I love a quick accessory project, especially in a worsted weight yarn, especially when I need something with instant gratification, the perfect antidote to a waiting season! Whether you are waiting for warmer, sunny weather to show up or for a state board to issue your licensing credentials, a fun, satisfying, and beautiful knit is the best remedy for the waiting time. Sierra of All Knit Up Designs has found the perfect Leannán Worsted cowl design offering.

Sierra pairs the perfect slip-stitch combination that makes the stunning colors of Malabrigo yarn shine! Sierra is the designer and owner of All Knit Up Designs and All Knit Up Bags! She designed her first shawl pattern in 2019 and hasn’t stopped since! All Knit Designs are the perfect patterns for social knitting because they are easily memorized, and one can knit them without paying too much attention to the pattern. Sierra is based in Port Angeles, Washington, and designs sews, teaches, trunk shows, and yarn events full-time! 

Sierra was gracious enough to answer some questions about the design process and the Leannán Worsted design that is the February Quickies project!

1 What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?

My favorite part is that the slip-stitch cables show all the gorgeous colors so well! 

2: What should knitters pay attention to when working this pattern? Do you have any tips or tricks to make knitting this pattern easier?

Knitters should pay attention to which way they are slipping their stitches so the cable doesn’t twist! Always slip stitches in this pattern as if to purl.

3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?

Knitters will enjoy that after the first repetition or two, they won't need to look at their pattern anymore! Leannán Worsted is very easy to memorize, and I love being able to put it down, pick it up, and know exactly where I was. 

4: What does your design process look like?

Usually, my design process starts with the yarn; I love yarn! The colors typically inspire me to work them together, or I can envision what stitch patterns might work with the color. Then, I started the swatching and mini shawls to see if my idea and stitches would work. I have a few notebooks full of sketches, which I can pull from!

5: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?

I knew that the variegated colors of Malabrigo would be perfect for this elongated cable. The cable stitch color would be different from the rest of the stitches and would shine! 

6: What impact does the color of this project have on you? Did you make design choices based on the colorway name?

I hadn´t seen the new Zodiac collection from Malabrigo in person yet, so receiving my yarn made me incredibly happy because it´s gorgeous and was perfect for the stitch pattern I had in my head. I didn’t even know the colorway´s name before I picked the yarn! 

7: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?

One thing I wish people knew about me as a designer is that my look is complicated, but the stitch patterns are made to knit while at knit night. They are much more accessible than they look. I don´t enjoy complex knitting, so I don´t design complicated knitting! 

8. What beverage will you most likely have by your side while designing?

Usually, I drink kombucha, I brew at home, and I love to try new flavors! Be sure to check out Sierra’s work here:

Social Media Profiles

IG: allknitup

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/AllKnitUpDesigns

Ravelry ID: sierrak2010

Website: https://www.allknitupdesigns.com

You can find the pattern:

Rav: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leannan-worsted

Lovecrafts: https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/p/leannan-worsted-knitting-pattern-by-all-knit-up-

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