New Patterns

The new patterns from Churchmouse Yarns have arrived. They are awesome.

Accelerating Stripes Fingerless Gloves and Cowl

We love stripes—big stripes, little stripes and everything in between. So when Alicia Vause created a pair of fingerless gloves that had all of the above, in stripes that zipped from 5 rounds to 4 to 3 to 2 to 1 — we jumped on board. Then we just had to share the fun with our necks, revving our stripes from 18 rounds to 3 in a super-soft cowl that’s seamless in both directions. Snap!

The sample is shown in Rowan's new yarn Rowan Finest.

Better-Than-Basic Pullover

Here’s a pattern for the simple sweater you’d be willing to buy, if only you could find it: The fit is easy, styling simple, fabric relaxed, and details just right. 
The flattering dropped shoulder creates a roomy armhole without the usual excess fabric bunching under the arm. The slim, straight cuff tapers up to the armhole. And a little short-row shaping allows the front and back hemline to hang more evenly when worn. 
You can easily customize the style and fit. We’ve shown a couple of combinations of length and edgings but you can play with the variables (short with long ribbing, long with short . . .) or change the length entirely to suit you.

The sweater is knit in worsted weight yarn. The possibilities are endless.

Crocheted 'Linen Stitch' Scarf and Loop

Linen stitch is so brilliant—the way the stitch pattern mingles and pixelates a hand-dyed yarn just thrills knitters. But why should knitters have all the fun? Enter our friend Sandra, who shared a crochet stitch with us that has the same effect. We fell in love! Unlike its knitted cousin, crocheted ‘linen stitch’ is utterly reversible—doubly brilliant!

Worked in fingering weight yarn.

Go-To Cardigan

A modern riff on the grandfather sweater, this simple cardigan moves easily from work day to weekend. We’ve added flattering A-line shaping and a vented hem for relaxed ease with a tidy finish. In cozy wools or cool plant fibers, it’s a perfect layering piece or polished tunic.

This is knit in a double knitting weight yarn.

Modern Wrapper Fine

Our original Modern Wrapper was a big hit, but several knitters asked for a similar style without the mohair component. To achieve the requisite ‘lightness of being’ without the mohair haze to fill in the gaps, we shifted to a finer fabric, mixing (or matching) two strands of lace-weight yarn. We’ve also slimmed the silhouette and added a bit more precision to the fit by grading the design in three relaxed sizes.

Knit in two strands of lace weight or a heavy fingering/sport.

Two Tone Twill Scarf

Our love affair with linen stitch continues—this time using two high-contrast colors for crisp zigs and zags, or two closer colors for tonal shading. We started with a soft fingering-weight yarn and then took it all the way to a lace-weight yarn to mimic the breezy sigh of a fine woven scarf. Aaah . . .

Knit in lace weight or fingering.

Walking Rib Cowl and Muffler

This subtle diagonal stitch pattern is akin to K2/P2 ribbing, but the rhythm ‘walks’ over by one stitch every other row (or round) for a subtle, reversible texture that’s easier than it looks. The handsome muffler has tailored slip-stitch selvedges. The cowl is worked on larger needles for a softer drape.

There is a double knitting version and a heavy worsted weight version. What is heavy worsted weight?
-Mrs. Crosby Steamer Trunk
-tosh vintage
-tosh merino
-Rowan Felted Tweed Aran
-Filatura di Crosa Zara Plus
-Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

-any yarn that says 18 stitches to 4" on the ball band

I love it when customers bring in finished samples to show off. Kim bought Naturally Vero Tweed at the Tent Sale and made it into an Elder Tree Shawl. I hadn't thought of knitting the shawl in a self striping yarn. It looks great!

The trees around the store are an awesome colour right now.

Last night while working on my Inspira Cowl I came up with an idea for another one. It is going to be on smaller needles and I want it done in time for the Fleece Festival. My fingers are going to be flying this weekend.

I took a quick picture of my current Inspira Cowl before leaving the store.

It should be finished tonight and then onto the new one.