Saturday, February 29, 2020

Everyday Pullover

The Everyday Pullover - another new pattern from Churchmouse Yarns. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. Our print copies are on the way to us.
Here’s a lighter-gauge riff on our easy-fitting Better-Than-Basic Pullover. We added twisted eyelet stitch ribbing to the collar, cuffs, and hem of the tunic version. For the hip length version, we cropped the hem and sleeves and left off edgings entirely for sweatshirt simplicity.

We knit the Everyday Pullover in two different DK-weight yarns—Rowan Alpaca Classic for the tunic length and Rowan Softyak DK for the hip-length version.

For most of my suppliers we can order yarn when we need it. For Spincycle Yarns we order 3 times a year. That means guessing what we will need for the next 4 months. It's time to order again so Lynn and I went through our extra stock of Dyed in the Wool to make sure all colours were on the shelf and on the website. We found three colours that we needed to add to the website.
The Meadows (B)
The Saddest Place (B)
Frosty Nights (B)

It's really bad playing in the Dyed in the Wool. I see colours that I want and I already have skeins at home.

Beth is spending the evening with Lucy and I'm with Boscoe. Dad is at a Carpenteros fund raising dinner. Because it's only two weeks since Lucy's surgery we don't want to leave her alone. She is doing great but 4 hours in the house with no supervision isn't a good idea. It's too early for Boscoe and Lucy to be together. Lucy wants to play. Boscoe wants to play. The two of them will be running through the house.
There has been a bit of knitting. My sleeve stitches are on holders and I'm knitting around and around on the body. Every few minutes I need to throw a toy for Boscoe - he has a bit of energy right now.

Friday, February 28, 2020

Silk and Wool

We have a new yarn from Noro. This is Tsubame.
Named for the barn swallow that migrates to Japan during cherry blossom season, this is a classic worsted-weight silk/wool blend. Each oversized skein contains 656 yards making it ideal for an endless variety of one-skein projects!
Ms. UPS didn't deliver the yarn until 4:30 - if she had been earlier I might have cast something on.
There is a great shawl pattern on Ravelry called The Impressionist Shawl. I've already purchased the pattern. The designer used 2 different colours for the shawl - 6 & 11.

I can totally see this yarn in a Nightshift. This is 4 & 10. The yarn is slightly thinner than the Ito and Akari we have already used for the Nightshift which will make for a lighter shawl. The silk will definitely add more drape.

50% silk
25% wool
25% polyamide

16 - 20 stitches = 4" on 4.5mm-5.5mm needles

200 grams
600m / 656 yards
We have 2 new colours of Noro Kumo. 12 on the left and 43 on the right.

Noro Kumo is a soft blend of cotton, viscose, silk, and wool that you'll love to have on your needles. With a thick-to-thin texture, the viscose and silk add a subtle sheen to the yarn as natural strands are marled with muted colors to create softly hued, lightweight projects
I went back through posts to find Lynn's Ranunculus (pattern purchased on Ravelry). She used two skeins of Noro Kumo with 33grams left in the second skein. 
Lynn used 5.5mm needles instead of the 6mm that the pattern called for and her finished bust is 40". She followed the pattern for number of stitches but made the length longer than the pattern says. Lynn chose the larger neck option. The sweater fits her perfectly. She is already talking about making it again.
The pullover is worked seamlessly from the top down.
It is a surprisingly quick project at a very loose gauge with big size needles. The combination of thin yarn and big needle gives light, transparent and airy texture to this pullover.
Yarn: Lace, light fingering to worsted weight yarn. The degree of transparency depends on the weight of yarn.
Sizes: One size (XS–M) in the pattern, finished bust circumference is 129 cm (50 ¾“). You can also download separated modification pattern for larger bust size: 97 (102, 107, 112, 117 122) cm / 38 (40, 42, 44, 46, 48)”.
I am almost to the separation on my Throwback. Two more rows. We're having pizza Friday at dad's and then I'm going home to knit. 

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Squared

Our friends at Churchmouse Yarns have new patterns. Printed copies of the patterns are on the way to us but you might need to get started right away. You can purchase the pattern for the Easy Eyelet Poncho and Wrap on Raverly.
In possibly the simplest lace pattern that exists (it’s a one-row repeat!), we’ve reinterpreted this wrap in so many yarns over the years. Now we’ve seamed it into an easy poncho for a breezy, multi-season layer. Quick to knit, it’s got more holes than yarn! 
For the heavy worsted-weight version of our Easy Eyelet Wrap, we used one strand of DK-weight Rowan Softyak DK and one strand of lace-weight Kidsilk Haze held together. For the DK-weight poncho, we used Rowan Creative Linen. 
Poncho shown in 3 skeins Rowan Creative Linen (219yds/200m each)

Wrap shown in 4 skeins Rowan Kidsilk Haze (229 yds/210m each) and 5 skeins Rowan Softyak DK (148 yds/135m each) held together throughout. 


I put together a few lighter, more spring like colour combinations of Softyak and Kidsilk Haze.
Softyak 247 with Kidsilk Haze 580
Softyak 248 with Kidsilk Haze 676

Skacel Canada has donated 4 Addi Rocket Squared to the Food Bank Gift Basket. 3.25mm, 3.75mm, 4mm and 4.5mm. All of these are 80cm long. Thank you Skacel Canada!

There are lots of boxes on the way to us. A few might arrive tomorrow and then more next week
-Addi Rockets Squared
-new colours of Malabrigo Rios
-spring/summer Sirdar
-more Rowan Kidsilk Haze Fade Packs

Beth had a work function tonight so I am puppy sitting. Wow is it cold outside. The wind is blowing across the field right at our house and Boscoe isn't quick to do his business. It takes a while to find the perfect spot. He might go quicker if he didn't like to play in the snow. 

