F.O. Ranunculus by Midori Hirose

Pattern:  Ranunculus

Ranunculus

Designer: Midori Hirose  (website:  Knit Cafe Midori)

Yarn:  Camellia Fiber Co. CFC Flax DK  (50% Alpaca 25% Linen 25% Silk) 270yards (2 skeins)

Camellia Fiber Co. CFC Flax DK

Colourway:  Cenote

Needles:  6.00 mm

Ravelry:  see notes

Added Notes:

1.  I have had Ranunculus in my queue for some time but I couldn't figure out what yarn I wanted knit it with.  I finally spotted, deep in my stash, three skeins of Camellia Fiber Co. CFC Flax DK that I thought might work well.  I got gauge on 6mm needles and I loved the fabric it created.  This yarn consists of such an interesting combination of fibers, creating a fabric that is airy and drapey, with a beautiful halo, and so soft against the skin.  Surprisingly this pattern uses up very little yarn and I ended up only using two of my skeins.  If Camellia Fiber Co. yarn is new to you check out their website here.  The yarn is absolutely gorgeous and hand dyed in small batches.

2.  This pattern was fun and so quick to knit, taking me only about a week.  The pattern was well written and easy to follow, and I can see why many people have made more than one version. This is definitely not a beginner pattern as there are a number of techniques used that are not beginner friendly, such as German short rows, as well as lace stitches.  However, the pattern is so well written that an adventurous beginner could figure it all out, using the video links in the pattern to assist with the tricky bits.

3.  I knit the short sleeved version of Ranunculus.  The only modification I made to the pattern was to add length. I knit my sweater 10 inches from the underarm with a twisted rib of 3 inches.  After blocking the length only increased by one inch and I was super happy with the fit.  The original pattern comes in one size but there is also an added modified pattern for larger bust sizes 38 to 48".  There is also a long sleeved version.   

4. Is there another Ranunculus in my future...absolutely!  It is one of those patterns where you have instant gratification as it is so fun and quick.  I definitely want to knit it again, experimenting with a different yarn.  There are so many beautiful versions on Ravelry I definitely recommend you have a look for inspiration.

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!

July Favourites

July flew by so quickly and here we are at the beginning of August.  I thought it would be fun to look back and pick out some of my favourites from the month:

Favourite Blog Post:   Karen Templer, author of the Fringe Association Blog is one of my favourite bloggers. If you haven't read her blog before I highly recommend it.  Karen is hosting a Top down Knitalong running from August 15- September 30. She is challenging knitters to knit a sweater without using a pattern.  Of course there will be lots of support from fellow knitters, tutorials, etc.  For example here is one of the blog entries where she guides KAL members.  Although I would love to join in, I know that I unfortunately do not have the time to commit to it.  However, I will enjoy reading up on all the participants' progress.  How fun!

Favourite Yarn Store Visit:  If you are a regular reader of my blog you know what I am going to write:  Tolt Yarn & Wool.  I think about this store often as it was such a lovely place to visit. The store had such a great variety of yarn, many of which I had never seen in person.  It was extremely well stocked and everything was so thoughtfully displayed.  Can you imagine having Tolt Yarn & Wool as your local yarn store?

Favourite Yarn:  To be honest there is too many to pick from!  However, Andrea Hungerer of Blueberry Hill Crafting, another favourite blogger of mine, gifted me a skein of Camellia Fiber Co. CFC Flax DK which was incredibly kind!  This yarn is a unique blend of 50% alpaca , 25% linen and 25% silk.  One skein is 270 yards (247m) so I am trying to decide which pattern I could use to help show off its beauty.  I love this kind of challenge : )

Camellia Fiber Co.

Favourite Unfinished Object
I started Joji Locatelli's Madewell cardigan at the beginning of July.  It was the perfect travel knitting project as it is a very basic cardigan. The yarn I chose to use is my long coveted Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label fingering yarn in the colourway Painted Jeans.  This colourway is an incredible mix of colours, from browns, greys, purples, blues...very challenging for me to photograph correctly. I think this pattern is a good match for variegated yarn as it's simplicity really lets the yarn colour be the focus. However, I forgot how long a fingering weight cardigan takes to knit!   I am almost finished the second sleeve and I hope to finish the whole cardigan this week and hopefully can show you it soon.

Favourite Finished Object
My favourite F.O. would have to be my Elder Tree Shawl by softsweater in the yarn by Clara Parkes called Clara Yarn CVM/Romeldale 2.0.  This was the first pattern I knit by softsweater (a fellow Canadian) and I thought the pattern was well written.   After knitting with this yarn I am really interested in trying more natural yarns.

The Elder Tree Shawl by softsweater

Patterns that I want to knit
There are so many gorgeous patterns out there that I want to knit immediately. I find it really difficult to narrow it down.  But after visiting 88 Stitches and seeing softsweater's collection of shawls I know that Lanterns is definitely high in my queue.  I think this pattern suits a  natural yarn and I want to make sure I pick the perfect one.

Lanterns by softsweater

But in the meantime, after knitting a fingering weight sweater for the last few weeks, I am in the mood to knit something with somewhat thicker yarn. Digging deep in my stash I found these beauties.  I am trying to figure out a perfect pattern that uses several colourways.  Although it is great that there are so many patterns to choose from on Ravelry sometimes it is overwhelming, isn't it?

Shalimar Yarns, Madelinetosh, Sweet Fiber Yarns, & Cephalopod Yarns

Favourite Video Blog:  Have you checked out Michele Wang's podcast?  As you all know she is a wonderful designer, creating patterns for Brooklyn Tweed, Woolfolk, and Manos del Uruguay to name a few.  Her blog is informative and offers good insight into the knitting world.

Favourite Yarn Related Instagram Photo:

Tolt Yarn and Wool

This is a display of Elemental Affects Shelter Fingering that I took at Tolt Yarn & Wool. What a perfect way to display the yarn.  Sigh.

Favourite Non-Yarn Related Instagram Post

I know, I know...who posts a picture of carrots?  Well I do!  I was so impressed with the way the fruit and vegetable stands at the Granville Market displayed their food.  It is one of my favourite places to visit in Vancouver.  I also find that now that I post on Instagram I am being more observant about what would make an interesting photo...and carrots won that day.  

Granville Market, Vancouver

That about sums it up for my top picks.  Happy August everyone!!