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April 14, 2016 By admin 40 Comments

Refined Knits by Jennifer Wood

Refined Knits by Jennifer Wood was our focus today on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.800_1672 - Version 3

This was the first time on the podcast for Jennifer so we all got to know her together. Originally from Texas, settled in Tennessee as a young adult. It was when her daughter was in middle school and was assigned to read the Witch of Blackbird Pond that she ventured into yarn. Her daughter was attracted by the young women in the story knitting and the copy she had included knitting patterns. She and Jennifer searched more information and learned to knit together, Jennifer pursuing it even further…

Her first project was a cabled scarf. She remembers her panic that her knit stitches didn’t look like those in the pictures and then realizing those were the backside of the stitch or the purl stitches. After a few scarves and a couple of sweaters, with which she ‘changed things up’ she thought if she could design things, she could sell patterns and make enough money to by nicer yarn! She sold a few on Ravelry and then her first publish pattern was in Knitty. (See the post from last TUESDAY! with Amy Singer of Knitty.) That pattern was Emmaline in Spring + Summer 2010.

Jennifer admits she had a learning curve, for instance with sizing. When she had a piece published that appeared in Interweave (Cardiff Coat, Interweave Knits Fall 2011) the sizing didn’t work. Learning to size garments by hand and then learning to use spreadsheets and various programs (she says she uses Stitch Mastery) was time was well spent, when you view her ideas in Refined Knits.

Jennifer says she never considered doing a book, but when Carrie Bogart at Interweave approached her about it, she spent a lot of time thinking about it, and e-mailing back and forth. Jennifer really wanted to focus on mixing cables and lace, she views that as an adventure, making the stitches balance with the garment shapes. Collecting the pieces together then dividing them into sections of refined knitsCables, Lace and a mixture of both in Aran Lace. Willa Cardigan (links to Ravelry so you can see all the pictures) featured circled cables, included in the knit-in button bands, saddle shoulders and incorporating seed stitches (which we are currently loving in the Free Kal with Red Heart Yarns and Marly Bird).  Adelaide is a reversible scarf which also shows her love of the nice yarns, this is merino, cashmere and silk blend. Idril is beautiful, feminine, v-necked with long sleeves pullover that began with the cables around the neckline that she loved so much, she wanted to incorporate them around MORE in the bottom of the sweater. Because of the finer gauge yarn, and the fiber being again a merino, cashmere and silk again, a hand-dyed so it has lovely marbling and great stitch dictionary. Maisie, is a round yoke, cap sleeves cardigan that features a combination cables with lace that are gradual in sizes, in a wool and silk blend that would transcend seasons. It was really the cable & lace pattern that inspired her to make that work. Camelia is a cardigan which features a pine-cone lace around the neckline to frame the face. The Corinne also draws attention up toward the face, but the back is extra special as it incorporates more of the oval cables, which also went down the sleeves. The cover design, Anwen is a rectangular shawl that is knit in different directions and grafted at the center, assembled with three different vintage lace patterns, frost flower, feather & fan and the fern stitch.

Such a beautiful book, we hope you’ll find a copy and fall in love with it as we did. You can follow Jennifer Wood at her website: www.woodhouseknits.com, her designer page in Ravelry, Pinterest and Facebook (when it’s working).

If you missed getting to hear this live, it’s still available where it aired live as an archived episode: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/04/14/refined-knits-by-jennifer-wood or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

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Filed Under: Knitting, Show Notes Tagged With: show notes, shownotes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Audrey says

    April 14, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    Each one of Jennifer ‘S patterns would take the knitter on a challenging adventure.

    Reply
  2. Chris Lopez says

    April 14, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    What an awesome interview. It was quite the adventure listening to her story.

    Reply
  3. Linda says

    April 15, 2016 at 6:20 am

    Jennifer Wood’s book, Refined Knits, looks really interesting. The patterns are lovely. Any one of her patterns would be quite the knitting adventure for me since I’ve never knit a sweater (but really want to some day). Another great podcast, Marly!!!

