Kim Hargreaves adds downloads to her site

Ooooo. So long ago I can scarcely recall, I had been thinking about buying a kit from Kim Hargreaves – it was called Evergreen. But it disappeared from view and upon contacting Kim I was told that it would be reappearing in download format. Well, I reckon that was in 2007. I waited. And I waited. AND I WAITED. Finally I completely forgot.

But I should have kept the faith. Evergreen is back. In .pdf format.

Evergreen by Kim Hargreaves

Isn’t she beautiful?
BEEAAAAUUUUTIFUL?

I happen to have some Rowan Alpaca Soft waiting to be knitted so this one had to be bought too:

Spirit by Kim Hargreaves

Spirit

Downloads make me happy but worried – there’s a place for downloads for sure, but I’m a book girl and the Hargreaves books are my kind of books. Good quality production, extravagant use of paper – so important to the aesthetics of book design, generous number of pictures. Her designs are exquisite, so they deserve layout to match.

Well, I asked Kim about this and she assures me that the books are the focus, with downloadable patterns an extra. I hope it stays that way.

When I bought my patterns yesterday a glitch in the new system meant I didn’t receive them. This was almost worth it as an enquiry to Kim led to one of her charming responses. She writes like she designs.

Her new collection of downloadable patterns are available here.

Kim Hargreaves’ Nectar summer collection

One of the disadvantages of living on the other side of the world – other than having to walk upside down – is that the pattern seasons are all out of synch. The Nectar collection arrived mid-winter and has languished on the shelf every since.

I’ve been wanting to knit this for a while:

Tender by Kim Hargreaves

A feather-light cardigan with just the merest hint of a flounced edging. So when Janette’s Rare Yarns put the required yarn on sale in a colour I have on the brain at the moment, how could I resist?

$10/ball and world-wide free shipping!

Janette’s Rare Yarns also stocks specially developed Kim Hargreaves colours in Rowan yarns, which you can see here and here.

Now it’s a race against time for me. Parcels from Jannette take only a few days to arrive once I’ve paid for them. Can I finish my Jo Sharp Lace Panel sweater before then? Pardon me if I sign off and get my knitting out….

Valiant by Kim Hargreaves

This is the first Hargreaves pattern I have knitted since Kim has gone out on her own: Valiant in Rowan Cocoon. Hard to believe considering I have all her books.

Valiant by Kim Hargreaves

I’m more than happy with the outcome.

Valiant by Kim Hargreaves

A close-up of the neck:

Valiant by Kim Hargreaves

Pattern: Valiant by Kim Hargreaves. Dead easy, quick, with the collar to keep it interesting.
Yarn: Rowan Cocoon. I was worried that Cocoon would behave exactly like Rowan Polar, which is discontinued. It sort of does – fuzzy pilling – but not nearly as bad as Polar. I wish it came in other sorts of colours, but will be expecting to use it again anyway.
Modifications: I didn’t modify this, but wish I had. I don’t know if you can tell from looking at the neck, but it is folded inside as otherwise it would be bigger than my head. Ie when you are doing the neck which is knitted separately and sewn on, you may well wish to cast on less stitches to make it less bulky. Maybe I did something wrong with the neck, but if so, I can’t tell what.
Thoughts: I’m knitting this again for sure and I think it is going to be in another bulky but light yarn, RYC Alpaca Soft, which I bought for the purpose.