WOODS - Lookbook

WOODS

“I will love the things as no one has thought to love them” - Ranier Marie Rilke

WOODS

WOODS WOODS is a knitting book created to share our passion for local, breed-specific European yarns, beautiful knitwear design and helping people expand their knitting knowledge. It’s the first publication of our European Nature book series.

About the Editors Making Stories is an independent knitwear design publisher based in Berlin, owned and run by Verena Cohrs and Hanna Lisa Haferkamp. Our mission is to spread the love for sustainably and transparently produced natural yarns, shine a light on knitwear designers from around the world and help knitters create knits that they love and that last them for a long time.

We deeply care about our planet and our community. Honesty and kindness are the cornerstones of everything we do. We believe everyone can (and should) make a difference in whatever way, shape or form they can

Verena Cohrs & Hanna Lisa Haferkamp

WOODS includes 11 minimalistic modern knitwear designs, ranging from small accessories to sweaters and even a dress, that are wonderful to knit for both seasoned beginners and experienced knitters. But WOODS is not only a pattern book – we celebrate the amazing makers that allow us to create knitwear that we want to (and can) wear for a long, long time with profiles of our designers and yarn companies. WOODS also contains two interviews with Karen Templer and Clare Devine on their favourite tips and tricks for sweater and sock construction, and articles by Megan Elizabeth from Wool Days and Francoise Danoy. Last, but not least, a range of tutorials that help you create your favorite knit yet rounds out the book.

making stories GmbH | www.making-stories.com

Verena Cohrs & Hanna Lisa Haferkamp

WOODS Designs by Becky Sørensen, Claire Walls, Ida Thue Nielsen, Jenn Steingass, Jessica Gore, Linda Dubec, Nele Druyts, Orlane Sucche, Rhiannon Owens, Ruth Werwai, Verena Cohrs Yarns by Black Isle Yarns, Blacker Yarns, De Rerum Natura, Hey Mama Wolf, Isle Yarns, Lana Rara, Moel View Yarn, Ovis Et Cetera, Sherwood Yarn, South Downs Yarn, Tukuwool Contributions by Clare Devine, Francoise Danoy, Karen Templer, Megan Elizabeth and our Making Stories community Edited and published by Verena Cohrs and Hanna Lisa Haferkamp

Puzzlewood Mittens Design by Ruth Werwai Yarn by Black Isle Yarns

Ombre stripes and a woven effect – those are the two distinct characteristics of our Puzzlewood Mittens. Knit up in two blends of Black Isle Yarns, they make the best out of the natural colours of the yarn.

The perfect companion for a wintery walk or even a snowball fight!

Pattern on pages 105-107

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Puzzlewood Mittens

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Puzzlewood Mittens

Designer Profile Ruth Werwai

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your designs? How did you get to do what you do today?

I’m a Canadian currently living in Germany with my husband and our small son, where I craft, write and navigate life in a second language, all while drinking a lot of coffee.

Though I’ve known how to knit for quite a while, my real journey with this craft began when we moved here. After leaving everything I’d ever known and finding myself in a place where I knew almost no one and couldn’t speak the language, knitting became a solace for me from homesickness, and a way to deal with my anxiety. It helped me feel connected to where I came from. Around the same time, quite serendipitously, I discovered Instagram, which opened up a world of possibility and inspiration for me within this craft. Connecting with other knitters and crafters has been a driving force for me behind deepening my knowledge and skill level, as well as having the courage to share my work and designs. I’m so grateful for all the amazing people I’ve met over these past few years!

What do you love most about your job? What is your favourite stage of your work process?

I must admit that I’m surprised to say that over the past few years, swatching has become one of my very favourite parts of my creative process. I used to skip over this part, anxious to cast on. But since I’ve started designing, I’ve learned to really love it as a chance to get acquainted with the yarn I’m using. It’s also a great opportunity to see if an idea is going to work out and to maybe change things up before getting too far ahead.

