I am pleased to announce the release of Angkor - a hat I designed for Blue Moon Fiber Arts.  Offered in two sizes, this project takes full advantage of the saturated color in the yarns offered by Tina and her team.  Many people already know the yarns that Blue Moon Fiber Arts offer are AMAZING - and getting to design using her fibers and colors was truly a treat!  I hope you'll purchase the pattern (by clicking HERE) and make one for yourself.  Be sure to share your project on Ravelry so that I can see your version!

Along with the pattern, I created a tutorial video that shows how to do stranded or Fair Isle knitting.  The technique is simple and this pattern is the perfect opportunity to try it out!  The video (below) is also in the tutorial library accessed through the VIDEO tab at the top of the screen.

The project is now posted on my ravelry page - HERE - and I'm really happy that I can (finally) share the good news with everyone!  It was a great experience to work with Tina and I look forward to doing more work for Blue Moon Fiber Arts!

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The Rialta scarf is an easy-to-knit, fun project that takes full advantage of the gorgeous color changes in Noro Silk Garden.  Download the pattern and get a headstart on Holiday knitting!  Based on the ripple or wave stitch seen in many, many stitch libraries, this scarf is easy to make with one row of pattern followed by 3 rows of plain knitting heaven!  Alternating between two skeins of delicious color-changing Noro makes for an unexpected treat.  You'll find yourself knitting on projects like this for hours on end; working to see what color combination will be next to appear.

Click the "buy now" button to download your FREE copy of the RIALTA Scarf pattern!

Here's a helpful hint: 

When knitting projects such as this using various colors of yarn that changes color, I am careful to alternate the joins in yarn.  While working, continue alternating between the two skeins until approximately ½ of each of the skeins are used.  Break the yarn of Color A and spit splice a new skein to the yarn tail, reserving the remaining yarn.  Continue knitting until the end of your project, adding skeins of yarn as needed.  When finishing the project, as you come to the end of Color A's yarn, spit splice the remaining ½ skein previously removed.  Using this trick will make the joins almost impossible to detect.  If the yarn ends that are spliced are similarly colored, the join will be invisible.  I used this technique when making Technicolor (the sweater pictured below) - and used 12 different colors of Noro Kureyon for that project.

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In addition to other fun projects soon to be announced, I will be teaching two workshops at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.  First, a basic "Learn to Knit" class that will introduce anyone who has an interest in knitting but has never learned, and second, a more advanced "Banded Hats" workshop that will teach knitting in the round, fair isle and "jogless" stripes while creating a Navajo-inspired hat using Churro wool made by the Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.  If you live in the San Jose or San Francisco areas, and are interested in taking a class, visit the museum's website and register.  Following are the details of the workshops and the corresponding exhibits.  For my knitting friends, Primary Structures will certainly be a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand knitting as art.  Click the link below for the exhibit postcard:

June 26, Sunday
10am – 12pm
(Plus one hour additional free knit & gallery walk through with exhibition curator)

Learn to knit! Beginners will learn how to cast-on, bind-off, knit, purl, and read a basic pattern while making a cotton washcloth or sampler. Workshop will cover basic concepts, common mistakes, and some of the pattern variations possible using just these techniques. This is a great introduction to the world of knitting and will introduce you to the basic skills necessary so that you can continue with projects on your own. You will leave with a better understanding of the craft, along with a "learn to knit" scarf pattern that will allow you to further practice. No experience required! Knitting materials are included; all you have to do is show up! The instructor will be available for students who have additional questions or need further assistance for a one hour "free knit" after the workshop. Come knit with us!

Skill Prerequisite - none
$55 – workshop fee includes needles and yarn
$45 members
Needles and yarn generously provided by Skacel.

Knit a hat inspired by the work of the Black Mesa Weavers using beautiful handspun Navajo Churro wool. In this 3 hour workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn the Fair Isle technique, as well as how to create "jogless" stripes in the round on double-point needles. Students should already have basic knitting skills, including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing. Supplies, including Churro yarn from Black Mesa Weavers, and double-point knitting needles from Skacel, Inc. are provided. Reference materials will be provided with the course. You will leave well on your way to completing a hand knit hat that connects your passion for knitting at the Museum with the Navajo shepherds. A portion of proceeds from this workshop benefit Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.

Skill Prerequisite: Basic knitting skills including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing.
$80 for class
$70 members
Needles generously provided by Skacel.

Click the link below to read the press release for this exhibit detailing all the related workshops:

Primary Structures will explore how innovative artists using simple linear elements in combination with unconventional materials can broaden our understanding of the familiar by transforming the stitch structures of knit and crochet into large scale and compelling art. With work ranging from the architectural to graphic abstractions, from pioneers and established artists as well as contemporary emerging artists, the upcoming exhibit continues to showcase the emergence of sculptural art knitting as a 21st century medium of imaginative and cutting edge artistic innovation.

Exhibit Co-sponsors: Lion Brand Yarn, The Indian Store, San Diego North Coast Knitters Guild, Stitch Diva Studios, The Knitting Room with in-kind donations from Skacel Collection, Inc., Crystal Palace Yarns

This is a unique exhibit and the first of its type to focus exclusively on banded blankets. These utilitarian and simply striped blankets showcase the rich cultural tradition of the Pueblo, the Navajo, and the Spanish Colonial Rio Grande blankets of the “Four Corners” area of the American Southwest. United by common elements of stripes and indigo coloration these blankets are elegant in their design composition, sophisticated balance and amazing variety.

