It’s not long at all now to wait now for the next Confident Knitting pattern release, and, with my Flux Hand Warmers finished, I’ve been keeping my needles busy with a few other projects that all feel a bit Confident Knitting-adjacent … there’s lots of learning new things happening! Like Jen, I tend, er, not to be a monogamous knitter. But I have been trying to keep focussed on fewer WIPs and, I’ve got to say, my three current ones are bringing me lots of joy!
Read moreSwatching for Stranded Colourwork Projects
When Jen mentioned she was thinking of doing some kits for Gudrun Johnston’s Yokey Dokey sweater (Ravelry link), I jumped at the chance to do some swatching! I, ahem, don’t always swatch for colourwork projects — but I always should! It’s important to not only check that those colours that you think are going to look ah-mazing together actually work in the pattern, but also, of course, to check your tension against that of the pattern. Read on for my tips on swatching for stranded colourwork…
Read moreYokey Dokey Sweater Kits
One of the perks of my job is that I get an early preview of some fabulous new designs, and I’ve been excitedly waiting for the release of Gudrun Johnston’s Yokey Dokey Sweater since it first landed in my inbox at the end of April. Working with Gudrun is an absolute joy, and I have really enjoyed seeing the test knitters working on a range of beautiful colourways over on Instagram. You can browse what they have been up to with the #yokeydokeysweater hashtag.
I’m happy to share that yarn kits for the Yokey Dokey sweater, are now available in the online shop!
Read morePostcards from Rhinebeck: Part 1
Not yet strictly Rhinebeck, but bear with me…
I’m trying out the app on my phone in the hope that I can write a few short blog posts while I am on the road. Fingers crossed I’m about to have the most knitting-filled week that I’ve had in a long time, so there should be plenty to talk about!
Tuesday
I’m starting my journey by train to London, and I have just the crown shaping remaining on my Marangoni Hat – this month’s Boost Your Knitting pattern. All things being equal, it will be finished before I catch my flight tomorrow.
wednesday
Boom! Hat is all done, save for the last couple of ends, with two minutes to spare before it’s time to leave for Heathrow.
This is the obligatory plane knitting shot. I cast on for the smallest size of Antler Cardigan by Tin Can Knits using our Something to Knit With Aran and knitted both sleeves and a good chunk of body during my flight from Heathrow to JFK in New York. It’s so satisfying to rattle through the pieces of a garment like that, especially when my last couple of garments have been 4ply epics. Note to self: Next adult garment should be in aran weight…
thursday
On Thursday, together with Kay and Ann of Mason-Dixon Knitting, we headed upstate to Red Hook, which is just a little way from Rhinebeck. I could write a whole blog post about what a joy it has been to spend time with these two! Ann is wearing her fabulous aran weight Dionne Shawl by Jeanette Sloan and I’ve borrowed Ann’s Parallelogram Scarf, which I need to immediately cast on when I get home. It is one of the designs in the Sequences MDK Field Guide, and unbelievably squishy and warm! This was just the start of a parade of incredible hand knits – many of them from MDK Field Guides…
Knitting has been almost non-stop – in the car, on the subway, on the plane, at restaurants and at home. I was really inspired by Kay’s gorgeous basketweave socks on her needles (in their Wanderlust Field Guide), as well as Ann’s Petula Sweater (Downtown) and the Corrugated Shawl (Sequences) that Ann was working on. Spending time enjoying the process of stitches and wool against a background of friendship is such a powerfully recharging thing.
My Antler Cardigan started to take shape!
Friday
Tivoli Bays was the perfect backdrop for some fresh air and a walk, and we were joined by MDK team member, Christina…
…for a photo shoot for our new album cover: Knitters on Tour.
And what do knitters do when they are on tour? Why, they head to the nearest town with a yarn shop of course! We went to Fabulous Yarn in Tivoli, NY which was PACKED with stunning yarns and notions. It took all my willpower not to dive in and buy everything.
I was very taken with this aptly named Oooh! cashmere chunky yarn. I held strong though, safe in the knowledge that the weekend would bring plenty to tempt me.
To be continued…
Joining in New Yarns, Method 2: Knitting in Ends
A few days ago, we brought you a video tutorial showing how to splice in a new yarn! Today, Jen shows you another fuss-free way to join in a new yarn which also leaves you with no ends to weave in: knitting in ends!
Read moreA chat with Tori Seierstad about her passion for colourwork
Tori Seierstad is a knitwear designer based in Lillehammer, Norway who can’t get enough of colourwork knitting. Her patterns feature bold motifs with lots of colour changes — perfect for practising this month’s featured technique, joining in new yarns. The Marangoni Hat, Tori’s contribution to Boost Your Knitting, features both stripes and bubble-like circles, making it ideal for learning multiple joining techniques. Tori was kind enough to have a chat with me a few weeks ago about her fab hat design, her lifelong love of knitting, and even share some of her colour inspiration!
Read moreJoining in New Yarns, Method 1: How to Splice (A video tutorial)
Do you love colourwork knitting, but dread all the ends you have weave in? This month’s Boost Your Knitting technique is focused on two different ways to join in yarns in your projects … and as an added bonus, these methods eliminate the need to weave in ends! While this month’s featured pattern is the stunning colourwork Marangoni Hat, these techniques can be used any time you need to add in a new yarn, whether it’s a colour change or just time to add the next ball in a single colour project.
Read moreThe Marangoni Hat and Joining In Yarns
It’s a new month, so time to welcome the next Boost Your Knitting pattern, designer, and technique! Meet the Marangoni Hat, designed by colourwork aficionado Tori Seierstad! Are you ready to learn some really handy techniques for managing yarns this month?
Read moreConfessions of a Lazy Blocker
I’ve spent the better part of the summer working on a full-sized Hansel Hap for the arrival of my first wee one in October. It’s been a pleasant knit, but a big one, so I was thrilled when I finished the last of the border edging points a weekend or two ago. On finishing, though, I was faced with a big question …. just how was I going to block it?
Read moreAn Abundance of Inspiration ... August's Boost Your Knitting KAL, so far!
This month, we’ve been having a ball over in the Ravelry group with August’s Boost Your Knitting technique, choosing colours for stranded colourwork knitting! Several knitters have already finishing their Skystone Armwarmers, this month’s featured pattern by Felicity (Felix) Ford, and many more have stunning ones in progress! It’s been so fun to see people’s inspiration sources and the ways they interpret them …
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