Veronika

Veronika is finished. I wore it at Camp and love it!!

Pattern: Veronika (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Arranmore from The Fibre Co.

With a cozy, oversized shawl collar and textured ridge stitch body, Veronika will shine knit up in your favourite worsted weight wool. Whether paired with a tank, top or dress, Veronika is effortless and stylish. It’s sure to be a cardigan you’ll reach for over and over again. Knit in one piece, the unique construction of this roomy cardi makes it a quick and fun knit!

The closure is from JUL and is called the Lisbon Trigger Closure.

The Lisbon Trigger is a unique and bold closure ideal for chunky garments. The Trigger has a tension release bar that opens the trigger, allowing one side to slip out of the tab on one side. The Lisbon tabs attach easily to the garment by simply screwing into the fabric. This screw-in approach is ideal for knitwear, crocheted fabric, or loosely woven fabrics where the threaded cylinders that make this type of closure possible can just be worked between stitches/threads. Backing disks are included and held in place by the screws on the wrong side of the fabric to keep the closure secure on the garment. 

Accessorize your handmade garments with this stunning beauty that attaches easily by simply screwing into the fabric and opens and closes with a hinged spring gate ring that slips easily off the tab on either side.

We have another sample hanging in the store that we knit in Eco + from Cascade.

For this Veronika we used JUL Leather Pedestal Buttons.

Pedestal Buttons are improvisational.  These closures require no commitment, no sewing, and no pre-planning.  Instead, they are flexible components that can transform knitted garments and accessories.  To use Pedestal Buttons, unscrew the leather backing and remove the back disk from the shank.  Holding the front disk (on the screw mechanism shank), work the shank gently in between the stitches of your knitwear from the front.  Place the back disk of leather, smooth side out, over the screw shank on the inside of the knitwear.  Screw in the backing with your fingers to secure. For semi-permanent attachment and to avoid losing screws or backings, place a tiny drop of clear nail polish in the threaded cylinder before securing.  This will keep the closure in place while it's on the body but still allows you to unscrew it when you are ready for a change. 

These innovative screw-in "buttons" can be used not only as substitutes for conventional buttons, they may also be used to create shaping, to attach one knitted piece to another, and to baste knitted fabric so that it stays in place semi-permanently.  Be creative.

It's cool today so Lynn and I wore our Comfort Fade Cardis. It is so comfortable.

I should have taken pictures outside of Lynn in her cardigan but we were busy rearranging. The store is back in order. For now. In two weeks it will be chaos again.

Lucy made herself comfortable in Beth's truck. I hope her papers weren't important.

Finishing

After I finish Espe I need to finish Veronika. It is knit. It is blocked. Most of the ends are sewn in. I have two small side seams and then it's ready for Camp. I used Arranmore from The Fibre Co.

Blocking made all the difference. When I was knitting this I was sure it wouldn't need to be blocked. It's just knit and purl. I was wrong. It didn't lie flat. It looked ugly. Now I'm excited to finish it and wear it.

With a cozy, oversized shawl collar and textured ridge stitch body, Veronika will shine knit up in your favourite worsted weight wool. Whether paired with a tank, top or dress, Veronika is effortless and stylish. It’s sure to be a cardigan you’ll reach for over and over again. Knit in one piece, the unique construction of this roomy cardi makes it a quick and fun knit!

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. Our store sample is knit with Eco +.

More FlexiFlips are on the way. Looking at the tracking I think we will see them Friday morning.
2mm
2.25mm
2.5mm
2.75mm
3.25mn
3.75mm
4.5mm

Cast-on to an effortless new method of knitting socks, cuffs, hats, and many of other projects which are worked in the round, with the addi® FlexiFlips. Made specifically for North America, these specially designed 21cm circulars (3.5" tips with 1" cord) rest comfortably in the hand, and act as flexible double pointed needles. Easy to use, stitches are simply distributed over two needles, and then knit with the third - resulting in only two needle changes per row.

I couldn't help myself - I took yarn for the Game Board Cardigan. I found the back that I had started many years ago. It can't be used because I don't have all the yarn but I did steal a few balls of Felted Tweed. These are old colours that I am going to incorporate so that my cardigan will be a mix of old and new. I'm going to do a few colour changes as well. I don't think Brandon will mind.

