Eva Cardigan

PetiteKnit has a new DK weight cardigan pattern that you can purchase on Ravelry.

The Eva Cardigan is worked from the top down. First, the top part of the back yoke is worked back and forth with increases, then the shoulders are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the top of the back yoke. Stitches are then picked up and knitted along the shoulders, and the rest of the yoke is joined on a circular needle and worked with increases for the V-neck. The rest of the body is worked back and forth on a circular needle, and the sleeves are worked in the round. At the end, stitches are picked up and knitted along the front edges and a wide front placket is worked in 2 x 2 rib.

Your yarn choices are endless. I think my choice would be Arranmore Light.

Here are a few more in progress Alpine Blooms.

This is Christel’s.

Here is my Alpine Bloom so far. I love knitting it! I’m using Tealicious Practically Perfect Sock and Rusted Rainbow Dyed in the Wool.

Linda sent me a picture a few weeks ago and I forgot to add it to my post - sorry Linda. Another great combination. This is Sea Me Now with Nostalgia.

Stephen West send out an email this morning. It’s almost time for his annual MKAL.

You can sign up (purchase the pattern on Ravelry) anytime starting September 2nd. Once Stephen has more information I will start making kits.

MKAL stands for Mystery Knit A Long: It's a fun, social activity where knitters from around the world make the same shawl project throughout the month of October. Nobody knows what the shawl will look like— but you can expect a stunning work of art filled with exciting techniques and detailed video tutorials demonstrating every section of the shawl. Each Thursday in October, starting October 5th, a new clue (set of instructions) is revealed as a PDF update, so you get to watch your shawl grow and evolve one step at a time. The mystery element makes the knit along that extra bit more exciting and it's your chance to learn something new while having tons of fun!

I worked on the website today. Take a look at the front page to see what’s new.

This is Canyon from Rowan 74. I really want this cardigan (knit in Felted Tweed) but I have a few things to finish first.

Butress. Felted Tweed is used for over half the garments in the magazine.

Cascade

Himalayas Cardigan.

Now I’m going to knit. Cuff one of Alpine Bloom is almost finished. I could be blocking on Sunday. Yes, I will block the sweater myself. I have been known to try on a sweater while it’s damp to see if I need to add width or length.

Beach Nights

Deidre stopped by this afternoon with our Beach Nights Shawl. It is knit in Practically Perfect Sock and Practically Perfect Smalls. We have one kit left in this colourway and will have more at then end of the month. Wow. That’s almost here. 

Deidre knit the shawl on 4mm needles (bigger than the pattern calls for). She suggests that you go to a 4.5mm needle if you knit tight.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Here is Jill’s Alpine Bloom so far. She is using Tealicious Practically Perfect Sock and Midsommar Dyed in the Wool. Wow. I love these colours.

Shirley shared a picture of her finished Shift. She used 3 skeins of Dyed in the Wool Castaway. I picked out three that were very different and the result is awesome!

Boscoe had a haircut yesterday. He was matted and full of burrs. He loves to run in the woods at the cottage. There was no way to get them all out so this was the best. Fred looks huge here. 

Staggered Striping Shawl

Choose two colors of fingering weight yarn to knit this beginner friendly garter stitch shawl. This asymmetrical triangle is knit in two sections. First, knit one striped section of the shawl by alternating your main color and contrast color for thick stripes. Then, knit the other section while attaching it to the first section as you knit. This design features one solid main color with a self-striping contrast color. Let the beautiful yarns shine with easy garter stitch and relaxing rows. I-cord edges frame the perimeter of this bold shawl design.

You can purchase the pattern for Stephen West’s new pattern Staggered Striping Shawl on Ravelry. 

Photo © Stephen West

All Westknits Workshops are 50% off this week! Learn something new and sign up your favorite knitting topics. My workshops are very beginner friendly and introduce you to topics like stashbusting and sock knitting along with some more technical topics like brioche knitting or how to design your own shawl! 

Visit Stephen’s website to see all the workshops.

I received a surprise in the mail today. A copy of Rowan Magazine 74. There are so many great patterns. Two yarns are used in the magazine - Felted Tweed and Fine Tweed Haze (a new yarn). More on this soon. The magazine is supposed to be launching on September 4th.

