Woolercoaster's Wonderful World of Wool: September 18-24

I love this time of year. Although it is still hot where I live, I know sweater weather is around the corner.  There are so many beautiful new patterns and yarns cropping up on Ravelry each day.  Here's my picks for the highlights of the week:

Hot Patterns:
1.  If you are looking for a shawl that uses up some smaller quantities of yarn check out Melanie Berg's new pattern called True Colors.

2.  Thea Colman has come out with a new cabled cardigan pattern called Nor'easter.

3.  Josie Paquin and Heidi Kirrmaier have teamed up to create the Strong and Free collection which consists of 3 cardigans, 3 pullovers and 4 accessories all knit (or dyed) in Canadian yarn. I really like the Mount Pearl hat pattern.

4.  And if you are in the market for a baby cardigan pattern here's a cute one:  Aimee's Rainbow unisex cardigan by Nadia Crétin-Léchenne


Free Patterns:  
1.  Knitty Deep Fall 2017, 12 free patterns from designers such as Laura Nelkin, Julie Crawford, Carol Feller, and Amy Christoffers.  Check out Julie Crawford's cowl pattern below.

Alicorn by Julie Crawford
©Knitty Deep Fall 2017 

2.  The East Coaster Cozy is a free pattern until the end of September.  This cup cozy looks like a perfect gift.

3.  The Espace Tricot ladies have done it again.  Using the leaf pattern from the sweet cardigan Norwegian Fir they have created a baby blanket called Petits Pins.  It is so pretty, isn't it?

Clubs:If you are a fan of Julie Hoover's designs then you may be interested in her Sweater Club 2017 which was introduced this week.  By joining this club you will get two exclusive sweater patterns (one cardigan and one pullover) featuring a Woolfolk yarn in the quantity you need.

Yarn Festivals:

Gauge Dyeworks (available at Knit City)

One of my favourite things to do is to go to a yarn festival.  There is nothing like being around other knitters who are as passionate as I am about all things knitting.  I love having the opportunity to touch and feel yarn that I have only seen on the internet. For example, new colourways by Gauge DyeWorks will be available for purchase, such as the gorgeous colourway above. I am excited to be going to Knit City for the first time this year and I will be sure to write a blog on the event.  The Canadian west coast yarn festival, an annual event held in Vancouver September 30-October 1st.  Besides the amazing yarn market there are so many designers, classes, speakers and vendors. I can hardly wait. 

YouTube Videos:
If you are looking for some company while knitting check out Andrea Mowry at the Yarn Pimp's store.  Interview here.

That's just a tiny drop in the bucket of what is new in the knitting world.  Please feel free to add your own favourites in the comment section below.  Happy knitting!

Knitted Bliss: Hyperballad Cowl

(Make sure you read to the end...there's a giveaway!)  Although it may be spring some days are still a bit cool, especially in the mornings.  When I go for an early morning walk I love to throw on my new cowl, the Hyperballad Cowl, by Julie Crawford, otherwise known as Knitted Bliss to many.  Knitted from Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK in Silver Fox it is the perfect way to keep me protected from the cool morning chill.  This newly published pattern can be knit in a smaller (one skein) or a more substantial version (two skeins) and has a combination of cables and broken ribbing creating an eye-catching cowl.  I really enjoyed knitting it and I love the way it turned out. Check it out:

Hyperballad Cowl

I have long been fan of Knitted Bliss.  Julie's blog was one of the first knitting blogs I started following. I remember discovering her site and just reading all the previous blog entries from the past. She has a unique style of writing and so her posts are so much fun to read.  The photos on her blog and on Instagram are just beautiful.  She has a great eye for colour, finding the latest trends (see her Favourite Pins of the Week feature on her blog), and is a skilled designer to name just a few of her talents.

She has created some lovely patterns, such as the infamous Stockholm Scarf, which over 3300 people had knit at last check.  By the way it's free!  In addition, Julie joined together with Tanis Fiber Arts and helped create some lovely patterns for the Year in Colour Club during the past few years.  One of my favourites was the Pemba Mittens knit in Tanis Fiber Arts Yellow Label Dk weight.  I love the leaf pattern up the center.  Another favourite pattern of mine is her Causerie Hat and Mitts knit in Tanis Fiber Arts Cosmic Blue Label fingering yarn.  All the patterns that were part of the Club are now available on Ravelry. 

Pemba Mittens

Julie has been kind enough to offer a free copy of the Hyperballad Cowl to one of my lucky readers.  Please enter a comment in the comment section below and on Sunday, April 26th 12:00 eastern time I will pick out one of the names. (Please enter your Ravelry name so I can reach the winner easily).  Good luck.