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Cloud Peak KAL + Designer Spotlight: Simone Kereit of OwlCat Designs

Fall is just around the corner, and we're celebrating summer's last hurrah with a fun KAL featuring a new design by Simone Kereit of OwlCat Designs! We've asked Simone to share a guest post with our readers - read on for more info about this KAL, a special coupon code just for Knitter's Pride fans, and a chance to win the special prize, too!

Hello there, my lovely knitting friends! 
I am Simone Kereit, but you may know me better as OwlCat Designs, and we’ll be doing a fun KAL together! And before anything else, I want to thank Knitters Pride for sponsoring this event and letting me take over their blog as well as providing a number of cool prizes to participants, but more on that later!
But before we get into any more details, let me introduce myself a little, in case you don’t know that much about me:
My name is Simone and I was born in Switzerland where I learned to knit when I was around 5 or 6 years old. My mom always had a project going, so the concept was with me from a really young age. And then of course, we all learned to knit in school, though I am sure my brother would not remember how if I asked him these days! When I started to knit, there were not a lot of patterns, especially for kids or teenagers, and so I learned to knit socks by asking my Mom how to do it, and knitting a sweater by picking out yarn which at the time would have convenient notes on the label about how many balls of yarn it might take for a size 38 etc. You would then take the yarn home and swatch the stitch you wanted to use and then doing all the math off of the swatch. As you can imagine, there was  a bit of a learning curve and not all my projects turned out fabulous right from the start. I distinctly remember one where I decided to put a band of colorwork into the bottom third on the front and since this was the first time I worked a stranded design and was teaching myself by making ALL the mistakes, the band was a whole lot tighter than the rest of the sweater. So smartly, when I knit the back, I made sure to make it extra loose, which ended up making a big ol’ pouch than hung below my butt! I still wore the sweater, I had made it after all, but luckily it was a really warm number and there wasn’t all that much occasion to wear it except in the woods!
When I moved to the US in 1999, I was surprised to learn that not everyone was knitting the way I was taught and publishing designs was almost the logical conclusion.
I really love to knit and so I enjoy a variety of techniques and items, from shawls over smaller accessories (like the Mitts we will be knitting together) to sweaters and cardigans. I design things that I would like to wear (and I often do, though sometimes I have to wait for the shawl or sweater to make their way back to me after travelling in trunk shows to shops around the country) and so the things I am inspired to design change. I have many more ideas than hours or energy in my hands to knit, so I have to structure and plan, but I do like to leave a bit of room for the unexpected, if I can. I find having the freedom to design something on the spur of the moment just because I had this amazing idea really helps my creativity and my happiness. 

I love wooden tools, knitting needles included and have more needles than I care to admit. I probably have the entire size range of Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Interchangeable needles twice over, because they give me so much flexibility and because I always seem to need needles in the same sizes and end up adding another set of tips. I love that the wooden tips now come as Natural, because sometimes you just need a light colored needle to be able to really see your stitches. When I knit small circular things I prefer using DPNs, but I do quickly go over how to adapt your longer (40” /100 cm) circulars to knit these mitts using magic loop. 

