Friday, January 29, 2021, Issue 183: What is on your needles?

• Posted on 29 January 2021
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in January 2021, sweater weather, winter knitting
• 0

Are you knitting or making something cozy? Something snuggle into to keep the cold winter at bay? It is sweater weather but it is also hats, mittens, shawls or blankets to wrap up in!

Shell by Lone Kjeldsen is knit in a squishy garter stitch which is very stretchy and will grow a little with baby! Victoria knit her daughter one as you can see above!

She made the 6-9 month pattern for her daughter, who is now wearing it at 14 months old! She’s average weight and tall for her age (the garment is so wonderfully stretchy). It is more suited for babies, but she loves wearing it! She wears it when we go out on our winter walks under her coat as another layer. It keeps her really warm and the hood stays on because it’s part of the bodysuit. It’s so quick to stay on and it stays done up. The garter stitch is nice and stretchy.

Some things that she learned making this: i-cord bind-off, mattress stitch on garter and stockinette, kitchener stitch on garter and stockinette. Previously she had only made a little sweater top-down, so she really enjoyed the cool construction of this garment - it’s really clever!

Victoria knit hers using Kelbourne Woolens Scout and for the hood, she held it double with a strand of mohair.

Luffe by Lone Kjeldsen are warm double mittens for the whole family with a unique thumb gusset! The pattern includes sizes 2 up to XL and are knit using fingering weight yarn in two layers. The gauge is 24 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches using a suggested needle size of 3.5 mm (US 4). Knit them up using Garnstudio Drops Flora or Drops Alpaca.

Last week, there were a bevy of mitten patterns inspired by the mittens worn by Bernie Sanders at the Biden Inauguration (and on the campaign trail), given to him by Jen Ellis.

Feel the Bern by Caitlin Hunter is a little yoke cropped sweater inspired by the mittens worn by Bernie Sanders at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration made by Jen Ellis. This free pattern has not been test knitted or tech edited, that is why it is free! This is a fun little gift to the knitting community made in the spirit of celebration and spreading kindness. This design uses her most popular pattern - the Soldotna Crop pattern as a template, so she am confident that it will be an enjoyable knit with a lovely result.

The design can easily be lengthened if crops aren’t your style, instructions are included in the pattern. This design is simple enough for an adventurous beginner, yet still engaging for advanced knitters. Best of all, the cropped length and sleeveless style make this a super quick and gratifying project. The body length is easily adjustable; keep in mind changes will alter the yardage required.

In lieu of payment for this pattern, I would love if you would consider making a donation to Meals on Wheels, your local food pantry, or a similar organization that supports ending hunger. Bernie’s motto is “not me, us” and I hope knitting this sweater will be a reminder to serve our communities and work toward creating a better world for everyone.

Here is the Feel the Bern knit by barbaranabis on Ravelry! I can’t believe how fast she knit hers!

Feel the Bern is knit using worsted weight yarn using a suggested needle size of 3.75 mm (US 5) for the ribbing and 4.5 mm (US 7) needles for the main needle or as required to get the gauge of 18 sts and 26 rounds over 4” 10 cm in stockinette on main needles after blocking.

My sister who saw the pattern first, had me ship her West Yorkshire Spinners Blue Faced Leicester Aran to knit one with and to go with the same yarn in natural she has in her stash. Other suggested yarns are Cascade 220 Heathers, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Berroco Vintage, Navia Faroese Sock, Navia Trio as well as Istex Lettlopi. Mix and match to get the colour palette you want!

This is one that I want to knit...I love Caitlin's patterns!

Not interested in mittens or a sweater? Here are Bernie’s Socks by Stone Knits!

This sock pattern is inspired by the colourwork mitts that Bernie Sanders wore at the 2021 US presidential inauguration, which led to the iconic meme pics that went viral and spread joy across the world. Bernie has since explained - he was just trying to keep warm and concentrate on what was happening which typifies Bernie and his honest, down to earth attitude to life. A man who has dedicated his life raising awareness on poverty, fighting for equal rights and conserving the environment in the US, he is an inspiration globally.

The original mitts that these socks are based on, were sewn by Vermont teacher Jen Ellis, out of recycled old sweaters. Embracing Sander’s passion for education and the environment, this pattern is free but keeping in Bernie`s spirit, I would like to suggest if you are able to, to donate what you would normally pay for a pattern to a charity that is focusing on poverty, education, equal rights or the environment local to you.

These socks are knit from the cuff down with a 2 x 2 ribbed cuff, an easy colourwork pattern on the leg and foot and a heel-flap and gusset. This pattern uses the magic loop circular needle method (but can be knit with dpns).

Three sizes are included with size is based on the circumference of the foot. Length can be adjusted by knitting more or less for the foot.

Check out the colours of Lang Yarns Jawoll Superwash Sock and Katia United Sock.

WIPS

I have separated the body and the sleeves of my Paloma by Espace Tricot!

I have 3 inches of the body knit and can't wait to be able wear this one! I am thrilled with the cozy feel of the knit fabric.

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 January 1 to April 30, 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!

Rosemary finished this pair of Tanis Fibre Arts Business Casual socks (free pattern) knit using Lichen and Lace 80/20 sock yarn in Linen.

Dianne finished these slouchy socks for a size 5 foot using Shirley Brian Yarns Deconstructed Fade Sock!

Natalie (abrnat) finished a pair of Rose City Rollers by Mara Catherine Bryner to wear to bed!

Aren’t these Spring Mittens by Amanda Sund (free on Ravelry) the prettiest mittens? These were knit by Paulette (@psknitting) using yarn stash!

This is one of many Lotus Flower Beanies by BKnitsHandmade knit by Brenda (@bmallat42) using Malabrigo Rasta!

Sandi (sandima) test knit this awesome Dinosaurs in the Jungle Beanie by Joan Rowe! Pattern is available on Ravelry now!

Victoria (mamavictoria) crocheted this pair of Sheepskin Slippers for Adult by Christine Kitchen for her grandmother using Bergere de France Merinos Alpaga.

Victoria then crocheted the cutest little Sheepskin Slippers for Children by Christine Kitchen!

Connie (maltesecross) finished this Clapotis by Kate Gilbert (free on Ravelry) using up stash yarn in the prettiest shade of green!

SHOP UPDATE

Three new colours in Ancient Arts Yarns Passion 8 have arrived! Honeycomb is on the left, Bee Happy - January Colour of the Month in the middle and River Rock on the right!

A big shipment of Rowan Felted Tweed, Rowan Summerlite DK and Summerlite 4 Ply arrived...

A few Rowan Kidsilk Haze Kits including a pattern for a beautiful scarf curated and designed by Rowan designer Lisa Richardson. Unfortunately I did not receive all of the kits I ordered.

New in are the Kollage SQUARE Interchangeable Knitting Needles with the new interchangeable quick release tool. Mini Kits and Combo Kits are not in stock but can be ordered upon request even in custom combinations.

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!