Here is my pile with all the yarns mixed together.

I will not cast on tonight. I will not cast on tonight. I will finish Espe. I will finish Espe!!!

Effortless and Stylish

Mr. Canada Post dropped off a box from Lynda this morning. Veronika is here. And she is fabulous.

Pattern: Veronika (purchased on Ravelry)

This select pattern is included in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long! Come join us at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long for all the inspiration, chat and cheer you’ll need to get your gifts finished this year. My gift to you is a 25% discount on this pattern when you use the coupon code “giftalong2017” from Nov 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm US EST to Nov 28, 2017 at 11:59pm US EST.

Size: 2nd
Yarn: 3 skeins of Eco + (there was almost 1/4 of a skein left over)
Buttons: These are JUL Pedestal Buttons.

JUL Screw-in Pedestal Button Styling Tacks take you way beyond what you expect of buttons. We like to think of them not only as a button substitute, but as unique mechanisms for styling in creative ways.  They are moveable and removeable, flexible, versatile, sleek, and stylish.

With a cozy, oversized shawl collar and textured ridge stitch body, Veronika will shine knit up in your favourite worsted weight wool. Whether paired with a tank, top or dress, Veronika is effortless and stylish. It’s sure to be a cardigan you’ll reach for over and over again. Knit in one piece, the unique construction of this roomy cardi makes it a quick and fun knit!

I can't wait to wear True Colors.

In case you didn't receive our latest newsletter, here is the link. The store is ready - signs are hung. Look for the pink signs that say Black Friday Sale. The website is ready. I've set up one page for all the sale yarns.

I have 15 minutes to get the rest of my tasks finished before Survivor starts. Yay. It's knitting time.

Jolly Wee Elves

I thought I was finished the back last night when I posted but I really wasn't. I needed to do some decrease rows first. The back is now finished, I've cast off 49 stitches and I'm working down the front.

Cathy shared a picture with me and I forgot to share it with you.

Working on my Churchmouse Jolly Wee Elves. Some still need scarves and their arm definition. They are easy to knit and you can have one done in a couple of hours.

Pattern: Jolly Wee Elf (purchased on Ravelry)

“In 2 gauges for 2 sizes.” 

These little handmade pals, created by Jennifer Evans, are perfect on the holiday mantelpiece, tree, or packages. But they’ll celebrate any season cheerfully! Originally designed for fingering-weight yarn, we love them just as much a bit bigger in DK-weight yarn . Once we started knitting them, we just couldn’t stop! 

With elves, its certainly true that the more you make, the merrier! They’ll naturally all turn out a little different, but you can make them even more various: Taller. Shorter. Plumper. Thinner. All green for St. Paddy’s day. All pink for your Valentine. All white for a snowman with a smart black hat and coal buttons. Once you’ve got the hang of it, the only limit is your imagination. Knit up a whole neighborhood of wee elves!

These are very, very cute and I think they would look amazing in Rowan Felted Tweed. I'll be purchasing the pattern tomorrow :)

Where is he??

I sat with my nose pressed to the window all day waiting for Mr. UPS. He finally came late this afternoon with four boxes from Long Dog Yarn.

The colours are awesome and have been added to the website. I'll get more pictures tomorrow. By the time the boxes were unpacked and the website was updated it was time to head home.

I've decided. I'm going to knit Kimba (pattern purchased on Ravelry). I'm being good and haven't wound the skeins yet. The goal is to get Veronika finished. I made it to the 3/4 point on the back. I should have the back finished by tomorrow night and then on Sunday I can work down the front.

For the past week we've been cleaning up the store. Doing some inventory, moving yarns around and updating the website. We found some Offhand Design Bags that never made it to the website. These bags are sewn in San Fransisco and are made in limited quantities so you probably won't see someone carrying your bag.

There are lots of zippers and pockets - I have both styles and carry them when flying. You have room for your knitting, wallet, phone, headphones, iPad, snacks....

Kazul

Arya

Dinner is finished, the kitchen has been cleaned and laundry is in so it's time to knit. Veronika isn't going to knit herself.

Halfway

Fuse Fiber Studio has finished dying my yarn. Oh my goodness!! I think I could stop my post here. I don't know what can make this any better. Rebecca will be shipping the yarn tomorrow or Tuesday and I hope to see it by the end of the week. I think there could be another Bambara Wrap in my near future.

