Woven Checks Skinny Scarf

And another new pattern from Stephen West

Choose one self-striping yarn like Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Crazy and one contrasting solid to knit this simple skinny scarf. The triangular shape is knitted sideways starting with an I-cord Tab Cast On. Knit to the center point with increases along one edge and then work decreases to slope the shape to the other tip. Only one color is worked at a time using a slip stitch technique to produce the alternating check pattern. This little shawl shape is quick to knit and accommodates single skeins and stash yarn beautifully. Just knit half of your yarn as you reach the center of the shawl and then knit the other half of your yarn for the decrease section. Go bold with a high contrast combo or embrace a soft and subtle shadow effect with lower contrast.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. 

Photos © Stephen West

Zauberball or Dyed in the Wool will work for the scarf.

Question of the Day

Morning person or Night Owl?

3 more sleeps until I get on a plane. It’s hard sleeping - last night I had things running through my head. Do this. Do that. Write a quick newsletter. Did I update Google with our hours? Is the answering machine updated? And for some reason I’m worried if dad and Beth have everything they need while I’m away - they’re two adults and they can figure it out 😉. I think all my chores are done. I even fit a hair cut in today. Now I feel better. 

I’ve started writing posts for the next few days. Keep watching. There will be a new kit for preorder later this week that will arrive while I’m away.

Botanic Scarfle

Stephen West has a new pattern.

You can purchase the pattern for the Botanic Scarflet on Ravelry.

This beginner friendly small shawl begins at the wingtip with an I cord Tab Cast On. Increases along one edge gradually shape the fabric as you work stripes and slip stitches. Only one color is worked at a time as you stripe each color for two rows each. Once you reach the center mid-point of the shawl, decreases shape the triangle toward the other wingtip. This shawl shape is very relaxing to knit and easy to customize by simply knitting more repeats for a longer size or work fewer pattern repeats for a shorter length. Color changing yarns like Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Crazy create the beautiful shifting tones in the garter ridges.

I have knit the Botanic Shawl and would highly recommend the pattern. 

Photos © Stephen West

I have a few more rows and then my back section is finished. I said I was taking it away with me and Beth asked if I was nuts. It’s going to take up so much room. Yup. I’m nuts and it’s coming. I hope to put a dent in the knitting. I’m also taking my Shift in Torzal for when I want something small that fits in my purse.

I was in the store today sending out boxes - there are going to be happy yarn people this week. All orders placed by Thursday at noon will ship before I go. 

It might be time to take another look at the website. In the stop right hand corner it says August Sale. These yarns, needles and accessories will be on sale while I’m away. All orders placed will be shipped when I get home.

Antipodes

Janice sent pictures of her almost finished Antipodes. This was what she wrote.

I love Kathmandu! In Mocha with Spincycle Reckless Abandon.

Janice put this combination together and she did an amazing job. I love it!!!!

We just received a restock of Mocha yesterday. 

I can’t wait to see her wearing the finished sweater.

Lynn is at the cottage for the next few weeks. She’s ready to join her sweater. YAY Lynn. The bottom picture is closer to her colours - the sun does funny things to colour.

Tonight was pasta night. We put dad to work stirring and he does a great job.

Question of the Day

• George Clooney

OR 

• Brad Pitt

Kathmandu DK

This is Lynn’s North Row (pattern purchased on Ravelry) that I showed a few weeks ago. Here is a link to the post if you missed it.

Lynn used Kathmandu DK (a new yarn to us) and new colours arrived today.

Here is a picture of the skeins on the shelf.

See the shades that are in stock. More will be added as fall approaches. 

Here are some patterns from Isabell Kraemer that would look great in Kathmandu DK.

Tresse

Bottoni

Forager

And here are a few more from other designers

The Weekender Crew

Ginny. This is a beautiful cardigan and it’s too bad that Andrea photographed it in such a dark colour. Take a look at some of the finished projects so you can see it in a lighter colour.

Giddy Up

Snowbird

If you’ve been looking at the website you might have noticed some additions. At the top when you look under YARN there is a new category - New shades. This is to show yarns that we’ve added shades to. Then beside it is a button that says NEW TO THE WEBSITE - new yarns, kits, needles - all new products so you don’t miss out.

Under KITS we’ve added New Kit Combinations. This will help you to see what new colourways are available.

Here are a few new kits for the Inclinations Shawl.

Question of the Day

• Be able to fly

Or

• Be invisible

Don’t forget that we will be closed for a week at the end of the month. Which is actually 7 days away 😘

Beth has been away this week so it’s been me and the boys. Now it’s my turn for some time by myself to recharge for fall. My clothes are ready to go. It’s the knitting that is stumping me. 

Sky Song MKAL

Lisa Ross’ next MKAL is starting at the beginning of September.

“Look at the sky / Tell me what do you see / Just close your eyes and describe it to me…” – LeAnn Rimes, ‘Looking Through Your Eyes’ 

The atmosphere holds so many mysteries, that I couldn’t help but use them as inspiration for my newest MKAL wrap design! Not only that, but each section is tied to songs and song lyrics inspired by the skies above, making this a symphony of stitches! Choose and organize your colors, then join the discussion in my Paper Daisy Creations group. Get ready to cast on and remember… the sky’s the limit! 

What to expect:

• unique construction
• lace
• bias knitting
• cables
• slipped stitches
• color changes

All techniques with charts will also include written instructions. I’ve created tutorial videos to guide you through any new techniques. There will NOT be any stranded colorwork, intarsia, or brioche. This design is intended for intermediate knitters, but my patterns and tutorials are designed to guide adventurous beginner skills to the next level. The best part of a KAL… there will be lots of helpful knitters to keep your head out of the clouds! 

Finished dimensions:
Still a mystery! (See my previous MKAL wraps to get an idea of the general size and shape it could be: Garden Variety, Just Beachy, Mountain Musings, Secret Forest, Wings of Wonder, and Cosmic Connections)

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Emma’s is making colour combinations. They are available online for preorder.

I’m heading back to my knitting now. I have a few more inches and then I get to start the colours.

Question of the Day - Would you rather be ITCHY or STICKY for the day?

Antipodes

I’m going to show you Lynn’s sweater first because she has knit much further than I have.

Lynn is using Kathmandu Fingering (01 Slate Grey) with Dyed in the Wool (The Family Jewels). She has finished the back portion to the point where Andrea says to stop. Now she has one front finished and has picked up the stitches for the second front. 

Here is mine. The stitches are picked up. It took some time last night - I was tired and shouldn’t have started but they are picked up and I’ve knit a few rows. There were some bad words said - my dad kept saying “what is going on over there?” 

I’m also using Kathmandu Fingering (21 Rapini) with Dyed in the Wool (Wild Horses). Now that the stitches are picked up I can get going!!!

This was my set up last night. It was easier to sit at the kitchen counter and I could lay the shoulder piece out to pick up.

Lynn was with me today and unpacked a huge order of Addi needles. The website has been updated. We also received Crazy Zauberball, Zauberball Starke 6 and Edition 3. The website has been updated for these as well.

Today’s question of the day

• Sock, sock, shoe, shoe 

OR

• Sock, shoe, sock shoe

Now time to get knitting!! Have a great evening.