Kits

I was in the store before 8am to make sure I beat the freezing rain. I made it just in time. After I finished packing orders for Canada Post I started to make up kits for the Attune Shawl. We had a big box hidden away with Liberty Wool from Classic Elite. I love Liberty but it’s discontinued. I mixed the Liberty with Patagonia and kits are available online for a great price.

Liberty is 100% machine washable wool that knits up into self-patterning stripes. I think it will make a beautiful shawl.

This sweater and cardigan were knit in Liberty. This shows how the yarn stripes. 

If you want to see how a colour knits up, check out projects on Ravelry. In the search box at the top, type in the colour number and you will see projects in that colour.

Now I need to figure out what yarn I’m going to use for mine. Right now I’m leaning towards tosh DK with Spincycle Dream State. I might do something totally different and knit a purple shawl 😘.

I’m very excited that we will be getting shawl cuffs from Purl & Hank very soon. They are in the hands of Canada Post and hopefully we will see them next week. This is the Overall Buckle.

The nostalgic overall buckle is a favourite. With various sizes its a great options for shawls of all weights.

Our leather is tanned with oil leaving it soft and pliable yet durable and resistant to the harsh elements. The pronounced grain gives character to each piece

The Tiny Belt.

The Tiny Belt pairs best with your lightweight to medium shawls. Make for adorable bracelets when you’re not using them to secure your shawl. Double up the belts for double the fun!

Buckles measure 5/8”

The In Betweener.

The In-Betweeners size rests right in between the Tiny Belt and the Shawl Buckle. With a variety of options it is the perfect accessory. Buckle measures roughly 3/4” x 1.5”

Dad and Lucy are on their way home tomorrow. I can’t wait to see Lucy. We talk to dad everyday so we know that he is doing well. Lucy doesn’t like talking on the phone so it will be good to talk to her in person. 

Texture and Squish

I worked at home today. Bad day to do this - Andrea Mowry released a new pattern. I thought about going to the store to pick out yarn but I was on a roll with my work. I'll look at yarn tomorrow. I have a feeling I will be dreaming of combinations. 

This shawl is all about texture, squish and the movement of color. Watching the colors move and change was mesmerizing, and I finished the shawl long before I was ready to, because I just could not set it down! I hope this shawl inspires you to grab some of your favorite yarns and mash them together in a shawl that begs to be wrapped around you! This shawl is knit from the top down using Brioche and Half-fishermen’s rib. It is very customizable for different yarn weights and to achieve different sizes.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

 SUGGESTED YARN 

This shawl was inspired by my handspun yarn! For the pink sample I paired a marled, 2-ply Cormo yarn with a bright and playful 2-ply yarn spun up from the Hedgehog Fibres Fibre Club. I love how the soft neutrals of the Cormo balance out the pops of color from the Fibre Club! I then knit up a second sample out of commercially available yarns. I had some amazing Cormo DK from Wing and A Prayer Farm that was a heavier weight than my handspun, but full of soft bounce! I paired it with Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool, to give a similar look to the playful, shifting colors of my own handspun. The options are really endless for this shawl. I would choose anything from Fingering to DK weight and solids, marls, speckles, and variegated will all look amazing!

Thanks to the flexibility of this pattern, you can play around with anything from light fingering to DK weight yarns! I recommend pairing one lighter weight yarn with one heavier weight yarn. I.E.: Sample 1 used light fingering (MC) with sport (CC) & Sample 2 used DK (MC) with sport (CC). YARDAGE WILL BE DEPENDENT ON HOW BIG YOU KNIT YOUR SHAWL. 

You have so many options for this shawl. Someone on Ravelry used Blue Sky Woolstok for their main colour and Spincycle Dyed in the Wool for the contrast. I wouldn't have put them together (the Woolstok is quite a bit thicker) but the finished shawl looks great.

Andrea always gives yarn substitution options. You can see her suggestions here. For a fingering weight yarn she suggests Crazy and for sport she suggests Juniper Moon Patagonia. We will have more stock on Friday. 

#107 Aquamarine

#111 Violet

#135 Ruby

#137 Seafoam

You can purchase the pattern for the Attune Shawl on Andrea's website.

The green shawl is knit with commercial yarns and the pink version is knit with handspun.

This was my set up today. iPad, iMac and TV. My eyes are tired so it's time to sign off. Have a good evening and drive safe tomorrow morning. We have another weather warning - freezing rain is possible. YUCK!!!

Softyak DK

Suki is a free pattern from Rowan that was designed by Martin Storey. The cardigan is knit in Softyak DK.

Softyak DK transcends the seasons thanks to its blend of cotton, yak and nylon. It has a stunningly soft handle and is static resistant and anti-microbial, which means the fabric stays fresher for longer. The chainette construction makes it surprisingly light for a cotton rich double-knitting yarn and it's available in colours ranging from muted tones to rich jewel shades.

Click here for the pattern on the Rowan website. When you click on the link it can be a bit confusing. Here are some screenshots.

Click on Pattern Only and then Free Download.

