The Zoo

Lynn loves using Hedgehog Twist Sock. It has a tighter twist which makes it a better wearing sock yarn. It is a combination of 80% Blue Faced Leicester wool and 20% Nylon. The yarn is machine washable but you should lay it out to dry. 

This colour is Potion.

This is Orion. Both came in the shipment that I unpacked yesterday.

Here is a better shot of Artichoke. You can see all the colours in the skein.

This is Matchstick. Another new colour.

How about a pile of Potion? What a rich fun colour. It is screaming fall.

I was able to make up one Find Your Fade kit in Andrea’s original colours. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

Starting at a single point and growing, shifting and fading into a piece that begs to be wrapped up in. This asymmetrical triangle shawl uses some clever increasing and decreasing, combined with relaxing garter stitch and simple lace so that you have a fun-to-knit canvas to play with mixing colors on! This shawl is all about making it your own. Let your creativity shine!! 
Get creative - this is YOUR shawl! 

Pretend Trip 

It’s time for a trip. (This is a pretend trip. I don’t like going to the grocery store - I’m not getting on an airplane). After watching the baseball playoffs from San Diego, Beth and I decided it was time to visit.

We had great weather and the flight was smooth. I didn’t knit on the plane. I used my time to redesign our newsletter. Did you read the newsletter that went out yesterday? Beth proofreads it before I send it and she wanted bigger pictures. The template that I played with has really big pictures. They could be too big now.😂

Beth has the day planned for tomorrow. We are going to the zoo. Beth has downloaded the zoo app and our route is ready.

My first trip to San Diego was in 2004 and I went with two yarn shop owners from Toronto. We planned for a day of shopping before TNNA but I suggested the zoo. They both said no. Normally I go with the flow but I was insistent and they both finally agreed. At the end of the day they both thanked me. It was so much better than being in the mall.

Artichoke

This is the Radvent Throw from Ambah.

Knit yourself a gorgeous throw to treasure over the years to come, for yourself or as a gift for that very special someone. Each square is designed to use a mini-skein of yarn, perfect for a 24-colour set. Or use up those lovely leftovers you’ve been saving and create a memory blanket of all your favourites. Alternately you could make a monochromatic version with your favourite colour; the options for you to express your creativity are endless. Designed for 24 colours, the Radvent Throw could easily be made larger or smaller to suit you.

A geometric lace motif is worked in each square that join together to create diamond patterning.

Each square is knit centre-out, working in the round and joined together with a simple crochet join

The pattern will not be available until November 30 but you can purchase it now and it will be in your library when it is released. 

Read more about Ambah’s Advent KAL 2020 here.

Imagine this knit in one colour - it would be an amazing heirloom throw.

Alex stopped by today to pick up the latest issue of PomPom and brought her knitting to show me. She is making Birds of a Feather with Uschitita’s Feather colour. It is gorgeous. I am fairly confident that when she is finished she will give it to me. 😘

As I was getting ready to leave the store Mr. UPS came with a box from Hedgehog. Surprise!

This is a new colour called Artichoke. I’m in love. It’s out of my comfort zone but there is some mauve running through it. This is going to become a Birds of a Feather for me. I love how the shawl drapes and it feels so light.

The website has been updated.

Spark is growing. The main colourwork chart is finished and now the pattern is mindless. I hope for lots of knitting time this weekend. 

Holiday Cheer

My secret project - Wee Jolly Elves. Why a secret? I wanted to see how they worked up with Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok before sharing. 

They turned out great. I used 3.5mm needles and followed the Jolly Wee Elf pattern from Churchmouse Yarns. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Meet the new colours of Woolstok Bundles from Blue Sky Fibers. There are 7 colours, 3 skeins each. The green and red elf were knit with just under 3 skeins. The grey elf was knit with 2 skeins. I have enough in my cream skein to knit at least one more face. The scarves don’t take much yarn.

