My Adventures in Knitting, truly my Yarn-escape!

Friday, December 30, 2016

Friday Free Patterns - Cowls for January

     With just a handful of days left of December, I look ahead to January.  Usually the coldest month of the year whether I've lived in Upstate New York or Colorado. Here we won't have as much snow (it'll hit in the Spring) and temperatures won't quite be as cold as back Northeast.  But still cold enough.  So I'm thinking cowls right now are a great accessory.  Wrapped around to keep the warmth in.  Here's a nice selection.  Some take hours, a day or two, others are a longer project, but worth the effort.



Here's a beautiful cowl I've been eyeing.  Simple and can be tailored to your yarn.  Directions for many sizes of yarn.  Beauty in simplicity.







Knit in DK Yarn -











A very peaceful, rhythmic knit in fingering wt. yarn.



In Aran -





One of my favorites, I've made several.  It takes two days up on #50 needles and uses two strands of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.  Fun and warm.  Makes a great quick gift too!





     For Super Bulky yarns grab some Lion's Wool Ease Thick and Quick at your local craft store or Wal-Mart. Nice, soft results at low cost. 









Knit in a Bulky Yarn -






 Want to go fancy, try Malabrigo Rasta Yarn or Wool and the Gang's Crazy Sexy Yarn.










Knit in Wool & The Gang's Crazy Sexy Yarn



Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Wednesday's Yarn Along

   Today I'm sharing with Ginny and her friends at her "Small Things" blog; 
come join me and share what you are reading and knitting in "Yarn Along".


     I'm working on my Peace Cowl and a few hats I still need to finish for late gifts.  The Peace Cowl feels like it's a gift for me though, the knitting peaceful and rhythmic.  At some point in January,  or maybe February I want to do another in white, or natural.  Knit picks has an undyed yarn called Bare Capretta that's wool & cashmere that looks lovely and soft.


     On the reading front I'm reading a series by Dianna Love. I'm on the third book (there was a prequel) and I like it the most.  Honeymoon To Die For: Slye Temp book 2 .  Ryder is suspected of murder, he used to be a secret agent and he's released from prison with a lawyer to penetrate his family's home and business for the FBI. To pull it off he marries the lawyer, who by the way proved his quilt meticulously over the previous months.  Of course the pair start falling for each other as the intrigue deepens and enemies lurk.  Quite convincing and riveting.


     Well, in spite of that great read, I did get sidetracked with a Christmas short Romance, and it's lots of fun, Stranded, A Winter Romance Duet by Samantha Chase.  I'm chasing down more books of hers.  Goodread review - Stranded




     And because it's a special gift from my daughter I wanted to write about it.  She helped pack up my parents place this year so my Dad could move and she cleaned out and sorted my mom's stuff.  She sent me my Mom's scarves.  She passed this past year and every day she wore a scarf tied in her hair.  Many were Liberty from London, I think those from Europe were too threadbare, but my daughter sent the rest.  Now I'm wearing them in honor of her.









Please join us at Ginny's "Small Things" blog to share-

"~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading and I love sharing my projects and current reads here.  I would love for you to join me every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting (or crocheting) and reading too! "  Share with Ginny at Small Things.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Tuesday's Knitting Away


Joining "Frontier Dreams" today and sharing my creations.





     I'm always grabbing my Peace Cowl to work on.  I do find it a peaceful 3 stitch knit, two rows the same, then two knit rows.  Rhythmic and restful.  I love to see it grow.  Hoping to have it finished within my daughter's Christmas break, which gives me almost 2 weeks and then I have several things planned.





Happy New Year

 and 

May the Coming Year be Full of Blessings and Peace





Join "Frontier Dreams" to post your  projects on Tuesday or later in the week.


Nicole says: "The act of creating, in one form or another, preserves my sanity amongst the chaos of life. This explains why I always have more than one project going at a time as well as why my housework tends to fall behind. I enjoy seeing what others are working on and keeping calm with, too. What are you creating? What is keeping you going? Snap a picture or two and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link" on her blog, link above.

Friday, December 23, 2016

January KAL's Coming Up



     January, almost here at last.  I fully enjoy the concept of fresh beginnings. new starts and new perspectives.  I love this quiet month of snow, cold crisp days, endless blue skies and the start of new projects.  So here's a list from the KAL Fanatics, check out the list for all KALs coming up this coming month, this is only a taste.








