. No more ugly raglan wrinkles! The stitch pattern of mirrored twisted stitches you can find here.

Let me remind you one of my first designs - pullover Forest Walk. Maybe did you even knit one for yourself? Loose, long, cozy, warm and with an intricate basketweave texture. It's a free pattern; you can grab it here. One and a half years passed by, and you have finished a lot of successful projects. But that's not all. The pullover lives another life in Forest Walk Kid, designed by the duo of Darya Kuleshova and myself. It's a free pattern also, go and get it here. Forest Walk continues surprising us and getting even more transformations. I want to present you Aistė Basketweave Socks for Him and Her in which the Forest Walk stitch pattern is used. That is an impeccable creation of Liliya Patashka, and also a free pattern. Let's get some ideas and "weave" some beautiful projects!

The longest, the most challenging and the most exciting testing is over. That was record-breaking testing of all times. The largest and the most talented group of Early Birds participated; the most complicated design I've ever created (that's why the most significant number of mistakes in a test-pattern occurred, although every single mistake was successfully corrected); it took us three months, and the results were quite astonishing. April is ready to be born (find a pattern here). April is the fourth design of the upcoming collection of spring outerwear. Take a look at the beautiful Early Birds creations, get inspired, pick-up your yarn, sharpen your needles, have a little bit of patience and create the one and only April. Photos courtesy of Early Birds group.

That is the 6th piece of my upcoming Spring collection, which is dedicated to knitted outerwear. The most summerly design uses lace stitch pattern Bonds. The pattern of a blazer will be published July 2018. Take a look at the pictures and find out how the Sprout transforms when you play with the belt.

Sometimes bad decisions happen. "Design" in hand knitting consists not only of choosing right yarn type, color, shape, playing with stitch patterns but also of right pattern, measurements, how finished garment flatters your body and makes you feel comfortable while wearing it. The bottom of Dandelion was not right in many cases that's why I decided to re-knit it and change the initial idea. The new version replaced godet to A-line, one more pair of buttons added, the "print" now resembles a plaid skirt, and the vertical chain stitch forms faux pleats and adds 3D effect. Now it needs pictures on a model, pattern writing, testing and I hope the pattern will be ready to be published in Autumn. That's a lot of work taking into account that the Autumn collection is in the middle of being worked on.

Sometimes my designs reflect their names so literally. A sunny color and a pleated peplum - I could not think another name besides Sunbeam. That is the 7th piece of my upcoming spring collection which is dedicated to knitted outerwear. The pattern will be published in two weeks. Testing is going to an end.

Just want to inform you - I'm going on a vacation for a month. I'll be working on my new collection but at a much slower pace. New designs, new testings, and new Autumn collection already waiting for you. See you in September!

Why Alpaca Riddles? Every single piece of upcoming fall collection of hand knitting designs has its unique constructive riddle. Intricate yokes, modern silhouettes, eye-catching details and stitch patterns working with or against design vision. Take a look at all eight designs for now and come back for more: I am keen to show you every piece of the collection in following blog posts and introduce to every knitting riddle. Testings will begin soon also. I hope the first pattern will knock at your door in late November. And one more thing: the theme of the fall collection, as you'd have noticed, is alpaca jumpers.

I'm so proud to introduce all eight patterns of knitted outerwear collection "Merino Hug. Spring Equinox". It took me almost 16 months to knit, write patterns, make hundreds of photos and do testings. Check out the pattern page to find out which one (or more) do you like the most, grab them and begin knitting. It is the perfect time to be ready for the next spring. And if you like all of them, wait for an e-book with a bulk discount. The e-book will be published in late October. All patterns are in two languages: English and Russian, as well as an upcoming e-book.

Let me introduce the first design of the upcoming autumn collection "Alpaca Riddles. Fall Equinox". I'm so excited, I feel like the first day in a new job, when I want to present myself from the best side, but at the same time, you're afraid that you will not meet the expectations. Judging by the fact that the photo shoot went quickly and easily (it happens when the piece fits well, and you feel comfortable in it, you can move and relax), there is a hope that you will like it. Rain is not always gloomy. Rain is expected after a drought; it is welcomed by the plants. After the rain, a rainbow appears and the fields smell. Rain jumper is worked from the bottom up as separate pieces, which are further joined to a yoke. "Rain" belongs to the type of raglan jumpers, but it is heavily remodeled, where the regular raglan lines end at the underarms, then decreases are shifted to the shoulder darts. Shoulder darts here are the main accent and focus of the sweater. The side horizontal darts together with the vertical darts, diminishing stitch pattern repeats together with the wider front piece, create a comfortable room for the bust. For convenience, "Rain" provides a significantly shaped back neck, which lengthens the back side, thus closing the upper back comfortably. In fact, the manly sporty jumper here is softened by a delicate color, playful lace pattern, eye-catching details and will flatter any woman for whom rain is just a reminder to grab an umbrella. The vertical stitch pattern belongs to the group of ribs and requires pressing, so that the elastic rib is flattened.