Category: On the Needles

What we’re knitting

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Lisa and I have been posting little snaps of our works in progress over on Instagram lately – here are a few things we worked on over the weekend. What are you knitting / crocheting these days?

Antler Mittens by Tin Can Knits

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I worked on a pair of Antler Mittens from Tin Can Knits – a beautiful pattern which I’ve long been wanting to knit. As with everything from Tin Can Knits, the pattern is clear and well-written and a pleasure to work from. Although I didn’t manage to finish mine this weekend, these are definitely quick, immediate gratification kind of knitting – a great palate cleanser after larger or more complicated patterns.  I don’t know about you but the fact that I can start with a ball of yarn in the morning and a few hours later have something wearable never ceases to amaze me.  Knitting is magical  🙂

The densely knit mitten liners Mona gave me last year are a perfect fit for these and add all the necessary additional warmth I need when the temperature really takes a turn. The fact that they’re removable means that I can rotate them through different pairs of pretty hand knit mittens all winter.  If you’re interested in knitting yourself a pair of liners, Mona has written up the pattern and made it available as a free PDF download on Ravelry. Thanks, Mona!

I’m knitting the Antler Mittens with Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky in Silver Fox (1 skein) and the liners were knit with Tosh Merino Light in Grasshopper (1 skein). A dreamy combo.

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Hat by Erika Knight

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Lisa spent part of her weekend whipping up an awesome new hat for her son, Gianluca. This pattern is actually from a Regia pamphlet (Journal 610, Jazz Colours by Erika Knight) that contains three great patterns for fingering weight yarns including the hat, a pair of socks, and a set of fingerless mittens.  A quick look on Ravelry tells me that these are only available in the pamphlet form and not for electronic download. We have 5 copies in stock at the store if you’re interested. That said, the Basic Beanie pattern from Paton’s is very similar and is available as a free PDF on Ravelry.

Lisa knit this one up with Scrumptiouspurl Stripe Me Up sock yarn in the Lemon Sour colourway. We’re low on stock at the moment but should be receiving a delivery soon!

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–  Melissa

In the interest of full WIP disclosure :-)

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So, based on the array of confessions and responses Lisa’s post elicited yesterday, it seems few of us are alone in experiencing the occasional knitter’s funk / WIP pile-up! It’s funny how some (many?) of us tend to treat our cache of UFOs like a dirty little secret, something to feel guilty and stressed about.  Why?  Is it because we feel those unfinished projects say something deep and significant about us and our ability to “follow-though” and “commit” to something? Is it because we feel wasteful? After all, knitting is no inexpensive pursuit and all of those WIPs stare back at us in their idle state daring us to do the mental math and sum up their collective cost. But, really, who are these projects hurting? The truth of the matter is that there are no knitting police.  There is no upper limit on the acceptable number of WIPs beyond which we are accountable to someone. There is only the waxing and waning of our creative desires 🙂

If you’re like most knitters, every project you’ve started was cast on in a state of inspiration and excitement. Whether it was the opportunity to challenge yourself with an interesting or complicated pattern, to use yarns and colourways that made your heart sing, to soothe yourself with something peaceful and meditative, or just because you could see how fabulous the finished project would be on yourself or someone you loved, they were all chosen with intention and all served their purpose for a while. Chances are, most of them are still near and dear to your heart but just not what you want to be knitting “right now”.

Despite having a pile of WIPs accumulating in project bags around my house, I find I usually make my way back to most of them when the planets align and the mood strikes. That said, I’m all for taking stock every once in a while and having a proper weeding out. An uncomfortable number of unfinished projects can take up mental energy, blocking our creativity and sapping the pleasure we derive from our craft.  I recommend collecting all of your WIPs in one place and making an honest appraisal.

If you can still find that sense of inspiration or excitement in a piece, chances are you’ll return to it. If any of your projects make you feel anxious, stressed, or annoyed just looking at them, it’s likely that they will forever remain at the bottom of your priority list. Be brave, be bold – let these ones go. Just because you started something does not mean you need to finish it. Seriously. There is no rule about this. Just frog them and free up the yarn for something else. And if you’ve fallen out of love with the yarn, simply send it to a good home and feel good about it – there are so many charity knitting groups out there on the lookout for donations.

Life is short. Let guilt go and enjoy your process. Take pleasure and comfort in your WIPs – after all, you will never lack for a project.

