How are things in your corner of the world? I always find this time of year a bit funny … no major holidays to look forward to, spring not yet arrived … a time of year where you need to work a bit extra to find some excitement, perhaps? If this rings true to you, you might like to know that this month’s Confident Knitting designer Carol Feller is about to kick off a mystery shawl knitalong. I think it sounds like just the thing to see off any late winter doldrums and occupy anyone looking for a new challenge post-Confident Knitting.
Read moreShetland Trader Book Three: The Accessories + KAL IS LIVE!
Our Shetland Trader Book 3 KAL kicks off today, and we couldn’t be more excited! Two months of hanging out with Gudrun Johnston, knitting some breathtaking designs, learning and enjoying one another’s company … and of course, some really juicy prizes. More on all that in a second, but first, let’s have a whistle stop tour through the accessories that feature in Shetland Trader Book Three. These would be perfect if you’d love to join in the KAL fun, but don’t want to commit to a garment … and a great opportunity to try skills on a smaller skill and make something nice for yourself, or your handmade gift pile!
Read moreShetland Trader Book Three: The Dresses
Have you ever fancied a knitted dress? If so, you’re in luck! Gudrun Johnston’s newest book, The Shetland Trader Book Three: Heritage, features not one, not two, but three stunning knitted frocks. Like all the patterns in this knockout book, the dresses marry 1970s aesthetic with modern sensibilities for beautiful and highly wearable pieces. And each dress features some different Shetland knitting techniques to try! I’m willing to bet that, even if you don’t think your wardrobe needs a dress, once you see these, you’ll change your mind. The designs are just. so. good. Shall we have a peek?
Read moreConfident Knitting Projects, Summer!
Summer already feels like a very long time ago. In my corner of the world, the temperatures are falling, the leaves are starting to drop and the kids have long been back in school. But let’s take a moment to pause and look back on the Confident Knitting projects we made this summer. Maybe it was your vacation/taycation knitting? Maybe you did it with a summery drink to hand? Maybe it distracted you from a heat wave, or jump-started your autumn wardrobe planning? It’s fair to say that, for our Confident Knitters, knitting really knows no season, and you all produced some beautiful FOs between June and August. Let’s revisit them!
Read moreThe Joy of Learning with Friends + Getting Started at The Knitalong Hub
Learning something new can be really fun but also, it can be hard! Even armed with clear instructions and tutorials, sometimes it just takes a couple of tries to really get a new skill. And a bit of camaraderie can really help you through the hard bits. Which is why we set up our online forum, The Knitalong Hub, where our monthly Confident Knitting knitalongs will be hosted. The first one will be kicking off this Monday, 1st March, and we’ve put together a short video tutorial walking you through the quick and easy process of creating your free account + have put together a few tips.
Read morePostcards from Rhinebeck: Part 1
Not yet strictly Rhinebeck, but bear with me…
I’m trying out the app on my phone in the hope that I can write a few short blog posts while I am on the road. Fingers crossed I’m about to have the most knitting-filled week that I’ve had in a long time, so there should be plenty to talk about!
Tuesday
I’m starting my journey by train to London, and I have just the crown shaping remaining on my Marangoni Hat – this month’s Boost Your Knitting pattern. All things being equal, it will be finished before I catch my flight tomorrow.
wednesday
Boom! Hat is all done, save for the last couple of ends, with two minutes to spare before it’s time to leave for Heathrow.
This is the obligatory plane knitting shot. I cast on for the smallest size of Antler Cardigan by Tin Can Knits using our Something to Knit With Aran and knitted both sleeves and a good chunk of body during my flight from Heathrow to JFK in New York. It’s so satisfying to rattle through the pieces of a garment like that, especially when my last couple of garments have been 4ply epics. Note to self: Next adult garment should be in aran weight…
thursday
On Thursday, together with Kay and Ann of Mason-Dixon Knitting, we headed upstate to Red Hook, which is just a little way from Rhinebeck. I could write a whole blog post about what a joy it has been to spend time with these two! Ann is wearing her fabulous aran weight Dionne Shawl by Jeanette Sloan and I’ve borrowed Ann’s Parallelogram Scarf, which I need to immediately cast on when I get home. It is one of the designs in the Sequences MDK Field Guide, and unbelievably squishy and warm! This was just the start of a parade of incredible hand knits – many of them from MDK Field Guides…
Knitting has been almost non-stop – in the car, on the subway, on the plane, at restaurants and at home. I was really inspired by Kay’s gorgeous basketweave socks on her needles (in their Wanderlust Field Guide), as well as Ann’s Petula Sweater (Downtown) and the Corrugated Shawl (Sequences) that Ann was working on. Spending time enjoying the process of stitches and wool against a background of friendship is such a powerfully recharging thing.
My Antler Cardigan started to take shape!
Friday
Tivoli Bays was the perfect backdrop for some fresh air and a walk, and we were joined by MDK team member, Christina…
…for a photo shoot for our new album cover: Knitters on Tour.
And what do knitters do when they are on tour? Why, they head to the nearest town with a yarn shop of course! We went to Fabulous Yarn in Tivoli, NY which was PACKED with stunning yarns and notions. It took all my willpower not to dive in and buy everything.
I was very taken with this aptly named Oooh! cashmere chunky yarn. I held strong though, safe in the knowledge that the weekend would bring plenty to tempt me.
To be continued…
Running circles around intarsia
This month, we’ve been tackling intarsia in the round … and the results have been pretty spectacular! It’s always great to see the amount of learning that happens in the monthly knitalongs, but this month in particular, it’s been really inspiring to see knitters take on a technique that was new to virtually almost everyone!
Read moreWill yours be a summer of lace?
On Sunday our Something New to Learn About Lace Knitalong kicks off! Unlike other topical kick offs, this isn't about winning or losing, and there certainly won't be any penalties... just lots of knitters working on lace projects and sharing their progress, hints and tips. Now is the perfect time to wind your yarn, maybe knit a swatch or two, and find a project with some lace!
Read moreCables to tempt you...
I can't believe that the Cables Knitalong is nearly over. We will be awarding prizes sometime next week (along with shipping pre-orders of Something New to Learn About Lace – it's going to be a busy week!). We have had a great time encouraging each other along with our cabled projects, and sharing successes and disappointments along the way. Somehow, having to rip back some knitting isn't quite so bad when you've got a virtual room full of friends to commiserate with you.
I thought I would share just a few of the many beautiful projects that have appeared in the group over the last couple of months. This is just a taster, so do pop over and see for yourself. It's a great way of getting new project ideas! Clicking on any of the images will take you to their project pages so that you can see where the pattern is from, and which yarns people have used, oh and add the projects to your favourites of course!
Read morePinhole Knitalong
I can't believe how quickly people have ditched their WIPs and cast on for Alex! The knitalong thread in our Ravelry group is already buzzing with excitement. If you're new to posting in our group, please do feel free to just drop in and share your progress. We're a very chatty bunch, but there's no obligation to wade through all the posts in any of the threads, just dive in and say hi!
We are always very happy to answer questions about any aspect of your knitting, and the wealth of experience and knowledge in our group is extraordinary - group membership now stands at 1,260 so wherever you are in the world, someone will be awake and on hand to encourage you along!
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