Friday, April 10, 2020, Issue 143: Happy Easter Weekend!

What could be more beautiful than a shawl that looks like the sun at Easter? Pictured is a brand new shawl design on Ravelry - Sunshine by Natalia Moreva!

This shawl is worked in two steps. The main part of it is a wide zigzag panel, which is worked sideways. The stitches for the shawl center are picked up along the top edge of zigzag stripe. It is knit using sport weight yarn in three colours, approx. 440 m of A - the colour of the sun, 440 m of B - the colour of the sky, and 240 m of C - colour of the small rays and 4.0 mm (US 6) needles.

Andrea (sheep2shore) and her kids painted this on their window for Easter! I love all of the ways we are being creative to share with the world around us when we have to stay to ourselves! Activities to keep ourselves and our families engaged and busy are so important these days.

These are two windows that my daughter and grandsons painted!

If you are looking for something new for the kids...Check out this below!

FREE! KIDS LEARN-TO-KNIT ONLINE COURSE

Teach Kids How to Knit with our easy course and step-by-step instructions!

Now's the perfect time for kids to learn to knit. School's out and they're confined to home, so a creative outlet is just what they need. Knitting helps kids learn maths, spacial awareness and mindfulness, and boosts their creativity and confidence, all while working at their own pace.

In the 5-part course they'll learn:

• How to cast on, knit, and cast off
• Tips for success
• How to make 3 quick, fun projects
• We've included a simple striped cowl for when they've mastered the basics

Click here to Register

All your child needs is a ball of wool and some needles (we recommend Garnstudio Drops Andes or Bergere de France Recyclaine and a pair of size 10:00mm/US15 needles), a tapestry needle, craft scissors and basic crafting supplies. Support your local yarn store if you don't have what you need, or easily order online.

We recommend the course for ages 7+.

Give your child the gift of a skill they'll have for life, and teach them about the satisfaction that comes from making their own toys and clothes, and the joy of sharing their creations with others!

Here is one for our crocheters! Are you ready for something that looks like summer crocheted in this case with Malabrigo Sock in 803 Ochre! Pattern is Suncatcher by Elena Fedotova. The Suncatcher shawl begins at the narrow tip and grows into a beautiful accent piece which is easy to make as small or large as you wish. The instructions are written for three sizes, which use 1 (2, 3) skeins of yarn and a 3.00 mm (US D) crochet hook. The wingspan ranges from 52" for the small to almost 90" for the large shawl and a depth of 20.5" for the small up to 39.5" for the large.

Such a pretty colour palette for a baby blanket! This is Solsken by Frances Othen-Wales (Camomilek). The pattern is Free using using code EASTER2020 until noon GMT on Sunday 12th April 2020.

A chic and simple two-colour baby blanket, this is the perfect gift for the newest little person in your life. Mosaic knitting creates a wonderful texture that will delight tiny fingers, and the elegant motif will brighten up any nursery. Designed with the parent in mind, this blanket would work well for walks in the stroller or as a playmat.

This square blanket is knit in two stages: first the central panel is knit flat in garter stitch from the mosaic chart. Stitches are then picked up around all four edges and joined to knit in garter stitch in the round, increasing at each corner.

Sizes: One size
Dimensions: Approx 35” x 35” (89cm x 89cm), blocked

Yarn: a total of 1540 m / 1684 yds DK weight yarn in 2 colours
MC: 880 m / 962 yds
CC: 660 m / 722 yds

You will need a 4mm (US 8) circular needle with a minimum 40” (100cm) length or size needed to achieve the gauge of 24 stitches and 52 rows = 4 inches in Mosaic chart (garter stitch).

Berroco says, "We’re happy to announce that we’re doing a cardigan KAL/CAL this spring! We’re naming it the “Berroco Cardi House Party” and we hope you’ll join us by making a cardigan!

Please use the BerrocoCardiParty code to download a copy of your favorite cardigan pattern and grab some yarn from your stash or your LYS! (I know they’d love to hear from you!)

