Favourite Patterns Friday, December 14, 2018, Issue 81: Only 1 weeks until Christmas or 11 days!!

• Posted on 14 December 2018
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in December 2018, Favourite Patterns, Free Pattern Fridays, Friends, Pretty Brioche Thing, Tied Knots
• 0

This is a busy time of year for most of us and with only 11 days to go...Me, I usually mail out Christmas cards but this year, well lets just say that I got a little too busy but as you can see I did finish my Ninilchik Swoncho!

Winter knitting, whether for yourself or gift knitting can be quick and satisfying! Here are a few that are sure to please!

Friends by Dani Sunshine are quick and simple to make, look great in any DK weight yarn, and are sure to be loved and worn out. Make a pair for yourself, and be prepared for them to be pilfered!

These simple mitts are the perfect unisex accessory for the in-between seasons. They are worked in the round, in one piece. They take about Approx 70 (100, 130, 145, 160) yards of DK / light worsted weight yarn using 3.75 mm dpns or 80cm+ circular needle for magic loop method. The gauge is 23 stitches and 30 rounds = 4 inch / 10 cm square in stockinette stitch. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Lise (Mattedcat) test knit the pattern, knitting her pair with Bergere de France Ideal in Persan using the suggested needle size.

Pretty Brioche Thing by Justyna Lorkowska is a squishy cowl that she designed to celebrate her birthday. The pattern was designed for anyone wanting to try brioche and uses two skeins of super bulky yarn and  8.0 mm (US 11) needles in a 16" length or the size needle to get the gauge of 9.5 sts x 13 rounds over 10cm/4” in unstretched Brioche stitch worked in the round.

What about using a skein each of Madelinetosh ASAP and Malabrigo Rasta? I can imagine how soft and squishy this cowl will be!

Here is Tied Knots, also by Justyna Lorkowska! This one, I have included before but well worth it as she designed it in collaboration with her husband - the man behind Martin's Lab and being able to try out his new yarn bases! The name of the pattern was to reflect " the cables on the hat and our lives together so well, meandering around colorful yarn since we tied the knot. Literally ;) "

The hat needs 210 - 219 yards (192 - 200 m) of DK weight yarn, 3.25 mm (US 3) and 4.0 mm (US 6) needles or the needles to get a gauge of 28 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in cable pattern worked in the round.

WIP's and FO's

I finished my Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter of Boyland Knitworks! I am super happy with it and know that I will happily wear it a lot! I used a combination of Rowan Felted Tweed and The Fibre Company's Arranmore Light.

Our Ninilchik Swoncho Class finished a couple of weeks ago where Paulette taught a two handed method of working colourwork without floats. Everyone learned the importance of gauge too where even Connie discovered that even a gauge that was only off by a fraction caused the shoulder area to bunch up!

The outside of my Swoncho...

And the inside of my Swoncho! I could easily wear this inside out if I snip a few ends a little shorter!

Connie looks fabulous in her Swoncho and despite some misgivings about the design, I think she is coming around:) As she says, she loves sweaters and she loves ponchos, she wasn't 100% sure about a poncho with sleeves!

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Knit Your Any Project KAL: An everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit your own project (any project, and join in anytime!) from September 15 until December 31, 2018. Remember that you have to post to the Finished Objects thread to be included in the next draw. In January, we will start a Any Sweater KAL!

Knitnut246’s Plain Vanilla Socks knit with WYS Signature 4 Ply in Goldfinch!

Natalie’s warm and cozy Arika Cowl knit with one skein of Hikoo Kenzington

Mattedcat’s Mckayleigh by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Miscellaneous knits by Mattedcat!!

Kyoungson’s finished Advent Calendar that she crocheted!

Sandi liked the Head of Garlic by Elissa Brown that Christina knit so much that she had to knit one too!

Sandima’s Flamingos by the Shore test knit hat - Wow, what a cool hat!

Christina knit herself another pair of pedicure socks!

Christina's Cozy Cloud Cardigan by Life is Cozy

Carola has both of her sweet Bobby’s Girl Cardigan’s by Alma off her needles!

Liliana knit this beautiful sweater and cowl for Jackie!

Kathy’s Ellie and Colin are ready for the holidays in their new Christmas finery!

Project Ideas!

Noro Kitori in colour #16 to knit #27 Oversized Textured Pullover from Noro Issue 13

What 2 skeins of Kelbourne Woolens Andorra would you choose for the Delia Hat??

More Christmas Gift Ideas!!

A few new books have landed in the shop! Limited stock so hurry if you want one!

Gift ideas...SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock yarn, 425 yards of squishy yarn, SweetGeorgia Party of Five Mini Skein Kits, Cocoknits Sweater Workshop, Leather Cord and Needle Stitch Holder, Coloured Stitch Markers and Maker's Keeps...

New in is CoopKnits Socks Yeah! sock yarn!

UPCOMING EVENTS!!

Tomorrow is the day!!

Participating stores:
@sue2knits - 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
Sue2Knits and Yarn
12045 Ducharme Lane, McGregor, ON;
@littlesheepyarn - 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
Little Sheep Yarn Boutique
1505 Ottawa St, Windsor, ON;
and @thehookpusher - 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm
The Hook Pusher
628 Monmouth Rd # 1, Windsor, ON

Sneak peak of the amazing prize pack that we are giving away! To increase your odds, post a picture of yourself or an item you purchase at one of the three shops using the #windsoressexchristmasyarncrawl to get an extra ballot. See you Saturday!

December 21st there will be people all over the world knitting for peace. Let's fill this day with hope and have fun doing it. This is the day the Healthy Knitter (http://www.thehealthyknitter.com/) decided to call "World-wide knit-in for peace." She chose this day, solstice, to represent the balance between light and dark in the two hemispheres.

Knitters around the world knitting with the intention of peace. On Ravelry, the Project Peace 2018 pattern by Christina Campbell is available. The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/project-peace-2018.

This year’s proceeds from the Project Peace pattern will be donated to Seeds of Peace, teaching youth from around the world to be leaders that will transform their communities and resolve conflict. The other organization that will be supported is Gardens for Health, working to end chronic malnutrition, a known predictor of violence.

Bring your knitting, crocheting or crafting project and join in!! Being a Friday night, right before Christmas, we will have a Christmas party. I will have some refreshments but please bring a little something to share!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!