That’s right, Easter is on it’s way! Last year I knit up a bunch of little eggs with some pastel scraps and put them in a wee knitted nest, based on this pattern:

Sparrow's Nest from the Purlbee

They were a great hit, with stripes and patterns and beautiful solids. I used Blue Sky Alpacas Silk, which has a wonderful array of spring-y shades. It’s safe to hide them in lieu of chocolate if you have dogs around.

This year I am thinking about bunnies. I am thinking about a Peter Rabbit-esque bunny in particular. Maybe with a blue sweater…..and little shoes…..and a carrot….this is spiraling out of control already!  I grew up with those adorable little Beatrix Potter books, fearing Mr. McGregor’s garden and rooting for that rascal, Peter. I can’t wait to read them to Hunter and Jones too!

Baylin Bunny by Allison Cleaver

Once I finish a bunny for Hunter (who would probably much rather have chocolate, but will undoubtedly appreciate my efforts later in  life), it will have to be an Easter sweater for wee Jones. Perhaps a blue sweater….with brass buttons…..

So I’m probably they worst scheduler of all time. It turns out that March 29th is actually Good Friday, so we shall have to get together to show off finished Tin Can Knits items on April 5th. Last move, promise!

As some of you may know, my design partner Emily has been diligently working on a new lace collection: Handmade in the UK. Emily got her start in designing with the Photosynthesis shawl and has been thinking lace ever since. Handmade in the UK will have 9 patterns including 3 garments, all with a dose of lace, it will be released in early May. By popular demand she has decided to release her Lush cardigan pattern early!

Since I am Emily’s biggest fan I knit up a little Lush cardi for Hunter and we took a walk on the beach so I could snap some photos. Lush is knit in a DK- light worsted weight yarn (I used SweetGeorgia superwash dk) and has an interesting (but not too difficult) construction. Hunter’s wee sweater knit up nice and quick. You can find the single patterns at Urban Yarns, it’s just the yarn you will have to decide on!

What did I tell you, Anina cranked that little sweater out like nobody’s business! And it’s just so cute!

Also, this is for all the spinners and felters out there. We’ve got a small stash of various rovings in some gorgeous colours. Cost, quantity, and fibre type vary by bag, so you’ll just have to come check these goodies out for yourself!

Happy day! We got in a shipment of the newest pattern collection from Churchmouse down in Washington!

Their designs are always favourites and immediate go-to choices at the store, and I’m sure these will be no different. It doesn’t hurt that they are all adorable baby patterns…

So, without further ado, the latest Churchmouse design collection… Wee Ones!

Above is the Baby Wrap Sweater, Garter Blocks Baby Blanket, Picot Edge Baby Blanket & Washcloth, and the Easy Peasy Baby Jacket.

Of course, Anina couldn’t resist casting on… It’s the Wrap sweater in one of the many stunning colours of Koigu.

I’m a little behind the eight ball since the latest issue of Knitty actually came out last week but I thought I’d give it a review anyways!

Easy as Pi

First up is my favorite pattern in the issue. Why you ask? Rainbows! As soon as I see something made with rainbows my knitting wheels start turning. What yarn would I choose that has this wild array of colors? Would I go with a traditional rainbow? Something more subtly? Perhaps just an array of blues? Berry colors? A sunny blanket of yellows and oranges? The possibilities are mind boggling. The thing about blanket knitting is that blankets are large. Often the largest thing your average knitter will make. Since they are so large they do take up a whole lot of yarn so something affordable is always good. The pattern actually calls for Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo, a yarn we carry in more than one rainbow at a great price.

Grey Gardens

Next up is something a little different. Knitty seams to have one pattern that doesn’t really fit into any category. It’s something interesting, and usually something I wouldn’t have thought of. This issue it’s Grey Gardens. It’s a cross between a headband and a hat, it has entrelac and what appears to be a twist. A marvel of knitting construction!

Slipstream

Knitty always has my favorite sock patterns. I don’t know how they do it but they manage to choose just the sock patterns I would. It’s like their in my sock knitting brain. I loved the Paper Moon Socks as well as the Tootsie socks, both have that special something that makes me want to check my stash of sock yarn and cast on! The Slipstream socks in this issue had that exact same quality. I don’t know if its the allure of the slip stitch or the call of the Malabrigo sock yarn, but they definitely caused a double take. I always look for a Knitty pattern whenever I see that irresistible skein of sock (new colors of Madelinetosh sock, I’m looking at you!).

