Win Some Yarn

One of my suppliers, Estelle Yarns, is having a contest. Here's your chance to win some pretty Urth Yarn to make the Butterfly shawl.

The Papillon Shawl calls for a fingering weight yarn with a long colour transition and we think Urth Yarns Uneek Fingering is the perfect fit! Each and every skein of Uneek Fingering is truly a work of art with its rich, vibrant colours, its earthy feel, and the exceptional softness in every skein. This outstanding 100% Superwash Extrafine Merino has sensational hand and comes in a true kaleidoscope of colours.

Pattern: Butterfly / Papillon (purchased on Ravelry)

Read how to enter on their blog...

We have a sample hanging in the store and the shawl is beautiful.

I promised pictures of Starting Point. There are a few ends to sew in. I was sure that I was going to run out of yarn but I made it.

I've been knitting on my Prism Shawl. Mitred squares are fun. There could have been more knitting today but I did a bit of cleaning. All the bedding has been washed. Mr. Roko is fine but he had a small accident today and ripped one of his dew claws. We had blood everywhere. Beth took him to the emergency vet and they cleaned it up and put a bandage on him. While they were gone I washed the floors. Unfortunately the blood went through the bandage and I had to wash part of the floor again. It's all good - he's sleeping like a baby right now. Once I hit Publish I'm sitting down with a tea and picking up the needles.

Winter is back

Kimba is blocked with all the ends sewn in. I'm very happy with the finished shawl. If I were to make the shawl again, I would change the needle that you start with. The first section is all garter stitch and I would go down one needle size for it. Then I would go to the size that the pattern asks for when doing the lace section.

Knitting Fever has donated 3 Lykke 3.5" Interchangeable Needle Sets for the Food Drive Gift Baskets. Oh my goodness. This is amazing!

I did get a bit of knitting accomplished while watching Survivor last night. It's not the easiest to photograph right now. It is huge!

I was just tracking some packages online and it looks like the new baskets as well as our madelinetosh order will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. Or they should be. It will depend on the weather.

Speaking of the weather. As of 6:30 there wasn't a snowflake to be seen. Now it's crazy out there.

We'll be shovelling before bed.

Starting Point

It's been a knitting day and I think I will make my goal of finishing Starting Point by next weekend.

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!).

You start the shawl by working two identical pieces. I finished my second piece this morning and now they are joined. I'm working both sides at the same time because I'm worried about running out of the multi-coloured beige (that I'm working with now) and the purple which comes almost at the end. I don't think I would be happy to finish one side and then realize that the second side couldn't match.

The rows are getting shorter and shorter which means that they are going faster and faster.

It's almost bed time so I had better get this posted. Here is the join with a few more rows.

Someone is tired. Dad had her at the Bark Park this morning. Some of her friends were there so she was busy running around. It was 28C in Myrtle Beach today. Lucy isn't used to the heat. And she's pretty lazy :)

Lazy Sunday

I received a very exciting message on Instagram earlier this afternoon. It was Steffi at Uschitita. Our yarn is dyed. She'll be shipping early in the week.

Steffi said that she hopes the yarn sells well. If these two colours are any indication, it won't sell at all - it's all coming home with me :)

Today was all about Starting Point.

I'm about to start the twisted rib. That has to be the part of the shawl that I hate. Not the look of it but knit into the back of the stitch and then purl into the back of the stitch is so slow.

It's time to stop whining and get to it. It isn't going to knit itself. We're going to watch Big Brother and then it's bed time for me. Dad and I are heading to Milton early in the morning. Then I'll get to play in pretty madelinetosh yarn all afternoon.

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 Samples

Diana finished this pretty shawl earlier in the week. I'm really liking the yellow.

Pattern: Good Vibes (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Adelaide - 2 colours, one skein each. We used Lemongrass and Sour Patch Kids

A box came from Lynda this morning with 2 projects. I need to do some rearranging of garments!

Now that I'm looking at this picture, the outfit is a bit grey. I should have put a pretty scarf on my friend. Imagine some purple or teal at the neck. If I knew how to do it I would have photoshopped in a scarf but that is way beyond my capabilities.

Pattern: Janesville Jacket (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Woolstok
We used 6 skeins of 1304 Grey Harbor and 3 skeins of 1300 Cast Iron.

Woolstok is a great yarn.

Rich in character with excellent stitch definition and easy to work with, this yarn is available in lots of colors. You’ll quickly cozy up to it, no doubt.

I have a huge scarf in it (that Diana knit) and I'm working on one myself. I need to pull it out and finish for the fall - since I'm in finishing mode this week.

Pattern: Clementine (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Dyed in the Wool - 2 colours, one skein each. We used Melancholia and Robin's Egg.

I love this!! The yarn is very soft and cozy around your neck.

I have to work two more rows in orange and then there are 24 rows of purple to finish clue 4. I know why I put it away for a while - I need to take out six rows on the other half. Then I can finish clue 3 and 4.

I mentioned that I'm in finishing mode this week. That could (who am I joking - will) change next week. There are 3 boxes on the way from Hedgehog. There are 7 boxes that weigh 333 lbs coming from madelinetosh. There is a box of Rockshelter Sock coming. Of course I'm going to start something new :)

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.

Holding Stitches

I picked up a fun new product from Cocoknits at the show.

Use the Stitch Holder Kit in lieu of scrap yarn whenever you need to hold live stitches. The threaded needles allow you to knit off of your leather cord. 

