Tidal Creek was inspired by the many salt marshes sprinkled throughout Charleston, South Carolina. There is a magic that happens where the pluff mud creates tall, strong, vibrant green grasses that reach confidently into the bright blue sky. 

A tidal creek is a part of the marsh that slowly winds its way to the vast ocean. These creeks are full of life - white egrets, crabs, dolphins, and even alligators.

This pullover is my homage to these beautiful marshes and the grass that borders the creek pathway. It starts with a simple eyelet lace stitch pattern at the hem that evokes the tall marsh grass and transitions to a more delicate lace pattern that represents how the grass eases into the sky and the clouds floating above. 

Tidal Creek features an easy shape, wide casual boatneck and drop shoulders to create the perfect three-season pullover in your favorite sport weight yarn. You’ll find yourself reaching for the pullover on bright spring mornings and crisp winter afternoons, each time feeling transported to this magical marsh.

The body of Tidal Creek is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. Armhole shaping is worked to keep the drop shoulder seam location consistent across the size range. The drop shoulders are shaped with a sloped bind off, and instructions are provided for an optional cup shaping with short rows. 

Once the body pieces are completed and seamed, stitches are picked up around the armhole and worked from the bicep to the cuff in the round with a few short rows to create a gentle cap for an optimal fit and easy movement in the underarm. 

Stitches are picked up around the neckline to work an i-cord bind-off for a simple yet elegant neckline trim. 

The two samples are knit with Little Skein Harvest Sport in Blue Christmas (blue-green) and Camellia Fiber Co Merino Sport in Camellia (pink). 

Harvest Sport is a 100% non-superwash Merino-Rambouillet wool that’s perfect for wearing against the skin all year round. Harvest Sport wool is fully grown and spun in the US, next-to-skin soft thanks to its 21-micron count, and the 3-ply construction is bouncy, elastic, and squishy. The tight twist makes for a long-lasting piece that resists pilling longer than traditional merino wool yarns. 

CFC Merino Sport is 100% Merino wool yarn that delivers blissful warmth without overheating. It is beautifully spun, with a firm twist and round shape, making it ideal for rendering crisp stitch definition and lace knitting. The yarn also has an extraordinary amount of spring and bounce, which makes for an incredible "smoosh factor" in the finished project. 

Tidal Creek will be an essential and versatile pullover in your closet. Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtags #tidalcreekkjd. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!

Design Information

Polish, sophistication, and grace: This Chanel-inspired jacket is going to slip effortlessly off your hook and into your wardrobe. Whether you’re the handmade dress type (like Megha, wearing the cream sample), or the tailored jeans type (like designer Kirsten in the blue sample), you’ll be utterly put together in this open-front crochet jacket.

The name "Lady Bird" pays tribute to both designer Kirsten's daughter, nicknamed Birdie, and Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, a First Lady known for her quiet yet impactful advocacy for women's rights during her husband Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency. 

Lady Bird Johnson adeptly balanced traditional gender roles of the 1960s with pushing forward progressive ideas, paving the way for future First Ladies to pursue ambitious projects and political agendas.

Among her significant contributions was the Head Start program, established to support the emotional, physical, nutritional, and educational needs of disadvantaged preschool children—a program that continues to make a difference today. Lady Bird Johnson's initiatives in traditionally female activist areas were quietly revolutionary, laying the groundwork for other First Ladies during the second wave of feminism.

This jacket embodies the classic and structured elegance of Lady Bird Johnson's era, making it a timeless addition to any wardrobe.

Lady Bird is an open-front crocheted jacket with set-in sleeves. Fronts, back, and sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up and seamed, and a Crab Stitch edging is applied to the neck and front edges. Instructions are provided for optional cup shaping using short rows. 

The cream sample is crocheted with Juniper Moon Farm Herriot, a 100% Extrafine Baby Alpaca DK weight that is perfect for winter layering.

The grey sample is crocheted with Kelbourne Woolens Scout, a 100% wool known for its toastiness, classic appearance, soft texture, gentle bloom, and beautiful heathered colors. 

Wear this on-trend, yet secretly classic cardigan with chic trousers for an office party, or wear it as a cozy layer at home with shearling slippers and comfy joggers. However you wear it, the Lady Bird Jacket will be a delightful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.

Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtags #ladybirdjacketkjd. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!

Design Information

The Semilla Cardigan is a bottom-up, seamed v-neck cardigan featuring an all-over seed stitch and eyelet lace pattern. It includes classic 1x1 ribbing at the hems and button band, and a modern, updated cropped length. The back and front pieces are worked flat and seamed. Armhole shaping maintains a consistent drop shoulder seam location across all sizes. The drop shoulders are shaped with a sloped bind-off, and instructions are provided for optional cup shaping using short rows. The v-neck is designed to be flattering and slightly flirty without being too revealing.

Once the body pieces are completed and seamed, stitches are picked up around the armhole and worked from the bicep to the cuff in the round with a few short rows to create a gentle cap for an optimal fit and easy movement in the underarm. 

Stitches are picked up around the neckline to work one of two button band options: horizontal or vertical, both in a 1x1 ribbed stitch. The Fronts are slightly wider than the Back when the button band is added to help prevent any gaping issues at the chest.

The pink sample features a vertical button band and is knit with Purl Soho Good Wool, a 100% Andean highland wool known for its toastiness, classic appearance, soft texture, gentle bloom, and beautiful heathered colors.

Wear this on-trend, yet secretly classic cardigan with chic trousers for an office party, or wear it as a cozy layer at home with shearling slippers and comfy joggers. However you wear it, the Semilla Cardigan will be a delightful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.

Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtags #semillacardigankjd. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!