Let's Look at Ravelry

Sometimes I get a little bogged down with the projects, and I need some inspiration to get me excited about knitting again. I usually turn to my magazine collection or just go down some rabbit holes on Ravelry. Wanna see what I've found lately? Oh good. Here we go!

This These Days Scarf in Blue Sky Extra? Yes. Lots of size options, too. This yarn is super squishy.

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

Love this cute Emmi hat in Malabrigo Rios. We just got a restock of Malabrigo!

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

Who doesn't need a crocheted Dragon hat?

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

This stunning Foldlines makes me want to cast on the Retrosaria Brusca right now. Look at that stitch definition!

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

This Passeggiata shawl would be great in so many of our hand-dyed sock yarns.

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

I'm in love with this cozy turtleneck Childhood. Do I use stash yarn or get myself some lovely red Cestari Fingering?

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

Okay, inspiration sorted. Now I'm ready to hunker down and knit for the rest of the winter!

Ravelry Stroll

I spend too much time on Ravelry, but there is such gorgeous stuff on there! Let's take a peek at some of the projects and designs that have been inspiring me lately. (All photos are borrowed from the linked pages in the photo captions.)

Big Love

Leafy Washcloth (I like the garter one best.)

Coop

Tild (knit with Retrosaria Vovo!)

Jigshawl

Bobbie

Atlas

Kilen

Siki Shawl

Maja

RHUS

Air Cardigan

Minimalist Cabled Cardigan

These are just a few of the projects knocking around on my favorites list. What has you inspired and itching to cast on these days?

Time for New Hats

I've been giving away my handknit hats to my loved ones. My mom lost one I had made for her years ago, and she mentioned that she likes my Simple Pleasures Hat in the beloved Baby Llama Glow. Now it's hers.

My boyfriend forgot to bring a warm cap on our recent windy beach trip. Lucky for him I brought two (obviously), so now my sweet blue sailor cap in Karabella Margrite Bulky belongs to him.

I had so many hats and I always want to knit more, so this seems like a good solution. Let's look at a few designs that are on my list, shall we?

The Pheasant Plucker looks like fun, and it uses some cool techniques I've never tried. (I am very inspired to try Anna Maltz's marlisle technique, and this seems like a great place to start.)

Pic from Rav pattern page

The Diamondback Hat from AVFKW looks like fun, too. I love all-over colorwork and this one is in DK weight so it wouldn't take forever. Plus it's gorgeous.

Pic from Rav pattern page

Lineate would be so fun in some of the fabulous sock yarns we have at the shop. I think a solid and a crazy variegated would be really cool together.

Pic from Rav pattern page

I made myself a Happpy Thoughts a few years back, and it's been a favorite ever since. The cables and bamboo stitch are such a cozy combo.

I must make more of these Alpine Meadows as well. They work up so quickly and I appreciate the chance to use up bright little scraps for the flowers.

I love making hats! And now I need more of them, so it's time to get knitting.

(Some of ) My (Recent) Favorites

Do you all like to peruse Ravlery for inspiration? Do you, like me, have an enormous list of favorites that you often forget about? Let's dive in to a few of my recent favorites and see what we can find.

I have hats on the brain (haha). Loving these pretties...

Magnolia Hat by Camilla Vad

Varma Hat by Sari Nordlund

Hamburger Jung by Nina Dunkhorst

Apparently my feet are cold, too.

Happyscrappysocks

Sanborn Socks from BSF

Oxalis Socks by Phoebe O'Neill

And we all need some sweater inspo now and again. I have a thing for stripes.

Beautiful After the Rain knit by siriusknitter

Jellyfish Jumper by Jenny Beckman

Aveiro by Orlane Sucche

This crazy, beautiful thing. 

Squiggle Kite Shawl by Lindsay Degan

And, obviously, a narwhal.

Narwhal by Mimi Codd

Any fabulous inspiration out there that has you ready to cast on? Tell us what you've found!

All pics borrwed from their Rav pattern pages, with links provided.

Current Obsession: Merlin

Photo from Kieran Foley of knit/lab

I am currently obsessed with this beautiful thing, Merlin by Kieran Foley.  It looks like feathers!  The pattern is designed as a laceweight shawl, but that's not really my cuppa' tea.  I'm going to use Tosh Merino Light, which is more like a fingering weight than lace.  I think the hand-dyed tones will really play up the naturally blended feathery look that I'm going for.  I've been trying different combinations of the amazing colorways we have in stock.

Mica and Betty Draper's Blues

Saffron and Tart

Glazed Pecan and Well Water

Tart and Charcoal

I like some of these more subtle and natural combinations, too.

Badlands and Antique Lace

Antique Lace and Charcoal

Mr. Foley has a number of really cool lace patterns, all available for sale on Ravelry.  I really like his marriage of colorwork and lace.  The lace charts are clear and easy to read.

Kerchief (photo from knit/lab)

Shetland Ruffles (photo from knit/lab)

Dappled Diamonds (photo from knit/lab)

The pure lace shawls are lovely, too.  Take a look at his shop if you are a lace lover.

I think I'm going to try Antique Lace and Graphite for my Merlin.  There will be a nice contrast, but I think the colors will play well together.  I can't wait to give it a try.  Mostly I can't wait to just have it, but do I need to knit it first.

Nice Sweaters

My friend Ashley has been knitting for a few years, and she has produced some really amazing summer tops.

The Radian Yoke by Wendy Bernard didn't really grab me when I saw it in Knitscene, but Ashley's version looks so nice on her.

Knit with Classic Elite Firefly, her top is nice enough to wear to work, but easy enough to throw on with jeans or shorts.

The smallest sizes only require 5 balls of yarn, and I would suggest going down a size for at least an inch of negative ease. That means that the finished top will actually be an inch or so smaller than your bust measurement. I think the top in the magazine shots was too big for the model, but Ashley's fits so nicely. This yarn blocks out really well, so you can expect to gain a little bit of width with blocking.

Next up is Turmeric from Veera Välimäki of Rain Knitwear Designs. Ashley used Malabrigo sock yarn for this one, but the pattern would work with most sock yarns.

Veera designs pieces with such interesting details. This seemingly simple top features a graceful neckline, a flattering off-center pleat, and big pretty button.

Ashley is working on another sweet top from Knitscene, the Sackets Harbor Pullover in Louet Mooi. She is going to have a very nice collection of summer handknits.

Just because we can't wear those woolly winter sweaters right now, there is no reason to put the knitting away!