A Brief Interruption

While I spend some time mulling over sweater pattern choices, I'm excited to be starting a new project next week over at the Holla Knits Ravelry Group.  It's time that I knit a Holla Knits pattern especially after admiring Michelle's beautiful FOs, here and here. I need some summer tops and why shouldn't I knit part of my warm-weather wardrobe, right?

Knit Picks Comfy Sport

I'm joining in the Nachtfalter KAL which starts on Monday, June 3, and in my attempts to be more mindful with my knitting, I spent a little time last night swatching the lace stitch portion. Isn't it lovely ... and oh, so interesting to knit!  Happily, I have enough Knit Picks Comfy Sport and CotLin in my stash to knit this pattern.  The color is pomegranate, and I love it.

If you're looking to knit a fun and unique summer top, join us. This is a lively group, and the pattern will keep you on your toes!

If It's Friday, it must be...

Swatch: Stash Day

K1 P1 Cast On

Okay, this isn't my typical Swatch: Stash Day Friday, but I do have something new to share (well, new to me at least).  We all have old habits and, in knitting, I know that I resort to methods that work for me. Why change, right? It's comforting to stay with what we know. When I first learned how to knit, my mother taught me how to start a project with the single cast-on method.  I used this cast-on for years and then about five years ago, I learned the long-tail cast-on and have been using that method every since. 

(one ribbed cuff)

A few days before I cast-on the shirred shrug, I came across a great video from Berroco for the k1 p1 cast-on.  This type of cast-on allows for a nice stretchy rib which is important especially when making arm cuffs.  Once I tried it, I wondered why I had never started a k1 p1 rib in this way before.  It makes complete sense to begin a k1 p1 right from the beginning.

(another photo of the shrug, just for fun!)

What cast-on methods do you especially love?  Please share.

If it's Friday, it must be...

Swatch: Stash Day
Dropped (or Extended) Stitch


It's that time of year again to start making teacher's gifts. For my high school son, this isn't an issue, but for my middle-school daughter, individual teacher's gifts are still something that she would like to give and her teachers have been a wonderful group of mentors during this year of transition. During my recent spree at the fiber arts festival, I came across Acker's Acres Angora. The hanks of angora came in a rainbow of colors and the texture of the yarns were scrumptious.

I went around the stall several times before settling on two colors for two specific teachers.  One color I named Blush and with this I want to make Fascinate.  It's a simple pattern but what makes it so interesting and special is the dropped stitch.  The dropped (or extended) stitch is made by a repeat of knit 1, yo twice, on one row. In the next row, you knit and then drop the yos.  Like the cobblestone stitch, it feels counter-intuitive (we knitters don't like to drop our stitches) but once you see the result of this stitch, it's addictive.  Also, wearing a scarf or shawl in this stitch feels light and airy against the skin.

(Angora in Blush)

I'm looking forward to making this teacher's gift - she has been a real inspiration to M.  And I know I'm going to love the pattern and working with this angora.  Joy!

If it's Friday, it must be...

Swatch: Stash Day
Brioche Stitch

Brioche Stitch

This post should also be called It's a Swap:  the Finale.  I've written about the yarn that I received as part of the swap I participated in, but I haven't yet written about the yarn that I chose to send to Erin.  Over this past winter, I spent a fair amount of time teaching myself the brioche stitch and while there were many frustrating afternoons trying to master the stitch, I grew to love knitting it.  The brioche stitch produces a reversible knit which is really nice for a scarf or headband but what I really love about it is the fact that this stitch creates a double-sided knit which means that the FO is cushy and thick.

During those snowy weekends when I mastered the brioche stitch, I used a lot of Debbie Stoller's Stitch Nation Full O' Sheep which is 100% peruvian wool and comes in the nicest color range.  So when it came time to look through my stash and pick one skein for my swap partner, I wanted to share with her a yarn that I enjoyed spending a lot of time with.  In my stash was a color called Clementine, a terrific bright orange that wasn't too neon nor too pumpkin.  Erin is working away on a bag with her skein, and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

For me, this yarn works really well in the brioche stitch, and I became a little obsessed with knitting brioche stitch cowls, enough to give away as gifts during the holidays.  

Even our little Aurora got one ... at least for the photo shoot!

If it's Friday, it must be...

Swatch: Stash Day
Revisiting Norfolk Shells 

I've been steadily working on my first commission, and I'm happy to report that it's coming along nicely.  After I finished this swatch two weeks ago, I grabbed my notes and pattern and headed to my LYS where I consulted with the very helpful Bridget. 

(Caron Simply Soft)

I'll confess that I practically handled every machine-washable yarn in the store, but it was a great way to get to know yarns that I tend to overlook when I'm at the shop.  While I was very tempted to use some beautiful all wool yarns in Cascade or Malabrigo, I think it's kind of mean to have a new mom or dad handwash their baby blanket -- don't you agree? I eventually settled on Berocco Vintage.  I know, I know ... I just seem to keep returning to this yarn for my projects.  In all seriousness, I was determined to get something that I've not used before but Berocco Vintage has all the characteristics I'm looking for.  Color, weight, washability (is that a word?), and yardage. 



(Dewberry and Blush)

I know for a fact that Natalie loves the color choice and I'm really pleased (and relieved!) that the afghan is turning out so nicely.  I had my concerns -- this is a complex pattern that requires my full attention.   It is a repeat of rows 3 - 6, each of which has a different set of stitches and count.  But I'm now in the groove and this sweet gift is almost half-way completed.


(when I started to get my groove)

If it's Friday, it must be...

Swatch: Stash Day

Revisiting the Cobblestone Stitch

A couple of Fridays ago, I shared the cobblestone stitch with you and promised that I would be posting a FO that was made in this impressive and unique-looking stitch. So, here it is….

I’ll be honest and tell you that it was an intimidating pattern to make at first.  I wasn’t positive that I could pull it off — working the two colors every eight rows and also between each cobblestone — but once I got the hang of it, it went quickly and smoothly.  It actually was a lot of fun watching the cobblestones develop.

I used Patons Classic Wool in currant and chestnut brown, not two colors I would have typically thought to put together, but I think it works especially as a scarf. This little object now belongs to my niece Kristina, and I like the idea of her wearing it with her vintage fashions.

It’s great as a scarf, but I’m thinking of trying this stitch in a cowl and maybe even a skirt! Will keep you posted….