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.

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.   : )

Woolercoaster's Wonderful World of Wool: October 15-21

I hope everyone has had a great week.  As a knitting fan I am really enjoying seeing all the new patterns that are being published.  I am trying hard to stay focused on what I have on the needles and not cast on a bunch of new projects.
Here are a few of the highlights of the week for me:

Festivals:
Many people are headed to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival held in Rhinebeck, New York this weekend. Last year I had the opportunity to go for the first time and I wrote a blog on my tips for the event.  Check it out here and here.  Kristyglassknits has created a video with her tips for restaurants and stores to visit in Rhinebeck.  It was such a fun weekend and I hope to go again in the future.  I especially loved seeing all the knitted samples.

Some of my favourite samples at Rhinebeck last year:
Lamina Wrap and On The Spice Market

Everyday Pullover knit in Dragonfly Fibers

Hot Patterns:
1.  Andrea Mowry is the "it" girl of the knitting world at the moment.  This prolific designer has a number of newly published patterns.  Her newest publication is the Comfort Fade Cardi knit in a DK weight yarn, which is another pattern knitters can fade and knit in speckled yarn.   One interesting version by slikchik was knit using two fingering skeins, one solid and one speckled.  I thought that was a very clever way to use up those fingering weight skeins, instead of spending more money on Dk weight yarn.  See it here. 

A free update has been sent this week to those knitters who purchased Andrea Mowry's shawl pattern called Free Your Fade.  Originally designed in fingering weight yarn Andrea has updated the pattern to include directions for a DK version as well. I can imagine at Rhinebeck this weekend many people will be shopping for speckled DK weight yarn for either her cardigan or her shawl.

In addition there is the newly published Tolt Collection by Andrea Mowry called A Sense of Place.  It will be released October 28 and consists of a cowl, hat, socks and cardigan.  My favourite is the Oxbow Cardigan, a beautiful shawl collared cardigan knit in bulky weight Quarry by Brooklyn Tweed.  This would be a fast knit and perfect for those cold winter months.

And that's not all!  Another pattern by Andrea is the Raina Shawl found in Carrie Bostick Hoge's Making No. 4 Lines.  Andrea has designed a gorgeous fingering weight shawl using the brioche stitch.  This publication is definitely worth getting as there are many beautiful patterns by a wide variety of designers.

2. There are so many new fall publications that are worth getting.  In addition to Making Magazine, Volume 3 of Laine Magazine Nordic Knit Life has been published. This Nordic knit and lifestyle publication is full of gorgeous patterns and interesting articles on knitting related topics.

By Hand Serial is another magazine worth checking out.  Lookbook No. 4 has just been published by Andrea Hungerford.  This edition focuses on dyers and stores in the Puget Sound region.  It focuses on some of my favourite dyers such as Yoth Yarns and Hazel Knits as well as some stores in the area such as Tolt Yarn and Wool and Churchmouse Yarn and Teas.

3.  Pom Pom Press first hardcover published book called  Knitting Outside the Box by Bristol Ivy is debuting at Rhinebeck this weekend with autograph signings by the designer.  You can order your own copy through Pompom.  Read all about the book launch here.

4.  A new collection called arctic  has been published by Quince and Co.  It consists of six cold weathered knits by designers such as Michele Wang, Pam Allen, and Leila Raabe.  My favourite is the Katla Sweater designed by Pam Allen knit in Osprey, a chunky weight yarn.  

Katla by Pam Allen
©Quince and Co.

Free Patterns:
1. The Frosting fringe scarf  is a quick super bulky scarf by Blue Sky Fibers. 

2. The Lighthouse Hat by designer Alexis Adrienne, is a free pattern until October 22 knit in aran weight yarn with a strand of mohair.  

Please include any new publications that have caught your interest in the Comments section below.  If you are attending Rhinebeck this weekend enjoy yourself and happy knitting to everyone.

F.O. In Threes knit in Delicious Yarns

Pattern:  In Threes:  A Baby Cardigan

In Threes by Kelly Herdrich

Designer: Kelly Herdrich
Size Knit:  0-6 months

Yarn: Delicious Yarns:  Frosting Worsted (100% superwash) 220 yards
Colourway:  110 Raspberry 

Delicious Yarns:  Frosting Worsted

Colourway:  Raspberry

Needles:   5.0 mm

Ravelry:  my notes

Added Notes:  

1. I was given the opportunity to try a new to me yarn called Delicious Yarns from California.  It was a hard to choose just one skein, as this company has a wide variety of yarn bases, yarn weights and colours to choose from.  I decided to go with Frosting Worsted which is a kettle dyed tonal yarn, available in 25 different colours. The colourway I chose was Raspberry, and when I received the yarn and started swatching with it, I couldn't believe how soft it was.  It was perfect for a baby gift I wanted to knit for a friend. To be completely honest I didn't look closely at the yarn label and I assumed that I was knitting with a base that contained cashmere.  It wasn't until I was writing this blog that I had a closer look at the label, and to my surprise realized it was 100% superwash merino.  It is that soft.

2. In Threes has been knit almost 7500 times and I can see why it is so popular.  This is an easy pattern for a beginner and is available from the smallest size (0-6months) to a size 5.  It is knit from the top down, and as it is knit in worsted weight yarn it is perfect for that quick gift.  I will definitely knit this pattern again.

3.  Delicious Yarns have generously offered a coupon code for readers of my blog. You can get 20% off your purchase of any Delicious Yarns by using the code DY2WC20.  It expires on 10/29/17.  Delicious Yarns offers a variety of yarn weights and colours. For example, there are tonals, contrast colours and speckles. They also have a Gourmet line with yarn containing seacell and silk blend as well as another yarn combining mohair and silk.  Next time I would like to try CB Frosting which is a cotton/bamboo blend.  It's always great to discover another indie dyer company.  This company is definitely worth checking out.  Have a look!

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!

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!

F.O. Hyak Socks by Kim Swingle

Pattern:  Hyak

Designer: Kim Swingle

Yarn:  Cestari Traditional Collection, 2 Ply (aran weight) 100% Targhee-Columbia

Cestari Traditional Collection, 2 ply

Colourway:  Natural White &  Light Grey Medium Grey Tweed

Needles:   3.5mm and 3.75mm

Ravelry:  notes here

Hyak socks

Added Notes:  

1.  Last summer I visited Tolt Yarn and Wool, fulfilling one of my yarn dreams. Read all about it here and here. I bought the Hyak sock pattern and the Cestari yarn there.  Everytime I wear these socks I will think of my trip.

2.  Tolt Yarn and Wool sells some wonderful yarn and their website is definitely worth a visit.  I really love the variety of yarn they sell and many of the brands they carry are hard to find elsewhere. Recently I had to order an additional skein of yarn for a project I was working on.  Tolt Yarn and Wool was the only place I could find it. I thought the shipping cost to Canada was quite reasonable compared to other U.S. online stores I have ordered from.  If you order yarn costing under $100 the shipping is a flat rate of $15.  The order arrived at my doorstep very quickly too, which was a bonus.

3.  I loved knitting with this yarn and I would highly recommend it.  I am someone that often has cold feet.  I was wearing these socks around the house and even though they are knit with aran weight yarn they kept my feet the perfect temperature.  Although this yarn is quite rustic after a good soak and blocking it softened up quite nicely.  I found the socks did not itch my feet at all.

4.  Just as an aside note I love blogging and I am trying very hard to blog twice a week.  But I have a father with Alzheimers and at times, his health needs take up a lot of my time so finding the time to blog can be quite challenging.  So please bear with me.  Thank you for continuing to visit my blog...I really appreciate it.