Moxie

I finished something!  A whole sweater!  And I love it.  This is my Moxie.  I thought that I had missed sweater weather, but it looks like I will still have plenty of time to wear this before summer actually hits.

Amy Christoffers is one of my favorite designers, and this sweater is another winner for sure.  Let me tell you about my version.

It took me awhile to choose colors, but I ended up blatantly copying Amy's original.  My orange is Cascade Heritage Sock, and the brown is Rowan 4 Ply Soft.  The 4 Ply Soft has been discontinued, but it's basically a nice washable fingering weight wool.  Almost any doubled sock yarns will do.  Here's my swatch, for an up-close look.

As I consider the next one (or several) that I'd like to make, I was thinking about how cool a color-blocked version would be.  I would choose one neutral to use for the whole sweater, and then three or four shades to create an ombre effect.  Or stripes.  So many possibilities.  A friend of mine is making her Moxie with a solid and a variegated sock yarn held together, and it's turning out great, too.

I was going for big, slouchy, throw-on-over-my-pajamas kind of sweater, so I sized up a bit.  I made the 41" with about 4 inches of positive ease from my actual measurements.  I also skipped all waist shaping and just knit the body straight.  Perhaps not as flattering, but just fine with me.

The pattern will also work perfectly with a single strand of standard worsted weight like Cascade 220 or Berroco Ultra Alpaca.  (I have recently re-fell in love with Ultra Alpaca...more on that soon.)  I used a US6 for this, which I originally thought would be way too small.  But, I swatched and washed my swatch like a diligent knitter, and I'm so glad I did.  The fabric relaxed so nicely with a little soak, my gauge was spot-on, and the texture is like a cozy, squishy sweatshirt.  Perfecto.

Instant Karma

We have an unusual new yarn in the shop for summer.  Say hello to Berroco Karma.

Karma is a 100% cotton tape yarn, so the "strand" of yarn is actually a loosely knitted mesh tube.

These kinds of yarns were all over the place several years ago, and it's nice to see a more subtle version available now.  This one knits up at 3 stitches per inch on a US11.

Sally whipped up a sample of the Karma Scarf using just three skeins of the denim blue and a free pattern from Loop Knits.  I love those drop stitch ladders and the chunky definition of each stitch.

Berroco sent us a sample from the booklet, too.  This is Vasya from the Karma Booklet, #330.

I also really liked Sequim, Herbie, and Overby.

Amy Christoffers just published the Long Sands Cardigan, designed with Karma, and it looks pretty fabulous.  Check out the textured stitch pattern and those unusual sleeve cuffs.

Photo from Savory Knitting Ravelry page.

I'm going to have to add this one to the queue.  At this gauge, it will knit up in an instant.

Maxima

Our friends at Manos del Uruguay have sent us a little love in the form of soft and squishy variegated single-ply yarn.

The Manos Maxima is very similar to Malabrigo Worsted in terms of texture and yardage, but we are a little more partial to the Manos colorways.  The shades in each skein seem to blend a little more naturally, and the overall effect is so lovely.  We only have the variegated colorways right now, but we might be seeing some solids soon.

Manos del Uruguay is a cooperative that was founded in 1968 to "develop economic opportunities for women in a country where there were, and are still, few opportunities for work."  The small co-op has grown into a successful and thriving business, employing 350 artisans in 17 communities throughout Uruguay.  They are able to provide health benefits, retirement options, education, and childcare for the artisans.  Each skein of Manos del Uruguay yarn is signed by the person who dyed it.

The ample yardage (218 yards/skein) means that one of these will get you at least one hat, and two skeins will make a generous scarf or wrap.  It is a heavy worsted, knitting up at 4.5-5 stitches/inch on a US7 or 8.  It is so squishy and lofty, that I would definitely go with an 8 or larger unless you are aiming for a very dense fabric.

Fairmount Fibers distributes Manos yarns in the US, and they have pages of free patterns for all of their yarns.  The Maxima page contains some real gems, including the Paper Bag Hat (knit sideways with short rows!), the Handful of Berries Mittens, and the Botany Kerchief.