Rowan Autumn Winter 2023 Celebration

Thursday 7th September - 7pm BST

Join Sharon Brant, Rowan Brand Director and David MacLeod, Rowan Brand Manager, for an in-depth look at the new collections and the inspiration behind them. Gain an insight into the Rowan design room and discover Rowan Magazine 74, which this season shines a spotlight on two yarns – much-loved Felted Tweed and new yarn Fine Tweed Haze!

You can sign up here.

I finished the second sleeve on Alpine Bloom. I’m ready to start the lace cuffs.

Don’t forget that we will be closing early the next two Saturdays. Our Saturday hours will be 11am-2pm.

Same But Different

Cheryl Faust has a new pattern.

Same, but Different is a bandana style cowl, knit flat from the top down, similar to a triangular shawl. The distinctive patterning is simple to create, using the mosaic knitting technique. Carefully designed to integrate seamlessly from top to bottom, those captivating spine stitches are the prominent characteristic of Same but Different! But wait, there’s more … SBD also features a split seam at the back and a continuous I-cord bind off, for a beautiful and professional looking finish. 

The delightful shades of Spincycle’s Dream State combine beautifully with a DK or worsted weight yarn to create a unique and one of a kind knit accessory. Simply choose your favorite combo for an engaging knit you’ll not want to put down. 

Same but Different includes fully written and charted instructions. Each section is thoughtfully explained to guide you from start to finish. I highly recommend following the video tutorial provided in the pattern for the I-cord tab cast-on.

You can purchase the pattern for Same but Different on Ravelry.

One test knitter used Rowan Felted Tweed for the main colour and another used Madelinetosh Tosh DK. You can use Arranmore Light or Malabrigo Rios. For the contrast I would suggest Dream State.

I had a great day with the dogs. They were well behaved and Fred slept a lot. I was able to do some knitting. Sleeve one of Alpine Bloom is 65 rows. Sleeve two is at 45 rows. Then the lace cuff which is knit separately and grafted on.

Here is a picture of the bathroom progress. We decided to put in a pine ceiling. It looks great.

I didn’t do any work today and I’m not going to start now. It was a real lazy day. Now I’m going to go back to my sleeve and watch the Jays.
 

Wish me luck.

Biches & Buches has a new pattern for the Organic Cotton that is arriving this week.

Designed with our new Le Petit Organic Cotton, the Toscana Sweater is a romantic with its lacy details on the front and the three-quarter-lenght, set-in sleeves and the boat neck. 

The pattern is not available on Ravelry but you can purchase it directly from Biches & Buches.

The Toscana Sweater is worked back and forth, from the bottom up, in four parts and assembled using the 3-needle bind-off. The sleeves are ¾ length.

X-small
chest width 50.5cm/19.75”- length 50cm/19.75”- sleeve length 35cm/13.75” – armhole: 16cm/6.25”

Small
chest width 55cm/21.5”- length 50cm/19.75”- sleeve length 35cm/13.75” – armhole: 18.5cm/7.25”

Medium
chest width 59.5cm/23.5” - length 56cm/21.5” - sleeve length 35cm/13.75” – armhole: 18.5cm/7.25”

Large
chest width 64cm/25.25” - length 56cm/21.5” - sleeve length 35cm/13.75” – armhole: 20.5cm/8”

X-Large
chest width 68.5cm/27” - length 62cm/24.5” - sleeve length 35cm/13.75” – armhole: 23cm/9”

XX-Large
chest width 73.25cm/28.75” - length 62cm/24.5”- sleeve length 35cm/13.75” – armhole: 25.25cm/10"

X-Small: 400g 
Small: 400g 
Medium: 400g 
Large: 500g
X-Large: 500g 
2X-Large 600g

Each ball is 100g.

I’m working from home tomorrow and will get the yarn on the website. It should be arriving on Wednesday.

Dad has his last arena pour tomorrow. I did a lot of baking yesterday. Beth is golfing in a charity tournament tomorrow. That means I’m dog sitting. All three of them. Wish me luck! Fred likes yarn so there won’t be any knitting while he’s here. 😂 He was dragging around Practically Perfect Sock tonight. It might have been cute except that the ball was attached to Alpine Bloom. The sweater was being dragged with the yarn. All stitches are still on the needles so there is a bright side to my story.

A stunning Alpine Bloom

Janice finished her Alpine Bloom. It is sensational. Janice used Tosh Twist Light in Elizabeth Taylor and Dyed in the Wool Dream World. 

This inspired me to work on mine today. The body is cast off. One sleeve is finished and I’m ready to start sleeve two. Today’s post is going to be short so I can get back to it.

Happy Sunday!!