Knitting on spec

I am so excited to call myself a sample knitter!

Sample knitting is when a yarn dyer commissions a piece to be made in their yarn to demonstrate how a colourway looks on a finished project. Typically for display at markets for prospective shoppers.

I was approached by Catherine of Creation Miss Couture, a yarn-dyer in Leduc, to knit a top with yarn from her upcoming fall collection. The yarn Catherine provided for me was this beautiful, almost camo-coloured, sock yarn in variegated greens and browns, which she tentatively named “Forest Floor.”

The pattern she asked me to knit with it, the Framework Raglan, is from the brilliant and prolific designer Jessie Mae Martinson of Jessie Maed Designs. Jessie is best known for her chic, accessible patterns designed to fit a vast spectrum of body types. The Framework Raglan features artful columns of slipped stitches, knitted in stockinette then worn inside-out so the slipped stitches stand out against the purls.

It also meant that I could achieve this effect with minimal purling, which is always a plus.

Catherine gave me a deadline of September, but anyone who’s worked with me knows that I see deadlines differently and like to finish well ahead of schedule. I picked up the yarn at the beginning of June and finished it just a month later!

I wanted to start the project in time to take along to Calgary for my brother’s wedding. Between the drive to and from Calgary, passing time in the hotel room, and the fact that the wedding was on Worldwide Knitting in Public Day, I made quite a bit of progress in the first week!

This was one of only a few garments I’ve ever made for someone other than myself, which presented an interesting challenge. I had to rely much more on the measurements in the pattern and those Catherine provided than when I make garments for myself — where I tend to obsessively try things on as I go, and make modifications for my own body.

The other cool thing about being a sample knitter is how I was compensated. In addition to having the yarn for the garment provided for me, I was paid in-kind with a generous gift card to Catherine’s shop. She dyes absolutely beautiful yarn, and I can’t wait to get my hands on some more.

The Framework Raglan was so much fun to knit, with its plunging v-neck and flattering details. I was a bit sad to send it off, so I’ve already cast another one on for myself!

It was an honour to do this for Catherine and Creation Miss Couture. I’m excited to see my work on display at her market booths, and hopeful that I’ll get to do more of this in the future!