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Welcome to Nancy Totten's Knitting Designs and Patterns
Welcome to the web page for Nancy Totten's knitting designs and patterns! Nancy is a long-term member of The Knitting Guild Association and her knitting patterns have been published in Cast-On Magazine, the official magazine for the Knitting Guild. Nancy's four signature knitting patterns are available for purchase in PDF electronic format.
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Have a Question?
Have a question about Nancy's patterns or making a purchase, please email Nancy directly at Nancy@NansKnitting.com
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About Nancy
I began knitting at the age of 10, taught to knit by my mother and grandmother. The first thing I remember knitting was a Barbie doll pink stole Christmas present for my younger sister. I used some plastic knitting needles which were broken and had tape on the end to keep my stitches from falling off! I think it was garter stitch and had some blue stripes on the ends, but I am sure it was full of dropped stitches. My main remembrance of this activity was how much I enjoyed it. The rhythm of the stitches and movement of my hands to that rhythm set a pattern that would follow me for a lifetime. Knitting during high school, nursing school and early adulthood when I could afford yarn, it provided me with entertainment, joy and memorable times. I remember wearing a hand knitted dress to meet my adopted daughters birth mother and discuss the details of the pending adoption. However as a busy new mother, I dont remember knitting many items for her. I am proud that my mother did have time to make those precious items for her and that we still have those cute baby sweaters tucked away.
At times, knitting was a big part of my life and at times it was dormant. I returned to knitting with the birth of my granddaughter and my desire to create handmade items for her. Once again I was thrilled with the rhythm of the stitches. I have been knitting almost continuously since I returned to knitting this last time. I even became a Master Knitter as designated by the Knitting Guild Association.
Now, my daytime job is as a consultant, usually flying weekly to a client sight in the U.S. Once, in the Los Angeles airport, there was breach in security so I had to stand in line outside the terminal for 2 hours while TSA searched the terminal. I pulled out my sock needles and yarn, cast on and started knitting a sock! I was concerned that the needles might be confiscated by TSA upon screening, but they never questioned them and I had a finished sock by the time the plane landed in my hometown! Knowing that needles arent even on the list of not allowed onboard, I always carry knitting with me. It provides hours of pleasure on the plane and in the hotel room.
From reading the patterns as written by the designers, Ive evolved to designing items that are an outlet for my creativity. I have published patterns and articles in knitting magazines. Designing for my pleasure, I am pleased when others find my designs and the rhythm of the stitches calling them to knit. So, please enjoy the patterns, provide me with feedback and pictures of your finished garments. You can reach me at nancy@nansknitting.com

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Wholesale Patterns
For resellers looking for wholesale pricing on bulk pattern prints, simply email Nancy@NansKnitting.com for quote.
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Prairie Style Wrap
Nancy's signature pattern is this beautiful and creative original design for a prairie style wrap. This beautiful wrap and is as challenging as it is fun to knit.
One Size: Approximately 72" long and 48" wide - knit in 9 panels and assemble
Yarn: Worsted weight; original knit with Cascade 220 using the following colors: Natural, Lemon Yellow, Summer Sky, Marine, Chartreuse, Palm, Ginger, Sunflower and Charcoal Gray
Techniques Required: Intarsia, Duplicate Stitch and Crab Stitch crochet
Gauge: In stockinette stitch using US 7 (4.5 mm)
Needles: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4" (20 cm)
Skill Level: Intermediate
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$9.95
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Wild Forks Sweater Cardigan Set
This sophisticated Wild Forks sweater cardigan set looks complicated, but easy to knit, using two colors of worsted weight yarn.
Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL
Finished (Tank) Chest: 33 / 37 / 41 / 46 / 47"
Finished (Cardigan) Chest: 35 / 39 / 43 / 47 / 52"
Yarn: Worsted weight; original knit using Paton's Katrina in Noir and oyster colors for the cardigan and oyster for the tank top
Gauge: In stockinette stitch using US size 8 (5mm)
Needles: 18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 (10cm)
Skill Level: Advanced
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$5.95
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Patriotic Stars and Stripes Sweater Vest
This tunic length Patriotic Vest is worked in one piece, side to side, beginning at the left center front and ending at the right center front. It uses intarsia stars and closes with a separating zipper.
