Birkenwasser knits

In this episode, you will see the Timeless Henley pullover designed by Joji Locatelli. You will also meet my model and business partner who is modelling the pullover. Finally, I will show you the progress with my Indie Design Gift-A-Long projects.

Utmost Happiness is my latest design: a round-yoke pullover with gorgeous slip-stitch cables/mosaic knitting. I talk about the making of this pullover and where its name comes from. You will also get to see the ups and downs of my Indie Design Gift-A-Long projects. I have started four projects in the giftalong: a sweater, a cowl, fingerless mitts and a shawl. I also talk about affiliate links, and a couple of them are included in the link list below.



Utmost Happiness
Suoma DK
Amazon Audible offer, valid until Dec 14, 2018 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)



Indie Design Gift-A-Long
Trooper by Christelle Nihoul
Fouilloy Cowl by Kathleen Sperling
Reune Fingerless Mitts by Jean Clement
Breakwater Shawl by Stephannie Tallent

Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a super fun knit/crochet along with 349 indie designers from all over the world. The event kicks off with a super sale of all 349 designers offering select patterns with a 25% discount during the first week of the GAL, but that's not all. The GAL continues until end of the year with fun and games. I talk about my knitting plans for the event and ask for recommendations. In this episode, you can also hear about a new test knitting opportunity and see some of my knitting projects that I'm working on.



Indie Design Gift-A-Long: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long
My sale bundle: https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/indie-design-gift-a-long-2018-2
Trooper by Christelle Nihoul: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trooper
Fouilloy Cowl by Kathleen Sperling: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fouilloy-cowl
Reune Fingerless Mitts by Jean Clement: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reune-fingerless-mitts
Never not gnoming by Sarah Schira: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/never-not-gnoming
Here we gnome again by Sarah Schira: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/here-we-gnome-again
Fade it! Brioche test knitting: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/birkenwasser-knits/3855120/1-25
Alignment sweater: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alignment

In this episode, I talk about my Topaz design for Making Stories JEWELS book. The inspiration for the design came from the streets of Helsinki, so I'm taking you downtown to see exactly where. I also talk about choosing colors for the colorwork.

Topaz by Katrine Birkenwasser for Making Stories JEWELS (photo: Ricarda Schuller Photography)

Topaz: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/topaz-10

Penrose tiling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrose_tiling

Earburn list of test knitters: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/birkenwasser-knits/3797156/1-25

In this episode, I talk about the Tour-de-Sock competition focusing on stages 3 (Bicycle Race by Heidi Nick), 5 (Flibbertigibbet by Lisa K. Ross) and 6 (Sidetracked Socks by Kirsten Hall). You can see me wearing my There Will Be Time short-row cardigan and I will also talk about some future plans with lovely Primrose Yarn co yarns and a work-in-progress with Isager Spinni and Alpaca 1 yarns.

Tour-de-Sock: http://tour-de-sock.com
Plan A: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plan-a
Odensjön Socks: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odensjon-socks
Bicycle Race: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bicycle-race-2
Arctic Blizzard: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arctic-blizzard
Flibbertigibbet: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flibbertigibbet
Sidetracked Socks: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sidetracked-socks
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2vElEzz (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Primrose Yarn co: https://primroseyarnco.com/collections/sophia-mcn
There Will Be Time cardigan: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/there-will-be-time

In this episode, I talk about the Humulus sweater designed by Isabell Kraemer. I also show SeVilla yarns that I received for a new cowl design, and the Jewels book by Making Stories that includes my Topaz pullover design. As always, I show what I'm working on at the moment: two new fade designs, a brioche cardigan and a triangle shawl with lace and fringe.
Humulus: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/humulus-2

Rintalan tila: https://rintalantila.fi/tuote/iiivari-kainuunharmaslanka-3-saikeinen/

SeVilla: https://www.taitoep.net/verkkokauppa/langat/sevilla-detail

Jewels book: https://www.making-stories.com/shop/jewels

Topaz pullover: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/topaz-10

In this episode of Birkenwasser knits I talk about test knitting - both as a test knitter and as a designer. I show the Fluting Cowl designed by Whitney Hayward that I test knitted for Quince & co and a hat that I made with the same stitch pattern. Then I talk about my expectations and wishes when I arrange test knits.

