Allegheny!!

I'm so happy to finally share this design with you guys!!

(photo courtesy of Jared Flood/BrooklynTweed)

I think I might have actually jumped up and down when I got the original email from Brooklyn Tweed, asking if I would consider being part of a digital design book they were putting together, using Guest Designers whose work they thought would be a good fit for SHELTER. As a huge fan of Brooklyn Tweed and a well documented tweed/SHELTER enthusiast, I could not have been more excited. I had it in my head already that I wanted to knit a tweed dress for fall, and this was the perfect excuse to start messing around with the idea.

I had the image of something rustic but urban, that could be customized in about a hundred ways. With a big statement cable - as a focus and for a flattering vertical line. It may have taken a few (ahem) swatches, but I fell in love with this twisted rib nested cable.

(my bad photo, on the dressmaker dummy)

I also wanted and some kind of faux off center belt that would give me an excuse to play in my tin of BIG buttons, and maybe give the dress a little hint of a 60s mod vibe. ( I actually sent an extra bag of button options out with the sample, as it was way too hard to pick just one, but they kept my original choice on the dress here.)

The design I ended up with gives you lots of options for making a knit that flatters you. In addition to changing sleeve or skirt length, you can easily adjust the width of the bust, waist or hips as you need. The skirt is written as a subtle A line, but could easily be more of a triangle shape (for skimming over anything that needs skimming over) or a straighter pencil (if you're that lucky and need no skimming).

The ribbing and belt can be placed high, for an empire waist, placed at the waist for a traditional hourglass shape, or worn low, for more of a hip slung look. Directions and comments are in the pattern for each option. I wear mine a bit loose throughout the body, with a higher belt, to hide my pooch and minimize my bust. The model here looks gorgeous in a more fitted silhouette, with the belt at her natural waist (sans pooch).

And for those of you who think they might not wear a dress, the design also works as a long tunic over leggings or jeans.

(photo courtesy of Jared Flood/BrooklynTweed)

The yarn itself is beautiful, so there's lots of stockinette to show off the subtle colors and texture of the tweed. Which means that it's easy TV knitting, too, right?

With a drink. I know there's Allegheny Ale, but the dress seems to me a bit more of a scotch whisky concoction. So I'm going to say that you should have a Manhattan or a Rob Roy during your stockinette. Just pay attention on the cable :-)

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All the specs and details are here, and the pattern can be bought on the BrooklynTweed website for $6.50.

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In other news, I owe you many drinks and probably some kind of update on where I've been living and what we're doing to the new house. At our last trip to Target (where else can you get paintbrushes, new sneakers, groceries, and a shelf in one stop?) I found an amazing peach - pear soda and a blood orange soda. We've been having fun with them, but I need to pick the good combos and take pics. Along with my next design in the works.

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In the meantime, enjoy Allegheny and be sure to check out the other designs in Wool People. (I am so in love with the button band on Gudrun's Levenwick, and the lace on Anne Hanson's Hourglass Throw.) There is something in there for all kinds of knitters - from simple to complex, and there's all kinds of projects: from accessories to sweaters to wraps. It's an honor to be included in such a beautiful collection of knits by so many other talented designers!