Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Issue 389: What is on your needles?

• Posted on 9 April 2025
• By Sue
• Posted in April 2025, knitting inspiration, spring knitting
• 0

Today, it sure looks like spring outside but it is still cold and yesterday afternoon we looked out to a bit of snow! Brrr...I really can't wait for the warm weather to arrive!

Is it time to knit summer sweaters yet? We probably should be but there are just so many wonderful sweater weather patterns!

Aster pullover by Elena Solier Jansà is an easy and relaxing knit. Owing to its big gauge, it flies off the needles. Knitted bobbles and embroidered petals complete the design.

It is one of the patterns to be found in 52 Weeks of Scrap Yarn published by Laine Publishing which is scheduled to be released on April 17th. Pre-order it to get your copy.

52 Weeks of Scrap Yarn: Projects for Crafters is an inspiring collection that contains 52 scrap yarn patterns ranging from small to large projects, from accessories and home decor to sweaters and cardigans. Some designs are made entirely of scraps, while others use them in smaller details as an eye-catching design element. In addition to knitting, there are also a few crochet pieces.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference: 36 (40, 43, 47.5) (51, 55, 59) (63.5, 66, 70)“ / 90 (100, 107.5, 118.5) (127.5, 137.5, 147.5) (158.5, 165, 175) cm

YARN
Approx. 310 (350, 370, 410) (450, 500, 550) (600, 700, 750) g / 845 (950, 1000, 1110) (1230, 1370, 1500) (1640, 1915, 2050) yds /  775 (875, 925, 1025) (1125, 1250, 1375) (1500, 1750, 1875) m of DK- or worsted-weight yarn

NEEDLES
3.75 mm (US 5) (for rib) and 4.5 mm (US 7) (for main fabric) 32” / 80 cm circular needles

GAUGE
16 sts x 26 rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles in St St, after blocking

SUGGESTED YARN
Rowan Felted Tweed, Tukuwool DK or Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Berlin Sunset scarf by Mariia Sordiia is another one of the patterns in 52 Weeks of Scrap Yarn. It inventively combines cables with dropped stitches woven with scrap yarn. It is playful and elegant at the same time!

The scarf is worked flat from end to end. It features cables and dropped stitches woven with scrap yarn, giving a look similar to a woven fabric. A built-in i-cord edge is created by slipping the first 3 stitches of each row.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Excluding fringe - 82.5” / 210 cm by 11.72” / 30 cm

YARN 
MC: Approx. 350 g / 1337 yds / 1225 m of fingering-weight yarn held double. Alternatively, you can use approx. 350 g / 668 yds / 612 m of worsted-weight yarn held single. 

CC: Scrap yarn of any thickness or type. Several strands are held together as one for the woven embellishments. You will need 12 groups of strands approx. 99” / 250 cm in length, or 16” / 40 cm longer than the scarf for woven embellishments and 4 groups of strands approx. 16” / 40 cm for corner braids. Plant fibre yarns, such as cotton and linen yarns, are not recommended as they have little elasticity.

NEEDLES
4.5 mm (US 7) 32” / 80 cm circular needles

GAUGE
20 sts x 26 rows to 4” / 10 cm with MC in St St, after blocking

SUGGESTED YARN
Berroco Ultra Alpaca, or Cascade 220 Heathers for the MC

Here are a few more from this amazing collection. From left to right, top to bottom: Block Party by Nicola Furey, Celebrate by Esti Juango, Piecework by Lindsey Fowler and Matka by Megumi Shinagawa.

Aal Ower Toorie by Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers is the official 2025 Shetland Wool Week knitting pattern. The hat pattern is available for £2 as a digital download or order a printed copy for £4 +p&p. All proceeds from the sale of this pattern will help to secure the future of the SWW event which is so important to Shetlanders and visitors.

Get the pattern HERE.

Knit the hat in any of the suggested colour variations, or come up with your own colour scheme. A special SWW Knit-A-Long has been created for the Aal Ower Toorie Knit-A-Long on Facebook. They would love everyone to join in and share your works in progress, colour schemes, questions and photos.

Remember to share your photos on Instagram using #aalowertoorie

Kits are available HERE.

The Kits include yarn only in Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight in colours similar to suggested colourways 1 and 2. Let me know if you want me to make up kits similar to colourway 3.

Kit 1 ~ Vintage: Yarn A - 4; Yarn B - 202; Yarn C - FC37; Yarn D - 121; Yarn E - 43; Yarn F - 1; Colour G - FC12; Yarn H - FC7

Kit 2 ~ Kaleyard: Yarn A - FC56; Yarn B - 28; Yarn C - FC9; Yarn D - 202; Yarn E - FC22; Yarn F - 1A; Colour G - 82; Yarn H - 65

FOs and WIPs

This was my progress shot of my Art Nouveau Sweater by Elenor Mortensen on Sunday. After I frogged back to row 21 of the chart a couple weeks ago, I decided to add the chart flipped similar to what my sister Mary (maryc1981) did on hers.

I am getting close to finishing the flip side of the yoke chart on the body.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

Here is the finished scarf woven by Yanhong (CaptainMocha).

She used the Ashford Fringe Twister for the fringe.

These are the latest bunnies and bears from Julie Williams (Little Cotton Rabbits) patterns knit by Carola!

The last three photos are the bears from the Bear in a Fair Isle Sweater by Julie Williams. They aren't wearing the fair isle sweater. They are wearing Dungarees and the cabled sweater from the Mouse in a cabled sweater pattern.

Sandi (sandima) wanted to knit an Easter outfit for a goose so she combined a few to make this one! I can't wait to see it on the goose.

Paulette (psknitting50) acid dyed all of this roving!

Paulette (@psknitting5) knit this pair of Latvian mittens modified to be fingerless using yarn she spun from fleece from her last sheep Mercutio.

Emma (emmlaporte) finished this pair of Surf Wax Socks by Summer Lee.

Anna (@kollar.annie) test knit this pair Bluebell Socks by Malin Borgersen (@minegleder. Pattern is coming soon.

Happy Wednesday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!