For this Spring Summer I have designed Noro Kids, Araucania Summer Fruits, and five booklets for Mirasol. Which means this is the most books I have ever done in one season, seven!

Febrero from Book #9 knit in Hap'i

My Mirasol Books

This is because there has seen an exciting change in the Mirasol books. We have changed the format of the books from a big book to small booklets. The physical size of the books may be smaller but the content will be the same or even more exciting!

I love this idea and have enjoyed working with my layout designer to create a look that is fun. My first thought was to mirror the labels on the yarn with the size of the book and the cover is the same shade as the labels of that individual yarn.

Each of these books has its own feeling and theme, yet they still work together for the whole season and as always incorporates the unique Mirasol identity. So briefly there is Book 8, which uses Samp’a and is dedicated to children’s garments and accessories as I feel the Samp’a is perfect for kids. Book 9 is women sweaters using Hap’i and Book 10 is women cardigans using Nuna. For Book 11 and Book 12 I tried something different. I used the same pattern for the adult garment on the child’s garment. So for example in Book 11 garments and accessories for men and boys using Lachiwa there is a v neck sweater for the man and I used the same patterning but in different colours on the child’s tank top.

My Noro book, “Noro Kids”

Alex from Noro Kids knit in Furin.

I have really enjoyed designing these children’s patterns. It’s been such fun to see what the yarns look like in little garments. Because the garments are smaller than an adult’s the resulting stripe is wider creating a different look. For this season the 4 yarns (Aya, Furin, Sekku and Shirakaba) that Noro introduced all had an initial base of cotton and silk that then has either wool, rayon, or nylon added to it to give the beautiful fibre mixes that make Noro so unique.

Most of the garments only take a couple of balls of yarn so it’s the perfect way to discover the joy of Noro Yarns or to try out a new quality. As always I design my patterns to be simple and straightforward to let the yarns shine.

I designed these garments primarily with new knitters in my mind, but also returning knitters who want a little garment to get started with, and finally for more experience knitters who would like a weekend project or need a gift in a hurry! Those like me, who know that the birthday is at the end of January so make plans at the beginning to get that present but feel they have plenty of time and then before they know it, it’s 4 days before the birthday and I have no present!

My third Araucania book, Araucania Summer Fruits

I was so excited to use Araucania new yarns this season, they spoilt me by introducing three gorgeous new yarns – Antu is 100% cotton, Chaiten is 100% silk and Trauco is 100% cashmere.

My inspiration behind these designs started with the beautiful yarns and then I dreamt of summer holidays in a small fishing village in Cornwall that’s been brought into the 21^st century with a marina and lovely cafes to sit and watch the days go by. Hopefully these designs would look just as good in the city as they do on the beach!