Skeins Go Crazy

Marion Bulin (Mabuli on Ravelry) has a new pattern. This is called 24 Skeins Go Crazy and you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

„24 SKEINS GO CRAZY“ is an adaption of my METRO LINES WRAP – a multi-coloured rectangle that plays with woven garter bands. But instead of working a simple rectangle, you take it to the next level => you make it a zig zag pattern by working strategically placed increases and decreases you weave your bands through later. This design works perfectly for any yarn advent calendar, 24 miniskeins of your choice with at least 73m/80 yards per skein or the same amount of fingering weight yarn.

You are invited to play around with this idea – maybe several shades of the same colour or a rainbow version? Make it yours!

I love the look of the shawl. What a great way to play with mini skeins or stash yarn. 

We are expecting new Theme Packs from Emma’s on Tuesday and I have them online.

You could use a Theme Pack for colour inspiration and then add fourteen mini skeins.

I tried to knit a bit today but I didn’t make it very far. The Tiger-Cat game is about to start and maybe I can get a few more rows done.

Lite Brite

This is the Lite Brite Shawl from Stephen West (pattern purchased on Ravelry).

This smooth semi-circle shawl begins at the top center and increases toward the border with simple slip stitch polka dots. These colorful dots remind me of the Lite Brite toy I played with when I was child. You could use lots of leftover sock yarns or mini skeins for the contrast colors or enjoy a fun color changing yarn like the sample shawl. Combine six skeins of West Wool Bicycle as the main color with two balls of Schoppel Wolle Zauberball crazy as the contrast color. The exaggerated wavy border finishes the shawl with a flourish.

Photos © Stephen West

We just received a restock of Crazy Zauberball and more will be coming next week.

Zauberball® has been kicked up a notch, as two strands of the main ply have been dyed individually and then twisted together for a crazy combination! The end result is a self-striping multi-colored pattern, with a bold variegated design!

I received an email this afternoon asking if we were still in business because our phone isn’t working again. As I’m writing I have been on the phone with Bell for 35 minutes. They can see that there is a problem but don’t know how to fix it. 😂 

At the 57 minute mark Beth called me and I put Bell on hold. Somehow I hung up from Beth which also ended my call with Bell. I guess we will deal with this next week.

I met the stagers at dad’s yesterday morning and they brought in bags and boxes of pillows, blankets, bedding, plants, books, accessories, lamps and art work.

Christina did an amazing job.

Beth and I are not having our house staged. With all of us living there it wouldn’t look this good for long. I did learn some things from Christina and realize that we need to declutter a lot more than we have.

Have a good evening. I’m heading upstairs to sort through more yarn. 

New patterns

Tanis Lavallee has a new pattern. This is the Skylights Tee and you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Use the coupon code SUMMER for 15% off this and ALL of my self published patterns through July 3rd.

A classic raglan tee, but make it elegant. With a pretty eyelet detail at the shoulders and a statement panel down the front that features both lace and cables, this tee is anything but basic. I chose to knit mine to a slightly cropped length, a style that I find I’m reaching for more and more these days. Knit in my favourite fingering weight yarn, this tee is my new summer staple.

The sweater is knit with fingering weight yarn. 

Lynn worked for me today. I did running around this morning and overdid things. I came home and worked from home before a nap. Lynn is going to swatch Noro Silk Garden Solo for the sweater. It is a bit thicker than fingering so we’ll see how it works. 

Caitlin Hunter has a new pattern called the Midsommar Tee. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Midsommar is a simple, classic tee worked from the bottom up, with the option for a sleeveless or short sleeved version. Starting with a split bottom hem worked flat, the body is joined to work in the round up to the sleeve split. The fronts and backs are worked flat, with neckline and shoulder shaping. Shoulders are joined, then stitches are picked up to knit your preferred sleeve option, then finally neckline stitches are picked up. 

This pattern is designed to be worked in different yarn weights from DK to aran/bulky. This is a great opportunity to stash dive and play with different yarn combinations to create an interesting and unique fabric. The yarn you choose will change the fabric of your final garment- bulkier yarn or yarn held double will create a thicker fabric while a thinner yarn will create an airier, more open fabric. You only need to make sure to match the stitch gauge to make sure your tee will fit properly. The row gauge is less important as you can knit more or fewer rows as needed to achieve the length required. Pattern instructions are given with length measurements to make this easy to follow regardless of your row gauge.

The striped version is knit with BC Garn Allino (2 strands held together).

Take a look at some of the finished projects on Ravelry. One knitter used fingering weight (three strands) and she did a fade. Another knitter used Spincycle Dream State with a fluffy yarn (similar to Emma’s Suri Silk).

This version is a light worsted held double strand.

This version is a sports weight yarn held double strand.

Mr. UPS brought a box from Spincycle this afternoon. Lynn texted me a picture after she opened it. The bag on top is Water Witch. The colour looks awesome. The box included 

Dream State

-Castaway

-Good Omen

-The Family Jewels

Dyed in the Wool

-Levitate

-Miss Me

-The Castle

-The Meadows

-Water Witch

We had fresh strawberries and ice cream last night. Yes, dad spoils the dogs.

Hip Stripes

This shawl is a fusion of two of my most cherished patterns: Pure Joy and Hipster shawls. It has an irregular crescent shape, with striped wedges separated by delicate bands of cross-stitch lace (you can find a video tutorial to the Hipster stitch pattern here). 

This shawl is worked from the top-down, using short rows to create wedges that give the shawl an off-centered look.

Joji Locatelli has a new pattern called the Hip Stripes Shawl. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. 

The shawl is knit with fingering weight yarn.

You will never be disappointed when knitting a pattern from Joji.

Inspired by our popular Hipster Shawls, this tee features the same playful details on the shoulders and adds a fresh twist with simple stripes. It’s a perfect project for anyone looking to add a fun, easy to knit, yet sophisticated piece to their wardrobe. 

This top is worked from the shoulders down. The knitting begins with the crossed stitch pattern (you can find a link to a video tutorial here), and then continues downwards towards the back and the fronts. All pieces are then joined at the underarm. 

This tee has ZERO finishing required, so when you bind off at the bottom, you are done with your top!

You can purchase the pattern for the Hipster Top on Ravelry. 

I’m ready to get back to work tomorrow. My appointment this morning was for a colonoscopy. I had a colonoscopy five years ago and my doctor has me scheduled every five years just to make sure everything is good. All went well. My nurses were awesome. One was a customer and one was someone I went to high school with. Yesterday was a wasted day doing prep. If you know, you know. 

There hasn’t been any knitting the past few days. Tomorrow dad’s condo is being staged, pictures on Friday and then hopefully listed on Saturday. Now Beth and I need to get our house in order. Hopefully we’ll be ready later next week. 

Now it’s bed time. I was out for the procedure and am still feeling the effects of the anesthesia.