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

52 Weeks

They finally arrived!
52 Weeks of Socks is the first hardcover book of Laine Publishing. This publication contains 52 knitting patterns by 46 designers, and is a true encyclopedia of socks. Patterns are beautifully photographed and laid out on 256 pages in the style Laine is known and loved for.
Mr. Canada Post stopped by this morning with a box of Pom Poms. Icy Blue has been out of stock for a while. They're back and they're beautiful.
The colourwork is done and now I'm knitting around and around for 16 rows. Perfect for watching Survivor and The Masked Singer tonight.
Someone had doggie school last night. He came home and had the 'zoomies'. This is running around the house as fast as he can. It's a good thing our house is open concept so there were no walls in his way. Then he jumped up on my chair. Beth got him off before I could grab my phone. He jumped up again. I think he did it so that I could take pictures. He looks very proud of himself. I 'suggested' to Beth that she push the chair under the table so he couldn't do it again.😋

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Fade Packs

The Rowan Kidsilk Haze Fade packs arrived today. Yummy!!! They are on the website as well.
Our ever-popular Kidsilk Haze combines the soft halo of super kid mohair with the vibrant shine of silk in one incredible yarn that is loved by knitters the world over. Kidsilk Haze can be used with a variety of needle sizes to create different effects and styles, and is a firm favourite with lace fans. Used alongside other yarns it takes on an almost magical quality, and is available in a kaleidoscopic array of stunning colours.
The pattern for this scarf is included in the kit.


We used the kit to make Churchmouse Yarn's Color Play Mohair Scarf pattern.


The book should be in the store late tomorrow afternoon. It will depend on the weather (they are calling for lots of snow here).

I have been waiting and not very patiently. My supplier is tired of answering my emails inquiring about the book. If you have ordered the book we should be shipping out first thing Thursday morning. If you reserved a copy we will call or email you when they arrive.

Another colour section complete. Now I have an increase row, six rows of colour (like the first coloured section) and sixteen plain rows until dividing for the armhole. I'm obsessed!

Monday, February 24, 2020

My Newleaf

What an amazing day. The sun was shining and it was warm outside.
It was the perfect day for Newleaf. Today is the first day I've worn it to work. The sweater is so light - you don't know you're wearing it. After I finish the three sweaters that are currently on my needles I will definitely look at making another Newleaf.

It was also the perfect day to unpack boxes fo spring/summer yarns. 

Lirico is a self patterning ribbon yarn from Louisa Harding. 

We (okay, Cathy) used one ball of Lirico and 5mm needles to knit the Sanibel Cowl (a free pattern).

See the colours.


Pollock from Juniper Moon Farms is a beautifully speckled silk and linen yarn that is perfect for your next warm-weather sweater or cardigan! Light and dreamy, with a super soft touch, you'll want Pollock for next-to-skin wear or for a stunning summer-weight shawl.

See the colours.


This is Eco Organic Cotton from Ella Rae. It can be knit to a sport or double knitting tension. There are 250m on a 100gram ball so it goes a long way!

See the shades.
This beautiful shawl (pattern purchased on Ravelry) is knit with 3 balls of the Eco Organic Cotton. You could also use 3 balls of Pollock.

We need to clear a few colours of Hedgehog Sock and Skinny Singles so that there is room for the new colours.We hope to see them in April. I have gone through and certain colours are marked down to $29 a skein on the website. These skeins will be on sale until March 9, 2020.
You can see the price on Bali - it has been crossed out and says $29.

I haven't knit all day and my Throwback is calling my name. I think I have a couple of rows in me before bed.

Sunday, February 23, 2020

The Police

I spent some time knitting this afternoon. A few more rows and this section of colour is finished. I really like how it is turning out. For a while this afternoon I was afraid that the colours were too close but now you can see the difference.

Cheryl Faust has a new pattern and it is awesome.
Meet Synchronicity. Now I have The Police playing in my head.
Photos © Cheryl Faust

Synchronicity is a top down, elongated triangular shawl knit using the mosaic knitting technique. The distinctive patterning is simple to create, using just one color per row. Simply choose your favorite combo and set yourself up for an engaging knit you’ll not want to put down. 
Carefully designed to integrate seamlessly from the striped section on through the mosaic patterned section, those captivating spine stitches are the prominent characteristic of Synchronicity! But wait, there’s more … Synchronicity also features a stunning I-cord edge and continuous I-cord bind off, for a beautiful and professional looking finish. 
Synchronicity includes fully written and charted instructions for two versions … a Standard and an Extended version. Each version requires 2 skeins of The Fibre Co’s Cumbria, or other worsted weight yarn. The Standard Version (blue/green) is average in size and requires just 2 skeins of Spincycle’s Dream State, while the generously sized, Extended Version (redish/brown) is for those who prefer XL shawls and requires 3 skeins of Dream State. 
I would consider Synchronicity to be suitable for an intermediate to advanced beginner, but will also keep an experienced knitter engaged from start to finish. For best results, I highly recommend following the video tutorial provided in the pattern for the I-cord tab cast-on.
Lucy is doing good and her leg is healing nicely. Lucy isn't a dog who is motivated by food. You can leave a dish of food on the floor and she will eat it when she's ready. Sometime it sits there all day. Getting pills into her can be tricky. Tonight Beth sat on the floor beside her and hand fed her to make sure she got her pills. We're all happy that she only has to take pills for a few more days. Then no more 'babying' her.