Woolercoaster's Wonderful World of Wool: October 22-28

As usual it's been a busy time in the knitting world.  Check out a few things that caught my interest below:

Hot Patterns
1.  A very pretty triangular shawl named Wickerwork by Lori Versaci has been published featuring eyelets and a lace pattern.  I love the version knit in Woolfolk Tynd.

2.  If you are a fan of Tin Can Knits you probably are aware of their newest publication called Strange Brew.  This book contains a guideline on how to knit and design your own fair isle sweater.  One of the challenges when knitting in fair isle is to pick effective colours.  To help knitters understand colour the Tin Can knits blog published a series of articles on this topic.  Check them out here:  Monochrome Monday, Tonal Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Tricolour Thursday, and Fair Isle Friday

3.  Are you in the holiday mode yet?  Maybe Julgran, a Christmas sweater by Andi Satterlund will inspire you to get in the mood.

4.  Caitlin Hunter's Birkin sweater publihsed in Laine Magazine Volume 2 is gaining popularity. Mason Dixon wrote an interesting article about this beautiful sweater entitled The It Sweater:  Birkin.  Definitely worth a read.  I love this version knit in only two colours by dreamsbythesea (Clare) on Ravelry.

5. If you are looking for a gorgeous three coloured wrap then have a look at Electra by Libby Jonson (Truly Myrtle).  This fingering weight pattern uses a variety of stitches including honeycomb and lace. It looks like a fun knit.

Free Patterns
1.  Purl Soho is a great resource for free patterns.  Their newest publication is called the Mini Herringbone Scarf.  The pattern includes a video tutorial on how to do the herringbone stitch.  

©Purl Soho

2. How about a cozy, oversized bulky sweater?  Rug, a pattern by the Japanese Designer named Junko Okamoto, looks like the perfect thing to wear during those cold weather months.

Knit Alongs

1.  Karen Templer of Fringe Association is hosting a new knitalong, starting January, based on the log cabin technique which is a method of knitting.  She is encouraging knitters to join her and make anything they dream up using this technique.  Mason Dixon is joining along and wrote about the KAL here.  Karen's knitalongs are thoughtfully done and educational.  She invites other designers/knitters to join her knitalong and explain their thought process.  Leading up to the start of the KAL she will provide lots of information to help you select your log cabin project.  For example, have a look at this article called New Favorites:  Striped cabin based on a gorgeous blanket that could be modified to a log cabin style.  

2.  Pom Pom Quarterly is hosting a year long KAL for the new publication Knitting Outside the Box by Bristol Ivy.  Check out a great YouTube interview with Bristol discussing the book here.  The knit along starts November 30th.  Prizes include yarn from Julie Asselin, Sweet Fiber Yarns and Baa Ram Ewe.

YouTube Videos
There are so many videos about Rhinebeck for those of us who could not attend.
Check out these two:  Grocery Girls and Kristyglassknits interviewing the Grocery Girls and the Espace Tricot ladies.   Looks like they had fun!

Have a happy knitting week and please add anything that caught your interest below in the comments section.

F.O. Entwine Scarf & The World's Simplest Mittens

My final two projects of 2016 were quick and cozy ones.  First up is Jane Richmond's Entwine Scarf from the newly published Within:  Knitting Patterns to Warm the Soul, by Jane and Shannon Cook.

Pattern:  Entwine Scarf:  my Ravelry project page
Designer:  Jane Richmond

Yarn:  Purl Soho Super Soft Merino

100% merino
Colourway:  Heirloom White 2 skeins

Needles: 10mm 

Notes:  I had been saving this yarn for a while.  It is incredibly squishy and soft, the perfect yarn for Jane Richmond' s scarf pattern. I used two skeins and I started a third one for the fringe.  (The scarf would still be long enough if you included the fringe in the two skeins).  The only thing I wished was that the scarf was wider.  With a width of 6.5 inches this is a skinny scarf.  I played around with the stitches, adding a few additional ones, but I really liked the look of the original pattern so I stuck with that.  The scarf is also long enough to wrap around your neck twice so the width is not really a problem. Jane recommends that the scarf not be blocked so I didn't.  The pattern was very simple to follow and being knit with super bulky yarn was a quick knit. I will definitely knit with this yarn again.

