Diagonal Summer Scarf

Beth has been busy playing with Classic Elite's Santorini.

The scarf is an adaptation of Classic Elite's Diagonal Summer Scarf pattern. She used 4 balls of Santorini but we think that 3 would be more than enough. Beth chose colour 2130, 2148 and 2 balls of 2188. After much debate (actually I just handed them to her) she used 4.5mm needles.

We have a neat kit coming very soon from Dream in Color. Fingers crossed in the next two weeks.

The Arcoiris Scarf kit knit in Dream in Color Jilly Lace on 4mm needles.

Jilly Lace was designed to be the perfect shawl yarn. Just like the fingering weight version of Jilly, Jilly Lace has a soft and lustrous single-ply construction that has fantastic stitch definition for both lace and stockinette – you won’t want to stop knitting with it! 

100% superwash merino wool

 There will be two colourways available. Warm above or cool below.

The kits will retail for $49.95. Call or email me to reserve yours. I don't know if we will be able to get more kits once the order is sold.

It's almost time for Game of Homes. Wow these houses need a lot of work. We have fun deciding what we would do if we were on the show.

A lot of stitches

I forgot how long it takes to do an I-Cord bind off. Especially when there are close to 500 stitches on the needle. If you aren't familiar with the I-Cord bind off, here is a great explanation from Knitty.

I spread the stitches over two circular needles to show how great the shawl is. I highly recommend Exploration Station. The pattern is extremely well written and fun to do. Plus you might learn a new technique.

Now I need to get moving. It's going to take a few days to get these all cast off.

Finishing Projects

The last few days have been spent finishing projects that have been sitting around. Remember my New Year's Resolution? Every month I must finish one. Today I finished two. Pictures tomorrow because they are in need of a mannequin and a bit of blocking.

Here is the next one that is going to be finished.

Pattern: Exploration Station (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 4 skeins of tosh merino light

This is the Stephen West KAL from October. I am so close to finished. Like four or five rows close. Why has it been sitting in my closet?

This top down semi-circle shawl begins with my favorite Westknits shortcut rows and yarn overs followed by two-color brioche ribbing, slipped stitches, stripes, and finally and beautiful chevron border. Choose 4 colors of yarn and enjoy the playful knitting journey!

Master Chef Canada will be on soon. A bit more knitting then early to bed. For some reason I'm very tired today. It's going to be a busy week so I should start off on a good foot.

One of a Kind

It's that time of year. Beth and I are heading to The One of a Kind show in Toronto after work today. That is never a cheap evening.

We're home now. I'm sorry to say that the show was a bit disappointing. Lots of t-shirts. Not sure what that was about. Lots of pottery but not pottery that I wanted to buy. A few artists that we were looking forward to seeing weren't there. The game man wasn't there - he always has a big booth with cribbage boards and other card/dice games made of wood. The good things about the show. We got to park close and the show was pretty empty. If this was your first time going, I'm sorry. The fall show is nothing like this. Please try it again in November and I think you will understand why I go every year.

What did I buy?

A leather purse from Matteo Mio. I have a few purses from him and they are awesome. I'm still carrying a bag from six or seven years ago. It has been on many trips and I love it. If you go in the fall, stop by his booth. You won't be disappointed in his bags.

Butter tarts. They are very good but they could be the sweetest butter tarts I have ever had. It was hard getting through it.

Now it's time to knit. I haven't done much of that in the last few days. And there is the second half of the Notre Dame/Kentucky basketball game. I can't decide who I want to win because I have both teams in the family pool.

Have you looked at the workshops being offered at the Knitters Frolic? There are still spots available in all but one class. Don't miss out on an opportunity to take a class with these great instructors.

New Tosh

Yesterday when I talked about the Freia Super Bulky, I forgot to show the two brand new colours of Freia. We have these in Super Bulky and Fingering.

Whisper

Woodsman

Beth knit the checkerboard cowl in Woodsman Super Bulky.

Speaking of Fingering, Auburn Wave makes a great summer project. 2 balls of fingering on 4.5mm needles.

I received a very happy email this morning. There is another tosh order in production for us. We're hoping that it will make it here in time for the Frolic. There are new colours!!