Collector Roger Moss said, “When my wife Jean and I started collecting banded blankets it was because we admired this marriage of utility and beauty and because their virtues had been long overlooked.” Curator Deborah Corsini added, “The understated simplicity of the stripes is a powerful contrast to the visual graphic intensity that resonates with kinetic movement.” Southwestern Banded Blankets provides a special opportunity to examine the austere beauty and subtle variations of three traditions of these rare, well used textiles. A catalog of the exhibition will be available.

Supported by a grant from the Christensen Fund.

The Cause hat pattern was released in January, 2011 as the inaugural pattern in the series of projects designed by Kyle William to raise awareness of important social issues.  After many hours of deliberation about the best group to benefit from the sale of this pattern, I am proud to announce a collaboration with Living Beyond Breast Cancer!  Celebrating their 20th anniversary, this amazing group of individuals is dedicated to offering assistance to individuals, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, recently completed treatment, years beyond or living with metastatic breast cancer. They also give assistance and knowledge to  family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare providers by providing breast cancer information and support.

I am HONORED to name Living Beyond Breast Cancer as the official charity for the Cause hat, and proud to donate 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of every pattern to this worthwhile organization.  Please visit them on the web: www.lbbc.org to learn more about their efforts and what upcoming events may be of interest. 

If you have yet to purchase the Cause hat pattern, now is your chance!  Visit the SHOP and purchase the pattern today for $4.00.  Included with each pattern is a fact sheet about breast cancer which may provide life saving information, and as mentioned before, the color of the ribbons can be changed to support any cause you choose!

NOTE: Crafty Andy created a crochet version of this pattern!  Please visit his website HERE to view and purchase the crochet pattern.

I'd love to hear from you - if you have ideas for other groups or organizations that might benefit from being included in this series of patterns, please fill out the form below:

I have been working hard to complete lots of projects that have been lingering on my knitting needles.  Fellow knitters, you know what it's like to have a bunch of projects incomplete and in various stages of frustratingness.  Since my move to San Francisco, I have become quite focused on completing the projects I started, and being well-planned when it comes to starting new ones.  That being said, I am happy to share with you, Carlito; a recently-completed cabled cardigan, and Cure; the hat pattern I designed for HIV/AIDS awareness!

Carlito Cardigan by Matthew Gnagy
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia
Began: May, 2010
Completed: December, 2010
Visit this finished object on Ravelry: http://ravel.me/kylewilliam/cc

I bought the yarn for this project at WEBS during our real life visit May, 2010 , and cast on at the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat 2010 in Easton, NY. The project is rewarding, interesting and beautiful... My only notes are:

1. Be sure to center the pattern when picking up the stitches on the back panel - it’s important to divide the cable panel in half then half again (use safety pins or something to divide) and evenly distribute the stitches - otherwise you’ll end up with an uneven back and it’ll look icky… like mine did… and I had to rip it out and re-do it!

2. The length to the waist is shorter than I thought it would be.  Because of all the ribbing and traveling angled details, it could stand to be a touch longer.  If I were to re-knit this again I'd probably either knit it a little longer or not bind off at the bottom (leave those stitches live until it's assembled to ensure proper length.

Contrary to popular belief, cables are not difficult.  The only issue I find with this style of knitting is that it takes concentration and moves more slowly than other pieces I like to knit.  That being said, the reward of completing something such as the Carlito Cardigan makes the hours of knitting invested quite worthwhile! 

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this pattern will be donated to help fund HIV/AIDS Research.

$4.00 (.pdf pattern download)

Have life saving information to share with someone the next time they ask about the hat you’re wearing. Using this pattern, it’s easy to create a custom hat supporting HIV/AIDS awareness! Check out the fact sheet at the end of the pattern to learn more about this disease and what you can do to help reduce your risk.

Knit in the round, this hat features two motifs - the virus and the ribbon.  As the artist, you get to select the quantity and order of these motifs! 

Today is a good day.  I have been working very hard on this project for a number of weeks.  Designed, knitted, redesigned and knitted again, I finally got the hat pattern correct, and sent it out for test knitting.  A few friends responded and one expert wrote back, advising that there were no problems!  Hooray!

It is with great pride and honor that I present:  CAUSE -

Here's the pattern description:

Make a bold move to show which cause is dear to you. Using this pattern, it’s easy to create a custom hat supporting awareness of breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, or any other cause you choose! Change the color of the ribbons at will; knit one for yourself, make another for a friend or charity!

Knit in the round with 12 ribbons, this hat is designed with “floats” (carried yarn) across the back of the work. Be sure to secure any floats that travel more than 5 stitches, and to leave enough slack in each float so that the hat will fit comfortably around the head.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this pattern will be donated to help fund Breast Cancer Research.

I have more designs in the works and look forward to releasing more as they are ready.  THANK YOU to my friends who have been so supportive, and the test knitters who were the brave first souls to be the first to try it out!