Friday, August 5, 2022, Issue 259: Lazy summer days...Happy Friday!

There are always wonderful patterns that come along during the spring or summer that I can't contemplate making when it is so hot outside. That being said, many of you start your fall or winter knits early so that they are ready as soon as the weather changes!

The Easy V sweater by Caitlin Hunter is designed to have a relaxed, easy fit - perfect for everyday wear. It is knit top down in the round and features a subtle V shaped neckline which transitions to a round colourwork yoke design. The colourwork is easy to work with short repeats and only 2 colours per row, making the knitting fun and relaxing while letting your color choices stand out as the star of this sweater.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) {7, 8, 9, 10}
Recommended ease: 6-8” 15.5-20.5 cm of positive ease at the bust and 2-4” 5-10 cm of positive ease at the sleeve. See schematic on page 8 for full fit details.

Sweater shown is size 3 on a 36” 91.5 cm bust with 8” 20.5 cm of positive ease

Finished bust circumference: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56) {60, 64, 68, 72}“ 91.5 (101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142) {152.5, 162.5, 172.5, 183} cm

Yardage: Please note that yardage is estimated, and can vary between knitters.

MC: 670 (743, 816, 889, 963, 1037) {1110, 1192, 1264, 1338} yards
612 (680, 746, 813, 881, 948) {1015, 1089, 1156, 1223} meters

C1: 125 (139, 152, 166, 180, 194) {207, 222, 236, 250} yards
114 (127, 139, 152, 164, 177) {189, 203, 216, 228} meters

C2: 142 (158, 173, 189, 205, 220) {236, 253, 269, 284} yards
130 (144, 158, 173, 187, 201) {216, 231, 246, 260} meters

C3: 130 (145, 158, 171, 187, 201) {215, 231, 245, 260} yards
119 (132, 144, 156, 171, 184) {197, 211, 224, 237} meters

Needles:
Note that needle sizes are suggested only. You may need to use a different size to achieve gauge. Some knitters also find that they require different sizes for colourwork and stockinette knitting to get the same gauge.
Ribbing: 3.5 mm (US 4)
Main: 4.0 mm (US 6)

Gauge:
Colourwork and stockinette: 20 sts and 26 rounds = 4” 10 cm in stockinette and colorwork on main needles after blocking

Ribbing: 22 sts and 36 rounds = 4” 10 cm in 1x1 rib on ribbing needles after blocking

Note- You should always knit your swatch the same way that the pattern is knit—in this case, in the round. Block your swatch as you will your finished garment and allow it to dry fully before measuring.

Suggested Yarn: Malabrigo Rios, Kelbourne Woolens Scout, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, The Fibre Co. Cumbria

Anne (anne1k) knit her Easy V using her stash of hand spun! I'm thinking maybe this is what I will use my hand spun for too!

An oldie but one of my all time favourites is Caitlin Hunter's Ninilchik Swoncho. Inspired by a desire to design a modern, unexpected take on a classic Lopapeysa, the Ninilchik Swoncho is her personal dream come true of style meets cozy comfort…

The shift between seasons can bring some unexpected weather, and layers are an essential part of staying comfortable as the temperature dips and lifts. This swoncho is as comfy as being wrapped in a blanket, but is more functional thanks to its clever construction and sleeves. This cozy piece will surely be a go-to knit in your closet - you may find yourself reaching for it year-round! Coming in just 2 sizes that fit a wide range of bodies, you may even have to make a few to compensate for the family members who swipe one from under your nose!

Sizes:
Sizes: 1 (2)
Size 1 will fit XS-M, size 2 will fit L-3X
Body Circumference: 69 (83)” 175 (211) cm

Materials:
Yarn:
Yarn: DK weight yarn 1,460 (2020) yards
MC: 800 (1100) yards
CC1: 230 (320) yards
CC2: 230 (320) yards
CC3: 200 (280) yards

Needles:
US #4 / 3.5 mm and US #6 / 4.0 mm (or as required to meet gauge) 24” and 40” circulars and DPNs (or longer cables for magic loop) in both sizes.

