I know that it is August, but  Christmas is just around the corner and knitted gifts must be started now.  I am giving you an early Christmas gift with this pattern to help you get started.   When I got the yarn in, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.  

The yarn is Schulana's Luxair, a bulky weight alpaca/merino mix with a metallic thread running through it.  It's a little hard to photograph well, so you must come in to see it.


Here is the pattern:

REVERSIBLE MISTAKE STITCH COWL 

Materials:  1 skein  Schulana Luxair, size 10.5 16” circular needles, 1 stitch marker

 

Cast on 75 stitches. PM,  join to work in the round

Row 1: *(K2, p2), repeat from *,  end  round with a P1

Row 2: P1, *(K2, P2), repeat from * to end of round

Repeat  these two rows for pattern.  Knit for 7 inches or desired length

Bind off with a stretchy bind-off, such  as Jeny’s Suprisingly Stretchy Bind off  which can be found here  http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/FEATjssbo.php

It just takes one skein and knits up in no time.  Here are the colors the yarn comes in

If you can't make it into the shop, you can buy this at Woolbearers online store.  Just click here.

Finally finished the Stephen West mystery shawl.  Here are some pix:

I wasn't sure about the outcome, but when I put the shawl on, I really liked the way it was designed.  Thank you Stephen West for another lovely design. I hope to have pictures next week of other finished or near finished mystery shawls.

Camille has finished the fair isle part of the Rams and Yowes blanket and has steeked and cut the blanket and is busy picking up stitches to do the border.

Here is the blanket before cutting:

The steeks are crocheted, ever so precisely, and she did cut them and did not lose a stitch!

Just one more picture -- Linda came to our Knit in Public Day and bought some of Woolbearers' hand dyed Lanamira Verte red yarn for the Stitch Red campaign.  Here is the lovely scarf that she knit up from the "Hearts within Hearts" pattern by Teri Lindstrom.

I know, I know, it's been a long time since I blogged --- ever since I got back from TNNA it seems that life has been non-stop and I haven't been sitting at the computer very much -- especially since I got an IPad. Every once in a while I go on Twitter.  My absolute favorite tweet is from Franklin Habit - he tweeted that he thought 50 shades of gray was a Cascade 220 order.  He is such a hoot!                                                                                                                                            TNNA was a blast and I bought waaay too much yarn.                                

Plymouth Baby Alpaca Aire

 Some of the Fall yarns are coming in -- 

Plymouth Grandiosa

Plymouth DeAire

Plymouth Sakkie - -  new sockweight yarn with Mohair --- very soft

Shibui Knits has the loveliest yarns and colors

Shibui Staccato, Silk Cloud and new Laceweight Cima

This is just the tip of the iceberg -- i'm not sure where I'm going to put all the new yarns.  And, I am bringing in some new fabulous companies -- can't wait.

I'll post more new yarns as they come in -- check out my facebook page for up-to-date yarn news.

New classes are being formed.  We will have more yarn and yoga sessions! Click here for more info on the yoga class as well as other knitting, spinning, weaving & crocheting classes.

Everyone has been busy knitting this summer.

Jane's baby blanket from 60 Quick Baby Projects out of Tahki Sportswool

Janet knit Opening Night vest designed by Lisa Myers out of Classic Elite Vista and  Misti Alpaca laceweight held doubled.  (modeled by Susan)

Linda did a fabulous job on her Watershed out of Rowan Summer Tweed

Debbi knit this wonderful design from French Girl knits out of Woolbearers  hand dyed Stotts Farm Lace

We have been diligently working on our Rams and Yowes blankets and a few gals have finished the fair isle part and are ready to cut steeks!  These pix are of Camille's blanket.  She asked me if I thought she should cut the steeks before or after vacation.  I voted for after vacation.  Can't wait until she gets back.

We have also been Mystery Shawl knitting.  Here are the beginnings of the Stephen West Mystery Shawl

Madelyn's is out of Madelintosh, of  course!

T

Aimee chose Isager Alpaca 2

Pat is knitting with her stash yarn

Stacey chose Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere and Heritage Sock yarn in Real Black

Cynthia is using Woolbearers Fingering weight yarn in two pretty colors -- Mustard and Apricot

I am also knitting one out of Woolbearers Fingering Weight