Friday, July 16, 2021, Issue 207: Happy Friday!

• Posted on 16 July 2021
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in July 2021, KAL, knit-along, summer knitting, We are open!
• 0

I love summer sweaters! I love wearing them and I love knitting them! Are you a summer knitter or maker of summer sweaters or do you prefer smaller projects like socks or a shawl?

Tegna by Caitlin Hunter is a wonderful summer tee that is knitted seamlessly from the bottom up, starting with the slightly flared lace hem, then working up to the armholes, where you separate your work and work the front and back flat. Knit in fingering weight yarn, this design works equally well in wool, a wool/mohair blend or linen. Instructions are given to customize the body and sleeve lengths to your preference.

MATERIALS:

YARN: any fingering weight yarn that knits to the gauge!

YARDAGE: 760 (800, 860, 1020, 1160, 1240, 1300) yards; 695 (731, 786, 933, 1061, 1134, 1189) meters

NEEDLES:
Note: In testing it was found that the needle size required to meet gauge varied quite widely depending on yarn used and knitter’s personal style. The range used by testers was US 3 (3.25mm) through US 7 (4.5mm) for the main body, so knitting a gauge swatch is absolutely critical to determine needle size and ensure proper fit of the garment!

MAIN NEEDLE: US 3 (3.25mm) circular needles for the body and sleeves

NECK and SLEEVE HEM NEEDLE: US 2 (2.75mm) circular needles for the neckband and sleeve hem, or one size smaller than main body needle

OTHER NOTIONS: Stitch markers, stitch holders (or scrap yarn), tapestry needle, an extra needle for 3- needle-bind off

GAUGE: 22 sts and 26-28 rows over 4” in stockinette after washing and blocking on larger needles

SIZES:
This sweater is designed to be slightly oversized, with approximately 5-10” of positive ease around the bust. The sleeves are fitted, so make sure you pay attention to the sleeve circumference when choosing your size. (Schematic is provided in the pattern) Sample shown is worn with 8” of positive ease.

XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) finished circ. at bust: 35.5” (38”, 43.25”, 48.25”, 53.5”, 58.5”, 63.5”)

Below are a few of the Tegnas that were knit by some of our local knitters!

Jen is rocking the Tegna by Caitlin Hunter that she finished last Saturday! She knit hers using Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock in Calm Waters.

Nicole looks fabulous in her Tegna by Caitlin Hunter that she knit using Bergere de France Bigarelle.

Paulette knit her Tegna using Hikoo Cobasi in Gold Crest.

Connie knit her Tegna with longer sleeves using Araucania Botany Lace.

Connie (knitnut246) knit her Tegna using a yarn stash from her Florida LYS!

Sunshine Coast by Heidi Kirrmaier is quite simple in appearance, but comes with a few little design details that make it special! The A-line body shape is flattering on many body types. It is intended to fit with ½ to 3 inches of ease at the bust. Knit entirely seamlessly from the top down, it is also quite easy to make. The side details are formed through basic increases and decreases.

The gauge is suitable for a heavy DK or light worsted yarn. It could also be knit in a woolier yarn, and the instructions offer an edge finishing option in case the unfinished edges curl more than desired.

MATERIALS:

YARN: any heavy DK or light worsted yarn that knits to the gauge!

YARDAGE: 775 (870, 950, 1125, 1220, 1330, 1450, 1540) yards; 840 (945, 1030, 1220, 1325, 1440, 1570, 1670) meters

NEEDLES: 3.75 mm (US 5)

GAUGE: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Connie (knitnut246) knit her Sunshine Coast with a different gauge, doing the math to adjust her size.

Sunshine Coast by Heidi Kirrmaier is definitely one of Trina's favourite patterns! I think she is up to five - this one she knit using a beautiful shade of Rowan Tetra Cotton (now discontinued). She knit several using Berroco Remix Light.

Natalie (abrnat) knit her Sunshine Coast using Berroco Remix Light in 6917 Periwinkle.

Ingrid (quinoa) knit her Sunshine Coast using Berroco Elba in 7741 Scorpionfish, a worsted weight, 100% cotton tape yarn that feels like your favorite t-shirt but creates fabric with beautiful stitch definition.

Celina Dyhring (@knitsfordaysdk)’ new Chamomile Tee was released last week! It’s is a light and feminine cropped t-shirt. The t-shirt is worked from the top down, where increases first are made for the shoulder, then the sleeves and finally the armhole. An i-cord edge is worked along the neckline, and wide ribbing is used to finish the body and the sleeves.

BUST CIRCUMFERENCE:
90 (95) 101 (104) 115 (124) 135 cm or 35.5 37.5 39.75 41 45.25 48.75 53.25 inches (measured just below the armholes).