    Reply
  4. Adrienne Greenway says

    April 15, 2016 at 8:31 am

    This was my first time listening to the podcast and I really enjoyed it! I love the idea of looking at challenging patterns as an adventure! Adrienne

    Reply
  5. Suzanne says

    April 15, 2016 at 9:22 am

    This was a great interview. You three had a great conversation and the enthusiasm was quite nice. I appreciate how Jennifer incorporates so many stitch patterns into her patterns. I bet it’s quite the adventure to go from what she sees in her mind’s eye to the finished garment. So many twists and turns take place when we follow our imagination.

    Reply
  6. Ceeley Williams says

    April 15, 2016 at 11:33 am

    This is only the second time I’ve looked up something I’ve heard about on a podcast. (I’m still new to the whole concept!). Since I love cables and lace, I was intrigued. I cannot wait to get this book! I have never tried to knit myself a sweater (too much of an adventure for me) but this book makes me want to try. I’m super excited.

    Reply
  7. Anita says

    April 15, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    I love the adventures of sweater knitting. The lovely patterns are a treat and the challenge of learning new techniques keep me in love with knitting. No matter at what level you are there is always something new to learn. It was fun to hear Jennifer explain her love of knitting and the adventure it has taken her to become such a talented knitwear designer. As always Marly, this was another great interview.

    Reply
  8. Vicki says

    April 15, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Getting sweaters to fit is often quite an adventure. I love that your knitting story started with your daughter and The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I read that several times when I was in school.

    Reply
  9. [email protected] says

    April 16, 2016 at 6:42 am

    I wish I could get my mom interested in knitting, it would be quite the adventure =) The book is beautiful and how wonderful to progress from learning to knit to designing so quickly.

    Reply
  10. Michelle says

    April 16, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    Knitting a sweater with CABLES and LACE!?! That would be a crazy adventure. I have crocheted cable and lace but never knitted those techniques. Thanks for a lovely, fun podcast. Keep up the great work ladies!

    Reply
  11. Pamela Geist says

    April 16, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    I loved this podcast, Jennifer was really interesting to listen to. It would be a wonderful adventure to knit my way through this entire beautiful book!

    Reply
  12. Hazel Vaughn says

    April 17, 2016 at 1:28 pm

    Such a beautiful book. I plan to knit several of the patterns as part of my knitting adventure.

    Reply
  13. Amberly says

    April 17, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    Lace knitting is always a fun adventure!

    Reply
  14. Trisha says

    April 17, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Loved Jennifer’s story. Her patterns are a beautiful adventure in creativity.

    Reply
  15. Carol T says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:29 am

    Thanks, Marly, for another great podcast. Jennifer’s story was a fun one to listen to. It would be an adventure to knit my way through her lovely book.

    Reply
  16. Sheryl says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:38 am

    Jennifer story was a wonderful adventure. It will be wonderful to knit thru her new book.

    Reply
  17. Lauren Hanako says

    April 18, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    Oh my, what lovely patterns! I would definitely knit up all those patterns that you linked. Some of them look quite adventure-ous 😉

    Reply
  18. Loretta says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:07 am

    Knitting any one of these beautiful patterns would take me completely out of my comfort zone and I would welcome the adventure! Stunning book!

    Reply
  19. Lori says

    April 19, 2016 at 9:12 am

    I loved this episode. The patterns in Jennifer’s book are beautiful and I loved hearing about her adventures in learning to knit and becoming an author.

    Reply
  20. Cheryl Clemons says

    April 19, 2016 at 10:19 am

    No matter what adventure I go on I always have my knitting. What a great podcast and great patterns.

    Reply
  21. kayleigh says

    April 19, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    It would be quite an adventure for me to complete one of these patterns. I’ve never completed something so beautiful and would love to give it a try. These are gorgeous! I’ve loved browsing the patterns.