One thing that I think absolutely rocks about the Knitter’s Pride interchangeable needles is the end caps. Do you use them much? If not, you should! Each cable comes with two of them and even though I tend to not often put something aside on the cable to use the needle tips for something else (see above and my mention of my needle collection) though they are great for that as well (just make sure to use the size tags which come with each set, for you won’t remember the size when you find your project 2 years from now and the sticky notes do fall off, trust me).
No, what I use them most often for is travel safety and sleeve stitches
Let me explain the first: When you travel on planes these days, you never know if they might take your needles. Fingers crossed, I never had an issue using my wooden Dreamz tips, but it depends on the country and the airport and you just never know. If you should be so unlucky as to have to give up your needles, simply unscrew the tips, put endcaps on and when you get to your destination, unpack the set of tips that was in your checked luggage! Sure it is sad that you couldn’t knit on your lace shawl while flying, but the stitches are safe and you get to enjoy it when you are on vacation! 
The other is sleeves: When I knit cardigans or sweaters in the round, (anything circular yoke or raglan shaped) instead of putting stitches on waste yarn, I simply knit them onto a short cable, add endcaps and voilĂ ! When it comes time to knit the sleeves (or join the sleeves to the body for bottom up designs) all you have to do is unscrew the endcaps and thread on the proper needle. No more stitches that got all tiny and are hard to pick up, no slipping this way and that. Just screw on those tips, and knit right off the end! I am probably a bit giddy, but I do love this so much, I probably have 8 sets of 16” and 20” cables just for that!
But let’s get back to designing. Often my inspiration comes from nature, I love hiking and being outside in general and anything in nature from a misty sunrise to an intricately twisted branch can just hit you and take your breath away. The Cloud Peak mitts that we are going to knit together, were inspired by those high peaks up in the mountains, the ones that often wear a cap of clouds when the wind is right. I settled on the name on our recent vacation, when driving across Wyoming towards the Big Horn mountains, the tallest peaks are in an area known as the Cloud Peak Wilderness, and from a distance, there are many smaller peaks visible as you approach across the lower country. The name seemed just perfectly fitted to the stitch pattern reminding me of mountain ranges back home with multiple peaks jutting high into the blue sky.
I hope many of you will join me as we get started, the official cast on date is August 25th, so you have 2 full weeks to shop for the perfect yarn or dig through your stash for that perfect skein. You need sport weight yarn and if you like, beads. I have tutorials that will show you all the parts that might be new to you, so if you’ve never used beads in your knitting, just follow along, it’s super easy! And all the details on materials are below. 

The socializing part of the KAL will be happening online and we even have our very own #hashtag: #CloudPeakKAL 
We will virtually knit together in my Ravelry group and on Instagram 
And on the Knitter's Pride and OwlCatDesigns Instagram profiles.  

So come over, give us a follow and say hi in my Ravelry group!


When I started designing these mitts, I wanted them to be versatile, but also something that has a few details that perhaps are new to you and where you can add a new knitting skill to your bag of tricks. I designed them to be knit in Sport Weight yarn so it would go quickly and the beads add an elegant little detail to the back of your hand! The pattern comes in a couple of sizes and I want to quickly go over how to measure your hand to find the perfect size and fit. 


As shown in the picture, measure the circumference of your palm, holding the tape measure snug. On the pattern you will find two measurements, one is the actual finished size, the other is the hand circumference it is meant to fit. Just like when you make a hat, you will want some negative ease (the actual measurement of the knitted item is smaller than the size of your hand) as knitted fabric has some stretch. This is so the mitt doesn’t fit all floppy and loose in the end but fits you ‘like a glove’.
The Cloud Peak Mitts can be knit with a regular or a long cuff, since I like mine long to tuck into a sweater or inside a jacket sleeve without cold wind getting to you. And the pattern is written in multiple sizes, so you can make one for the rest of the family too! As we go along, I have a couple of hacks and adaptations that I think would make these fun for a guy to wear as well (unless of course they are fond of beads, no tweaking necessary then).
A quick word on yarn: For this stitch pattern, a smooth plied yarn works best, and since mitts usually get a good bit of use and friction, you may want to opt for Superwash while you’re at it.
Ok so now that you know a bit more, here is what you need to get to be ready for cast on!
Pattern
Yarn
Approx. 155 (165, 180) yds / 140 (150, 165) m of sport weight yarn
Needles
US 4 (3.5mm needles) Knitter’s Pride either DPNs or 40” / 100 cm circulars needles for magic loop
Gauge
28 st and 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette st
Finished Sizes
6 (7, 8)” / 15 (18, 20) cm palm circumference
to fit hand with palm circumference up to 7 (8, 9)” / 18 (20.5, 23) cm
Notions
Tapestry Needle
0.75mm Knitter’s Pride crochet hook or preferred tool to add beads
approx. 95 (105, 120) size 6/0 beads
5 markers (2 color A for Cloud Peak pattern panel, 2 color B for thumb gusset, and 1 marker for EoR)


For the sample I used Dragonfly Fibers Damsel in Silver Fox and less than 1 tube (20g) of size 6/0 beads in matte metallic silver grey.

Our KAL runs August 25-Sept. 22; I hope you will join me as we knit the Cloud Peak Mitts together over the next few weeks! 

August Giveaway! 

