Here is my Christmas present to all of my wonderful customers!

Llama Glow Moebius Cowl

Materials: 1 skein of Woolbearers Hand Dyed Baby Llama Glow, buy it here (shown in colorway Grape Juice)

Needles: Size 10 US 32" circulars

Gauge: 3 stitches = 1 inch

Finished Dimensions (stretched) 10" x 19"

Cast on 150 stitches using the Moebius cast-on (see Cat Bordhi's video for instructions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4) or take our class on Feb 1st 2014 (more info found here.
 

Knit the first row according to Cat's instructions.

*Knit 4 rows

 Purl 4 rows

 Repeat from * 2 times

 Knit 4 rows

Bind off with a stretchy bind off.  I used this one:  * Knit 1 stitch,  Put stitch back on left needle. Knit 2 stitches together through the back loops. Repeat from *  until you are done.

Sew in ends.

Enjoy!

So, I noticed a sweater in the J.Jill catalog that I received today.  Looks an awful lot like Strokkur, the pattern created by Ysolda Teague.  We are having a KAL for this pattern, starting on Dec. 7. If you want the sweater from J.Jill you will have to shell out $119.  If you knit the Strokkur at Woolbearers it will cost a lot less and you will have a lot more fun!  Hope you can join us.

I have been starting lots of projects lately.  But the one that I'm really excited about is Vivid, a small blanket from TinCan Knits.  I just started knitting a square and am already addicted. Each square is begun with the Emily Ocker cast-on.  Remember I blogged about this in an August 2007 post? There is a nice You-Tube video that explains how to do this cast-on -- from Mountain Mom.  

I decided to dye yarn in lots of varying colors going up and down the hue scale. I am going to kit up the yarn, so you don't have to buy full skeins - each square takes only 70 yards or so. Here are some of the colors I've dyed already.

I'll definitely be doing more color families.  This is lots of fun.

Another KAL going on at Woolbearers is the Braid Hill Cardigan KAL.  Here's mine so far

It's a little hard to see the cables, but I have definitely become a "cable without a cable needle" convert.  I'll explain how it's done next time -- with pix.

Speaking of dyeing yarn, Marcia, a longtime customer, wanted to knit the Rosita Jacket from Knitters 108, but couldn't find a yarn to suit her.  So, I volunteered to dye some yarn and just can't believe the wonderful results.  The black and white intarsia is done out of Cascade 220, but the rest of the sweater is out of Woolbearers' Worsted Merino. Just love it!

Branwen is a beginning knitter who wanted to knit some baby clothes during her pregnancy.  She started with a sweater and then added hat and booties.  Here they are before baby and 

 on baby!

 How cute is that?

I've been a big fan of "Breaking Bad" for quite a while.  My son got me "hooked". In fact, I got him to help me dye yarn by saying "Hey, Jesse, want to cook?"   So, I wanted to do something to honor  Walt and the gang. What else can I do -- I dyed some of my Baby Llama Glow yarn and call the colorway "Crystal Blue".  If you want to score some click here.  I'll be dyeing up a batch in Sterling Sock yarn as well. 

We were so lucky to have Melissa Wehrle come for a book signing last week. Her book, Metropolitan Knits is a collection of the most knittable sweaters I have ever seen in one book.  Melissa was so generous with her time explaining how she became a designer what inspires her to do the wonderful designs she creates.  Thanks, Melissa for coming to Woolbearers!

We are starting another KAL this week. Once again, we are knitting a Kate Davies design, called Braid Hill.  It is really important to do a swatch for this sweater.  I was sure I wanted to knit this up in Grignasco's Champagne yarn.  It's a silk/wool blend -- my favorite blend to knit with and I thought it would show up the cables so nicely. Gauge for the sweater is 6 stitches to the inch. Perfect!  The pattern says that row gauge is really important for button placement.  I got stitch gauge with no problem, but couldn't get close to row gauge even with a larger needle.   What to do?  I just love my new hand dyed Sport Merino.  I already knitted up a cute little sweater from Lori Versaci with it and had some leftover and did a swatch -- boy, what a difference.  Not only did I get gauge, but the cables showed up so much better with this yarn.  I decided to use the black colorway that I recently dyed.   I know it's hard to see in this picture, but the cables really do pop nicely.  Don't even mind knitting with black this time!  I'll take more pictures next week to see the progress of everyone else's Braid Hill.

We did a KAL last winter using Kate Davies' Colours of Shetland book.  Now, I still have mine on the needles, but a few of the gals finished their Scatness Tunics .  Here's Kim's

 and Karen's

s

Jessa is a fairly new knitter. After knitting a few of the squares from Barbara Walker's Learn to Knit Afghan book, Jessa decided to branch out and she did it in a big way. This is her first sweater and it is just perfect.  The pattern is the "Tilted Duster" by Norah Gaughan from Interweave Knits Fall 2007. Jessa used Stonehedge Shepherd's Wool.  Not only did it come out perfectly, but it is so soft!

