Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Issue 336: Happy Wednesday!!

• Posted on 27 February 2024
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in February 2024, KAL, knitting inspiration, sweater weather
• 0

It has been looking a little like spring outside but last night it rained and today it is quite windy! Are you ready to start your warm weather knitting projects or will you continue your cozy projects for a few more weeks?

I knit the Secret Garden Sweater by Elenor Mortensen at thee end of 2023 and it is a favourite!

Renaissance Sweater by Elenor Mortensen is her new top-down knitted sweater with narrow sleeves and a loose fit on the body. A large floral pattern runs over the yoke and continues over the sleeves and body. She wanted to see the motif in the middle of the upper arm in all of the available 5 sizes so has 2 gauges.

GAUGE
1) 25 sts x 33 rnds = 4´´ or 10 x 10 cm in one-colour stockinette and in fair isle pattern, after wet blocking.
OR
2) 27 sts x 36 rnds = 4´´ or 10 x 10 cm in one-colour stockinette and in fair isle pattern, after wet blocking.

Finished bust circumference in gauge 1: 35.4, 44, 51 (61.4, 71)´´ /90, 112, 131 (156, 180) cm

Finished bust circumference in gauge 2: 32, 40.2, 47.2 (56.8, 64.4)´´ / 82, 103, 121 (145, 165) cm

Upper arm circumference in gauge 1:
11.6, 13, 14 (15.3, 16.6)´´ /29.5, 33.5, 35.5 (39, 42.2) cm

Upper arm circumference in gauge 2:
10.8, 12.2, 13 (14.25, 15.5)´´ /27.5, 31, 33 (36.2, 39.2) cm

YARN
Gauge 1 (gauge 2):
MC: ca. 787, 896, 1050 (1190, 1340) yards / 720, 820, 960 (1080, 1220) m
CC : ca. 273, 328, 382 (437, 492) yards / 250, 300, 350 (400, 450) m

NEEDLES
3.25 mm (US 3) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
OR
2.75 mm (US 1) and 3.0 mm (US 2.5)

In Camay (Purlificknitter)’s stunning Renaissance Sweater, she used Malabrigo Mechita in black as her MC.

SUGGESTED YARN: Malabrigo Sock, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

Knit this statement Florescence Shawl by Ambah O'Brien in the fingering weight or the larger DK weight size. It is worked from the bottom up, featuring a floral motif with geometric styling inspired by Art Deco design motifs. Use solid colour yarns or add extra love with gradient or colour change yarns for either C1 or C2 and create an heirloom piece to enjoy for years to come. The mosaic pattern is more prominent with highly contrasting colours.

NOTE: The colour work instructions are charted only for this pattern.

DIMENSIONS
Fingering DK weight
Top Edge: 72 95“/180 237.5 cm
Depth: 22.5 28”/56 70 cm
Measurements taken after blocking.

YARN
Fingering DK weight
C1: 400 495 yd/366 453 m
C2: 430 546 yd/394 500 m

NEEDLES
US 5 7/3.75 4.5 mm, long circular needle to hold a large number of stitches (shawl is worked flat), or size required to obtain gauge.

GAUGE
24 20 sts and 60 40 rows = 4”/10 cm in Florescence Mosaic, blocked
Gauge is not crucial for this project, but variations will affect yardage and final measurements.

Introductory special Enjoy 25% off the Florescence Shawl through February 29, 2024 (tomorrow) with the Ravelry code: FLORESCENCE25

YARN SUGGESTIONS: Fingering - Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock, Koigu KPM and Collector's Club KPPPM; DK - Malabrigo Dos Tierras

Tits Up Socks by Nancy Wheeler (@knitsiphappy) were inspired by one of her favourite TV shows: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

Miriam and Susie are both strong, hilarious women who form a unique relationship in the early 1960s in New York. They use the phrase Tits Up to encourage each other to be brave and fearless. When we put our tits up, our shoulders come back and we feel the power to be strong cheerleaders for ourselves and the women in our lives.

The fun round motif is inspired by….well, I think you can guess!! The contrast stripes are a nod to the stunning mid-century fashion that Miriam wears throughout the series.

The sock comes in 3 sizes and is knit from the top down with a garter edge heel flap and traditional gusset. I finished it with my version of a rounded toe.

Written and charted instructions are included with a video tutorial to show the simple twisted stitch/cable combination. The cables can be done with or without a cable needle.

The pattern looks great on lots of different types of yarn…Give it a try! Check out the project pages for inspiration.

1 skein of fingering weight main colour yarn and a contrast colour is recommended.

NEEDLES
2.25 mm (US 1)

GAUGE
32 stitches and 40 rows = 4 inches

YARN SUGGESTIONS: Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock, Ancient Arts Socknado

WIPS and FOs

Last week, I thought that I was on the last repeat on my Malabrigo Dos Tierras KAL shop sample (Friendship Shawl by KnitSisu). I wasn't...and when I finished the C3, I thought I was almost finished again and even cut my C3. Instead there was another lace section and now I am working another garter section in C1. After that, there are a few more finishing sections. This shawl is so much prettier in person than in the photos!

The Spring 2024 Malabrigo KAL starts on March 1st. This March is dedicated to making this fun boomerang shaped shawl out of Dos Tierras, a 50/50 blend of alpaca & merino with a nice, tight twist.

Kits including the pdf, printed pattern, 3 skeins of Malabrigo Dos Tierras in a vinyl bag are available HERE. MORE Malabrigo Dos Tierras (including the colours that I am using) has arrived but I ran out of the vinyl bags that i use for my kits.

This Sunday, we have our Rigid Heddle Weaving Workshop running so I started my sample.

For our latest class, we are going to use Orchid Blossom, a Berroco pattern by Angela Tong using Berroco Sesame.

I love my finished and blocked Orchid Blossom scarf.

For the warp, I used Berroco Sesame in 7418 Orchid and for the weft, I used 7413 Cherry Blossom.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

My sister Mary (maryc1981) finished her Reed by Anna Johanna. Yarn is Stolen Stitches Nua Worsted and Estelle Yarns Eco Tweed DK.

She did not do the waist decreases or the busst darts.

Libby (lmudrack) finished her Cashmere Beret by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas.

Libby knit her Cashmere Beret using Drops Lima.

Beverley knit this pair of cozy socks using Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Rustic Red and left over blue yarn…pattern is Roman Rib Stitch Toe-Up Socks by Brenda Zuk and the buttons are vintage.

Brandi (@thegreenbuttonjar) knit this pair of Better Together Mittens by Strikkesoffe by Sofie Hågensen.

Victoria (mamavictoria) knit her daughter this DRK Everyday Cowl by Andrea Mowry for tobogganing and outdoor fun instead of a scarf!

Victoria (manavictoria) knit a DRK Everyday Cowl for her son as well! Yarn is The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light.

Debbie (debsnubs) completed another pair of socks! These are Morning Coffee Socks by Kay Litton (Crazy Sock Lady Designs).

Elaine (emayea) knit this Ocean Moon Shawl by Ambah O’Brien awhile ago.

She used Ancient Arts Socknado and Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Peruvian Tones.

SALE

Malabrigo Rasta, Mecha, Caracol, Rios, Washted, Merino Worsted, Lace Baby Merino and Malabrigo Books are all 25% Off until March 5th.

Happy Wednesday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!