Knitscene Accessories

I'm always excited to crack open the newest issue of Knitscene Accessories.  This one arrived earlier this summer, and I just realized that I completely forgot to tell you all about it.  So here we go...

This issue if full of great little items to get your knitting groove back as fall approaches.  

The Kirsch Cowl would be a lovely thing to start now and have ready for the fall.  Two skeins of Shibui Cima...so many opportunities to play with color here.  I really like the reversible textured stitches of the Boson Cowl.  Your favorite fingering weight would be just the thing.

The Dressel Shawl is a colorwork commitment, but so pretty.  I would try this in Cascade 220 Sport.

The Sphinx Hat would be great in Rowan Fine Tweed or Harrisville Shetland.

If you like the whole retro forties look, these beauties are just for you: the Townsend Hat, Cassandre Cowl, and the super cool Lady Lindy Headband. 

 

 

There are a few unusual buggy items that I really like.  The Scarab Mitts and the Arachnid Mittens are pretty weird and cool.

What do you all think?  Is it time for fall accessories?  I say it is.

Knitscene Accessories

With the temperature finally on the rise, my mind is turning to thoughts of little projects.  Fortunately, Knitscene read my mind.  Knitscene Accessories 2013 is full of great stuff.  Let's take a look!

First up, the Cimarron Shawl, which is actually an excerpt from Free Spirit Shawls.  We had the book in the shop, but it has been bought up.  There are many beautiful shawls in there, so I'll let you know when we get it back.  In the meantime, the Cimarron Shawl seems like a nice place to begin.  Who doesn't love chevrons?

The vibrant colors of the Back Road Scarf are certainly pretty.  There is even a fabulous article on how to execute that crocheted edging.

The leafy greenness of the Eloen Cowl looks luscious and cozy, don't you think?

I love the Morgantown Hat, knit with fingering weight wool.  The stripes pinch together periodically around the hat, adding just a little extra detail.

Truth be told, I bought the magazine for the Morgantown Hat and the Icelandic Star Cowl.  Oh, man, I love that crazy color combo and blown up scale of the traditional star motif.  Love love love.

There is a whole section of miters and stripes.  Check out the Zed Scarf and Resistance, just to name a few.

 

I really appreciate the techincal articles included in this magazine.  Not only are there patterns for these stunning pieces, but there are full articles explaining how to do the Latvian braid of the Riga Bonnet, the crazy cool knitweaving for the San Cristobal Shawl, and the roositud on the Rukkilill Mitts.

 

The Avesta Shawl combines ribbing, lace, and garter stitch.  Best of all worlds.

The Rosita Hat and Mittens will satisfy any kind of colorwork cravings you might have, and the cover shawl, the Valois, is nothing but lacey goodness.

There is a section of more modern designs, too, including the Preturnatural Hat, knit with Shibui Staccato and Silk Cloud, and the So Faux Cowl, which is just begging to be knit up in some crazy colors.

Accessories are great summer projects, in my opinion...highly portable, not too heavy, and quick gratification.  Things are finally warming up in our fair city.  Let's knit some fun little things!

Also, we are altering our hours a bit for the summer.  The new hours are: 11-6 M-F, 11-5 Saturday, 12-5 Sunday.  Open Knit Night is still in full swing on Wednesday nights from 6-9, and we are hanging out at the Cruzroom for Cocktails and Knitting on Monday nights from 8 until late.  See you soon!

Scarf or Necklace?

I have been noticing quite a few of these scarf/necklace items in the knitting and retail world. More delicate than a cowl or scarf, but softer and warmer than a necklace. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sev[en]circle from Kirsten Johnstone of assemblage:

Kirsten includes instructions for a sport weight and a lace weight version of this piece. I'd like to try this with Misti Handpaint Suri & Silk. I'm not usually a huge fan of the variegated yarns, but the folks at Misti really know what they are doing in the dyepot. It looks like they might be discontinuing this yarn, but we have a nice selection in the shop.

Looped Loop, also from assemblage:

This one requires about 400 yards of a sport weight yarn, and it would be so nice in a drapey alpaca or silk, maybe Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight, Melange, or Alpaca Silk? Kirsten has several stunning designs available through her Ravelry pattern shop, and she offers these two little accessories as free patterns.

Cable Braided Necklace (also pictured up top) from Knit Creations of a Curious Mind, designed by Olga Buraya-Kefelian:

Olga used a cashmere blend for her original. Our Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply or 4-ply would be lovely, as would Karabella Margrite. Olga has a very thorough tutorial on her blog showing how to construct this sweet little piece. Despite the name, there isn't any actual cabling or braiding involved. Take a look.

String Theory Scarf from Spindleshanks, designed by Portlander Vivian Aubrey:

Such a cool scarf. I often admire a skein of yarn at the shop and think it would be beautiful just wrapped around my neck without even knitting it, and this scarf achieves that effect with a few bands of knitting holding it all together. This design almost cries out for a variegated yarn to show off the lovely color changes.

Movie Star Scarf from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, designed by Joelle Hoverson:

This book is chock full of great stuff, and this little kerchief is so sweet. We have the Louet Mooi called for in the pattern, but any luxurious laceweight would be perfect. What a nice gift, too.

These little necklaces/scarves are so versatile, too. Imagine the Cabled Braided scarf knit up in a bulky yarn, or String Theory in a solid silk, or Seven Circles with some sparkles...

I know I'm not the only one trolling Ravelry and knitting blogs for cool stuff. Has something similar caught your eye? Please share with us in the comments.

Thank you to Kirsten, Olga, and Vivian for the use of your beautiful photos!

Inspiring Patterns for Meaningful Yarns

Manos del Uruguay has been admitted to the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) for their work supporting farmers and artisans through individual cooperatives throughout Uruguay. The co-ops provide benefits for their members, including health insurance and pensions, and each tag is signed by an artisan who made the yarn. You can read more about their mission and history here and here.

Since we recently received a great big Manos shipment, I wanted to share a few new books to go along with all of that fabulous yarn.

Adirondack Accessories is full of projects from some very popular knitwear designers, including Laura Grutzeck and Melissa LaBarre. There are mittens, fingerless gloves, hats, cowls, and legwarmers to entice those of you looking for a little bit of (relatively) quick gratification. Even though the projects are on the smaller side, there is plenty going on to keep your attention.

There is colorwork, cabling, and some interesting details and construction techniques. The accessories are knit in Manos Silk Blend, Wool Clasica, and Rittenhouse. If you have been ogling any of these yarns, this little book gives you the perfect reason to welcome a few skeins into your fold. This book and few lovely skeins would also make a thoughtful gift for a fellow knitter.

We also have a book of sweater patterns, Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply Collection 2: Just off the Square. (We still have a few copies of Collection 1: Community Garden, as well.) The designers have really played up the textured stitches in the book with pullovers, vests, and cardigans. To top it all off, Fairmount Fibers has a whole page of free patterns. I'm thinking about the Handful of Berries Mittens knit up in soft and vibrant Maxima or the Botany Kerchief knit with either Maxima or Rittenhouse.

Manos del Uruguay provides fiber artists with the opportunity to create handmade crafts from beautiful handmade yarn. If this connection to other artists appeals to you, stop by the shop and get inspired while we have a wonderful selection!