Friday, November 25, 2022, Issue 273: Happy Friday....What is on your needles?

Join in the sixth year of Ambah’s Festive KAL 2022!

Choose any of Ambah’s current Advent inspired designs and the 3 (or so) new designs coming in 2022, and join Ambah over in the Pre- chat Ambah’s Festive KAL 2022 for festivities, fine company, lovely prizes and and general joy.

ELIGIBLE PATTERNS
This year participants may choose between all 19 of Ambah’s especially designed patterns to knit up during the KAL; (2 new patterns to come in November 2022)

See the eligible Ambah’s Festive KAL 2022 patterns here.

Ambah’s Allsorts Cape is one of the new designs coming any day now. Is it a throw, is it a wrap?

Ambah’s Fizzalicious Wrap DK is another of the new designs for the Festive KAK 2022 that will be published any day now!

Are you planning to join in? The Gnome Mystery Knit-along 11 starts December 1st! Christmas themed Gnome MKAL 11 Kits from Ancient Arts Yarns have arrived in the shop so order yours today!

Use code “Gnova20” to get 20% off the pattern until the MKAL starts!

This December, unleash whimsy and playfulness. I’ve crafted an experience full of gnomes, surprises, and fun! That’s right, it’s a holiday mystery gnome knitalong!

You’ll get an email every day from December 1st through 24th. On some of those days you’ll open it up to find a clue - a small bit of knitting instructions for the next step in the gnome. The other days will bring charming stories, special treats, and a recipe or two for traditional gnomish delights. After the 24th a few more surprises will come your way but all the gnome knitting clues will be done.

Socknado -

80% SW Fine Merino / 20%Nylon
Gauge:  27 - 32 sts / 4 inches (10 cm)  US 1.5 - 3 or 2.5 - 3.25 mm

• The Grimblewoods -  Frolic, Enchanted Forest, Chili Pepper Chocolate, Abyssinian Cat, and Spring Leaf.
• Cookie Exchange -  Syrah by Moonlight, Honeycomb, Christmas Tree, Cinnamon Toast, and Crème de la Crème. 

Key Dates
Dec 1-24: daily updates, all gnome knitting released by Dec 24
Dec 24: entry form (for Instagram entries) and finished gnome thread (for Ravelry entries) open
Dec 25-31: more updates sent, dates are a surprise
Jan 4: last day to enter for a grand prize
Jan 6: prizes announced, clues integrated into a single pattern

Books are timeless and make a thoughtful gift for a loved one to enjoy during these colder months.

There are now four volumes of Saltwater knitting from the Island of Newfoundland, with award-winning authors Christine LeGrow and Shirley A. Scott showcasing their Atlantic affinity for mittens, classics, gifts and socks!

Strands of Joy by Anna Johanna features 29 versatile colourwork patterns, including sweaters and cardigans as well as an elegant dress, a warming hat and a kid’s pullover.

One of the patterns in the book is Thistle(shown on the cover), a boxy cardigan with color work all over. The cardigan is worked seamlessly top-down. It has long sleeves, a boxy shape with no waist shaping and the shoulders are shaped with short rows. The cardigan is worked in the round and both the front and the arm holes are cut open once the body is finished.

Size
XXS-XS-S (M-L-XL) 2XL-3XL-4XL-5XL

This cardigan is meant to be worn with positive ease. Choose a size with approx. 6’’ / 15 cm positive ease at bust circumference.

Finished measurements
Bust and waist circumference: 35.25-38.5-41.5 (44.75-48-51.25) 57.5-60.75-64-70.5’’ / 88-96-104 (112-120-128) 144-152-160-176 cm

Yarn
Tukuwool Fingering (100% Finnish wool, 2-ply, 195 m / 50 g), or other fingering weight yarn. Shown in colors Runo (C1), Selja (C2) and Sake (C3).

4-4-4 (5-5-6) 6-7-7-8 skeins of C1, 2-2-3 (3-3-3) 4-4-4-5 skeins of C2 and 1-1-1 (1-1-1) 2-2-2-2 skeins of C3.

Yardage
C1: 700-740-790 (890-1000-1090) 1230-1300-1455-1595 yrds / 640-675-720 (815-915-995) 1120-1190-1330-1455 m,

C2: 390-410-435 (495-555-600) 680-720-805-880 yrds / 355-375-400 (450-505-550) 620-660-735-805 m,

C3: 130-135-145 (165-185-200) 225-240-270-295 yrds / 120-125-135 (150-170-185) 205-220-245-270 m.

