Ah, memories <cue the dorky music>.

No surprise that I’m a big fan of Norah (like 98% of us knitters).  My familiarity with Norah’s designs are mostly within the past 10 years – here are some of my faves…

Fashionable Cables

Norah’s great at designing cables the are wearable, fashionable and don’t scream “I made this because I wanted to knit it” but rather “I made this because I wanted to wear it”

• Halyard – Just published yesterday, this one went into my faves immediately
• Sislana – Love the way the cables mirror the raglan decreases
• Lempster – Can you believe this one’s free (from Knitty)? I think the yarn somewhat obscures the beauty of the cable so make sure you take a look at the finished projects too.
• Forster – This one always makes me laugh because Norah swore she wouldn’t do top-down knitting.  And then she did.
• Emerson – A showpiece cable up the front plus *that cowl*.  Can you imagine wearing that when it’s snowing?  And knit in a chunky yarn it should go quickly too.
• Turbulence U-Neck – When I think about Knitting Nature this is the first thing that pops in my mind.  I remember walking around the Rhinebeck fairgrounds the year after the book came out and spotting many Turbulences.

Creative Stitch Patterns

Norah doesn’t end with just cables.  Here are a few texture and eyelet lovelies as well…

• Sturgeon – A shawl/wrap with awesome texture and openwork
• Nurmi – I must be on a mega-cowl kick because this one gets me too
• Flower Child – Great neckline detail – the perfect balance of that showcase element contrasted with a simple bottom
• Tilted Duster – I remember how crazy people went over this one when it hit the cover of Interweave Knits in Fall 2007.
• Anais – This one has been a perennial on my “someday I will knit you”
• Phyllo Yoked Pullover – Such a creative use of a stitch pattern that seamlessly flows into the garment shaping

Unusual Shapes

Not your typical boxy or hourglass shapes…

• Sanpoku – I love the Asian inspiration here – and who doesn’t like an excuse for another shawl pin?
• Cormorant – A cardi with an oversized, flouncy detail
• Plover – Ok one more cowl here, but this one is not your run-of-the-mill variety
• Violette-le-duc – When this one hit the streets in 2008 there was a ton of conversation about how this one can be worn upside down as well
• Prospera – Inset circles and lace in a feminine pullover
• Currer – This one looks as fun to knit as to wear.  The bottom half-circles give a unique shape to the bottom.

As I went through Norah’s designs there were several that I had forgotten.  She’s had a prolific career and damn – she’s talented.  Fun to knit and fun to wear.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

Brooklyn Tweed Fall 13

Cables?  check Thick scarves and wraps?  check Cushy textures?  check

Rhinebeck Sweater

Some of our favorite designers in a tribute to knitting’s fall classic.  I can’t resist a sweater called Artichoke French.

 Knitscene, Winter 2013

In classic Knitscene style, a collection of 24 stylishly simple knits and accessories.

Lace One-Skein Wonders

For all those spare skeins and impulse buys of *the* perfect sock yarn.  Because fall knitting doesn’t have to be bulky.

Changing leaves, brisk breezes and hot chocolate mugs.  Knitting meet overdrive.  Oh yeah – it’s on.

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

yellowcosmo – Her Ginkgo Collection with the contrasting color stems really drew me in and I can imagine the stole done up in a variety of color combos.  And that differently-shaped leaf is a breath of fresh air.

Anna Dalvi – The strong lines in her Fields of Malachite shawl from Ancient Egypt in Lace and Color uses twisted stitches and symmetry to make a striking shape.   At almost 100 accessory designs she’s impressively prolific.  How is it that I’ve never heard of Anna?

What about you?  Any new-to-you designers?  Or designers that fly under the radar that deserve a little more attention?

I’ll catch you on the purl side.