Manos has recently upped their game with some fresh new designers and new styling.  Recent print ads have been stunning, and I am thrilled to see Julie Hoover designing for them.  Check out Beaubourg, a big ol' reverse stockinette pullover that I would live in, given half the chance.

Photo from Fairmount Fibers

Also, Palette, which is designed in Wool Clasica, but would be equally lovely (and much softer) in Maxima.

Photo from Fairmount Fibers

Finally, Fumior, which are just fabulous.  I love the use of textured stitches and reverse stockinette in all of these designs, which seems to reduce the amount of pilling you get with single-ply yarn.

Photo from Fairmount Fibers

The Maxima is only the beginning of the fall yarns we will be seeing in the weeks to come.  What a great way to get started!

Rose City Yarn Crawl Starts Thursday!

The Rose City Yarn Crawl starts Thursday!  Nineteen Portland-area shops are participating this year, and there are goodies available all over town.  There is a lot going on, so let me break it down for you.

First of all, there will be giveaways.  We have four gorgeous sweater kits to raffle off, two from Cascade Yarns and two from Blue Sky Alpacas.  These beloved yarn companies have been very generous to us this year.

We will also have fabulous door prizes for the first five purchasers each day.  We've packaged up some nice little bundles for you, and each one includes a delicious chocolate truffle from our friends at Missionary Chocolates.

Each shop will have an enormous basket to raffle off.  I was poking around a bit, and there are so many great things from the amazing and generous sponsors.

If you make it to all 19 shops, you are eligible to win the raffle for the grand prize basket, which is even bigger than the individual shop baskets.  You'll need to print out a passport to make this happen.

Second, there will be free patterns.  Each and every shop has developed a one-skein pattern featuring a favorite yarn.  Sally designed the Him or Her Cowls using Cascade Eco Cloud.

Finally, we have some really amazing trunk shows and exclusive patterns for you to enjoy.  Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud & Chloe have sent us all of their good stuff.

Apparently we are getting some samples to show off our Scrumptious Yarns, too, but I haven't seen those yet.

Last, but not least, Laura Irwin is releasing three new patterns.  We will have samples and patterns of her three newest designs available for you.  This is the Pivot Ruffle Cloche in Rowan Kid Classic, the Snail Twist Cowl in Cascade Magnum, and the Snail Twist Headband in Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande.

That snail twist trick looks really interesting.  I'm eager to get my hands on those patterns.  We'll have a sample of the Layered Cloche from Weekend Hats, too.

The crawling starts on Thursday, March 1st and continues through Sunday, March 4, and all of the shops will be open from 10AM until 6PM each day of the crawl.

There is a map to help you plan your day, and each shop has listed some of their favorite neighborhood places to grab a snack, a drink, or some non-yarn retail therapy.  If you'd like to connect with other participants, take a look at the carpooling set up on the crawl site.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

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.

On the Needles

Hello, yarn loving friends!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season full of knitting, eating, and relaxation.  It seems like no matter how low I set the bar for holiday expectations around my house, I still seem to be "needed" much more than I would like by many short (and tall) people.  Sadly, the knitting suffers a bit.  Now, after many lovely people in my house, too much cleaning, multiple colds, and way too many no-school days, things seem to be returning to a more manageable pace.  Time to evaluate what's in the bag and on the needles.

I have been working on a sweater for myself since October, and the end is in sight.  Kaari has been on my list ever since Berroco released Norah Gaughan Volume 1 several years ago (still the best volume in my opinion).  

After much internal debate on yarn and color, I decided on Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse in Brick.  I love the A-line shape of the sweater and the big smock pockets.  I just have to finish seaming and crank out the neckband.  I hope to be wearing it by next week.  I'm a bit concerned that it's going to be a little tight under the arms, but hopefully a good blocking will relax it a bit.  This yarn is so soft and wonderful, and I only needed 5 skeins for the sweater.

