First squishy mail in Maine

Two and Four Color Brioche, A Designer’s Tale

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, Multicolored (2026 theme), Pattern Related Leave a Comment

Before moving from NC I had a dream to design an intro to brioche set of shawls – one featuring two colors and the other, four colors.  In my knitting brain I’d decided on all the details from the short rows to the shape and started working on the two-color version.  I finished it shortly after moving to Maine and the four color version became part of my first yarn purchase delivery from Five Wise Owls in my new home. Shortly thereafter reality set in.  As I started to knit the four color version following the original pattern, I realized something wasn’t going quiet right.  My stitch count grew faster than it did on the original.  My rows completed the …

Multicolored, 2026 theme

Hello 2026

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, Luxury in Lace (2025 theme), Multicolored (2026 theme), Pattern Related, Q&A Leave a Comment

2026 is off to a slippery start here in Maine with weeks of ice, including several days of being “iced-in”. As the world froze outside, creativity spurred inside! But first, a quick recap of 2025 and “Luxury in Lace”: And now a sneak peek of what is in store for 2026, Multicolored: Multicolored will bring designs featuring two or more colors to your knitting needles! You all know me too well to simply assume it’s designs using the same yarn in two (or more) colors. Yes, that will happen, but other designs utilize different yarn weights in different colors. And at least one design features a fun way to add color to an otherwise solid knit. A multi-designer collection will …

Summer Stitching Customization

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, Luxury in Lace (2025 theme), Pattern Related Leave a Comment

I’m SO excited for the Summer Stitchin’ collection release with Jill Wolcott and Orchard House Editing and Design!  When we began the collection last year it was about quick knits that tame the mane, so my challenge was clear – KISS!!  Those of you who’ve knit with me before know that KISS is a my biggest challenge ever.  I’m thrilled to have figured out how to keep them both seamless and quick. But… I also had dreams of customizations!  So, this blog serves as an addendum to the patterns that walks you through how to customize the fit.  Note: both of these will require a bit extra yarn! First up: Pollinator Depending on the shape of your head / hair …

original 2011 design

Time Travel

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, Luxury in Lace (2025 theme), Pattern Related Leave a Comment

April 28, 2025, was the first hot day of the season in Maine and unfortunately my computer overheated and work hard drive fried.  It contained all my designer files as well as Barnabas Notes & Barnabas Notes Travels card designs, freelancing (photo editing, schematics, and such), and the book I wrote (shh it’s a 2025 Christmas surprise) from 2011 onwards. The Good News Cameradad found an old external hard drive back up which restored up 2019 and then he was able to patch together old computer parts and slowly retrieved 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 before the patch job died.  All my available patterns on Ravelry, Payhip, Lovecrafts, KnitCompanion, and Amazon are stored on Ravelry, Payhip, Lovecrafts, KnitCompanion, and …

Luxury in Lace 2025 theme year

From the year of KNIT to L…

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, KNIT knitworthy 'n intriguing techniques (2024 theme), Luxury in Lace (2025 theme), Pattern Related, Puddles Leave a Comment

Did you just blink too and realize, woah, where did 2024 go?  I seriously considered continuing KNIT for another year!  Before you see what 2025 has in store for your stitches, here’s a look back at 2024. Downtown Burnsville started the knitworthy ‘n intriguing techniques with taking a beloved cabling pattern from Air Bender and applying it to my first intentionally modular shawl design.  The yarn came from the “knitworthy” Yummi Yarns in Burnsville, and this cowl and shawl eBook served as a farewell to my favorite NC LYS. Next up, the one I wondered if I’d ever get published, the long awaited second knitting book, Turning Points!  Each design was shot at a different location along the Blue Ridge …

Hurricane Helene Donation Thank You

Hurricane Helene Relief

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, eco world, KNIT knitworthy 'n intriguing techniques (2024 theme), Pattern Related Leave a Comment

Last week I wrote and invited you all to join in the #keepWNCwarm event with me.  But I also wanted to do something from the designer end of things to say “thank you” to each one of you who decided to support the area I lived in for a quarter of a century!  If you’ve donated, please use the code pray4westernnc on Ravelry or Payhip to download your choice of either Downtown Burnsville, Wednesday with Wendy, or Winter Chic. I picked each of these because they are all cold weather projects, but more than that – they all have a particular tie to my own home. Downtown Burnsville – Burnsville, NC was home to “my” LYS… on the long drive …

meanwhile in maine collage with NC and excel

Excel to the Rescue

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, eco world, KNIT knitworthy 'n intriguing techniques (2024 theme), Meanwhile in Maine, Pattern Related 2 Comments

I freely admit this is not where I wanted to be at this point of the year with this design, but it’s where I find myself.  A lot of my work happens in the “little grey cells” sorting out things before I ever approach the computer or knitting needles.  And well, they can be temperamental.  So after Turning Points came out and I had a week off, I opened up the Meanwhile in Maine design ready to dive into the schematics and get it off to TE.  Then it happened… on the first line block of schematic numbers. Wait, that’s not right?!? How do I have 2” and 4” positive ease on the last 2 sizes?????  What WAS I thinking …

Ana cotton bamboo

Tester Appreciation

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, KNIT knitworthy 'n intriguing techniques (2024 theme), Pattern Related Leave a Comment

This much beauty deserves a post! Check out the gorgeous pieces from Turning Points from the groups of testers / review knitters who got to knit it first: Melissa knit 3 of the designs Panoramic Spire ~ check out her incredible handspun yarn, too! Curious Climber ~ word has it her son snatched it up for a gaming clock as soon as it was off the needles ;-). Valley View ~ more stunning handspun! I love how she switched up the color blocking for even more drama. Ana Peacock Ridge ~ such crisp stitch detail in Ana’s work! Debbi Peacock Ridge ~ Debbi’s looks perfect for transitioning from summer to fall! Elis Curious Climber – I love how the color …

Turning Points

Turning Points Preview

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, Pattern Related, Shawls Leave a Comment

Over the next week or so Turning Points will be available on different sites. The “Turning Points” book page will be updated as each new platform becomes available. In the meantime, check out the attached PDF for a preview of what’s to come! To view full pages in your browser, click the box with up and down arrows (beside the % +).

Stitch in Focus: Knitting Backwards

Lindsay LewchukAnnouncements, KNIT knitworthy 'n intriguing techniques (2024 theme), Pattern Related, Stitch in Focus 4 Comments

I fell in love with short rows after adapting my knitting style to suit one very particular Great Dane’s preferences.  Knitting backwards was his command, so I obediently switched styles.  Watch the video below for a quick demonstration of Stockinette and Garter being worked backwards!  What happens when you hit an increase? Yep, those can be conquered while knitting backwards, too. Watch this next video to see the trick I use to teach my brain how. Stay tuned for my next printed (and digital) knitting book featuring 5 short row shawls – the perfect opportunity to give knitting backwards a try!