Rock It Tee

I did some more cleaning of my knitting area and found my part finished Rock It Tee. It isn’t the first thing I need to finish but it got me thinking about this great design from Tanis Lavallee. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

I used to think that summer knits weren’t for me, boy was I wrong! There is nothing more comfortable than an easy breezy knit top. Over the past few years I’ve been working steadily towards building up my summer knits wardrobe. I’ve got a few summer knits in my closet now but what I realize was missing is a staple, go-to, v-neck tee. I’ve chosen to create tone on tone stripes by alternating between fingering and mohair yarn in my favourite shade of blue, but this basic shape lends itself to infinite possibilities when it comes to stripes and colour blocking. 

Knit top down, flat until the neck shaping is complete and in the round after that.

Tanis used a fingering weight yarn with a mohair/silk blend. You can knit the sweater all in fingering weight yarn if you don’t want to use the mohair. There are 4000 projects on Ravelry which gives you lots to look at. A few knitters did a fade instead of stripes. Some knitters did their own striping pattern.  

If you’re looking for a cotton option I think you could knit the Rock It Tee with Rowan Cotton Revive. You might need to use a different needle but I’m pretty confident you can get the correct tension.

Rowan Cotton Revive is sustainable and environmentally conscious, a 100% recycled yarn which is crafted from regenerated cotton fibres. This innovative tubular yarn not only delivers on the highest quality standards but also contributes to the reduction of textile waste. Meticulously sourced and processed, Cotton Revive offers an eco-friendly choice, great for both knit and crochet. A harmonious blend of style, comfort, and responsible manufacturing.

Best friends.

Hurry we’re hungry.

Fishing

This is the Halibut Cardigan (pattern purchased on Ravelry). Caitlin Hunter just released the pattern and I really like it. I’m not sure why because I don’t eat fish and I don’t touch fish (dad has to do that if I catch one at the cottage) but this is calling out to me. It looks like it would be comfortable to wear and fun to knit.

The Halibut Cardigan pattern is an oversized layering piece that features bold stranded colorwork. The sweater is worked in the round from the bottom up and then worked flat for the upper back and fronts. The shoulders are joined using the grafting technique for a seamless look. Then stitches are picked up for the sleeves if making a cardigan or armhole cuffs for the vest. Finally, stitches are picked up along the fronts and back neck for the button band, and the front is steeked. This pattern is a variation of my Halibut series of designs and the fit is intended to be modern and comfortable for all.

Cascade Eco + and Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran were both used by test knitters. 

The dogs and I had a good day. We were inside most of the day because it was really hot and sunny here. Dad and Beth had a good day at the cottage. They went fishing but didn’t catch anything.

I asked Beth at least four times to take pictures at the cottage but she forgot. Tara took these. They all had a great day. Thankfully it wasn’t nearly as hot up north.

I would like to say that I knit all day but I was tidying. My closet is almost in order and there is a big box of clothes to be donated. I also worked on kitchen cabinets. It’s amazing how much ‘crap’ accumulates. Now that dinner is done and the kitchen has been cleaned I’m going to knit. 

Happy Holiday Monday

Isabell Kraemer has been busy. She has another new pattern (Lillesol) that you can purchase on Ravelry.

Lillesol is worked seamlessly from the top down.  

The back is worked in plain Stockinette stitch while the front features a beautiful faux cable pattern panel at the center.  

Knitting starts with the cast-on of the shoulders for the back. Once the short row shaped shoulder slope is done, the back is worked flat to underarm. Shoulder stitches are picked up to work the front to the same length. At underarm both front and back are joined to work the body top down in rounds. Neck finishing is worked next. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the arm opening to work the sleeves (short or long) top down in rounds. 

Body and sleeves can be lengthened or shortened by working more or less rounds before starting the edging. Size can be adjusted by working widthwise from the size you need/want for your chest, and lengthwise from the size you need/want for your upper arms. Upper arm circumference is determined by the armhole length plus the underarm cast-on. Work more or less rows for both fronts and back (follow instructions for a smaller/ bigger size) to adjust armhole length.  

Stitch counts are given after each increase or decrease row/round. 

Yarn 
Fingering or lace weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge and a pleasant fabric 

I have knit one design from Isabell and her pattern was well written. It is also the best fitting garment I have knit. Isabell understands sizing and shaping. I highly recommend that you look at her designs. 

Melanie Berg has a brand new pattern as well. You can purchase the pattern for Wonderwall on Ravelry.

Stitch by stitch, brick by brick, this shawl can be your Wonderwall. 

It’s an elongated semi-circular wrap with a cozy garter stitch body and simple colorwork stripes that add a pop of fun. The top-down construction is simple to follow.

The shawl is knit with worsted weight yarn. 

Dad, Beth and Tara (from the office) are heading to the cottage tomorrow to get it opened up. The dogs are staying with me. Beth wants to make sure that dad is good with the dock and boat before trying to do it with the dogs. Wish me luck. When the dogs see dad and Beth loading up the truck there are going to be tears.

All good here

Beth did our front planters yesterday morning. Finally a bit of colour at the front of the house. They could use a few more flowers in them so I’ll be visiting Terra later this week.

