insulate

I have a new pattern! I've been waiting a long time to talk about this one, so I'm very happy it was released yesterday.

It's called 'Insulate' and it's in the Knitpicks 'Wool of the Andes Collection' found here and here. I'm excited it's also on the cover :). I knit my version of this one over Christmas and wore it a LOT while still keeping it a secret (thankfully, the dog doesn't blog about what I wear on our walks) last winter. Very cozy on cooler days.

I really enjoy working with Wool of the Andes - great stitch definition on cables and super warm. This sweater is worked from the top down, back and forth in one piece, and there's short row shaping on the neck and tops of the sleeves. The cables continue up the saddle shoulders and onto the collar - I like buttoning mine right up to have the extra warmth around my neck.

I'm hating the thought that cooler weather is right around the corner, but cozy sweaters and fall knitting take the edge off a bit.

fin de la tour

I guess, technically, I accomplished my meager Tour de Fleece goal of getting back into spinning, but I really didn't spin as much as I could have, or have done in years past. Some knitting, sewing, dyeing, living got in the way of that. However, this managed to turn into this:

Pigeonroof Studios BFL in 'mollusc'. +/- 300 yds sportweight.

And these leftover polwarth dyeing experiments from 3 years ago became these:

I have about 550 yds sportweight between them, so I figure they'll make a cute pair of striped socks someday.

There is also a small update of polwarth combed top in the shop.

Happy weekend!

back on the horse

I can't believe it's been two months since I last posted here. Well, actually, I can. Because May and June always kick my butt with their mayhem and this year was no exception. I feel like I haven't had a lot of knitting time. But I did knit something I can't talk about yet in a stunningly gorgeous yarn. Then I knit the girl a sock in some Manos Alegria but I'm ripping it back because her foot has grown a lot since the last time I made her socks. I guess that was awhile ago. And I have a sweater idea that is holding my brain hostage so I've been working on that.

And it's Tour de Fleece time again. I was going to sit out this year, but Odessa enticed me back to my neglected wheel. She has been spinning like a maniac. I have meagerly managed to get half of this:

to look like this

   More soon. Happy 4th of July, US friends!

TACOL testknit

Pattern: Taking a Chance on Love by Connie Peng
Yarn: Ecotone  (a new base I'm dyeing) in 'Why Don't You Marry It'

I couldn't resist asking Connie if I could testknit this freaking gorgeous shawl when she made it a few weeks ago. I think the cables winding over the lacy pattern are fantastic. She's written it for three sizes, so you can make it as big as you like. I made the medium and used almost 600yds of a light fingering/heavy laceweight yarn I started dyeing a few weeks ago.

It has a nice tight, smooth 6-ply construction that was perfect for lacework. It also has an extra big, 150g / 750 yd skein so I could use just one for this shawl. I'm really happy with it.

I'm looking forward to wearing this over a t-shirt now that it's finally warming up. I had forgotten how much I love knitting shawls.

spring sale

I'm in house cleaning mode and that includes the Etsy shop, so from today until May 1st get 20% off with coupon code SPRING13! (Go here)

spring socks

Pattern: Monkey socks by Cookie A
Yarn: Doodles in String Sock in 'Edamame'

I know I just finished making this pattern for my friend but I finally wanted a pair for myself, so here's my third iteration. Because of all my practice I can make this pattern in about a week, plus I have an undying love for sock knitting, plus I wanted to try my Sock yarn on an actual pair socks, so I really couldn't resist.

 I took numerous pictures in an attempt to capture the yellow/green/fresh plant shoot colour of this yarn. The light kept changing. Since we still have 3' of snow around here I was desperate for something in this colour.

I'm really happy with this yarn base for socks - great stitch definition, good twist, soft but with lots of strength from the nylon, and good yardage. I think it will definitely be my go-to yarn for socks from now on.

Bohus hat

Pattern: 'Red Light Hat' by Kersten Olsson
Yarn: Bohus Angora-Merino by Solsilke

This is a project dear to my heart that has only languished in the WIP pile for too long because it's very lightweight (though warm due to the angora in the yarn) and in these parts we have hot summers, cold winters and not a lot of mild weather in between in which to wear such a thing. However, this winter is taking its sweet time leaving, so I'm wearing it right now.

The Bohus Stickning movement was started in Sweden in the late 1930's as way to provide employment for knitters in hard economic times. There's a good summary here as well as some images of the amazing garments that were designed, knit and sold. This Red Light Hat was designed in 1959, and she recreated the design in turquoise and blue as well.

The hats, as well as cardigan and pullover versions of this design are available as kits through Solveig Gustafsson on her Solsilke site here - click on 'Bohus Stickning' at the top to see kits.

Solveig dyes all the shades of yarn herself and this laceweight blend of angora and merino is really gorgeous.

I'm glad my motivation to finish all WIPS this year has given me such a fab hat.