Botanic Shawl

Alex blocked my Botanic Shawl for me. When she handed it to me this morning she said ‘boy is that huge’. Thank you Alex for doing this for me. I must admit that I am a lazy blocker and Alex does a much better job than I do.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry or on Stephen West’s website.

I used 3 skeins of Le Petit Lambswool and 4 skeins of Dyed in the Wool.

I went to the store to water the gardens so I took pictures while I was there. I tried it with different shawl cuffs. This is the Original Ring. Wildberry Leather. Brass Ring.

I loved making this shawl. The pattern is very intuitive once you get going.

This triangular shawl is knit sideways starting with a tiny corner increasing to the border. Stripes and slipped stitches decorate the linear lines of the fabric. One solid yarn combined with one self-striping yarn produce an exciting project that’s easy to knit and fascinating to watch the colors unfold. This pattern is a great beginner shawl project with simple stitches. You can stop early for a smaller shawl or knit more repeats for a larger shawl.

This is a Slim Ring. Denim Leather. Antique Nickel Ring.

This is Slim Ring. Chartreuse Leather. Antique Nickel Ring.

I need to water the gardens because all the plants from our house are now at the store. Boscoe loves our back garden now.

There are some really deep holes.

Jane’s Log Cabin Afghan

Jane sent me a beautiful picture today. She finished her Log Cabin Afghan. She made 36 squares so it will fit on a king size bed. For the border she chose a dark grey in Cascade 220 Heathers. Something tells me that Jane is going to be making another one. She loves working with lots of colours and this project has a lot of colour.

I’m casting off. For my Botanic Shawl I am using Biches & Buches Le Petit Lambswool and Spincycle Dyed in the Wool.

There are new Knox Mountain Shawl Cuffs on the way to us.

I think this one will be perfect for my shawl.

Ms UPS dropped off a big box from Hedgehog today. Unfortunately it isn’t all the colours we are out of but it is a start. There should be another order coming in September and then another in October.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

We received more Skinny Singles and Kidsilk Lace in Crybaby - the colour that Andrea used for Birds of a Feather. You can purchase the pattern on her website.

Now a bit of knitting before bed. I hope to get my shawl cast off tonight and I can drop it off to my blocking friend Alex.

Haircut

I didn’t get the border finished but I’m close. Beth asked how much further I was knitting. I know I need to do a few more rows because I’m into the pink and then some purple.

I took this from Rowan’s Facebook page.

Rowan Magazine 68 is on its way, but will be slightly later this season due to the impact of the global lockdowns that many of us have experienced. The good news is that you won't have to wait too long and it will be available in stores from 1st September

And speaking of Rowan - more Creative Linen is on the way to us. Foggy, Teal, Natural and Silver. Churchmouse Yarns used 3 skeins of Creative Linen for their Easy Eyelet Poncho.

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! 

You can purchase the pattern from Churchmouse Yarns - it is available as a download.
Or you can purchase it on Ravelry.

Boscoe had his hair cut on Friday. Now we can see his eyes.

He loves his swimming pool.

I’m on Boscoe duty in the morning because Beth has an early job meeting. I wish he would come and lie in bed with me for an hour but he is an active morning puppy. That means it’s almost bedtime. Maybe one more row before I head upstairs.

Nice evening for a drive

Diana dropped in today with the Botanic Shawl. It is gorgeous! The yarn relaxed nicely after a soak with Soak.

Pattern: Botanic Shawl

Yarn: Le Petit Lambswool Very Light Green with Crazy Garden Party

We used 3 skeins of Le Petit and 2 balls of Crazy.

This triangular shawl is knit sideways starting with a tiny corner increasing to the border. Stripes and slipped stitches decorate the linear lines of the fabric. One solid yarn combined with one self-striping yarn produce an exciting project that’s easy to knit and fascinating to watch the colors unfold. This pattern is a great beginner shawl project with simple stitches. You can stop early for a smaller shawl or knit more repeats for a larger shawl.

My shawl has one extra repeat before the border and the border is 6 rows longer than what the pattern called for.

Wannietta is blocking the next Passieggiata Wrap. The colours are different and equally as beautiful. This kit is Neutral Zone. They are already sold out but more will be coming later this summer.

Tina from Freia Fibers is knitting the Baby’s Breath kit. That might be the next one. I love these colours.

Helen (Wannietta’s bestie) send me a picture of another beautiful So Faded. This time she used Hedgehog Skinny Singles, Garnstories and Uschitita.

Hello! I waited for Wannietta to finish her shawl so we can send you the pictures together

Blue Sky Fibers has a new pattern for Woolstok. This is a great looking sweater - you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Knit in soft and warm Woolstok, this pullover with its eye-catching detail of different textures combined with a relaxed fit makes it ideal for both men and women.

I just went for a quick drive to the store. This morning I watered my gardens. To get the water I have to open the back door and I didn’t remember closing or locking it. If I didn’t go it would bother me all evening. I wouldn’t sleep so it was better to go. The evening was gorgeous and it was a nice drive with the top down.

And why not spend some money before bed? I just placed an order with Biches & Buches.

There are two new colours of Le Petit Lambswool coming. I know I will need to knit with Light Pink Violet.

Now a few rows of knitting and then bed. Lucy is spending the day here tomorrow because dad is pouring concrete in Richmond Hill. Beth will pick her up at 5:30 when dad leaves. That’s AM which is early 😘

Almost there

I’m one pattern repeat away from doing the border. I could be finished by the weekend and then I can cast on something new 😘

Freia is shipping a box tomorrow. It could be here next week.

Kits are on the website so that you can order and we will ship the minute they arrive. This pattern is the Passeggiata Wrap. I know that I’ve shown this many times but the shawl is so beautiful!

A shipment is on the way from Knox Mountain as well. More cuffs!

A customer called me this morning about yarn and told me about the Stephen West webinar that she did over the weekend - Shawl Shapes. She said it was amazing and so inspiring. There are 2 more webinars coming in August.

Stephen & Penelope are delighted to host Westknits Webinars, a virtual presentation with Stephen West. Moderated by Stephen & Penelope founder, Malia Joseph, Westknits Webinars are a digital dive into the woolly world of Westknits. The online version of a Westknits Lecture, participants get an interactive experience with polls and Q&A sessions all from the comfort of their home. 

Here is the link to Stephen’s website to sign up.

I have been trying to write a newsletter for the past week. I hope to finish it tomorrow and get it out this week. Watch you inbox.

Someone is having their hair cut on Friday. I like his hair long but it is starting to mat and it needs to be trimmed.