*disclaimer: the unusually warm temps of september have now bled into october totally throwing off my carefully calibrated sense of time. it’s another 100 degree day and i’m longing, longing, longing for fall to arrive!
**disclaimer #2: two days later from writing above disclaimer and we finally have fallish weather today! i'm so very happy!!!!
Secret Weapons
There’s plenty of patterns and yarns that work up fast, look gorgeous and make you, the hand-crafter extraordinaire, achieve genius status! Amaze your friends and family by using these secret weapons. Your gift giving list will dwindle in no time.
#1: Cowls, Cowls, Cowls:
My favorite weapon for couple of reasons.
- A) It takes half the amount of yarn than a scarf does
- B) Thus half the amount of time to finish!
- C) They are very effective at keeping you warm on chilly days.
- D) They are still trendy and chic, especially when you call them Infinity Scarves (that’s the current stylish lingo)
- E) You can wear while cooking over stove without fear of being set on fire! (and yes….I speak from experience…)
New Inspiration
For 2012 we’re loving these new free Noro patterns: Welted Cowl and Slip-Stitch Cowl. Easy pattern, endless color combos.
The Welted Cowl (left) is super simple: knit in the round, two colors in alternating knit rounds with purl rounds. Make it even easier by using a single color of self-striping yarn. Pattern is very wide…almost too wide. Reduce number cast on and you’ll have a shorter version, more of a neck warmer than big infinity cowl. The fun part is in picking out your colors! Endless possibilities.
With the Slip Stitch Cowl (right) you’ll need to pay a bit more attention to your pattern but once you get a pattern repeat under your belt, it’s smooth sailing. Plus you’ll learn a new technique to boot: slip stitch colorwork that makes you look oh so talented. I’m working up a shop sample in Taiyo, a softer cotton/wool blend nicer on the bare skin than Kureyon. The pattern is good for just the right amount of challenge but not daunting. Loving how the colors pop. It's like a big colorful kaliedescope for your neck.
Last Year's Favorites
Last winter I wore our shop sample, Borealis Cowl (right) to death. This one is literally a scarf pattern that I stopped making after 1 hank was used up. I just seamed ends together instead. Viola! Instant Neck Adornment (vs. half-finished scarf left languishing in my knitting basket)
A second well-worn sample last year: this shamefully simple Nanuk Cowl (left). It is SO easy there’s no pattern written up: CO 120, join and knit, knit, knit two balls. That’s it (well, leave enough to bind of….that’s important to remember). Both cowls were great at keeping me snug when the temp in store was bit chilly.
now that I’ve recovered from horror of seeing double-double chins… on with rest of newsletter!
#2: Chunky Yarns
Nothing beats big yarn on big needles or a hook. We’re talking size #10-15 needles. Last year’s hits Soufflé and Borealis are back (new colors arrive later in the month), along with brand a new friend Boboli Quick, the big sister to the popular Boboli from last year. BQ (as I affectionately call it) is luscious. It has some rayon so adding a nice weight and drape not found in Boboli (which is light and loftier). And it's just landed on our shop doorstep this morning. Itching to cast on something new now!
Here's a free pattern for seamles mittens. Woodhaven is written for three weights of yarn.
I'm partial to patterns for multiple gauges and this one even mixes it up with some trendy colorblocking to boot. Plus it's using all three yarns: Boboli, Boboli Quick and Borealis...The Three B's! Drop by shop for a copy or download to get knitting right away. A great fast knit for holiday gifts.
Back on point...
But “chunky” doesn’t always mean literally “thick” yarn. Sometimes it’s a lofty, soft mohair called Cirrus that floats like a cloud but uses #10 needle. Gauge is 3.75st = 1”! That’s amazing. Super soft, lofty and very warm. Cirrus is perfect yarn for warm garments without the bulk. It takes a big needle too so it’s fast! I think you could even get away with…dare I say it… #13-#15 needle if you’re wanting to zoom through a project! Zippity-ippty fast knitting for sure.
Picture a super soft soft kid mohair twined around a strand of extra fine merino. The lacy red Denslow stole takes 5 hanks. The striped Perrault scarf 6 hanks of 4 colors (which could totally be reduced for a smaller scarf or cowl…remember my Secret Weapon #1 tip, cowls?!). The color block arm-warmers, Samber calls for just 2 hanks.