    Reply
  22. Pam Maher says

    April 19, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    I wasn’t sure who Jennifer was but when I could sit down in a front my computer I realized I have already favorited a number of her patterns! What an adventure it would be to knit my way through her book!

    Reply
  23. France says

    April 20, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    I’m a new knitter, and knitting one of Jennifer’s designs would be a welcome adventure! I love your podcast and rarely miss an episode, although I can’t listen live because I’m at work :o(.

    Reply
  24. amy g says

    April 21, 2016 at 8:18 am

    I love the adventure of knitting. Some projects prove to be a bigger adventure than others.

    Reply
  25. roseruffolo says

    April 21, 2016 at 8:46 am

    OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

    I CAN’T BELIEVE ALL THE AMAZINGINGLY BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS!!!! WHAT A FAB BOOK!

    Congratulations Jennifer on such a smashing book!

    Marly, thank you for once again letting us know about another amazing designer!!!

    I am totally going to try my hand at some of these designs. I’m sure it will not only be a challange but definitely it will be an “ADVENTURE!”

    Thanks Ladies!
    Rose

    Reply
  26. Lauren says

    April 21, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    I am looking forward to sampling this fun adventure of cable & lace knitting. It sounds like a wonderful learning experience.

    Reply
  27. Viviannette says

    April 22, 2016 at 11:06 am

    What an adventure it would be to knit the sweaters from the book Refined Knits.

    Reply
  28. Ramona says

    April 23, 2016 at 5:29 am

    Oh wow, I went to look at the patterns in this book and they are absolutely gorgeous! Trying new techniques is always an adventure for me. A lot of the patterns in the book would definitely qualify!

    Reply
  29. Louise Gingery says

    April 23, 2016 at 6:41 pm

    Loved today’s interview. I checked out the book…the patterns are amazing and I have a couple of choices for my next knitting adventure!

    Reply
  30. Wendy S Senter says

    April 23, 2016 at 8:34 pm

    Wow, what beautiful patterns! I love them all and want to cast on at least half of them right away–what an adventure that would be! Another great podcast, Marly, with a super talented and lovely guest! Thanks for all you do!

    Wendy (Wendeluu on Ravelry)

    Reply
  31. Mary Stevens says

    April 24, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    An adventure in the making!

    Reply
  32. Sally says

    April 24, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    What a beautiful collection of patterns. Knitting any of them would be an adventure for sure.

    Reply
  33. Lori Biamonte says

    April 25, 2016 at 10:25 am

    I love to knit on every adventure I go on. Then the finished project reminds me of the place I’ve been.

    Reply
  34. Wendy says

    April 25, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    Thanks Marly and Tammy for a great adventure through the many podcasts. Jennifer’s was one more in a long line of books I want but might not get to ever knit from. I’m working on back episodes so I still have many knit and crochet adventures to listen to.

    Reply
  35. Robin says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Knitting for me is still new, but I am trying to break out of my crochet comfort zone. Some day I may be adventurous enough to try one of Jennifer’s patterns.

    Reply
  36. Katelyn M says

    April 26, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Thanks for another great show. I loved learning about the book. I always find knitting to be an adventure. I am not an advanced knitter but I keep trying to learn every day. I always look for something new to learn and explore. This book looks really beautiful and the colors and images are so great. This would make a great addition to any library!

    Reply
  37. Diana says

    April 28, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Beautiful patterns! Thank you for another great podcast – taking us on an adventure to meet a new designer!

    Reply
  38. Rachel Catherine says

    May 2, 2016 at 11:58 am

    I am always looking for a new adventure in knitting a crocheting! Jennifer’s book looks lovely–I am so glad she decided to put it together.

    Reply
  39. Shelly says

    May 2, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    I have only tried knitting hats on a loom so far, but I am always up for another craft adventure.

    Reply
  40. Carol T says

    May 4, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    Great interview with Jennifer Wood. Her new book Refined Knits has some really awesome patterns in it. I would love to go on an adventure through the book and knit several of them. Thanks Marly.

    Reply

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