Friday, October 18, 2019, Issue 119: Just over 9 weeks until Christmas!

Time to start a few quick projects for gift giving? Are you like Rita (and me) shown wearing her gorgeous Super Simple Summer Sweater by Joji still selfish knitting for ourselves?

On the other hand, Joji's sweater pattern is simple enough you can knit it up fairly quickly for gift giving too! It is a very basic sweater, with a deep circular yoke, a boxy fit and fresh looking stripes that is worked in worsted weight yarn, seamlessly from the top-down.

The total required yardage combined of all the colors is approx. 864 (960, 1056, 1296, 1440, 1584, 1776, 1920, 2160) yards 788 (876, 963, 1182, 1314, 1445, 1620, 1752, 1971) meters. The gauge is 17.5 sts and 28 rows 4” 10 cm on US 6 (4 mm) needles in stockinette stitch with a recommended needle size of 4.00 mm (US 6) needles and 3.25 mm (US 3) needles for the ribbing. Before you measure your swatch, please take the time to wash and block your swatch in the same manner that you will wash and block your sweater.

Rita did not use worsted weight yarn for her sweater but used one skein each of Ancient Arts Passion 8 and Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light for her sweater.

Missoni Accomplished by Espace Tricot is a free top down sweater that feels like an elevated favourite sweatshirt - balancing just the right amount of comfort and style. Worked from the top-down incorporating twisted rib, a simple repeated colourwork motif, and minimal shaping, Missoni Accomplished is an easy, accessible project and a very wearable addition to any wardrobe.

Since the pattern is knit in the round, you need needles in several circular needle lengths or you will need to use magic loop. You will need 16" for the neck ribbing, 24" for much of the yoke and then 40" for both the yoke and the body. The recommended needle sizes you will need are 4.5 mm (US 7) and 5.0 mm (US 8) or as required to get a gauge of 22 sts and approx 28 rnds = 10 cm / 4” after blocking with the main gauge needles. A great alternative is to use interchangeable tips in both sizes and the 3 lengths of cables such as those made by ChiaoGoo or Knitter's Pride so that you just swap out the cables as needed.

The sweater is intended to be worn with approximately 10-12” of ease. It was designed using Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather Sport (100% Canadian wool) but you can easily use any yarn that will give you gauge such as Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, Cascade 220 Sport or Rowan Felted Tweed. The sweater is intended to be worn with approximately 10-12” of ease.

The October Hat by Sloan Rosenthal is the latest of Kelbourne Woolens free hat patterns for 2019 - one for each month! It is worked in the round from the bottom up. The hat begins with a provisional cast on, and then a deep knit 2, purl 2 ribbing is worked. An intricate, modern cable panel pattern is worked for the body of the hat and integrated decreases shape the crown. Check out the rest of their Year of Hats patterns. Any of them or this one will knit up as wonderful gifts!

You will need about 220 yards of worsted weight / aran weight yarn. The recommended needles are 3.75 mm (US 5) and 4.5 mm (US 7) in 16" length and 4.5 mm (US 7) DPN's.

This year’s hat for Shetland Wool Week is the Roadside Beanie by Oliver Henry and Sandra Manson. The pattern is free until next year's pattern announced. Oliver explained the inspiration behind the hat design: “My Roadside beanie features two common roadside sights in Shetland: Shetland sheep and fishing boats. Both of them have loomed large in my life as a Shetlander.” He drew sketches and illustrations which were then interpreted into a design pattern by his colleague Sandra Manson.

This colourful hat is designed to be knit using Shetland wool such as Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight in 7 colours. The pattern also gives suggestions for 4 different colourways. The gauge is 32 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches using 2.5 mm (US 1.5) and 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles.

Look at the beautiful sea of Roadside Beanies at Shetland Wool Week!!

WIP's and FO's

I cast on a pair of two at a time socks a few weeks ago, knit 16 rounds of 1x1 ribbing. I finally decided what pattern to use and also decided to take them from the 24" needles I had them on and use my favourite addi 8" circulars instead! I have Zigzagular Socks by Prairie Girl Designs on my needles (free pattern) using Urth Yarns Uneek Sock in colour 54.

The socks have a right sock and a left sock so I am using my Twill & Print Glitter Star Knitter's Helpers. Although they are not quite right, I am using the Sides...RS to mark my Right Sock and WS to mark my Left Sock! If you look closely, I messed up! When I was following the chart, instead of knitting through the back I knit like usual. I will need to reknit the Right Sock.

My Birkin sweater by Caitlin Hunter is moving along! I finished the charts and the yoke and now have 4.5 inches of the body done. Still a long way to go before I can knit the sleeves. I am using Baa Ram Ewe Titus for the main colour and the green, and Garnstudio Drops Flora for the other three colours.

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 will run from September 1 until December 31st.

There is a Butterfly / Papillon Knit-Along starting in January!

Lise (Mattedcat)’s baby size Flax by tincanknits knit using Berroco Ultra Wool

Lise (Mattedcat)’s latest Hitchhiker by Martina Behm knit using Malabrigo Sock in Aguas colourway

A new pair of socks knit by Connie (maltesecross) for her sister Carmen!

Natalie finished her beautifully knit Sunshine Coast but unfortunately she is not happy with the size she knit!

Christina has made a dent in her gift knitting with these Northward by tincanknits beanies!

Christina knit these Cloud Slippers by Adrienne Sullivan to gift!

Debbie (debsnubs) Nightshift by Andrea Mowry is stunning!!

RESCHEDULED CLASSES

The Beaded Knit Gloves Class has been rescheduled to Saturdays, Nov 2, 16 & 30 – 1 to 3 pm. Register (and pay) HERE.

The Learning the Magic Loop with Cuff Down Sock Class has been rescheduled to Tuesdays, Nov 19, 26 & Dec 10 & 17 - 6 to 8 pm. Register (and pay) HERE.

The Colourwork and Steeking Class - Sheep Carousel Class has been rescheduled to Saturdays, November 9, 23 and December 7 – 1 to 3 pm. Register (and pay) HERE.

Register and learn how to make one of Julie William's sweet Deer using her Fox pattern before Christmas! Classes are scheduled for Saturdays, November 2, 9, 16 & 23 – 10 am to 12 pm. Register (and pay) HERE.

Our Basic Sock Class using small circulars is scheduled for Saturdays, Nov 30, Dec 7 & 14 – 10 am to 12 pm. Register (and pay) HERE.

Cast on and learn all the techniques you need to make your first top down sweater! Choose to knit either the Flax by tincanknits or Turtle Dove by Espace Tricot. It is scheduled for Saturdays, Jan 4, 11, 25 & Feb 1 - 10 am to 12 pm. Register (and pay) HERE.

NEW

Now available in the shop is Making Magazine No 8 / Forest! This newest issue includes knitting and other craft projects inspired by the woods. Also still in stock are previous issues Desert, Dots and Black & White. Wouldn't these make a wonderful gift?

Also in are the new autumnal colours of Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk - Vanilla, Curry and Rust and Drops Andes has been restocked in a few colours. Sorry but Black has sold out again!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!