But wait…there’s more! Ryll, cute turban-ish headband uses just 1 hank! (and I bet there’s yarn left over too…maybe even enough for two?) [all patterns above in booklet #323 Cirrus]
Can you tell this is my most favorite fall yarn this year? It’s the one I’ve been thinking about since May when I first glanced upon it. Which pattern have I been anxiously awaiting publication? Why it’s this great vest, Germane from Norah Gaughan #11 using Cirrus.
Cathy worked up a shop sample for us and she loved, loved, loved (!!) working with this yarn. Even in the heat she still enjoyed it. We did up the XS and it used 4.5 hanks. And it’s a generous size so if you think you’d need a big size…think again. That’s why I chose to do an xs, so you can try on and realize you could do a smaller size than you expected. (love it when that happens) And it’s warm but light weight. Not bulky at all. Like wearing a cloud. *sigh*
If you want to do some freeform no thinking required: grab big needles (#11-13). Cast on oh about 30-40 stitches and just knit, knit, knit all rows. You'll quickly have a gorgeous stole or scarf in no time. Hmmmmm...... she's eyeing the pile of Cirrus and contemplating casting on this afternoon at tea time....
#3: Hats, Hats, Hats!
Hats are great. Utilitarian and educational; make great gifts. It’s a perfect next-step project for a novice ready to go beyond scarves. But my most favorite aspect of hats: FAST! The grand-dame of knitting, Elizabeth Zimmermann would make “swatch hats” instead of a traditional gauge swatch. Squares can’t keep your head warm she’d say, but a swatch hat can tell you gauge and be warm. Take care of two birds, one stone. Ah EZ, she was the spirit of practical knitterly efficiency…
Right now I’m eyeing the Watch Cap Pattern as my next cast-on victim. Simple. Basic. Fat Brim. That’s what my men folk like. No faint-hearted brimless hats for them, no sir.
It’s a nice basic rolled brimmed hat pattern. Looks good in solid, heathery, striped or tweedy yarns. Pick your style: crochet, knitted in the round, or knitted flat and seamed. Makes for an excellent gift. Cindy whipped one up using the new Berroco Lodge yarn. I adore it!
Somehow I’ve managed to not cast on . . . yet. But once the mercury drops that’ll change. [Especially since I found new episodes of Midsomer Murders on Netflix! No more swimming on my days off. I’m dreaming of hours with my needles clicking away and drinking endless pots of tea as the death toll rises in little ole merry England with DCI Barnaby on the case. But I digress. . . ]
What if you’re hankering for something more pretty….feminine….oh so soft…
Dibdin is a sweet lacy beanie sure to keep your noggin’ toasty warm yet stylishly accessorized. Takes 2 hanks of . . . you guessed it . . . Cirrus! My favorite fall yarn. Nice bonus: a free Berroco patttern.
And here’s a few more free patterns: Annatto in Nanuk and Viveca in Flicker. Each take 2 hanks. Both yarns are lovely, lovely, lovely. Nanuk is magical – all my ends weave in perfectly. Flicker is just divine. Smooshy soft with a hint of sparkle.
#4: Leggings Baby! Practical and Easy.
Yearly when temps drop people start asking for certain basic patterns. Legwarmers are always requested. Finally, today I found this perfect free pattern simple called Leg Warmers on Ravelry.
No fuss, no fancy shaping required. No grafting of toes or turning of heels. One hank of yarn (220yds), knit in the round in easy 2x2 ribbing; in no time a pair made to adorn lovely legs of a loved one. Yeah! Toasty calves this winter. It’s also a great way to use up leftover stash when you make stripes or color blocks for a fun pair.
If you’re feeling urge for a wee challenge instead: Silk Garden Sock Leg Warmers. One hank sock yarn, a not-too difficult lace pattern, some dpn’s, and you’re golden.
So that’s a jumpstart on holiday gift creations. Because it will be here sooner than we expect. Believe it or not . . . It’s early October!
Wool Brigade
If you’ve anything to drop off for the troops bring it in asap. We’re getting ready to ship out a bundle to our friend. But if you don’t make this drop-off please still drop things off and we’ll send them as they come in. And thanks for all the lovely things donated so far!
And now for some comic relief…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Tx32hwJ28&w=420&h=315]
Sorry…can’t stop laughing so will catch up with you in next newsletter!
Kim
No comments:
Post a Comment
Question or comment? email us:
maisieblue@gmail.com
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.