When I was a child, my Ukrainian Baba made a tea from a plant we called Pohlena (phonetic spelling) She would apply it to rashes caused by allergies, and it took the itch and pain away immediately. Within 2 days the rash would be gone. She let me taste it, and it was the most bitter thing I’ve ever had in my mouth! Years later, I discovered the...

This stocking is an attempt to meld the modern and the vintage. Vintage stockings stretch to fit that wooden car, and snug in to cradle that rag doll. This stocking is sturdy so it will be on duty for years. tie it on door knobs or hang from the mantel.

Once these were knit, they reminded me of Bibendum. For those who don’t know, he is more commonly known as the Michelin tyre man. (Latin: Bibit means to drink or get drunk) Fun to knit, and the stretchy stitch makes them a great gift knit! Try them in the solid, and use up your leftovers in the “painted” rows.

These top down lacy socks with a bit of cable are an interesting but not difficult knit! Picot edging adds that extra feminine touch. The lace gives that stretch so each of the two sizes will fit a wide range of widths. (S/M, and M/L). The lace pattern is given in chart as well as written format.

Designed for those who hate picking up stitches along the flap of the heel, but love the fit of socks with heel flaps!

While at a fibre fair, I noticed the beautiful nature dyed yarn from Elderberry Yarns, dyed by Master Nature Dyer Patricia Donnelly. That night, I dreamed of flowers at the side of the road, the petals curling and the brown centres. The idea was born to knit a 3D stranded flower, and after much experimenting with stitches and beads, Roadsidea s...

THIS WRAP was inspired by a dream,

“The colourwork pattern on these socks reminds of stepping stones in a formal herb garden,” says designer Barb Brown. “Reversing the colours on the left and right socks is just for fun!” Barb’s socks feature a stylised checked pattern on the legs and feet, striped soles, and a pretty mock cable rib on the cuffs and the heels. They have been kni...

“The Eve River meanders along near my home town in Canada, with leaves floating in the quieter pools, and ripples and waves in the faster currents,” says Barb Brown. “The pattern on these socks reminds me of the river; it’s a complicated-looking stitch that is easy to execute.” The socks are knitted in a luxurious yarn from Sweet Georgia, which...

The Venuste Paws are a charming pair of fingerless gloves, made to match the Venuste Hat. Simple texture and welted trim make it an interesting but easy knit. A perfect knit for that 100 yd skein of millspun or hand spun yarn.

The Secret Garden was (and is) a favourite book and has inspired this vest. Solid and speckled yarns alternate in stripes like the rows of flowers in a garden. The humble but lovely daisy, my favourite flower, hides within the speckled stripes, waiting for the knitter to discover them as they work. This vest is fun to knit and fun to wear - lay...

Reminiscent of the little stars children draw, this stitch pattern has been adapted into rows of stars running down the leg and the instep of the sock. The wide separation of the rows gives an almost rib-like stretch to the sock, making it a great pattern for gift giving.

The flares and decorated hem give this skirt a flirty, feminine look, perfect for the office, a night of dancing, or a walk on the beach. Change up the look with a contrasting ribbon threaded through the eyelets at the hem!

The texture of these socks evokes little rippling waves, and the birds riding the wind above the water. One of my favourite places to sit and knit is the dock on Granville Island in Vancouver where I can enjoy both these things.

Stylish, with a wee touch of razamataz!! The ribbed leg and foot, and the shaping panel up the back insure a snug and flexible fit. This jazzy yet simple knee-high is the perfect showcase for that lovely painted yarn. For a bit more fun and funk, knit the top stripe, the heel flap, and the toe each in a different colour! (Matching fingerless gl...

These charming fingerless gloves are a quick and fun knit—and a perfect match with the Razamataz Knee-High pattern. The decorative cuff is deceptively easy to work, and ribbing on the wrist and back of the hand gives extra flexibility to the fit.

This pretty and simple lace pattern was inspired by the glorious sight of Queen Anne’s Lace flowering on the roadside in the summer. The lace has lots of stretch, making these perfect for gift giving where the size is a bit in doubt; the picot cast-on adds a feminine touch, as does the stitch pattern on the heel.

Inpired by walking in the rain, the pattern forms the umbrella, and the beads the raindrops.

Both the Berry Stitch and Bobble Stitch used in this pattern were the result of experimenting with swatches. After I finished the swatch, the bobbles looked rather on the funky side. Thus a bit of fun and funk were born, to cheer us up on windy, cold mornings.

This cowl pattern was inspired by world events including attempts to push women back into a box of protectionism. The colorwork motifs are adapted from Turkish stocking patterns: the bottom motif shows earrings and butterflies representing the luxuries behind the Seraglio walls; the middle portion symbolizes the lattice, the screen between wome...

1 skein is required for each piece, 3 skeins to complete all pieces!

“When designing these knee-high socks, I wanted a soft cable pattern, a stretchy fabric, and a showcase for the beautiful halo on the Titus yarn,” says designer Barb Brown. “This Scottish cable with faggot lace was the perfect answer. The ribbed pattern ensures a snug fit, and on the foot, the cable is done only once for a smoother fit inside y...