A review of my own WIPs last night led to the decision to finally frog my Stephen West Doodler shawl. This was a case of me trying to step out of my comfort zone in terms of colour choices but the resulting combination now leaves me cold. I will not be picking this one up again so I will put it, and myself, out of misery…

Below is an accounting of my current projects. I know what you’re all thinking – apart from the Unicorn Stripes scarf, there is a definite dearth of colour on display! It’s pathetic really. I’m thinking Stephen West’s new Knit ‘n Slide pattern with Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles may provide temporary relief. Stay tuned 🙂

–  Melissa

Holey Square Shawl by Marianne Sigg in Handmaiden Lino.

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Unicorn Stripes by Antonia Shankland – with Madelinetosh Unicorn Tails, of course.

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A scarf / wrap I’m designing with Handmaiden Maiden Hair and Shibui Silk Cloud.

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Fate by Kim Hargreaves. The back is finished and I’ve started the left front but this has been on my needles so long the yarn has been discontinued. I love the coat so much though, I will persevere!

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The Doodler by Stephen West – will be frogged today!

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The Bowery Vest by The Third Piece…

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Coming clean…

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It’s been a few months now that I’ve been in the grip of a knitting funk. Too many projects on the needles and too many new ones dancing around in my head. Many of you reading this are sure to relate to my current dilemma which, in the grand scheme of things seems trivial but, given that I am literally in the business of knitting, is somewhat alarming…

I came to knitting only in my late thirties and, since then, I have knit for a few hours each night and have dutifully finished all of my projects. Until now, that is! Knitting has always been for me, a time to come back to myself, to indulge my creative self, and to settle and be quiet. My days are quite social and active and knitting has always given me an opportunity to simply be, yet be productive at the same time. Since we opened the store almost 6 years ago, every evening, and yes I can honestly say every evening, once my son was in bed I would make a café latte, find a good documentary to watch and settle into bed with my knitting. With my e-mail and the phone close at hand, Melissa and I would take the opportunity to catch up with rambling conversations, mulling over ideas and plans for knitting and our shop. I couldn’t wait for this time of day, to not be needed, and to be in my little bubble for just a few hours.

Now, back to my little funk … which, has become a source of endless discussion and contemplation with my faithful partner Melissa. Maybe it is because we have been working up store sample after store sample and have not been knitting projects for ourselves? Maybe it’s because we are teaching our sons, their friends and their teachers and our friends to knit in our free time? Maybe it is because we are still in the process building our business and putting energy into creating procedures and protocols for efficient store management and constantly researching and sourcing new products? Maybe it’s because we only want to knit with neutrals, but then get bored before we start, so then we knit with colour, but then can’t handle it?! Maybe my busy schedule and the long drawn out winter here in Montreal has sucked my energy and made me too tired to knit in the evening? Or, and this is a more recent one, maybe it’s because it’s Spring and I am feeling the need to be out there and on the move?!  Maybe my mind is preoccupied with interior decorating now that I’ve moved into a new home? Maybe it’s because my desire for a finished product is greater than the patience I have to enjoy the process at the moment?

I am hoping that this period of reflection, combined with my willingness to come clean and put all of my finished projects out on the table so-to-speak will help me find my knitting mojo again! Maybe I need to give myself permission to have my UFO’s sit in my knitting baskets for the summer and choose a fun, easy and colourful project to knit this spring!

So, what projects do I currently have on my needles you ask?  Let me list them for you…

A Rowan Pure Wool Worsted Cable Blanket that I am designing as a store pattern:

cable blanket

My Koigu Knitted Patchwork Mittered Square Blanket, that some of you may have already started and completed since one of my previous blog posts:

koigu_blanket

My Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky Garter Blanket which I blogged about a few weeks ago and am just past the spot I was at before I ripped it back:

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A large rectangular shawl in Habu Cashmere, which just might take to the end of my knitting career to finish:

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An XL version of the Kigali Nights shawl that I designed as a store pattern in Handmaiden Lino and started last summer:

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A Stephen West Color Craving in Headgehog Fibres Skinny Singles, which I was inspired to begin at Vogue Knitting Live:

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Another Stephen West Color Craving in Anzula Milky Way, which I started when we went to The Needle Arts Trade Show last year:

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Itaca from Stephen West in Jade Sapphire Sylph – started last year as an “easy summer knit”:

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–  Lisa  

On the needles: Unicorn Stripes

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unicorn_tail_scarf

I know, I know – Stripes. In-the-round. Again. There’s just something so soothing to me about this combination.  Antonia Shankland’s Unicorn Stripes pattern has been on my project list since it was first released in September 2014. On the heels of finishing the Whirligig scarf, I was still in the mood for something purely meditative to balance the more challenging projects on (all) my other needles.  With all 30 Madelinetosh Unicorn Tails carefully stashed for almost a year, the time has come. I cast on last night and I can whole-heartedly confirm that this is a dream if you’re looking for a good project for TV and social knitting 🙂

If you’d like to see the scarf in person, come on in to the store – one of our consultants has just finished knitting our store sample. It’s even more beautiful in person!

