Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Tricoter en francais

It is difficult to find 'common' knitting magazines in Quebec. Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Rowan... are difficult to come by even in yarn shops. On the flip side, European magazines (especially from France) are very easy to find. One of my favourites is Phildar Layette magazine (you can browse through current issues of it and other Phildar magazines here - just click on the magazine to see inside).

I started knitting the 'Patelot No. 20' from Phildar Layette Automne/Hiver 2002/2003 (I wish I could hyperlink that for you but I couldn't find it anywhere on the web, perhaps ebay?). It is knit from Phildar Altitudes yarn which has a gauge of 2 stitches per inch! Yes, you read that right...this yarn is huge so needless to say, this is a uber quick knit!

All the pieces are knit and all that's left is a little steam blocking, a little seaming up, and the addition of a few white toggles before Julian can model it for us ;0)

There are so many wonderful patterns in this particular issue of Layette (though every issue has lots of lovely baby knits - about 30 patterns per issue). I've already knit the 'Gilet a capuche' for Thanksgiving from this issue so this is my second and there are a few more on my must knit list. Most patterns are written up is sizes 0-3 months all the way to 24 months so hopefully I'll get to knit them before Julian is too big...it's the ultimate deadline! Here are some of the knits on my must get to list from this particular issue:

I'm working on a little translation guide which I'll post next time for anyone who would like to knit from french patterns. I'd strongly recommend the Phildar stuff (you can buy the most recent magazines here some in English even and if you'd like to browse them first you can do so at the Phildar site). But there are also really nice things from Bergere de France. Check out their free patterns for baby 0-2, children 2-16 (click 'fille' for girl or 'garcon' for boy patterns), women or men.

Happy knitting!

7 comments:

  1. My you've been busy! I haven't posted in a week! The Bristow is lovely and looks really nice on you. I see you used the good lighting in Julians room again. Did you see the book Harlot reviewed on her site this week (Inspired Cable Knits)? I just have to make that sweater with the cables that they show. I'd definitely wear it. Gotta go! Happy knitting!

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  2. 2 sts per inch! Yes, indeed that would be a super fast knit. I can't wait to see it on your little guy. Those baby knits are adorable! I hope you're able to knit them before Julian is too big. That's the problem with babies, eh, they never stop growing. *lol*

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  3. Those are gorgeous sweater patterns! I love 'em all. I'm on the hunt for a jacket-type sweater for my Paisley. I want something with the toggle buttons! ;-)

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  4. Gorgeous sweaters. The translations would probably get me.

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  5. Those sweaters are so sweet! I love baby items to knit. I don't read French (yeah, sounds weird from someone living in New Brunswick eh?) or even understand it...wonder if they have any Hebrew patterns that I could understand LOL.

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  6. The sweaters are lovely. I love your photos; they look so nice. How long did it take to knit up the uber quick sweater; talk about immediate gratification!

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