The China Cashmere Collection
Baby Sweater
Description
This all-in-one-piece toddler sweater was adapted from a Debbie Bliss pattern taken from Junior Knits and scaled for a larger gauge. The original pattern had a simple, ribbed edging. Instead of ribbing, I substituted a feather-lace pattern for edging to give the piece a more feminine, dramatic appearance. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend 6-ply, six skeins.
Lace Edging
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend 4-ply, one skein.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) for the body
US 3 (3.25 mm) for the lace edging
Techniques
Stockinette
Pick-up-and-knit for the edging and cuffs
Standard finishing techniques (some seam sewing under arms)
Beaded Poncho with Vine Motif
Description
This two-paneled poncho was adapted from the book Viva Poncho .
I used the basic two-panel shape from Viva Poncho and borrowed the vine motif from a Debbie Bliss scarf pattern Jaeger Handknits transplanted it onto the body and adapted the size to the gauge of my yarn. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend, 6-ply, nine skeins.
Beads
0.35-gauge multi color, approximately one hundred beads.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm)
Techniques
Embossed knitting
Knitting with beads
Standard finishing techniques (two panels sewn together)
Selvedges
Chile Tie-Front Sweater
Description
This sweater is my own invention. I started with all-in-one-piece Debbie Bliss sweater pattern and created a self-tie front with short-row shaping techniques. It started as an experiment but I liked the effect of the short row shaping and decided to finish it. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend, 6-ply, six skeins.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm)
Techniques
Stockinette
Selvedges
Short-row shaping
Standard finishing techniques
Baby Jumper
Description
This pattern from the online knitting magazine, Knitty, is knit in two panels and sewn together. Since the original pattern was somewhat plain, I added lace edging using a picot stitch to give it excitement. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend, 6-ply, six skeins.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm)
Techniques
Stockinette
Picot lace knitting
Selvedge
Simple finishing techniques
Girl's Sweater with Pleated Edging
Description
I modified this piece from another Debbie Bliss pattern . It is knit in one piece and sewn under the arms. I created a pleated edging and added two holes using yarn-overs for the ribbon placement. It requires generous pick-up-and-knit for the edging and extra yarn for the pleat stitching. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend, 6-ply, eight skeins.
Ribbon
Red velvet ribbon, about one foot.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm)
Techniques
Stockinette
Yarn over
Pick up and knit
Pleat stitches for edging
Standard finishing techniques
Girl's Pullover
Description
The body was adapted from a pattern from Weekend Knitting . It is knit in two pieces, front and back, sewn together with a pick-up-and-knit collar and picot edging at cuffs and waist in a contrasting yarn. The original pattern was made from one yarn and had a less attractive edging; I altered it to add some color and to suit my tastes. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend, 6-ply, six skeins.
Adirondack Silk Blend (50% silk, 50% cotton), one skein.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) for the body.
US 7 (4.25 mm) for the edging.
Techniques
Stockinette
Pick up and knit
Picot lace stitch
Standard finishing techniques
Tassle Skirt
Description
This one-piece child skirt was knit entirely in the round. The body design came from Knit Wit but was scaled to suit the gauge of my yarn and I altered the shaping to flare at the bottom. The original pattern had a pick-up-and-knit edging with an eyelash yarn. I substituted an eyelet-lace edge with standard yarn-overs and threaded ribbon to give it a less funky but more feminine appearance. There is no elastic waist but instead a drawstring (I-cord) with tassel closure. Show Details
Yarn
China Cashmere silk/cashmere blend 6-ply, eight skeins.
Ribbon
Art Yarns ribbon, one skein.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) for body
Two double-pointed US 3 (3.25 mm) for I-cord
Techniques
Knitting in the Round
Eyelet lace (yarn-overs)
Tassel making
I-cord
Standard finishing techniques
Contact Me
email: elmead123@yahoo.com
About Me
I have been an avid knitter for many years. My objective is to work with those who love yarn and knitting and to share this incredibly satisfying form of art with as many people as possible.
— Elizabeth Mead
About My Experience
I have invested thousands of hours knitting sweaters, socks, purses, skirts, ponchos, scarves, hats, blankets and have mastered skills such as intarsia knitting, fair isle knitting, lace knitting, felting, double pointed knitting, double (shadow) knitting, knitting in the round, assembling, finishing, correcting errors. I also create original patterns and designs. I teach to adults and children and am currently offering a knitting tutorial to a fourth grade class at Stanton Elementary school in Castro Valley, California.
Techniques and Materials
Like most knitters, I have my preferences for projects and materials. The projects in this portfolio display a wide variety of techniques and skills but were all knit with my favorite yarn: China Cashmere's silk-cashmere blend (55% silk, 45% cashmere). It has the luxurious softness of cashmere and the contrasting smoothness and luminosity of silk. It is the ultimate yarn - it glides through your fingers and washes and wears beautifully. Although I have used various gauges, I prefer to work with 6-ply.