Friday 16 July 2010

Rose Armwarmers- My Obsession

I was perusing the new Rowan (issue 48) on their website, and came across these lovely things ( I apologize for the slightly blurry screen capture):
I love the idea of these: the elaborate, old-fashioned roses knit into a lovely, simple arm warmer. I'm obsessed with making these for fall! But- I do not want to buy an issue of Rowan (which is mucho expensive here in Canada) for only one pattern. Which leads me to wonder why Rowan doesn't sell their patterns individually & online like so many other magazines, but whatever. Lamenting various realities will not get me closer to these mitts.  I'm thinking of searching out a lovely intarsia/fair isle rose pattern from something else, and incorporating them into the mitts. Sounds deliciously simple, right?

So I've been hunting through Ravelry patterns, looking for some lovely fair isle roses- but I feel like most of what I find is only 2 colour versions- the rose on a different colour background. I really like the many shades of pinks and reds in these roses, and the way it adds to that old-fashioned look. Any thoughts? Ideas? Have you seen anything like this in your travels through patterns? Any help would be welcome!

22 comments:

Laurynn said...

Ooh, love these! Is there a close-up of these on the Rowan site? If so, i can't imagine it's impossible to chart it out using graph paper/a discerning eye.

kingshearte said...

It looks similar to the kinds of patterns you'd see for cross-stitch or some other type of embroidery. Any chance you could find a pattern of that sort you like, and convert it to a knitting chart? It would already be graphed out, so I imagine it would be a fairly straightforward conversion.

The Sweatshop of Love said...

I would knit those mits then duplicate stitch the roses onto them! You can google free rose embroidery patterns, chose the colors you want and color code the pattern, then duplicate stitch it on. You'll have more control and if it looks janked you can always just pull out your duplicate stitches and try again! I can't wait to see how you make this work!

Anonymous said...

There's something similar in Wrap Style but I think that's more of the same problem unless you already own it.

jennifer said...

I can help! Vogue Knitting Winter 2006/07 has some patterns with very similar roses. I'm not using that magazine anytime soon...I could send you my copy if there isn't one nearby!

CassieMarie said...

Ohhh, those are purty!

I second the duplicate stitch notion, you could look up some pretty older cross stitch patterns and find one that is similar. You could make a matching hat too! :)

MeowGirl said...

if you find a photo you like (maybe captures of wallpaper or fabric?), there are free applications that convert images into knitting charts:
http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro.htm
http://kpg.sourceforge.net/

cross-stitch is a great idea, but be careful with aspect ratio. knitted stitches are usually not square.

roxie said...

Faire Isle is knitted, in the round, using no more than 2 colors per row, so if you have been searching purely Faire Isle, that's what you are going to get. Intarsia is knitted flat and seamed up and uses lots of colors to create shapes. Do get some knitter's graph paper (or photocopy some out of the back of the Vogue Knitting book) or your roses will look mashed. I second the duplicate stitch suggestion, though you could intarsia larger sections if you want to. And I would suggest knitting both armwarmers at the same time if you do, to keep them matchy.

Candice said...

If you love Rowan then you must join our Rowan club in Milton, ON. We;ll be working from magazine #48 this fall.

Michele Saunders said...

These armwarmers are lovely - and the colors all work so well together. I would even knit the scarf to match. How expensive is the Rowan book anyway? Maybe you could splurge a little and buy it as a little gift to yourself :-)

Anonymous said...

I have an idea. Meet me in the alleyway at midnight to discuss.

:P

Anonymous said...

those are gorgeous!

i second the finding of a cross stitch pattern and duplicate stitching the roses on... i'll do a quick search to see if i can find anything!

Anonymous said...

oo those are so pretty!!!

I'd definitely try to find a cross-stitch pattern or something that has a chart...or create it online with a photo. Since the book is new, I doubt there are used copies available...

Harper said...

Vogue Knitting's website has links for pdf charts available for the patterns hibou referenced. Go to their website, click on charts, look in previous issues for Winter 2006-07 and there are charts for all sorts of flowers. Check out the sleeve pdf for #27 Floral Sweater.

Where the nodding violets grow said...

I am sure Rowan used to sell their patterns singly on the internet because I bought some a few years ago. I agree with you, it is a shame that they have stopped.

erica-knits said...

I was totally going to mention that I have the Vogue Knitting from Winter 07/06 but online charts are even better! What a great find.

Hilary said...

Hrmm...I don't think I've seen any similar motifs, but I will certainly keep my eye out! I can see why you're obsessed...they are really stunning.

yoel said...

So sweet and pretty! Do any local knitting friends have this Rowan, or does your local library carry knitting books?

Erron Rose said...

I think this would definitely be chart-able. It would just take a good bit of time and patience. I agree with you though. They are gorgeous. *puts them on her list of things to be skilled enough to knit one day.* I've one little to no intarsia or fair isle but I don't think my life will really be complete until I've made these.

Gigi said...

Oh my stars, love those!
G

Teresa said...

Hmmm, the only one I can think of right now is the Rosebud scarf from Scarf Style. Though, it's just a bud, and not as colour-shaded as the Rowan mitts.

Erika said...

Beautiful... I bought a pamphlet to get this pattern: http://www.familiejournal.dk/Handarbejde/Strik%20til%20born/2009-38-Valmuetroeje.aspx the poppypattern looks so good up close! (check the diagram) but when I got the pattern, I realized the flowers were embroided. So think I might go with duplicate stitches for these type of armwarmers too.