Friday, November 29, 2019, Issue 125: Just over 3 weeks until Christmas!

• Posted on 28 November 2019
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in Favourite Patterns, Gift Knitting, November 2019
• 0

Can you believe it? Black Friday was today and it is only 26 days until Christmas! What is on your Wish List?

Angela ordered herself a loom which she came in to pick up wearing the sweater that she knit for the Strange Brew Colourwork Class from a few weeks ago. She knit hers using Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather Sport which is an all Canadian yarn from New Brunswick. I love the subtle colours that she used and the charts she chose to use.

PATTERNS

Noella Hat by Katrin Schubert is available as a free Ravelry download. This is a fast and fun knit, perfect for a little knitted gift to the ones you love. There is a seamless transition from ribbed brim to cabled pattern and the crown decreases are part of the pattern too. The NOELLA hat is worked up quickly and fully reversible. Pattern can be used for a lovely beanie in adult or children size. Use neutral colors, tonal/ solid or speckled of DK weight yarn such as Malabrigo Arroyo, Madelinetosh Tosh DK or SweetGeorgia Superwash DK. The gauge is 20 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in ribbed pattern using 3.5 mm (US 4) needles or required to get gauge.

Last week I included The Year of Hats from Kelbourne Woolens. Here is another one...The August Hat by Sarah Solomon features a two-colour Latvian Braid and botanical inspired colourwork. Those of you who are doing or have done our Sheep Carousel Class where we knit Kate Davies Sheep Carousel pattern will recognize the Latvian Braid!

The hat is knit using 2 colours of worsted weight yarn such as Cascade 220 Superwash or Heathers with a gauge of 21 sts and 24 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in stranded colorwork on larger needles, after blocking. You will need 3.75 mm (US 5) and 4.5 mm (US 7) needles. The Body Chart and Crown Chart are charted using the MC and CC as shown. This pattern also includes a set of charts using a symbol in place of the MC. If you use different colours, you color in the symbol chart based on the colors you are using. The included size has a 21.25” (54 cm) circumference and 8.5” (21.5 cm) height.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers is now playing in theatres. If you remember the original TV host, he always put on and wore a cardigan with a zipper instead of buttons. Mr. Rogers original iconic sweater was knit by his mother. The six sweaters in the movie were knit by Yasemin Esmek in just 9 weeks

Beekman 1802 has recreated the Beekman 1802 Cardigan which is available as a free Ravelry download and from their website HERE. The Beekman 1802 Cardigan was inspired by the ultimate Neighbor, Mr. Rogers is knit using worsted weight yarn in men's sizes X-Small to 3X. The finished chest measurement is 34.5 (38.25, 41.25, 46, 50, 53.75, 57.75)” with the front zipped; garment is intended to be worn with 3–4” ease. The pattern shows three needle sizes: 3.75 mm (US 5) for the ribbing, 4.0 mm (US 6) for the collar and 4.5 mm (US 7) for the body or as required to get gauge. The Navia Faroese Sock in Red is what I see knit up in this pattern which is 80% Wool and 20% Nylon. It is machine-washable but should be dryed flat. Berroco Ultra Wool also has a great red that would work well.

WIP's and FO's

Camilla Vad’s Magnolia Chunky Cardigan is currently on my needles. The above photo is from earlier in the week. I am using The Fibre Company’s Arranmore Light held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk.

I took this photo this morning...I added 15 rows to the body. The pattern had you knit only one row after you separated the body from the sleeves before you started the lace pattern. That would definitely be too cropped for my liking but I love the look of this cardigan!

I am not finished my Zigzagular Socks by Susie White yet but I'm halfway done the foot of the second sock!

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.

There is a Butterfly / Papillon Knit-Along starting in January during our Thursday Knit Night! We would like to start a Nightshift Knit-Along. If anyone is interested in knitting it together Wednesday afternoons, let me know. Angela wants to but the Tuesday afternoons does not work for her!

Love the Nightshift by Andrea Mowry that Liz knit!

Natalie knit herself Falling Stars by Emily Walton using Cascade 220 Heathers for the main colour and stash Cascade 220 for the contrast.

Paulette’s larger than expected but still light Martinmas Shawl by Sarah B. Abram.

Paulette’s lovely holiday mittens from Knitting Marvelous Mittens by Charlene Schurch.

Jocelyne knit a pair of Hastings Mitts by Tracie Millar

Connie (maltesecross) knit this Starflake by Stephen West during his mystery knit along!

Connie has knit other Stephen West Mystery Knit Alongs...

Wow! Connie’s Exploration Station knit using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light was from his 2014 Knit Along!

This week Connie (knitnut246) brought in a bunch of finished objects! She loves her The Weekender by Andrea Mowry that she knit in a larger size to get a smaller size because she used Berroco Remix Light, a DK weight yarn.

Connie (knitnut246)’s Ziggy Shawl by Joji knit using Cascade Heritage Silk Peruvian Tones

Another one of Connie’s finished projects is Graphica’s Inspiration Cowl

Connie (knitnut246)’s tiny sweater from Minutia ‘14 by Berroco Design Team and Little Long Johns by Susan B. Anderson. I can't believe how cute these are!

These three cuties are part of Jeannie’s sweet menagerie of Little Cotton Rabbit animals that she knit with different weights of yarn for different finished sizes!!

Linda finished her Zweig by Caitlin Hunter! She used CoopKnits Socks Yeah! for her main colour and Oceanwind Knits sock for her contrast.

Linda knit this F Bomb by Jennifer Spock-Rank...just because!

Christina’s Felix Cardigan by Amy Christoffers...another winner!

Kathy came to pick up her new Punch Needle tools wearing her gorgeous Turtle Dove by Espace Tricot! She will be teaching the Top Down Pullover Class in January. We plan to add a Punch Needle Class in the coming months!

More Christmas Gift Ideas

In addition to the Gift ideas from last week, here are a few more ideas...

The Ashford Complete Weaving Kit: This special holiday kit is the perfect present - affordable, easy, fun and is a gift that keeps on giving! Take the hassle out of gift giving for all your crafty friends and family this holiday season. This kit is ideal for those who have an interest in trying out, taking up or just dabbling in weaving.

The Complete Weaving Kit includes:

• 40cm (16") SampleIt Loom
• Canvas carry bag to fit your 40cm (16") loom and accessories
• Two 7.5dpi reeds – for double weave projects
• One 12.5dpi reed for finer yarns
• 2 Shuttles
• 2 Pick Up sticks - for pattern techniques and double heddle weaving
• Warping Peg and Clamps
• Finishing Wax
• Learn to Weave on the SampleIt Loom booklet
• The Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving - full of ideas and techniques!

But wait there's more – The COMPLETE Weaving Kit includes everything a weaver needs for their first project.

• Two balls of Ashford 8ply Tekapo Yarn - a lovely DK weight yarn in Natural White and Charcoal
• Full instructions to weave either a sophisticated Houndstooth or stunning Log Cabin scarf
• Cotton yarn for leashing on.

Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Sue2Knits Gift card or e-Gift Card!

I no longer do custom knits but I still have in stock some finished knit cowls and some baby sweaters. They are no longer listed in the online shop so please ask if you are interested.

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!