Friday, May 26, 2023, Issue 298: Happy Friday!

The beautiful beaded Diamonds Top by Pope Vergara was released today on Ravelry. It is a great entry to beaded knitting and a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.

Get the pattern 50% OFF for the first 24 hours (TODAY only) HERE.

The Diamond top is a beautiful pattern worked in-the-round from the bottom up, completely seamless. A delicate lace pattern emphasizes the hem, and beads add an extra interest to the neckline, hem and cuffs.

After working the desired body length, which is very easy to modify to a crop or full length version according to your preferences, the front and back are worked flat with decreases to shape the armhole.

SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10)

Recommended ease: positive ease 0 to 4 cm / 0 to 1.5”. The sample is knitted in size 1, in a 80 cm / 32” bust.

NOTIONS

• Main needles: 3.5 mm / US 4, or size needed to obtain gauge.

• Cable lengths: Body: 80 cm / 32”/ Sleeves: preferred needles for small circumference knitting (Magic Loop or DPNs).

• Crochet hook 0.75 mm / US 14.

• Row counter (recommended).

• Stitch marker.

• Tapestry needle.

BEADS

Bead 1: Toho 6/0 / round: 11 (12, 13, 14, 16, 16) (17, 18, 18, 20) beads approx.

Bead 2: Toho 8/0 / round: 5 (8, 10, 12,16, 16) (18, 20, 22, 24) g approx.

Bead 3: Miyuki 4mm / square: 25 (28, 32, 34, 36, 36) (38, 42, 42, 46) g approx.

Bead 4: Miyuki 6/0 / round: 14 (18, 20, 22, 24, 24) (28, 30, 30, 34) g approx.

GAUGE

• Waste yarn or stitch holders.22 sts x 28 rounds = 10 cm / 4” Measured over stockinette stitch after blocking, worked in the round with main needles.

YARNS

Fingering Weight

Suggested yarn: Koigu / KPM, 100% merino, 160 m - 50 g / 175 yd - 1.75 oz / 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) (8, 9, 10, 11) skeins Crop Length Version/ 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12) skeins Full Length Version/ colorway: petrol.

NOTES

Noteº1: You can knit with or without beads if you wish.

Noteº2: The total amount of beads needed will vary according to their size.

Noteº3: Before starting your project, make a swatch to ensure you are getting gauge and that your sweater will come out to the correct final measurements. If you have more stitches per inch than indicated, your tension is tighter, and you must go up a needle size or two. If you have fewer stitches per inch than indicated, your tension is looser, and you need to go down a needle size or two.

Noteº4: Rows are worked flat and Rounds are worked in-the-round.

Noteº5: The text in lilac are video links. Lace pattern emphasizes the hem, and beads add an extra interest to the neckline, hem and cuffs.

After working the desired body length, which is very easy to modify to a crop or full length version according to your preferences, the front and back are worked flat with decreases to shape the armhole.

Koigu Kits are available and in stock in the colours above HERE. Backorders are allowed.

With a cropped / noncropped option and 8 other colour combinations of packs (not in stock but can be ordered) shown above to choose from, there's a Diamond Top for everyone.

Join Ambah O’Brien’s newest knit along starting on the summer solstice, June 21st. As you knit, you will get “clues” and instruction to follow until the final project is revealed.

Join the fun in the dedicated MKAL threads in Ambah’s group, including the Pre-MKAL chat here.

DATES
The Supernova MKAL pattern (initially a placeholder then a series of 5 clue updates) will be available to purchase here from June 1. Cost USD$8.

Ambah’s newsletter subscribers will be sent a subscriber-only early bird coupon code to use between June 1 - 7, subscribe here.
Note: Dates will run on Australian AEST time.
CLUE 1 June 21
CLUE 2 June 28
CLUE 3 July 5
CLUE 4 July 12
CLUE 5 July 19
FO ENTRIES & PRIZE DRAW Post by August 14 to be entered into the August 15 prize draw.
FINAL UPDATE The pattern will be consolidated into a single PDF and a final update will be sent out with this final version.

Koigu Kits have arrived for the Supernova MKAL. Supernova Kits can be purchased HERE.

Lemon Spritz is the featured pattern for the Olive Knits 7th Annual 4 Day KAL. Official pattern lands in your library June 30th. Before then, you can pre-order the file with all the details for yarn, size, swatching and MORE for this year’s 4 Day KAL HERE.

This year’s pattern is a celebration of sunshine & summer! We’re knitting a lightweight, plant-based fiber tee for warm weather (and/or for those of us experiencing our own personal summer at any given moment).

But it’s important to say this: this is not really about knitting a sweater in four days. It’s about challenging your own ideas about how long it takes to knit a sweater. This knitalong is about finishing a sweater faster than you thought you could — and doing it with the energy, enthusiasm, and the support of community.

The Lemon Spritz Tee is a light and breezy summer top that is perfect for warm weather wear!

Sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL)
Designed to be worn with approximately 2-3 in/ 5-7.5 cm positive ease. 

