Friday, December 6, 2019, Issue 126: Just over 2 weeks until Christmas!

• Posted on 6 December 2019
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in cozy knits, December 2019, Favourite Patterns, Gift Knitting
• 0

Are you ready for the holidays yet?? I have had the house decorated for over a week on the inside...the outside finally got a garland over the front door! Not much time for gift knitting:)

Holiday get togethers are wonderful, with family, friends, good food, good cheer! I had originally thought to have an Christmas event but I forgot to include it in blog last week! Instead, we will have 2 Christmas parties - one on Tuesday afternoon and one on Thursday evening to coincide with the Knit Afternoons and evenings! On Tuesday, come from 12 noon until 4:30 and on Thursday, come from 6pm until 9:30! Bring some goodies and it will be our lunch on Tuesday and dinner on Thursday!

Love the way my Jólaskjól tree skirt makes my pencil tree so festive!

Favourite Patterns

The Weekender by Andrea Mowry is a favourite pattern to knit because Andrea designed it to have 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!

Shown above is Nancy (freshfleece)'s oh so lovely Weekender...

Since there are only just over 2 weeks left until Christmas, there isn't much time if you are knitting gifts but a hat is always quick!

Justyna Lorkowska’s Tied Knots hat is a free Ravelry download pattern! Not as quick a knit as a heavier weight hat but fun and cabled! This hat needs 210 - 219 yards (192 - 200 m) of DK weight yarn such Madelinetosh Tosh DK, Malabrigo Arroyo or Kelbourne Woolens Scout. The gauge is 8 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in the cable pattern worked in the round using 4.0 mm (US 6) needles or as required to get gauge. 3.25 mm (US 3) or needles 3 times smaller than your main needles are used for the ribbing.

I knit my Wurm Hat by katushika a couple of years ago using Schoppel Wolle Gradient, blogged about the pattern previously but later came across this beautiful adaption of the pattern!

CatReading's Yellow Wurm Cowl which she knit using less than 2 skeins (367.5 yards) of Malabrigo Worsted but any worsted will work including Malabrigo Rios.

Noro Hat by Saartje de Bruijn is a similar hat using Noro. Pictured is SharonOH's version. She called her project the Dr. Suess Hat! Her project notes say, I love this hat. It was a lot of fun to knit. I didn’t change the pattern at all and it came out perfect. The hat takes 130 - 140 yards (119 - 128 m) of Noro aran weight yarn such as Kureyon or Silk Garden. The gauge is 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using 4.4 mm (US 7) needles. The pattern is no longer available as a pdf but if you click on the For more information link, the pattern is there and you can print it to pdf.

Here is yet another similar free pattern, Luuk by Annis Jones which is sized from newborn to Adult Large This is the ultimate gift hat, the simple pattern is perfectly unisex while the combination of vertical and horizontal stripes make it very forgiving in terms of fit. Quick, comfortable, snuggly and stylish! It requires 30 - 190 yards (27 - 174 m) of worsted weight yarn and 5.0 mm (US 9) needles for a gauge of 15 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in Horzontal Ribbing.

WIP's and FO's

I finished the Camilla Vad’s Magnolia Chunky Cardigan that has been on my needles. I used The Fibre Company’s Arranmore Light held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk.

I finished my Magnolia Chunky Cardigan by Camilla Vad. I used The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light in Kinnego Bay and Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk in Petrol.

I haven't quite finished my Zigzagular Socks...Just half the left foot and toes to go on my second sock. No photo this week...

I am starting the vests for my grandsons really late!! I am using a combination of Port and Starboard by Ann Kingstone and Dog Star by tincanknits to make knit vests to match the Dog Star sweater that I knit my youngest grandson back in June.

Once again, I am using Regia 6 Ply Tweed in Anthracite and Natural which is a DK weight sock yarn that will make wearable, washable and dryable kid's clothes.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

The current Knit-Alongs are the Knit Your Any Sweater KAL and the Knit Any Shawl KAL and the Knit Your Project: the everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit is running from September 1 until December 31st. Don't forget to post your finished projects so that you will be included in our quarterly draw!

There is a Butterfly / Papillon Knit-Along starting in January during our Thursday Knit Night! We would also like to start a Nightshift Knit-Along. If anyone is interested in knitting it together Wednesday afternoons, let me know.

Look at the sweet Little Cotton Rabbits' Boy Bunny and Bunny Girl that Deb knit! They hitched a ride with her on her way to a destination wedding! Kits are available for purchase!

Jeannie has been having a lot of fun knitting up here Little Cotton Rabbit menagerie too! Here is another Boy Bear!

Linda has knit a Here We Gnome Again by Sara Schira

Aileen’s On the C Train Hat by Espace Tricot knit using Malabrigo Rios held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk is a super soft, warm and cozy hat!

Super cute too!

Trina's favourite pattern - Sunshine Coast by Heidi Kirrmaier. This is her second one knit using Rowan Tetra Cotton.

Rita knit this beautiful Alejandra shawl by Joji!

Alejandra is crescent shaped featuring a subtle mosaic border.

Debbie (debsnubs) finished The Weekender by Andrea Mowry that is strikingly similar in colour to Nancy’s pictured above!

Jocelyne finished this awesome Metropolis by Tanis Lavallee using Malabrigo Mecha. The greens of the Hojas colourway is not easy to capture!

The Fox Hat by Eva Norum Olsen that Jocelyne knit her granddaughter turned out super cute but not stretchy enough to fit!

The colours are not at all accurate on Jen’s Bakery Book Nook Socks. She used a set of gorgeous mini skeins!

Here is another gorgeous pair of colourful socks that are off Jen’s needles!

Lise (Mattedcat)’s Chamomile Cardigan by Lisa Chemery is adorable!

Kathy (chantrykathy)’s Big Blue blanket that she worked on and off on for several years is off her needles despite her needles coming apart because the glue in the old bamboo needles gave up their hold!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!