One lucky reader will win a Deluxe Royale Interchangeable Needle Set. To enter, leave a comment telling us what your favorite pattern is from Simone's back catalog! Don't forget to also mention your Ravelry ID or email address so that we can contact you if you win.

We'll randomly select one lucky winner to announce on our next blog post on Friday, August 31. Good luck! 

68 comments:

  1. I love her fox crossing mittens!! I would try to make them but I've never done colorwork and it looks so hard... :(

    RavID: ReannaLynne

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  2. My favorite is Astragal Shawl! Rav: Whimsical

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  3. The Mistletoe and Holly Shawl. Maybe it will be my Christmas project this year.

    Ravelry ID: Sdschantz

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  4. I love the wide variety of patterns. Hard to choose. So I choose two: Summer Haze and Morning Mist ... great individually and as a combo. Rav amchart

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  5. Summer Haze is so wearable! I love it.

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  6. My favorite pattern is Odonata - it is a beautiful colorwork hat pattern. Rav JeanInMaine

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  7. I've always loved the simple elegance of Greek Key designs, and Simone has several lovely patterns featuring them, but I'm choosing the On The Forest Floor Shawl. It really just sings out to me. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway and for introducing us to this talented designer. KittenWhiplash on Ravelry.

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  8. Thanks for prompting me to have a look at all of Simone's designs: I've found quite a few that I really like. If I had to pick just one, I'd go for the Astragal shawl (but Karyai and Summer Haze have also been added to my favorites).
    Ravelry ID: kimianak

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  9. I am an OwlCat Designs addict (yup go to Ravelry and you'll see) so it's really hard to pick a favorite. But if I really had to (now you really are making it hard to choose) is probably Háifoss for a lacey project and Starshowers for a cozy fun pattern. Ravelry ID: DanyT

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  10. Love edgadin! Though confluence is cool too! 100Creations on Ravelry.

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  11. This is my first time looking around at Simone's patterns, and I'd select the Imbrex Mitts as my favorite and next pattern to try after the KAL for the Cloud Peak Mitts. I'm looking forward to my first KAL! My Ravelry name is chemlindsey

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  12. Hard to choose just one! But right now I'm into sweaters so my choice is Engadin. Tomorrow something else maybe, but I'll go with Engadin, for sure.
    My Ravelry name is susu2u

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  13. Odonata hat with the dragon flies is so adorable! My Rav name is Velveteena Thanks for the opportunity.

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  14. Love Astragal shawl, I have always loved geometric patterns and this one is beautiful!

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  15. Nocturne in M
    Ravelry name is SiglerS

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  16. Karakorum is beautiful! And 'on the forest floor' looks so cozy and warm. Hard to choose just one pattern as a favorite.
    myzbarb on rav

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  17. Confluence is absolutley gorgeous raverlry bbfanmrs

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  18. Kirsibaum and Hedgerow Jam. I love a great cowl!

    suewilkins on Rav!

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  19. I love her shawl designs, especially the Mist & Spray.

    awhitedesign on Ravelry.

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  20. Rolling Hitch. I have given many for gifts.
    Thorsgirl on Ravelry

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  21. I love the Schaumkronen pattern (asimplehomestd on Ravelry)

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  22. Loved reading this. The idea of knitting being taught in grade school is so compelling to me. I grew up in the US and it seems like knitting was viewed more as a hobby than a life skill, which I think is a shame - being able to make quality clothes is really useful! I learned to knit at a young age because I had fiber artists in my family, and I am very grateful for that :).

    Oh gosh it's so hard to choose a fav pattern, Simone has so many greats!! It's a toss up between khyber pass, astragal, confluence and nymphea.

    Thanks for the lovely post and giveaway! My Ravelry ID: coalescence

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  23. Fox Crossing! Love this sweater!
    greyowl (ravelry id)

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  24. Ipomoea....simply stunning!
    -Patti4b

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  25. Mistletoe and Holly rocks!
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

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  26. I absolutely love her astragal shawl. ❤

    Ravelry id: tempglitch

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  27. I reeeeally like Summer Haze and have added it to my library.