Let’s dive into your design! Where do you draw inspiration from in general and what inspired your design for WOODS? In general I am incredibly inspired by place, and by my own surroundings. I often say that my inspiration is two-fold: it comes from the wildness of nature all around me, as well as the cozy life I’ve created for myself at home. For WOODS specifically, my design was inspired by a certain tree outside my home. I live at the edge of the woods and although I enjoy all seasons, in the fall the trees are simply glorious. As I was brainstorming ideas for mittens, I kept looking out the window at this one specific tree. It had leaves in a variety of shades of brown, orange and yellow-darker at the bottom, and slowly getting lighter at the top, where the sun shone through. It was this tree that inspired the textured stitch and tonal variegations in the Puzzlewood Mittens.

We’re focusing on local, sustainable, if possible breed-specific yarns for WOODS. How does this relate to your design philosophy and what do you look for in a yarn when designing?

Over the years, I’ve certainly been on a journey when it comes to the yarns I used. I started off, as many crafters do, purchasing whatever yarn I could find in my big box craft store – I didn’t even know local yarn stores existed! I still remember the first time I walked into one (Baaad Anna’s in East Vancouver, if you’re curious). I was so overwhelmed by all the beautiful yarns!

Whenever possible, I enjoy working with natural yarns in muted colours and neutrals. I love a good rustic, sheepy, woolly wool, specifically if it has a story or I know where it comes from. ravelry.com/designers/ruth-werwai

Knit Night Chat with Ruth What do you do when you make – watch a movie, read a book, nothing, …?

Oh there are so many things I like to do while knitting. Since I’m knitting constantly, I can’t always afford to just knit, though I certainly enjoy working on something complicated with no distractions aside from a cup of coffee or tea. I often listen to audio podcasts or read (on my E-Reader) and in the evenings I sometimes knit while watching a movie with my husband. I knit sometimes sitting on the floor next to my baby as he plays and have even been known to knit in the kitchen while waiting for water to boil for dinner!

What’s one of your making “failures” that you still laugh about?

I would definitely have to say my very first sweater. I did not understand about gauge or yarn substitution and so used a yarn that was much thicker than the pattern called for, but kept the needle size the same. The result was a sweater so tight it was practically bulletproof! I did however learn so much from that experience and am thankful I finished it, even though I did frog it several years later.

What would you like to make or experiment with next?

Where to start? There are so SO many things. One of the things I love best about making is how much there is to learn. Currently I’m excited to dive deeper into sweater construction and really learn about the different possibilities, while hopefully making myself a few new favourite sweaters. I’ve also started spinning which has been quite a process, but one I’m immensely excited about.

What is your favourite making tool?

I’ve been very fortunate to inherit many tools from the women in my family. I have all my great-grandmother’s embroidery tools and some knitting notions from my grandmother. My very favourite however would have to be the drop spindle that I got from my auntie.

She is a multi-talented crafter and artist and used to be a lighthouse keeper on the northern coast of British Columbia back in the 70’s.

That’s where she learned to spin, on a handmade wooden drop spindle that I now have the privilege to own.

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Puzzlewood Mittens

Yarn Profile

Julie from Black Isle Yarns

Could you tell us a bit about your company and yourself? How did you get to do what you do today?

Black Isle Yarns sneaked up on me and very quickly became an idea that I really believed in. I grew up on a smallholding with sheep and have always had a strong interest in sustainable and productive countryside management. This led to me studying Ecology and Forestry at university and then going on to work in Forest Management. More recently I have been at home looking after my four children and have enjoyed sewing design and teaching – but since starting knitting again I have been drawn more and more into the woolly world. The joy of working with a local natural product really has me hooked!

What do you love most about your job? What is your favourite stage of your work process?

I love every aspect of my job but I think my favourite part is visiting the flocks whose sheep grow the wool for Black Isle Yarns – I’m still the wee girl who spent hours helping with our sheep and who hand-reared all the motherless lambs!

We’re focusing on local, sustainable, if possible breed-specific yarns for WOODS. What’s the story of the base we’re using in the book and how does it relate to that?

The Puzzlewood Mittens use two yarn bases. The first comes from Fearniewell Croft, an organic smallholding just a few of miles from my home – my organic veg box comes from Dan and Rachel as well. They have a small flock of Gotlands (with a little Shetland in their genetics) and their wool was being used as insulation or slug barrier before I started Black Isle Yarns!