There are kits on the website for one bundle and a printed copy of the Churchmouse pattern.

Holiday Cheer

Holiday Frost

The Chilton Cowl takes one Holiday Frost kit and 2 skeins of Woolstok in the colour 1317. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The Ephraim Wrap uses 6 skeins of Woolstok in the colour 1317 along with a Holiday Frost kit. The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry.

The Alpine Hat is a free pattern on Ravelry. You need one Holiday Cheer kit and a skein of Woolstok.

The Holiday Cheer Mini Hat pattern is free on Ravelry.

A cute mini hat with a fun pom-pom. Decorating options for this tiny project are endless. Create a cheerful holiday garland, hang as an ornament or add as a gift wrapping accessory. Knit an original creation by mixing and matching colors and patterns.

Complimentary pattern is for 1 solid hat with a solid pom-pom. 
Photos are provided for additional inspiration to create your own combinations. 
1 mini hank will create one complete mini hat.

The hats started my madness. When I saw the pattern it made my think Christmas that led me to Elves.

Now I am going to make a few elves from the Holiday Frost collection. The greys and blues will look great on my mantle. I’ve created a monster.

Building Blocks

New needle sets are on the way from Knitter’s Pride. I hope we see these next week.

I am excited to try these out. There are two different cords in the set - swivel and fixed. I don’t think I’ve ever knit with cords that swivel. 

These cords will fit on any Knitter’s Pride tips so I’ve ordered lots if you want to try them on your set.

I was going through pictures for today’s post and found these from 2016. Stephen West’s MKAL - Building Blocks. Stephen sends out a clue every week and the shawl is knit in 4 weeks. It sounds impossible but it really isn’t.

I used tosh merino light for my shawl.

I love this shawl. It was fun to knit and I really like the shape of it. I need to get it out and wash it so I can wear it this winter. 

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

If you are on the fence about joining the latest MKAL, wait until Friday afternoon and check out Stephen’s Ravelry group because knitters will be showing pictures of Clue 1. It’s kind of cheating but after you see the started projects you might decide to join.

Hump Day Deal

This week we are featuring Bamboo Bloom from Universal Yarns. This is a thick and thin yarn that is matte and shiny.

I took skeins outside so you can see the texture and how colourful the skeins are. The colour numbers are (from the top)

326, 311, 306, 310, 313, 319, 213

The Simple Rules Cowl (pattern free on Ravelry) takes one skein and 6mm needles. What a great gift!

There are many patterns available on Ravelry. Here are some more patterns. They call for King Cole Bamboozle - it is exactly the same yarn.

See the shades.

Bamboo Bloom is on sale for $12 a skein from now until Friday October 9th at noon. You can order online for curbside pick up or mail order.

All sales final. No returns.

Socks

52 Weeks of Socks is the first hardcover book of Laine Publishing. This publication contains 52 knitting patterns by 46 designers, and is a true encyclopedia of socks. Patterns are beautifully photographed and laid out on 256 pages in the style Laine is known and loved for.

52 Weeks of Socks is back in stock.

We received a restock of Opal Sock yarn today. Want some bling? We have 4 colours of Magic Sky with Sparkle.

Lynn loves to knit socks and is always looking for new techniques. She found a new way to finish the toes on your socks. Lynn is not a lover of the Kitchener Stitch. Meet the Finchley Graft.

The technique looks easy and is very well explained. There are less steps than the Kitchener Stitch so you will find it easier to remember. This will also work when you knit a top down sweater and need to finish under the arms.

If you want to try a fun yarn for socks, take a look at Soul Twist from Old Soul Fibers. The yarn is 80% superwash merino and 20% nylon. 

It’s almost time for the next Westknits MKAL. I put together a few more combinations today.

Don’t forget to check the blog tomorrow at noon for our Hump Day Deal. 

Someone got very comfortable on my bed last night.

And this is today.

Boscoe’s chair.

My chair.