Friday, August 27, 2021, Issue 213: Lazy summer days...Happy Friday!

• Posted on 27 August 2021
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in August 2021, Gift Knitting, KAL, knit-along, make-along, summer knitting
• 0

I can't believe that it is almost September and that summer is winding down! Are you anticipating fall-ish, cooler weather? Are you still knitting for summer-ish or are you knitting for sweater-ish weather?

Anker’s Sweater – My Size by PetiteKnit is worked from the top down. The yoke is worked in sections of rib with increases in the round, followed by classic raglan increases when the stockinette stitch section begins. The sleeves are worked at the end, either on double-pointed needles or on circular needles using the Magic Loop technique. Anker’s Sweater – My Size has no finishing other than weaving in ends.

Anker’s Sweater - My Size by PetiteKnit is similar to her summer Anker’s Summer Shirt and Anker Tee but with long sleeves.

Size guide
The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL are designed to fit an approximate bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39½) 39½-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ inches]. This means that the Anker’s Sweater – My Size is designed to have approx. 6-10 cm [2¼-4 inches] of positive ease.
Measure yourself at your widest upper body part using a measuring tape to determine which size to knit. Example: If you measure 95 cm [37½ inches] you should knit a size M.

Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL

Bust circumference: 92 (96) 102 (106) 116 (126) 136 cm [36¼ (37¾) 40¼ (41¾) 45¾ (49½) 53½ inches]

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on 4 mm [US6] needles

Suggested needles: Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 40 and 60 and 80 or 100 cm [16 and 24 and 32 or 40 inches], circular needles 3.5 mm [US4] / 80 or 100 cm [32 or 40 inches]
Double-pointed needles: 4 mm [US6] and 3.5 mm [US4] (if the Magic Loop technique is not used)

Materials: 2057 (2057-2313) 2313 (2570) 2827 (3084) 3341 yards
Please note that the sweater is worked in 2 strands of yarn held together throughout, and the given yardage amounts are the total yardage needed. If you decide too knit yours with a single strand of DK weight yarn such as Kelbourne Woolens Scout, you would only need half of the yardage.

Felizitas2011 on Ravelry knit her Anker’s Sweater with Garnstudio Drops Alpaca held double with Drops Kid Silk.

Andrea Mowry’s The Weekender is not a new pattern but will make a favourite addition to anyone’s wardrobe. Andrea combined her favorite attributes - texture, faux seams, drop shoulder, and some positive ease to create this versatile, flattering sweater! No matter your body type, it is perfect for wearing to the office or out on your weekend hike in the woods. I’ve already knit a second version, leaving off the sleeves so I can wear it in warmer weather or layered over a long sleeve tee!

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)(6, 7, 8, 9)
#sizeinclusive

Finished Measurements:
39.5 (44, 48.5, 52, 56.5)(60, 64.5, 68, 72.5)”
100.5 (112, 123, 132, 143.5)(152.5, 164, 173, 184) cm
Intended to be worn with approximately 10”/25.5cm of positive ease.

Sample: Shown in a size Small with 10” positive ease.

Yarn: Worsted Weight
330 (365, 405, 455, 500)(545, 590, 640, 683) g
915 (1015, 1130, 1265, 1385)(1520, 1640, 1790, 1910) yds
836 (928, 1033, 1157, 1267)(1390, 1500, 1637, 1747) m

Suggested Yarn: Malabrigo Rios, Cascade 220 Heathers, Berroco Vintage, Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Suggested Needles:
US 7/ 4.5mm - 40”/100 cm circular for tubular cast on
US 8/ 5mm - 40”/100 cm circular and DPNs for ribbing
US 9/5.5mm- 40”/100 cm circular and DPNs for main fabric

Notions: Stitch markers (3), tapestry needle, scissors, stitch holders or waste yarn, and a row counter is recommended

Gauge (worked over stockinette stitch in the round & blocked): 18 sts x 27 rows = 4”/10 cm

kathysknittingtoo knit The Weekender sample for The Fibre Co. in Arranmore Light which they felt was a great choice so went on to make and sell kits for it. The DK weight tweed yarn combines 80% merino wool, 10% cashmere and 10% silk for a warm, light and durable sweater fabric. I have some kits in Arranmore Light available HERE - Pattern is NOT included.

Sarah Schira (@imagined_landscapes) has a new Gnome MKAL starting September 21st until October 7th. The pattern for Gnorwen, "All Work, Gnome Play" can only be purchased through either Imagined Landscapes or on Ravelry.

