Design: Sweet Bee aka Butterfly & Cocoon
Designer: Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Lion Brand Bonbons (Cotton)
Colorway: Beach
Needles: US 3 & 5 DPN's
Started: 4/23/17
Finished: 5/7/17
This was my contribution to Sew Sweet Violet's MAL (Make A-Long). The theme for the Make A-Long was "Bee Happy." Now you all know I love me some bees so this really spoke to me loudly! The FO (Finished Object) thread in her Ravelry page was full of all kinds of bee goodness and it wasn't all knitting either!
I'd seen this cutie on Susan's podcast and fell in love. This project had several firsts for me. It was my first time making a toy and the first time I'd done I-cord as well as the K1 f/b and M1 increases this pattern called for. I think next time I'd go down a needle size or so just to get a firmer fabric. All in all, I really enjoyed making it. Plus, just look at the cuteness here...seriously!
Design: Hyacinthus Armwarmers
Designer: Jen Arnall-Culliford
Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball®
Colorway: Bunte Gasse
Needles: US 1.5 9"circular & DPNs
Started: 3/12/17
Finished: 5/16/17
Back in March I decided to join Arnall-Culliford Knitwear's year-long KAL called A Year of Techniques. They've partnered with several well known knitwear designers on this project as well as Mason Dixon Knitting, who are the US yarn distributors for the KAL. The patterns are released during the first week of each month and will be published as an e-book and in print form in the fall of this year. There's also a Ravelry group that Jen has set up for all the chatter. It's a very supportive group and a lot of fun!
These mitts were the first project. The technique we learned was helical stripes! My stripes didn't turn out quite as defined as some in the group but fun none the less. Again, there were several firsts in this project for me as well. I learned how to make finger-less mitts for one thing. I learned how to do helical stripes and how to pick up and knit a thumb!
It was also the first time I'd used a 9" circular. I have to say, I am much speedier on the circular than the DPNs. It did take a bit to get used to the tiny circumference and how to hold the needles. They are signigicantly shorter than regular interchangeable or fixed needles. If you are on the fence about trying them, I'd say give it a go on a pair of mitts. I really like them and I like DPNs too.
As for the yarn, I really enjoyed the colorway of this yarn. I will say it was really splitty, if that's a word. It is soft and not the least bit scratchy. I'd definitely use it again and just be mindful of the splitting.
Design: Candy Socks aka Vanilla Socks
Designer: Jo-Anne Klim
Colorway: Candy
Needles: US 2 - 9"circular & DPNs
Started: 3/18/17
Finished: 5/20/17
These, I'm proud to say are my second pair of socks for the year! I learned my LYS was going to have a workshop on Knit Night for the Fish Lips Kiss Heel technique. I was immediately in for that one! I busted out the cuff and leg of the first sock on a Sunday and Monday I was ready for the heel! Seriously, those 9" circulars are good for speed. Again, this heel technique was new for me. I did enjoy learning it. I'm not completely sure it works for my foot shape but I'm going to give these socks some more wear and decide.
The yarn on these was super fun to work with. It is pre-striped so you don't have to break your yarn. It also comes with a length of yellow starter thread already built in so you know exactly where to begin both socks so they match. It's genius! If you get the chance to try this, do it! It's a lot of fun. It is a slightly scratchy yarn but I think it will soften. I haven't washed them yet to know for sure though. I'm still amazed that wool socks are antimicrobial. Who knew?!
Design: Indigo Sea Shawl from Making No. 3
Designer: Carrie Bostick Hoge
Yarn: Quince & Co. Chickadee dyed by A Verb for Keeping Warm
Colorway: Indigo Light, Indigo Medium and Indigo Deep
Needles: US 7 with a 32" cord
Started: 5/25/17
Finished: 6/12/17
My most recent finish was inspired by the third issue of Making magazine. Now mind you, in my opinion this is a pattern book not what I would consider a magazine. It has nice thick matte paper with beautiful photography and no adds every other page like your traditional magazine. There are so many things in this book I want to make. Oh. My. Goodness! I first heard about this on someone's podcast. I can't remember who but I'm thankful I did.
Not to talk abut the shawl. This is squishy garter stitch goodness at it's very best! The pattern knits up really easily with an easy to remember repeat. It's what I'd call "comfort knitting." Kinda like stitching a Prairie Schooler chart. You just can't go wrong!
Okay, now let's talk about the yarn. If you've never knit with Chickadee, you need that experience! It's super soft and has a great squish factor. I will say if you get the colorways I used, be prepared for the indigo experience. What do I mean? You will have crocking on your hands. Here's a picture.
It's nothing to fear though. It washed right off with soap and water. Now, I have yet to wet block this shawl. I intend to do that this weekend. The yarn dyer assured me this was natural and just a part of working with indigo dye. So I'll see how that goes. LOL! Not all Quince and Co. yarn is like this... only the specially indigo dyed version I got.
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Well friends, that's it for now. I hope you enjoyed my natter. Since getting bitten by the knitting bug, I'm all about learning new things. It's good for the brain cells, dontcha know! Seriously, as you can tell I'm thoroughly enjoying myself! I will always have so much gratitude for Carol Fun and Margaret for their encouragement to try this!
I hope you all have a great weekend! Go inspire someone and then come tell me about it.
Until next time,
The Inspired Stitcher
