Knitting Update

July 29, 2016Leave a comment

meow retake 1

Hello again and apologies for the radio silence. Life over the past couple of years or so had taken me away from knitting and designing patterns due to various shenanigans. But, at last, I’m pulling back the cobwebs and here am I again.

I’ve been doing some spring cleaning around The Red Fox and Gown website and giving the website and social media a much-needed make-over. So yes, you’re in the right place. On Ravelry, you can find me under Rena Greyson. And I’m still on Etsy with The Red Fox And Gown shop. And you can find me online through the social media links on this blog.

So what all is in the works? Well, some of the patterns are in the process of getting some updated pics, like the Meow Hat above, and some minor updates behind the scenes.

And there’s two pattern releases coming up over the next couple of months, and some other cool stuff, I promise.

Fibrations 2014

September 3, 2014September 3, 2014Leave a comment

RainCityKnits yarn in an apple tree.

In the orchard at St. Ann’s Academy, Victoria, BC.

Apologies for the radio silence! Things have been progressing behind the scenes over the summer. One fun summer thing that I did this year was make a day trip out to Victoria for Fibrations 2014. Pacific Coach makes it quite easy to take the bus from downtown Vancouver on BC Ferries to downtown Victoria, so I was up for the adventure.

BC ferry among the Gulf Islands.

I wasn’t a vendor but my sister was! I hung out at the RainCityKnits booth under the shade of the apple trees on the warm summer’s day. I just love the bright yarn!

RainCityKnits booth with Krista and Pammy the Lab and Edd working in the background.

I had a great time checking out all the vendors and came away with a few treasures. Jane Richmond was there and I came away with a sweater pattern. MisoCraftyKnits was there with her adorable project bags. I have large box bag that she made but I wanted a small drawstring style project bag. It even had bunnies on it!

Project bag by Miso Crafty Knits.

I saw amazing felted creatures by a very talented artist whose name escapes me unfortunately. Here is a little owl that accompanied me home and now sits on my desk.

Downtown Victoria had gardens in full bloom near the bus depot and a couple blocks away from St. Ann’s Academy where Fibrations was held. Yes, an orchard on the edge of downtown! This is only 5 minutes away from where I used to live. I miss Victoria.

And with all that traveling, there was plenty of time to work on knitting projects. Although I don’t actually knit in buses and cars because it makes me motion sick, unfortunately. But the ferry was fair game! I got to work on a fun project… I bet you can guess what I’m making. It’s a new pattern out this fall in time for Knit City.

One of my favourite summer things is riding on the ferry at sunset. And it didn’t disappoint! What a great way to wrap up my trip.

See you soon! Next time, a sneak peek! 🙂

x Rena

They Don’t Love You Like I Love You Shawlette

April 13, 2014April 13, 20145 Comments

Introducing the They Don’t Love You Like I Love You Shawlette pattern, fresh off the presses and live on Ravelry if you follow the link. It’s coming soon to my Etsy shop as well. This is a cheerful shawlette also known as the Love Shawlette. Perfect for brightening up urban landscapes with its bright stripes. I used Rain City Knits Superwash Sock yarn for this project in Natural and Lemon Yellow, and I love the result. Depending on how you block your shawlette, you can have either a triangle or semi-circular shape. Tricky, I know! The pattern is live on Ravelry and will be 20% off through May 1st. Thanks again to everyone who test knit for me, and thanks again to my technical editor.

x Rena

Meow Cat Hat

January 21, 2014July 29, 20162 Comments

meow retake 1

Introducing the Meow Cat Hat, sister hat to Foxy Business. I thought it was time for another ear flap animal hat, and who doesn’t like kittens?

The Meow Cat hat is ready for your roaming! Super cozy hat provides warm comfort against chilly winter days and nights. Cute cat ears top the fitted hat that also features ear flaps, and braids.

The finished hat fits heads approximately 12” to 24” (30.5cm – 61cm) in circumference. The hat can be knit in one of several sizes xs (s , m, l). Model wears size l. When one number is given, it applies to all sizes. When 4 numbers are given, the first is for size xs (12” / 30.5cm), the second for size s (14.5” / 37cm hat), the third for size m (18” / 45.5cm hat) and the fourth for size l (22” / 56cm hat). Note that the fabric stretches easily.

The original pattern calls for fingering weight yarn held double (182yds / 166m) per skein – two skeins are required of main colour. I used DROPS Alpaca in fingering weight. Scrap yarn is needed for the contrasting colour for the ears. The fingering weight yarn can be substituted with worsted weight yarn if you prefer, approximately 225yds / 205m required.

As usual, Katherine Vaughan has expertly tech edited the pattern and my Ravelry test knitters did a fabulous job with the hat.

The Meow Cat Hat is currently on sale on Ravelry to celebrate its launch – 25% off automatically at checkout until 15 February.

There’s still plenty of winter left to knit up this quick project. )

x Rena

A Christmas Sneak Peek

December 21, 2013December 21, 20133 Comments

Hi everyone! I can’t believe that it’s been weeks since I’ve posted. Things have been busy around here with my return to work. I have also been working on things behind the scenes, getting patterns ready for testing and trying to wrap up a couple of projects. There’s always more projects than time!

But what’s this? It’s a sneak peek of a recently finished project using lovely bright RainCityKnits yarn. I’m currently writing up the pattern and should have it very soon ready for test knitting on Ravelry. I love my test knitters! I have a hat project though that will go first for testing. Let me know at theredfoxandgown@gmail.com if you are interested in test knitting for me.