Janet's Baby Surprise out of Cascade Heritage 150 -- goes perfectly with the blanket she made from Berroco Vintage.

Amy and Lisa are in my Tuesday afternoon knitting class and always pick projects that they can work on together.  It's always a race to see who finishes first. Well, this time, Amy got her dress done just in time for her birthday.  The pattern is a Lang pattern and the yarn is the Seta Tweed and she did a fantastic job.

I would never want anyone to have the impression that I don't finish knitting my projects.  I know that I must have at least 18 on the needles, but I do intend to finish every one.  Here are two that are recently completed.

We did a KAL from the Knit Swirl book.  This one is called "Plum Perfect" and I used Woolbearers' Ringspun/Alpaca in 2 different colorways.

Amy Swenson's Watershed is a great little knit.  I made this one out of Woolbearers' Lanamira Verte in the Reds colorway.  

Garden State Sheep Breeders show was a lot of fun this year.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

I thought I'd start this new knitting season out by posting a free pattern. I created this pattern after dyeing up some superwash chunky yarn.  I needed to knit right away with it and thought that a baby blanket would be the most satisfying way to knit with several colors and do some different stitches. 
Here it is.   If you want to see the blanket in person, come to the Garden State Sheep Breeders Show on Sept 6-7 at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds.  More info about the show here. Buy yarns for the blanket here.

Chunky Baby Blanket

Materials:  Woolbearers Superwash Chunky

Color A: Teal 2 skeins

Color B: gold  1 skein

Color C: Lilac 1 skein

Color D: Grasshopper 1 skein

Color E: Reddish Brown 1 skein

Needles: size 11 32”

Cast on 84 stitches

Work in double seed stitch for seven rows

Double Seed Stitch:  Row 1: *K1, P1  Repeat from * all the way across end

                                  Row 2: *P1, K1 Repeat from * all the way across end

                                  Row 3: Repeat row 2

                                  Row 4: Repeat Row 1

Change to color B

Work in Stockinette stitch for 6 rows

Change to color C

Work 8 Rows I Garter stitch

Work 2 rows in stockinette

With color D begin half linen stitch as follows

Row 1 *k1, slip 1 WYIF repeat from * until end of row

Row 2 Purl entire row

Row 3: change to color C k2 * slip 1 WYIF, k1, repeat from *

Row 4: Purl entire row

Change to color D and repeat rows 1-4 one more time

Work 2 rows of stockinette in Color C

Change to Color E

Work garter stich for 10 rows

Change to color D

Work 2 rows of stockinette

Change to color A

Work 2 rows of stockinette

Change to color D

Work 2 rows of stockinette

Change to color A

Work 2 rows of stockinette

Change to color D

Work 2 rows of stockinette

Change to color C

Work 4 rows in garter

Change to color B

Row 1 Knit

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: *P1 Knit 5, Repeat from * all the way across

Row 4: P1, K1 *P3 K1, P1 K1, Repeat from * all the way across

Row 5: K3, P1 K1 *K3 P1 K1 P1, Repeat from * all the way across

Row 6: P3 *K1, P5 Repeat from * all the way across  end P2

Row 7: K1 *P1 K1 P1 K3 P1 K1 P1 K3 Repeat from * all the way across end K2

Row 8: *P1, K1 Repeat from * all the way across

Row 9: *k5, P1 Repeat from * all the way across

Row 10: Purl

Change to color E:

Seed stitch for 6 rows

Seed Stitch: Row 1 – *K1, p1 Repeat from * all the way across

                  Row 2:  *P1, k1 Repeat from * all the way across

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Change to color D

8 rows of Stockinette

Change to color A.

Work 10 rows of Garter

Change to color C

Work 2 rows in stockinette

With color D begin half linen stitch as follows

Row 1 *k1, slip 1 repeat from * till end of row

Row 2 Purl entire row

Row 3: change to color C and repeat row 1

Row 4: Purl entire row

Change to color C and repeat rows 1-4 one more time

Work 2 rows of stockinette in Color C

Change to color E

Work 6 rows of garter stitch

Change to color B

Work 10 rows in Moss Stitch

Moss Stitch:  Row 1& 2: *K2 P2 Repeat from * all the way across

                      Row 3&4 * P2, K2 Repeat from * all the way across

Repeat Rows 1-4 twice and Rows 1 & 2 once more for 10 row total

Change to color A

Work 2 rows  Stockinette

Change to color D

Work 2 rows  Stockinette

Change to color A

Work 2 rows  Stockinette

Change to color D

Work 2 rows  Stockinette       

Change to color A

Work 2 rows  Stockinette

Change to Color C

Work 6 rows in garter stitch

Change to color D

Work 5 rows in Stockinette

Change to Color A:

Work 7 rows in Double Seed Stitch.