The stitch pattern reminded Barb Brown, the designer, of the nail head trim on old wooden furniture. The ribbed pattern stretches for a custom fit and it is easy to make these stockings longer or shorter by adding or removing repeats before shaping the leg.

“The stitch pattern used on my knee-high socks is an adaptation of one called Pea Pods,” says Barb Brown. “But when it’s knitted upside down, it always makes me think of Alice in Wonderland and the mushrooms she ate. The picot cast-on, patterned top and textured heel give a frilly, feminine touch. The panel of pattern runs up the back of the le...

Newly tech edited, new charts, and test knits on the individual pattern! (refer to errata for other versions)

These top down socks feature a pretty lace pattern that is easier than it looks! The lace gives a lovely stretch, making them the perfect gift knit.

These fingerless gloves are deceptively easy to knit. The mock cable rib is attractive, yet extremely forgiving. Even beginner knitters will find these mitts to be an easy and satisfying project.

I was taking a walk on the beach on Vancouver Island, just as the sun was coming up. An eagle dove into the water just in front of me, and one feather drifted down. I picked it up, the perfect sign of good luck! The colours in this triangular top-down shawl invoke that day, and the lace down the back makes me think of the wonder I felt as the e...

The rich colours of the yarn and the beads made me think of the Silk Road, and the carpets of Samarkand.

The design for this cowl is the result of playing with mirror images.Not only are the colours reversed on each side, some of the colours in the rounds are reversed as well.

Socks as lovely as these really ought to be on display, not hidden away in a pair of shoes! Designed by Barb Brown, they feature a picot edging and an extravagant frill, which set off the lace pattern beautifully. Barb has knitted her socks using Rowan Fine Art, a new 4ply yarn made with merino wool, kid mohair, mulberry silk and polyamide for ...

This bag was inspired by traditional Russian mittens, with their crosses and pointy hands. Everytime I looked at the mitts, I would think: What if I made these into a square? The design could be filled out by doubling the pattern, and filling in the little triangles at the top.

Mittens with traditional Russian patterning.

The pattern for these socks was originally inspired by an old Russian cross stitch pattern. A patterned yarn was chosen for one of the colours to give the impression of the colour changes found in traditional Fair Isle knitting patterns. The second sock reverses the order of the main and contrast colours. This is found in some North Atlantic kn...

The motifs on these kneehigh socks are inspired by two traditional designs found on Turkish stockings. Each motif can be knit with a different colour if desired, making them perfect for using up those golf-ball-sized leftovers of Koigu. The space between motifs neutralizes any jarring effect from atypical colour combinations.

the colours evoke the last berries of autumn--rowan, saskatoon, and rose hips—scattered amidst the fall foliage. The picot edge and berry-shaped stitch pattern accentuate the yarn’s short colour changes. The heel stitch, however, is just for fun!

The stitch inspired the sock. Because of the delayed decreases, the fabric leans a little, and the painted yarn is accented. The lace wanders along, reminiscent of a path winding through a cottage garden.

The design for these knee-highs was inspired by pictures of garments from Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century. The shaping pattern was adapted from an embroidered shirt from Russian, and the stripe from a border on a knitted sweater from Latvia. They are named “Vineyard” because the design and colours remind me of orderly fields of g...

Knee highs inspired by traditional Faroese patterns

Inspired by old embroidery charts for mythical creatures, The Heraldic Griffon decorates one side, and stylized flowers the other.

In the spring, everyone, Canadians especially, quickly don their capris and shorts. But the weather can still be cool. Knee highs allow us to take full advantage of the sun, and still protect against that chill.

These gloves could be sub-titled “accidental fingerless”. I had made a pair of gloves for myself, that were to have the plain ribbing carried down into the back of the hand. By accident, I carried it down the palm. I found the palm ribbing to be perfect when working outside with shovels and other tools, both for the extra warmth and the extra p...

The main design element is a favourite border pattern from Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) It also appears in the art of many other cultures, including the Coast Salish People of the Pacific Northwest of North America, Peru, and Turkey.

Wrap your legs in these holiday kneehighs, complete with poinsettias, pines, ribbon, and candy cane stripes. The shaping is done down the back of the leg.

The original stitches remind me of a vineyard on a dusty summer morning: clusters of grapes hanging on the stems, the furrows between the rows, and the tendrils curling out from the branches.

This design was inspired by a pattern on an old Swedish sweater. The balance between the checks and the chevrons appealed to my accountant brain. Try substituting wild painted yarn for the blue, and a dark rich colour for the white The sizing goes from 8 to 10 in circ. foot, so it is suitable for a man or woman.

Stranded sweater for ladies, originally appeared in Stranded on-line newsletter.

A beautiful lace shawl, great for beginners and advanced alike!

Designed to bring to mind the beautiful Bear Hills country of Saskatchewan: the waving grass, the flowers, the rolling hills, and the sudden drop offs into the coulees.

I’ve always loved the diagonals that so often appear in Russian embroidery, and also the reverse images. Not the usual mirror images, but images reversed in colour. These socks remind me of the many embroideries my Granny had adorning her house when I was a child.

a warm vest for a sturdy little boy, with the sea and the windmills. As first seen in the online magazine “Stranded.”