Betwixt Blanket Cape by Katie Rempe 
Group: skacel collection, inc. 
Description: MKAL cape/poncho. Calls for 2 colors. No seams. 
Dates: Begins January 5th 
Price: Free 
Link to chat






Patternargent cardigan Jan KAL by bunnymuff 
Groupbunnymuff Group Moderatorbunnymuff 
Description: A lace and cable cardigan pattern worked from the top down. You will cast on sts at the back neck and shoulders, work raglan shaping, separate sleeve sts from body, continue body, work each sleeve, and then puk sts around the collar. The buttonbands are worked, as you work the body of the cardigan (and do not need to be picked up after). Sizes 34-50 
Dates: Begin January 1, 2017 FREE with any Wolle’s Kit purchase 
Price: $6.50 USD 
KAL Chat





"In the book, Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb, FitzChivalry Farseer treats his small daughter, the Lady Bee, to a trip to the nearest market town where he buys her a warm and lovely red and gray shawl for the cold Winter. Warm yourself with this two-colored, textured shawl, reminiscent of the working of summer bees, and fit for any Lady of an estate."


Lady Bee MKAL pattern by Elizabeth Ravenwood
Group: A Big Comfy Doghouse, hosted by pjalaska and Tmorneau
Description: This textured shawl is perfect for cold weather while hinting that spring is just around the corner.
Dates: Clues will be released January 15, February 5 and 26, and March 19.
Price: $5.99 with a 30% discount through December 31, 2016, with the coupon code on the pattern page.
MKAL thread is here.





"The team at Jimmy Beans Wool and Lorna’s Laces came up with a special colorway to celebrate the household name of the skilled detective, based on the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All it needed was a design to go with it. And of course, we had to make it a mystery knit-a-long, because it wouldn’t be a Sherlock tale without one!

     The project, which will be a COWL, is truly unique in construction and design. It uses two skeins of the Lorna’s Laces base, Solemate, a blend of wool, nylon, and Outlast (which helps regulate body temperature). The Main colorway, “Baker Street” (based on the street where Holmes and his assistant, Dr. John Watson share a flat) is a proper reflection of Sherlock’s mystique and wardrobe (complete with the famous deerstalker hat). The contrasting color is a deep gold to make the design shine as brightly as the intelligence of Holmes."


A Mystery KAL on Baker Street by Christopher Salas 
Group: Jimmy Beans Wool 
Description: MKAL fingering weight & requires Brioche knitting. It’s tagged as being a shawl/wrap but in the notes it says you should know how to knit in the round? Exclusive color kits available at Jimmy Beans Wool. 
Dates: Begins January 1st 
Price: $5.00 
Chat thread








:“A well-looking man,” said Sir Walter, “a very well-looking man.” 
“A very fine young man indeed!” said Lady Dalrymple. “More air than one often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say.” 
“No. I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth—Captain Wentworth of the navy.” 
—Chapter 20, Persuasion
     "Though Captain Frederick Wentworth may not be Irish, this handsome captain, who stole Anne Elliot’s heart before the beginning of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, is certainly worthy of his own Aran sweater. This cabled pullover is worked in the round, with a “hybrid” yoke to highlight the Celtic Flourish cable running up the center back and front, flanked by OXO and Superimposed Double Wave cables, and Ensign’s Braids (Ensigns were junior officers in the infantry and navy at the time, which Frederick would have been when he first met Anne) running up the sleeves and along the shoulder saddles. This yoke style makes a flattering pullover for any man. To modernize, body and sleeves begin the cable patterns immediately, and it is finished with a simple rolled neck so as not to distract from this cable tour de force."

Pattern: An Aran for Frederick by Kathleen Dames 
Group: Kathleen Dames Design Moderator: Purly 
Description: Cabled unisex pullover inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion
 to start off 2017 right. This pattern was far and away the most popular choice in my #knitterspayitforward giveaway last month. Join us for camaraderie, prizes, and special podcast episodes because we are #strongertogether. 
Dates: January 1 - March 1, 2017 
Price: $8.00 USD - 20% off with code a4fkal through December 20th, if you don’t already have a copy 
KAL thread





Rose City Mystery Knit Along 2017 by Casapinka 
Group: Rose City Yarn Crawl 
Description: oin Casapinka and the shops of the Rose City Yarn Crawl on a Mystery Knit Along! We will be knitting a fun cowl that uses two different colors of yarn and a number of different stitch patterns, but is still simple enough for the advanced beginner. It is designed for a variegated or bright yarn to work with a more subtle color, so don’t be afraid to use your favorite bright colors. 
Dates: January 25th: Clue 1 released. 
Price: $6.00 (pattern sales begin December 2nd) 
chat thread here











