Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Issue 386: What is on your needles?

• Posted on 19 March 2025
• By Sue
• Posted in knitting inspiration, March 2025, spring knitting
• 0

Our spring-like weather has been fairly warm one day and cold the next. Right now it is perfectly warm with sunny skies. Is it the perfect time to start your warm weather spring knits...a shawl, socks?

Drifting Dawn by Janina Kallio is proof that simple doesn’t have to be boring.

This narrow bias-knit scarf flows effortlessly from your needles with an easy eyelet pattern and subtle texture. Just enough detail to keep it interesting but never complicated. It’s the kind of project you can pick up, put down, and always ease right back into.

Refined details elevate this minimal design. Bias construction creates sleek tapered ends and exquisite drape, while a provisional cast-on and I-cord bind-off at both ends add a polished finish. The result? A sophisticated look that complements the airy fabric.

With just one skein of fingering-weight yarn, you’ll end up with something lightweight, wearable, and endlessly versatile. Loop it once. Wrap it twice. Let it drape. However you wear it, it just works.

YARN
Approximately 400 m / 437 yds of similar fingering weight yarn.

See some of my suggestions for a substitute in the yarn section above, but this one shines in just about any yarn. If it knits, it fits!

NEEDLES
4.0 mm (US 6) needles or size to achieve pattern gauge

This narrow scarf is worked flat, so you can use either circular needles or long straight needles.

Gauge affects the finished size and the amount of yarn needed.

FINISHED SIZE After blocking
Width: 28 cm / 11 in
Length: 158 cm / 62 in

The pattern includes instructions on how to adjust the width and length of the scarf.

SUGGESTED YARN
Malabrigo Yarn Sock, Hedgehog Fibres Sock, SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock

Herding Hens Sock Set by Stone Knit includes two sock patterns. One inspired by hens of all different colours and the other by their cute baby chicks.

Both patterns are knit from the top down, starting with a ribbed cuff, these socks have a short row heel and a fun to knit stranded colourwork chicken or chick motif pattern. If preferred, the eyes and beaks can also be duplicate stitched on instead.

SIZING
1 (2, 3)

To fit (foot circumference): 19.5 – 21 (21.5 –23.5, 26-28) cm / 8 (9 ½, 10 ¾) inches.
Finished circumference: 17.5 (21, 24.5) cm / 7 (8 ½, 9 ¾) inches.

Recommended ease: Approximately 2.5cm (1 inch) of negative ease. For your foot circumference, measure around the widest part of your foot. Further sizes can be achieved by going up or down a needle size.
Leg/foot length can be easily adjusted. See instructions for details.
Sample shown is knit in size 2 for shoe size US 8.5 (EU 39, UK 6), foot circumference 22.5cm (8 ¾ inches).

NEEDLES
For ribbing and stockinette: 2.25mm (US 1), 80cm (32 inch) circular for magic loop, or DPNs, or two circulars, or a 23cm (9 inch) circular needle as preferred.

For colourwork: 2.5mm (US 1.5), 80cm (32 inch) circular for magic loop, or DPNs, or two circulars, or a 23cm (9 inch) circular needle as preferred.

Important note: Do check your gauge for fitting. Further sizes can be achieved by going up or down needle sizes.

GAUGE
34 sts x 44 rnds = 10cm (4 inches) for ribbing and stockinette.
34 sts x 36 rnds = 10cm (4 inches) for colourwork. (This is the same gauge even though we are using a bigger needle size, because for myself and many other knitters, we often knit the colourwork sections tighter than stockinette. Please check your own gauge to see if this works for you).

HERDING HENS SOCKS
It´s time to celebrate hens and all their different, vibrant colours. Whether you are a hen owner or lover, or want to knit these as part of any Easter or Spring celebrations, these are a fun pair of socks to knit. The easy, repeating chicken motif can be knit with 3 colours in one round (to add eyes and beaks) or if preferred, a chart is provided for a simpler 2 colour option. Knit for yourself or your chicken loving family and friends, these socks are perfect for keeping your feet cozy, especially if you are outdoors and feeding your feathered friends. If you celebrate Easter they would be perfect for wearing during an outdoor egg hunt, or a great gift in an Easter basket too.

YARN
Fingering weight sock yarn
Lang Yarns Jawoll sock yarn (75% Virgin wool superwash, 25% Nylon), 210m (230 yds) per 50g

Any fingering weight sock yarn can be used for this pattern as long as you obtain the same gauge. Please use whatever sock yarn you have available to you.

Shown in:
MC: Jeans Blue 032. Approx 50g (60g, 65g), 210 (252, 273) m / 230 (275, 299) yds.
CC1: Various scrap sock yarn from stash. Approx 5g per set, if you choose to knit different colour hens. Or 35g, 147m (160 yds) in total for the pair of socks.
CC2: Cayenne. 5g, 21m / 23 yds.
CC3: Mustard. 7g, 29m / 32 yds.

BABY CHICKS SOCKS
I felt we needed some cute baby chick socks to go along with their mother hens. These are a sweet little motif, perfect for wearing in the Spring or to help celebrate Easter. It could also be a fun pair of socks to make for older children in the family, with the parents (or grandparents!) wearing the Herding Hens pair.

Shown in:
MC: Mauve 245. Approx 50g (60g, 65g), 210 (252, 273)m / 230 (275, 299) yds
CC1: White. Approx 15g, 63m / 69 yds
CC2: Lemon 149. Approx 15g, 63 m / 69 yds
CC3: Dark Brown 067. Approx 5g, 21m / 23 yds.
CC4: Mandarine 159. Approx 10g, 42m / 46 yds.

