Granny Squares

Tanis Lavallee has a new sweater pattern that combines knitting and crochet.

I have had the idea for this sweater in my mind (and in my heart!) for years but I was too daunted by the unknowns of combining crochet with knitting to tackle it. Well, now that I’ve done it, I don’t know what I was afraid of! These sister crafts were meant to work together and I am beyond thrilled with the results. This sweater combines just the right amount of unique challenges with easy, mindless stockinette stitch. I’m in my Granny era and I love it!

Tanis used a DK weight yarn for the crocheted granny squares and a worsted weight yarn for the knit portion. You can use as many or few colours as you’d like for the crochet. Don’t forget that you can double fingering weight (sock yarn) and that makes DK. Cascade 220 Superwash Merino would work great for the knit part. 

You can purchase the pattern for Fleetwood on Ravelry.

One of my favourite shawls to wear is Andrea Mowry’s Birds of a Feather (pattern purchased on Ravelry).

The shawl is knit with 2 skeins of HHF Skinny Singles and 1 skeins of HHF Kidsilk Lace. There are still great colours available in the discontinued colours.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

Laine Issue 19 arrived today.

 

Our stunning winter issue is here! Laine 19 — called Kaolinite — celebrates the meditative nature of crafts. The beautiful, serene photos were taken in a ceramics studio, and the patterns offer a relaxing break from the everyday.

Issue 19, Winter 2024, includes:

• 148 pages
• 11 knitting patterns (both charts and written instructions provided): 4 sweaters, 1 cardigan, 2 vests, 1 skirt, 1 shawl, 1 hat, 1 pair of socks.
• An interview with the Japanese artist Tomomi Mimura, who uses basic darning stitches to embroider charming animal characters.
• An article about the American sheep shearer Pony Jacobson, and why this age-old craft is vital both for sheep’s health and the textile industry.
• Jeanette Sloan’s Fibre Talk: A regular article on Jeanette chatting with interesting people. In this issue, she meets Sari Monroy, a fibre artist and writer who draws on her Mayan Kaqchikel heritage.
• Five Ways by our regular writer Päivi Kankaro, who explores what kind of skills knitters should practise to increase their brain health.
• Where I Knit: a regular piece that pictures people knitting in their favourite spot. In this issue, we meet Atia, who knits in her beautiful London living room.
• Seasonal recipes to inspire your winter cooking.
• Book reviews.

Designers featured in this issue: Alexandra Atepaeva, Jennifer Brou, Maxim Cyr, Ronja Hakalehto, Helga Isager, Pauliina Leisti, Agata Mackiewicz, Yukie Onodera, Marie Régnier, Jacqueline van Dillen and Veera Välimäki

The Cocoknits Project Wallets arrived this morning. This is to give some context to the size. The Tim’s cup is XLarge and the water bottle is 500mL. It isn’t huge which is good because it will easily fit in your knitting bag. I need to fill mine up for the trip. 

I’ve decided to take some Spincycle Dream State with me on my trip and knit another Traveler Cowl. I wore mine today and love it. It isn’t too heavy but it keeps your neck warm. I love to wear shawls but sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to put it on to look good. You don’t have that issue with the cowl. Throw it over your head and it looks great.

We had some great news today. My dad visited with his Oncologist and his numbers are dropping. The doctor was pleased and we are even happier. He goes back in 6 months for another check up. What a relief!!