TACOL testknit

Pattern: Taking a Chance on Love by Connie Peng
Yarn: Ecotone  (a new base I'm dyeing) in 'Why Don't You Marry It'

I couldn't resist asking Connie if I could testknit this freaking gorgeous shawl when she made it a few weeks ago. I think the cables winding over the lacy pattern are fantastic. She's written it for three sizes, so you can make it as big as you like. I made the medium and used almost 600yds of a light fingering/heavy laceweight yarn I started dyeing a few weeks ago.

It has a nice tight, smooth 6-ply construction that was perfect for lacework. It also has an extra big, 150g / 750 yd skein so I could use just one for this shawl. I'm really happy with it.

I'm looking forward to wearing this over a t-shirt now that it's finally warming up. I had forgotten how much I love knitting shawls.

spring sale

I'm in house cleaning mode and that includes the Etsy shop, so from today until May 1st get 20% off with coupon code SPRING13! (Go here)

spring socks

Pattern: Monkey socks by Cookie A
Yarn: Doodles in String Sock in 'Edamame'

I know I just finished making this pattern for my friend but I finally wanted a pair for myself, so here's my third iteration. Because of all my practice I can make this pattern in about a week, plus I have an undying love for sock knitting, plus I wanted to try my Sock yarn on an actual pair socks, so I really couldn't resist.

 I took numerous pictures in an attempt to capture the yellow/green/fresh plant shoot colour of this yarn. The light kept changing. Since we still have 3' of snow around here I was desperate for something in this colour.

I'm really happy with this yarn base for socks - great stitch definition, good twist, soft but with lots of strength from the nylon, and good yardage. I think it will definitely be my go-to yarn for socks from now on.

Bohus hat

Pattern: 'Red Light Hat' by Kersten Olsson
Yarn: Bohus Angora-Merino by Solsilke

This is a project dear to my heart that has only languished in the WIP pile for too long because it's very lightweight (though warm due to the angora in the yarn) and in these parts we have hot summers, cold winters and not a lot of mild weather in between in which to wear such a thing. However, this winter is taking its sweet time leaving, so I'm wearing it right now.

The Bohus Stickning movement was started in Sweden in the late 1930's as way to provide employment for knitters in hard economic times. There's a good summary here as well as some images of the amazing garments that were designed, knit and sold. This Red Light Hat was designed in 1959, and she recreated the design in turquoise and blue as well.

The hats, as well as cardigan and pullover versions of this design are available as kits through Solveig Gustafsson on her Solsilke site here - click on 'Bohus Stickning' at the top to see kits.

Solveig dyes all the shades of yarn herself and this laceweight blend of angora and merino is really gorgeous.

I'm glad my motivation to finish all WIPS this year has given me such a fab hat.

autumn frost 2

Pattern: Autumn Frost Socks by Susi Ferguson
Yarn: St. Denis Boreale in 'Chalk Blue', 'Fjord', 'Black' and 'White'

I started these almost a year ago and got one done before other things took over and they were put down. I want to finish off as many WIPs as possible this year, so two nights ago I grabbed this bag and knocked out the second sock. It's a highly entertaining pattern (I've made them once before about 2 years ago, for my Mom), written by Susi who designs amazing stranded things of all shapes.

This is one of my favourite yarns of all time, and it's very sad that it's discontinued. If you ever get your hands on some I highly recommend it for colourwork, especially.

I've felt really unmotivated about blogging, dyeing, spinning, knitting etc. lately. I suspect it may be this unending winter and the constant flow of low grade flus/colds going around my house. I'm not sure. I hope spring weather and regular running will bring back my mojo and focus. In the meantime, knit on!

oatmeal for wearing

Pattern: Burrard by Glenna C
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in 'Dove Heather'

This cardigan by Glenna is in the same issue of Twist Collective as my Whirlpool vest, and I've wanted to make it ever since it was released. In the middle of winter you sometimes need something cabley and comforting to knit and this was perfect. It made me think of oatmeal because of its colour, its warmth and how satisfyingly perfect it was for February.

I love the undulating motif and the shawl collar. This no-nonsense yarn is so perfect for it, too. Like humble oatmeal it does the job well without fuss or bravado. Nice, crisp cable work and lots of warmth. Same Japanese buttons I used on my Hello Winter sweater, from Kirsten's shop.

Pattern: Branchy by Odessa Reichel
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca colour #6206 (held double to get bulky weight)

Another grey thing: I made this hat last week because the green version I'd made in the fall mysteriously disappeared shortly thereafter, much to my dismay. The alpaca in this version softens the cable slightly but provides lots of extra warmth and coziness. Odessa makes fab patterns.

The excuse to knit things like this is what I love about winter.

more monkeys

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.

Yarn: Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! in 'Adonis Butterfly' (discontinued, but you can still get Bugga! from Cephalopod Yarns and The Verdant Gryphon). 

I've made this pattern once before, and it's fast and fun, so when I needed a birthday gift for a friend last week I grabbed this yarn and got to work. They're lovely, soft and teal, so I couldn't go wrong. I also realized that I've made many many socks in the past few years and only 1 pair for myself, so I may need to remedy that soon.

I also thought I'd mention that I added instructions to my Shadow pattern so you can avoid the scary steek, as I know they're intimidating for many people. It had started its life as a shaping prototype for a stranded cardigan idea (hence the steek) which I never followed up on...then several people asked me for a pattern so I just wrote it as I'd knit it. But I've been meaning to add extra instructions for awhile so now they're in there.

Hope your weekend's going well!