Difficulty: advanced beginner. Techniques used: knitting in the round, knit 2 together, yarn over, turning work.

An easy basic sock pattern

My friend Marg gave me some lovely Shetland lopi weight wool (from the fleece of the lovely sheep in the picture) She asked me to knit her a shoulder warmer for those cool mornings when she was out tending the flock. This capelet was designed to keep your back and front warm, and leave your hands free to toss out the feed. The different texture...

Celebrating Canada’s ties with the Netherlands and the tulips in Ottawa in the spring.

German translation of this pattern was kindly done by WitchWay.

I knit this vest using all the odds and ends of nature dyed yarn from my stash bag. Very thrifty! The colours come from lichen, thistle, cabbage, and tea. (With thanks to Marg Sjostrom of Celeigh Wool for her donation from her nature dyed stash when I ran short.)

The stitch pattern reminds me of silk cocoons, and strands of silk.

Child’s sweater in one size with drop shoulder and five fair isle pattern bands.In this sweater, I have tried to combine some of the embroidery motifs from peasant shirts, with the stand up collar seen in so many old photographs. The natural fleece colours of pale tan and darker brown remind me of the sepia tones of the those old photos.

Papaver Rhoeas, or red poppy, is the National flower of Poland. In this sock, the central design is a poppy, and surrounding it are mirror images of the petals.

Socks with a motif suggesting the different “pieces of eight” that the peso was divided into.

In the Artic regions there are periods in the summer when the sun never sets, and in the winter when it never rises. When you live with weeks of never-ending sun, and weeks of never-ending dark, it affects your moods, your sleep patterns, and so many unrealized aspects of your life. It becomes a fascination. And so, the Night and Day socks. Fir...

These socks are inspired by the Trinity Pattern in Ukrainian Pysanky (Easter Eggs) 3 and 5, my Granny said, are magic numbers, and both occur over and over in these socks.

The Icelandic Sheepdog was originally brought to Iceland over 1,000 years ago, and the dogs of today are much the same as they were then. This child’s raglan sweater has these gentle little dogs circling the body. First seen in the “Stranded” on-line newsletter. This raglan sweater is knit in the round from the bottom up. One size - Child size 6

This mitten pattern was inspired by the oil workers of Alberta. They work outside in minus 60 weather so a little extra warmth on the hands and wrists is a must. There are more and more women working in this environment, so the stranded pattern was added for them.

This wrap/coat (all in one piece) was inspired by the frilly, fluffy, feminine wraps ladies used to wear in the Victorian boudoir. Wear it to a party to accent “the little black dress,” over your negligee while you enjoy your morning tea, or throw it on over your sweat-suit when you’re sitting around the campfire. The pattern is provided in two...

A well fitting sock with a heel that wears well, and looks great with clogs or other open back shoes. The ribbing on the top and down the side make this a sock that stays up.

Fairisle mittens inspired by the mitts of the Faroe Islands. The thumb gusset in these mittens is started high up on the cuff, making a mitten that stays on and keeps the wrist warm. These would be an excellent first fairisle project. Pattern includes separate graph for left and right mittens, and tips for successful knitting.

$5.00 CDN

There is a particular blanket many Canadians can identify by its stripes. This sweater is my attempt to capture that unique flavour in a child’s sweater, a sweater that’s perfect for playing winter games.

Inspired by the butterflies of India, these ladies’ top-down socks are designed to show off hand painted yarn with “butterflies” and garter stitch. A variation of the stitch is used on the heel as well; a pretty and unusual reinforcement. Knits up 7 sts. to the inch for a quicker knit. First seen in “Stranded.”

A friend from Oklahoma wanted an over-size, stay-put, triangular shawl. Here it is, and since Oklahoma is the home of bluegrass music, it’s the “Bluegrass Shawl.” This shawl is knit from the top down, and the shoulders are shaped within the top garter stitch portion to give a “stay on” fit.

I have always loved the blue and white and subtle greys of the patterns on Arita porcelain from 17th century Japan. The Chinese-influenced “Blue Willow” or “India Tree” is my favourite, with the different geometric forms in the border. These socks are a blending of some of these inter-related patterns.

I have always loved the blue and white and subtle greys of the Arita porcelain from 17th century Japan. The

I have always loved the blue and white and subtle greys of the Arita porcelain from 17th century Japan. The Chinese influenced “Blue Willow” or “India Tree” is my favourite, with the different geometric forms in the border. These mitts are a blending of some of these inter-related patterns. As first seen in the online magazine “Stranded.” I als...

This stole is worked from the top to the bottom, all in one piece. For a larger stole, cast on additional reps of 6 sts for the centre, and knit more reps of the pattern. Two skeins of yarn would then be needed.

Named for the Norse Water Godess, a small shoulder shawl for an adult, or shawl for a child with a Faroese flavour. Designed by Jo Van Every. Requires approx. 600 yds of laceweight.

40 g for scarf.

Pattern is a multiple of 3 stitches and a 4 row repeat.