Fluting cowl: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fluting

Fade it! Sideways test knit: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/birkenwasser-knits/3838921/

In this episode I talk about my latest pattern release, Kaiku wrap, that was originally published in Taito magazine. It's an easy introduction to lace, with simple eyelets and eyelet mesh combined with an unusual construction. This is the nice relaxing knitting project that is still fun to knit! I also show you my new round-yoke sweater design that combines mosaic knitting and cables, and a couple of WIPs: Alignment sweater sleeve knitting and the beginning of a new design collaboration with Lanitium ex Machina.



Kaiku wrap: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kaiku
Taito: https://taitolehti.fi
Lanitium ex Machina: https://www.lanitiumexmachina.com
Utmost Happiness test knitting call: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/birkenwasser-knits/3835049
Alignment Sweater: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alignment

In this episode, I show my finished Zweig sweater, designed by Caitlin Hunter a.k.a. Boylandknitworks. Also on the needles: Humulus by Isabell Kraemer, a hat to go with a test knit cowl, and Tour-de-sock Stage 6 . Fresh off the needles: first look at (unfinished) new sweater design. And a pile of gorgeous yarn from Lanitium ex Machina.


Zweig by Caitlin Hunter: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zweig
Humulus by Isabell Kraemer: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/humulus-2
Sidetracked socks by Kirsten Hall: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sidetracked-socks
Lanitium ex Machina: https://www.lanitiumexmachina.com
My Ravelry group, Birkenwasser knits: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/birkenwasser-knits

In this episode you can join our knitting circle on our journey to Turku to visit ILO Knitting Shop.



In this episode I'm working on

Flibbertigibbet socks by Lisa K. Ross: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flibbertigibbet

Sidetracked socks by Kirsten Hall: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sidetracked-socks



I'm wearing my favourite sweater: Alignment https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alignment

In this episode I talk about my Arctic Blizzard sock pattern for Tour-de-Sock Stage 4: how the sock is constructed, how you can modify the pattern and tips for stranded knitting. Also why I was happy to get more snow in Helsinki in April.


Arctic Blizzard: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arctic-blizzard
Tour-de-Sock: http://tour-de-sock.com
Bicycle Race by Heidi Nick: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bicycle-race-2
I'm wearing my Alignment sweater.

In this episode, I talk about the Tour-de-Sock competition and show the first two pairs of socks. I also talk about Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and what that book has to do with Tour-de-Sock.



Tour-de-Sock: http://tour-de-sock.com
Plan A: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plan-a
Odensjön Socks: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odensjon-socks
Bicycle Race: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bicycle-race-2
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2vElEzz (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Kaiku test knitting: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/birkenwasser-knits/3814892/
Steller Tunic: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/steller-tunic

In this episode I talk about my latest pattern release, Astrum socks: what made me design socks and how the toe-up pattern is constructed. I also talk about the crochet rug project for my balcony.

Astrum socks
Odensjön Socks by Suzanne Sjögren
Crochet rug in Koukutettu blog

In this episode I talk about my Osculation Shawl design for Twist Collective. I describe the design path from my Flying Jib Shawl to Liinu Shawl to Osculation Shawl. I also show my current WIPs and upcoming Star Toe sock pattern.

Osculation Shawl
Liinu Shawl
Flying Jib Shawl
Kaiku
Exploration Station by Stephen West
Odensjön Socks by Suzanne Sjögren

In Episode 2 I tell about my trip to Jyväskylä Summer Knit Festival. Jonna Hietala interviews festival teachers on Laine cruise: Heli Rajavaara, Anna Johanna, Veera Välimäki, Julie Asselin, Nathan Taylor and Melanie Berg.







Mentioned in this episode:

Osculation Shawl

Kaiku Wrap

Lehtokerttu Top

Plan A socks

Tour-de-Sock

Birkenwasser knits is on YouTube! Check out Episode 1 where I talk about my latest design, Alignment Sweater, and the inspiration and design path towards it. I also talk about a couple of current projects, and there's a little giveaway as well!







In this episode I talk about

Alignment Sweater

Tauride Shawl

Lemon by Helga Isager

Summer by Ankestrick

Lanitium ex Machina

Call for test knitters

The relaxed fit and enough length have made this my absolute favourite - I have been wearing the sweater so much that it's starting to pill, even if it's only the release day! Of course, I started wearing it after the photo shoot was done, so I have been wearing it all the time while my super efficient test knitting crew was working on their part.


