Friday, November 22, 2019, Issue 124: Just over 4 weeks until Christmas!

Christmas is coming up fast! We think we still have lots of time but there IS still time to make those last minute gifts!

How about slipper socks? Here is a trio of stranded ones for those of you adventurous enough to try it!

Paulette’s Tøffelhelt by Birger Berge are beautiful Norwegian stranded slippers knit in the round. The pattern fits both men and women depending on gauge and yarn weight. You can knit them with fingering weight yarn such as Sandnes Garn Sisu, or something a little heavier such as Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight, Cascade 220 Sport or Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather Sport.

Pictured are Snoopyknitter’s Uppsala Slippers by Fibrely. The pattern is for a slipper with a contrasting cuff and a stranded top of foot and coordinating pattern on bottom of foot. There are four size options ranging from Length 7.5”, Width 8.5” to Length 10.25”, Width 10”. Knit them using worsted or aran weight yarn using a recommended needle size of 3.75 mm (US 5) needles to get a gauge of 24 stitches = 4 inches in stranded stockinette stitch.

Fair Isle Slippers by Bernat Design Team for Yarnspirations is a free pattern for these beautiful slippers with a snowflake motif. The link in Ravelry for the pattern does not work. You can download the pattern HERE. These slippers are also knit using worsted or aran weight yarn with a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using 4.0 mm (US 6) needles. Suggested yarn for this and the Uppsala Slippers are Istex Lettlopi, Cascade 220 Heathers, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Berroco Ultra Wool or Navia Faroese Sock.

If stranded slippers are not something you would like to tackle, check out Malabrigo Loafers by Julie Weisenberger of Cocoknits or Woodland Slippers by Claire Slade or felted slippers such as French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi.

If slippers are not your thing at all, what about a hat? Here are two from Kelbourne Woolens Year of Hats which are all free!

The January Hat by Courtney Kelley for Kelbourne Woolens Year of Hats features integrated ribbing, large diamond cables, and many, many delightful bobbles topped off with a pompom! The January Hat is worked in the round from the bottom up. Due to the traveling cable, starting with Round 3, the beginning of the round shifts to the right one stitch on odd numbered round for the first 12 rounds. The beginning of the round then shifts back on odd numbered Rounds 15–25, then back again for the top decreases. The shift is written into the pattern and the marker should always fall before the ‘k2’ of the first diamond cable motif. The gauge is 1 pattern repeat (18 stitches and 28 rounds) = 3.25” (8 cm) wide and 4.75” (12 cm) long, after blocking using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles or as required to get gauge. 4.0 mm (US 6) needles are used for the ribbing.

The March Hat by Meghan Babin for Kelbourne Woolens Year of Hats is worked in the round from the brim up. The pattern begins with a Tubular Cast On. If you do not wish to use the tubular cast on method you may opt to begin by casting on 108 (120) sts, joining for working in the round, and then skipping to the Brim instructions. When working the crown decreases, change to double pointed needles when the circumference is too small to fit onto the circulars.

The recommended needles are 3.75 mm (US 5) needles for the ribbing and 4.5 mm (US 7) needles to get a gauge of 24 stitches and 28 rounds = 4” (10 cm) in the Seersucker Stitch on largest needle, after blocking.

The hats in this collection are designed to be knit using worsted weight non-superwash yarn. Suggested yarns are Malabrigo Rios, ZenYarnGarden Serenity Worsted, SweetGeorgia Superwash Worsted, Navia Faroese Sock or Navia Trio.

WIP's and FO's

I finished my Jólaskjól by Védís Jónsdóttir, a tree skirt designed with Nordic homes in mind that celebrate life, winter solstice and Christmas.

Here is the back before steeking, blocking and weaving in the ends.

I have steeked (cut) it! The last pattern in the centre, I added using the 12 stitch Chart 1 from Caitlin Hunter's Birkin modified to accommodate a decrease. This last pattern I added because I was worried that I would run out of my main colour!

I also did the last few decreases a row earlier but sure enough, I ran out of yarn while doing the last row of  crochet in the button band. Luckily I have Lettlopi in a very similar colour! I love my "Lopapeysa" for my tree! There are 3 kits left to purchase which have the yarn needed to knit this beautiful tree skirt (or if you want...as a cape for yourself). It is available in red or green for the main colour. I knit mine with 6 skeins of the main colour instead of 7! Buy the kit HERE.

I have one Zigzagular sock by Susie White finished and I am on the heel of my second!! Love how the Uneek Sock yarn is knitting up. Heels and toes are SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock.

New on my needles is Camilla Vad’s Magnolia Chunky Cardigan. The gorgeous buttons I bought years ago match perfectly the yarn I have chosen - The Fibre Company’s Arranmore Light held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk. I considered Shibui Silk Cloud and Lichen and Lace Marsh Mohair with Madelinetosh Tosh DK or Diamond Luxury Mulberry Linen. It was the buttons that I had that tipped the scales for me to choose what I did!

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Knit Your Any Sweater KAL and the Knit Any Shawl KAL and the Knit Your Project: the everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from September 1 until December 31st.

There is a Butterfly / Papillon Knit-Along starting in January! We can also start a Nightshift Knit-Along!

Aileen knit these squishy Shell Cottage Socks by Helen Stewart using Hedgehog Sock

Mortimer Socks by Melinda Measor are the second of the nine WIPs that were on Jen’s needles that have moved to the FOs! Love her socks!"

Like Jen, Heidi (EweandIYarn) has been trying to finish her WIPs! This pair of socks was one of eight that is now an FO!

Cute! Linda crocheted this Fierce Little Dragon by Lucy Collin

Cozy, squishy headwarmers knit by Veronica @xovee.knits! Great Mommy and Me goodness!

Rosemary wearing her second ZickZack Scarf by Christy Kamm. This is one free pattern that is a favourite of all!

Angie’s second ever sweater and first stranded sweater - Beautiful and she loves it! Extra bonus! Pattern is Missoni Accomplished by Espace Tricot, Yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

Christmas Gift Ideas

Katrinkles Gauge Swatch Measures...check out her stitchable tags and buttons

Victorian Scrollwork Scissors and Autumn Leaf Stitch Markers

Gifts for the yarn lover! Katrinkles, Twill & Print, Cocoknits, JUL Designs, Original Shawl Cuffs and more!

Discover the trend of needle punching with the Rico Punch Needle No. 1 magazine! 2 punch needle hook sizes, Monk’s cloth and embroidery hoops are in stock.

Here are just a few of the kits that available! These would make a great gift!

Mini skeins and full skein kits - SweetGeorgia Party of Five and Koigu Pencil Boxes and Painter's Fade Packs with an awesome selection to choose from!

Some of the huge selection of needles, fixed circular, double pointed, interchangeable and needle sets to choose from!

Both Eucalan and Soak are available to wash and care for all your delicates and your handmade garments.

December 1st is coming up fast! Hurry in if you want one of the Limited number of Advent Calendars available!

This fun and festive advent calendar would make a great gift for any knitter and is guaranteed to make their holiday season even brighter! There are 24 days of curated goodies to open during the month of December including Koigu mini skeinettes, 1 full skein, a pattern and 24 other goodies in a beautiful box.

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!