Fingerless

Fingerless gloves are popular right now. You might be asking 'Why?' They are great for texting and playing on your iPhone. They are great for driving. Your hands are warm but you can still feel the steering wheel. My fleece mittens won't do that for me. They are also much easier to knit. No picking up stitches and trying to knit the fingers on a pair of gloves. And what happens when you are giving the gloves as a gift? How do you get the fingers the proper length? And what if you're like me with long finger nails? Fingerless gloves are much easier :) They don't take a lot of yarn and make quick gifts. Have I convinced you?

Fetching (pattern free on Knitty.com)
Yarn: any Aran weight yarn

These are easy to knit and a great way to learn cables.

There are three amazing patterns from Blue Sky Alpacas. We have them in the store and they each take 2 balls of Royal Petites (100% Alpaca)

The first is the Countess Mitts.

A delicate lace vine travels up the center of these feminine mitts. Adorn your hands with beauty and practicality.

Just the touch to complete any look, these elegant mitts with dainty cables are sure to please.

 Mitini Mitts

Windsor Mitts

Cosmopolitan in their simplicity, these svelte mitts are extra long and worldly; always ready for your next enchanted outing.

Tatras Fingerless Mitts knit in Blue Sky Alpacas Extra. The pattern for these is in the store as well.

Reach for something special. These long, lovely mitts are the perfect mix of upscale elegance and downhome practicality. Unconventional cables create a ladder effect from the fingertips to the elbow with an extra touch of texture provided by the lush hand and hearty twist inherent in Blue Sky Alpacas Extra.

Don't forget about the November Dream Club.

These are just a small sample of the many, many patterns available. There are over 11,000 patterns for knit fingerless gloves on Ravelry. Would you rather crochet? There are over 2,300 patterns. I bet you have something in your stash and you can get going right away on a pair.

New Techniques

Beth started a new project last night.

Pattern: Technicolor Mosaic Cowl (you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry)
Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty wool - black and a new colour that will be coming in the spring of 2015

Shhh! It’s not fairisle! The amazing “Techni-Cowl” is deceptively simple and fun to work in the mosaic knitting technique. A solid color yarn and Noro work together to fantastic technicolor effect. Try two similar shades for more a monochromatic look or two color changers for a really psychedelic knitting experience!

Knitted in the round, the Technicolor Mosaic Cowl has a fluted base that is shaped by changing to a larger needle size for the last couple of pattern repeats. Since Noro does all the color changing, this project has no finishing or multiple ends to sew in. Specific instruction is given on how to follow a simple chart, so this is a great first-time mosaic knitting project! 

I've read about Mosaic knitting but haven't actually tried it. Beth is enjoying it. Her comments about why she likes it better than fair isle knitting
-she doesn't have to worry about tension. When she is carrying colours she is continually asking me if she is pulling the colours too tight
-it is faster than fair isle knitting because you are only using one colour in a row. No dropping the yarn to pick up the other colour.

I'm six rows into Clue #2 on Exploration Station. Once you get going on the Brioche stitch it is very rhythmic. I found that watching the video was good to see where the pattern was going but following the words was better when I started working the pattern. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to knit while watching football today but it hasn't been a problem. The problem is that Beth is knitting too so I'm in charge of the converter. That is cutting into my knitting time.

It's almost time for Homeland. I'm not sure that I should take this upstairs with me. That might be asking too much.

Something else is growing. Beth and dad went out on Saturday. According to my dad the work is good. The lumber is good. The walls are straight.

This is the living room. There will be a window at the end on the left, then the fireplace is the big spot in the middle and there will be a window to the right of the fireplace.

 This is where the stair case will be.

This is the dining area. This will be what we see out of the back of the house. Open land and trees. Never a house. In the next few weeks they will be able to give us the actual date that they think it will be finished.

Exciting and scary at the same time :)

Thank you Sara

As I was walking into work this morning, there was a bit of anxiety. What am I going to post about today? I don't have any knitting. We didn't get any yarn in yesterday. Then the problem was solved. Sara and Rachel came in from Milton and Sara had some works in progress to show off.

