KIS Designs

Collaborations during this pandemic have been my sanity-savers! I've had the great fortune to work with Leann Bleakney of Silver Falls Fiber Company on several sweater patterns. Her beautiful hand-dyed yarns and keen color-sense have kept the hand-wringing at bay and have given my hands the opportunity to stay busy creating 3 new sweater patterns! Sweater #1: Hi Lo Tee Sweater #2: Times Like These Sweater #3: Slip Into Days These patterns were written during quarantine due to Covid-19 (a time when keeping track of the day of the week seemed futile if not unnecessary). Throughout quarantine I found myself repeatedly reminded of the song, Tea for One by Led Zeppelin:     How come twenty four hours Baby sometimes seem to slip into days? Oh, twenty-four hours Baby sometimes seem to slip into days, yeah One minute seems like a lifetime Oh baby, when I feel this way Sittin' lookin' at the clock Time moves so slow I've been watchin' for the hands to move Unt...

It's hard to believe that summer is nearly over and we're already seeing the "Back to School" advertisements.  I guess this means that it's now appropriate for me to offer my Collage Skirt formula as one of my favorite Back To School knitting projects!  I've been making these skirts for more than 10 years now, and three things keep me coming back to make another:  The near-instant gratification of a finished project.  The ability to clear out a fair amount of stash yarn with this formula.  The creativity-unleashed method of color & texture blending. This project employs an "everything but the kitchen sink" approach to stash-busting. Random bits of leftover sock yarn combined with DK and/or worsted weights are held together to form a chunky weight yarn that is uniquely yours. They work up so quickly, and are somewhat addictive, so be prepared--bet you can't make just one! The formula is available for FREE ...

I love knitting on the road. Windows down, radio on, the hum of the engine and the feel of the yarn and needles in my hands (It's okay-- I'm not the one behind the wheel)! It's all so relaxing...until my husband hands me the map and asks me to find the directions to where we're driving.  Why does he do this to me? Furthermore, why does he do this to himself?? My husband was born with a 100% accurate internal compass. Mine was broken when I got it. Never, ever works! Here's what I see when I look at a map: I see lines going "this way" intersecting with lines going "that way". Scribbles on a complicated-to-fold page.  I give it a try every time.  I will stare at that map until the creases in my brow match those on the page in my lap.  Then I take out my phone and ask Google Maps to talk us through the directions. She talks, he listens, I knit and we all arrive at our destination. God bless you Google Maps!  New Hat Pattern: S...

Body & Sleeves Tracking Sheet for alternating yarns The key to making the Sleeves of your 4 Strands Sweater match the Body is through careful tracking. Print this worksheet out and keep it with your pattern to make this tracking easier.  *tip:  weigh the stash yarns that you plan to use for the body of your sweater and reserve ½ of each color for working the sleeves. B: Body S1: Sleeve 1 S2: Sleeve 2      Fill in the number of rounds for each yarn used and check the Body, Sleeve 1 &  Sleeve 2 boxes once completed. B   S1  S2 ⬜ ⬜  ⬜ _____rounds _____________________________________________(yarn) B   S1  S2 ⬜ ⬜  ⬜ _____rounds _____________________________________________(yarn) B   S1  S2 ⬜ ⬜  ⬜ _____rounds _____________________________________________(yarn) B   S1  S2 ⬜ ⬜  ⬜ _____rounds _________________________________...

From Stash.... A recent Snow-day sparked the desire for spring-cleaning. Naturally, I started with my stash! Looking at all the lovely odds-and-ends of my leftover yarns prompted this sweater creation. Random bits of sock yarn and mohair seemed the perfect complement to the Malabrigo Arroyo that I had left from a previous sweater project that didn’t pan out (mixed dye-lot). Add to that, a gorgeous skein of Mountain Colors Winter Lace that I received for my birthday, and voila! A sweater was born! ...to Sweater! 4 Strands is a simple, top-down sweater with  next-t0-no shaping and plenty of ease. It works up super-quick  at 3 stitches to the inch-- and because of its construction it’s guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind garment, no matter how many times you make it! I am offering this sweater pattern for FREE in my Ravelry shop so grab your copy here: FREE Pattern! and get ready to clean out your stash! If you'd like some some help determining the...