Last but not least, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. And happy solstice too! It’s fitting that there is snow on the ground in Vancouver for this first day of winter. The best part is that the days finally start getting longer at last. Hooray!

x Rena

Fall Round Up

November 3, 2013July 29, 20163 Comments

The autumn has been a busy one so far. I thought it’s time for a bit of a recap, starting with Knit City 2013, which was held last weekend in Vancouver, Canada. It’s really exciting to have such a wonderful knitting show here in my backyard. The show was amazing, pulled off by the talented Amanda and Fiona of Knit Social. I’m still recovering from the busy weekend! There were 60 vendors and I don’t know how many visitors, but it was a blast.

I had a booth for The Red Fox and Gown, sharing space with Rain City Knits. We had our own space amid the vendors. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic knitters. I sold a lot of patterns and a few books too! I had help on Saturday from the lovely Brooke, seen hard at work in the photo below.

Brooke at work at The Red Fox and Gown booth.

Krista was helped out by Sarah, who is a big supporter of Rain City Knits and even does the occasional blog post for the Vancouver company, as well as yarn wrangling as needed as you can see in the next photo. Krista was too busy to sit still long enough to have her photo taken!

Sarah finding a new home for a fresh Rain City Knits skein.

The weekend passed by in a fun blur. The pace was nice and steady this year, and both Saturday and Sunday were busy despite the glorious weather outside. Knitters are a dedicated crowd.

Aside from Knit City, lots has been going on…

Double Rainbow is live in the new Deep Fall Knitty.

Glaslyn was released.

And there was the launch of my new book Urban Knittting. No wonder I’m tired!

And that’s not all. There’s been plenty of designing and knitting going on behind the scenes. There’s also a backlog of design work due to the fall’s busy schedule. But when I feel like I am not getting anywhere, I step back and realize that actually quite a bit has been going on, especially with the Knit City preparation. Now life returns to normal, at least for the next little while before Christmas shenanigans begin. Happy November–or should I say, Wovember!

x Rena

Glaslyn Shrug / Bolero

October 4, 2013Leave a comment

Hi all! My new Glaslyn Shrug / Bolero pattern is now available on Ravelry and Etsy. And even better, it’s on sale on Ravelry this month at 25% off automatically at checkout through the 31st.

Glaslyn is a vintage style shrug or bolero with a pixie hood and pom pom ties. Wear Glaslyn over your favorite frock or sleeveless blouse during cool garden parties or a night out on the town.

Glaslyn is worked top down seamlessly in the round in stockinette stitch. The shrug is worn with 0 inches of ease. For a looser fit, pick a size larger than your chest measurement.

The adult women’s shrug sizes are 30” (34”, 38”, 42”, 46” 50”, 54”) at the bust. I’m shown wearing size 38” (with 0 inches ease).

I hope you like the new pattern!

x Rena

Urban Knitting Book

September 25, 2013July 29, 20162 Comments

Urban Knitting has landed, the new book and e-book by The Red Fox and Gown. My advance copy arrived today in the post. I’m so excited! This has been a long time in the planning. Did I say I was excited? I am!

Star Slouch Hat.

I decided to make a collection of seven of my existing patterns for Urban Knitting: From Country to City: Sage Woodland Hood, Cloud Cowl, Star Slouch Hat, Morgan Hat, Edinburgh Mittens, English Rose Hat, and Snowflake Boot Cuffs. I also decided to include a general introduction to knitting for advanced beginner to early intermediate level knitters, including Needles + Tools, Yarn and Trouble Shooting too. The book also features rich photographs from my travels around Vancouver and Europe, in urban and country settings. The book includes everything you need to knit up the patterns over 114 pages.

Cloud Cowl.

If you’re attending Knit City 2013 in Vancouver next month, you can see and touch the real book in person. I’m selling the 6″ x 9″ softcover book for $25, and the e-book through Ravelry for $15. It’s a deal if you consider that the patterns retail for $5/each. Some folks like tangible books and some like digital, so I decided to make both options available.

Please e-mail me at theredfoxandgown@gmail.com for book pre-orders through the end of October 2013. If you want the e-book, it’s available for download immediately on Ravelry.

x Rena

Double Rainbow in Knitty!

September 11, 2013Leave a comment

I have been bursting to spill the beans about my newest release, Double Rainbow, for months! And now I can! My pattern is in the brand spankin’ new Deep Fall issue of Knitty. I’m so excited that my pattern made it into this classic Knitty seasonal line up.

Double Rainbow is a playful pattern based on the Internet sensation of the same name. The name doesn’t fail to bring a smile to my lips, each and every time. Then I sing the song: “So intense! Double rainbow all the way across the sky. Oh my God!” If you lean in, you might hear my photographer Sylvia McFadden singing the song during the photoshoot too. I have to say there’s been a lot of fun had with this project.

I should also mention that the fabulous, rich rainbow colours on this sweater are from Rain City Knits DK weight yarn. I used the Babycakes Sampler pack as I saw fit to make my very own Double Rainbow.

I hope you have as much fun with this pattern as much I did designing it for you.

x Rena

PS – Watch this space for another release coming very soon!

Sneak Peek

September 9, 20132 Comments

I have another sneak peek for you of an in progress project. I’m in love with this Madelinetosh yarn that I picked up recently. I totally magpied over the colours and the skeins had to come home with me. Sometimes yarn looks pretty different in the skein as opposed to the way it actually knits up. That said, it’s knitting up just like I imagined, possibly even better. I’m using Tosh Merino Light, a single ply yarn that is lovely and soft to work with. The colourways I’m using are Posy and Rainwater. I love how they look separately, and even more rich together.

Project details coming soon! There’s a few things in the pipe right now for release over the autumn.

x Rena