Distitch?

What is this, you ask?

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page

Apparently this is a new thing called distitch, which leaves you with a clean I-cord-like selvedge and I want to try it! The free pattern on Ravelry called the Distitch Edge Scarf is written for worsted weight yarn, but I think you could make this technique work with any weight. There's a whole book about it with scarves, hats, headbands, and coasters. Has anyone tried this? Tell me what you think!

Rafa's Hat and Targhee Worsted

Sometimes a pattern and a yarn are just meant to be together, and this combination seems to be one of those times. The free Rafa's Hat pattern (thank you, Joji) and the soft and supple Targhee Worsted from Knitted Wit are a match made in knitting heaven.

The design is all about ribbing, but with a little interest so you don't get bored. The all-over rib also means that it will fit a range of head sizes, so it's great for gifts if that's a thing you do.

This yarn is truly soft and bouncy, but it's also hefty enough that it will stand up to some long-term use. We have a range of beautiful semi-solids, as well as some lovely variegated shades. It's definitely hat season for me, and it might even be gift knitting season. I hope this prefect combination inspires you to cast on!

Eye Candy

We have a fresh batch of Lang Cashmere Light on the counter, and it's the perfect thing for making a squishy and cozy ribbed cowl using this easy pattern.

Sadly, our sweet blue sample has disappeared from the shop! While we hope it is doing someone good out there on these chilly days, we are sad that it is gone.

Good thing we have so many new shades to choose from for a new one! These do make fabulous and easy gifts. Maybe someone you love needs a warm neck this winter...

Eye Candy

On this Monday morning, wishing I was back on my couch knitting away on this 1966 Blanket out of Cascade Magnum.

Ascutney Pullover

Ummmm, what is this lovely creation from Amy Christoffers? Is it a super cool pullover using short rows to create a gorgeous landscape look? I think it is.

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page

The Ascutney Pullover is (free) pattern from Knitty (who are definitely still around and putting out really great stuff). We have two new yarns in the shop that would really be perfect for this. They are both fluffy and light for being thicker yarns.

The Aireado from Plymouth is just the perfect thing. And those colors all play so nicely together. This sweater would knit up so quickly and your final garment would be so soft and cuddly. I'm envisioning light grey pullover with touches of red, white, and black. Or the oatmeal as the main with purple, white, and black. Whatever you choose would be so cool.

We also have the Aereo from Cascade. It's a little bit closer to Aran weight than bulky, but I think you could make it work. We have a wider range of colors, including the variegated shades of Aereo Duo. Imagine the gold and green and a few grey together. Or maybe pinks and purples for a sunset kind of thing. So many possibilities!

As the designer points out, this sweater does not involve any intarsia. It's all short rows, which are fun and relatively easy to do. The sweater is knitted from the bottom up and all the parts are joined at the yoke with raglan decreases up to the neckline. If you've never tried this kind of colorwork, I think this would be a really fun place to start!

Year of Hats

Welcome to the Year of Hats brought to you by Kelbourne Woolens and their Germantown yarn. Yes, it's already May, but we are really excited about these hats and this beautiful yarn!

Each month, Kelbourne Woolens is releasing a new free hat pattern as part of a kit that will teach you some new skills. The sweet kits include a skein of Germantown, a cute little leather tag, and two bits of contrasty colored yarn for sewing on the tag.

We have samples of ths February hat, the March hat, and the April hat in the shop for you to check out.

Germantown, aside from having an adorable label, is a sturdy North American worsted weight wool in some rich and classic colors. If you love knitting hats and trying new things, this hat project should make you very happy! I'll keep you posted about when we have the new shades for the May hat.

Cashmere!

Brrr! We are back to chilly weather here in Portland! How about a cozy cashmere cowl? This Lang Cashmere Light is warm and knits up into a dense and buttery-soft fabric, and I love the pretty earthy-tones.

Here's the easy-peasy free pattern for the cowl. Enjoy!

Cancun?

Let's all dream of a Cancun vacation, shall we? We will certainly need this cute Cancun Boxy Lace Top worked up in Cascade Hampton, a lovely pima cotton/linen blend.

Free pattern and just two skeins for the top. Now let's book that trip.

Knitcol

This basket full of Knitcol is so happy and cheerful! This yarn is really fun to knit, too. The self-patterning yarn changes as you knit, so there's not much to think about. I love this little hat we have in the shop.

I designed this easy peasy cowl a few years back using three different shades of Knitcol. It's just knit in the round with a wee garter stitch border to stop it from rolling up.

You could easily do this with all one colorway or with just two balls for a smaller cowl. It's all up to you! This yarn is machine-washable, so it's ideal for kid sweaters and blankets, too. Pop in to see the cheerful colors in person!

Quick Cowl

It's the time of year for warm and quick projects! How about the Paco Cowl? One skein and some US19 circular needles and you (or someone you love) will be warm and toasty. We have a nice range of lovely neutrals for you to choose from!

