Lichen Hat & Bark Shawl

Not one FO for you today but two - linked by a theme of nature and also by designer. The very talented Suseknits produced a lovely shawl pattern recently called Bark. As she was having a KAL over in her Ravelry group and I happened to have a perfect skein of yarn newly acquired in my stash - Solstice yarns Tidal sock yarn in the Leaf Mould colourway - it seemed like a match made in heaven.

Typically for me I didn't read the pattern properly and worked the repeats a little differently to how the designer had intended but I love the finished object. It has wonderful drape and texture and is feminine without being fussy.

The second FO is a hat which I did as a test knit, also for Suseknits. This is the Lichen & Moss Hat and I used some Sublime Organic merino dk in an Oatmeal colour. This yarn has been in my stash for some considerable time after I bought 10 balls of it on sale. It is a loosely plied single so I didn't want to use it for a garment, but its soft and squishy nature means it is perfect for hats, scarfs and cowls.

This was wonderful pattern to knit. A very effective textured stitch pattern which was easy to memorise and fun to knit. This hat practically flew off the needles and is now my 'must-have' accessory when I leave the house. I always struggle with hats to find one that looks 'right' but this is just perfect with just enough slouch and a perfect fit on the brim.

Sue also has the Lichen & Moss Cowl pattern available to match which she kindly gifted me, so guess what I'll be working on soon?

Oddments

I spy a fabulous new project for the forthcoming year - this came up on my radar a few days ago and I love the idea.

The Great Oddments Knitdown is the brainchild of the very talented Rosemary (Romi) Hill, this project aims to use up all those oddments you have lurking in your stash - and don't pretend that you don't have any :)

There will be 15-18 patterns released over the coming year for a variety of small projects. Ideal for using up those single skeins and troublesome oddments you can't throw away but can't bear to part with either.

I love the first pattern which has just been released and it would make a great Christmas present - the FairySnowCap.

I know I have a fair bit of aran weight yarn to use up in my stash but also, I'm thinking that with dk weight and smaller needles it would make a great child's hat too.

Haystacks

Introducing Haystacks - my latest sock pattern just out on Ravelry

The pattern is a fun one. Some slipped stitch mock cables and a side cable which twists down the leg add to the interest but are easily memorised. The socks are man-friendly without a hint of lace or openwork and the pattern is presented as either a toe-up or a cuff down version to suit your preference. And, as an added bonus, the stitch patterns are super stretchy - making it an ideal pattern for gift knitting.

Until Nov 21st there is also 50% of the purchase price on Ravelry - just use the code 'Haystacks'

In case you were wondering, Haystacks is a well known hill in the English Lake District. It was made famous by Alfred Wainright, the well known walker and author who loved it dearly. It is also a firm family favourite of ours and the inspiration for these socks came about one sunny summer walk on the fell, whilst my two boys were having fun scrambling on rocks.

Both my boys now have a mini-pair of these socks and I hope they bring some fun into your life too.

Cowl Love

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed recently - the usual story - too many WIPs and not enough time to knit them all. So the last thing I needed was another project, but I needed to whip up something luxurious and indulgent for a friend going through a hard time, and I happened to come across a skein of Solstice Yarns Ishtar Lace (a delicious silk/baby camel blend) in a perfect delicate green colour (Chartreuse)

I couldn't resist.

So a quick Ravlery surf later I came up with the April Showers Cowl pattern.

The yarn is held double which gives a wonderful feel and drape, and because you start with a provisional cast on and then graft the ends closed you can knit until you have used almost every scrap of precious yarn - the perfect project.

I'm so in love with the finished cowl. It's a good job my friend is a very dear one, otherwise she would be getting a box of chocs and I would have a lovely new cowl to wear today :)

Icon Update

Just a quick update on my Icon Dress.

It has been sadly neglected in recent weeks in favour of much sock knitting but I am making slow but steady progress.

The front is almost done. I have left the straps on waste yarn just in case I need to do some alteration to the fit before seaming. I'm not sure how low the neckline will be and I wanted to give myself the chance to adjust it slightly if needed.

The back is almost done too and I have just picked up my second -to-last ball of yarn (ball 11 from 13) so I easily have enough to finish - possibly with 1 whole skein leftover.

Perhaps it is the lack of sleeves, but I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly this has knitted up. It is my first time knitting a dress and I truely thought it would take much longer than it has. Still, musn't count my chickens too soon. It isn't finished until it is seamed, blocked and all the ends woven in - and heaven knows I can prevaricate for England when it comes to that.

My first knit-along

It's been all systems go over on the Solstice Yarns Ravelry group, as my first KAL (co-hosted with the lovely Eleanor) has been launched.

I am pleased to say that the Samhain sock KAL is going well so far and as of this morning we have 15 participants all working away on some beautiful socks - some of them going at speeds which put me to shame.

It reminds me of one of the (many) reasons I love Ravelry community. For some participants it is their first toe-up sock, for others it is their first time trying magic loop or cabling without a needle, but it is great to see others happily stepping in to offer advice and support.

As my DH works away from home a lot and I fit my work around looking after my boys I don't get a chance to go to a local 'Knit Night' or craft group so, in effect, Ravelry is my 'Knit Group' - always there - always helpful - and always supportive.

In other knitting news, the Icon dress continues (slowly) and I'm hard at work on another sock pattern - hopefully in time for those of you looking for Holiday Knitting (no mention of the C-word here)

Production line

The socks have been put aside this week in preparation for a class I am teaching this weekend. Designed for adventurous knitting beginners, this class aims to give people the skills they need to tackle their first garment - a baby cardigan knit seamlessly on circular needles.

A simple top-down raglan construction but with different increase options and tips and tricks to get a polished finish that any knitter would be pleased with.

I don't need to extoll the virtues of seamless knitting here I'm sure but it always amazes me how much books aimed at beginners focus on traditional seamed knits. I did the same when I was learning and must have spent longer trying to figure out how to set in a tiny sleeve than I did to knit the garment in the first place.

So much easier to knit a little raglan cardi or sweater, add a few buttons, weave in an end or two and ta-da

One baby sweater: 60g of dk yarn and I estimate about 3-4 hours of work (if that - I wasn't really timing myself - but it took two short evenings of TV knitting).

Now, one more sample to block and weave in the ends and I can get back to the socks :)