SUGGESTED YARN
Lang Yarns Jawoll sock yarn, Koigu KPM, KPPPM, or Collector's Club

DRK Everyday Cardi by Andrea Mowry is the sweater she would reach for every time she came back inside, or left to go outside! This is the cardigan she would grab for - to get cozy, to throw on as a light jacket, or to finish an outfit comfy enough for every day and polished enough for the office or date night. Hopefully it becomes your cardigan-for-everyday too!

The DRK (DreaReneeKnits) Everyday cardi is knit from the top down, beginning with the folded collar. It can be worn with either the knit or purl side facing out, with just a few simple tweaks to the directions (which are included in the pattern). The raglan “seams” from the yoke are carried all the way down to the hem of the cardigan. The body is knit flat, and the sleeves are knit in the round. The button band is worked using an applied double knit technique for a beautifully polished finish!

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

FINISHED CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE
34 (38, 42, 46)(50, 54, 58)(62, 66, 70)”
86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117)(127, 137, 147.5)(157.5, 167.5, 178) cm
Recommended ease is positive 4-8”/10-20.5 cm; sample is shown in Size 3 on a 34”/86.5 cm bust with 8”/20.5 cm positive ease.

YARN REQUIREMENTS
These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

Sport weight (56 g/185 yds/170 m)
384 (420, 473, 513)(560, 575, 623)(671, 716, 772) g
1267 (1386, 1561, 1693)(1848, 1898, 2055)(2215, 2363, 2548) yds
1159 (1267, 1428, 1548)(1690, 1735, 1880)(2025, 2161, 2330) m

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Main Fabric: US 5/3.75 mm – 32”/80 cm to 40”/100 cm circular and preferred needles for small circum. knitting (Magic Loop or DPNs)

Ribbing: US 3/3.25 mm - 32”/80 cm to 40”/100 cm circular and preferred needles for small circum. knitting (Magic Loop or DPNs)

(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge. Go down 2 needle sizes for the ribbing.)

NOTIONS
7 (7, 8, 8)(8, 8, 9)(9, 9, 9) - 1”/25 mm buttons, stitch markers (10), row counter (recommended), scissors, tapestry needle

GAUGE
22 sts & 33 rows = 4”/10 cm

SUGGESTED YARN
Hey Mama Wolf Mokosh (GOTS), Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather Sport, Istex Einband held double with Drops Kid Silk

FOs and WIPs

My Art Nouveau Sweater hasn’t progressed too much this week. The body is now 6 inches from the underarms but I have been working on other projects.

I finished my Plumped Up Cowl by Andrea Mowry that I cast on at the beginning of our Brioche class.

Brioche is reversible so both sides of this squishy cowl look amazing no matter what two colours are used.

The two contrasting skeins of Malabrigo Mecha that I used are Pearl Ten and Unique A. Looking at my photo right now, I realize that I haven't removed the marker that marked the wrong side!

At our last Thursday Knit night, Kay (@kayrobbins) was finishing her Elbows Up Plaid Canadian Toque by Compassion Knit Co. At that point I had never heard the expression Elbows Up! I cast on mine before the end of the night and finishing it on Friday.

I cast on and knit a second one following Kay's suggestions that she made after she finished her first one. Because the hat is very slouchy and deep, the words get hidden so she suggested moving chart c to right after the ribbing, eliminating the round of white and moving the plaid chart a to the top of the hat.

I knit my two hats using Berroco Vintage and have plenty left to knit another one or two!

Will you join us in our Elbows Up Knit Along?

In order to finish my Plumped Up Cowl, I needed two skeins of each colour. I had 88g remaining of my two colours so last night I cast on the Plumped Up Harlow by Andrea Mowry.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

Michelle (mmunc) finished and has gifted this stunning Mossblossom shawl by Wool & Pine. Yarn is SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock.

Debbie (@love.knit.spin.weave) took some new photos of her finished Maple by Marie Wallin that she modified to knit in the round with a steek using Rowan Felted Tweed.

Sonia (knits4bliss) finished her Musling Tee by LE KNIT by Lene Holme Samsøe knit using Sandnes Garn Line but with a smaller needle for a tighter gauge.

Bev (Bevyknits46) finished her newest Flax by TinCanKnits. Yarn is Berroco Vintage held double with Malabrigo Mohair.

Kay (@kayrobbins) knit this gorgeous Finer Pagan Sky by Zanete Knits.

Kay (@kayrobbins) cast on her Elbows Up Plaid Canadian Toque by Compassion Knit Co last week. After she finished it, she told us how she would modify it.

Jocelyne (jocblais) finished an Elbows Up Plaid Canadian Toque by Compassion Knit Co revised as Kay (@kayrobbins) suggested. Yarn is Berroco Vintage.

Dianne (DianneJL) finished her Hot Chocolate Wrap by Lisa Hannes knit using Malabrigo Rios.

Yanhong (CaptainMocha) knits this pretty pair of Who Let the Dogs Out by Stone Knits with only one repeat of the dog motif.

Jan’s latest pair of socks knit using WYS Signature 4 Ply in Yuletide. Heels and ribbing is knit using Katia United Sock.

Jen (zjewell) and her mom made these bags at Deb of Fusion Fibre Arts.

This is Judy with her bag.

Hannah knit this Glow Crew Sweater by Violent Cat Lady using Lang Cloud.

Rosemary (@coolknitsbyrose) finished this sweet Back Flap Sleeper by Simply Sycamore as a gift using Cascade Cantata.

The back has the cutest back flap!

Emma (emmlaporte) knit herself this lovely Nightshift by Andrea Mowry using Noro Akari.

Patti wove this scarf for our weaving workshop using Berroco Sesame.

Not everyone taking our Brioche class has finished yet but here’s Jen and three others modeling their Plumped Up Cowls by Andrea Mowry.

Happy Wednesday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!