If you are looking for a quick - to - knit, yet very dear present to knit -- look no further.  Here is my Christmas present to you.  It's a Cashmere cowl pattern.  It takes less than one skein of  Schulana Cashmere Moda, 6 buttons and it can be done in no time.

Cashmere Cowl

Materials: Yarn 1 skein of Schulana Cashmere Moda
Needles: Size 8 US
6 buttons
Gauge: approx 4.25 stitches = 1 inch in lace pattern

Abbreviations:
K1-b – knit one through the back loop
P1-b – purl one through the back loop
sl2kpsso- slip 2 at the same time, as if to knit, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over the knit stitch

Picot bind-off: *Cable cast-on 2 stitches, bind off 4 stitches. Put last stitch back on left needle. Repeat from * until all stitches are bound off


Sizes: S/M, (L)
17 inches, (18.5) inches wide

Cast on 73(79) stitches using Norwegian cast on or other stretchy cast on.
Row1: K3, p1-b, p next 65(71) stitches, p1-b, k3
Row2: P3, K1-b, *(yo, ssk,k, k2 tog, yo, k), repeat from * 10(11) times all together, yo, ssk k, k2tog, yo, k1-b, P3
Row 3: K2, , k1, p1-b, p next 65(71) stitches, p1-b,k1, yo k2
Row 4: P2, P1 tog with yo (to make buttonhole), k1-b, *k, yo, sl2kpsso, yo, k2), repeat from * 10(11) times, k, yo, sl2kpsso, yo, k, k1-b, P3


Repeat rows 1-4 six times.
Bind off with Picot bind-off.
Sew on 6 buttons.

In this next picture I used a skein of Cascade Dolce -- any light worsted weight yarn will do, but of course it is exceptionally yummy in the cashmere.

You may remember that Woolbearers had a few classes in knitting the "Wrap Me Up" shawl.  Well, Chris de Longpre from Knitting at Knoon created a scarf version which uses sock weight yarn.  In this version, Sandra used a skein of  Noro Kureyon and got beautiful results.

Jane always comes back in with something delicious on her needles.  This time, she took a few patterns from her new favorite book, Favorite Socks and whipped up a few pair of socks.  The blue one is out of Frog Tree's newest sock yarn, Pediboo and the greenish one is out of Madelinetosh Pashmina.  I know -- cashmere socks.  Yum!

We had our latest Microwave Felting class last Saturday.  Here the gals are felting their bags with amazing results.

Knitting for your man -- these ladies are almost done with their sweaters.  What a great class.  We will be seeing more from Gary very soon!

 

Sneak peak at a new class we will be having in the new year.  Judy will be teaching a beaded crochet class.  There will be lots of new classes as I am putting the finishing touches on the new class list.  Come take a look at what we have so far.





 WOOLBEARERS

 ANNUAL

FIBER

FINISHING FRENZY

will be on Saturday, December 11 starting at 6 pm.  We'll supply the food, drinks and inspiration.  Come with all of your UFO's and we'll knit and crochet all night long.

If you need ideas for last minute gifts -- here's the perfect book -- More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Holverson.  I knit a Pointy Elf Hat from the book out of Woolbearers' Handyed Del Sur and it took me less than 2 hours to complete -- that is of course, in between helping folks pick out yarn, checking people out and answering the phone.  There's lots of other great patterns in the book.

Nancy just became a grandmother of twins and is knitting a jacket for each of her new grandchildren (boy and girl) out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran using the pattern from Debbie Bliss's  book Essential Baby

Bonnie knit up a model for the shop.  The pattern is from Classic Elite's Cabin booklet and is made out of Classic Elite Montera.  There were lots of ends to sew in -- but definitely worth the effort.  However, this would not be a good last minute knitted gift!

Here's a quickie -- Kris knit this "Go Vest" by Anna and Heidi Pickles.  Instead a doubling a dk weight yarn, she used a bulkier yarn -- Peruvia Quick from Berroco and had it done in no time. Pattern is free on the Rav.

Another vest -- Elaine used Woolbearers' Handyed Lanamira in colorway "Don't Leave" to knit this pattern from Plymouth.  What a great job!

Talk about a quick knit --- This is Disha's very first project.  She is in my Beginning Knitting class and wanted to make a hat.  We found an easy pattern from Dovetail Designs she could knit flat.  The yarn is Mochi Plus from Crystal Palace and now she is making a scarf to match.

 Recently we got this model from Jojoland of the Diagonal Matrix Vest.  It's made out of Jojoland's Rhythm Superwash and is one of those projects that you don't really know what you have till it's off the needles.    I see a very strong Elizabeth Zimmerman influence here!

