F.O. Sweet Clover Shawl MKAL by Alicia Plummer

This summer Alicia Plummer hosted a Mystery Knit Along called the Sweet Clover Shawl MKAL.  The pattern was for a worsted weight shawl, and would use two skeins of the main colour, and one skein of two different contrast colours. Beyond that no other information was given.  I dug deep in my stash and found two variegated skeins of Riverside Studio Superwash whose colour I absolutely loved.  The added bonus was they contained 10% cashmere making the skeins super soft.  With Alicia Plummer as the designer I confidently signed up, knowing that I was guaranteed to like the finished product. The KAL clues were given out every two weeks and the slow pace was perfect for summer knitting.  As predicted I loved the finished shawl.

Pattern:  Sweet Clover Shawl MKAL

Designer:  Alicia Plummer

Yarn:  Riverside Studio Superwash (80% merino 10% nylon 10% cashmere) 183m 1.5 skeins
Colourway:  OOAK 

Riverside Studio Superwash

Yarn:  Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage

Colourway: one skein each of Fig & Moss (100% Merino) 183 metres (I used all of the Fig and about 90% of the Moss colourway)

Fig

Moss

Needles: 4.5mm

Ravelry:  see my notes

Sweet Clover Shawl

Added Notes:

1.  Although it may be hard to see in the photos the lace opened up beautifully after blocking.  The measurements of the finished shawl are 74 x 33 inches, a very generous size that I am super pleased with.

2.  If you are looking for a relaxing knit that works well with any colour of worsted weight yarn, you should definitely check out this pattern.

Now if only the cooler weather would arrive!  I can hardly wait to wear this shawl.  

F.O. Antiquity by Alicia Plummer & A Giveaway!

Pattern:  Antiquity

Antiquity

Designer:  Alicia Plummer

Yarn:  Camellia Fiber Company CFC Flax DK (50% Alpaca 25% Flax 25% Silk

Colour:  Rose Quartz

Needles:  3.5mm KnitPro Karbonz Double Point Needles

Notes
1)  I usually knit with merino or wool blends so knitting with such a unique combination of fibers was quite an experience for me.  The yarn has a lovely sheen to it, a smooth texture and the alpaca gives it a lovely bloom.  I can't imagine how amazing a sweater would be in this yarn. Andrea, of Blueberry Hill Crafting, sweater made a Clarke Pullover with this yarn.  It must feel so luxurious to wear.  I would totally recommend this yarn and I am interested to try knitting with other yarn from Camellia Fibre Company.  Their yarn seems very unique.
2)  This pattern was easily memorized and I am so pleased with how the mitts turned out.  Since they are knit in a DK weight this pattern would be perfect for a quick gift.
3) As mentioned in a previous post this yarn was given to me by Blueberry Hill Crafting.  She posted a picture of it on Instagram and offered it to the first person who commented.  It was my lucky day.  Thank you Andrea!

In the spirit of giving, and in celebration of my three year blog anniversary, I would like to hold a giveaway for a copy of this book called Home & Away: Knits for Everyday Adventures by Hannah Fettig.  This book has so many beautiful sweaters, such as the Calligraphy Cardigan, Rosemont Cardigan and Georgetown.  To win this book simply comment below, adding your Ravelry I.D. and I will pick a name using the Random Number Generator on Sunday, September 11th and announce the winner. 

Home & Away by Hannah Fettig

I would like to thank all the people who take time to read my blog and I really appreciate those who reach out by commenting.  One thing I have learned since I began blogging is that the knitting world is full of the kindest people.  I have not only enjoyed writing my blog these past three years, I also have learned so much and been inspired by other blogs I read weekly.  Although I enjoy the speed at which I can post an Instagram photo, there is still something appealing about slowing down and writing a blog, documenting what I am working on.  So thank you everyone for stopping by!

On the Needles: Blue Brick Yarn, Camellia Fiber Company, & Sweet Fiber Yarns

After getting Madewell off my needles I was very happy to pick a few smaller projects to work on over the next few weeks.  I focused on three yarns I was excited to get on the needles, and after perusing Ravelry in search of that perfect pattern match, I decided on the following:

The first skein that was calling my name was Blue Brick Killarney Sock , an ombré yarn in the colourway Labradorite, an 80% merino and 20% nylon blend.

Blue Brick Killarney Sock

After seeing Julie Crawford's version of Starshower  I decided that I had to get this pattern out of my queue and onto my needles. This lacey cowl, designed by Hilary Smith Callis, is knit back and forth until it is long enough to be joined in the round.  Here's my progress so far.

Starshower by Alicia Plummer

Another skein I have  been excited to cast on is Camellia Fiber Company CFC Flax DK  in Rose Quartz that I have previously showed you.  I only have one skein of this yarn and I really wanted to pick a pattern to showcase this unique blend of fibers (50% alpaca, 25% flax, 25% silk).  I wish you could feel how soft this yarn is.  I have never knit with anything like it before.  After looking at many patterns I decided on Antiquity by Alicia Plummer, a beautiful set of mitts. I love the eyelets and I am so happy with how it's turning out.

Camellia Fiber Flax DK in Rose Quartz

And finally, the third pattern I started is a shawl that I have seen in person, when I was in Vancouver last month.  As mentioned previously in this blog I was quite taken by the display of softsweater's shawls that I saw on display at the yarn store 88 Stitches.  I really think the photos on Ravelry don't do them justice.  A fingering weight shawl called Lanterns was one I knew I definitely had to knit. However, instead of fingering yarn I decided to go with a DK yarn I had in stash called Sweet Fiber Yarns Cashmere DK in Spiced Pumpkin.  I have 800 m of this gorgeous yarn, and I feel that it is going to create a luxurious shawl, that will show off the beautiful stitches in this pattern very well.

Sweet Fiber Yarns Cashmere DK in Spiced Pumpkin

Lanterns

So there you have it, my friends.  That is my knitting plan for the immediate future.  What's on your needles?

Knotted Pine Hat

I finally finished my Pull Me Over.  I enjoyed knitting this pattern although I wish I had not run out of yarn and been able to do the full length sleeves I had wanted to do.  This yarn really grew through blocking and my sweater is a bit big although it still looks good.  Sand dune is the Madelinetosh yarn colour I used but it is very hard to capture on camera.  You can read all about my sweater here.

Pull Me Over

I finally broke out the Juniper Moon Yarn I was saving and have started creating a new hat by Alicia Plummer called Knotted Pine. It's on sale for $2.00 for a short time so don't delay!  Here's what I've knitted so far:

Knotted Pine

There are a lot of pretty stitches on this piece including the honeycomb pattern on the front, embossed moss rib, a braid, and, on the back, a half twist stockinette stitch.  This is my first time using this yarn and I quite like the halo effect it creates.  Not to mention how warm it is.  You should check this pattern out.

Today I took a trip to Toronto and visited Lettuce Knit which is located in Kensington Market.  This yarn store really celebrates Canadian yarn dyers and has quite a unique and varied collection. The lovely woman working there gave me quite a tour and pointed out some of their unique collection.  One yarn I was introduced to was Julie Asselin's yarn called Hektos, a merino, cashmere and silk blend in a beautiful grey called Shining Armour. Unfortunately I do not have, as of yet, a photo to share with you that will do it justice.  I will show you next time!