    Ravelry ID: Kattolio

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  28. I love Simone Kereit's Karakorum shawl pattern, it's beautiful.
    Ravelry ID: mehilton

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  29. I love both the Starshowers shawl and the Fox Crossing Mittens! Both are new favorites.
    Ravelry ID mrscollinhobbs

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  30. Lavender Breeze is one of my favorites!
    Ravelry ID is. Stitcherpat

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  31. Love the Sima Cloche and the Hemlock Shade!
    Rav ID Purlynne

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  32. I love on the forest floor.

    SheilaOKeefe on Rav

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  33. I like Lake Ice hat.
    Limeleaf on rav.

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  34. I like Summer Haze. Katydo1 rav id

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  35. Fire Circle immediately caught my eye. What gorgeous patterns. Thanks for the chance to win! I'm ShadowAP on Rav.

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  36. I have had Astragal shawl in my favorites for quite a while as I learned enough techniques to feel comfortable starting such a lovely project. jackiensolon

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  37. I love her two hour mitts and use them all the time both as a scrap buster and for last minute gifts! I am rjgosnell on RAV

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  38. I love her Haifoss shawl that I knit when it came out. But I also love her on the forest floor shawl. I am vbponi on ravelry

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  39. I love the look of Wild Waves Whist. I live near the ocean and it is always a place of fascination and peace for me.

    Ravelry ID is merlowe.

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  40. I love her Summer Haze scalloped edged sweater and her Chase the Cold boot topper.

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  41. I like the Azimuth Compass shawl! My ravelry is kraeschulz

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  42. There are so many fabulous patterns it's hard to choose just one. Since I am in a sweater mood I'm choosing Morning Mist. Thanks for the chance to win!
    My Ravelry Id is Sinistersally

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  43. Cloud Peak Mitts has been my intro to Simone's' patterns. I see she has many lovely designs. I'm very drawn to Love and Madness. I'm DivineDiva on Ravelry.

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  44. I love all her shawl patterns, but Mistletoe and Holly is one I must make. It's been in my queue for awhile and I need to make it before this Christmas! I am foolshopping on Ravelry. Thanks!

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  45. My favorite pattern is Simone's Wedding Shawl. My rav id is stephensnana.

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  46. I like Simone's Wedding Shawl. stephensnana rav id

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  47. Trying again to comment on this....my favorite pattern of hers is definitely haifoss but its because i love mine! Eyeing on the forest floor as my nect prokect of hers. My ravelry id is vbponi

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  48. I love the haifoss shawl - probably because I knit one! Eyeing On the Forest Floor though as a possible next project.
    Ravelry name is vbponi

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  49. I really look the Amir al-bahr shawl! The colors are great, but that design and lines are awesome. Fingers crossed for my name to be chosen.
    Thanks, rav: dinasmiles2

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  50. Love Markanda!!

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  51. The Carrot Cake Shawl is stunning, especially in the deep orange.

    deblyn153 on RAV

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  52. Odanata I love the dragonflies

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  53. What a wonderful story. I love my Dreamz as well!! My Ravelry name is deenomad :)

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  54. I've never knitted any of her patterns but maybe now, with my new Royale set when I win...
    My fav is Karyai shawl.
    mamayaga on Rav

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  55. I love your patterns! so far my best is Mistletoe and Holly shawl. Rav ID Cazzie53 Thanks

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  56. Full Fathom are gorgeous mitts!

    tktl on Ravelry

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  57. I love the Astragal shawl. So pretty. Here in Arizona, a shawl is often the perfect winter "coat" 11 or 12 months a year. Lovely patterns and a great prize to the lucky winner.

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  58. I saw the Cornice Cowl pattern and decided it would my favorite. 5bre392 on Ravelry. Thank you for this great giveaway!!

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  59. I love socks, and your Upland Socks look wonderful! Are they knitted toe-up or cuff-down?

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  60. I think I posted early in the afternoon but it's not showing.
    My fav is Karyai.
    mamayaga on Rav

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  61. Winter silk is my favorite
    Lisaeye is my ravelry id

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  62. I love the Astragal Shawl, and hope to knit it soon.
    atreidesb on Ravelry

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  63. love the look of on the forest floor and fox crossing mittens

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  64. Fox crossing mittens are bomb!

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  65. I'm into socks now and I'm loving the Runoff and Upland sock patterns

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  66. I love Midwinter's Hush. My Ravelry name is: rheaume

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