Purchase Unicorn Tails in our online store!

Note: Since publishing the original, Madelinetosh has replaced three of the colours called for in the pattern – Coquette has been replaced with Coquette-Deux, Purple Basil is replaced with Duchess, and Button Jar Blue is replaced with Glass Bottom Boat.

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(Photo: Madelinetosh)

–  Melissa

The Humble Garter Stitch

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IKEA has a sale on rugs. They are 20% off right now. I do not know if you are interested in this information, I am only telling you because I spent most of the day driving to IKEAs – plural, yes, I had to go to two of them since even though the inventory online said my rug was in stock, I had not called to verify this and hence was informed that I really should call if the stock is low and, well, first come, first serve and no rain checks – getting my coveted rug on sale. This involved driving in unknown territory, thankfully mostly on the highway – I do get lost easily.

Now (aobut 2.45 pm) I am back here in front of the computer and trying to make sense – you might wonder what my rug has to do with garter stitch? Well, to put it simply: Nothing. Apart from the fact, maybe, that it is made of wool and I like knitting with wool…there, I tried.

Are you participating in the Stephen West Mystery KAL? How about all of our colour choices? Were you suprised? I, for one, am pleasantly surprised that I managed to finish the first clue, really, it was fun to knit! See, I am not good with those knit-alongs, whenever you tell me that I have to knit on a certain project, I rather knit anything else. So far I do not feel that way, let’s see how it goes. If you are curious about our progress, you can check it out here. (As of now I yet have to post a picture of mine. I will, promised.)

I am talking about the KAL because the project is actually knit in garter – very clever garter, but garter nonetheless. Meaning, even though garter stitch means essentially ‘just knitting’ there are ways to make it up to date and happening. Stephen West has this down to a T, as you can see in his other designs like the Batad (which has some stockinette, but knit in the round) or Smooth Move.

Garter is often underestimated, in my opinion. I love a squishy garter knit – especially when you can let the yarn do the work, meaning you use something soft and scrumptious like Baby Alpaca, or the Ultimate Merino (as in Woolfolk!). It doesn’t have to be cashmere, but hey, why not!

Here are a few projects from the Espace Tricot project page – check it out:

Shawls

four shawlsTop to bottom clockwise: Red Label Color, Moody Street, Drachenschwanz, Giant Luxury!

Hats, Scarves, Cowls etc:

hat scarves cowlTop to bottom clockwise: Mega Katy, Rocketeer, Color Tipped Scarf, Basalt

Garments – full garter or partly garter:

garmentsTop to bottom clockwise: Flax, Weekend Wrap, Lottie in Lark, Fall Coat,

Baby blankets:

sc_blanket1_medium2Left to right: Koigu Love, Super Happy Baby Blanket

As I have said, these are just a few picks. It appears we love garter! And I do know for a fact we are not alone in this. How about you?

Happy Knitting, as ever!

– Mona

 

 

On the needles…

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Getting Groovy with Shibui

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(Photos: L – butterfly67 / R – JumperCables)

I’ve just cast on a new project and I’m loving it so much I thought I’d give a little sneak peak today. Lisa has already knit the Groovy by Annie Lee Designs twice and, while I’ve always really liked the shape and construction of this shawl / scarf, I didn’t feel compelled to knit it until I had the idea to pair two of Shibui’s exquisite laceweight yarns – Silk Cloud (silk + mohair) and Pebble (cashmere + merino + recyled silk). I’ve now knit the first few repeats (see below) and the fabric produced by the combination of these yarns is incredibly luxurious – soft and light with beautiful structure and sheen.  My plan is to add a contrast stripe at the very end with the Brass colourway like butterfly67 (photo – top left). Project details will follow after Christmas but if anyone is interested in trying this over the holidays, I’m knitting with 4.5 mm needles and one strand of each yarn held together (I tend to be a tighter knitter). Stay tuned for “after” photos in the new year!

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We’ve just received a new shipment from Shibui so we’re all stocked up with both of these lovely yarns.

– Melissa

Running Out Of Steam

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The last few weeks at the store have left us a bit breathless. If you’ve been in, you know why! The ‘knitting season’ has started and it has been very busy. Indeed, not only that but the steady influx of new yarn added to the frenzy. In a good way, since we really enjoy bringing in the yarns we love to knit with and so fan out the delight to our customers.

However, being at a busy store, teaching at night, trying to get a house in order (man, if someone had told me before how much work it can be…) and squeezing in as much time as I might to spend with my daughter who has started kindergarten this year, seems to have taken a toll.