Daffodil

 Deep

 Fallen Cloud

 Fir Leaf

 Geode

 Great Grey Owl

 Heartbeat

 Kilim

 Kitten

 Leopard

 Moonglow

 Odyssey

 Pecan Hull

 Plunge

 Raspberry Cordial

 Resin

 Silver Leaf

Woodstock

And there is a brand new yarn coming too.

Twist Light - a sock yarn with nylon

Twist Light is a 75% superwash merino wool / 25% nylon, 3 ply fingering weight yarn with a generous 420 yards (384 m) per skein. Twist light has a tight twist that creates a durable fabric when knitted/crocheted. Each incredibly soft squishy skein is hand dyed in small dye lots.

Twist Light will be coming in the following colours.
pecan twist
plunge
raspberry cordial
deep
heartbeat
great grey owl
leopard
fallen cloud
woodstock
kilim
odyssey
kitten
geode
neon peach
fluoro rose
holi festival
tart
charcoal
whiskey barrel
dr zhivago's sky
worn denim
amber trinket
coquette
spectrum
mandala

merino light
ember
paper
chicory
baltic
lolita
plunge
deep
great grey owl
raspberry cordial
pecan hull
daffodil
odyssey
moonglow
fir wreath
silver leaf
kitten
geode
kilim
woodstock
fallen cloud
leopard

prairie
clematis
cove
plunge
raspberry cordial
odyssey
geode

tosh dk
baltic
ember
whiskers
charcoal
whiskey barrel
plunge
geode
odyssey
kilim
pecan hull
great grey owl
fir wreath
fallen cloud

merino
esoteric
chicory
plunge
odyssey
geode
woodstock
kilim
fallen cloud

sock
tart
calligraphy
baltic
leopard
heartbeat
great grey owl
plunge
raspberry cordial
odyssey
geode
woodstock
kilim
lolita
magnolia leaf
mourning dove
nebula
opaline
amber trinket
stephen loves tosh
fog
dirty panther
baroque violet
medieval

vintage
astrid grey
whiskers
rain water
paper
plunge
odyssey
geode
woodstock
kilim
fir wreath
fallen cloud

asap
raspberry cordial
plunge
odyssey
woodstock
fallen cloud
fir wreath
shire
cousteau
mourning dove
jasper
fog

merino dk
dr zhivago's sky
stephen loves tosh
plunge
raspberry cordial
odyssey
woodstock
silver leaf
fir wreath
fallen cloud

pashmina
moonglow
fir wreath
odyssey
plunge
pecan hull
fallen cloud
leopard
rain water
curiosity
fog
coquette
baltic
antique lace
well water
mica
dachshund
astrid grey
dr zhivago's sky
chicory
mandala
aura
hosta blue

I love pashmina. Super soft and the yarn takes the dye beautifully.

madelinetosh pashmina is a 3-ply yarn made up of 75% superwash merino wool, 15% silk and 10% cashmere, a similar fiber blend to woven pashmina scarves.

I started thinking that I have a beautiful shawl knit in pashmina. I've pulled it out and put it out in the store. I LOVE the fringes.

Pattern: Shalimar (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 3 skeins of pashmina

Lace and cables combine to create beautiful curves in this lace stole. A luxury blend of yarn makes this a truly opulent knit. 

Shalimar is knit all in one piece from end to end with a knotted fringe that is added last. 

This pattern includes lace patterning on both sides of the work and simple cables. Charts and written instructions are provided. 

Size is easily modified by working in a different weight and/or adjusting the number of horizontal/vertical repeats. Changes in gauge and/or repeats will affect yardage required.

The news about this shipment might change things in the Frolic booth. I knew that we were taking merino light but if the boxes arrive in time we'll be bringing the new Twist Light too. And look how many colours of pashmina are coming. Maybe we can squeeze that into the booth.

Super Bulky = Super Fast

So much for taking pictures outside today. The weather was good for the first few (meaning that snow was fitting for these projects) and then I moved back inside

The hat pattern is from Ravelry - The Big Hat. One ball of Freia Super Bulky on 10mm needles. Cathy made the perfect pom pom.
The cowl is my pattern - we'll give you the pattern with the purchase of the yarn. Again, just one ball of Freia Super Bulky on 15mm needles.

