Friday, December 10, 2021, Issue 227: Happy Friday...What is on your needles?

The Hansel (Half Version) by Gudrun Johnston is the half sized version of her Hansel Pattern-a traditional Shetland Hap shawl. When you purchase this pattern you will also receive the pattern for the full sized shawl (as a separate pdf). A ‘Hansel’ is a gift to mark a special occasion.

Size
Approx 54 ¾ inches wide and 28 ½ inches in depth

Needles
5.0 mm (US 8) 24 and 32 inch circular needles

Yarn
Fingering weight yarn in the following amounts:
550 yards of MC, 82 yards of CC1, 82 yards of CC2, 66 yards of CC3 and 66 yards of CC4
Shown in Jumper Weight by Jamieson & Smith (100% Real Shetland Wool; 129yd 118m/25g) Shade 202 (MC), Shade 1284 (CC1), Shade 121 (CC2), Shade 27 (CC3), Shade FC7MIX (CC4)

For the MC, you could also use Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme Jumper Weight.

Notions
Stitch Markers
Row Counter
Tapestry Needle

Gauge
17 sts and 34 rows = 4 inches in Garter st on 5.0 mm (US 8) needles.

Construction
This shawl is constructed in 3 parts. It begins with the center triangle worked in garter stitch. Yarn overs are made at the beginning of each row to increase the triangle. Stitches are then easily picked up from the very visible yarn over loops along the edges and the border is worked outwards from the center triangle. The shawl is finished with an edging that is knitted sideways and attached to the live stitches of the border as it is being worked.

Michelina looks amazing in the Hansel (Half Version) by Gudrun Johnston knit by her mom Diane (@boujeeknits).

Andrea Mowry’s Harlow Worsted is ideal for beginner brioche enthusiasts, knit from bottom up in two colour brioche and is totally reversible.

Sizes
1 (2, 3)

Finished Measurements
Circumference - 16 (18, 20)”/40.5 (46, 51) cm
Height - 9 (9.5, 9.5)”/23 (24, 24) cm
To Fit: 18-20 (21-22, 23-24)”/46-51 (53.5-56, 58.5-61) cm Head Circumference

Yarn Requirements
These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

Worsted Weight in 2 colors - approx. 30 (45, 50) g/84 (126, 140) yds each

Suggested Needles
3.75 mm (US 5) - 16”/40 cm circular
4.00 mm (US 6) - 16”/40 cm circular
4.00 mm (US 6) - DPNs (or a longer circular for Magic Loop)
(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge, go down one size for brim.)

Notions
Stitch marker (1)
Locking stitch marker (1)
Tapestry needle

Gauge
16 sts & 26 rows = 4”/10 cm
Measured over brioche stitch in the round using larger needle.

Yarn Ideas
Cascade 220 Heathers, Berroco Ultra Alpaca or The Fibre Co. Cumbria Worsted

Do you want to knit a pair of Christmasy socks? ChristmasSoxx 2021 by Kerstin Balke - Stine & Stitch are just what you are looking for!

Sizes
36/37, 38/39, 40/41, 42/43

Yarn Requirements
Offwhite - approx. 35 - 50 g
Yellow - approx. 10 g
Burgundy and Fern - approx. 20 g each

Needles
2.5 mm (US 1.5) DPNs

Point Edwards Mitts by Fairlight Fibres are like sweaters for your hands! These cuffed mitts can be worn either as fingerless mitts, or with the cuffs unrolled to cover cold fingertips, including the thumbs! They are perfect for winter walks or for driving on cold mornings.

These mitts use simple techniques, like knitting in the round and basic increases to create warm, dense mitts that fit the average woman’s hand. Any DK yarn will work for these mitts.

Conasprella by Janica York Carter for Expression Fiber Arts is a thick, cozy and sumptuous cowl and free for a limited time. The rich texture is creatted with two-color ribbing worked in the round. With a larger circumference at the shoulders and a smaller circumference at the head, this subtle cone shape is reminiscent of the beautifully striated, conical shells of conasprella sea snails.

WIPs and FOs

I am late with my Wrap It Real Good test knit for Ambah O’Brien! Here, I have 23 of the 24 sections complete!

I finished my Wrap It Real Good on December 8th and it is now blocked! In the pattern, you cast on 90 stitches or add to the width by increasing the cast on in multiples of 12. I cast on 120 stitches for mine. The finished size before blocking was 50.5 x 18 inches. The finished size after blocking is 67 x 20 inches.

I still should have enough yarn from the Koigu Summer Solstice Festive Mini Skein Set left to make another one with a 90 stitch cast on!

I didn’t get very much more knit on my Stria by Andrea Mowry this week. I am hoping to get most of the sleeves knit this weekend now that I am finished my Wrap It Real Good!

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The newest Knit-Alongs are the Any Sweater / Shawl KAL and the Knit Any Project: our everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from September 1 to December 31, 2021. I will get a thread started soon!

Remember to post photos to the finished object (FO) thread when you finish a project during the Knit-Along so that you will be included in the next draw! We will also add the option of posting your finished project to Instagram using the #sue2knitskal so that I can find them!

Jocelyne (jocblais) looks wonderful in her Love Note by tincanknits!

I took a bunch of pictures of Jocelyne wearing the hat that she finished but this one is still the best, showing the glittery black yarn and black pompom!

Katherine finished this Fern & Feather Sweater by Jenn Steingass, adding icord edging at neck to give her 15 year old neighbour! Lucky girl!

Katherine knit this for another young neighbour using leftover Koigu for the colourful shawl and adding a crochet picot edging around it.

Rita (ritz) knit this for a Christmas gift - Barred Wrap by Heidi May from the Velvet Acorn Designs.

Patti (@patnelann) finished these hats for her grandchildren, great niece and great nephew. No pattern. Yarn is Berocco Vintage.

Sonia (@soniabknits) knit this Skiff by @brooklyntweed!

Veronica (@xov.knits) recently discovered her love for fair isle, even though she had this design in her notebook for months. She used a bulky yarn for this beanie but is looking forward to knitting a worsted weight version.

This is so cute! Debbie (@love.knit.spin.weave) knit this using her own hand spun (the grey) and Berroco Vintage for a friend (who owns a pet black pot-bellied pig)’s son.

Debbie (swifty849) finished this baby bunting bag of lace and cables using Garnstudio Drops Baby Merino.

Christina (@thebusyknitter) knit 41-2 Merry Trees by Drops Design for her son!

Sandi (sandima) modified a basic mitten pattern to knit this pair of hedgehog mittens!

Sandi (sandima) knit and then felted a pair of Adult Clog-n-Soc by Bekah Knits for her husband in one colour and without the attached socks.

Connie (knitnut246) finished a new pair of socks using Plain Vanilla Socks by K McKiernan. Yarn is Timber Yarns Sock Twins in Wicked Stockings - White.

Liz’s grandson wanted her to make him a monster so she made him one from the book Edward’s Crochet Imaginarium.

Linda (lmcnorton) finished this absolutely gorgeous Fleury by Fadenstille.

Here’s the back of Linda’s Fleury Cardigan by Fadenstille.

Jane made this gift stocking on her knitting machine to hang on her fire place mantle.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Since there is a new Letter of Instruction from the Wiindsor-Essex County Health Unit, we will need to limit our Tuesday Knit Afternoons and the Thursday Knit Nights to 10 people only. Please call 519-726-4226 to reserve your spot each week until further notice.

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting! Keep calm and keep on knitting and making!