Friday, August 13, 2021, Issue 211: Lazy summer days...Happy Friday the 13th!

• Posted on 11 August 2021
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in August 2021, Gift Knitting, KAL, knit-along, make-along, summer knitting
• 0

It is almost the middle of August! September is right around the corner and there are 19 weeks until Christmas...Are you thinking about fall projects yet or have you cast on your gift knitting?

Waldkind by Ducathi is a sweet little shawl that will keep kids warm and cosy while pursuing their outside adventures. The shawl is worked in one piece from one side to the other, beginning with one leaf working your way seamlessly to the the second leaf. The shawl can easily be adjusted in size by increasing and decreasing more stitches before and after the pointed middle and/or by using different weight yarn. Therefore, it is a shawl for the whole family!

Here is the cutest Waldkind by Ducathi knit by Anja (nick00)! Wouldn't this make a wonderful gift for some special little someone or yourself? Knit it using Malabrigo Rios or Washted, Garnstudio Drops Air or Berroco Mochi.

Bough by Janina Kallio echoes the quiet beauty of nature during its winter sleep. Inspired by the leaves falling down the trees and the bare branches bending in the wind, this shawl celebrates calm cosiness.

Knitted sideways with worsted weight yarn, Bough has a versatile and wearable asymmetric triangle shape. Get swept into the calming rhythm of seed stitch and beautiful geometric lace, enjoying every single stitch.

This pattern has both written and charted instructions.

YARN
Three skeins of The Fibre Co. Cumbria (90% Wool, 10% Mohair; 218 m / 238 yds per 100 g). Shown in colourway Scafell Pike.

Or approximately 545 m / 595 yds of similar worsted weight yarn.

NEEDLE
Size 5 mm / US 8 circular needle. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain pattern gauge. Gauge affects finished size and yardage.

This shawl is worked flat but I recommend using an 80-100 cm / 32-40 inch circular needle to accommodate the growing number of stitches.

FINISHED SIZE After blocking
79 x 183 cm / 31 x 72 inches

Janina Kallio says on her own project page that the lace pattern is simple yet striking, and quite intuitive when you get to the rhythm. The yarn, Cumbria from The Fibre Company is absolutely gorgeous, and a pleasure to knit.

The size and shape make this shawl so wearable and warm, it’s definitely my go-to piece for the winter.

Balbec by Wear a Stitch is a showstopper with its drapey wings and the geometric lace border. Go big with the worsted weight version or knit a delicate version in fingering weight yarn.

The shawl is knitted top down and starts with a No-Bump Cast-On to reduce the “bump” at the top that often occurs with crescent-shaped shawls. After the Garter Section a textured part is worked. The Star-Stitch Insert increases the stitchcount significantly, ensuring a large wingspan and good drape. After that, a section of cabled lace is added. The shawl is finished with a small garter band and a Picot Bind-Off.

YARN
Three skeins of The Fibre Co. Cumbria (90% Wool, 10% Mohair; 218 m / 238 yds per 100 g). Shown in colourway Buttermere.

Or approximately 560 m / 634 yards of similar worsted weight yarn.

You may substitute with any yarn that knits up to gauge. Please keep in mind that differences in gauge affect yardage; so make sure you have enough yarn to finish your project!

NEEDLES: 4.5 mm (US 7), circular needle, cable 80 cm/32” or longer (worsted weight yarn)
3.5 mm (US 4), circular needle, cable 80 cm/32” or longer (fingering weight yarn)
cable needle

NOTIONS: stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, , pins for blocking

GAUGE: 14 stitches/21 rows in textured pattern stitch, after washing and blocking with relaxed fabric

DIMENSIONS: (wingspan and depth)
large version: 200x50 cm / 78.75x20.75 inches
small version: 170x35 cm / 67x14 inches

Pattern is both written and charted.

Camay (Purlificknitter) test knit her lovely Opus by Maxim Cyr! The pattern was released yesterday in time for his first ever Knit-along running until October 12. There are two ways to participate: you can either join in on the fun on my Ravelry group or on Instagram. The KAL will run from August 12 to October 12.

Debbie (debsnubs) is knitting her Opus with these The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light colours!

