Pattern Scout
Cable Wizardry from Lucy Hague
Cable fever is upon us, with the popularity of Something New to Learn About Cables, the book and video series we’ve been featuring recently. Once you get the hang of cables, a whole new world of possibility opens up. Today we welcome a postcard from Frome, England, where designer/teacher extraordinaire Jen Arnall-Culliford (A Year of Techniques) tells us about one of the inventive contributors to Something New to Learn About Cables.
—Ann and Kay
I have been admiring Lucy Hague’s designs for quite some time, but knitting the Pleione blanket (above) for Something New to Learn About Cables was the first time I’ve worked from one of her patterns. It confirmed everything I felt about her designs: they are pure cabling genius!
If you have enjoyed working on projects from Something New to Learn About Cables, then I can definitely recommend popping over to Lucy’s website to plan your next cabled adventure.
Dunedin shawl. Image © Lucy Hague
Lucy’s Dunedin shawl has a shallow crescent shape created with short rows and a stunning knitted-on cable edging with lace details.
Lucy takes inspiration from Pictish and Celtic art, transforming the intricate knot-work designs found in stone and wooden artifacts into sinuous cabled knitwear. She has an uncanny ability to combine these amazing cable motifs with really wearable shawl and garment shapes. The Dunedin shawl (above) is based on one of Lucy’s favorite Celtic knots, and the shallow crescent shape is one that is really easy to wear.
KYNA SHAWL. Image © Lucy Hague
If you’re ready to take your cabling up a level, Lucy’s Kyna shawl is next-level cool.
Kyna is knitted in one piece, with the cable edging shaped with short rows, making this a really interesting project. Kyna comes in both charted and written formats.
BAIN SCARF. Image © Lucy Hague
One of the challenges of designing scarves is that both sides of the fabric are visible.
Reversible cables have been around for a while, and generally use a basis of 1×1 rib columns that cross each other. Lucy has been experimenting with a new reversible cabling technique for some time, and has just published the Bain scarf (above) which uses slipped stitches to create a scarf that looks completely stunning on both sides.
Lucy talks in detail about this genius, truly reversible cable technique over on her blog, so do go and read all about it in her own words. I am absolutely in awe of how she has worked this out, not just so that she can create a project using the method, but also a way of writing the instructions that makes sense to knit. It’s often the case that a technique is very easy to knit, but devilishly difficult to describe. Lucy has taken a great deal of care to ensure the best possible knitting experience with this design.
KELLS PULLOVER. Image © Lucy Hague
If you’re more of a garment knitter, then Lucy’s Kells pullover may be the project you fall for.
When Lucy’s Illuminated Knits designs were first revealed, I was totally intrigued by the two-color cables. How does she come up with these amazing ideas? And this is what I love most about knitting: just when I think I’ve seen it all, someone comes up with something so clever, and elegant that I have to completely readjust my understanding of what is possible. It keeps me interested and challenged, and I love it!
The Kells pullover uses three shades of yarn—one is contrast at neck, cuffs and hem, and the other two are striped throughout. Slipped stitches then create the interlocking cables in two colors. It really is the most incredibly stunning design (and the entire collection is amazing).
If you don’t already follow Lucy on social media, then do!
Website: LucyHague.co.uk
Instagram: LucyHagueKnits
Ravelry: LucyHague
Facebook: Designs by Lucy Hague
And when you sign up for her newsletter you get a coupon code for one of her patterns: Lucy Hague Newsletter
THE CHEERFUL TEAM BEHIND SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN ABOUT CABLES: RACHEL COOPEY, LUCY HAGUE, JEN AND JIM ARNALL-CULLIFORD.
At top: Edging detail from Lucy Hague’s Pleione blanket. Image © Jesse Wild
Come Shop With Us
What a great discovery for me, and a very generous offer for a fabulous free pattern. Thanks!
I ordered Something New to Learn About Cables solely because of the Pleione design, but am enjoying the entire book!
Lucy’s blog post describing the thought process behind the technique is both fascinating and incredibly generous sharing on her part. Thank you so much for pointing me to it!
Wow! Beautiful patterns.
I started the Bain scarf after seeing it here during March Madness. It will be a birthday present to one of the most Celtic women that I know. I started a year early, and when I had to tear back a few times in the beginning, I was sure it was a good thing I had the extra time. Now, however, after getting the hang of it, I’m moving right along. Thanks, MDK, for showcasing this beautiful work. I love it!
I’m in lust over here. After about 60 years of knitting, I’m finally figuring out what kind of knitting I’m most drawn to (as in, like to knit), and it’s definitely texture. Colorwork, meh! But give me a good cable or lace pattern, or entrelac or linen stitch, or transparent (I’m looking at you, Shakerag top!) or Brioche and I’m all over it. These patterns are drool-worthy!
I fell in love with Lucy Hague’s patterns about six months ago. I have knitted two of them and have the yarn and patterns for several of the others. My goal is to knit all of them. I hope to meet her when I go to Scotland this coming Fall.
Thank you for pointing me in the direction of Lucy Hague’s blogpost. After reading it, I shared the link with my girlfriend and told her, “Okay, Lucy Hague was good before, but now she has completely blown my mind!”
It has been a good while since I dehydrated myself drooling over her stunning Reversible Traveling Cable pieces. Once I saw hers, I stopped doing cables. Armed with ‘Illuminated Knits’ and her explanation of the technique, I am off and running.
Just yesterday, after sharing another pattern with my girlfriend, she told me she would need a whole other lifetime to knit all her projects. Think I will now require TWO lifetimes; one for existing projects, and one for Lucy’s cable patterns.
BTW, MDK makes it difficult to get any knitting accomplished. Too many good things to read are offered… JUST KIDDING, well, maybe.
A day in heaven could be described as the day I’m having today. Knitting and watching CSI reruns, while in bed with the dog