Monthly Archives: April 2017

REMINDER Spring Clean Your Woollies

 

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Freshly washed sweaters drying.

 

For me, spring isn’t really official until the first sighting of moths – which was this week. So today, as I do my own laundry, I offer you a gentle reminder that Spring is upon us and it is time to wash and store your woollies. So many people come into the store with sad stories and even sadder looking knits – don’t be one of them next season! NOW is the time to prevent moth holes from happening; wash and store your woollens and you’ll thank yourself next fall and winter.

We write frequently about how to maintain woollens, you can find it all HERE.

 

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Clean sweaters ready for Spring-Summer storage.

 

FREEBIE Concello

Concello

I think Concello is a really simple, pretty spring/summer sweater that you can wear with just about anything, anywhere. It’s worked in one piece from the top down, with the sleeves are picked up around the armhole, and the sleeve caps shaped using short rows. The sleeves and hem are edged with an easy picot crocheted border.

Yarn Options

Berroco Summer Silk (go up a needle size for this yarn): 4(4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins

Cascade Ultra Pima: 5(5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins

Cascade Ultra Pima Paints: 5(5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins

Mineville Merino DK: 5(5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins

Size

  • XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X]  shown in size M with 1 inch of positive ease
  • Finished Bust: 32.25[36, 40.25, 44, 48.25, 52, 56.25, 60] inches or 82[91.5, 102, 112, 122.5, 132, 143, 152.5] cm
  • Finished Length: 22.25[22.75, 23.25, 23.5, 24.25, 24.75, 25.5, 26] inches or 56.5[58, 59, 59.5, 61.5, 63, 65, 66] cm

Other Materials

  • FREE Pattern
  • 4mm/US6 – 32″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6 – 12″ or 16″ circular needles or double pointed needles
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 12″ or 16″ circular needles or double pointed needles
  • 3.25mm/D crochet hook
  • stitch markers
  • 2 hanging-style/locking stitch markers
  • Waste yarn or stitch holders
  • one 1.75-inch/4.5 cm button (optional)
  • yarn needle

 

concello COMBO

Photos: Berroco/Amy Palmer/Knitty.com

 

FREEBIE Kitty Ankle Socks

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YinYang Kitty Ankle Socks

File these adorable socks under “I saw these and thought of YOU”. Seriously, you don’t have to be a cat person, they’re adorable.  Whip them up with a super soft blend of machine washable merino wool and nylon ( so they wear well); semi-solid hand-dyed Manos Alegria, or affordably priced Cascade Heritage.

Yarn Options

Materials

  • FREE Pattern
  • 2.25mm/US1 double pointed needles (or whatever technique you prefer: 12″ circulars, magic loop, or 2 circulars)
  • tapestry needle

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w

 

 

 

 

 

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Photos: Geena Garcia

 

NEW Handmaiden Silken

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Handmaiden Silken

Handmaiden Silken is one of the best silks around! It’s a 100% silk yarn with an exceptional lustre and texture – it’s as smooth as it gets! It has a remarkable drape, and look outstanding can for lace or non-lace garments, and it will look outstanding either way. The yardage is also great; just one skein makes a Wavy Scarf, a Drop Stitch Scarf, or a Lace Ribbon Scarf, and two skeins make a Clapotis wrap (all FREE patterns).

  • 100% Silk
  • 100g-250m (273 yds)
  • 3.5mm/US4 needles
  • 24 sts + 4″ (10cm)
  • Hand wash
  • Made in Canada
  • Project Ideas

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Handmaiden Silken COMBO Blog.png

FREEBIE Fichu Bleu

 

 

Fichu Bleu

I really love the simple look this cosy textured wrap. It’s infinitely wearable, with just enough detail and interest. The size is just right – not too big, not too small, and elegantly shaped to fit your body (no ‘vee’ in back). The project won’t be too long and you’ll be able to wear it now (or next week, give yourself a week to make it) to keep out the chill of April & Early May showers. I can see it being perfect over a spring coat or as a shoulder warmer around the office.

I think it would look great made with Cascade 220 (I like the heathers, they add an extra depth of colour, but solids would look god too), and you’ll only need about 3 skeins, or 4 if you want to make yours larger. The suggested needles are 4.5mm/US7 but for the Cascade 220 I’d go up to a 5mm/US8 to let the yarn bloom and give the garment a bit more stretch. Plus a bonus, our Cascade 220 is presently on SALE!

Materials

  • FREE pattern
  • Cascade 220: 3 skeins SALE
  • 4.5mm/US7 or 5mm/US8 – 29″ circular needles (or size to obtain a tension you like)
  • stitch markers
  • tapestry/darning needle

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w