We’ll be doing check in’s here OR if you’re on Facebook come join us in our KAL/CAL group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BerrocoKAL/

You can choose to knit any pattern and use Berroco yarn OR choose a Berroco pattern and use any yarn . They have also said that you can finish a cardigan WIP as long as you are using Berroco yarn. Your cardigan can be knit (knit-along) or crochet (crochet-along).

I started knitting Antonia/Antonio by Cocoknits a few weeks ago using Berroco Elba. I am using a Berroco yarn so I will be able to finish my WIP and it can be my KAL project!

WIP's and FO's

On Tuesday morning I had one sleeve done on my Sirius Cardigan by Camilla Vad!

By Thursday morning, I had both sleeves finished. Now I am ready to start my front bands which I will add before I steek!

Picking up 3 stitches for every 4 for my front bands.

Both of my front bands are finished! Later today I might be able to reinforce before I steek the front.

I have added three rows of stockinette on my edges using 3.25 (US 3) needles. I still need to pick up and knit three rows along the edge of the neck ribbing.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Any Sweater / Shawl KAL and the Knit Your Project: the everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from April 1 to June 30, 2020. Don't forget to post your finished projects so that you will be included in our quarterly draw! We will also add the option of posting your finished project to Instagram using the #sue2knitskal so that I can find them!

Kathy finished her Summer Commitment bag by Espace Tricot knit using Filatura Di Crosa Kilim and a JUL Designs Forager leather handle ❤️.

Kathy decided to line her bag including one zippered and several unzippered pockets! If I sewed better, I would do the same with mine!!

Kathy is finished section one of her Odyssey Shawl by Joji for the Malabrigo KAL!

These are Kathy’s caked Malabrigo Dos Tierras yarn for Joji’s Odyssey Shawl for the Malabrigo Knit Along. Colourway I in the shop!

Both Jen and her mom have Painted Bricks Shawl by Stephen West on their needles! Jen is using SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock and Party of Five kits!

Connie (knitnut246)’s Fading Point by Joji Locatelli WIP. Love her colours!

Heidi’s I Am Dragon III by Alexandra Davidoff is stunning!!

Marie (thecatsmom) crocheted these to use up her odd balls of crochet cotton. Pattern is from Annie’s Attic Booklet 87F38. Hangers are thrift store finds with more padding added.

My friend Nancy from Georgetown knit this awesome striped sweater - Covid 19 Sweater # 1

Nancy had a knee replacement in January...This is what she she knit herself while recovering! The photo is from before she sewed on the buttons.

Karen finished and blocked her Tilly by This.Bird.Knits knit using Hikoo Rylie! Wow!!!

Kathy (knotty64) finished her Aurealis test knit

Kathy used The Fibre Company Arranmore Light for her main colour.

Connie (knitnut246) finished her second The Weekender by Andrea Mowry

She used two colours for this one because she was worried she would not have enough yarn! Such a striking modification!

Sandi knit this along with her friends at ColorworksbyDebbie Ravekry group using stash. Pattern is Flatten the Curve by Deborah Tomasello.

Wow! The Shiftalong hat by Andrea Mowry that Diane knit her husband after she finished her Nightshift Shawl looks awesome!

Instead of knitting, Natalie made masks for donation to the medical community!

Deb is another who stepped up and used her sewing expertise to make masks!

These were seen and donated by Mary!

Wow! I wish I could help like these ladies too! These are just a drop in the bucket of all who have put their sewing skills to work!

VIRTUAL SOCIAL KNITTING

Virtual social knitting using the Zoom app! It is a great way to knit together through social distancing! Join in with us either Tuesday afternoon from 2 - 4 pm or Thursday nights from 7 - 9 pm. This week some of you asked if we are doing it again and yes, we will continue each week until we can meet again in person. We have however, changed our meeting room ID so please use this link below.

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Meeting ID: 407820804

Happy Friday, Happy Easter, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting! Keep calm and stay safe!