Shipments coming soon

Zanete Knits has a new sweater pattern which is stunning.

Use code RAV_MARTA to get a 10% discount. Code is valid until 18th October 23:59 BST.

Marta Sweater is named after my grandmother. She was the one who saved a rare book of Latvian ornaments from destruction during Soviet times and kept it safe until she could pass it on to me. Parts of this book feature heavily across my entire pattern collection.

I scattered ornaments from its pages throughout this sweater. I let my hand do the drawing while I was thinking about all the things she meant to me. She was a skilled weaver, crocheter, and knitter, and she taught me craft techniques I hadn’t encountered anywhere else. The picot edge in this pattern is one of them. She showed me how to do it on a mitten when I was very young and I have never forgotten it.

The colourwork runs deep past the sleeve separation so you get a lot of colourwork to enjoy. The floats are predominantly short, making it a meditative, rhythmic knit. There are some longer floats near the bottom of the chart and the pattern includes Ladderback Jacquard placement suggestions if you want to try this method.

Marta is a roomy, comfortable sweater with positive ease so it sits well without riding up. A waist shaping option is included if you prefer a more tailored fit.

You can purchase the patten for Marta on Ravelry.

The sweater is knit in Sportweight yarn. When I look at her needle size and tension I think that I might use fingering weight like Le Petit Lambswool for the background. Knitting a tension swatch will be important for this sweater.

We have a shipment coming from Spincycle tomorrow or Friday. There will be a brand new colour of Plump called Tough Love.

I used 3 skeins of Plump on 8mm needles to make the Sophie Scarf. I think there will be another scarf in my near future.

We should have a box coming from Rowan this week with a restock of Mohair Tweed. The yarn has sold well and Rowan was out of stock. All colours should be back in stock.

Now it’s time for Survivor.

Lynn’s Antipodes

Lynn emailed me pictures of her finished Antipodes. It is amazing! I can’t wait to see it in person.

Lynn used Kathmandu Fingering (dark grey) with Dyed in the Wool (The Family Jewels). Lynn knit the 4th size and it fits her perfectly.

It’s going to be a quick post tonight. All is good but I’ve been busy with appointments and errands and haven’t had time to sit down. We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving Dinner at our house. It’s going to be a smaller crowd this time - 24 people.

Have a good evening and I’ll write more tomorrow.

Hannah Jacket

PetiteKnit has a new pattern. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The Hannah Jacket is worked from the top down. First, the back yoke is worked back and forth on the needle with increases. The shoulders and the front yoke are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the back yoke, and the body is then joined and worked back and forth on the circular needle. The sleeves are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armhole openings. Stitches are picked up and knitted along the neck opening, and a 2x2 rib edge is worked. At the end, stitches are picked up and knitted for the front plackets along the front edges. The front plackets are worked in double knitting with buttonholes along the right front placket.

I think Cascade 220 Heathers would work great for the Hannah Jacket.

Here are the 10 colours that are coming later this fall.

Photo © Stephen West

The first clue to Stephen West’s latest MKAL is out. So far the shawl is interesting. I can’t wait to see where he is going with it. If you want a sneak peek take a look at his group on Ravelry.

It’s a busy day watching football and knitting. I hope to have pictures tomorrow.

Grevillea

It’s done. Blocked. Ends sewn in.

Pattern: Grevillea (purchased on Ravelry)

Yarn: 1 skein of Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock in Mom Jeans with one Emma’s Theme Pack in Capricorn

See all the colours from Emma’s

Blocking makes all the difference.

A lot of knitters are afraid of blocking. I soaked my shawl in Soak for 15 minutes. I drained the water and took my shawl outside. I laid it over a chair and let some of the water drip out. Then the shawl was laid out on my kitchen counter on towels. I did not pin it out. The weight of the wet wool was enough for it to block flat. 

If you want a smaller shawl you can work less repeats at the beginning. 

It was a beautiful day out and Lynn was happy to go outside for pictures. Now it’s time to get back to Antipodes. I’m very close to the point where I will be able to knit around. No more purl rows. YAY!!!!

Ooey Gooey Hat

Andrea Mowry has a new hat pattern. 

I couldn’t resist adding a hat to the Ooey Gooey Collection! This sweet little number is quite a quick knit, with sizes for the whole family! This hat is worked from the brim up, beginning with a ribbed brim. You then get to jump into welts for texture and some curvy colorwork for interest. After that, it’s smooth sailing with classic crown shaping.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

You need a dk weight yarn and a Suri Silk. Hedgehog Merino DK and Emma’s Suri Silk will make a beautiful hat.

Photo © Andrea Mowry

New Cocoknits stitch markers have been ordered and they should be here in a couple of weeks. I’m a big fan of their stitch markers and now you can choose between colourful and earth tone.

By popular demand, our classic Cocoknits ring stitch markers are now available in the lovely Earth Tone color palette! These rings are nylon coated steel and cling to magnets, like all of our stitch markers. There are 10 each of 6 colors (60 markers total) and they accommodate needle sizes US 0-13 / 1-9 mm. 

The stitch markers are great because if I drop one I hear it hit the tile floor. They are much easier for find than plastic ones. Drop the whole package and they spill everywhere? Get a magnet and you’ll have them picked up in no time. 

T-Pins are available in the store. They arrived in our last order and I forgot to add them to the website.

T-pins are an essential part of our Knitter’s Block Kit. We sell extra T-pins in case you find you need more. If you aren’t sure if your T-pins are stainless, soak them overnight in a shallow dish of water. If they rust, do not use them! Cocoknits T-pins are stainless steel – which means they won’t rust when they get wet during blocking – very important after you’ve spent many hours and dollars on a project!

Product Details

Stainless steel – will not rust

Includes

• 40 Stainless Steel T-pins
• Tin

I’m working away on Antipodes. I might be able to join into the round tomorrow night. 

Minuit Socks

Tanis Lavallee has a new sock pattern that you can purchase on Ravelry.

These fun socks are just the right level of spooky for me. Ghosts holding hands and sleek black cats scream Halloween fun while still being delightfully adorable. The Minuit Socks - named after my beloved black cat Minuit (Midnight in french) - are the perfect thing to have on your needles to get you in the mood for spooky season! 

These socks are knit from the top down and feature a short row heel.

October 2026 is a treat! Delicious like a yummy sprinkled donut on a cool autumn morning

Emma’s newest Crazy Beautiful Color is available online and in the store. 

We made it through Survivor last night but couldn’t start The Amazing Race. That would have been way too late. Tonight we have baseball and football. The Amazing Race will have to wait until the weekend.

Malabrigo Torzal

Diana dropped by today with a finished project.

I started The Shift (pattern purchased on Ravelry) in the new Malabrigo Torzal but haven’t had time to finish it. Diana finished it for me and it looks great!!!

Yarn: Malabrigo Torzal - 1 skein each of Aniversario, Indiecita and Arapey

Needles: We used 3.5mm because we both knit a bit loose

Diana said that she loved knitting with the yarn and the needles I gave her. It was her first time knitting on Addi Ewenicorn needles. I might have converted her.

Here are a few combinations for you. I couldn’t help myself. These are nicely kitted up in the store.

Woodland

Piedras

Siri

Wabi-Sabi

Celestine

Sea Horse

Someone on Ravelry used Torzal with Malabrigo Arroyo to make the Alpine Bloom Hat. The Torzal was the background and cream Arroyo for the flowers. Take a look.

Dinner is finished. We’re watching baseball waiting for Survivor to start. I’m going to start the colourwork on Antipodes tonight.