W. on 80 by Kelly Forster /KIS Designs Named for the highway that leads from Oregon to Colorado which is highlighted in a verse from one of my favorite Joe Bonamassa songs.  It’s where the “ road starts climbing up to Mountain Time .”   Knit in Malabrigo Dos Tierras yarn, in colors that emulate this long stretch of highway and the dashes, lines and textures of its oft-traveled pavement . Road-trip anyone? Grab your PDF pattern here:  Cast On!

New Pattern Release: "Alexandra" Cowl and Hat set  designed to showcase Alexandra's Crafts beautiful Pendleton Gradient Shawl Cake. This pattern duo takes full advantage of the 400-yard shawl cake. Each-and-every drop of color within the over-sized skein is fully appreciated as they spill into the cowl and climb up through the hat. Both pieces are knit from the bottom-up. SIZE Cowl: One Size. Hat: Adult S [M] FINISHED MEASUREMENTS [After Blocking} Cowl Circumference: 25.5 inches/64.77 cm Cowl Depth: 8 inches/20.32 cm Hat Head Circumference: 19[22.5] inches / 48.06 [57.15]cm Hat Depth: 7[7.5] inches/17.78[19.05]cm Hat Pictured is Adult M. Ready to Cast-On your "Alexandra" set? Link to my Ravelry Shop directly from the home page of this blog, or click the link here:  Cast On! You can get your mitts on this amazing yarn here: Yarn

New Pattern for January: Brightly Cap “In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” -Francis Bacon I've been thinking about this quote and what it means to be a light in a dark world. I have not been given the gift of eloquence so I often stay quiet.  Listening. Hoping that my actions convey my desire to be a light in the darkness.  Hoping that KINDNESS will make a come-back.   Hoping that LOVE will win over hate. Hoping that HOPE will return.

2018: A Year in Stitches 2018 saw 18 new patterns (10 hats, 5 shawls, 2 cowls and a water-bottle cozy)! The new year offers a blank page just waiting to be filled with new patterns (some of which are in the works even even as I type this 🤗. I'm excited to discover what 2019 has in store and I look forward to exploring new yarns, stitch patterns & techniques and opportunities to knit with you all!  New Knits: Knitted samples previously used for pattern development and display are now available on my "Knitwear by KIS Designs" page here on the blog.  All of these pieces were knit by me and are in New (never worn) condition.  Take a look here:  Knitwear by KIS Designs  . I am  regularly  adding more items, so be sure to check back often for new goodies! Thank you!

Breakthrough By Kelly Forster 4 pages, published 9/10/2018 Knit in the round from brim-to-crown and topped with a fun, faux-fur pom-pom!Breakthrough hat pattern utilizes basic Fair Isle techniques and is a fun way to explore colorwork. Sized to fit Teens/Adults with a head circumference of 19-22 inches. Charted and written instructions included.

Inspired by the beautiful Pacific Northwest and its glorious moss-covered trees. This 3-color Fair Isle hat depicts these lanky trees in the midst of a swirling morning fog. Studio Donegal’s wonderfully rustic Soft Donegal yarn lends a lovely texture, perfectly fitting for this design. FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 18.25(22) inches around X 8.25(8.5) inches deep (Hat pictured is 22 inches). Ready to Cast On your Daybreak PNW? Grab your PDF download pattern here:  Cast On!

Sagittarius Moon Drawing inspiration from the 9th sign of the zodiac: Sagittarius, the Archer. This hat and crescent-shaped shawl feature bow and arrow motifs within the knitted fabric. Both pieces are knit seamlessly from the bottom-up. Grab your PDF copy of Sagittarius Moon Shawl/Hat Set here: Cast On Sagittarius Moon A Break in the Weather is a fun, 3-color stocking cap which features a removable pom-pom to make it even more fun! Knit in the round from brim-to crown, this cap is a breeze to knit and a stylish way to face the elements! Sizes: Baby (Child, Adult). Grab your PDF copy of A Break in the Weather here:  Cast On A Break in the Weather All of these patterns feature Lani's Lana beautiful hand-dyed yarns. Lani's yarns are  thoughtfully produced with wool grown using sustainable natural methods rooted in tradition with respect for earth, animals, people and the product created for future generation...Full circle...