Pattern: Laura Aylor's All the Shades of Truth
Yarn: 5 skeins of tosh merino light

A color-block stole inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. There is no intarsia, just picking up stitches from slipped stitch edges. A coloring page is included :)

I've made 2 of these shawls and now I want to do another one. All you need to know is cast on, cast off, knit (no purl) and picking up stitches.

Pattern: Laura Aylor's Derecho
Yarn: 4 skeins of tosh merino light

A triangular shawl knit modularly in two directions to produce a pattern of interconnected stripes. Two circular needles are used to knit on one side at a time while keeping the other side’s stitches live. 

Techniques: garter stitch, knit in front and back increase, picking up stitches

I haven't knit Derecho yet but we have two samples hanging in the store. I love this shawl too.

Thanks Sara. Now I need to get back to my knitting.

Clue 2

I watched the video for Clue 2 last night and then decided that 9pm might not be the best time to try a new technique. Instead I worked on my Color Play Mohair Wrap. A bit better project for watching TV.

Clue #2 - we are going to be doing Brioche. The stitch isn't hard but you need to concentrate. Please watch the video. I think it will make your life easier. Also, try doing a swatch first. Thicker yarn is good. Just make sure that you use circular needles because you need to slide the stitches back and forth on the needles.

I didn't really like the picture I took at home earlier today so my friend and I went out back.

We still have a few leaves left in the back yard.

Beth and I stayed up and watched How to Get Away With Murder last night. She remarked, and I agree, that it is a hard show to watch because it is hard to like any of the characters. They all lie and cheat and aren't extremely likeable. But I'm not a quitter so I'm going to watch the last few episodes to find out who committed the murder.

It's 8:30 and I just got home. Part of me wants to start Clue #2 but the intelligent part of me is saying to wait until tomorrow. I'm tired and frogging my knitting isn't something high on my to do list. And The Amazing Race is taping. I have to pay attention so back to my Wrap.

Featherweight

Yarn is on the way to Wannietta. She's going to make me the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig.

Hannah Fettig's extremely popular Featherweight Cardigan is now available via CustomFit! 

Featherweight is an easy and versatile knit, making it a great first sweater for beginner knitters. The CustomFit version of Featherweight is a set-in sleeve, pieced garment that can be made with a variety of sleeve and hem lengths. Each CustomFit Featherweight pattern has been crafted especially for your body, using your own gauge numbers - so not only can chose your sweater's body and sleeve lengths, you can work it in any gauge you like, too! 

To achieve the lighter-than-air style of the sweater shown, use any lace-weight or fingering yarn. The original Featherweight was knit using lace weight yarn knit at 6 sts per inch / 24 sts per 10cm. Also, the original sweater is worked with a 3/4 sleeve length and a high hip length, but both of those options can be customized to suit you!

CustomFit patterns are perfect for Wannietta. She is an amazing knitter. You'd think that she makes her garments on a knitting machine. One small problem. Sometimes Wannietta has a hard time achieving the tension that the pattern asks for. This way we are writing a pattern to her tension. Now she doesn't have to swatch and swatch and swatch. One swatch and if we like the fabric she can start knitting.

You can purchase the original Featherweight Cardigan pattern on Ravelry...

What yarn did I choose? Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in a very special colour - Sparrow Lake. This colour was dyed for us and no other store in the world has it.

After work we went for a drive. Dad had been out twice today and called with exciting news - the walls are going up. He went once at noon on his way home from work to take mom to the doctors. Then he took her out to see. It was very dark and rainy and muddy when we got there. Beth took pictures from the passenger seat of the truck.

Then we went to Denningers for dinner. Look at our Advent calendars. I don't eat chocolate so Beth is very excited to have two. :)

Now I need to go and knit. The next Mystery KAL clue is out!

Coming Soon

Since my post earlier today wasn't a new post I decided to do another one.

And I will start with the important information. After work I drove to the other end of town to go grocery shopping and saw something interesting on my way. On the way home I pulled into the parking lot of the original Tim's on Wilson Street. Celli's was in that spot for a while and then it has been empty for over a year. I'm pretty positive that the Starbucks logo was on the Coming Soon sign. I know that Cathy will be very happy.

