Thank You!!

Beth and Boscoe took all the food and money to the Food Drive this morning. $1500. Thank you to everyone who donated. The $1500 will purchase over 3000 lbs of food. Mrs. Lucas was one of Beth's teachers in high school and has been on the executive of the Food Drive since the first year. She was in tears when Beth dropped the money and food off. She even made Beth take pictures with the mayor. 

Lynn and I did not draw the name of the winner. We were busy in the store today and didn't remember until closing time. I want someone other than Lynn and I to draw the winning ticket. We will do it first thing Monday morning.

There are new colours of Manos del Uruguay Alegria.

Alegria is an easy-care blend of ultra-soft superwash merino with durable polyamide.  Its “hand” is remarkably soft and resilient, and the bright, playful colorways would make exciting baby projects as well as socks.

Mr. UPS arrived at closing time last night with more Kidsilk Haze Fade Kits.

Dinner is finished and the kitchen is clean. Now I'm going to do some work on my sewing room. I have the urge to do some quilting but it looks like a tornado has gone through the room. Once it has been tidied I can bring out my sewing machine.

What is it??

Sarah finished her Newleaf. It looks amazing. She used Le Petit Lambswool (Yellow Mustard) and Dyed in the Wool (Overpasses A).

Alex is knitting Threipmuir. She is using two colours of Le Petit Lambswool with one colour of Dyed in the Wool.

A top-down pullover with a dramatic round yoke. This yoke is inspired by Icelandic Lopapeysas but the finer gauge provides a larger canvas for more intricate patterning. The fairly deep yoke and slightly dropped underarm combine with positive ease for a slouchy, comfortable fit. The colourwork slowly feathers into the main colour avoiding the heaviness and unflattering line across the chest that can sometimes result from deeper yoke patterns. This results in wide gaps between the contrast colour in the last few rounds of the yoke. Long floats are avoided with a fun slipped stitch trick. 

Note that the sleeves are designed to be long, but the sleeves on the sample are approximately 1½“ longer than in the pattern (Ysolda has really long arms). If yours are average length the sleeves should fit like the photos. When measuring for both sleeve and body lengths account for the dropped underarm by starting about 1½” below your armpit.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

This shows the difference between a skein of Dyed in the Wool and a cake. It is the same colour. The yarn stripes which is why we love it for the colourwork on our sweaters.

Cathy has a new hat. It is so cute on her but I wasn't allowed to take a picture from the front.

Peekamoose is named after the Mountain and many Ski runs in the Catskills, New York. This area of NY has dense beautiful forestry and the wild life to match. I’ve often stumbled across deer between the lines of trees whilst hiking there in the summer months. This hat tries to recreate these deer and their antlers peeking out amongst the forest trees ? 

This twisted rib beanie comes in two sizes: Small and Medium – Large. It is knit in the round using Rowan, Kid Classic yarn. A simple cable is introduced to echo the friendly deer head and antlers ? A smaller than recommended needle size is used, giving the hat a crisp dense fabric and heaps of warmth. The crown shaping is formed using a variation on the simple ssk decrease. 

Bonus! Only one ball of yarn is required and it’s completely reversible! The reverse side has a beautifully formed snowflake star, at the top of the crown. Which side will you wear? Have fun! 

You can purchase the pattern for the Peekamoose Hat on Ravelry.

What a crazy morning on the Hamilton Mountain. We got hit with snow - fast and hard. It took me an hour to get to work when it normally takes 15 minutes. I stayed on the main roads and they were ice covered. Thick ice with ruts. There is one part of my trip on Southcote Road which has a slight incline. The road was so icy that cars were having a problem getting up the 'hill'. It was slow all over the mountain. Beth needed to get downtown and after an hour and a half she turned back for home.

A little bit of colour inspiration for you. I'm not going to tell you what it is but hopefully the yarn will be here in time for the Frolic.

Lightwood Cowl

This is the Lightwood Cowl (pattern purchased on Ravelry) from Jenn Steingass. You need two skeins of fingering weight and two skeins of Dyed in the Wool. Jen used one skein each of Stay Out Of The Forest and Rusted Rainbow.

This easy loop cowl is knit in the round in a tube. The colorwork chart is easy, rhythmic and engaging and easy to memorize, making this cowl a fantastic project for stranded colorwork beginners! The floats are hidden inside so no need to catch them. I used a gradient yarn for my cowl and it was so much fun to watch the colors change as I worked. If you don’t have gradient yarn but want to create a similar look, you can make your cowl just as colorful with small amounts of yarn in various colors. With the way the chart is set up, you can make each row of trees/feathers a different color without creating any 3 color rows. Links to video tutorials and tips for how to customize the length of your cowl are included in the pattern.

Alex put together a few colour combinations this afternoon.

Bison tough love sock with Robin's Egg (A) and Overpasses (B)

Nightshade tough love sock with Rusted Rainbow and Stay Out Of The Forest

Clay HH Sock with Stay Ready and Labradorite (A)

Our box of Churchmouse patterns arrived this morning. They do such an amazing job with their patterns - photography, layout and how well the patterns are written.

There are two new colours of Le Petit Lambswool on the way to us. It looks like the shipment should arrive on Monday. Dark Blue and Light Green.

Our Atenti Bags are leaving California today and we should see them late next week.