Mystery Gnome Time!

This gnome features a heap of fun and an avalanche of video tutorials. She’s mostly simple knitting with a few twists to make her special.

Gnorwen loves working at the Gnice Cream Shoppe in the Gnorthern Ranges National Park. The park is famous for its whitewater rivers, the shop is famous for its sundaes, and Gnorwen is famous for being cold all the time working around the freezers. Tourists love to get their picture taken with her after rafting expeditions.

First clue - Tues, Sept 21
Last clue - Thurs, Oct 7
Fri, Oct 22 - last day to post a photo to enter for one of the 11 grand prizes

Join in and knit yours with yarn stash or order a kit from Ancient Arts Yarn in Socknado. I will take pre-orders only for the Gnome MKAL 7 Kits until Tuesday, August 31th so that I can place my order and have the kits in time for you to pick up before the MKAL starts.

Lopi’s ready-made blankets are back! These blankets are gorgeous heirloom pieces, prefect for your home or cottage, ideal in the living room or at the end of the bed, and they also make beautiful gifts. Made of Icelandic wool, they are extremely durable, lightweight, breathable and warm. The fabric is additionally combed after weaving to make it soft. The blankets come in a wide variety of patterns and all are reversible. The offerings are extensive this year with twenty-seven styles available, so there’s something for everyone (I’m partial to the ones with the colour blocks, the monochrome textures and the graphic polka-dots). Click here to download the Lopi Blanket 2021 catalog. We also have a sample in store for you to see and feel. 

Please note, these are ready-made blankets, they are not a knitting kit and unfortunately do not come with a stunning landscape as a back-drop.

• Sizes vary, see images for dimensions
• 27 styles are available for 2021
• Fully reversible
• Made in Iceland
• Hand Wash (or machine wash on delicate alone) in cold water with delicate wash (Eucalan or Soak), lay flat or hang to dry. 
• Lopi 2021 Blanket Catalog (includes larger images)

Pre-Orders

All pre-orders must be received by September 16th and will ship/be available for pick-up in early November. We will only be ordering these blankets once this year, and will only be filling pre-orders, so be sure to place your order if you want one! 

WIPs and FOs

Off my needles is the Daintylion sweater that I test knit for Rebecca McKenzie (@ragingpurlwind)! The pattern will be released soon.

I knit it using The Fibre Co. Cirro which is the suggested yarn. The gauge was 20 stitches and 37 rounds = 4 inches. My gauge was 20 stitches and 32 rounds using the recommended needles even though normally I need to go down a needle size.

I knit size 4 for a bust and hips of 46 inches but my finished sweater has a bust of 44 inches and hips of 46 inches. I love the lightness of the beautiful, delicate lace and fabric! I also love the fit!

I pulled out the Tegna by Caitlin Hunter WIP that I had set aside while I worked on the test knit and got a couple of inches more done! I am using the Shibui Reed from my frogged Tulip by Ririko which was a wonderful design but unfortunately ended up being too big for me.

My other WIP is Da Crofter’s Kep by Wilma Malcolmson which is the official 2021 Shetland Wool Week knitting pattern exclusively designed by our patron for two years running.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current 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!

Next Wednesday is the last day to post to be included in the latest draw.

Linda (lmcnorton) finished her Soubrette by Mary Annarella for the Lyrical Knits Sweater-a-Long.

Trina had two other show and tell with her but unfortunately I didn’t get photos of them. This one is a combination of her favourite patterns knit using Sandnes Garn Tynn Line.

Rita (ritz) was a tester for the recently released light as a feather REi Cardigan by ANKESTRiCK.

Patty (@patnelann) finished a pretty pair of Wish You Were Here Socks by the Kitchen Sink Shop in Ancient Arts Passion 8 in colour Bien.

Diane (@boujeeknits) finished her Galantine’s Day cast on…Teroldego by Caitlin Hunter.

Isn't it beautiful?

Sophie (Diane's daughter) crocheted herself a bag! She made up her pattern. Yarn is LoftyFiber Euroflax Sport.

Michelina (Diane’s daughter too) finished a pair of DRK Everyday Socks by Andrea Mowry.

Kay (@kayrobbins) looks fabulous in her Greenbay by Lisa Richardson in Mode at Rowan Collection 4 knit using Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply in Pear.

Anna (@kollar.Annie) was encouraged to take a selfie wearing her Bloom Sweater by Jenise Hope (@jenisehopeknits)

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!