Lynn came in today wearing L'Enveloppe. This is a great pattern written by Sally Melville. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Lynn's yarn - tosh merino in dr. zhivago's sky. She used 3.5 skeins.

From Sally

Every time I wear this and everywhere I go, I’ve had it commented on—by strangers on the street, by shop owners or customers, by knitters or non. And each time they say something like “I love that … thing you’re wearing!” No-one knows what to call it, and—frankly—neither do I. Because one arm goes through (as does the neck) but the other arm is free, it’s not a cape, not a poncho, not a shrug, not a shawl, not a cowl. It’s small enough to wear under a coat but big enough to wear instead of one. And it envelops us in style. And so here’s its moniker: L’Enveloppe. (As you might imagine, this is French for envelope. Its style led me there. I suppose its name could have been “That thing you wear on an airplane in case the AC is turned too high,” but that didn’t sit as well on the page.)

Thank you Lynn for giving me great pictures.

I'm on the second to last row of Clue #1 of Exploration Station (the Mystery KAL). I'm going to finish tonight. I want to be ready for Friday morning! There are some great colour combinations being used by knitters in the store KAL. Take a look on Ravelry... Maybe we will inspire you to join in. There is still lots of time to catch up.

Repost from 2013 - Beth's Creation

We received new colours of Misti Chunky today. Beth knit (and designed) a cowl in Misti Chunky last year. Here is the post again. The cowl is quick and easy!

From November 6, 2013 

Beth is coming up with her own pattern ideas now. She had a cowl pattern and decided to put her own spin on it. 

I asked her to write down what she did.

Here is the pattern:

Cast on ______ stitches   (has to be an odd number)

Join in the round making sure not to twist stitches.  Place marker

Row 1 – Knit 1, Slip 1 with yarn in front.  Repeat all the way around

Row 2 – Knit all stitches

Row 3 – Slip 1 with yarn in front, Knit 1.  Repeat all the way around

Row 4 – Knit all stitches

Repeat these 4 rows until you are almost out of yarn.  You can end on any row.  Cast off loosely.

Now it's my job to count the stitches on her cowl and figure out what size needle she used - it was already cast off when I got it. No, the ends weren't sewn in. I had to do that for her.

You need:

1 skein Misti Handpaint Chunky

8mm 80cm needles

Cast on 79 stitches. If you would like a tighter (meaning smaller around and closer to your neck), taller cowl then cast on less stitches making sure that it is an odd number.

Join in the round making sure not to twist stitches.  Place marker. Make sure that you check after the first round to make sure that your stitches aren't twisted.

Row 1 – *Knit 1, take the yarn to the front, slip the next stitch like a purl, take the yarn to the back*  Repeat from * to * all the way around ending with a K1

Row 2 – Knit all stitches

Row 3 – *Take the yarn to the front, slip 1 like a purl, take the yarn to the back, knit 1*  Repeat from * to * ending with a slip 1, take the yarn to the back.

Row 4 – Knit all stitches

Repeat these 4 rows until you are almost out of yarn.  You can end on any row.  Cast off loosely.

She's read through the pattern and confirmed that I have it correct so now I can share with you.

I'm adding a bit to the post. Here are some pictures after blocking.

Knit on 10mm needles.
Finished measurement - 30" around and 7.5" deep

Knit on 8mm needles

Finished measurement - 28" around and 6" deep

Gunners Cove

Laura Aylor has a new ebook available on Ravelry. I fell in love with Gunners Cove the minute I saw it. The shawl is knit in tosh pashmina. How can that be a bad thing??

You can purchase the individual pattern or the ebook on Ravelry.

A small shawl knit up in luxurious yarn and sized so that you can switch to the second skein for the border to minimize differences in skein color. The basket-weave garter body is bordered by a stockinette ruffle.

Skills needed 

-long tail cast on 

-increasing (knit into the front and back of a stitch) 

-simple short rows - no picking up of wraps

This is the sixth pattern in my Northward collection inspired by our trip to Newfoundland this past September.

