Friday, August 28, 2020, Issue 163: Lazy days and end of summer knitting!

• Posted on 28 August 2020
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in August 2020, Fall Knitting, KAL, knit-along, make-along, summer knitting
• 0

I can't believe that it is almost September and that summer is winding down! I just finished another summer tee...Are you still knitting for summer or are you knitting for sweater weather?

Espace Tricot has just released their new Calliope pattern on Ravelry! Calliope is a raglan-style sweater knit in the round from the top down featuring expanding rib at the neckline, simple rib at the hem, and long, dramatic sleeve cuffs. The wide, circular neckline evokes a vintage sensibility and combines with the modern, boxy silhouette to create an updated classic that will easily fit into any wardrobe!

Calliope is a free Ravelry download as most of Espace Tricot's patterns are! The gauge is a worsted weight gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette, after blocking. The suggested needles are 4.5 mm (US 7) for the main knitting or as required to get gauge and 4.0 mm (US 6) for the ribbing. They used two yarns held together throughout so if you do decide to use a single yarn you will onlly need half of the yardage required. Also, while the length of this sweater is easily customizable, be aware that adding length may affect yardage requirements. How about knitting it holding two Shibui yarns held double or held double with Drops Kid Silk or Malabrigo Silkpaca? All Shibui yarn is 20% off right now!

Ooh La La by Isabell Kraemer is worked from the top down seamlessly but flat featuring a lace pattern panel in the front. Knitting starts with the cast on of the shoulders for the back. Once the short row shaped shoulder slope is done, the back is worked flat to underarm. Shoulder stitches are picked up to work the front to the same length. At underarm both front and back are joined to work the body top down in rounds to the bottom hem. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the arm openings to work the sleeves (short or long) top down in rounds. Neck finishing is worked last.

Gauge is 24 sts x 34 rows = 4” (10 cm) square in Stockinette stitch on larger needle after blocking using fingering weight yarn. The recommended needles are 3.5 mm (US 4) or as required to get gauge and 3.25 mm (US 3).

I love yuki-Nei on Ravelry’s long sleeve version of Ooh La La! The pattern is 20% off until August 29, 2020! The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn so how about knitting it using Kelbourne Woolens Perennial, Istex Einband, or Garnstudio Drops Flora? These suggested yarns come in some bright, solid colours but I think any fingering, sock weight yarn will work!

Kī Cardigan by Leila Raven is sweet cardigan out today! No coupon is needed to get 20% off until September 4, 2020!

The Kī Cardigan is a seamless, top down sweater in DK weight for little ones up to 6 years old. Kī pulls inspiration from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Baby Sweater on Two Needles in Knitter’s Almanac, paired with the wavy shale pattern from Leila's Shaelyn shawl.

The pattern is written for three sizes and with options for short or long sleeves. Charts and written instructions included. Gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, relaxed after blocking. The suggested needle size is 4.5 mm (US 7) or as required to get gauge.

WIP's and FO's

While working on my Anker’s Summer Shirt by PetiteKnit, I put the body on hold while I knit the sleeves first.

I took this shot after finishing the body but before blocking it. I have tried it on several times while I was knitting it and it fits but since my gauge swatch was bigger, it is hard to visualize the difference!

This is it after blocking and while it did grow, it wasn't as much as I had thought...I swatched first using 3.75 mm needles - I am a loose knitter and usually have to go down a whole needle size. Gauge was too loose so swatched with 3.25 mm and gauge was a little too small so I cast on with 3.5 mm needles.

I was aiming for a size in between 39.25 and 43.25 but ended up with a bust circumference of 40”. I like my sweaters with more ease…I must say that I still love how it turned out! Yarn is LoftyFiber Euroflax Sport in Soft Coral. It is the same 100% Wet Spun Linen formerly available from Louet North America. Machine wash and dry-able. Deliciously intense color. Lustrous drape. Soft hand. Perfect for warm-weather knitting. Euroflax may be a bit tough on one’s hands to knit, but the result once washed and blocked is fabulous!

I am working on knitted squares for the Covid-19 memorial blanket! Have you heard about Covid-19 memorial blanket yet? Details can be found on their website, Facebook page and on Ravelry.

This is a simple square, perfect for beginners. It also allows us to ensure that the name placards can be attached to each square.

