Mystery Box Reveal

Don't know about you but I'm ready to turn attention to some of my burgeoning pile of WIPs. Today I'm going to give a peek of our most recent Mystery Box pattern and yarns.

In the Feb 2020 Box
Aracuania Huasco Sock 
Ella Rae Silky Kid
Mason-Dixon Field Guide #6 Transparency booklet
Swerve by Deborah Frank (ObliviousKnits) pattern
Assorted patterns for Huasco yarn

Swerve is such a fun, easy knit. Just when you’re getting bored, time to switch to the other yarn! Or do some short rows.

Mohair is big trend right now and I can see why. This winter we loved holding a strand with another yarn to make hats. Now this one shows off the filmy, delicateness of the mohair. Paired with this super soft speckly sock yarn you’ll have a scrumptious, scrunchable lovely shawl to curl up with.

I started my Swerve before the holidays but had to set aside to prep for the Building Lace class. Now I'm a homebody for few weeks, along with my teen-age son (yes!! enforced family time....I love it!), I can get back to this project. It's a delicate, frothy alternative to the endless rounds of St st in my Weekender pullover.

Our Mystery Boxes usually include a packet with my tips and tricks, alternative pattern suggestions for included yarns, yarns for a specific pattern. The Feb 2020 box highlights the dreaded Short Row. I can hear those sighs and groans....but no more people! There's a fantastic alternative to the standard wrap & turn drill. Do them German Style!  You'll never use the old-fashioned “wrap & turn” method again! It’s much, much easier to remember and execute.

Here’s my go to video by Carole Feller:  

 

For any short row she's my favorite because....

1) She does fantastic job in her video tutorials  

Short Rows: Wrap & Turn (w&t)           Short Rows: Japanese Style

2) She's Irish!  Listening to her refreshes my dusty Irish accent and today is St. Patrick's Day!

[Did you know as a teen I lived there for a year and came home with such strong Irish accent Dad couldn't understand me for months?]

Below is my shorthand version written out. Caution! Don’t read ahead unless you like mentally trying to work something out first. If you disregard my warning… don’t worry. Watch video and you’ll get it!

Garter St German Short Row Breakdown: 

1. Knit to where you are told to “turn”  
2. Slip with yarn in front (slwyif) purl-wise 
3. Pull working yarn up, over R needle to back of work: see a “double stitch” (looks like an upside-down V, or A without its bar) 
4. Continue knitting your row as usual 
5. Later when come to your “double stitch” you knit it as 1 stitch  (kinda like a k2tog motion)

That's it for now. Time to tackle these clutter piles forming on the dining room table and do some normal chores around the house today.

Now that we're officially home, no school, no open shop, stocked larder.... I'm ready to get busy digging out WIPs and focusing on overdue tasks I usually procrastinate upon (like using my new fancy digital camera I've been very intimidated by since Christmas morning.... LOL)

Hope everyone is settling into new temporary routines to get us through the next few weeks. Stay safe and healthy. 

Click here if you want to order up your own Mystery Box. We can ship out this week!