Soundtrack of a Sweater: Hunter Creek Pullover

I spent this past month in the picturesque mountains of Aspen, Colorado visiting my dad and little brother. The cool mountain air was a much appreciated respite from the humidity of Virginia; it was nice not having wool stick to my hands for a change. In between hiking, meals with friends and family, and building a new website for my dad's vintage bicycle business, I had a photo shoot for one of my new menswear designs.

The Hunter Creek Pullover incorporates two incredibly simple, but visually appealing textures- moss stitch and ribbing- into a refined men's sweater. Knit with a super soft 100% merino wool, Hunter Creek is perfect for transitioning into fall and the colder winter weather ahead.

Our photo shoot took place at the Hunter Creek ghost town, a nice day hike with a trailhead within walking distance from town. In addition to my little brother, my other model was Wesley, a Samoyed dog. In between photos, Wesley entertained himself (and us) by hopping through the tall grass after grasshoppers. 

I usually share a soundtrack of the music I listened to while knitting and designing my garment, but this time I wanted to change it up and have a guest DJ. My little brother, Michael (my ever so patient model), was kind enough to put together some sweet beats for you to enjoy. This soundtrack reminds me of the time I spent with him this past month. It's always hard to leave Colorado; I may have to make the move out west one of these days.

Happy knitting!

At the Saturday Market with my dad and his bikes.

Seven Castles hike. Climbing waterfalls.

Wesley on out Hunter Creek hike.

Hunter Creek photo shoot.

Stormy skies over Highlands.

Ajax peak hike with my dad and brother.

Aspen. Paradise.

Park pho party.

Grizzly Lake hike.

The world in technicolor.

Grizzly Lake.

One last morning hike before heading home.

Soundtrack of a Sweater: Copper Canyon Pullover

The Copper Canyon Pullover is rustic, warm, and relaxed with an allover slipped stitch rib, raglan sleeves, and a henley front placket. Made from Cascade's Eco Wool (available in a number of gorgeous natural colors), this pullover will keep the cold at bay.

I designed this sweater for my little brother (the model), who lives in Colorado and is huge into outdoor activities. Wool is the original fleece and I wanted something to keep him warm whether he's out on the slopes, sitting around a camp fire, or riding his bike around town in the fall and winter. While my brother is fashion conscious, he feels that anything heavily patterned, like an aran sweater, is too flashy for him to wear. You can see my dilemma as a knitter, because the patterning is what makes a garment fun to knit. I think the slipped stitch rib is a happy medium, subtle enough so that he feels comfortable in it, and interesting enough for me so that I don't fall asleep at the needles.

I hope that the men in your life enjoy wearing this as much as you'll enjoy knitting it.

Happy knitting!

Alex

PS As always, I hope you enjoy the music I was listening to while designing and knitting this sweater.

Soundtrack of a Sweater: Matins Dress and Eva's Blouse

I'm excited to announce that two more of my designs were featured in Interweave Knits, Spring 2013. Introducing, Matins Dress and Eva's Blouse. Music is an integral part of my design process and I wanted to share with you the music behind these Spring designs. I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do (don't be afraid to get up and dance- it'll make your day better!). And while you're listening to these samples read about the inspiration behind Matins Dress and Eva's Blouse.

Matins Dress

When sketching Matins Dress I had Titania from A Midsummer’s Night Dream in mind. I really like the ethereal, ultra-feminine, and delicate aesthetic of this dress. I would wear this day or night with a pair of espadrilles or cowboy boots and a jean jacket.

Matins Dress features a close-fitting bodice with a cascading lace tiered skirt. Each lace tier is knit with a progressively larger lace pattern and a progressively darker shade of the same color to give the dress an ombre look. The sleeveless dress shell incorporates waist shaping, a deep scoop neck, and finishing around the armholes and neck edge. Lace tiers are knit separately and then are gathered and attached to the shell. To maintain elasticity the waist band around the top tier includes a back closure. Sized for small, medium, large, 1X and 2X.

Eva's Blouse

Eva's Blouse features a vintage sweater girl silhouette with a high waist and cap sleeves. The ribbing at the waist gives the garment a feminine shape and the diagonal lace top with a button feature at the back neck makes this sweater eye catching. I wear a lot of high waisted a-line skirts and wanted a summer sweater that would work with this look. I love how it turned out and can't wait to get my sample back so I can wear it on my summer travels.

Soundtrack of a Sweater: The Susie Tee

My design, the Susie Tee, is the table of contents page of the latest Spring 2013 edition of KnitScene! It's available now for download and will be available on newsstands January 22, 2013. I'd love to see your finished object on the Ravelry project page.

I thought it would be fun to put together a soundtrack of music I was listening to while designing and knitting the Susie Tee. I hope you enjoy the music as much as I do.