Finished in no time! What a quick knit and a lovely beret it is.  This is the Koigu Beaded Beret pattern from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. There's just the right amount of beads -- not overwhelming, but enough to make it interesting to knit. Can't wait to try the other patterns from Churchmouse.

I brought in S. Charles Collezione  Sahara for the spring --- a lovely bamboo, linen & viscose blend.  I knew that I had  to knit something with it but just couldn't find the right pattern.  So I made up a feather and fan scarf pattern using three of the colors.  Here is is:

                                         Sahara Feather and Fan Scarf



Materials: 1 skein each, S. Charles Collezione Sahara color 7, 8 and 9
Size 10.5 needles

Begin with color 7, Work first 6 rows of scarf and then change to color 8, work next 8 rows of pattern and then change to color 9. Keep changing colors every 8 rows or as desired.

Cast on 28 stitches. Always knit the first 3 stitches and the last 3 stitches.
Knit first 2 rows.

Begin pattern:


Row 1: Knit 3, * (K 2 tog) 2 times, (YO, K 1) 3 times, YO, (K 2 tog) 2 times, repeat from * 1 more time, Knit 3
Row 2 & 3 : Knit
Row 4: Knit 3, Purl 22, Knit 3

Repeat these 4 rows for pattern
Knit until yarn runs out or desired length.
End by knitting 6 rows of pattern in one color and then knit 2 rows in same color.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natalie is a prolific knitter.  When she knits something that she likes, she may knit it more than once.  She saw this pattern from Norah Gaughan Vol. 6 (which happens to be one of Berroco's top ten) and knew she had to make it.  It's called "Choice".
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is the first one -- not put together yet, but you get the picture.  This one is knit in Berroco's, Bonsai and Seduce
 

And this is her second one, also out of Berroco Bonsai and Seduce -- she's making a third in black and white Seduce only

Hopefully, Gary will put these pieces together for Natalie soon (Gary is a fantastic finisher).

Here's a little piece he started to work on the other night. This is out of Noro Silk Garden -- working up his very own pattern.  We will be seeing more of his work soon.

Sometimes you just see a pattern and say -- that's what I want to knit. I saw a bunch of patterns from Churchmouse Yarns and Tea, a knitting store in Bainbridge Island, Washington and think that I want to knit them all.  So, I am starting out with knitting the Koigu Beaded Beret.  I just love Koigu.  It has a certain shine to it--whatever you are knitting is backlit.  I like to use the crochet hook method of getting the beads on the yarn. Here's a short summary of how it's done:

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First you put a bead through a very small crochet hook. I used size 6 seed beads and a size 9 Steelite crochet hook

 Then you hook your next stitch onto the crochet hook

Next, with the stitch in the hook part of the crochet hook, slide the stitch through the bead

 

And put the stitch back on the left hand needle and knit the stitch as you normally would.

I put all of my beads in a small container and just "stab" each one as needed. It actually goes pretty fast as you get a rhythm going.   This particular pattern uses only 90 beads and has three rows of beading, so it's a great beginner beading project.  I'm almost finished and will post pix when I'm done.

Donna came in with her Summer Tank  -- in cotton worsted yarn dyed by Woolbearers.  Great job!

Laura came in with her finished sweater. The pattern is appropriately called "Laura"  and is from the "Illustrator" book from Mission Falls. Yarn is Mission Falls cotton.  It's really pretty.

We've had quite a few folks knit the Featherweight Cardigan and here are two gorgeous examples

Rachel's is done out of Malabrigo Lace in Purple Mystery.

Katie's is out of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic.  I didn't have enough of one colorway, so we mixed two colorways and got gorgeous results.

Alissa made this gorgeous feather and fan cardigan out of Berroco Pure Pima.  Love the color selection

Nancy is taking my Learning to Knit Afghan class and has completed many squares.  But she needed a baby blanket project, so we decided on a simple pattern -- basketweave -- and picked out some yummy soft, superwash yarn (Cascade Superwash 128) and she went to town.  Now, she's making another one.