The Leather Cord and Needle Stitch Holder Kit contains: 

•two interior-threaded needles made of nickel plated steel 

•three lengths of leather cord 

•one long – for holding sts of sweater body (59"/150 cm) 

•two short – for holding sts of sleeves (29.5"/75 cm) 

Keep the contents of your kit in the reusable kraft drawer, lined with 100% wool felt.  Please note you may need to snip the end of your leather cord at an angle to facilitate attaching the needle.

 

The book is beautiful.

Westknits Bestknits Number 1 - Shawls.
152 pages

E-book download code included with each copy.
This new book is a collection of 13 popular Westknits designs by Stephen West filled with inspiring photos.
Exploration Station
Dotted Rays
The Doodler
Vertices Unite
Striped Bolting
Starburst
Color Craving
Askews Me Shawl
Knit 'n Slide
Garter Breeze
Boardwalk
Holey Chevrons
Briochevron Wrap

The great thing about the book is that you have a download code. The book will download in your Ravelry library and you can print off individual patterns. No carrying around a book. No marking your book.

My Starting Point has been put on the back burner while I've been knitting with Adelaide. All the clues are available and the finished shawl looks great. Take a look on Ravelry at some of the projects - I'm inspired to finish mine now.

Someone is tired. She had a hard day at work. Dad took Lucy to his job meeting in Peterborough. While he was in the meeting, one of the guys took Lucy for a walk and she ended up in the lake. If there is water, she will find it.

Knitters' Fair

I brought Starting Point to work today so that I could get some outside pictures. I didn't want to go back inside - it's beautiful out.

The Invisible Project Bag from Hedgehog Fibres is perfect for carrying your knitting.

The perfect project bag to show off your colourful skeins! Lightweight yet sturdy. Roomy enough for a larger project, it'll hold multiple balls of yarn easily. We think this is the best, most versatile project bag. 
This bag is designed to stand up on it's own. 

Material: Transparent PVC. Easily cleaned with mild detergent. Not machine washable.  

Height: 37cm, Width: 28cm, Gusset: 10cm. Pointed gold coloured studs.

Mark your calendar - Saturday September 9 - The Knitters' Fair in Kitchener. I've been talking with the coordinator for the Fair and she told me some very exciting news. Lily Chin will be at the Knitters' Fair - doing a workshop and a talk. Lily has taught at our knitting retreat and you won't be disappointed.

Lily Chin, named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting International, has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for nearly 25 years, and she has worked with designers Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi. Her work has been on the backs of celebrities and super models, from Racquel Welch and Vanna White to Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, The Urban Knitter, and Mosaic Magic, and she has written the “On Designing” column for Knitter’s Magazine and the annual “Focus on Fibers” report for Knit ‘n Style. Lily also is the reigning champion fastest crocheter in the world, a title she defended in October 2004 at the world championships in London. Lily Chin regularly appears as a spokesperson for the yarn industry in media across the U.S., including Time, the New York Times, USA Today, the David Letterman Show, the CBS Early Show, DIY’s Knitty Gritty, E! Style Network’s Craft Corner Death Match, Lifetime’s Handmade by Design, HGTV’s Sew Much More, and CNN. Lily Chin has lived in New York City nearly all her life and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was educated at Queens College, City University of New York.

Read more about the Knitters' Fair... 

My garden is growing. Now we need the plants to start flowering.

The shed is scheduled to be painted on Monday. I'm so excited.

Ebb & Flow

Lorna's Laces has a new pattern out. Ebb & Flow can be purchased on Ravelry.

From Amanda at Lorna's Laces

We all know working with multis can occasionally be challenging. They are so fun though! Grace paired 1 skein of our newest color Bonanza, a neon rainbow multi, with 1 skein of the gorgeously grounded Cookie's Deep Dark Secret. Personally I think it is perfection. Knit on the bias in garter (my favorite stitch) you alternate colors for a great effect. A couple inches of bordering stitches in each color really start and finish the piece off. We hope you love it! 

We have many colours of Solemate - multis and solids. You can also use Mrs. Crosby Train Case - same yarn, different dye technique.

I think I have my colours for Starting Point. Colour 1 is to the far right. It's going to be interesting. Not my usual colours but kind of with the grey, teal and purple.

Color 1: This could be your lightest color - Cinder
Color 2: Accent or medium darkness color (not the
darkest) - Wish
Color 3: This can be any color, but a variegated or a
speckled one will look really nice here - Potluck 1200
Color 4: This could be your darkest color - Purple Reign
Color 5: Another accent or medium darkness color - Rusty Nail

The dogs look cute with their summer hair cuts. We have bandanas for them so that mom and dad can tell them apart. They look like twins.

Close to You

I started knitting with Juliet last night. The yarn is awesome. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before - Juliet is spun in Canada.

The pattern (Close to You) is well written and easy to follow.

I read this on Ravelry this morning.

From Joji

I just want to make a small note about color in case you are reading: I see many of you are only using speckled colorways for COLOR NUMBER 3. There’s no rule that says you can’t use speckled colorways in all the other colors! Or switch them around a little bit if you are short of yardage ;)

This could change everything :)

I don't want to take all five skeins to Myrtle Beach (I'm not checking a bag - just carry on) so I asked in Joji's Ravelry group if anyone knew what colours we are starting with. I was told that we need all five colours for the first clue. I might wind them in half balls to save some room.

Mark your calendar.