Knitting

So Much Knitting, So Little Time

Posted on by Virginia

Scandes Mittens

It has been a busy knitting week around here! I have been enjoying my new mittens I finished recently.

Scandes Mittens

The pattern is by Adrian Bizilia, who I think is a master of mitten design!

Kierna Foley Test Knit - Complete

I do a lot of test and sample knitting, and most of the time I can’t show anybody since it’s top secret stuff. But, this week I finished test knitting this beautiful shawl for Kieran Foley, and I can show it off! It was a fun one to work on. I also finished testing a lovely sweater, but that one is top secret.

And, I just published another new pattern in my own series of scarves named for authors I like a lot—this one named for Isabel Allende.

Allende Scarf

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Project Roundup

Posted on by Virginia

Dan got a new birthday sweater this year, made with Icelandic lopi yarn. It was the first time I had used this yarn, but it won’t be the last!

Stryta

Stryta

Other news, a new pattern: Anchee

Anchee Scarf

Anchee Scarf

And off the needles, some Mod mittens for a friend’s birthday!

Mittens

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Wool and Oranges

Posted on by Virginia

Dan’s needle felting business has been keeping him pretty busy for some time, but I am happy to report that he has been able to find a little time for spinning again. He has been using it a bit like a meditation I think, 15 minutes with his coffee in the morning, before the world wakes up. Here is his first skein of the year.

Handspun Yarn

I love these little daily practices, and I had a good one last year that I’ll show you in another post. I haven’t found one for 2015 yet. I have some ideas, nothing has solidified yet.

Kieran Foley Test Knit

I have been knitting a lot of scarves/shawls lately. At the moment I’m having a blast test knitting this fun one for Kieran Foley (pictured above). I finally finished this one I started back in October. There is some secret knitting going on as well, stay tuned!

Handknit Shawl

This weekend brought a bit of a winter thaw to our corner of the world, but mostly January has been so cold all we have wanted to do is stay in, cook soups and other comfort foods and stay warm. I hope you are staying warm and finding pleasure in the season, at least the citrus fruit has been great, hasn’t it?

Winter Citrus

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Yoshimoto Scarf

Posted on by Virginia

Yoshimoto Scarf

To continue my small series of scarves inspired by some of my favorite female authors, this design is inspired by Banana Yoshimoto and the delightful way she heartens us to appreciate with our senses simple things; a cup of tea, a wooden floor, hot noodle soup or an elegant and soft knitted scarf.

Yoshimoto Scarf

The yarn I used for this scarf is a luxuriously soft yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas, called Royal. It is 100% alpaca, and I used the Antique Black color (#705).

Yoshimoto Scarf

Since it requires only one skein of this luxurious yarn it would make a great and pretty quick gift for someone special, or yourself!

Yoshimoto Scarf

Pattern details on Ravelry.

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Hoodoo Hat

Posted on by Virginia

Hoodoo Hat

I fell in love with Blue Sky Alpacas newest yarn, Extra, when it was first released. It is so soft that it seemed perfect for a hat, something cozy for winter. With just one skein each of three of my favorite colors I was able to make four hats, trying out multiple color combinations!

Hoodoo Hat

The yarn knits beautifully, with the softness of alpaca without any shedding, and the loft of the fine merino to give it a nice body. It’s a dream to work with.

Hoodoo Hat

This pattern is quite fun and quick to knit. Now we are just a little closer to being ready for winter!

Hoodoo Hat

Pattern details on Ravelry.

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