Posts Tagged ‘shawl’

Out of the Loop

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

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So far I have managed to keep Hunter from feeding/carrying her brother (mostly) but I was feeling really out of the knitting loop so yesterday I passed the kids to Daddy and spent some solid Ravelry time. It’s not that I NEED a new project with new yarn to match, it’s just that I was looking for an excuse….What should I come across but the latest pattern from Felicia of SweetGeorgia, Twig Shawl!

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It’s just what I needed, something fussy to work on in the evening or during nap time! I love how rustic meets delicate in this lacy shawl. The twig pattern is earthy while the fine yarn and open work is sophisticated and pretty. I love a good shawl and one skein of Merino Silk Lace will make a big one or two smaller scarf-sized shawls.

Summer Flies and Summer Yarns

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
Ashley's Summer Flies

Ashley's Summer Flies

So I just got back from Tofino and I have to say, the weather there was pretty terrible! It is, however, still summer. I’m torn on the subject of weather because as a knitter I love indoor weather but as a parent of a busy bee of a 1.5 year old I need some better weather before we go stir crazy! But I digress. It’s time to think about some summery fibers and I have just the combo for you: Firefly from Classic Elite and Summer Flies by Donna Griffin.

Kynna's Summer Flies

Kynna's Summer Flies

This pattern seems to be an addictive one. It’s on a lot of people’s lists of ‘To Knit’, which isn’t too surprising since it combines simplicity and interest, a winning combination. What is surprising is that those who have knit it seem to feel an urge to cast on for a second right away. Perhaps in a different colour. Maybe a different yarn or fiber. Maybe one for a gift….the list goes on!

A perfect yarn for this pattern is Firefly from Classic Elite. It has an intriguing mix of linen and rayon, giving it a light summery feel. It also has great colours and a certain sheen to it that gives me pause when I walk by it’s cubby. A lovely yarn for Summer Flies!

Leaves of Grass

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

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The latest collection from Jared Flood, Loft, has me thinking about many many yards of fingering weight yarn. I am currently dreaming of fall golds and warm reds (although it snowed at my new house today….) and what should I come across but Leaves of Grass.

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This large shawl/blanket is stunning, it may just be the next long term project I cast on for. I have been meaning to make a circular shawl for some time now but I’ve been pre-occupied with smaller items. I like to have at least 1 project I return to now and again in between design work, gifts, and fashionable knits for me and mine. This blanket has multiple motifs to keep things interesting and the finished project looks like it’s worth the effort!

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This beauty takes a whopping 1375 yards of fingering/sock/28st gauge yarn so come on in and pick up the colour that speaks to you!

Rain Knitwear Designs

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

One of the most popular designers of the moment has to be Veera Valimaki of Rain Knitwear Designs. Her shawls and sweaters are simple but always with an element of interest that keeps knitters coming back for more.

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Stripe Study Shawl

I recently finished a Study Stripe Shawl and it was a lot of fun to knit. Short row shaping seems to be the element of choice these days and it made my shawl asymmetrical, which it definitely the element of interest in an otherwise garter stitch garment. A similar look is the Different Lines shawl. Both are done with 2 colours of sock or sport weight yarn, a little conversational knitting.

Different LInes

Different LInes

I quite enjoy her sweater patterns with their fabulous details. Veera’s photographs and sample colours are so inspirational you can really just picture yourself in such a striking sweater! Tumeric has to be the best named of her sweaters. I could just eat this one!

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If you are looking for some instant funky gratification the Happy Solitude Cowl is the one for you. It’s done in Garnstudio’s Eskimo (a super bulky yarn) so it will knit up in a flash as the weather is taking a rather crisp turn around here!

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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!