Archive for October, 2011

Caribou Knits

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

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One of my favorite things about working for Urban Yarns has to be getting to know the lovely and talented people who work there. Ann is certainly no exception and I’m so happy to share her new knitwear design company Caribou Knits.

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Ann has been diligently working for some months now creating her company and working on her first designs. I cannot wait to cast on for a Brae Cowl of my very own. Elegant houndstooth combined with the practicality of a cowl, and a fantastic colour combo too!

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There are also 2 comfy looking vests from Caribou Knits, Samara and Kettle Valley. Both stylish and effortless looking, they remind me (unsurprisingly) of Ann. She always looks like she just threw something on and it looks fabulous. Samara is knit in Rowan Big Wool and Kettle Valley is done in Berocco Blackstone Tweed. I’m particularly pleased to see that all of Ann’s patterns come in a wide range of sizes, come one come all!

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Introducing Fulton

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Michael has been at the shop for a few months now and we are proud to announce his very first pattern: Fulton!

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This lovely little hat caught my eye last Friday because it has 2 things I love right now, cables and Madelinetosh DK. Michael knit this little wonder up in a great fall colourway too, Terrarium. The cable detail adds a little extra something to this toque and it has that ‘fresh off the slopes’ look about it. I’m picturing a blustery fall day with me in my North Winds Hat and my hubby in a Fulton….

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The hat is of a rare breed, it works for guys and gals alike. It’s not always simple to find a toque pattern that the male of the species will happily wear but I think Michael has done it (and who would know better really?). One skein of Tosh DK is all it takes so cast on for a Fulton hat today!

The patter is available here on Ravelry.

Vine Yoke Loveliness

Friday, October 21st, 2011

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After another fun and successful KAL I have to share one of the most stunning sweaters I think I’ve ever seen! Marianela knit the Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague in Madelinetosh DK (colourway is Cousteau) and it came out absolutely perfect. The vine pattern in the yoke is such a pretty detail to a sideways knit garter pattern.

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Not to mention she managed to make it fit like it was knit just for her (which I suppose it was but still, a feat to be accomplished). Ashley is also working her way through a Vine Yoke Cardigan and we can’t wait to see it on you!

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PS. I don’t know why but I ALWAYS want to type yolk, instead of yoke. It’s an involuntary compulsion.

Peanut Butter Cup

Monday, October 17th, 2011

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Since I’m heading to a couple of baby showers in the coming weeks I was particularly keen on some of the Yarn Harlot’s blog posts about baby knits. I’m always a big Yarn Harlot fan and if you haven’t checked out her blog, I do recommend. It’s a knitting humour blog, if I had to pick a category, but it’s often about so much more (but pretty much always funny). She was knitting up a storm for a friend and I immediately wanted to make and adorable little Puerperium sweater just like hers!

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I called this one Peanut Butter Cup for obvious reasons. The colour of this lovely Tosh DK is called Glazed Pecan but I really just thought about peanut butter the whole time I was knitting. The greatest thing about this teeny tiny sweater is that I knit it up in just 2 evenings! It took only 1 ball of the Tosh DK (a washable yarn, just in case) and it’s probably the most adorable thing I’ve ever knit.

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This version is the free newborn edition (which you can find here on Ravelry) but I would recommend the Beyond Pueperium pattern (here) as well, I’m working on a worsted weight version for Hunter in some funky green….I’m thinking skull and crossbone buttons just to make it a little edgier.

Excitement!

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

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I’m just so excited about the new book I thought I would share one of my favorite patterns: the Gramps sweater.  This little number is modeled after many a grandfatherly sweater, but is meant for wee babes. We think it’s hilarious how babies sometimes look like old geezers- so we created this shawl-collared grandpa sweater for your grouchy little old man! Suit him or her up and no matter how grumpy, your child will be stylish. Hunter keeps her little pipe and her reading glasses in her pockets and she has little elbow pads to cover up the years of wear on her new cardigan.

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The sweater is knit in an 18 stitch gauge yarn (so it’s nice and quick) and knit from the top down (my current favorite sweater construction). The shawl collar, pockets, and patches are added after. Gramps is available in sizes from 0-4 years old, no grown ups allowed!

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We think it’s hilarious how babies sometimes look like old geezers – so we created this shawl-collared grandpa sweater for your grouchy little old man! Suit him or her up and no matter how grumpy, your child will be stylish.

The Great Wide North (a hat)

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

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This week has led me to believe that winter is in fact, right around the corner. It’s a sad fact for walking in the park but quite a pleasant thought for the prolific knitter. It’s time to pull out the winter woolies (or whatever your preferred fiber might be) and bundle up. This year I’m pretty pleased with Hunter’s winter wardrobe. She is able to parade around town in warm sweaters and hats that have been knit by myself as well as some pretty knits from friends. I did notice an important lack in my own knitterly wardrobe though: the knitted toque.

I recently got some bangs (don’t ask, curly hair + lazy at styling + bangs = bad scene) so I’ll be adorning my head with hats this winter. Not having a job (unless you include running after an 8 month old yelling “please don’t put your finger in the electrical socket!” a job) means I don’t even really have to worry about hat hair, whose going to make me take it off?

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With this gap identified I will be casting on for Felicia Lo of SweetGeorgia’s latest hat pattern (in her Superwash Worsted, Riptide if you care to know) North Wind Hat. It’s done in a worsted weight but you could double a sock yarn for the same effect. You will need some 5mm needles and one skein of the Superwash Worsted, so cast on and enjoy!

Clockwork

Friday, October 7th, 2011

Anina just finished up another pretty project from Stephen West: Clockwork.

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A lovely Stephen West knit has to have a great colour combination. I’ve seen some beautiful SW shawls done in a monochrome fashion, a soft grey with a smokey charcoal, or a burgundy and a red. But what I go for is some serious contrast. Something bright with something a little more toned down. Black and hot pink anyone? Alright, my current neon craziness aside…. 2 skeins of sock yarn is all you need so go nuts and express yourself!
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Anina knit her clockwork out of Handmaiden Mini Maiden, a yarn I’ve worked in and enjoyed many times before. Come on in and check it out!

KAL Update

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

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Well folks I’m gonna need a lot of baby napping time this week to finish my KAL project for Friday!!! I’m just finishing up the yoke on my Blue Sky Alapcas Cotton Leisl in a lovely vintage-esque yellow. I’ve been a bit distracted lately with some baby shower knits but I’m still pretty determined to bring my finished Ysolda Teague sweater to Friday’s knit night.

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Kynna, on the other hand, cast on last Saturday for a stunning Ysolda knit: the Rose Red Beret. Kynna is knitting this charming tam from Madelinetosh Merino DK in the colourway Tart. I couldn’t think of a better colour/pattern combination than that! There’s still time to cast on and cast off some of Ysolda’s smaller projects, perhaps a wee pair of Little Shoes? Or maybe a Snapdragon Tam? See you all Friday!

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