Here are some pretty spring items. First from Cathy

Pattern: Cordelia (from the Classic Elite book Oceanside or it can be purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 4 balls of Classic Elite Bella Lino

Bella Lino is a lightweight yarn that creates an airy fabric with long, harmonious stripes. The palette of summery shades each have a linen-hued base. 

Another Sanibel Cowl knit in Santorini. I love this colour. 2114 Dancing Shadows.

Wannietta finished an amazing shawl in the same colour of Santorini.

Santorini's colorways sing along the matte and shiny textures inherent in the yarn, adding vibrant color to warm-weather garments, wraps and scarves.

Pattern: Naushon. You can purchase the Classic Elite book, Along The Shore, for the pattern or you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The shawl takes 9 balls.

Survivor last night was awesome. You know that when someone goes on and on about how they are going to run the game that they are going home soon. And the look on his partner in crimes face at tribal council was awesome. I made Beth rewind it so that we could watch it again. Don't get cocky in the game. It doesn't end well.

October Moss

Early next week (fingers crossed Monday) we will have two more colours of Liberty Print from Classic Elite. 

The body of this open front cardigan is worked in garter stitch, entirely on the diagonal, There is no finishing — the sleeves are picked up from the body and worked in the round to the cuff in Stockinette stitch.

The colors flow in different directions on this garter stitch scarf. The entire scarf is worked without breaking the yarn — the only ends to weave in are from beginning a new ball.

Cathy worked in the store today so that I could do some necessary errands. She sent me a text that a box came in from Freia Fibers. The Super Bulky is here. 

I can't wait to see the yarn tomorrow. We have new samples too. I thought about going to the store now but it's cold and rainy. My friends won't go outside on a day like today for pictures. How can I blame them - I don't want to go outside.

A parcel arrived from Wannietta this morning and Cathy brought in some more finished projects. There are going to be lots of pretty pictures tomorrow.

Bring on the Heat

Here is another interesting idea for a summer project. The Heatwave Throw by Kaffe Fassett.

Kaffe has designed this throw in his own unique and inimitable style, exclusively for the web site using Purelife Revive and Cotton Glace.

The pattern is free and you can download it on Rowan's website...

In the Frolic group on Ravelry there are some bus tours posted.  Can you image the ride home with everyone showing off their purchases?

If you are looking to share a ride, you can post there as well.

Beth and I made a last minute decision to take a drive tonight. The garage doors were put on today. Of course we stopped for ice cream on the way home. Isn't that what you do when you go for a drive?

Easy Summer Knitting

It's that time of year where you want to knit but you aren't interested in a big project. Here are some suggestions for you.

How about a summery scarf? The Bias Before and After Scarf is knit in Classic Elite's Silky Alpaca Lace. You need one ball and 4.5mm needles.

From Churchmouse Yarns

We dubbed this scarf 'before & after' because it's so ugly (truly!) before it's blocked and so beautiful after.  Knitted on the bias, this light, airy scarf has the smooth simplicity of stockinette stitch without all the rolling at the edges. The pattern includes simple instructions for adding beads at the ends.

We have a sample of the scarf hanging in the store. It is great looking and so lightweight. We think of it more like jewelry than something you are wearing for warmth.

Silver Hey - shown as a bandana or you can make it bigger for a shawl. Knit in Anise from Louisa Harding. You are knitting on 10mm needles which means you can have it finished to wear this weekend.

What about a knit necklace?

Although a scarf or shawl may be a more usual neckwear accessory, this necklace is definitely easier to wear in warm weather. 

The color, drape and texture changes in our newest yarn Santorini work perfectly for this super quick to knit necklace. The pattern is easily customizable to any length. Add as many "beads" as you like – the necklace shown has 10 rows between "beads" but you can space them out or place them closer together.

Download the pattern... 

One ball of Santorini and 4mm double pointed needles will make two scarves. One for yourself and one for a gift.

The basketball was amazing on the weekend. Too amazing. I was busy flipping between games and that totally cut into my knitting time. Tonight there isn't much on TV so I should have some time to get the needles moving.