Oceanography KAL by Melissa Kemmerer 
Group: Let’s Knit Together 
Description: KAL for any one of Melissa’s 4 shawl patterns that are part of her oceanography bundle. You can see the patterns individually by clicking the pattern name above. 3 are fingering weight and one is worsted weight. The link above is to the entire pattern collection which is on sale until December 5th. Each pattern is $1 until December 5th if you would rather buy them individually. 
Date: Begins January 1st 
Price: $1 to $4 with prices increasing after December 5th. 
KAL Thread








Pattern: Sassenach (to be released January 12th, 2017) 
Group: Dana Gervais Designs 
Description: Inspired by the book and television series, Outlander, this sock is designed to be a mix of both masculine and feminine while being modern and distinctly argyle. Worked cuff down, this fun sock pattern uses cables and lace to create a contemporary argyle pattern down the front of the leg and on the top of the foot. The heel features an eye of partridge heel flap and half handkerchief heel. The sock ends with a wedge toe that is grafted closed with Kitchener stitch. Instructions are given to knit socks in narrow, medium, wide and extra wide widths. Foot length is customizable. 
Price:$3.75 (there will be a coupon code for 25% off the $5 price - the coupon code will be posted in the test thread and participants will be earburned when the pattern is released). 
KAL Thread:Sassenach KALCozy Shlanket MKAL by Mina Philipp 







Description: This pattern is designed to be a large oversized cozy blanket/shawl – aka a Shlanket! Designed so that it is cozy to work on and then super snuggly to wrap up in and keep warm on a cold winters day. Aran weight. 3 colors. 
Dates: Begins January 1st 
Price: Final price of $5 (on sale before start of KAL for $3) 







Patterns: Any Colorwork Pattern by Stephen West, any colorwork project using intarsia, or any adult-sized colorwork sweater. 
Group: The Colorwork KALs 
Description: The sixth KAL of this forum will explore the colorwork designs of Stephen West, OR any knit colorwork project using intarsia, OR any adult-sized colorwork sweater. There are prizes and this is a friendly and supportive group that welcomes knitters with any level of colorwork experience. Please join us to learn or share your expertise. 
Dates: KAL6 January 1 - March 31, 2017; the sweater KAL will run for all of 2017. Start and finish any month. 
Price: Free to join - responsible for own materials and pattern









Pattern: Jorjamae by Patty Olson 
Group: Seasonal Shawls Moderator: CakersKnits 
Description: Jorjamae is a rectangular sampler shawl with two versions to choose from. Version 1 is knit in two identical pieces (photo above) and then stitched together in the middle, version 2 is knit in one piece. Yarn used to knit samples for pattern is Malabrigo Silky Merino, DK weight.
Dates: January 14, 2017 - February 25, 2017 
Price: FREE 
KAL Thread: Seasonal Shawls





Pattern: Under the Sea Mittens KAL by Kat Lewinski 
Group: Just Crafty Enough Moderator: katbaro 
Description: Stranded color work mittens with an Under the Sea theme 
Dates: Starts Monday, January 2nd with clues January 9th, 16th and 23rd. 
Price: Free 
KAL ThreadUnder the Sea Mittens KAL Website: Just Crafty Enough







Ho’onanea by Cindy Garland 
Group: Wild Prairie Knits 
Description: MKAL fingering weight shawl. Rectangular, simple lace, provisional cast on, optional beads. Pattern available in three sizes. 
Dates: Starts January 1st 
Price: $5.00 (kit options available also - see pattern page for links) 
MKAL chat thread



"Criminal Knits welcomes you to our annual New Year’s Eve MKAL!
This KAL will start at the stroke of midnight somewhere on planet earth. We’ll be knitting a shawl. Quite a large shawl actually… and here is the info:
Wicked Good: Is a Fair Isle shawl. Okay nobody faint! We won’t be working with more than two colors on any row, and you can do that, right?! If you know how to knit and purl you will be able to do this! Really. It will just take a little patience, and/or a fair amount of alcohol… and of course the crazy folks on the Criminal Knits…for the Serial Knitter in all of us. Group will be there to help you all the way!"

PatternWicked Good 
GroupCriminal Knits…for the Serial Knitter in all of us. 
Description: Mystery Large Shawl 
Dates: Midnight somewhere on earth. Clues after that 
Price: $10 
MKAL Chat