SIZE GUIDE:
Chamomile Tee is designed to have approx. 4-6 cm 1.5-2.25 inches of positive ease.
The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL are designed to fit a bust circumference of 80-85 cm (85-90 cm) 90-95 cm (95-100 cm) 100-110 cm (110-120 cm) 120-130 cm or
31.5-33.5 inches 33.5-35.5 inches 35.5-37.5 inches 37.5-39.5 inches 39.5-43.3 inches 41.3-47.25 inches 47.25-51.25 inches.
Measure yourself with a measuring tape around your bust or your widest upper body point to determine which size will fit you. (Keep in mind that these measurements will only be achieved if you are using the correct gauge).

RECOMMENDED NEEDLES:
Circular needle 4 mm US 6m, 60 cm and 80 cm or 100 cm) 16, 24 and 32 or 40 inches
Circular needle 3 mm US 3m and 80 cm or 100 cm) 16 and 32 or 40 inches

GAUGE:
22 stitches x 30 rows in stockinette stitch on needle 4 mm US 6 = 10 x 10 cm 4 x 4 inches.

MATERIALS:
The tee is knitted using one thread of Alpaca held together with one thread of Kid-Silk.
200 (200) 250 (250) 250 (300) 300 g of Alpaca by DROPS (50 g = 167 m) 182 yards.
75 (100) 100 (100) 125 (125) 125 g of Kid Silk by DROPS (25 g = 200 m) 218 yards.

WIPs and FOs

My Meridian Top by Claudia Q for EweKnit Toronto is moving along! The yoke wasn't difficult although my sister who started knitting this one a few weeks ago misunderstood the wording used in the increase round and initially ended up with way too many stitches! Once I figured out that [Inc 1 st in next st purl-wise, p2] meant 3 stitches became 4 and so on, she had no more issues! I used a lifted increase when doing mine.

I am enjoying working with the Shibui Knits Echo yarn that I chose to knit mine with and the rich blue of the Deep Water colourway too. Echo is the yarn that the pattern was originally designed with. My sister is using Rowan Creative Linen for her top.

The Meridian Top is a versatile summer top down sweater with a lacey eyelet yoke. The pattern includes various sleeve and body lengths to suit your unique style. I am planning elbow length sleeves for mine.

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. I will get a thread started soon!

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!

Nikki finished her “lightweight yet snuggly” Faraway, So Close by Carina Spencer using Manos del Uruguay Fino.

Kay, Diane and Karen all cast on Nightshift by Andrea Mowry back in January. This one is Kay’s! Doesn’t it look wonderful on her?

Lise (Mattedcat) has knit another of her gorgeous Fairy Dust baby cardis by Dani Sunshine, this one in a 3 month size and knit using Garnstudio Drops Baby Merino in white.

Ann knit these Morning Coffee Socks by Crazy Sock Lady Designs using magic loop.

Sandi (sandima) was one of the test knitters for Joan Rowe’s Colorwork Yin Yang Cats Beanie using Garnstudio Drops Alpaca.

Anna (@kollar.annie) finished her Magnolia Bloom by Camilla Vad a few months ago! Such a lovely pattern and knit sweater!!

Veronica (@xovee.knits) loves her cables…Check out her patterns on Ravelry under Veronica Topham!

I love how Connie (knitnut246)’s Elton by Joji Locatelli turned out…I’m hoping to get a photo with her wearing it soon!

Dianne finished her Soft Structure test knit, her very first test knit! She knit it using Malabrigo Rios in Cumparsita!

NEW IN!

Koigu’s July Collector’s Club colour Macaroons has landed in the shop! Above is the inspiration image.

Macaroons is a Koigu KPPPM Collector Club limited edition colourway.

Koigu Painters Palette Premium Merino is spun from the finest merino sheep in the world. Plied for durability, this lightweight wool is soft, silky, and retains the natural elasticity of merino. An extremely versatile yarn, the Premium Merino is celebrated by fiber artists around the globe. Ideal for both hand knitting and crochet, as well as machine knitting, weaving and needlework; this yarn is perfect for creating dresses, slippers, sweaters, shawls, blankets, hats, and gloves... the list could go on forever!

• 100% Merino Wool
• 170 yds/50g
• 3.0mm Needles (US 3)
• 28 stitches by 36 stitches over 10cm by 10cm

VIRTUAL SOCIAL KNITTING

We are back and open for in-store shopping! Since Friday, June 11th (Phase 1) you can come in, touch, look and browse as long as you wear a mask and stay 2m away from each other. Curbside pick up will still be available for anyone still not comfortable with coming in as well as shipping.

We are continuing our 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!