Shortie socks are perfect little gifts to knit! The top pair above is Low Tide Socks and the bottom pair is Spoondrift Socks by This Handmade Life. They are her latest sock patterns now available and 20% off until Sunday, August 15th, with no coupon code needed.

A trip to the sea, walking in the sand, warmth from the sun, a bucket full of beach treasures and feeling the sea spray as the waves crash and roll onto the shore. Nothing like ending the summer with a visit to the seaside. These are her beachy inspired socks.

Low Tide Socks are knit from the cuff down, using the magic loop method. The pattern includes charts and written chart instructions. The pattern is full of simple cables with lots of texture. Simple but not boring. Pattern includes classic heel flap and the toe is rounded.

You will need 200 - 300 yards (183 - 274 m) depending on your foot length.

The Spoondrift Socks are anklets knit from the cuff down, using the magic loop technique, however dpns can be easily substituted. The pattern is easily memorized, a bit of texture and lace. The pattern is both charted and written chart instructions.

You will need 200 - 300 yards (183 - 274 m) depending on your foot length.

Suggested yarns are Sandnes Garn Sisu, Coopknits Socks Yeah! or Tukuwool Fingering but any fingering weight yarn with great stitch definition will work.

WIPs and FOs

I am working on my test knit of Daintylion designed by Rebecca McKenzie of Raging Purlwind (@ragingpurlwind) using The Fibre Co. Cirro in Angelic.

Cirro is a sport weight brushed yarn processed in a mill in southern Peru, home of the alpaca. Cirro combines the long lustrous Suri alpaca fibre with Merino wool. The brushed effect is created by wrapping this blend around an organic cotton binder thread to achieve a light and airy yarn perfectly balanced for body and drape. Cirro creates a delightfully soft haloed fabric that is light as a feather and easily worn next to the skin. Made in Peru.

• 40% Suri Alpaca, 40% Organic Cotton, 20% Merino
• Sport weight
• 246 yards (225 meters) per 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
• 23 sts = 10 cm on 4.00 mm (US 6)
• Hand wash, dry flat

By last Monday, I had separated the body and the sleeves. It has such a pretty and delicate yoke, doesn't it?

The body is now 6 inches from the underarm with another 5 inches too go before the final 2 inches of hem detail and ribbing. There is the option of adding some simple a-line shaping but since I am knitting a size with 7 inches of ease, I am knitting the body straight.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The newest Knit-Alongs are the Any Sweater / Shawl KAL and the Knit Any Project: the everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from May 1 to August 31, 2021.

Remember to post photos to the finished object (FO) thread when you finish a project during the Knit-Along so that you will be included in the next draw! We will also add the option of posting your finished project to Instagram using the #sue2knitskal so that I can find them!

Paulette (@psknitting50) knit this beautiful sweater using her handspun yarns!

This is Jocelyne (jocblais)’s third Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavallee! Yarn is Sandnes Garn Tynn Line and Tanis Fiber Arts Willow.

Rosemary (@coolknitsbyrose) finished her Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavallee.

Rosemary (@coolknitsbyrose) finished her complete Summer Lee’s Midwinter Sock Set!

Anna (@kollar.annie) knit this pair of High Tide Socks by Solène Le Roux.

Ann (annvanwagner) knit a pair of Sherwood Socks from Kay F Jones (Bakery Bears).

Patti (@patnelann) knit these sweet gifts with a Leo and Roxy Work Sock Set and a basic baby sock pattern.

Brenda (@bmallat42) knit Charites Beanie by Cate Savard (@weird.sheep) using Malabrigo Mecha in Piedras. Pattern is written for 3 yarn weights.

Veronica (@xovee.knits) has been knitting classic ribbed 100% alpaca hats using Drops Puna.

Leslie (lcritch) finished her gorgeous and delicate Seine by Janina Kallio knit using The Fibre Co. Meadow in Cornflower.

Tuesday Knit Afternoons from 2 - 4 pm and Thursday Knit Nights from 7 - 9 pm has started again in the shop! Weather permitting, we will hold our Thursday Knit Nights out back!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting! Keep calm and keep on knitting and making!