I Want... I Wish...

I’ve spent a good deal of time lately looking at knit designs that are not of my making. I should always do that, but I don’t always have the time or inclination. But, right now, others’ patterns are making me covet.

I mentioned a sweet dress pattern in my last blog entry. I haven’t hunted down a copy yet, but the information is near the top of the pile on my desk.

And I just looked through the Spring 2013 issue of Interweave Knits over breakfast this morning. I think most of the patterns in this issue are overly feminine, unwearable, and awkward. But one pattern really spoke to me. The “Bayswater Shell”, designed by Cheryl Niamath, is a tunic length sleeveless thing knitted in Euroflax Sport Weight. I want. I want. I want. I will make it.

Another source of design envy is the latest big news in knitting:  The Fiber Factor , a knit design contest sponsored by Skacel. Twelve contestants have been selected. I watched the “Meet the Contestants” video on the website yesterday. A couple of the designers are doing some very cool things. For example, the scarf/cowl that Talitha Kuomi  was wearing in her video introduction is very very cool. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. And she’s funny too.

And I love the hat that Rachel Henry is wearing in her picture on the website. I love it so much I wish I had designed it. Yeah, that much.

I will continue to watch The Fiber Factor; perhaps I’ll even swatch once or twice, if I’ve got time. I wish all the best for all the contestants, and I look forward to seeing what they create.