Friday, October 1, 2021, Issue 217: Fall is here and sweater weather!

Joji Locatelli - Can we agree that any time we think of a fall theme, we evoke this caramel color? Fallen leaves, pumpkin spice, carrot cake…When I think of a fall theme, I also think of hand-knit socks, every time. Let’s celebrate that it’s time to get them out of the drawer and enjoy their warmth again.

Joji Locatelli’s Caramel Sauce Socks are the perfect hand knit socks to kick off the fall season!

SIZES
Medium (Large). To fit a foot circumference of approx. 8½ (9¾)”; 21.5 (24.5) cm. Shown in size Medium.
These socks are designed for sport weight yarn, so even though the stitch counts are not very big, the size of the socks accomplished is medium to large. If you wish to make smaller or tighter fitting socks, you can replace the sport weight yarn with fingering (sock weight) and go down a needle size.

MATERIALS
Yarn: 1 skein of fingering or sport weight yarn (355yd 325m /100g).
Needles: 2.5 mm (US 1.5) dpns or long circular needles for magic loop (my preferred length for magic loop is a 32”/80cm long needle).
Other notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

GAUGE
30 sts and 40 rounds to 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette St on 2.5 mm (US 1.5) needles.

Yarn suggestions: From left to right: ZYG Serenity 20 in Enraptured, SGY Tough Love Sock in Pumpkin, Hikoo Cobasi in Carrot (wool free).

The Twistmas Hat by Espace Tricot that I knit last December was knit using ZYG Serenity Worsted in Enraptured held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk in 33 Rust.

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly, are you planning to knit some decorative pumpkins? Knit up some KNIT Pumpkins by Sara Heckman! Pictured are the ones knit by katejones982 on Ravelry!

The free Ravelry download pattern is written for two different yarns, resulting in two sizes. The super bulky version creates a pumpkin approximately 8 inches across while the worsted weight version creates a pumpkin about 4.5 inches across. The i-cord is constructed out of the same weight yarn you used for the pumpkin. Be creative, have fun and knit up a pumpkin patch worth of pumpkins!

Kate used Malabrigo Rios in Sunset, Pearl and Frank Ochre for her pumpkins.

Knit your KNIT Pumpkin using Cascade 220 Heathers and Solids in Jack O’Lantern, Auburn Heather and Spun Gold Heather holding one strand each of two colours to get different marled colour pumpkins! This option and the one below where you are holding two strands of worsted weight yarn, you will have a chunky gauge. Use 5.5 mm - 6.5 mm (US 9 - 10.5) needles.

Here's another option using Berroco Vintage in 5176 Pumpkin, 5173 Red Pepper and 5127 Butternut.

The shop has 2 Thanksgiving Pumpkin Kits available from when I had a workshop for these DIY pumpkins. Pictured are pumpkins made with these kits.

A cowl is a wonderful gift to make someone! The Mallow Cowl by Ksenia Naidyon of Life is Cozy looks like it has cables but doesn’t actually involve knitting cables. It features travelling stitches - a combination of increases and decreases that has an appearance of cables without adding bulk to the fabric.

Gentle mallow flowers symbolize health and protection - two things a lot of us are wishing for these days both for our loved ones and ourselves. Inspired by the shape and special meaning of the mallow, this piece is ready to shield off if not the hardships of life, then at least cold and unpleasant weather. This design combines a look of a triangular shawl with an effortless styling and coziness of a cowl. Interesting shaping cuts off the bulk of the fabric at the back neck making it easy to wear under jackets and coats.

The project explores different techniques of Japanese knitting, including two types of wrapped stitches. The main panels feature a cable-looking design that is composed of travelling stitches. Both the charts and written row-by-row instructions provided.

Size

• Depth at the deepest point 23” / 58cm
• Circumference at the midneck 24” / 61cm

Yarn

• 440yds / 400m of worsted weight yarn, preferably in a solid or slightly tonal colorway

Needles and Gauge

• 24 sts and 36 rows in 4” / 10cm in Diagonal Rib Stitch, unblocked
• 21 sts and 34 rows in 4” / 10cm in Diagonal Rib Stitch, blocked
• US 6 / 4mm needles (straight or on a long cable) or the size needed to obtain gauge
• Cable needle or a dpn of a matching size for wrapped stitches

Construction

• The cowl is worked flat from the bottom corner with an applied i-cord edging.
• Increases made along the sides shape the bottom part as a triangle.
• Additional stitches are cast on on both sides for the top section of the design. Decreases along the sides in this part shape the cowl to be narrower at the top for a better fit.
• The top part is finished off with 2x2 ribbing. The finished piece is seamed at the back.
• This project features two types of wrapped stitches, diagonal rib pattern, and travelling stitches - a combination of increases and decreases that has an appearance of cables.

Camay (Purlificknitter) was one of the Mallow Cowl test knitters. She used Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage.

WIPs and FOs

I haven’t had the concentration for weaving in the ends to finish my Tegna but I cast on the Felix Cardigan by Amy Christoffers using Garnstudio Drops Alpaca in 8120 Denim/Green and Drops Kid Silk in 08 Light Jeans Blue.

To get get gauge since I am such a loose knitter, I am using my ChiaoGoo 5.0 mm (US 8) needles. This is a very easy and very quick knit with its relaxed open gauge making it a perfect project whilee I aqm recuperating. The mohair blended with the alpaca yarn drapes beautifully and will bloom when washed filling in the fabric of the airy gauge.

Last night I cast on Austra’s Wrist Warmers by Inese Iris Liepina using Urth Yarns Uneek Fingering in 3007 and Harvest Fingering in Black Grape. The pattern call for 3.0 mm (US 3) needles so for my loose knitting, I decided to start with 2.5 mm (US 1.5) needles but my stitches still seem too loose. I really like my socks and fingerless mitts to have a tighter gauge so I have a feeling I will start again but use the 2.0 mm (US 0) smaller needles I normally use.

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!

Mirna finished this stunning Barlin by Sarah Hatton from Rowan Magazine 63. Yarn is Rowan Creative Linen.

Debbie (debsnubs) finished her Illuminate by Andrea Mowry!! Yarn is Berroco Vintage DK in Tidepool and Schoppel Wolle Starke 6 in 2429.

Here is Jen’s Aunt Carol wearing the Magnolia Chunky Cardigan by Camilla Vad that she knit for her! Yarn is The Fibre Co. Acadia and Lichen and Lace Marsh Mohair.

Angela (@angelamaria6334) knit her darling granddaughter a poncho!!! So cute!

Veronica (@xov.knits) knit this cute newborn trapper hat, shown here with the baby knits she made for her own youngest!!

Lise (Mattedcat) test knit this sweet Davia by Taiga Hilliard using Bergere de France Calinou.

Lise (Mattedcat) also test knit Angelyne by Taiga Hilliard. Yarn is Garnstudio Drops Flora.

Jocelyne (jocblais) used Bergere de France Caline a sport weight yarn to try to get an in between size for this super cute Mini-Unbearable Hoodie by Les Garçons for her granddaughter because the sizes jumped from 2 to 6.

Debbie (@love.knit.spin.weave) finished this Spinning Wheel Hat designed by Sand and Sky Creations (not on Ravelry).

Anna (@kollar.Annie) knit these 6 pairs of socks for a challenge hosted by Beccy of @beccyknits. From the bottom clockwise: Hop, Skip + A Jump Socks by Ainur Berkimbayeva; Stripy Husband Socks using Very Vanilla Socks by Jo-Anne Klim; and Fanni Ruffle Socks (personal pattern).

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