I got nothing. No special technique to show, no picture tutorial, no idea what I could talk about.

Then again, are you interested in what I am knitting? That’s pretty much I have today. And, wait for it, the whole project is knit in garter. Sounds pretty boring, eh? Well, all I can say is that it is perfect for my momentary state of mind and garter can be soothing for frayed nerves.

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This is not even a good picture. The light was practically gone and I needed to use the flash. BUT, it is the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne. A better picture will follow once I am done!

I am knitting the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket as a cover for my daughter’s bed. The colours are picked to go with the rest of the room, of course. I am using Cascade Eco and Eco +. A 100% wool Aran weight yarn I love to work with.

The original pattern is knit in a DK weight, I thought by using an Aran I would get a good size for a twin bed, however, I had to scale back, otherwise it would become too wide. The length might just work, I will know by the end of the next garter stripe. It is a bit weird how addictive it is, but working on one stripe I keep thinking: “oh, just so and so many rows more and I can pick up the next!”

For once, I am working on only one project at a time. (I do have several, ten a few more on the needles, neglected in my knitting basket…)

Happy knitting, as ever!

– Mona

On the needles…

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Road Trip Scarf by Evi T’Bolt

Mona here. I’m going to tell you what is on my needles this week. It is a simple garter stitch triangle scarf. Not a new design in any book, yet surprisingly soothing for my frayed knitting nerves. It doesn’t require much attention, however the play with colors provides enough diversion to keep it interesting. I have only knit with Blue Sky Alpacas Sport once before and this was the perfect opportunity to re-acquaint myself with this soft and squishy yarn. We have lots of colors in stock and they invite you to pick and combine your favorite four or five skeins since that is what is needed to complete the project.

In case you were wondering what prompted me to pick this pattern I can only claim that, uhm, the presentation caught my eye.

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Seriously. Don’t you think that is a handsome man SCARF?

Disclaimer: Any color similarity to Melissa’s project is purely incidental and not planned whatsoever.

– Mona

On the needles…

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L.1 by Antonia Shankland

This week we’re starting a new regular post theme on the blog in which Lisa, Mona, Samantha, and I will alternately provide sneak peaks of store samples and personal projects in progress as another way of sharing ideas and inspiration.

First up, on my needles this week, L.1 – a free pattern by Antonia Shankland for Shibui Knits.

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I’d been wanting to knit this for ages but hadn’t cast on because I thought it was one of those patterns where only the original yarn would do – in this case, Shibui Linen. Happily, we are now carrying this yarn in store and this gem is underway.  As described by Shibui Knits, this scarf “shows off clean lines and a complementary color scheme for an airy warm-weather accessory.”

The scarf is knit with 2 skeins color A, 2 skeins color B, 1 skein color C, and 1 skein color D. It’s shown in Ivory (A), Ash (B), Apple (C), & Field (D).

Please note that Ivory and Ash are currently out of stock but we should be receiving another delivery shortly. That said, there are so many other beautiful combinations possible – don’t be afraid to experiment with colours to suit your own style and wardrobe!

– Melissa

Now in store: Kidsilk Haze Glamour!

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kidsilk_glamour

Late last week we received a shipment of one of Rowan’s newest yarn lines – Kidsilk Haze Glamour – along with the Glamour Collection pattern book. Oh, what beautiful, soft, sparkly, stuff!

From the Rowan website: “We have taken popular shades from the Kidsilk Haze range, a fine yarn made from a blend of super kid mohair and silk, and added a thread of sequins. Ideal for lace stitch accessories this yarn is lightweight and glamorous, the sequins give a unique and random pattern to the finished knitted fabric, making it ideal for evening wear or just that little bit of added sparkle.”

View Shadecard
View Glamour Collection patterns

We’re currently working on the Mohair Bias Loop in the “Blood” colourway – stay tuned for photos…

– Melissa

Breezing through

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Now that the task of knitting the Coat of Many Colors is done I have started a project for myself right away. Seriously, what you see in the pictures is five days worth of knitting – I have other, pressing projects (Advent Calendar, anyone?) to deal with, that’s why my new sweater has been neglected for the last two or three days.

This is Flore by Julie Hoover:

I am using the original yarn, Manos Silk Blend, but I did pick different colours. It is a joy to knit with and on 5.5 mm (US 9) needles it is a quick knit in the round.

And, no, I am not purling in the round – the sweater is cleverly knit in the round and then just flipped inside out to show the purl side. That’s what I found intriguing and different, because usually you keep the stockinette side out.

The pattern and yarn – in many colours for you to choose from – are available in store, just in case you feel like giving it a try. I for myself cannot wait to finish.