I have knit a few of Laura's patterns and found them easy to follow and very well written.

Here are some more awesome patterns from the ebook. These can also be purchased individually if you don't want the whole book.

Dark Tickle

A truly reversible textured cowl - the two sides are identical. Stretchy enough to go over your head twice and still be snug enough to keep out the cold wind.

Grey Islands

Simple garter rib mitts with thumb gussets. Both mitts are the same – no right and left. Length is approximately 7”.

Have you checked out Design Seeds? This is a great website for colour inspiration. Jessica takes a picture and picks out the colours for a colour palette. I love this one. It's a bit early yet but we are going to have to start thinking about colours for the new house.

Thanks Cathy

More pictures from Cathy. Her finished projects help when I sit down to write blog posts.

Pattern: Mala by Katherine Matthews (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: One skein of Mrs. Crosby Train Case in Peacock

Cathy is also working on Exploration Station. Her colours look great. The photo will be at the end of the post if you are trying to avoid seeing pictures.

The November Dream Club is available on the website. Sorry for the delay. Today was a busy day but I don't think I really accomplished anything. I met Cathy in the store at 10 and was there for about an hour to pack some mail orders. I headed home (stopping at the post office) and tidied the house. There was a conference call that took 1.5 hours this afternoon. Talk about tiring.  And I'm not sure that we accomplished anything. Then we met with our real estate agent. We're just about there. Our house is being listed next Saturday.

Dad went by our new house today. He was so excited. The basement has been back filled. The wood was being delivered this afternoon. Tomorrow they start framing. Once the roof is on they will be able to confirm the date that it will be finished. It's starting to get real.

How about Homeland last night? I don't want to write specifics in case you have it taped. I don't know if I can wait for next Sunday night.

I would love to knit tonight but I'm so tired. I think it was my doing nothing all day. It's time for sleep and I'll finish Clue #1 tomorrow.

Warm and Cozy

My Mystery KAL is growing. I will add a picture at the end of the post. It's early afternoon so I'm hoping to get the first clue finished before posting. There is a small problem. Beth has decided to join in the KAL and is knitting a hat. I've ripped back rows for her twice now and I have to rip out another row today. She isn't meant to knit at night when she is tired. And it's really cutting into my knitting time.

A free pattern from Rowan for slippers. These are knit and then washed to felt them. They look mighty warm and cozy!

Knit these accessory cosy felted slippers, available as a free pattern to download. Designed by Sarah Hatton using one of our most popular chunky yarns Rowan Big Wool (wool), this is the basic slipper pattern and can be customised to your hearts content. Why not try adding creative embroidery or crochet trims or even pom poms, buttons or bells, the opportunities are endless!!

They can make great Christmas decorations too. It's not too soon to start thinking about decorating :)

Download the pattern...

I thought that I would get the first clue finished this afternoon. I forgot to take into account that the rows are getting longer. A lot longer. And there were some exciting football games. I would stop to watch and then remember that I was supposed to be knitting.

Five wedges are finished. I'll do a few more rows while watching Homeland in a few minutes. It's going to be hard waiting until Friday to get the next clue. I want to know where this is going :) Patience is not in my vocabulary.

November Dream Club

Pattern: Sachy Hat & Mitts by Connie Chang Chinchio

Connie Chang Chinchio designed a matching hat and fingerless mitts set that pairs perfectly with the November yarn. The subtle variegation of this month's colorway is shown off with a mix of stockinette and eyelets. Sachy is an easy but complex-looking knit that you’ll want to cast on right away!

12 finely-spun plies united with a gentle twist make for the perfect marriage of softness and durability. The fiber content, combined with our unique dyeing process — developed especially for the Everlasting bases — gives Everlasting DK its deep and lushly-shaded tones, while the multi-ply texture makes for exceptionally long-wearing, heirloom quality accessories, garments, blankets and more. 

100% superwash merino wool 

130g & 355 yds. 

5.5 – 6 sts per inch 

U.S. 5 to 6 needles

Price for the kit is $43.50.