Yarn: Sport or Light DK Blend of linen, cotton, silk, hemp, or similar| 720 (778, 840, 907, 980, 1058, 1143, 1245, 1357) yards/658 (711, 768, 829, 896, 967, 1045, 1138, 1240) meters

Here is my swatch before for my Lemon Spritz! I have cast my sample on with Queensland Dungarees Paint.

Dungarees Paint is made from recycled jeans.  This cotton blend has a tweedy appearance. Made in Italy, this soft yarn knits up into sweaters as comfortable as your favorite old jeans. Meets Recycled Blended Claim Standard.

• Sport
• 95% Cotton, 5% Other Fibres
• 339 yards (310 meters) in 100 grams (3.53 ounces)
• 23.0 - 26.0 sts = 4 inches using 3.25 - 3.75mm (US 3 - 5) needles
• 3.25mm (D) - 3.75mm (F) crochet hook
• Hand Wash, Dry Flat

WIPs

My Bogota by Le Styling Knitting is off my needles!

My row gauge was shorter so it is a little shorter than I thought it would be!

It was a lot of knitting because of the small gauge but as soon as I saw this pattern I bought it even though it was originally only in French.

Last week, I said that I had to start a 4th skein in order to finish...My mistake, I had to start a 5th skein! I love how it turned out despite it being about an inch shorter. Next time I block it, I will try to block the lace longer!

I used BC Garn Bio Balance but this would have looked wonderful if I had knit it in a light based speckle like the design photo such as Hedgehog Sock or one of the Koigu Collector LYS colours!

Rico’s Creative Make It Tweed (original) has been ordered and sold out twice now and again on backorder but it is also available in Make It Tweed Neon! Here’s a swatch I knit using the Neon in pink held double with Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather Sport. I included both stockinette and reverse stockinette to give you a better idea of how it can turn any yarn into an explosion of neon tweed neps!

On on the Monday of the long weekend, I was able to sit out on my deck and work on my Serkinet by Kate Davies for our Kate Davies KAL!

Right now, I am on row 16 on my 3rd chart repeat. I am undecided whether to follow the pattern for the cropped version or go longer. A cropped length looks great worn over long tops or with dresses but I don't really have long tops or dresses to wear it over so I will most likely knit a longer length.

I am using Tukuwool DK.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The Sue2Knits Kate Davies Knit Along started May 1st!!!

Cast on any of her patterns, big or small. The KAL is running May 1 until August 31. Remember to register.

Join the Sue2Knits Revelry Group too. The Group thread for the KAL can be found HERE. The Ravelry group hasn't been too active but please try to post to the group as well as to Facebook or Instagram.

Use the hashtag #sue2knitskatedavieskal and #sue2knitskal. Here are a few of the KAL projects so far.

Brandi (@thegreenbuttonjar) has Serkinet on her needles for the #sue2knitskatedavieskal which she is play to knit to the cropped length.

Kay (83krobbins) has Carp-Beth on her needles for the #sue2knitskatedavieskal.

Linda (lmcnorton) has Smookie on her needles for the #sue2knitskatedavieskal.

Greta knit this beautiful, cozy Mera by the Berroco Design Team in Berroco Aero which unfortunately is discontinued. An option would be to knit it using a self-striping yarn such as Noro Akari or Lang Frida held double with a strand of Drops Kid Silk.

Greta bought the kit of Istex Alafosslopi for Jólaskjól by Védís Jónsdóttir from the shop after she saw mine but added a strand of gold Kremke Soul Stellaris to hers for a touch of holiday glitz.

Greta also knit herself this gorgeous Opalite Shawl by Sarah E. Chapman for Fairmount Fibres with a Kit in Manos Mini Skein Set in Willa and a full skein in Fino in Ivory Letter Opener.

Paulette is wearing her Coterie Shawl by Jessica Ays that she knit using Malabrigo Sock which she bought for LYS Day 2022 (last year).

Nicole (Julie’s mom) finished this pair of Zigzagular Socks by Susie White of Prairie Girl Designs using Malabrigo Sock in Aniversario. Showing in the background is a set of Adjustable Sock Blockers from Katrinkles.

Bev (Bevyknits46) is wearing her Yume by Isabell Kraemer that she knit using Kelbourne Woolens Scout.

Cecelia (Colourcanuck) knit this amazing Camp Along Blanket by Margaret Holzmann in the large size for a friend!

Jane has 1713-01 Blomsterjakke (Flower Cardigan) by Sandnes Garn on her needles using Sisu.

UPCOMING EVENT!

World Wide Knit In Public Day is Saturday 10th of June 2023 this year! Save the date! Bring yourself, your knitting, crochet or yarnie project and join in for some socializing and fibre fun! Water, coffee, tea and goodies will be provided. We will be offering 10% off your purchases as well as a draw for door prizes!

Yarn Swap
This year, we’ll have a yarn swap too!

1. Bring 1-3 skeins
2. Yarn must NOT be leftover yarn
3. Yarn must be an unused skein
4. If the label is still on it, all the better!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!