Gauge:
20 sts and 24 rounds over 4” in colourwork pattern on larger needles

Suggested Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light

Here are both Connie and I wearing our Ninilchik Swonchos by Caitlin Hunter that we knit using a combination of Rowan Felted Tweed and The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light for our Knit-Along stranded knitting class a few years ago.

Margaret Holzmann who designed the colourful Safe at Home Blanket in April 2020 during the pandemic has this new Camp Along Blanket!

The blanket is worked in blocks of two types: Campers and Trees. which are sewn into strips. Blocks are sewn into horizontal strips. Horizontal strips are joined with ‘sashing’ strips. Borders are worked from stitches picked up and knitted on the edges of the blanket.

All pieces are worked with basic shaping (increases and decreases). The Window only uses Intarsia. Techniques to explore are pick up and knit and 3-needle bind off. Video tutorials for general techniques and specific steps are linked to the pattern.

Sizes available

Small: 40 x 54.5"/102 x 138 cm, Large: 54.5 x 75.5"/144 x 192 cm

 

Needles: (2) US Size 7/4.5 mm 40”/110 cm (minimum length) circular needles, 1 straight or circular US Size 9/55.5mm for 3-needle bind off

 

Yarn weight: Worsted (9 wpi) ?

 

Gauge: 18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

 

Yarn Suggestion: Berroco Vintage

 

WIPs and FOs

 

 

 

My Sommerknus by Elsebeth Judith is off my needles! I used just over five balls of Sandnes Garn Line. My gauge was 20 stitches x 24 rows instead of the pattern's gauge of 18 stitches x 24 rows. I made the size Medium so with the gauge difference, I got about a Small. The final bust measurement after blloccking was 37 inches.

 

 

Sommerknus is the perfect summer sweater with its mix of textures that keep the knitting interesting. It took me 15 days to knit while also working on my Bonnie Isle Hat and my spinning!

I followed the pattern but worked one extra repeat of Set 1 before working the 2 x 2 hem rib for 12 rounds.

I modified the first decrease round on the sleeves which is a rib round: k1, p1, k1, p2tog, work in  established pattern to last 5 sts, ssk, p1, k1, p. 1. I did this to close up the gaps better under the arms.

I worked the sleeve cuff 2 x 2 ribbing for 9 rounds.

 

 

Last Saturday, I was halfway finished chart B on my Bonnie Isle Hat by Linda Shearer.

 

 

On Tuesday, the anchors on chart C were finished. Can you see them?

 

 

I am half finished chart D! There are a lot of ends to sew in later but I love it already..

 

 

I have cast on another Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavallee (my third) using Leo & Roxy coming soon to the shop! I have modified it so that there is a knit stitch on either side of the markers. I also decided to change my yarn every 4th row instead of every 8 this time.

 

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

 

 

 

 

Connie (knitnut246) finished her Over the Top Tee by Heidi Kirrmaier.

 

 

Rosemary (@coolknitsbyrose)’s second Ranunculus by Midori Hirose that she knit for the #sue2knitsranunculuskal and #sue2knitskal. I included this in last week's post but I missed it in the newsletter!

Tiffany (climbthesky) finished her Quarantine Crop Top by Isabel Vassiliadis (@is.knit) but did not make it cropped.

Tiff (climbthesky) finished Scotch Broom by Wool & Pine! So pretty.

Just look at Sue’s finished Sailaway Cardigan by Marie Greene of Olive Knits for the #4daykal! It’s almost like mine, same Kelbourne Woolens yarn Scout but different contrast colours.

These are Sonia (Soniabknits)’s version of the Marta Socks by Vanessa Pellisa (@vanessapellisa)

Tammy (iw8iknit) finished this lovely Lothlorien Scarf by Jennifer Wood using Manos del Uruguay Fino.

Sandi (Sandima) finished this set of Never Not Gnoming by Sarah Schira for her July #YearOfGnomes.

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!