Needles
US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm) - 40’’ / 100 cm long circular needles and dpns in the bigger size if you prefer to work the sleeves with them. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the right gauge.

Gauge
20 sts x 28 rnds = 4x4’’ / 10x10 cm in color work worked in the round on the bigger needles (after blocking).

Inspira Cowl by Mesa Rock is a free Ravelry download for knitting your own unique cowl that includes the directions for three versions.

Inspira Cowl is worked in the round on circular needles. Corrugated ribbing is used, where two different coloured yarns are stranded across each round. The ribbing height varies throughout for each of the three cowl options. After two plain knit rows, the corrugated ribbing pattern shifts, or is staggered, i.e., previous knit columns become purl columns. This graphic shift of colour & texture is what gives Inspira it’s dynamic flow.

A gauge swatch is recommended. Take a look at the Ravelry 4346 projects the fit & particular CO numbers others have successfully used for their cowls may help beyond what is noted in the pattern.

Suggested Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, Noro Kureyon, Schoppel Wolle Edition 3

FOs and WIPs

This week I worked on my Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter for the #sue2Knitscaitlinhhunterkal.

One more small chart of 4 rows to go before I separate the body and the sleeves! How do you like the colours I chose to knit mine with? I am using The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light. I knit my first Ninilchik Swoncho back in 2018 and still wear it often! I used Rowan Felted Tweed DK and The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light for that one.

If you are inspired to knit your own using Arranmore Light, the Fibre Co. put together some finished projects to help motivate you. I also put together Kits using both yarns but feel free to make your own choice!

Tornangel012’s Ninilchik Swoncho in Arranmore Light | Shades (from left to right): Meara, Slieve Sunset, Finian and St. Claire

nycraft's Ninilchik Swoncho in Arranmore Light | Shades (from left to right): Malin Head, Meara, River Esque and St. Claire

Knotternicola’s Ninilchik Swoncho in Arranmore Light | Shades (from left to right): Meara, Kinnego Bay, River Esque, Finian and St. Claire

MariKnitsToo’s Ninilchik Swoncho in Arranmore Light | Shades (from left to right): Malin Head, Meara, Glenveagh Castle and River Esque

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

Here’s what’s currently going on:

The newest Knit-Alongs are:

Caitlin Hunter (Boyland Knitworks) KAL. Choose from the Ninilchik Swoncho, the Koivua or Koivua Light or any pattern by Caitlin;

and the Knit Any Project: our everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit between now and December 31st.

Don’t forget to post a pic to the finished object (FO) thread whenever 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 or #sue2knitscaitlinhunterkal so that I can find and see them!

Kay (83krobbins) finished her Magnolia Chunky Cardigan by Camilla Vad! Yarn is Garnstudio Drops Air held double with Drops Kid Silk.

**This is the pattern for the cardigan class that we will knitting in January!

Kay added beads to hers, adding that touch of luxe!

Nicole (@niknboj) has knit three of this pattern - Floof by Skeindeer Knits and is knitting one right now for her husband. Yarn is Jamieson and Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk.

Here’s Mirna in her Rusty by Kim Hargreaves knit using SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock in Marine.

Paulette (@psknitting50) knit this pair of Felicia by JennyPenny. Yarn is Lang Mille Colori.

Connie (maltesecross) a pair of Simple Socks by Sally Melville for her sister Anna.

Cecilia (colourcanuck) finished this Braided Hearts Headband by jill DeMarco using the leftovers from another project.

Cecilia (colourcanuck) knit this for a friend’s wife who gave her the pattern for this Baby Dress and Little Tendril hat by Jennifer Weissman.

Sonia (Soniabknits) finished another hat! Pattern is Bothy Hat by Ysolda Teague.

Sandi (sandima) test knit this Big Heart Beanie by Liz Darcy.

Christina (@thebusyknitter) finished this March Hat by Meghan Babin.

UPCOMING CLASS!

Colourwork and Steeking Class - Sheep Carousel

$60 – 3 sessions plus materials

This jolly tea cosy features a carousel of Shetland sheep and offers a small sampler of many of my favourite hand-knitting techniques: stranded colourwork, steeks, vikkel braids, corrugated ribbing, i-cord and centred double decreases. Practice on your teapot before trying these things out on a sweater! Required experience: Advanced beginner. Student should already know how to knit, purl, decrease and increase and how to knit in the round.

Saturdays, December 3, 10 and 17 - 10am to 12pm

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