Mitred Squares

I got a phone call last week from a woman I went to high school with. Jen had been a customer and then moved away. She’s back in the area and knitting again. Jen was given a large amount of tapestry wool (think minis) and didn’t know what to do with it. I suggested mitred squares. Jen was in today and is obsessed with mitres. 

Here are some pictures of mitred squares. 

This throw is knit out of Noro Ito.

This is from Sally Melville’s Memories Sweater. She used fingering weight yarn.

I am showing this picture because the squares are going in a different direction. You can see that there are points along the bottom. This pattern is from Noro and is knit out of Ito.

These are both knit with Classic Elite Liberty. The yarn is discontinued but I wanted to show how they have the diamonds going in different directions. Also, look at the centers above - they are all red.

There are different ways to knit the mitred squares. Here is a tutorial for one way from Louise Tilbrook. If you ‘Google’ mitred squares there are many tutorials and videos.

Mitred squares are great for leftover yarns and for self striping yarns. You can make your squares as large or as small as you want. You can go down the mitred square rabbit hole and have some squares big and some small. Good luck deciding. They all look good.

This is a mitred blanket that I knit many, many years ago. It was back in the time of eyelash and ribbon yarns.

It was a crazy day in the store. Thanks to all who visited and thank you for your patience. I thought it was going to be a slow day with the weather. I guess the rain got everyone thinking about knitting. I brought yarn with me this morning because I thought there would be time to knit a few rows on my Kilim Cowl. The jokes on me. Not even a row.

Interesting, or should I say sad story about the cowl. I did the provisional cast on last night and knit 3 rows. There were 2 problems. The tension was way too loose - I needed to go down a needle size. I was going to live with it on the larger needle until I realized that I had to rip out a whole row. I didn’t really look at the chart - I just followed the row below. Two wrongs don’t make a right so I ripped out and started again. I’m on a 3.75mm needle which looks better. My pattern is correct now. I thought I would have enough to show but I really don’t. Hopefully tomorrow.

Simple Garter Stitch

Thank you Churchmouse for another great pattern. You can purchase the pattern for the Quadrangle Wrap on their website.

The Quadrangle Wrap has an easy wearability that makes it an easy wardrobe classic. And knit in the gorgeous, beloved combination of Rowan Felted Tweed and Kidsilk Haze, it's a piece that we'll be reaching for season after season, year after year!

All in simple garter stitch, the Quadrangle Wrap is knit in two pieces which are then grafted together at the center for a seamless finish.

With a back neckline that sits nicely on the shoulders and front edges finessed with a small I-cord, you can wear this wrap a little differently every day. 

Plus, knit in Felted Tweed and Kidsilk Haze, this wrap has drape and softness to spare 

Lynn finished her first sock using Practically Perfect Sock (the colour is In Your Dreams). The pattern is called Sprouting and it is free from Hedgehog Fibres.

It’s 3 days until we fly. Normally I’m worked up making sure that everything is set in the store for Lynn. I don’t have that this trip. I’m usually fretting about what to pack. I don’t have that this trip. We are flying carryon so there is only so much that we can take. Tomorrow night I need to start my Kilim Cowl so it’s ready for the plane.

New Colours

Mr. FedEx popped his head in this afternoon with two boxes from Noro. We have 5 brand new colours of Akari.

These are available online and in the store. I see a new Nightshift or two.

"Akari" is a soft, worsted weight multi fiber blend that features organic silk and cotton. Translated to "light" or "glimmer" in English, the silk adds a beautiful sheen to this yarn. It is a delightful choice for knitting and crocheting multi-season garments.

Tin Can Knits has new patterns.

Get all four Basics patterns! 

We are getting back to basics! Whether you’re knitting your very first hat or your 100th sweater, you’ll love these wardrobe classics. They’re destined to become some of your favourite pieces. 

These knits are designed with knitters in mind. All the knitters. Each pattern has our signature baby-to-big size range, AND in multiple yarn weights. This way you can grab your favourite yarn and GO! 

With our new patterns come new tutorials on everything you need to complete your project!

You can purchase the ebook (4 patterns) or individual patterns on Ravelry.

Every Tin Can Knits pattern I have used has been well written. Their tutorials are amazing! You won’t be disappointed.

Beth is watching Ted Lasso while I’m writing and then it’s time for Survivor.

