Olya Mikesh, Author at I Like Knitting

Olya Mikesh

I am a life-long knitter and crocheter, who loves to play with Color, texture, and design elements, combining traditional techniques with modern styles. When I am not busy homeschooling my 5 children, I enjoy learning new fiber-related skills. I love designing and working on projects for different publications, as well as publishing my own patterns on Ravelry and LoveCrafts.

instagram.com/yellowblueyarn

ravelry.com/designers/yellowbluedesign-by-olya-mikesh

etsy.com/shop/YellowBlueDesign

Projects by Olya Mikesh

Dahlia Delight Pullover

From the August 2024 issue

The Dahlia Delight Pullover is a stunning circular yoke design featuring intricate colorwork and elegant details. The yoke and cuffs are adorned with three shades of the same color—light, medium and dark — mimicking the delicate petals of a dahlia flower. Textured purl stitch details around the colorwork resemble foliage, adding depth and visual interest to the design. The pullover also boasts balloon-shaped sleeves and a lace hem with a chevron pattern, echoing the colorwork design and providing a decorative finish. This beautiful pullover combines artistry and craftsmanship, making it a standout piece in any wardrobe.

View Project

Peaks and Valleys Shawl

From the April 2024 issue

The Peaks and Valleys Shawl boasts an Intarsia landscape scene, artfully repeated three times across its width to craft a stunning statement piece. The abstract landscape incorporates eight colors, providing the flexibility to explore various color palettes. Adaptations for a table runner or pillow are seamless by working fewer pattern repeats. The Garter edges are neatly finished with applied twisted fringe. Knit with yarn made from 100 percent recycled wool, this shawl is not only visually striking but also environmentally conscious.

View Project

Puff Sleeve Heirloom Lace Baby Set

From the April 2024 issue

Step into a world of vintage charm with this baby set, highlighting a textured lace yoke and puff sleeves on the top. The back features a button closure, ensuring a snug fit around the neckline. The bottoms, knitted in Stockinette stitch, can be transformed into leggings by extending the length before adding ribbing.

View Project

Cable Comfort Collared Pullover

From the February 2024 issue

Designed with chunky cables and luxurious, fluffy yarn, this pullover boasts a fabric that’s not just visually appealing, but also delightfully soft, ensuring a cozy and comfortable wearing experience. The distinctive polo-style collar, rendered in a contrasting color, infuses this classic pullover with a contemporary edge. Tailored for intermediate-level knitters, this pattern offers a rewarding challenge while maintaining a classic charm.

View Project

Winterberry Colorwork Cardigan

From the December 2023 issue

Crafted using traditional techniques, this cardigan features a bottom-up, seamless construction that ensures a flawless finish. Cleverly utilizing Steeks for the front opening and armholes, the design seamlessly blends functionality with fashion. Despite the array of captivating colors, you’ll only work with two at a time, simplifying the colorwork process. This thoughtful design choice ensures that your knitting experience remains enjoyable and approachable. With its longer length and oversized fit, this cardigan is a versatile addition to your winter wardrobe. The generously sized shawl collar adds an extra layer of coziness, while the belted closure offers a chic finishing touch. This cardigan is designed for effortless layering, making it a must-have for any cold-weather ensemble.

View Project

Frosted Window Pane Plaid Sweater

From the December 2023 issue

Introducing the Frosted Window Pane Plaid Sweater knitting pattern, a stylish fusion of classic design and modern technique. This pullover showcases a timeless windowpane plaid pattern, achieved by knitting horizontal stripes, and then employing surface crochet for the vertical lines, resulting in a captivating and textured motif. The sweater boasts a clean and straightforward drop-shoulder construction, paired with a chic cropped silhouette. The addition of a cozy funnel neck and elegant bracelet-length sleeves brings an element of sophistication to this versatile garment. It also serves as the perfect layering piece and can be worn on its own or draped elegantly over a button-down shirt for a polished and put-together look.

View Project

Caline Turtleneck Sweater Dress

From the August 2023 issue

This dress has a simple drop-shoulder silhouette with a generous amount of positive ease. Its top-down construction is completely seamless and allows for length to be adjusted to your preference. Light and airy, the fabric of this dress is practically weightless, enveloping you in a cloud of warmth.

View Project

Savannah Colorwork & Lace Dress

From Skirt The Rules: The Knitting Collection of Dresses, Skirts & Tunics

Savannah is a sleeveless, high-neck dress that features a geometric colorwork bodice that transitions into a simple Lattice Lace skirt, and finished with a Diamond Lace pattern. The construction is top-down, in the round, with Steeks for sleeve openings and back neck closure. Slight waist shaping is done by changing to a smaller needle size. Transitions between each lace section incorporate gradual increases that shape the skirt. The skirt length can be easily extended by working additional lace repeats.

View Project

Solara Swoncho

From the August 2022 issue

Solara takes advantage of the color transitions in a self-striping yarn that creates a sunset color background for a simple geometric colorwork pattern. The entire garment is worked bottom up, in the round, utilizing steeks for the deep split hemline and sleeve openings. After cutting the steeks and seaming the shoulders, sleeves and neck stitches are picked up and knit in the round in a broken rib pattern. Finally, fringe is attached to the side slits to highlight the deep slip hemline and to add a boho detail to this garment.

View Project

Cresslyn Drop-Stitch Cover-Up

From the June 2022 issue

Cresslyn is a beginner-friendly pattern that utilizes a simple drop-stitch technique to create an open, lace-like fabric. The cover-up is knitted sideways, in two rectangles, and seamed at the center back and front to create a V-neck opening. Sides are also seamed, leaving an exposed, side ruffle. A crocheted drawstring belt and a fringed hem make this cover-up a beach day staple.

View Project

Olya Mikesh

Projects by Olya Mikesh

Enter Your Login Credentials