Botanical Shawl

Now I need to start a new project.

Photos © Stephen West

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. 

The pattern is called the Botanical Shawl and you can purchase it on Ravelry. Stephen isn’t exaggerating when he says it is a great beginner shawl. I purchased the pattern and read through it. It is perfect summer knitting.

Stephen uses a solid fingering weight yarn with Zauberball Crazy.

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 am thinking about using Dyed in the Wool instead of Zauberball. The yarn is in a bag for now - I really need to finish something first but.....

We are sad to say that we can no longer get Namaste bags and accessories. They are being discontinued but don’t worry because they are bringing out something for the fall that you will love!

I carry my Backpack every day.

Our Maker's Backpack was mindfully designed for those who are on the constantly on the run. With plenty of room for your laptop or tablet, your latest reading book or planner, and several knitting projects, the Backpack is ideal for those who want to have all their tools at their fingertips. Crafted from vegan leather and including knitting specific features like our Lotus Yarn Feeder (turns your handbag into a yarn bowl), a key leash (doubles as a tape-measure), and a decorative tassel (equipped with an emergency stitch marker), the Namaste Maker's Backpack is designed to help you find Crafting Nirvana wherever you are.

KNITTER'S BACKPACK DETAILS:

•   Designed Specifically for Makers - Sturdy Vegan Leather - Lots of Pockets - BPA & PVC-Free
•   Comfortably fits the Namaste Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large Oh Snap Pouch (not included)
•   A padded laptop pocket, 2 interior water bottle pockets, 1 zippered pocket, and places to keep your pens, notions, phone, and wallet organized
•   3 exterior front zippered pockets to also keep your odds and ends secured, 2 exterior water bottle pockets
•   Adjustable Backpack straps and a carrying handle
•   Contains a luggage strap across the back to wrap around your rolling luggage handle as you walk through the airport

All Namaste products are on sale for 20% off. The discount is automatic on the website.

Boscoe is always helping around the house.

Socks

52 Weeks of Socks is the first hardcover book of Laine Publishing. This publication contains 52 knitting patterns by 46 designers, and is a true encyclopedia of socks. Patterns are beautifully photographed and laid out on 256 pages in the style Laine is known and loved for.

The book is available for preorder and will be in the store mid-February.

You can see all the socks in the book on Ravelry

Mr. FedEx brought two huge boxes this afternoon. One from madelinetosh and one from Namaste.

We are well stocked in tosh dk.

Oh my goodness. Take a look at Dirty Harry. It's like they dyed it for me.

I put Dirty Harry together with Eleven Dark. This would make an amazing Guthrie. Lynn and I have knit Guthrie and we love our sweaters.

Guthrie is a round yoked sweater knit seamlessly from the top down with an all-over colorwork design and 3/4 length sleeves. The bottom and sleeve hems feature a simple cable ribbing pattern. Instructions are given for cropped or full body length versions, and the sleeves can also be knitted to a longer length if desired.

Tosh DK would make a beautiful Hipster. I knit mine in Hedgehog Merino DK and could easily be talked into making it again. Dirty Harry!!

Wake up mom!!!

Where is Lucy???

Knit.Love.Wool

Wednesday evening Spincycle Yarns sent out a newsletter with a picture of something new that is coming.

Jenn Steingass has a gorgeous new yoked sweater featuring our Dyed in the Wool Salty Dog coming out January 1st. We are spinning the yarn as I type.

We ordered Salty Dog Dyed in the Wool and should have it early in January.

I emailed Jenn Steingass (Knit.Love.Wool on Ravelry) and she has given us permission to share her pictures. Jenn designed Newleaf and many more great patterns.

Lynn's Newleaf is so pretty - I really need to finish mine😘

A newsletter went out yesterday afternoon. You can see it here if you missed it. I talk about what we are doing for Boxing Week.

Holiday Hours

In December
Monday 23 10-5:30
Tuesday 24 10-2
Wednesday 25 Closed
Thursday 26 Closed
Friday 27 10-5:30
Saturday 28 10-4
Sunday 29 Closed
Monday 30 10-5:30
Tuesday 31 10-2

In January
January 1 Closed
January 2 10-5:30

Our Christmas party was great. I was home earlier than I thought and was able to get some knitting accomplished. I was also able to start today's post. I had things to share and I was afraid if I waited until today I would forget. 

Mr. FedEx came in with a box from Noro. Tabi is here.

The shipment arrived from Namaste and our Maker's Mini Backpacks are almost sold out. Another shipment will be coming early in January. If there is a colour that you want, please let me know. I think I want Lavender.

We are going to watch the finale of Making It tonight. Wow, the people on the show are so creative. You really need to watch as they are making their projects - it's not a good knitting show.

Surprise!

It was a day of surprises. Our shipment from Spincycle arrived. I wasn't expecting it until next week. We have new colours of Dyed in the Wool.

Stay Out Of The Forest

Mississippi Marsala

Deep Bump

Robin's Egg

Ruination

There were a few colours of Dream State as well. I put together colours for another Nightshift.

I need to sit down tomorrow and figure out the order that will work the best.
From the top
-Neveruary
-Deep Bump
-The Family Jewels
-Mississippi Marsala
-Neveruary
-The Family Jewels

Surprise #2
We have been waiting for new products from Namaste. I didn't think we would see them until the middle of January but it looks like we might have them by the end of the year.

Surprise #3
I knew that we are scheduled to receive Malabrigo Rasta on Monday. More colours will be arriving on Tuesday.

 Zarzamora

Piedras

Boreal

Solis

Verdeazul

Plomo

This is Degraw (pattern purchased on Ravelry). The shawl is knit with 4 skeins of Rasta (2 colours, 2 skeins each) on 15mm needles.

Beautifully bulky this asymmetrical shawl features a chevron patterning with two perfectly paired colors of Rasta. 

It's Pizza Friday - dad and Lucy came for dinner. Dad's job is cutting up the vegetables. Lucy doesn't like Pizza Friday. There aren't leftovers (like chicken or pork chops) to go in her food bowl.