Friday, November 1, 2019, Issue 121: Just over 7 weeks until Christmas!

• Posted on 1 November 2019
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in Fall Knitting, Favourite Patterns, Gift Knitting, November 2019
• 1

Christmas is going to be here before we know it...Have you started your gift knitting? Quick and bulky or intricate and fine, there are hundreds of patterns available for us to make...

Festivia by Melanie Rice is part of her new Festivia collection designed to subtly reflect the holiday season!

A modified Japanese lace stitch pattern adorns this festive crescent shawl. Make it for a special gift, or for a holiday party! Work from a chart or the full written instructions. Suitable for yarn weights from fingering to worsted; be sure to adjust yardage requirements when making substitutions.

Materials used for her sample ~ weighs 132g:
Malabrigo Sock
2 skeins Ravelry Red
A row counter is helpful for this pattern

Malabrigo Sock is what Melanie used for hers but the shop doesn't have the colour she used. I do have some gorgeous reds in ZenYarnGarden Serenity 20 (Flamenco), Baa Ram Ewe Titus (Wesley Bob) or Garnstudio Drops Flora or knit it in any colour you like! Gauge is 19 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch after firm blocking from upper to lower edge using 3.75 mm (US 5) needles or as required to get gauge.

Jólaskjól by Védís Jónsdóttir is a tree skirt for your holiday tree! Designed with Nordic homes in mind celebrating life, winter solstice and Christmas! The tree skirt is worked in the round. Round begins and ends with a purl stitch for the steek. The opening is cut open after securing the steek. It is designed to be knit using Istex Alafosslopi which I have ordered enough for 3 in these 2 colours specifically for this beautiful skirt! Kits will be $137.50. Pre-Order HERE and I can order more.

Diameter - 122 cm. Length from cast on edge to bind off - 56 cm.

Gauge: 13 sts and 18 rows = 10 x 10 cm in St st using 6 mm needles.

This adorable Fox Hat by Eva Norum Olsen would make a wonderful gift for your loved one(s) or

the matching Fox Mittens by Eva Norum Olsen. Both the cute fox hat and mittens can be knit for both boys or girls. You need three different colors, in addition to some black yarn for the eyes and nose in DK weight yarn. Gauge is 22 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches.

Available sizes: 0-3 months (3-6 months) 6- 24 months (3- 6 year) 8- 12 year

The pattern requires 3 needle sizes: 3.0 mm (US 2.5), 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4.0 mm (US 6)

Suggested yarns include Garnstudio Drops Baby Merino or Bergere de France Ideal.

Another giftible knit is Prairie Mittens by Tracie Millar (of the Grocery Girls)! The special details in these mittens give them sassy flair, and make them an extremely enjoyable and quick pair to knit up. Using luxurious mohair adds extra warmth which is perfect for a long, cold prairie winter.

The pattern is written to be knit holding two yarns together (one strand each of DK and the mohair silk throughout). You can substitute any yarn that gives the same gauge as stated in the pattern. Gauge is 20 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles or as required to get gauge.

Prairie Mittens are knit using the Magic Loop method. One long circular needle will hold the stitches for both the palm and back of mitten. Needle 1 (N1) holds the back of hand and thumb stitches, N2 holds the palm stitches. Feel free to substitute your favourite method for knitting in the round. Suggested yarns are Kelbourne Woolens Scout, Madelinetosh DK or Malabrigo Arroyo and Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk.

WIP's and FO's

My Zigzagular Socks by Susie White are still on my needles...The last time I mentioned that I messed up! When I was following the chart, instead of knitting through the back I knit like usual on my right sock. I reknit the Right Sock not quite to where it was but the Left Sock is past the heel flap!

Doesn't that zigzag pattern look great? The pattern is free too!

My Birkin by Caitlin Hunter WIP moved fairly quickly...One sleeve done!

Modifications include 1x1 ribbing, longer sleeves and short rows after instead of before the chart. I am happy with the fit but should have reduced the number of stitches on the sleeves. They are very baggy and I like them tighter.

I started a Boy Deer too using Julie Williams Boy Fox pattern and her Deer supplement! Seriously cute! Unfortunately the Boy or Girl Deer Class (Rabbit or Lamb) has been cancelled. It should have started tomorrow but despite interest for this popular class, no one signed up!

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 will run from September 1 until December 31st.

There is a Butterfly / Papillon Knit-Along starting in January!

Connie’s Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes

The lighting does not do justice to the beautiful colours in Carol's ZickZack Scarf by Christie Kamm. She knit it using her leftover Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light yarn from her Slow Curves shawl by Joji.

Marilyn’s cowl knit using Malabrigo Caracol

Linda’s Sacred Space by Helen Shrimpton

Catherine (MCatherineL)'s Hello Kitty Booties using Galilee Booties by Mamachee 

Lise (Mattedcat) test knit this Cabled Christmas Stocking

Lise has knit another Fairy Dust cardigan by Dani Sunshine for her beloved granddaughter!!

Sandi’s Cats in the Garden test knit is so cute!! Knit in Hikoo Simplicity.

Trina (kwiltz)’s Deschain (or Gabrielle) by Leila Raven knit using Cascade 220 Heathers

Every Nightshift by Andrea Mowry is gorgeous! Aileen’s is not blocked yet but beautiful!

NEXT WEEK is our 4th ANNIVERSARY! Look for Special Announcements that I haven't (sorry) set up yet! Also, any one participating in #FIBRESHARE will find the Discount Code coming LIVE soon!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!