Back on Track

I did a bit of blocking this afternoon. The Issa Cowl is lying out and Free Your Fade had a nice long bath.

The first half of Starting Point is finished.

This amazing wrap is worked from both ends towards the centre with a super fun chevron construction, and joined as you work (no seaming or kitchener required!).  

We have had the best time putting together tons of color combinations, and we have determined that there is not a single bad combo ;) Even the monochromatic versions look stunning!

The second half is back on track. I took out six rows and now my stitch count is correct. You increase every right side row to 171 stitches. I was merrily knitting away and kept increasing. I had a few too many stitches. For a lot of patterns I could have just kept going and my shawl would end up a bit wider. That wouldn't work here - the two halves of the shawl would be different sizes.

Now that the stitch count is correct, it's time to knit.

New Cowl

I cast off this afternoon. I can't wait to see it after it's blocked.

The pattern says

Repeat these 16 rounds 5 times more (6 repeats total). You may have enough yarn for 7 repeats, but not everyone is a yarn chicken daredevil. Knitter, know thyself.

I did not play yarn chicken. And it was a good thing. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it.

Pattern: Issa Cowl (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Dyed in the Wool - one skein each of two colours

I pulled out Starting Point - it's time to finish up some projects. We need lots of new display garments for the Knitters' Fair. I try to have different samples than what we showed at the Frolic.

Party

The end is near. I have 14 rows to go before the ribbing. This is a great project to work on in the car or at the soccer field. I would definitely consider making it again.

Yesterday I mentioned cleaning up the mini skein kits on the website. It got me thinking about an order I placed at TNNA so I sent off an email. We should be receiving boxes from SweetGeorgia the middle of August. There will be four new Party of Five kits.

Rustle

Voyage

 Whirlwind

Whisper

I've knit Hitchhiker (pattern purchased on Ravelry) twice with Party of Five kits. The pattern is easy. All you need to know is cast on, cast off, knit and increase. You knit one colour to the end of the skein and then join in the next skein. I joined in the middle of the row - I didn't want to waste one cm of yarn.

Taffy Toes (free pattern on Ravelry) is knit with a Party of Five kit. The yarn is 80% superwash merino and 20% nylon. Perfect for socks.

Marron (pattern purchased on Ravelry) is another great shawl that is knit with a Party of Five kit.

There will also be 23 colours of Tough Love Sock (100gram skeins - 388m/425yards) in the shipment including

It's the 8th inning of the Jays game and they need my full attention. Plus my knitting is calling me so it's time to say good night.

Mosaic Knitting

There was a bit of knitting tonight. Thank you The Amazing Race and Big Brother. I'm totally addicted to this cowl. You are only working with one colour per row. And the rows go quickly. How come I haven't done a project with Mosaic Knitting before?

Interweave Knits has a great article explaining Mosaic Knitting.

Don't forget that the sale is running through next Friday. Don't miss out on a chance to purchase Rialto Luxury Sock from Debbie Bliss at a discount. All these patterns take two balls - one each of two different colours.

Pattern: Meadowside (Purchased on Ravelry)

Pattern: Around the Corner (purchased on Ravelry)

Pattern: Cloudline (purchased on Ravelry)

Pattern: Brackenreid (purchased on Ravelry)

Pattern: ZickZack (free on Ravelry)

I was supposed to be in bed early. That didn't happen. Thankfully the 'big guys' don't tee off until around 4am. I told my dad we'd talk to him at 5am. A few hours of golf (and maybe some more knitting) before heading to work.

Visit from Mr. Canada Post

Silkdance from Mountain Colors arrived today. The colours are amazing.
75% merino wool
25% silk

393m (430 yards)
100 grams
6-7 stitches = 4"

Mr. Canada Post also brought in a box from Dream in Color. We received 17 colours of Jilly with Cashmere.

Jilly with Cashmere is luxuriously sumptuous and soft! The colors come to life. Every stitch knitted with Jilly with Cashmere is a dream, making only the most magnificent of accessories and garments. 

70% superwash merino wool, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon 

440 yds. 

7- 8 sts. per inch 

U.S. 1 to 2 needles

The website has been updated with a few of the colours. I need to take pictures of the rest.

The pattern is starting to show.

Here are a few of the colours that are on the way. Absinthe.

Idle Nights.

Stay Ready.

The Saddest Place.

Narcissus.

Pick Your Poison.

I had a difficult time choosing because Spincycle Yarns has so many great colour combinations. I tried to make sure that I had colours for everyone. It's hard to believe but not everyone wants to knit with purple :)