Sizes: S / M / L / XL
Finished Chest: 41 / 45 / 49 / 53"
Yarn: Worsted weight; original knit using rowan wool and cotton in natural, deep red and french navy
Gauge: In stockinette stitch using US size 6 (4mm)
Needles: 18 stitches and 27 rows = 4" (10cm)
Skill Level: Advanced
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$5.95
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Children's Aran Sweater
For either a girl or boy, this Childrens Aran Sweater is a challenging pattern of all-over cables.
Sizes: 4 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 12
Finished Chest: 26 / 27 / 29 / 31 / 33"
Finished Length: 14 / 15 / 17 / 19 / 21"
Yarn: DK weight yarn; original knit with Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK in off white color
Pattern: Rice Stitch Pattern: (multiple of 2 sts +1) 2 row repeat; Row 1 (RS): p1, *kb1 (through the back loop) , p1, repeat from * to end; Row 2 : Knit
Gauge: In rice stitch pattern: using size 5 (US) 3.75 mm
Needles: 32 sts and 36 rows = 4 (10 cm)
Skill Level: Experienced
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$5.95
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The Knitting River
An Inspirational Story by Nancy Totten
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A river runs through the life of all knitters. As with most rivers there are times when the river is utilitarian, times when it is industrial and times when the river is purely scenic and pleasurable. Unlike the actual rivers in our world which connect only parts of a continent, the knitting river connects the world. Historians agree the headwater of the knitting river was located in the Arabian peninsula, at about A.D. 200, and from that headwater the knitting river has penetrated to the far corners of the earth. The knitting river first moved by the men who were traders, sailors and early settlers of different countries. Yes, it is thought men actually were the early knitters.
Just as a river can be utilitarian, providing food one fish at a time, early knitting was utilitarian, providing a means for making clothing and rugs one piece at a time. The process of knitting was taught from parent to child. Knitting was part of daily work in the home. Soon knitting guilds developed and knitters could study to become a Master Knitter, a feat that required at least six years! Most Master Knitters were men and knitting provided them a means of support.
The knitting river flowed from this period of existence to the industrial age when the knitting machines were invented and the knitting river became industrial. Indeed hand knitting all but died as the machine could meet our needs for knitted garments. Thankfully, some knitting continued in the home. In Wales and Scotland the knitting river moved to a cottage industry with hand knitted garments providing a means of livelihood.
In todays world the knitting river continues to flow. It is mainly a scenic and pleasurable flow of creativity. It flows from a designer or teacher to the knitter. We may be taught to knit by our mother, father, grandmother or grandfather. We may be taught to knit by a book we read, a CD or TV program we watch or in a class taught by an instructor at the local knitting shop or at the various knitting conferences. The internet has assured the spread of the knitting river so it will continue to flow. Knitting Guilds flourish again and provide us with a means to once again have Master Knitters. Thankfully, the study isnt necessarily a six year process.
As todays knitters jump in, we are touched by the same elements that touched the knitters in the utilitarian and industrial phases of the knitting river. We can respect the history and honor the flow of techniques that allow us to be creative, keeping the knitting river flowing for future generations to enjoy.
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Using Computer Technology
to Master Aran Knitting
as featured in Cast On Magazine
Nancy is the author of the published article 'Using Computer Technology to Master Aran Knitting" featured in Fall 2005 issue of Cast On magazine, the Knitting Guild Association's official magazine. For those looking to master Aran designs this is a great helpful guide to putting your PC to work to help you get there!
Nancy's article along with screenshots and a step-by-step guide, is available free in PDF format. You will need Adobe PDF reader to read your new PDF article.
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