I don’t have any knitting to share but just wanted to check in and let everyone know we’re doing good. Dad is fitting in. He helps making meals. He sleeps a lot but I don’t think he slept well in the hospital. So far it’s going good.

Tomorrow dad and Beth are going to the office. We need to start getting him out of the house. I will enjoy a bit of time with no other humans or dogs😀. Have a happy holiday Monday.

Amazing News

 

Brian Smith has a new shawl pattern knit using Noro Ito and Cascade 220. You can purchase the pattern for Esben on Ravelry.

Worked top down, in two contrasting yarns. Cabled slipped stitches create a zig zag pattern across your work. Finished with a seed stitch border. 

I love knitting with Ito. 

Noro's Ito yarn is a kaleidoscope of color and texture that ignites the imagination. Ito is not just any yarn—it's a slubby, worsted weight wonder, crafted from 100% wool and packaged in generous 200-gram skeins boasting 437 yards of creative potential. Prepare to be mesmerized as you knit with Ito, as its ever-changing color spectrum unfolds before your eyes. One of Noro's most vibrant creations, Ito weaves together a symphony of hues, daring you to count the myriad colors dancing within each ball. A single skein of Ito is more than enough to knit a captivating scarf, but it also shines brilliantly when used for head-turning sweaters and statement accessories. Embrace the challenge and let your creativity soar with Noro's Ito yarn—where every stitch tells a story of color, texture, and endless inspiration.

These are the seven newest colours that arrived for spring. Any of them would look amazing in the shawl. 

There hasn’t been much knitting lately but I am working on another Traveler Cowl. This time in Dyed in the Wool Dark Side. I want to knit at night but am usually so tired that I don’t want anything I need to think about.

We have great news. Beth brought dad home from the hospital this morning. They are at home watching golf sleeping. Dad was in good spirits when I talked to him this morning. He is going to stay with us for now. Last night Beth and I got the guest room ready for him. We moved in a huge TV (HUGE) so he can watch his own shows while we are watching downstairs. He complained about the small TV in the hospital - there better not be any complaints now 😀. The dogs were very excited to see him.

I’m really early today. I started this post last night but didn’t have time to finish it. I have a bit of time in the store today so I’m doing it now. Just in case things are busy at home tonight which I think they will be.

Colour Combinations

I took some time today to put together combinations for Ambah O’Brien’s MKAL that will be starting in June. The combinations will work for the shawl or the wrap. Here is a link to Ambah’s page on Ravelry so you can read more about the MKAL.

These are not available on the website yet. I want to try and make as many combinations as possible and then have them go live all at the same time. Probably Friday afternoon.

I thought I was done for the day and then I made up four more combinations.

Then as I was packing to go I came up with more. I didn’t get pictures of these - I will show them tomorrow. 

Here are the yarn requirements if you want to put together your own combination.

Fingering weight 
C1, C2, C3: 400 yd/366 m each

• Total yardage for each colour can be either a single skein or mini skeins. Eg 5 x 20 g minis or 3 x 33 g minis per 400 yd/366 m requirement

• C1 and C2 need to contrast strongly.

• C3 can be the same colour as either C1 or C2.

• This will work well with a gradient yarn; whole cake or mini skeins. Swap C1 or C2 and/or C3 with a gradient yarn.

• C1 will be the more dominant colour in your project than C2.

Our order from Hedgehog should arrive at the beginning of June. In the order we will have new Hedgehog Sock Mini Skeins. 

A Day in May, Avo, Blue Lobster, Caterpillar, Celestial, Crocus, Dada, Glacier, Gossip, Harajuku, Hibiscus, Labyrinth, Lavender Fields, Lone Wolf, Merman, Minty, Monsoon, Moon Stone, Puppy Love, Sea Glass, Seahorse, Squid, Static, Sugar, Sunshower, Superbloom, Sweet Pea, Wildflower, Wisteria and Woodland

If you collect mini skeins you might want to see what is currently in stock. Gossip is the only colour carrying forward in the minis.

Beth is visiting with dad and I’m watching the dogs. There is a tractor in the field behind our house and the dogs are going crazy. I need to sign off because I can’t think with all the barking.

Traveler Hat

As you know I am addicted to Andrea Mowry’s Traveler patterns. She just introduced the Traveler Hat (pattern purchased on Ravelry).

I love the soothing rhythm of the Traveler stitch pattern, and wanted it in a small project I could cast on again and again for all of my loved ones! This pattern comes sized for the whole family in two different yarn weights. The Traveler Hat is knit from the bottom up, beginning with an extra cozy folded brim, and then transitioning into the super squishy texture of the Traveler patterns.

You can use worsted weight or fingering to make the hat. You yarn suggestions are endless. Cascade 220, Cascade 220 Heathers, Biches & Bûches Le Lambswool, Biches & Buches Le Petit Lambswool, Spincycle Dream State, Spincycle Trine, Spincycle Dyed in the Wool …..

Photos © Andrea Mowry

After my visit with dad this morning I went to Terra for plants. 

The back of the Expedition was full. There are 3 finished planters. 2 for the store and 1 for our house. Choosing was hard because they have so many beautiful options. Then there are small pots for the garden. Now we have some planting to do.