True Story: The yarn shop where I work has a loft devoted to acrylic yarns. I was recently up there assisting a customer select the perfect yarn for a baby blanket that she wished to make. She settled on some lovely pale blue, which she then loaded into my arms so that I could carry it downstairs to the register. At the top of the stairs, the toe of my shoe caught the metal carpet-guard thingy on the first step. I pitched forward abruptly.... To Die For yarns featured:  Cloud Nine from Blue Moon Fiber Arts,  Sun River by Alexandra's Crafts  & Smooshy with Cashmere  by Dream in Color Yarns.  Find these yarns (and so much more)  here:  applestooranges.net/ They say that when you have a near-death experience, your life flashes before your eyes. Let me tell you: It Does! I n this moment, I fully envisioned taking a header down those stairs, arms full of baby yarn! Not a pleasant thought. In fact, the thought pissed me off! There...

What's in a name? There's always a story............. This pattern got its name from my husband. He frequently messes up the old idiom "To kill 2 birds with one stone." When he did so again recently, I laughingly told him that I was going to name my next pattern after him. Driven by the desire to create something new, coupled with the need to lighten my stash load...just like that, a shawl was born! (and this one "kills 2 stones with one bird")! Ready to lighten your stash-load and Cast On 2 Stones? Grab your pattern here: Cast On!

Schofield Pass, located in the Elk Mountains of Colorado has an elevation of 10,707 feet and is the high point on Gothic Road, which connects the towns of Marble and Crested Butte.  This cap pays homage to a long-ago camping trip along the pass. Rugged texture and jutting points emulate the landscape of this beautiful place. Knit in one piece, from brim to crown, this cap knits up in a flash in super-soft Malabrigo Finito yarn (a luxurious, superfine merino wool). 2 sizes available: Children (Adult). *1 skein of each colorway will yield one hat of each size. Ready to Cast On your "Schofield Pass Cap"? Grab your PDF downloadable pattern here: Cast On!

A reflection on the patterns released in 2017 (pictured from Left-to Right): Solar Eclipse Shawl, Thamarai, Lupine Fingerless Gloves, Between the Lines cap, Medicine Bow Cap, Sunlight on Chrome (Center), Runes Cap, Leather & Lace Capelet, Lupine Hat & Cowl, For the Trees Cap, Empire Hat, Blustery Day Baby Poncho, and Temptation Sweater. Happy New Year to you all and may 2018 bring you much joy, a bit of adventure, good health, peace and a whole lot of knitting!

Knit in one piece, from neckline-to-hem, Leather & Lace is a quick knit ideal for Holiday fashion as well as gift knitting.   This versatile garment is also a great opportunity to showcase a favorite shawl pin or clip such as the Jul™ leather clasps (shown). FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 30(34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches at bust X 17(17, 18, 18, 19, 19, 20) inches long SIZE XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X) Ready to Cast On your Leather & Lace Capelet? Grab your PDF downloadable pattern here: Cast On!

Wind In my hair Shifting and drifting Mechanical music Adrenaline surge Well-oiled leather Hot metal and oil The scented country air Sunlight on chrome The blur of the landscape Every nerve aware -RUSH Red Barchetta from the album: Moving Pictures New Pattern Release: Sunlight on Chrome was inspired by one of my favorite songs, and has been nearly 2 years in the making! I roughed-out the original idea for this pattern after watching Rush in Rio (amazing!!!) which sparked a renewal in my somewhat obsessive Rush fandom. Red Barchetta has always been my absolute favorite Rush song and so I let it be my inspiration for this piece. To fully exemplify Red Barchetta , I knew the piece needed to be shiny, have loads of beads and just the right yarn--which did not necessarily need to be red , but absolutely had to be chrome-like!   The rough-draft of this pattern sat patiently in my folder waiting for a yarn that would bring it...

Drawing inspiration from a recent trip back to Medicine Bow National Park, this knitted cap pattern was designed to keep the memories of this magical place close in mind. Cap is knit in one piece, from Brim-to-Crown & sized to fit Children-Adults with a head circumference of 19-22 inches. Ready to Cast-On your Medicine Bow cap? Grab a copy of the pattern here: PDF Download

This cowl, which is the first pattern in a series, pays homage to the lovely Lupine flowers which grace the Pacific Northwest’s mountain meadows and coastal sands with their beautiful colors. Knit in Malabrigo's Dos Tierras, a fabulous merino and alpaca blend yarn which lends its spectacular color and  amazing stitch definition to these pieces.   Keep your eye on these pages for pattern releases: Ravelry Etsy Craftsy