THE BLANKET PATTERN: THIS IS THE SQUARE TO BE USED IN THE 9000 SQUARE BLANKET

MEASUREMENTS: 12 x 12 inches MATERIALS:
1 Skein of Berroco Vintage (Worsted Weight) – Any colour can be used for this project, there are more than 80 to chose from. We have dedicated the colour Aquae 5125 to represent Frontline/Essential Workers.
4.5 mm needles (can be knit on straight or circular)

GAUGE:
20 stitches x 27 rows = 4 inches

PATTERN:
Cast on 60 stitches.
Knit 6 rows.
Repeat these 2 rows until the square measures 11.5 inches.
Row 1 – (RS) Knit all stitches
Row 2 – (WS) Knit 5 stitches, purl to the last 5 stitches, knit 5 stitches. Knit 6 rows.
Bind off.
Weave in ends. (no need to leave any for seaming)

BLANKET SQUARES FOR INDIVIDUAL SIZED BLANKETS:

As part of this project, we will be making individual sized blankets for a variety of agencies throughout Canada. These squares can be knit or crocheted, and can use any washable worsted weight yarn. These are perfect for those who would prefer to use up some stash yarn.MEASUREMENTS: 12 x 12 inches

NEEDLE/HOOK: If knitting, 4.5 mm. If crocheting 5.0mm.
Any combination of stitches, colours, stripes, pattern can be used for these blankets.
This is perfect for those who have knit a square for the main blanket and have part of a skein left over, add a fun stripe in a stashed worsted weight for a cheery blanket.
There is no need to block or launder your squares, we will do that as part of the assembly process.

Squares can be mailed to

Covid Blanket Squares
111 Cable Road,
Fenelon Falls,
Ontario, K0M 1N0

Please include the following information with your square.

Name, address, email, and if you wish to include a message of hope, love, or support, please do so.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Any Sweater / Shawl KAL and the Knit Your Project: the everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from July 1 to September 30, 2020. Post you finished projects to the Sue2Knits and Yarn Ravelry Group to the Finished Objects thread or to Instagram using the hashtag #sue2knitskal to be included in the next quarterly draw.

Joji Locatelli’s Fall KAL 2020 kicks off September 1st but if you want to join in, you need to sign up before August 30th! I’m joining in, are you? Jen, Heidi, Linda, Connie, Angela and more have all signed up to knit one or more of Joji's patterns. You must sign up your projects using this form to officially participate in the KAL. Be sure to read her FAQ thread as well!

Brandi (@thegreenbuttonjar) finished her Nice to Gnome You/Gnicki by @imagined_landscapes, Sarah Schira.

Because she made two beards on clue 8, Sandi decided to make a second Gnome to play with other colours! Pattern is Nice to Gnome You by Sarah Schira for the Summer Mystery Gnome Knit-along!

Heidi (@eweandiyarn) knit this gorgeous Delphinia Shawl by Ambah O'Brien for her bestie Jen’s birthday!

Jen knit her mom Judy this beautiful Ranunculus by Midori Hirose (her second one) with Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock in Faded Rose. She shortened sleeves because Judy broke her arm...so now there is this cast and no knitting! Jen is planning to lengthen the sleeves to a 3/4 length later when there is no cast.

Nancy’s latest Covid project is this vest!!

Dianne knit this sweet little dress for her granddaughter in less than two weeks! Pattern is Simo by Cirilia Rose. Yarn is Berroco Remix in Eggplant. Dianne has promised to send a picture of her granddaughter wearing it!

Angela (@angelamaria6334) has been knitting for her granddaughter! Pattern for the cardigan is Verde Cardigan by EweKnit Toronto (@eweknitto).

Another baby knit sleeper designed by Veronica (@xovee.knits) again based on the measurements of her son’s 0-3 month size sleepers!

Super cute shortie socks! Patti (@patnelann) has been knitting along with the #sanitysockskal. Yarn is Regia Tutti Frutti, a non-wool sock yarn that is breathable and extra soft because of its high cotton content.

Patti also knit Heel Do Si Do by Crazy Sock Lady Designs. Yarn is Schoppel Wolle Das Paar, German for “the pair”. Yarn hank is actually two 50g hanks for matching socks!

Brandi (@thegreenbuttonjar) is not a fan of wearing socks but these that she knit! Pattern is My Favorite Vanilla Socks by Meaghan Schmaltz (@notsorryknitter). Yarn from The Green Button Jar.

Rita knit Bed for a Pet by (@knittingilove) Barbara Nalewko. Coupon code Pet20 is good until August 29th. Rita's dog Jack loves it and snagged it even though it was intended for Rita's other dog Molly!

Re-Stock and New

Istex Einband has arrived! Check out Atlantica by Audrey Borrego in the upcoming Pom Pom Quarterly, Issue 34: Autumn 2020.

Atlantica by Audrey Borrego is designed to be knit using two strands of Einband held together. The above version is shown using Peach (9990) & Light Beige Heather (1038).

Another shipment has arrived of Drops Air (Turtle Dove and Turtle Dove II by Espace Tricot - Kits available), Drops Kid Silk and Drops Andes!

UPCOMING EVENT!

Save the Date - Local Yarn Store Day was postponed to September 12, 2020 because of COVID-19. The will be special LYS Day Kits, yarns and accessories! More details to come.

VIRTUAL SOCIAL KNITTING

Virtual social knitting using the Zoom app! It has been a great way to knit together through social distancing! Join in with us either Tuesday afternoon from 2 - 4 pm or Thursday nights from 7 - 9 pm. We are continuing to hold our Zoom meetings each week until we can meet again in person. Clicking on the link will take you to our Zoom meeting.

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 407820804

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

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