This screen comes up. I just clicked on Sign Up without adding my email address.

Then this came up. Click on Download and the pattern will come up.

I started my blog post and then went down the Softyak DK rabbit hole on Ravelry. Here are some great patterns. Some are free and some are for purchase.

This is Charita - a free download on Ravelry. It is knit with Softyak DK double stranded.

Corallina - a free pattern on Ravelry.

“Knit this boldly striped garter stitch cardigan designed by Martin Storey. It uses 4 shades of our lovely Softyak DK yarn, a blend of 76% cotton, 15% yak and 9% nylon and features raglan sleeves and and buttons at the front yoke. It is suitable for knitters with some experience.”

Churchmouse Yarns designed a great hat in Softyak. You can download the pattern for the Slouch Hat on Churchmouse's website.

Take our favorite Basic Beanie and give it a few little tweaks—a little stitch pattern, a little stripe, a little slouch—and what do you get? This handsome topper! A textured ‘granite ridge’ stitch outlines a color-blocked band that can be as be as quiet or bold as you please. With a casually rolled brim, it has just the right amount of easy-going charm.

In Rowan’s Softyak DK, the coolness of cotton is blended with clouds of downy yak fiber. Due to its touch of nylon and the chainette construction, it knits into a gently springy fabric (with a lovely drape after a nice rinse). The cotton and yak fibers absorb color differently, so the palette is made up of pretty shades and slight mélange effects. And it’s durable, washable, and oh-so-soft.

Our most Basic Beanie has just the right amount of easy-going charm with a casually rolled brim and those familiar, swirling decreases at the crown. It’s a free pattern, so all you need to do is pick a color. Up to you!

We knit this Basic Beanie in Rowan Softyak DK. In this yarn, the coolness of cotton is blended with clouds of downy yak fiber. Due to its touch of nylon and the chainette construction, it knits into a gently springy fabric (with a lovely drape after a nice rinse). The cotton and yak fibers absorb color differently, so the palette is made up of pretty shades and slight mélange effects. And it’s durable, washable, and oh-so-soft!

This is another free pattern from Churchmouse. 

Here’s a lighter-gauge riff on our easy-fitting Better-Than-Basic Pullover. With the same boxy, relaxed silhouette, we’ve added options for sweet edging treatments—try twisted eyelet stitch ribbing at the collar, cuffs, and hem, or let the edges roll (as we did in this version). Our pattern also provides instructions for two different sleeve lengths (full length or bracelet length) and two different body lengths (tunic-style or hip-skimming)!

For a laid-back sweatshirt feel, we knit a shorter Everyday Pullover with casually rolled edges in Rowan Softyak DK. This eminently touchable blend of cool cotton and cloud-soft yak fiber knits into a gently springy fabric with great drape. With a pretty palette of calm neutrals, blushing pastels, and moody landscape tones, you’ll want to make a pullover for every day of the week!

 You can purchase the pattern for the sweater on Churchmouse's website.

The vest you’ve been asking for! The slightly high V-neck has a modern look, the ribbed arm bands extend just to the shoulder’s edge, and the easily-adapted length is designed for hands-in-pockets ease. Equally right for business or casual, it fits perfectly over a collared shirt, dressy blouse, or relaxed tee.

We chose a barely-blue shade of Rowan’s downy Softyak DK. It’s an eminently touchable blend of cool cotton and cloud-soft yak fiber. With a touch of nylon and a chainette construction, it knits into a gently springy fabric (with a lovely drape after a nice rinse). And the palette of calm neutrals, blushing pastels, and moody landscape tones is equal parts pretty and handsome.

This is another great pattern from Churchmouse that you can purchase on their website.

This is the Apollo sweater by Martin Storey. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. 

This mens sweater by Martin Storey features raglan sleeves and an intricate all-over cable design that extends down into the ribbed cuffs and hemline. With a squared off neckline this sweater is perfect for teaming with a collared shirt and is knitted in Softyak DK.

The cables are amazing!

My shift is finished. Now for blocking and sewing.

There is a new puppy at work. No, she isn’t ours. Jackson loves her and Beth says that we need a puppy for Jackson. Please help me. 

Weekender Light

A box is on the way to Lynda with a new project. She is going to make The Weekender Light.

 📷 © Andrea Mowry

The Weekender, originally designed for worsted weight yarn and released a few years ago, is my most popular pattern to date and it may not surprise you that a lighter weight version has been the most frequent request in my inbox! While these 2 patterns are very similar, The Weekender Light has been adjusted for its very different gauge and with a larger range of size options! The Weekender Light is available in 10 sizes, is knit up in fingering weight yarn and has a few adjustments that I hope will result in another favorite sweater for your handknit wardrobe!

DETAILS 
This sweater is knit from the bottom up in the round until the yoke. The yoke is knit flat and then joined at the shoulders with a 3 needle bind off. Sleeves are picked up and knit down from the body for a completely seamless sweater!

You can purchase the pattern on Andrea’s website.