My final project of 2016 was:
Pattern: The World's Simplest Mittens:  my Ravelry project page
Designer:  Tin Can Knits
Yarn:  Tanis Fiber Arts Amber Label DK
75/15/10 blend merino/cashmere/silk
Colourway:  Jean Jacket
PLUS
Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze
70/30 blend mohair/silk
Colourway:  667

Needles:  3.75mm and 4.5mm

Tanis Fiber Arts Amber Label & Rowan Kidsilk Haze

Notes:  I had a lot of fun combining this two yarns together.  The yarns created the most luxurious pair of mittens with the prettiest halo.  Now I want to pair everything with Rowan Kidsilk Haze.  This is the first time I knit with Tanis Fiber Arts Amber Label and the combination of silk and cashmere was absolutely beautiful.  This pair of mittens was gifted to a young woman who is going through a hard time and I hope she enjoys them.

The World's Simplest Mittens

It's great when you can make something that knits up so quickly like these two projects.  I have quite a few longer term projects on the needles so this was a great break for me.

Christmas and Holiday Fun

As the countdown to Christmas continues there are so many opportunities to join in the Christmas and holiday fun.

Here's a round-up of just a few seasonal ideas that caught my attention.

1.  First up there is Vlogmas.  Many crafty YouTubers are spreading Christmas cheer by podcasting everyday until December 25th.  One of my favourites is Kristen from the YarnGasm podcast who is a very successful hand dyer (Voolenvine Yarns) and knitter, to name just a few of her talents.  She always has fun and creative content in her videos.  Another favourite of mine is Molly of A Homespun House.  She lives in Berlin and is also a hand dyer and crafter.  I also have been watching Eric from the Sticks and Twine podcast. He lives in Toronto and is one of the authors of the new Rib Magazine that is coming out soon.  He is quite a character.

Voolenvine Yarn Wolke Base in "Deck the Halls"
Pattern:  Vanilla Latte Socks

2. Have you heard about this one?  The infamous Kate Davies has started the Islay Club, which starts on December 14th, so you still have plenty of time to join. Club members will receive a Kate Davies pattern each week for twelve weeks.  Once all the patterns have been delivered to your Inbox her new Inspired by Islay book will be mailed out to members.

3.  Another fun one is a KAL (knit-a-long) with designer Laura Aylor called Just for You 3.  Starting on December 13, KAL members will receive small bits of a new pattern to knit for twelve days, using DK yarn.  If you are too busy at this time of year to join in the fun, don't worry!  There will be another KAL starting on Christmas Day for the same pattern, with a new chat thread on Ravelry.  If you have bought a previous pattern from Laura Aylor, then this pattern is free. If not Laura will donate the $2 fee to a charity. So you can't lose!

4.  Here's an original idea for this time of year.  On Facebook Tin Can Knits is hosting a Hackathon.  Select a Tin Can Knits pattern (some are free) to knit and then your are encouraged to add your own inspiration and create something unique.  Post the result for all to see.  It just started so there is plenty of time to join in.  To top it off they are offering a new pattern called The World's Simplest Mittens which would be a perfect pattern to add your own twist to.  The Hackathon goes until January 17th.

I love Tin Can Knits patterns. I just finished a pair of mitts called Paddle.  Many of their patterns come in many sizes and ranges from mitts, hats, sweaters, shawls...something for everyone. Paddle is a very simple pattern knit in DK yarn, perfect for a last minute gift, and it comes in a variety of sizes.

Pattern:  Paddle (Size medium)
Designer:  Tin Can Knits
Black Yarn:  Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK
Colourway:  Thunderstorm
Blue Yarn:  Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label
Colourway:  Midnight
Needles:  3.25 mm and 3.75mm

Paddle Mitts by Tin Can Knits

5.  And finally, here's a reason to take a breather and put up your feet and relax, if only for a few minutes. For all you tea lovers,  David's Tea has a wonderful kit called the 24 Days of Tea.  Each day there is a new flavour of tea to try.  If you don't have time to get it, here's another one that you don't open until December 25th.  It looks fun too.

A perfect end to a day

Each drawer has a different flavour of tea

Well that's my list to get you started.  Don't you just love the knitting community?  There are so many generous, kind-hearted, and creative people out there with a passion for yarn.  Have you heard of any Christmas/holiday fun?  Let me know below so I can check it out.  Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate it.