I am so excited. Atenti Bags are so beautiful.

We have The Voice taped and it's time for some knitting.

Lesson Learned

photos ©Stephen West

I was looking at Instagram this morning and Stephen West posted a picture of his new shawl. It looks amazing in the purples and blues.

You can purchase the pattern for Fantastitch on Ravelry.

Fantastitch is a semi-circular shawl packed with textured stripes and slipped stitches. The graphic details and clean lines of the shawl beautifully showcase hand dyed colorways. The pattern is written for seven colors, but you can customize the stripes however you like by adding extra color pops. I recommend including light, medium, and dark tones to accentuate the graphic quality of the shawl. Fantastitch would make an amazing stash buster! 

I will admit that I am bad when looking at projects on Ravelry - if I don't like the colour of the sample I might not look at the pattern. It has nothing to do with the model. It has nothing to do with the scenery. Just the colour of the garment.

This is the picture that shows up for Fantastitch. I didn't look at the pattern. I'm not a fan of yellow so I overlooked this pattern. Then I saw the purple/blue version today. It's a great looking shawl. Lesson learned. Don't let the colour throw you off.

Ms. UPS brought in a big box this morning full of Malabrigo Rios. We have 6 new colours.

Lynn and Alex were busy rearranging this afternoon. They moved some yarn around and made sure that all the colours were on the shelf. Neither one would look at me.

Boscoe passed his course last night. He scored 76 out of 80. Classes start again next week. 

It's a big TV night so I'm writing early. I better get a skein of yarn wound when I get home so I'm ready. Beth won't stop if I run out. 

Cotton DK

New colours of Sirdar Cotton DK arrived this morning. Our leaflets didn't make it into the order (a very long story which has given me a headache) but you can purchase the patterns on Ravelry while we are waiting.

This v-neck cardigan was designed for the #10111 Cotton DK brochure for Sirdar. The garment features set-in sleeves and cleverly ribbed details along the shoulder and rest of the cardigan. After being knit flat in pieces and seamed together, the garter stitch borders at the neckline and front bands are added.

A fabulous cotton double knitting yarn for hand knit and crochet projects. The yarn is made using mercerised cotton to create a subtle sheen and incredible stitch definition so it’s the perfect yarn for lace knitting, cables and crochet work. With a wide range of flattering inspired by summer holidays, you'll find the perfect shade for any sunny project. Cotton DK is a classic double knitting yarn that will knit to all Sirdar’s DK designs and is machine washable.

The mercerised finish gives this yarn an incredibly smooth finish, it glides easily along your needles or hook, making it a dream to work with. 

This sleeveless v-neck top was designed for the #10114 Cotton DK brochure for Sirdar. Using British crochet terms and charts, the garment features set-in sleeve openings for ample arm movement. After being worked in pieces and seamed together, the edgings at the neckline and armholes are added.

This v-neck vest was designed for the #10113 Cotton DK brochure for Sirdar. The garment features set-in sleeve openings and vents at the side hemlines. After being knit flat in pieces and seamed together, the ribbed stitch borders at the neckline and armholes are added.

I just received an email that we should be receiving the patterns on Friday. The box also has more Kidsilk Haze Fade kits.

Are you following Jenn Steingass (knit.love.wool) on Instagram? If not, check her out. This is one of three patterns coming out soon. I can't wait! I'm totally addicted to stranded knitting right now.

I just called Beth to make sure that Boscoe was well rested and well practiced for graduation. She told me that she already received the graduation certificate by email. Okay. Now I don't have to worry. 😋

Graduation

I've been racking my brain for today's post. We didn't receive any new yarn today. I didn't knit today. What am I going to write about?

We did receive needles. More Addi Rocket Squared arrived today.

A massage for your hands! The combination of slightly rounded squared edges and a uniquely textured tip surface promotes positive ergonomics when in use – stimulating circulation and reducing tension.
The needles sit perfectly in the hand and can be held effortlessly. This is especially beneficial to those who may struggle with grip issues such as arthritis, etc. 

More points of focus. The longer tapered Rocket points make sliding into the tightest or most intricate stitches a breeze.
And, as with all addi® circular needles, the transition from tip to cord is seamless thanks to precise German engineering and our perfectly pliable blue nylon cords. 

It’s all about the texture! Not only does the surface of the Rocket² promote comfort while knitting, users will quickly realize that stitches stay on the needle – where they belong (think of it as a no-slip tip).

And, thanks to the texture’s spacing, you will experience perfectly even stitches every time.

Got gauge? Fear not, our new addi® Rocket² needles can be gauged on your addi® needle gauge just like their rounded cousins.
I went back through my pictures so that I had something to show and this is from March 3, 2019.

My first Throwback. I'm just slightly further on my new one. This time I am working in the round and will cut my knitting at the end. It's okay. I've done it many times so I'm not worried.

From March 1, 2018 - my newly finished shawl called Kimba.

From March 5, 2017 - the start of my first Find Your Fade.

Boscoe knows that he isn't supposed to be in my chair. He is supposed to be in the chair next to mine with the blanket on it. Okay, he's supposed to be on the floor but that isn't enforced. Tomorrow night is graduation from puppy school. Beth and Boscoe have been practicing for the past 1/2 hour and it doesn't look good. He knows what he's supposed to do and most of the time he does it but there are periods when he is definitely a puppy.