The second yarn base is a Zwartbles Mohair Blend. The Zwartbles are from a very pampered award-winning flock called Hedgefield Zwartbles. Once again Jim and Linda were receiving little to nothing for their lovely shearling fleeces (from the best youngsters who are shorn during their first winter ready for the coming show season). The very dark, almost black, shearling wool is spun with Mohair, sourced from the Borders, to create a special and unique blend. blackisleyarns.co.uk

Let’s dive into the yarns! What kind of fibres and yarns do you offer and what makes them special?

My yarns are mostly wool which I source locally here in the Scottish Highlands. I look for flocks with an interesting story, beautiful wool and they must also, of course, be well managed.

My yarns are completely unique and are made from fleeces handpicked by me in small batches and then spun, with great care and attention, by The Border Mill in the Scottish Borders.

Walk us through the process from “growing” the fibre to the finished yarns. Who is involved and how does your production process look like?

The wool which makes up Black Isle Yarns is grown on local farms by farmers who respect their sheep and the environment – these are, primarily, smallholders who otherwise have little financial return for their fleeces. I believe in paying a good rate for the fleeces I buy, knowing that they are fabulous quality from happy healthy sheep. Once I have gathered enough fleeces to make up a batch they go to John and Juliet at the mill who, in discussion with me, carefully clean and spin each group of fleeces within a batch to bring out their best qualities. Then comes the excitement of receiving the new batch of yarn and, in time, seeing the special projects the yarn is knit into.

Knit Night Chat with Julie What do you do when you make – watch a movie, read a book, nothing, …?

My favourite way to relax is to listen to the radio while knitting.

What’s one of your making “failures” that you still laugh about?

I still laugh at my experiment to see if I could combine another favourite way of relaxing (having a long bubbly bath and reading) with knitting. Needless to say it wasn’t a success! I do wish it was possible to knit while running too.

What would you like to make or experiment with next?

I haven’t, yet, knit Fair Isle and really must try soon. I love playing with colour so I think Fair Isle knitting would be very rewarding.

What is your favourite making memory or tradition?

Both of my grannies and my mum knit and I associate Grandad’s Grannie particularly with knitting – she was rarely seen without a project at hand and I clearly remember her showing me how to knit. I also have a little embroidered needle case which she made just for me, complete with my initials, and I think it is one of my favourite possessions.

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Puzzlewood Mittens

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Whinfell Sweater

Whinfell Sweater

Design by Jenn Steingass Yarn by Isle Yarns

Which forest-inspired winter collection would be complete without a colourwork yoke sweater? Whinfell is a beautiful take on this classic with a slightly more modern sleeve fit and I-Cord neckline that make the tree-inspired yoke stand out even more. Knit up in Isle Yarns 4ply, Whinfell allows for endless experimentation when it comes to combining colours! In case you’re between sizes, we suggest you go up a size.

Pattern on pages 108-111

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Whinfell Sweater

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Whinfell Sweater

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Delamere Dress

Delamere Dress

Design by Rhiannon Owens Yarn by Sherwood Yarn Winter weekends with friends – a snowy walk, a cup of coffee in your favourite café and then a movie night. The ideal scenario for our Delamere Dress – a comfy, yet stylish knit dress in broken rib that comes with two fit options: A-line for an oversized modern look and straight for a classic close-to-the-body fit. Sherwood Yarn’s Masham blend gives an incredible depth to it and makes sure you stay warm no matter what the weekend brings. In case you’re between sizes, we suggest you go down a size for the A-line version, and up a size for the fitted version.

Pattern on pages 112-114

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Delamere Dress

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Delamere Dress

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Meerdaal Scarf

Meerdaal Scarf

Design by Nele Druyts Yarn by Moel View Yarn Straightforward, but with a hint of elegance – that’s our Meerdaal Scarf. The leaf-inspired lace pattern at both ends of the scarf transitions seamlessly into the main stockinette section, making sure you can dress it both down and up as you wish. The naturally dyed Moel View Yarn Ethical DK makes the design shine!