Lynn lives in her Weekender sweater and we thought it was a good time to have the fingering weight version in the store. What are we using? Le Cashmere & Lambswool in Very Light Pink. 

the biches & bûches cashmere & lambswool : take our le petit lambswool, and add even more softness and warmth that is called cashmere and you get this squishy delight of a blending. all our colors have a degree of tweed in them, giving always a touch of variation and sometimes even small exciting speckles!

le cashmere & lambswool is the same weight as our petit lambswool so all patterns using le petit lambswool can be used with this yarn quality.

the yarn is pure and natural
87.5% lambswool & 12.5% cashmere

our Le Cashmere & Lambswool is woolen spun.

50g - 248meters / 270yards – fingering weight.

You can use Le Petit Lambswool as well.

Susan finished her Velvet Mirror Cowl and it is beautiful. She used Biches & Buches Le Petit Silk & Mohair in Blue Grey and Dyed in the Wool in Cold Comfort. Susan started with a dark colour of Dyed in the Wool but didn’t like how it was working. I think the Cold Comfort was a perfect choice.

I finally finished my cowl. I was putting it off for weeks since I didn’t want to do the Kitchener stitch closing.  But it wasn’t that difficult once you get into the swing of it. 
I love the light soft light colours. I think I could wear this well into the spring season. 
Thanks for helping me pick the colours. 

You can purchase the pattern for the Velvet Mirror Cowl on Andrea Mowry’s website.

If I were to pick my favorite cowl style, it is definitely the Moebius cowl. It is perfect for colorwork projects because the floats are hidden inside, and it is so easy to style. Just pop it on to finish any outfit!

Thank you for sharing Susan. Now I need to block mine and sew it together. It’s been sitting on the front table in the store for way too long.

This is Boscoe’s chair - Jackson curled himself into it this afternoon. He won’t fit much longer.

Stashbusting

This is my Luverne. It is a great Stashbusting project. We have heard a lot in the last few weeks that people can’t buy any more yarn because they have so much at home. Here’s an easy pattern to empty some bins or baskets or shelves or however you store your yarn.

A much smaller, fluffy Boscoe. Yes he has my yarn in his mouth.

Luverne is a randomly striped, simple chevron shawl with a knit as you go “mock” icord edge. Once established, the two row pattern is easy to remember. The sample shown is knitted in fingering weight yarn, but it can readily be adjusted for a sport or DK weight. Luverne is also a small town in south Alabama, and is self acclaimed to be the “friendliest city in the south”!

This is a great project to work on. The pattern is easy to memorize - there are only 2 rows. You can change colours whenever you like.  

The pattern is from Amy Opie and you can purchase it on Ravelry.

Don’t forget about Stephen West’s Melting Marl Scarf.

This rectangular scarf is the perfect stash buster. Always hold two strands of fingering weight yarn together or mix in some lace weight mohair silk or suri alpaca yarns too. The instructions include detailed notes on how to blend your leftover yarns and single skeins together to achieve smooth melted color transitions. Choose between a classic narrow scarf size or follow instructions for the wide wrap as you melt and fade you colors together. There are three simple textures and chevron/wave variations repeated throughout the fabric to keep you engaged and motivated to reach each new section. Make the scarf as long as you want and enjoy knitting this wearable work of art!

You can purchase the pattern on Stephen’s Website.

📷 © Stephen West

If you want a bigger project you can try Stephen West’s Melting Marl Blanket.

📷 © Stephen West

This blanket is designed as a stash buster to use all of your leftover fingering weight yarns and single skeins. Always hold two strands of fingering weight yarn together or mix in some lace weight mohair silk or suri alpaca yarns too.The instructions include detailed notes on how to blend your leftover yarns and single skeins together to achieve smooth melted color transitions. You can knit the blanket as long as you want for a decorative throw on your couch. There are three simple textures and chevron/wave variations repeated throughout the fabric to keep you engaged and motivated to reach each new section. Enjoy knitting this cozy stash busting blanket!

The pattern is available on Stephen’s website.

This morning Ambah O’Brien sent out a newsletter and she has a new stashbusting shawl. This is called the Vestiges Shawl and you can purchase the pattern on her website.

Designed to use up all those itty bits of delicious yarn you have stashed away. You know, those bits you can’t bear to throw away, but are not quite sure what to do with them. Pair them with a full skein or two and create a shawl that is a memento of these glorious yarn vestiges. Using up leftovers from two Festive yarn kit mini skein projects, I created fingering and DK weight options to choose between. Your vestiges may be equal amounts of each colour, a partial solid or gradient skein or a combination of the two, dive in and create a tribute as a reminder of the yarn from a larger knitting project. 

Included are both charted and written instructions the lace section.

The shawl above is knit in fingering and below is knit in DK. You can double strand fingering weight for the DK shawl.

Modern Daily Knitting has a great article about tension and how your tension can change depending on the needles you knit with.

Winter weather has returned. I’m happy because I get a few more days out of my cardigan but it doesn’t have to be this cold for me to wear it.