This sweater is for the experienced knitter who likes a challenge: mastering Vikkel braids takes some practice. The end result is well worth the effort, though. Don't you just love the look of those lateral cables! If you are not familiar with the technique, there are several good tutorials on YouTube. Vikkel braid is also known as Estonian braid.

My Kaiku wrap was published in Taito magazine issue 3/2018. It was a collaboration with Lanitium ex Machina, and I used their Alpaca Silk Linen for the sample. While I was waiting for Nea to dye the yarn, I worked on a prototype using WalkCollection Linea that has the same fiber content. Unfortunately, I only had 1.5 skeins of Linea left from a previous project (prototype for my Sylphide design) and I noticed that it wouldn't be enough for the wrap. As I was in a hurry to get the pattern tested, I had to ask my test knitters to work with a picture of the prototype at a point where I ran out of yarn. Thanks to the talented test knitting crew, they were able to finish their projects with the picture below and I only finished knitting the sample after test knitting.


So I had the pattern and sample finished and sent to Taito, and I was left with the prototype that no one was going to be able to use. As Mother's Day was approaching, I started thinking about a gift for my mother. I remembered that I had half a skein of Linea left from my Sylphide sample, and also some leftovers from the Kaiku sample. One of my test knitters worked her Kaiku in two gradient sets,  striping the eyelet sections in contrasting colors and that's where I got the idea to use all these scrap yarns to make a striped Kaiku.




With this many stripes, there's a huge amount of ends to weave in. It was a good thing that I had the Mother's Day deadline so I had to get it done. I think it was worth the effort, though, and, of course, I'm also super happy for finding use for those scrap yarns!

My May was filled with Madelinetosh projects: I participated in MadMay 2018 SALs (Stitch alongs - both crochet and knit accepted) in Madelinetosh Lovers Group on Ravelry. One of the SALs was General Sweater (work any sweater in Madelinetosh) and I decided to knit the super popular Tegna by Caitlin Hunter. I had a sweater quantity of Madelinetosh Dandelion in my stash, so I was all set to cast on on May 1st.




Tegna is worked bottom-up, so you start with the lace at the bottom, then continue in the round until armholes and then separate front and back which are worked flat, then joined at the shoulders with three-needle bind off. The lace is not too simple, so it took me three weeks to work the lace part. That didn't leave much time for the remainder of the sweater, but luckily it's only stockinette stitch with large needles. I even finished one day before the deadline!


Nonnu Neuloja podcast is hosting a Tegna knit along in her Ravelry group, so if you are looking for good company to knit your Tegna (and speak Finnish), I recommend that you check it out!


Linking up to CreaDienstag.

I had my first attempt at painting a sock blank a couple of months ago at Kässäkerho Pom Pom Super Weekend. Obviously, I was anxious to get the sock blank on the needles. I painted the sock blank with a fade in mind, thinking that I would knit two socks at the same time, unravelling the sock blank from both ends.


I soon learned that this would not happen, as the blank only unravels from the top down and not from bottom up. I had to rip the whole blank and cake it before I could continue. This took a bit of the fun of knitting a sock blank, but it was still nice to wait for the next color to appear.
By the time I got to the second color, I was getting bored with the basic socks. I started thinking about what pattern I could start with the foot almost done, and then I remembered Vanilla is the New Black socks. I quickly learned that it's a cuff-to-toes design, and I was working toe-up. Luckily, there is also a Vanilla Reversed pattern, which is basically the same design, but worked toe-up.

Taito magazine issue 3/2018 includes my Kaiku wrap pattern, among all the other lovely crafts ideas, instructions and articles. Kaiku wrap is an easy introduction to lace, with simple eyelet rows and eyelet mesh creating a striking end result. This wrap is easy to knit, but it will keep you interested with its unusual construction. It’s that relaxing project you want to pick up after a long day at work, comforting you on the couch with its simple, repetitive knitting. Kaiku wrap has a rectangular shape. It is worked from both ends towards the center. Once both sides have reached the center they are joined by knitting the remaining triangles outward from the center.




This project is a collaboration with Lanitium ex Machina. When Sonja from Taito asked if I could design a shawl for Taito using a Finnish indie dyer's yarns, I already had this design in mind, and I knew that Lanitium ex Machina's Alpaca Silk Linen (50%/25%/25%) would be a perfect base for it. Lanitium's Nea agreed to participate in this project, and she dyed this special colorway just for Kaiku.