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December 7th: Covet

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Apropos

I recently posted about my very own Dashing gloves, a pattern designed by Cheryl Niamath. What to my wondering eyes should appear but a great little book of small knits by none other than Cheryl herself!

Bon Bon

Covet is a book of 6 small knits (hint hint: still time to knit these up!), each an excellent gift or perhaps a book for a knitterly friend! Apropos is knit up in Blue Sky Alpacas Sport, a lovely soft yarn in a rainbow of colours. Bon Bon is knit up in Blue Sky Alpacas Techno, a new yarn from BSA that already has a big following, it’s so soft with slightly fuzzy texture, just lovely!

Tags: Blue Sky Alpacas, Cheryl Niamath
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December 5th- Through the Snow

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Looking for something to knit for any boy or girl? Dashing!

Dashing, by Cheryl Niamath are fingerless gloves (for warm hands but usable fingers) fit for just about anyone. The elegance of the design is something to be marveled at, the shaping at the wrist is created by the cable pattern of the gloves, no need for increases or decreases! There are small and large sizes and they knit up in an aran weight yarn (about 18 stitches per 4 inches) I knit up a pair in 2 short evenings for someone deserving.

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December 4th – Heading to the Rink

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

I haven’t done too much ice skating in my day (although I do feel it’s kind of my duty as a Canadian to know how). Somehow Amanda’s pretty Owlie Headband makes me want to jump in the car and head to one of the local mountains for some romantic skating. I picture snowflakes and hand holding and some hot chocolate afterward.

This darling accessory is knit in Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino, a soft luxurious yarn that comes in many pretty shades to showcase an owl of your own!

Tags: Amanda Kaffka, Headband, Owl
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December 3rd- Sticking with a Classic

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

There absolute must-have-perfect-gift for the new knitter leaves me with no doubt. There is simply no other book I have found more helpful in my entire knitting career. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Stitch and Bitch!

Debbie Stoller is funny, concise, and most importantly, helpful. She clears up knitterly confusion with clear pictures and a no nonsense attitude. For the more than novice knitter, Superstar Knitting (also from Debbie Stoller) is a great addition to the Stitch and Bitch family with some more advanced techniques demistified.

Tags: Beginner, Debbie Stoller, Stitch and Bitch
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December 2nd- Something Fancy

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Tis the season for tree trimming parties and the perfect gift is a hand knit ornament. Since it’s still early in the holiday knitting season I still feel okay about knitting up something fancy like these little lovelies!

These are For The Tree by Coop Knits and they are truly adorable. They are knit up in sock weight yarn so a couple of skeins will go a long way. The question isn’t really whether or not to knit up one or 20 of these but which colour pallete. Traditional red, white, and green? A Suessical Chartreuse? Perhaps a quirky pink, green, and white? A golden pallette? Wintery blues? The possibilities are endless!

Tags: Christmas, Decoration, Holiday, Ornament, Sock
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Advent

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

There is a tradition in my family of the Advent Calendar. Opening a little gift or candy each day of December leading up to Christmas Eve. There is something wonderful about creating a sense of anticipation, it’s like an easy scavenger hunt with a fantastic ending. Here at the Urban Yarns blog we will be posting something new every day leading up to Christmas so I hope you enjoy!

First up is a pattern that is so very popular on Ravelry at the moment, the ‘Gaptastic’ cowl. It’s knit in Bulky yarn and takes only 280 meters. It’s the perfect quick knit gift! It would look great in any of our bulky yarns, Spud and Chloe Outer, Classic Elite Twinkle, Cascade Eco Plus or Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky (among others). The weather is turning chilly so you can head out to a local mountain in your own cozy wrapping cowl.

Tags: Bulky, Cowl, Gaptastic Cowl
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A Hat for a Boy

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

I have the distinct pleasure to be knitting a few hats and scarves for Christmas presents this year and believe it or not, I’m on the ball! I know this sounds impossible but I’m sure I’ll finish all my HAVE TO knitting and then pick up a few projects that start out as MAYBE THESE WILL GET DONE and become THESE ALSO NEED TO BE DONE AND ITS DECEMBER 24TH items. Anyhow, if you are knitting for a dude I highly recommend the Habitat hat by Jared Flood.

This pattern is not necessarily for the faint of heart when it comes to cables. There is cabling in this hat. A lot of it. Sometimes every row. It drove me a little nuts at times but it’s so few rows to really worry about and the overall effect is marvelous. I knit this one up in Louet Gems Worsted so it’s nice and washable for an easy care individual. There is definitely still time to bust out more than one of these before the merry deadline.

Tags: Cables, Habitat, Hat, Jared Flood
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Toasty Warm

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

There is something wonderful about a pair of handknit socks. Something pretty, functional, and warm, a little of everything. The only thing better than a pair of socks you have knit for yourself is the gift of a pair at winter time.

Something cozy by the fire with thoughts of tradition and family and friends. Picture toasty wool enveloping your feet as you sit by the fire and sip delicious dark chocolate cocoa with marshmallows floating lazily (in my case I have to put down the cocoa to knit a few rows every once in a while).

I’m not sure if it’s mostly the photography of these socks but as soon as I saw them I had to have them. I’ve got my favorite rosewood DPN’s and a skein of Indigo Moon sock yarn with Paper Moon Socks written all over them!

Tags: Gift, Indigo Moon, socks
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A Little Something for the Tree

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

I’ve been scouring books, leaflets, and ravelry for some perfect little Christmas tree items. I’m hoping to mass produce some cute items for my friends and family and to make some little gift toppers so it has to be something small, interesting enough to keep me going, and of course, adorable!

First up is a new-to-me book “55 Christmas Balls to Knit”. I think the front cover sold me on this one, these two look like they would be fun to hit the town with! There are (as they really make clear in the title) 55 lovely Christmas balls to knit. I like this because the basic shape stays the same (and simple) but I can mix it up with the patterns, to keep things interesting. Amanda has already started hers!

My other ornament plan is Ysolda Teague’s Little Mushrooms. These are just adorable, for the person with a woodsy tree or more rustic decor. The original pattern is for a weighted mushroom that stands on its own, the stem has coins in it. I plan to skip the coins and just stuff them for an ornament!

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A Little Twisted

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

There is always a little excitement when a new Twist Collective comes out. A collection of trendy new patterns comes out, along with a few great articles, a knitters delight. It was especially exciting this time around because Ann’s new pattern Eira was featured in it!

Ann has recently started her own design company, Caribou Knits and she’s already moving full steam ahead with a spot in Twist! Eira is a lovely sock weight pullover with icicle eyelet details at the neck and cuffs. I love the pretty button detail on the shoulder, it gives the sweater a nice vintage-inspired feel. I’m also a fan of the 3/4 length sleeve, as someone who is constantly pushing up her full length sleeves. Congratulations Ann!

Tags: Ann Jackson, Caribou Knits, Twist Collective
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