When I think of the time Pam Allen has asked me to design a collection for Quince & Co I kept telling myself “is this real life”? I suddenly got transported back to the times when I was starting my knitting career and looking forward to every issue of the IK that she curated at the time and browsing through numerous books that she authored in the the local yarn stores. And now I get to do this! This excitement is quite often followed by some amount of self-questioning – would she like these sketches or not? To work with someone who has been in the industry so long has tremendous amount of my respect and reverence and I certainly didn’t want to disappoint. When all the sketches got accepted (!!!) and the next stage was to pick the colors for the whole collection I couldn’t contain myself as things just got even more real.
The inspiration for the Circles + Dots palette served this image for the Finch release as it comprised a harmonious combination of brights and neutrals, especially those hues of turquoise and orange, the colors that my blog used to be. And although I studied art at school for several years my sketching skills often leave much to be desired, however they conveyed the intent.
As you can see some designs went through transformation. The entire process is about making decisions what to add or what to get rid of in a finished design and it is done so to improve the wearability of the actual knits.
My initial idea was to make this collection a story of exploration into knitwear where dots and circles are represented in all kinds through various knit techniques. My interest in polka dots in particular started back in 2011 when I designed my Mizutama shawl in search of wanting to create a polka dot looking shawl without going the obvious route of intarsia. It got me thinking that there are more ways possible to create circular shapes with various looks and patterning in knitwear and I wanted to gather them together for a collection in such a manner that would show the correlation but have different placement, yet feel cohesive and “together”. 2 garments and 3 accessories comprise this collection. I thoroughly enjoyed working the gradually decreasing in size eyelets for Flotilla Mittens and working the three-dimentional texture of Cowry Hat. Even more so developing a special stitch pattern for Effervescence Cardigan, the stitch that looks both eyelet and cables at the same time.
This creative process is slow and lengthy but all the efforts are worth it in the end. When I saw the final images, I was really stunned by the great light , composition and complimenting styling done by Quince & Co that brought the entire collection together in a beautiful narrative that I am very proud to be a part of.
I will let the images speak for themselves though, you can view an entire lookbook to enjoy pretty photography here
You can queue and favorite all the garments and view the collection on Ravelry here.
And please share your thoughts and impressions about Circles + Dots with other knitters in Olgajazzy designs group on Ravelry. I would love to hear some feedback and color choices for your own knits from this collection!
This collection is available as eBook for USD 18.00 and all patterns are also available individually.
$18.00
HAPPY KNITTING!!!
All images in this post are © Quince & Co/Carrie Hoge
I love how these designs are graphic without being harsh. I love the Cowry hat. The Compass pullover reminds me of a seashell. All these pieces are so organic. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the way you think about structure and this book is no exception. I’ve knit Hari and Muira and probably will knit the scarf in this collection first to see how the circles are constructed. Congratulations on the book!
I like how uncluttered the patterns are. They have a simple clean elegance to them.
From conception, to construction, to completion….love these patterns matched with lush yarns. Enough to make me want to knit again!
I agree with the other commenters. The designs are classic and the patterns uncluttered but still unique. They’d work for women across a wide age range.
I like the way this collection is elegant and understated, but in no way boring. And the colors are so lovely.
Love your circles and dots collection! I especially like how your open holes look so neatly knit!
I love how it’s classy and bold at the same time…
Pilarination (ravelry ID)
I’m planning on making the Effervescence Cardigan in the Marsh colorway just as soon as I finish my current sweater WIP. I love the Cowry hat too.
Lovely designs! It’s amazing to see the design process from drawing to finished project.
The compass pullover is definitely my favourite – and in my ravelry library as of now!
It is why I love knitting – the hole is important. In other arts hole is nothing, and in knitting it is everything!!
Love your work.
Olga! I love each piece in this collection! Thank you for sharing your process from beginning to end. Congratulations.
Lovely! Well done, you! I feel the same way about Pam Allen.
I love the collection. It is classic and innovative at the same time.
Hi Olga
I really like the texture on all these particularly the hat and gloves – nobody else is designing patterns like these.
