In conjunction with the release of the designs, we’re offering limited kits that include: • 1 skein of Andorra in Dark Navy • Woven "Made with Love" tag • Year of Gifts sticker • Postcard with a code to download the pattern for free.
Find the kit on our site here or ask for it at your favorite LYS!
In case you missed it, we’re diving right into another KAL, this time we’re going to knit the Very V-Neck Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs.
The pattern specifications call for a DK weight yarn knit at a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows / 4 inches in stockinette stitch US 7 needles. In preparation for the KAL, Courtney and I set out to do what I love most - swatching! - in order to find the perfect yarn/needle combination.
Courtney’s Swatch
From the start, Courtney was pretty set on using Andorra for her sweater. Andorra’s blend of wool and mohair makes for a light, airy fabric when knit slightly loosely. (For reference, Andorra’s recommended gauge is 22-24 sts per 4” on US 2-4 needles.)
Prior to blocking, Courtney’s swatch knit on a US 6 measured 22 stitches and 28 rows / 4”. After blocking, the swatch measured 20 stitches and 30 rows - perfect stitch gauge but the row gauge is too dense (too many rows per inch).
What does this mean for her knitting? Since the sweater is...
Now that we have finished - and even managed to photograph! - our Rift Sweaters and fall is officially here, it is time for another KAL!
On the heels of our successful #mojavemarlalong, we're jumping right into another KAL, this time we’ll be using Andorra and Semilla Melange and knitting the lovely, simple, classic, flattering, size inclusive Very V-Neck Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs!
Kate knit a total of four swatches in order to pick a yarn (more on that via the blog next week), and is really excited to be using Semilla Melange in the color Moss. Courtney will be making her Very V-Neck in one of her favorites (dare we say it is a signature "Courtney" color), Andorra in Mushroom!
Pattern Specifications:
Finished measurement at bust
33.5 (37.5, 41.5, 45.5, 49.5){53.5, 57.5, 61.5, 65.5}"
Gauge
20 sts & 26 rows per 4x4” in stockinette, blocked
Skein Requirements (both Andorra and Semilla Melange)
4 (5, 5, 5, 6){7, 7, 8, 8} skeins
You can find Andorra or Semilla at our many wonderful LYSs, or via
The September Year of Gifts is here!
For September, we enlisted our friend, Grace Anna Farrow, to design us a pair of cosy boot socks. The Goldenrod Boot Socks use Germantown, and the end result is a perfect hard wearing wool layer for crisp autumn and winter days.
In conjunction with the release of the designs, we’re offering limited kits that include: • 1 skein of Germantown in Goldenrod • 1 - 9" US 6 circular needles • Year of Gifts sticker • Postcard with a code to download the pattern for free.
Find the kit on our site here or ask for it at your favorite LYS!
I did it! I finally finished my Rift as part of the #mojavemarlalong, and I am completely happy with it. I used our Kelbourne Woolens Mojave yarn in seafoam and flamingo, and it is endlessly cheerful and summery - a pleasant reminder of beach days yet to come. (Maybe next year?)
I don’t know about you, but this spring and summer were…a bit…um…challenging? Like many, many people I had a hard time focusing. I couldn’t read a book all the way through, I didn’t want to pick up my needles, I didn’t want to cook - all things I enjoy and make me feel grounded. It wasn’t just me, right? (I know it wasn’t).
The Rift Tee by Jacqueline Cieslak was absolutely a fun and easy sweater to knit, I just CONSTANTLY messed it up. Those of you who followed along on our Instagram Live knit nights know: It’s not you, Jacqueline, it’s me, I promise.
I can’t remember all the things I messed up, but I know it started with the ribbing. I didn’t pay attention (ie, I didn’t read the pattern) and I...
The kit for this month includes: • 1 skein of Perennial in Caribbean • 1 sample size packet of Soak Handmaid • Custom set of August Year of Gift stickers • Postcard with individual pattern download code
Head over to our online shop to purchase, or ask for one at your favorite LYS!⠀
I made very few modifications to the pattern and tried to stay as true to the design as possible. The first - if one can even call it that - was the addition of a few inches to the body length so it is less cropped. As a reference, I am 5’5” and have a pretty short torso, and my front before the armhole division is 11” (3” longer than stated in the pattern).
The end result is a sweater I can wear layered over dresses, or with pants or jeans, making it a much more versatile garment for my personal style.
The other modification was done at the last minute. All that was left to do was the neck and sleeve cuffs, and on a whim I picked up the hook from my Sophie’s Universe...
As with previous months, we’ve assembled a kit for the Hosta Slippers, which includes:
• 1 skein of Germantown in sage • Hiya Hiya size H / 5.00 mm crochet hook • Loome 5-in-1 Robot • Postcard with individual pattern download codeHead over to our online shop to purchase, or ask for one at your favorite local LYS!
Just want the pattern? You can purchase it on Ravelry.
Above: My Swatches Before Blocking
As I mentioned in the introductory post announcing the KAL, after Courtney and I picked Rift and were discussing color choices, I swatched Mojave singled and then doubled the yarn with two colors and fell in love! The specifications for Rift are as follows: Yarn A sport/dk weight cotton/wool or linen blend Gauge 16 sts and 20 rows over 4” in blocked stockinette stitch Needles US 8 (5 mm)
The pattern calls for a sport/dk weight yarn knit on larger than recommended needles to achieve a gauge of 16 stitches over 4”. (For reference, Mojave is sport weight and the label recommends knitting on US 4-6 (3.5-4 mm) for a gauge of 22-24 stitches over 4".) This is common when knitting lace, as the resultant fabric is light, open, airy and has a lot of drape. As you can see from Rift, it can be used to great effect in stockinette stitch as well!
My Swatches After Blocking But why singled? And why doubled? I first knit a swatch with one end of Mojave in smoke gray on the recommended needles, US 8. When knitting from OPP (other people’s patterns), I tend start with the recommended needle, and then make...