I have been working on felted Elf Shoes for my big girl, and she is getting impatient.  I'm using Manos Wool Clasica for the main body of the slipper, and a little Cascade 220 for the sweet little trim.  These things go so fast, especially in the kid's sizes; I really have no excuse for these taking so long.  I blame the fat double-pointed needles for slowing me down.  The pattern is free and very satisfying.  Even though elf season is closed, I think my girl will still love them.

Because she is cold when we play outside, I started a sweater for her, too.  The littlest girl gets all the good handmade hand-me-downs, but the big girl is sporting a ratty hoodie passed down from our neighbor.  I had three skeins of beautiful purpley blue Dream in Color Classy laying around, so I started Rubble from Alison Brookbanks of 6.5 Stitches.  I like the swingy quality of the design, perfect for a girl who gets hot and itchy in clingy sweaters.  I plan to block the bejezus out of all of the ribbing to keep it loose and relaxed.  It's going pretty fast, so hopefully I can show you some modeled shots soon.

I have a few other sweaters for myself on the needles, too.  Apparently I am a selfish knitter.

I started a cardigan last spring, and I put it down over the summer when it got too hot to have a big wad of sweater on my lap.  I'm not sure why I didn't pick it up again in the fall.  I guess I was seduced by new projects, but I do love my V-Yoke Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2011 by Amy Christoffers.  I chose to stripe the lower portion, because I really like how the stripes show off the unusual construction of this sweater.  I'm making mine in sport weight wool (maybe that's why I stalled out), although the original was designed with Classic Elite Firefly, a linen blend.  I need to finish the body of the sweater, complete a serious I-cord bind off, and make some sleeves.  I'm hoping to have this by February, but please don't hold me to it.

I'm also working on a really unusual pullover from Amy Christoffers (I love her stuff), and it's striped, too, in a way.  It's the Division Pullover, knit with fingering weight yarn held both single and double to create a really interesting texture.  I'm using some silk/cotton we had in stock years ago, but any fingering or sock weight would be perfect.  I screwed up the armhole shaping, so I needed a little break from this project.  I'd love to have it ready for spring, which seems pretty reasonable at this point.

I am working on a little headband pattern for you all, too.  Hopefully I'll have that in the next week or two, provided I don't get taken down by another holiday or school closure.

Designer Crush: Amy Christoffers

Larch Cardigan

I have a new designer crush. I am currently a little bit obsessed with Amy Christoffers of Savory Knitting, and it seems like I'm not the only one.

I first found Amy's designs on Ravelry. I had been "favorite-ing" her designs for months without noticing they were all from the same designer. It started with this double-knit hat.

Feather in Your Cap

Then her beautiful cardigans caught my eye.

Acer Cardigan

Starfish Cardigan

Amy designs with yarns I love to use: Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Ultra Alpaca Light, St-Denis Nordique, Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, Classic Elite Firefly...

Pinnate Cardigan

I find that I'm drawn to the clean lines and interesting, tailored details that Amy includes in her designs. Her pieces look like items that I will turn to again and again. I'm working away on the V-Yoke Cardigan from Interweave Knits right now, and I have been impressed with her clear and concise instructions.

Lilac Wine

Amy focuses on wear-ability when she designs, and she told me that she likes to make things that are "interesting to knit but un-fussy and easy to wear." Her Ravelry pattern selection is all about what she wants to knit and wear right now, and the magazine submissions allow her to design items for a wardrobe that is "a little more elegant."

Amy is in the Spring/Summer 2011 Twist Collective with Clearwing, knit with the Fibre Company Savannah, which we just got in at the shop.

Her designs have also graced the pages of the last four issues of Interweave Knits. The Summer 2011 Knistscene, which we will have in the shop mid-April, features four of Amy's sweaters in a Designer Collection piece. Go take a look; they are really something.

I love finding new designers on Ravelry, and Amy is really doing beautiful work. Let's hope we continue to see more from her soon!

Thanks, Amy, for the use of your beautiful photos!