F.O. Clarke #2 by Jane Richmond

Pattern:  Clarke Pullover

Designer:  Jane Richmond

Yarn: Julie Asselin Hektos (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk)
Colourway:   Brume:  7skeins (two colours in one skein)
Romance:  1 skein (for ribbing on cuffs, hem and neckline)

Julie Asselin Hektos

Colourway:  Brume

Colourway:  Romance

Needles: 4.0mm & 4.5mm

Ravelry: my notes

Clarke Pullover

Added Notes:  
When I visited the Julie Asselin both at Knit City, my eyes were instantly drawn to the Brume colourway.  Somehow I missed the fact that I was purchasing two separate colourways, that were joined together, to look like one skein.  When I got home and opened the skeins, I saw to my surprise, two colourways.  Luckily, I didn't mind at all, as these two colourways were gorgeous.  However, I had to rethink my choice of pattern for this yarn.

Surprise!  Two colourways!

I immediately thought of the Clarke Pullover.  Of the many sweaters I have knit, the Clarke Pullover is one of my most frequently worn.  I knew that it would work well with two colourways, producing a much more subtle stripe than the original one I knit.  Also, the cashmere and silk content would produce a very different fabric.  (You can read about that sweater here). 

Clarke Pullover #1

I cast on Clarke for a second time.  The original pattern calls for ten rows of the main colour and four of the contrasting colour.  Having only bought seven skeins I knew I would not have enough of the main colour.  Instead, I knit ten rows of the main colour, followed by six rows of the contrast colour. That turned out to be a good decision, as I only had a tiny amount left of the main colour when it was finished.  I used a third colour (Romance) for the hem, neckband, and ribbing on the sleeves.  I am very happy with the result, and I can see myself wearing this sweater quite a bit. The yarn was a dream to knit with and creates a luxurious fabric, one that I can't wait to wear.

This is my first F.O. of 2018. Have I convinced you to knit the Clarke Pullover yet?  It is an easy knit and it produces a sweater that you will wear again and again.  It works well with any worsted weight yarn in stripes or a solid colour. What are you waiting for?

Happy Knitting!

Knit City 2017 Vancouver

I finally found time to look at my photos from my visit to Vancouver and Knit City a few weeks ago.  Sorry for the delay!  I had an incredible time and I highly recommend going next year if you have the chance.  If you asked me to describe Knit City with just one word I would choose fun.  Everything about this well run event was terrific. The booths in the venue were roomy and never felt overcrowded. The attendees of the yarn show were enthusiastic and everyone seemed to be having a great time.  The designers and dyers were very friendly, and the quality of Canadian talent was evident.  I heard Stephen West speak and he was so funny, and at the same time inspiring.  Although I did not take a class, there were a variety of talented instructors and classes scheduled, which were well received.

Here are just a few photos of the event to give you an idea of what was available.  I will let the photos speak for themselves.  I have included links to each of these companies.

Yarn Ink

Sweet Fiber Yarns

Ancient Arts Yarn

Gauge Dyeworks

Colourway:  All Together Now

Fibre Art Studio

Designers
Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook

West Coast Cardigan by Jane Richmond

Beacon Hill Cardigan by Jane Richmond

Shannon Cook's shawls on display

Tin Can Knits

Clayoquot cardigan

Triptych mittens and Prism Hat

Sylvia McFadden

Gentle Armour by Sylvia McFadden

Shawls by Sylvia McFadden

Lanterns knit in fingering
see my version of Lanterns knit in Sweet Fiber DK cashmere

Of course I did not go away empty handed!  I have been posting some of my purchases on my Instagram feed.  If you want to have a look check it out here.  Stephen West said in his talk on the Friday night that instead of the word "stash" he prefers to think of it as, "We are curators of collections." That works for me.  And after that weekend my collection is growing.   : )

Work In Progress: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm

Sometimes when I look at a skein of yarn I know immediately what I want to knit with it.  Check out this gorgeous skein of Gauge Dye Works Merino Twist Fingering  (80% merino 20% nylon) in the colourway All Together Now.

Gauge Dye Works Merino Twist Fingering

When I set eyes on Gauge Dye Works newest colourway I loved it.  I knew that I wanted to knit a pair of vanilla socks to showcase the yarn. 

Colourway:  All Together Now

I cast on 56 stitches and started knitting the socks top down.  However, once I got a few inches into the sock pattern, I realized that the stripes were rather larger than I had anticipated, and I was not happy with how they were turning out. I decided that I was going to do something else with this yarn, as it was too pretty not to choose a pattern that I loved. 

After searching through Ravelry I decided on the most basic of patterns, a Hitchhiker by Martina Behm, which an astounding 27 960 people have knit. This shawl is so popular for a number of reasons.  The pattern is an easy to knit garter stitch shawl, works beautifully with any yarn, and creates the perfect shaped shawl.  The pattern allows you to use every last bit of yarn so none is wasted.  This is my mindless knit that I can't wait to finish. I am so happy with how it is turning out.

Loving my Lykke needles

The dyeing in this yarn is fantastic.  How the dyer goes back and forth from colour to colour so seamlessly fascinates me.

If you are interested in ordering your own skein of this beautiful yarn you will find it at Knit City in Vancouver next week.  Otherwise sign up for Gauge Dye Work's newsletter so you can find out when their next Etsy sale is.  Now back to my knitting : )

Happy knitting everyone!

Caterpillargreen Yarns

Sometimes when I get new yarn, it stops me in my tracks and I leave it on my desk where I can admire it.  This is the yarn that I am currently enjoying:

Of course, it didn't arrive in that state.  It arrived like this, hiding it's inner beauty:

 But then when it was opened up this gorgeous rainbow of colour appeared.

This beauty, my friends, is Caterpillargreen Yarns created on Vancouver Island located in British Columbia.  I was lucky to grab a skein during an online sale in order to make the Playground Shawl by Justyna Lorkowska, a free pattern available on Ravelry.  It is MCN Fingering yarn in the colourway Concrete & Tulips, a 70% superwash merino, 20% cashmere and 10% nylon blend.  So soft!  If you have never seen the Caterpillargreen Yarns website, I highly recommend you check it out.  The yarn sold on this website is self-striping and comes in many gorgeous colourways.  They are not made available very often so you have to be quick.  However, you're in luck if you live in Vancouver or nearby. Caterpillargreen Yarns will have a booth at Knit City October 2-4. 

As for me this yarn will stay on my desk for some time where I can admire it.  

#yarnlover

That's all I have to say : )