Cotton Cashmere

This summer scarf is a free pattern from Churchmouse Yarns. You can download the pattern for the Easy Striped Triangle Scarf on their website.

A shallow, garter-stitch triangle, this free pattern is a breeze to knit! Long, tapered ends offer tons of styling and tying options, while an eyelet edging adds interest. Three-color stripes shine in this scarf’s clean simplicity. Pick tonal shades for a gentle touch, or pick high-contrast hues for a bit more punch! 

Rowan Cotton Cashmere makes this simple scarf an excellent choice for when the breeze picks up or the sun goes down. Lightweight and so soft, this DK-weight yarn seamlessly combines the cool strength of cotton with the soft warmth of cashmere. It’s lightweight, creates clear stitch definition, and lovely drape. Plus, its palette of fresh, tonal shades is perfect for stripes!

 FINISHED SIZE

Approx. 69"/175cm wingspan x 17"/43cm deep at center. 

YARN
3 skeins Rowan Cotton Cashmere (137 yds/125m each); 1 skein each in 3 colors, A, B, and C. Or approx. 137 yds/125m each in 3 colors of an equivalent DK-weight yarn.

Samples shown in color (A) 232 Charcoal, (B) 224 Silver Lining, (C) 226 Ecru. 

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 10 1⁄2 (6.5mm) 24"/60cm circular needle, or size to obtain gauge.

We have lots of colours of Cotton Cashmere to choose from. 

Combining spectacular stitch definition with a soft feel, Cotton Cashmere is a modern classic. A rich blend of 85% cotton and 15% cashmere and available in soft tonal shades, it's the perfect yarn for standout spring and summer knits.

The Boxy Jumper is knit out of Cotton Cashmere. The pattern is free on Ravelry.

This is Camborne from Rowan Magazine #73.

Here is a link to more Cotton Cashmere patterns on Ravelry.

I wasn’t in the store today but I was very busy. A newsletter is almost ready - hopefully tomorrow. Now a few more rows while watching Spring Baking Championship.

A new project

This happened on Saturday night.

Andrea Mowry’s DRK Everyday Cowl (pattern purchased on Ravelry)

The pattern is well written and easy to follow. Maybe too easy. I was knitting Saturday night during a Chicago Fire marathon and made a mistake. I tried dropping the stitch down and really messed things up. Sunday morning I ripped back about 10 rows and now it’s working great. 

I put stitch markers on every 6 stitches. Now I know that on the wrong side row I slip the first stitch after the marker. No more counting.

Hedgehog Tweedy with Dream State Water Witch. I couldn’t decided which colour of Tweedy to use - Beth chose Lullaby (mauve).

Jackson doesn’t chew on the shoes. He just loves to carry them around.

It’s been a busy day. I packed orders and stopped at Canada Post and the UPS store to get the orders out today. Then the bank, dry cleaners, Best Buy, Apple Store and a bit of clothes shopping. Now I need to say good evening and write a newsletter. 

Woolcycle

Stephen West sent out an email newsletter this morning.

It's time for my Westknits Spring Sale! This is the perfect occasion for you to plan your spring and summer knitting projects and let your creativity bloom. Enjoy 25% off all my patterns until tomorrow night!

Simply enter the discount code “SPRING” when you checkout on my website or on Ravelry to get 25% off my patterns and ebooks. The code can be used as many times as you want and is valid until the end of day on Sunday, 26th of March. The discount does not apply to the Modular Coloring Shawls e-book.  

Photos © Stephen West

I made up kits for the Striation Scarf. You can purchase online or in the store. More kits will be coming.

I had to stop because Mr. UPS brought in our boxes from Madelinetosh. The new Woolcycle Sport is available online. I have a few skeins in my bag to try 😘.

The plan right now is to knit the Kilim Cowl (pattern purchased on Ravelry) with Woolcycle Well Water with Dyed in the Wool Shades of Earth.

The Kilim Cowl is a celebration of my Iranian and Kurdish heritage, and the beautiful artistry of Persian carpets. A Kilim is a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced in countries of the former Persian Empire that highlights geometric shapes and are handwoven with naturally dyed wool. Growing up, my father owned a Persian rug shop where he fixed and sold antique carpets from the Middle East, including Kilims. I was raised around these beautiful works of arts and was taught all about the laborious process of this ancient craft. I learned all about how many months/years they took to make, the process of creating the vegetable and fruit dyed yarn, and what the various shapes and motifs represented on the carpets. I wanted to honor my heritage by creating a knitted cowl that celebrated this beautiful art form and paid homage to my family’s history. This moebius cowl is knit in the round and features a colorwork motif that signifies my version of the evil eye, or Nazar in Farsi, that’s often woven into Kilims. The piece is then finished off with a twist and grafted together using the kitchener stitch to create the moebius style cowl.