Bind off

Pick up  84 Stitches along sides and work 7 rows of double Seed Stitch on each side.

Crochet chain along edges to complete blanket

When I saw the "New" Baby Surprise pattern, I knew that I just had to make it. This pattern was reconfigured for stranded work by Elizabeth Zimmerman's grandson.  How cool is that? This Baby Surprise is done in the round with steek stitches that are later cut.  I really really wanted to use my hand dyed superwash  worsted weight yarn for this. I know you are not supposed to use superwash when you are steeking, but I have done it before with fairly good success.  So, as much as I like the way it turned out, DON'T use superwash.  Or reinforce your steeks twice.  I have to admit it got a little dicey, but I managed to catch all the little ends that started popping out.   I think you should use a heavier weight yarn for this pattern. Even though I used worsted weight, it came out tiny!

I just have to weave in all the ends and pick up and knit some collar stitches and pick up stitches arond the sleeve cuffs, knit a row or two and then I'll be done.

We're having a class starting Saturday, June 15th for the Baby Surprise Jacket -- you choose which one you want to do -- the garter stitch striped version or this new circular stranded version.

 

 

Another project that we are working on are the jackets from the book Knit Swirl.

Here, Kathy is just casting on over 600 stitches.  She decided to use Zealana Rimu DK and Queensland Velveteen for a contrast.  Can't wait to see how much she knitted up this week.

 















I decided to use my hand dyed Delaware Valley Ringspun/alpaca.  I only had to cast on 512 stitches and every 4th or 5th round I get to decrease! 
 

 

Judy is using Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool and did her swatch, had to go down a needle size or two -- but it's better to find out now than to cast on a million stitches and have to rip that out.

 

Pat is definitely going to finish before any of us.  As of yesterday she was on welt #18  -- she is using Noro Silk Garden Lite with a little bit of Silky Wool thrown in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marian is also using Silky Wool and started over. After knitting quite a bit, she realized that the size she was doing was going to be too big. Glad she discovered that now instead of after it was all done.

 
Cindy never ceases to amaze me with her knitting.  She decided to do another project from the Kate Davies book, Colours of Shetland.  Here she is knitting the Ursula Cardigan, but instead of using lots of different colors, she is using Kauni Effektgarn for the color changes and one solid of Jamieson's spindrift.  Can't wait to see this finished -- which I am sure will be in no time.

 

Elaine brought in her Sequim shawl made out of Berroco Karma -- she added beads and it looks stunning!

 

 

Patricia loves my hand dyed yarn and sometimes mixes it with other yarns that she has spun.  Here is a kimono that she knit out of  my Delaware Valley Ringspun/Alpaca. Love the way it came out!

NEW BEGINNINGS AGAIN --- it seems like only yesterday that I wrote about taking my son up to college for the first time and how he wouldn't let me take his picture as I had done every first day of school  since kindergarten.  Well, he just graduated college and he let me take lots of pictures.  Someone is growing up.


















I finished the Little Arrowhead Shawl (designer - Pam Allen) project for my friend Pat -- I stayed with her during graduation and have been wanting to make something for her for the longest time.  The shawl took two skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca/Silk and I finished it in no time.  A simple lace pattern that was very satisfying to knit.







Speaking of finishing --- I actually finished another project this week and wore it during graduation. weekend.  It's the Melrose Tank, designed by Ruth Garcia-Alantud and it was in the  Knitscene Summer 2013 issue.  Now, she designed  it with pleats in the midriff section.  I don't need any attention called to my midriff, so I took them out and used a lot less yardage -- only 3 skeins of Shibui Staccato in fact.  This was a fast knit -- the yarn seemed to glide off the needles. I have to admit that I am a sucker for anything with silk in it.  I loved the icord edging around the armholes and neck too.

Went down to Maryland Sheep and Wool 2 two weeks ago.  I haven't been able to go for the last few years, so this was a real treat - it was a perfect day.  Scored a skein of Wollmeise sock yarn from a fabulous yarn shop called Vulcan's Rest Fibers from Chesapeake City, Maryland.   I also bought lots of fleece.  Now, I only have 200 lbs of romney in my basement.  But when I saw all that beautiful fresh fleece, I couldn't resist.  Bought some merino, romney and finn x.  I started carding the finn x and just love it -- can't wait to spin it up.

I found some silk hankies and silk cocoons.   We'll be using these in our Spinning with Silk class with Barb Johns












Need a new project?  Here are some new shawls/scarves that I found. Free pattern from Churchmouse Yarns & Tea called Racing Raindrops Scarf -- it's made with one skein of Rowan Fine Lace and beads -- I just got a new order of beads in too!













The Resistance Shawl that is in the new Knitscene Accessories has an interesting construction.  I started one last night out of  Frog Tree Alpaca sport. Like I need another project!