Pattern on pages 115-116

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Meerdaal Scarf

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Sauvabelin Sweater

Sauvabelin Sweater

Design by Jessica Gore Yarn by Lana Rara

Cables, cables, cables – cables and raglan, is there a better combination? We don’t think so! Sauvabelin’s top down construction makes it easy to customise the length and the beautiful cable pattern ensures that you want to knit just one more row… and then one more… Lana Rara’s yarn from rare Swiss sheep breeds is the perfect match to bring out both the best in yarn and sweater. In case you’re between sizes, we suggest you go up a size.

Pattern on pages 117-123

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Sauvabelin Sweater

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Sauvabelin Sweater

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Abisko Socks

Abisko Socks

Design by Linda Dubec Yarn by Tukuwool Knit in sturdy 100% Finnish wool by Tukuwool, the Abisko Socks are destined to become a staple in your sock drawer. The easy-to-memorise lace panel that runs up the foot and leg makes knitting them a lot of fun – and by giving you three different heel options, we make sure that you can knit a pair of socks that fit your foot perfectly.

Pattern on pages 124-126

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Abisko Socks

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Abisko Socks

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Winterfold Mittens

Winterfold Mittens Design by Claire Walls Yarn by South Downs Yarn

Almost too beautiful to put on for venturing out into nature, the Winterfold Mittens combine a few of the best elements of knitting into one accessory project: colourwork and cables! Take that and add in South Downs Yarn and you have the perfect combination of pattern and yarn. We can see a yellow pair, a green pair, a red pair, a grey pair‌ a lot of pairs in our future!

Pattern on pages 127-132

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Winterfold Mittens

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Winterfold Mittens

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Boulogne Sweater

Boulogne Sweater

Design by Orlane Sucche Yarn by Blacker Yarns

Boulogne is a modern interpretation of your classic colourwork sweater with a twist – the colourwork is done on the body and set off with a contrasting yoke.

Top down raglan shaping makes it ideal for a beginner garment knitter while the colour changes and geometric pattern provide interest for the more experienced ones among you. Blacker Yarns’ Lyonesse DK offers endless possibilities in colour combinations! In case you’re between sizes, we suggest you go up a size.

Pattern on pages 133-135

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Boulogne Sweater

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Boulogne Sweater

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Sallandse Hat

Sallandse Hat

Design by Becky Sørensen Yarn by Ovis Et Cetera A garter stitch brim, chevron pattern and bobbles – what more could you wish for in a hat? Sallandse guarantees a really good time while knitting and keeps your head warm on those cold winter nights you spend at Christmas markets. Ovis Et Cetera’s Kempisch Heideschaap DK adds the perfect touch of squish and sheepiness!

Pattern on pages 136-137

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Sallandse Hat

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Sallandse Hat

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Løvenholm Vest

Løvenholm Vest

Design by Ida Thue Nielsen Yarn by Hey Mama Wolf Still chilly, but just warm enough to venture out and about in your favourite long sleeve t-shirt. A tiny bit too cold, maybe? Throw on the Løvenholm Vest as an additional layer and you’re good to go!

Clear Scandinavian design with geometric twisted cable elements to bring a bit of interest make sure that you’re going to wear this vest for a long, long time. Hey Mama Wolf’s organic yarn adds the perfect sheepy squishiness! In case you’re between sizes, we suggest you go down a size.

Pattern on pages 138-141

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Løvenholm Vest

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Løvenholm Vest

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Seaming

Meerdaal Scarf, grafted together using Kitchener Stitch, pattern page 115

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Black Forest Cardigan

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Black Forest Cardigan

Design by Verena Cohrs Yarn by De Rerum Natura

Cosying up in front of a fire in a cabin in the woods – this is what we picture an evening with our Black Forest Cardigan to be like. All over Fisherman’s Rib with a beautiful twisted element on the body makes sure that you’ll enjoy knitting the cardigan immensely and that you’ll never get cold while wearing it! French De Rerum Natura is the perfect complement for this design. In case you’re between sizes, we suggest you go down a size.

Pattern on pages 142-146

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Black Forest Cardigan

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