Thank you
Tracy C611 on Ravelry
The designs are so fresh and original and organic, and it is a beautifully cohesive collection. I would love to knit any of these pieces! april2929
Beautiful designs! I am in love with the effervescent cardigan..
Like many other commenters said, the simple elegance of this collection is what is so appealing. I prefer knitting designs with interesting, contemporary construction, rather than ones with complex color work.
I love everything! The elegance, the simpleness of the garments, the chosen colours, the fact that the garments are easily changeable to fit most body types.
Thank you for such a beautiful collection.
So beautiful and organic and original! I love this collection! april2929
Beautiful designs as always! I especially like the compass pullover. All garments have just perfect amount of pattern and texture to be decorative but not overwhelming.
The clean lines of your designs are beautiful! I love the use of cables and eyelets to create a new interpretation of circles and dots. Lovely designs as always!
I love the Effervescence Cardigan. The stitch design is so modern, yet the overall appearance is very classic and feminine.
-TobyKnits on Ravelry
I love the effervescence cardigan, really pretty. I can see it in a mellow yellow.
It’s a wonderful collection – congratulations! I love how the pieces are delicate and simple, yet all contain the circles/dot motif.
I love the way you make classic and classy pieces, but always with a twist. Never predictable or dull. It’s the perfect comination of art and userfriendly patterns/clothes!
Cheers and congratulations with the new collection!
Skaisofa from rav
I love all of these (litle) holes …
It’s so funny, I have to show them to the children at school; I teach them how to knit and they HATE holes!!
I fell in love with the circles & dots collection. I just finished the flotilla mittens (the pattern is perfect and the mittens are so cute) yesterday and will show photos later on ravelry.
I love the Cowry Hat, Gyre Scarf and Effervescence Cardigan and wish I had more time to knit!!
Virginie (aka mollyblum on Ravelry)
Wow! All the collection is stunning, but my favorites are the compass pullover, and the gyre scarf. Thank you for the giveaway, and congratulation for this beautiful collection.
This is such a lovely collection I just love the cowry hat!!
The entire collection is wonderful! What I like most is the effervescence cardigan, circles remind me alliance that is being linked to someone special.
Your sketches are as beautiful as the knit designs. I am eyeing the Effervescence Cardigan to begin with in a sunny yellow for the coming Spring. Love your giveaways, you have always been so generous. I am Axta on ravelry 🙂
Your sketches are beautiful as the knit designs. I am eyeing the Effervescence cardigan to begin with, in a sunny yellow for the coming Spring. Love your giveaways, you are so generous. I am Axta on ravelry
They’re all beautiful – the Compass Pullover is my particular favourite. They look like fun to knit, unusual yet wearable.
I just discovered your work going through ravelry today and I am amazed by your inspiration. Everything looks stunning!
It’s pleasure to know how your creative thinking resulted in these amazing works. Your idea seems very logical yet emotional at the same time, telling so much story behind.
Your knitting literally opened my eyes in the way I never thought of.
Very much looking forward to seeing your next design.
I like best Compass Pullover and Flotilla Mittens 🙂
Thank you for the chance to enter the give-away! I love that they, like all your designs, are out of the box. but still classic and elegant.
Everything? I love the unusual circle motif most, I think! Definitely want to make the Effervescence cardigan!
I have always loved your designs. They are so timeless, classic and elegant and yet modern without being trendy. So unique and wearable. My favorite in this collection is your Effervescence Cardigan. Just enough detail without being overwhelming.
ukimom on Ravelry
Love this collection! A very different look and very inventive. Kudos, Olga!
This collection speaks to me of positive-negative, yin and yang, solid and space. I would love to knit the Effervescence Cardigan! SC
I am in love with the Compass Pullover, the Effervescence Cardigan and the Flotilla Mittens. The colors of the yarn and the photography are so beautiful as well. It is a truly lovely collection. Congratulations!
I think it’s genius how you use the circles and dots in a non-traditional way. When I see circles in knitted garments its usually eyelets and lace, but you’ve taken these open spaces and created something fresh and so pretty, but edgy at the same time. I love the look of the entire collection.