Oh, I just had an idea: I think this sweater would look ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC in Madelinetosh DK, those hand-dyed shades mix so well together, I would have a hard time to choose only two…and, lucky you, we just received 32 colourways.

I might have to knit another one…

TTFN,

– Mona

Free Pattern Friday

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Blocks of Color Scarf by Nadine Curtis

(Photo: Nadine Curtis)

I couldn’t decide on just one colour of the Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico that came in yesterday so figured that all of them must be the correct answer. I came home and cast on the Blocks of Color Scarf by Nadine Curtis – this free pattern will neatly incorporate one ball of all six available colours. Though this is a simple scarf, I think it will be highly effective in showing off the sleek luster of this yarn and, because it’s knit in the round (basically a tube) it will always be “right side out”. This yarn is soft, soft, soft – if you’re looking for a classic cozy scarf for winter, look no further!

Starting with the Opal colourway – it shimmers!

(That’s the Basalt scarf / wrap from Antonia Shankland in The Fibre Company Road to China Light on the right – more about that soon! A beautifully crafted Bigger Boxy Bag from ZigZag Stiches in the background – a perfect carry-all for most projects. Lots in stock with more shipping this week).

– Melissa

Momentary Obsession

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It has been a while since I have knit a sweater. I am knitting one right now, a cardigan that is, for my Mom for her birthday. (It is okay to mention this here, since she doesn’t know about this blog and doesn’t read English either. Don’t tell her, though, it is supposed to be a surprise!)

The cardigan in question is “Lotte” from “Fresh Fashion Knits”, a collection of “more than 20 Must-Have Designs from Rowan’s Studio Collection”. There are 21, to be exact, and while I don’t want to knit all of them, there are quite a few that piqued my interest. I stumbled upon the book at the store first, of course, as a customer was looking for the right yarn substitution for one of the projects.

That is the one drawback of the book, some of the yarns have been discontinued by Rowan and need to be substituted. It does look like that is not overly hard to do, since most of them are of the no-nonsense kind we know and love Rowan for. Kid Silk Aura for example can be easily substituted by two strands of Kid Silk Haze held together – I have tried, the outcome is great (and – I have checked – the price for the project would be about the same).

I am using the yarn that is recommended in the pattern (“Calmer”, sadly also discontinued) but I am sure there are other options for this particular project, should you feel inclined to knit it.

For now, I am smitten with this book and can’t wait to finish this project so I can go on to the next…while other projects sit forgotten. Ah well, I’ll get to those later…

– Mona

ETA: Yes, I do still knit on the teal mohair cardigan, I am still on the back. It is slow going so Lotte will be indeed my first sweater I am going to finish in a while!

On the Needles: Eco Cloud Chevron Colour-Block Blanket

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One of the stand-out yarns for us this season is Cascade’s Eco Cloud – this is an incredibly soft alpaca (30%) / merino (70%) blend with a chainette, or braided, construction which lends strength and loft while minimizing the potential for shedding or pilling.  The yarn is produced naturally with no chemicals and is availabe in 10 undyed colours. It’s an ideal yarn for winter accessories as well as bigger sweater and blanket projects and we’ve been knitting with it like crazy!

Our latest project is an Eco Cloud Chevron Colour-Block Blanket. Adapting the pattern developed for our Missoni Inspired Scarf, Lisa is knitting this luxurious throw using 4 shades of the Eco Cloud palette. The “in-progress” photo below was taken a little while ago and the blanket is now nearly done and available for viewing / petting / snuggling in store.  Pattern is available free with yarn purchase!

– Melissa

On the needles: Hawthorne by Susanna IC

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There were other projects in my queue but I couldn’t resist. Forget sugar plums, as soon as our order of Superwash Worsted from SweetGeorgia rolled into the store just before the holidays, visions of Susanna IC’s Hawthorne shawl in a gorgeous shade of orange danced in my head.

As those who know me can attest, my colour preferences lean heavily towards the “neutral” camp.  That said, there’s really no accounting for the fact that I am completely smitten by SweetGeorgia’s “Pumpkin” colourway. I can only attribute this attraction to an unconscious influence by the powers-that-be over at Pantone who have declared orange to be the 2012 Colour of the Year (Tangerine Tango to be exact).  I am not especially susceptible to trends but if I’m riding a “what’s hot” wave for the moment, I’ll live with it – knitting with this hue makes me feel happy and unabashedly optimistic for the year ahead.  I’m thrilled with the way this yarn is working with the Hawthorne pattern and suspect the finished shawl may be a stunner.  Stay tuned for final photos next week!

– Melissa