Favourite Patterns Friday, February 15, 2019, Issue 88: Time to settle in to knit or make...

Joji Locatelli designed her Odyssey Shawl as a way for her to give back to the knitting community. As she put it, "The making of this pattern was paid by all of you, knitters, as a community. By supporting me and my family, you are allowing me to do a job I love and I am giving that love back. And by supporting I don’t only mean ‘buying my patterns’. Support also comes from all the love you send me with your messages. I couldn’t do it without you. Therefore, because you are a member of this community, this is a pattern from me to all of you."

Odyssey is a crescent shaped shawl in 3 colors of medium-weight yarn. Medium weight means DK, or worsted, or even Aran! The good news is that you knit it up super fast. Each color section ends with a lace band that features striking big eyelets and wavy texture. It works with MANY yarn weights, and with ANY yarn! Joji used DK weight yarn in 3 colours and 5.0 mm (US 8) needles for a gauge of 13 stitches and 26 rows = 10 cm in Garter Stitch.

Sari Nordlund's Kari Shawl is the perfect project when you need to concentrate on other things while knitting, like a movie or conversing with your friend over a cup of coffee. There is no need for counting stitches or rows with its simple increases at the beginning of each row and garter stitch. The garter stitch creates a squishy warm fabric and the long shape of the shawl makes it ideal for wrapping around your neck and shoulders. You can add tassels or pompoms to the corners of the shawl if you like.

The shawl is knit with 550 m/600 yards of and DK weight yarn such as Drops Alpaca, Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light using 5.0 mm (US 8) needles for a gauge of 16 stitches and 38 rows (19 ridges) per 10 cm/4 inches. Gauge is not important but it might affect the size of your shawl as well as the amount of yarn required to complete it. The finished blocked size is approximately 106 inches by 19.5 inches.

monchou’s Kari Shawl knit with Malabrigo Arroyo in Whales Road

The Fibre Company has two beautiful Foundations designs available free with the purchase of Meadow. Irish Sea by Susanna Winter is a super-wearable triangle shawl with beautiful drape and fluidity. The crisp stitch definition from Meadow emphasizes the rhythmic garter stitch and delicate lace as it travels down the edge of the shawl. The size can be adjusted, according to your taste, by knitting more or less repeats.

The small shawl uses one hank while the large shawl uses two hanks and 3.5 mm (US 4) needles to get a gauge of 20 sts and 54 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over garter stitch before blocking and 20 sts and 35 rows after blocking using 3.5mm (US 4) needles. The finished size for the small shawl has a 63 inch wingspan by 18 inches deep while the large size has a wing span of 80 inches by 25 inches deep.

Seacote by Paulina Popiolek is the other Free Pattern with purchase of The Fibre Company Meadow that is available. The versatile Seacote shawl will look different every time you wear it because of its simple lace panels that fade into garter stitch! Rate as suitable for novices in short-row shaping and lace, this romantic shawl is knitted in Meadow and shaped using increases on every row. The pretty edging is knitted on at the end. The shawl will need two hanks of yarn and 3.25 mm (US 3) needles or the size to get a gauge of 24 sts and 50 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over garter stitch before blocking and 20 sts and 36 rows after blocking using 3.25mm (US 3) needle. The finished size has an 83 inch wingspan and 22 inch depth.

Both the Seacote shawl by Paulina Popiolek and Irish Sea are from The Fibre Company’s Foundations SS19 Collection and are available with purchase.

WIP's and FO's

I finished my Bynx Hat by Hayley Geary that I knit using Kelbourne Woolens Scout just in time to give to Ed for Valentine's Day!

I worked the 6 stitch cables with a cable needle (dpn) and the 2 stitch cables without and eight repeats instead of ten repeats for a shorter hat.

I am very happy with how the Monochrome Pullover by Katrin Schneider that I am knitting for my mom has been moving along!I forgot to forgot to take a photo after I finished the turtleneck and before removing the provisional stitches and putting my needles in. Now it is the seemingly endless stockinette of the body...I am at 4" from the underarm so 10.5" to go!

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Knit Your Any Sweater KAL and the Knit Any Shawl KAL: As always there is also an everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit your own project (any project, and join in anytime!) from January to April 30, 2019. Don't forget to post a pic to the finished object (FO) thread  whenever you finish a project during the Knit-Along so that you will be included in the next draw!

Angela’s beautiful Lettlopi yoke sweater!

Kathy’s I See Spring by Joji and Faerie Ring Shawl by Mariam Riddle

Connie knit this Watch Hat by Bruce Weinstein for Jerry!

Connie finished her Comfort Fade Cardi by Andrea Mowry! Yarn is Koigu Kersti

Christina’s Weekend Cowl

Christina’s Blue Bell Hill Scarf by Jocelyn Tunney

Nadine’s Sode by Hiroko Payne. Awesome and complicated cardigan for a cable newbie!

DonaJB knit Marron by Madeline Windsor with the SweetGeorgia Party of Five Kit that she won in the Spring Shawl 2017 KAL!

Sandi’s Brushstroke Hat by Black Cat Knitting Company

WINTER CLASSES & WORKSHOPS 2019

If you are at all interested in any of the classes, please look through them and register. It is too eaqsy to think you will remember to do it later but often you forget!

EVENT REMINDER!

YOU ARE INVITED TO A HIGH-FIBRE MEAL! - Register HERE

Join us for our Berroco yarn tasting! You will get an opportunity to knit or crochet with Berroco's new yarns!  Try Estiva, Vibe, Mantra, Indio and Ultra Wool Fine! You will receive a small taster ball (20g) of each to try so that you can see and feel the new yarns. There will be patterns for each and door prizes! Of course, we will also have some edible tasty treats and wine too!  Just bring needles or hooks with you.

Saturday, March 16, 2019 - 6:30 pm - 10 pm

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!