Rav ID: teapartyer
What a beautiful collection! I think the daintiness of the pieces is the aspect that most draws my attention.
Eliane
Love the hat! Can’t wait for it to make its way through the que!
Wow, these are LOVELY. I generally don’t go for patterns as feminine as these — once a tomboy, always a tomboy – but the Compass pullover really speaks to me!
I love your designs because they are simple and clean – but incredibly interesting. Interesting to look at, but also interesting to make.
I’ve made several of your patterns and I always get so many compliments on the finished objects – I couldn’t buy anything already made like them. And that’s a big reason why I knit – to make things to wear that are unique and beautiful. So thanks for these great new designs!
Great collection, my favorite! I will knit the scarf, beautiful.
I think it would have to be the Gyre scarf, although I’m really fond of the mittens too… do we really have to choose? 😉
Congratulations anyway, it’s great to see you working with such great yarns as Quince & CO!
I love how the design of the holes create interest on the knitted garment it self, and whatever is worn underneath supplies another layer of interest because of what can be seen through the decorative elements.
hknitarty@yahoo.com
Very interesting concept of using circles and dots!
I love that all your designs are so architectural, geometric and always sleek! When I saw the Effervescence Cardigan, my jaw literally dropped. It’s so unique and classic at the same time. Pairs great with jeans and the office! LOVE <3
Rav ID: kellknit
I love that all your designs are so architectural, geometric and always sleek! When I saw the Effervescence Cardigan, my jaw literally dropped. It’s so unique and classic at the same time. Pairs great with jeans and the office! LOVE <3
Rav ID: kellknit
Love the dot theme and especially love the Effervescence Cardigan!
I love the dots and the “emptiness” they create. I really like the scarf!
What a gorgous pattern collection! I especially fell in love with the cardigan which is already in my queue and a mustknit this coming spring 🙂
This collection really appeals to me. I know I’ll enjoy knitting the Effervescence cardigan and scarf.
I Love All the designs, especially Effervescence cardigan and Flotilla Mittens!
StaceyKnitsIt ravelry
Simply beautiful patterns paired with lovely yarn. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Jan (dannjan1025@msn.com)
Really beautiful work!!
Your designs are always new and exciting with an edge to them. Well done!!!!
I always love your designs…especially the fingerless gloves…they are just a tad different to be really unique!
I think the designs all have a beautiful classic elegance to them. Very nice!
Great collection….particularly like Compass sweater and Gyre scarf….your dots are beautiful.
lyn41 on Ravelry
Thank you for sharing the creative process behind Circles + Dots!
I love how you play with clear structures and randomness (Flotilla Mitts). And how you play with the size of eyelets. Your designs reflect the beauty of nature!
– stardiver [rav]
Lovely, wearable collection. I am drawn to the Effervescence Cardigan. I think the detail on the front and the neckline would work for my shape.
Love your designs. Thank you for sharing.
Hello,
I fell in love with the compass sweater but most of all, I am always mesmerized by your ingeniosity in finding amazing ways to create a pattern (working right now on a Hari shawl…). Your creation look so simple and elegant but with a very sophisticated touch at the same time, very japanese I think. Thank you for these beautifull patterns, as usual.
The compass pullover is brilliant.
naomil1@verizon.net
I think I must knit the effervescence cardigan. this collection has brought your lovely designs to my attention.
Lovely! I like the compass pullover
I love the clean, classic looks of these designs and the way you’ve added embellishments without adding clutter or frippery.
It has a unified theme that is so versatile to wear. It must be so much fun to knit those patterns! Also the palette of colors is appealing and feels fresh and young. And the yarn looks like it has nice drape.
oh I like those scarfs! I did knit the Mizutama that you designed earlier and it is one of my favourite accessories. Great collection – congratulations!
I love the pullover and the mitts especially, the patterns are very classic.
purlyBear (ravelry ID)
Wow, your patterns are gorgeous. I think I love that Compass Cardigan the most. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your collection!
BEAUTIFUL !
j’adore !!!
Samantha
Yours works are amazing! congratulation!
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