I need plane knitting - Beth and I leave for Vegas on Sunday morning. (Don’t forget that the store will be closed Wednesday April 5th). I also need to try the Woolcycle. It looks beautiful. 

My bag of shawls to be blocked. Alex stopped by this morning to pick them up - I keep forgetting to take them to her. Alex is going to have them ready for LYS Day (Saturday April 29th). I will write more about it next week.

I’m ready to lock up and head home. We’re having take out for dinner because neither Beth or I want to grocery shop and cook. Then some knitting. We have TV shows to catch up that were taped during the week.

Deidre’s Knitting

Deidre dropped by this afternoon with a new store sample.

This is Laura Aylor’s Six More Week (pattern purchased on Ravelry) knit out of Cascade 220 Superwash Grande.

A cropped, A-line, top-down adaptation of Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Hurry-Up Last Minute/Wishbone sweater.

Our sample is the M2 size and Deidre used 4 skeins. She said that the pattern is well written and easy to follow. The pattern calls for 8mm needles. Deidre swatched (and blocked the swatch) and the 8mm was perfect. She found that when she blocked the sweater it was so heavy that it grew some. Not a lot but it did get bigger. Deidre suggests that you knit the sweater on 7mm needles and block it out if you need it bigger.

This is her next project. The Calypso Sweater (pattern purchased on Ravelry). We are using Felted Tweed (colour 219) with Water Witch Dyed in the Wool. 

Calypso Sweater is a circular yoke pullover that uses the magic of color-changing yarns to create an intriguing yoke design, and features sweet picot edge details on both the neckline and hem, along with ¾ length sleeves, ribbed cuffs and a relaxed slightly cropped fit.\

It was a busy day in the store. Thanks to all who visited. Now it’s time for a bit of TV and knitting. 

Striation

I was a bit down this morning with the rain and fog. Mr. Canada Post made my day much better.

We have new Atenti Hope Baskets. 

Then I checked on Ravelry and Stephen West has released his Shifting Chevrons Shawl. (Pattern purchased on Ravelry)

Choose seven colors of fingering weight yarn to create this fragmented geometric shawl. The color-blocked stripes create a fun staggered movement throughout the fabric. This top-down shawl is composed of seven chevron sections that are knit individually as you stripe your colors. Each new section is attached to the previous section using a simple modular technique, so you only have to work with one color at a time. You can easily customize the size by knitting more stripes for a larger shawl or simply stop each section early for a smaller shawl. The pattern is written for seven colors, but you can use as many colors as you want for a stashbusting version. The squishy garter stitch is framed with I-cord edges, resulting in a beautiful large shawl size.

This shawl is grabbing my attention. I love the shape of it. 

Photos © Stephen West

The day ended with more happiness when Diana brought in a scarf that she finished for us.

This is Ambah O’Brien’s Striation Scarf (pattern purchased on Ravelry). 

Striation Scarf has elegantly tapered ends and is worked sideways with decreases forming a central spine. With its chevron shaping and stripes, Striation is an invitation to play with colour and texture. Designed to use two skeins of yarn, the options are endless; use a main colour and five mini skeins or make it scraptastic and use up all those delicious end balls or use colour changing yarn for a lovely result.  

Mix up the texture and use a kidsilk or “fluff” yarn in place of one colour. Equally dramatic results can also be enjoyed by simply using two gorgeous skeins of yarn. Striation Scarf is knit tip to tip, with shaping to create interest to this garter stitch project. You’ll find the resulting scarf easy to wear and style. It’s sure to become a wardrobe favourite. 

Instructions to adjust to make the most of your yardage are included.

We used Emma’s Yarns Practically Perfect Sock in Clear the Air with 5 Practically Perfect Sock Smalls.

Cactus Flower, Aloha, Cally Girl, Don’t Call Me Peaches and Thai Tea.

There was quite a bit of the main colour left. You could make the scarf bigger by using 6 Smalls instead of 5.

There was a bit of sadness today - Mr. UPS did not bring the boxes from Madelinetosh. Hopefully tomorrow.