I kind of watched football today and did a lot of knitting. I made it to the halfway point on Veronika.

We took some quick pictures to show how the construction of the cardigan. The garter stripes are going horizontally on the front and go vertically on the back.

When the body is finished I will pick up across the bottom of the back to do the ribbing.

Shark Tank is taping and it's time to get back to it. The weather is getting cooler and Veronika will be perfect to wear to work.

Accessories

Our good friend Kate Atherley's newest book, Knit Mitts, has arrived.

Why settle for boring store bought mittens and cold fingers, when you could knit the warmest, best fitting pair yourself? With Knit Mitts as your guide, you'll have the comprehensive information you need to create snug, warm, and practical mittens and gloves--right in the palm of your hand. 

Inside, knitting expert Kate Atherley offers solutions to common problem areas: stretchy cast-ons for cuffs, fixes for thumb gaps, tricks for working the tiny circumference of glove fingers. She also addresses yarn choices and knitting techniques for easy care and maximum warmth. Through basic mitten and glove recipes, Kate explains how to measure a hand, assess your yarn selection and gauge, and ultimately customize patterns—including the 10 gorgeous ones inside--to make the best fitting mitts for you and your loved ones. Because the very best mitts are knit to fit!

I haven't had time to flip through it but I know Kate and it will be an amazing reference book.

We received a shipment of pompoms this week and more will be coming next week. We knit The Big Hat (pattern free on Ravelry) with one skein of tosh ASAP and added a large pompom. We also have smaller pompoms.

This soft and fluffy pompom is made of beautiful faux fur, but looks like the real thing! The perfect addition to the top of any hat. Available in a gorgeous range of colours. 67% Acrylic, 33% Polyester.

I've been working like crazy on Veronika and just finished the second ball. The collar is now at it's full width and the increasing has stopped.

When you start working on it the construction seems different and you start to think that there is no way it will work. Trust the pattern. The further you get the more sense it makes.

Yes, that is a box of Rice Krispies in the picture. The kids from St. Thomas More will be coming around on Tuesday evening to collect food for the Neighbour 2 Neighbour Centre. Beth has bags of food lined up at the front door.

I took the pictures in different parts of the house. The lighting really changes the colour. The picture on the mannequin is the true colour. I wanted to lay the sweater out on the dining room table to show the interesting shape it is taking.

The little strip at the top of the picture is the start of the back. When the cardigan is finished, that will be folded down to create the armhole.

Now it's back to baseball and knitting. Can you say obsessed? I feel guilty when I go to sleep - I should be working on Veronika.

Bamboo Bloom

We have new yarn. Bamboo Bloom and Bamboo Bloom Handpaint from Universal Yarns.

Pattern: The Hanasaku Cowl (the pattern is free in the store with yarn purchase or it can be purchased on Ravelry)

The cowl is worked in the round in striped linen stitch. You are working 2 rows of Bamboo Bloom and then 2 rows of a worsted weight yarn. The possibilities are endless.

If you want to use the Bamboo Bloom for a mindless cowl, here is the pattern for you.

Pattern: The Simple Rules Cowl (pattern free on Ravelry)
Yarn: one skein Bamboo Bloom
Needles: 6mm, 40cm circular

We have 3 solid colours 

A loosely spun burst of wool is blended with bamboo's beautiful sheen for a fascinating texture. Elegance made easy!

The yarn is
44% wool
48% rayon from bamboo
8% acrylic

And 4 Handpaints

Thick and thin, matte and shiny, Bamboo Bloom is a versatile yarn that makes even the simplest garment pop.

Veronika is moving along. I joined the second ball this afternoon. My blog post has been done for hours but I wasn't posting until I got to the back cast on.

My tip for the day - attach a locking stitch marker to your sweater just in case you need one in an emergency. (Mine is lime and it is just about the bottom ribbing.) I have a stitch marker to divide the collar ribbing and the body of the cardigan. What if you are knitting in the car and you lose that stitch marker? You have a back up with the locking stitch marker. What if you are knitting at night and then see that you dropped a stitch a few rows back? You can put your locking stitch marker on that stitch to make sure it doesn't drop any further. When you are more alert the next day you can fix it.

Hopefully you never need it but it's there just in case.