There is something about hand knit socks that creates a divide in the world of knitting. While it’s not impossible to have mixed feelings about socks, it certainly seems rare. People either love or hate socks. There is either always a pair on the needles or never. I can’t understand how something so small could be so polarizing!

So if you haven’t weighed in on socks it might be time to make your first pair and find out where you stand. If you like to take a class for new things (I know I do) Jackie is teaching a sock bootcamp, learn to work double pointed needles, turn a heel, pick up stitches, and shape a toe, all in just 3 hours! Next ones are March 9th and April 13th so sign up soon.

lumberjack

If you are looking to try your first pair of socks solo the Lumberjack socks are done in a DK weight for a quicker knit. Simple ribbing and cuff down construction make these a simple first pair.

Rushing Tide Socks

For the advanced sock knitter, why not something a little wild? Felicia, otherwise known as SweetGeorgia, has a lovely new sock pattern, Rushing Tides. These pretty socks would be wonderful in pretty hand dye, it’s hard to picture them in anything but a sea green or ocean blue.

Well, it’s been a Madelinetosh kind of week… In addition to a top-up of colours in the heavier weights, we now have lots of new colours of…

Madelinetosh Sock…

Madelinetosh Light…

and Madelinetosh Prairie.

Can you say yum?

When I was nabbing these photos, Alison showed me this absolutely gorgeous shawl she was knitting out of the Tosh Light. Dungeness has some really lovely features – slipped stitches and short rows give you the glory of colour without the work. Plus you get to knit the thing. Seriously pretty stuff… (and lots more Spring goodies for next week!)

Oh shoot, one more treat. The Spring Debbie Bliss and Interweave Knits are in. Enjoy.

You know that feeling when a project just comes together… When the yarn and pattern just merge perfectly? Yeah, I’ve got some of that going on right now.

I’d been itching to cast on for the Guernsey Wrap and was hemming and hawing about yarn choice. I had very nearly decided to use up some skins of Shelter that were hidden away in the back of my closet, when I had a moment of clarity: Harrisville Designs. You see, over winter we restocked and now have more than twenty jaw-dropping colours of the New England Highland.

See? Jaw-dropping. Don’t even try to tell me that there isn’t one colour there that makes you swoon. In fact, I knew as soon as I saw it that it had to be Woodsmoke. Nothing else would do. (I may have got a wee bit obsessed)

I decided to work it over slightly larger needles because this thing is going to get massive after blocking, and I figure the bigger and wrappier, the better in this case. And the best part is that it’s pretty mindless! Nothing but knits and purls and a consistent stitch count for miles.

Well there was quite a bit of griping at the last knit night about finishing up the Tin Can Knits KAL. It seems that a postponement is in order so the party and show off date has been moved to April 5th.What do you need to do to join in the fun? Just choose a pattern from the myriad of Tin Can Knits patterns, cast on, finish by April 5th, and come to knit night to show off your FO!

So now that you have a bit of time, why not try our latest pattern, Stovetop? This cabled beauty is sized from baby to adult, so you can knit one for everyone. All you need is a little worsted weight yarn and a pompom maker (ok the pompom is optional but why not?!). It would look beautiful in anything from Cascade to SweetGeorgia, Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran to Madelinetosh Vintage, whatever your heart desires. If you’ve never tried cables before it might be a good time to start. One 1/2 hour private lesson is usually all it takes to have you criss crossing your stitches! The Stovetop pattern will be available at UY next week.

I first heard about Dull Roar when Jan’s mum knit up the Howlcat pattern for the shop. She worked it in Malabrigo worsted and lace, just as the pattern calls for. It was so cute and combined 2 different weights of yarn, something I find rather intriguing. Yet it’s so simple, just a little twist and the whole things changes from hat to cowl! It’s like two knits in one.

Well this past week I was re-introduced when the new Fooler Faker pattern came up on Ravelry. The photo makes it an instantly irresistible knit and I just happen to have a bit of a Malabrigo worsted stashed away! I am knitting my first FF hat for Hunter who is currently torn on the color of pompom she would like. Next up a matching one for Jones? Malabrigo worsted is buttery soft and is really perfect for this pattern, I wouldn’t have it any other way.