And here is the comprehensive pattern ;)

Debbie Bliss Cotton DK (and a Wee Washcloth Pattern)

We have the bright and sweet Debbie Bliss Cotton DK in the shop again! This beautiful matte cotton is great for many kinds of projects...blankets, sweaters, baby things, washcloths. 

Sally was inspired to cast on a little cloth using the shop favorite grellow, and the finished project is so soft. This sort of thing would make such a lovely house warming present or baby shower gift.

Here is the simple little pattern for this cute cloth.

Using a US6 needle, cast on 34 stitches. 
Work 5 rows of stockinette. 
Row 6: knit 5, purl 24, knit 5. 
Row 7: purl 5, knit 24, purl 5.
Continue with rows 6 and 7 for 35 more rows.
Finish with 5 rows of stockinette and cast off!

Sally reports that there is enough yarn in one ball to add about and inch in width and length, which would be about 4 or 5 additional stitches and about 6 or 7 rows.

Enjoy!

Fiora Kerchief

 

Take a look at this cute little kerchief that Sally whipped up for us. She used just one ball of Lang Fiora, and the pattern is free when you purchase the yarn. Fiora is a cotton/rayon/acrylic blend, and the colors are really gorgeous knit up.

It's often hard to tell what you'll get when you start working with unusual yarns like this, but I was pleasntly surprised when I saw this little kerchief wrapped around the Gingham Gal's neck. We don't usually go in for a lot of novelty yarns anymore, so when we do, you know it's going to be a good one.

Stop in and let us know what you think of this new beauty!

Eye Candy

Free blanket pattern! This is a mash up of my 1966 Blanket and the Noromania blanket, worked up in Noro Kureyon Air. You'll need just six skeins and a US17 needle to make this awesome blanket.

Here's the free pattern. Enjoy, and stay warm!

Eye Candy

How about a free pattern in the ginormous Cascade Mondo? Happy Monday!

1966 Blanket

It's a frosty morning here in Portland! And it looks like we might see even more snow in the next ten days. Let's knit a giant, warm blanket, shall we?

The 1966 Blanket is about as easy as it gets. You need some super bulky yarn (think two stitches per inch), a US19 24" circular needle, and 66 stitches.

I used five complimentary shades of yarn for an ombre effect. I knit every row, spit splicing the ends together to avoid the bulky weaving bits. My blanket ended up being about 40" wide and 54" long using the Borgo de' Pazzi Naturalia. You could easily made it wider or longer. Or both.

This is the warmest and coziest blanket I've ever experienced. It has such a nice weight to it, perfect for wrapping up on the couch or throwing over the bed covers for an extra woolly weight on these chilly nights.

You could use almost any super bulky for this. Cascade Magnum would be amazing. A friend is using Berroco Macro, and it's turning out just right.

This is some quick gratification. You could easily have this done by the weekend if you cast on tonight. The best part is that it will even keep you warm while you're knitting. Pop in the shop today, and you will be so toasty warm when (if) the snows hit!

1966 Blanket

by Leah Bandstra

Yarn: 5 skeins Naturalia (colors 0, 2, 3, 4, and 8)
Needles: US19 24" circular

Instructions:
CO 66 stitches.  
Knit every row, spit splicing the ends together.
Cast off with about 3 yards of yarn left.

Eye Candy Monday

Free pattern eye candy this week! The newest batch of Louisa Harding Amitola is lovely, and this sweet shawl takes one ball of two colors. The pattern is free when you purchase the yarn. Pop in and choose your favorite colors!

Blue Sky Fibers Bulky

I am loving these new labels for the Blue Sky Fibers (formerly Alpacas) Bulky. The yarn is the same lovely stuff we have come to know, and we have a little stash of our favorite shades in the drawers.

I was poking around the new Blue Sky Fibers website a bit, and I found this awesome free hat pattern using two skeins of Bulky. If you love the three-color pom, you can find a great little tutorial on their blog as well. You'll just need a little bit of the contrasting colors for the pom. Find a friend and trade scraps, perhaps?

Photo borrowed from BSF site.

The new blog is really lovely and well worth a look. The Strand represents the joining of the forces behind Blue Sky and Spud & Chloe. They include tutorials, free patterns, and knit-a-longs, as well as interesting articles on organic fibers, sheepy travels, and design inspiration. If you love fiber and yarn, I highly recommend taking a look!

Shibui Rain

Seems like a good day to chat about rain. Are you focused on Purple Rain, Oregon rain, or Shibui Rain today? Or maybe all three?

Since we like to talk about knitting here, let's take a look at this sweet kerchief that we have in the shop right now. Knit up on a US6 with just one skein of Shibui Rain, this little project will work up in a snap. The pattern is pretty straightforward, and I love how the stitches pop in this crisp cotton. A cotton kerchief is such a great excuse to keep wearing our handknits throughout the summer. Add a little color, hide some bedhead, whatever you need.

Rain is 100% cotton, but it feels almost like a linen or hemp yarn to me, with its structure and matte finish. The yarn is chained, as you can see in the close up below, and the Shibui colors are stunning, as we have come to expect.

  

Treat yourself to a little skein of lovely Rain today and make yourself something quick and special. You deserve it.