Fran has been busy knitting gifts -- here is a peak at the lace shawl she knit for her girlfriend out of Manos Silk Blend.  The shawl pattern can be found in Folk Shawls.  The felted hat is a pattern from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas called "Felted Shetland Beret".  She used Jamieson's Spindrift -- it came out so nice and soft. Fran also knit a scarf and hat using the Brioche stitch out of Mission Falls 1824 wool and is now an expert Briocher. 

Joan came in for to buy yarn for a class she is taking wearing her latest creation -- the Harlequin Vest from Knit One, Crochet Too made out of K1C2's Paintbox yarn.  Great color choices!

Katy's latest creation -- a Seriously Simple Shawl out of Laceweight Zauberball.  Just stunning.

Marcia finished her Halo Kimono knit out of Jojolan's Rhythm.  Mine is in hibernation -- maybe this will inspire me to finish.

I do manage to get some things finished.  I saw this pattern and had the yarn for it -- so I had to make it.  It is the Guinevere scarf from Knit One, Crochet Too and is knit out of their Wrapunzel and some Rowan Kid Silk Haze.  ( and yes, that is Ms. Pacman underneath the scarf-- thank you Emma!)

Last, but absolutely not least, the gang from Skeins Mavens, a NJ stitch'nbitch group came for a visit and they got to fondle all the lovely Madelinetosh yarns they wanted.  It  was great to see them!

 Baby, it's cold outside, so I thought I would share a hat pattern with you. Here it is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Isle Hat Pattern  by Woolbearers

Materials:

125yards worsted weight yarn (MC)

100 yards worsted weight yarn (CC)

Size 8 16” circular needles and size 8 double pointed needles (or needle size that will get you the gauge)

Gauge: 5 stitches to the inch

Cast on 102 stitches with MC

Place marker, join stitches, be careful not to twist
Knit 5 rows.

Picot Edge
Knit 1, *knit two stitches together, yarn over*
Repeat from * to * until there is one stitch, K1
Knit 5 more rows.

Begin pattern: (see chart)

Knit all 31 rows of pattern (columns numbered 1-6 are the pattern repeat)
Knit 1 row wiith MC

Start decrease row with double points and MC
Dec. Row 1: Decrease 8 stitches evenly space across next row.

Dec. Row 2: *K2, k2 tog* rep from * -- 70 stitches

Work 1 row even
Dec. Row 3: *K1, K2 tog* rep from *
Work 1 row even
Dec. Row 4: K2 tog to all the way around

Last Row: 6 stitches remain. Run tail through last 6 stitches, pull tight and secure inside. Weave in ends. Turn up hem at picot edge and hem toward inside.

Chart:

Gwen has a hat of her own -- the "Scare Isle" hat made out of Jamieson's Spindrift.  Spooky!

Suzanne made a beautiful Andrea Shawl out of Classic Elite Wool Bamboo and Malabrigo Sock Yarn

Joanna made an Annis out of Isager Alpaca 1. She used beads instead of doing those dreaded "K7 tog".  The beads really pop out, although it's a little hard to tell from my pictures.

Cathy finished her Origami Cardi (pattern by Norah Gaughan).  She used Cascade and it is just lovely.

Katie is finishing her projects so quickly.  She just started knitting this beautiful shawl out of Lacey Lamb and it is done!  That girl can knit.

New Projects and old projects.

I love those Churchmouse patterns and have decided to knit each one of them. So far, I've knit Barb's Koigu Ruffled Scarf and the Beaded Koigu Beret.

The ruffle scarf is done from two colors of Claudia Fingering 55 (merino/silk blend) and the beret is of course, Koigu KPPPM.  Love that Koigu!

 

 The next project on my list of Churchmouse patterns is the Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf.  Sandra and Julie decided to knit one as well.  The pattern calls for using 3 colors of Koigu --- 2 rows of each color until you have about 6 inches.  Sandra's scarf is shown first and she used 2 of the same colors as I did, (my scarf is second with a close-up of the linen stitch). I'm amazed at how different the colors look.  Julie's is the next one and she used different colors altogether, but it still looks similar to mine.  I just love this stitch.  It has a woven look and makes me almost want to learn to weave.  (emphasis on the almost)

Teri made the ruffled scarf out of Merisock Handpaint -- the possibilities are endless with this scarf.

Katy brought in some projects that she made a while ago.   Here is the Lady Eleanor shawl from Scarf Style out of Noro Silk Garden

The biggest treat was this absolutely gorgeous sweater that Katy knit from the Vogue Fall 1989 called Ivory and Pearls Cardigan.