Summer Knitting

If you're in Melbourne, Australia you would have experienced winter 5 days into summer today, hail storm and all!  Some people might complain about the weather but not me.  I love winter and don't mind even if it continues through summer.  Not to mention, the cooler it stays the more suitable it is for knitting!

Although I must admit, I haven't done much knitting throughout this year.  Having three children under the age of 5 meant that I hardly had time to myself.  But I'm glad to say I've made it to December and things are getting easier. The older 2 play together nicely for most of the time and they simply love having their baby brother around.  And just when I feel like I finally have gotten the hang of things, it's all going to change again next year as my oldest starts school! But there is still lots of summer fun to be had before that happens.


I've got the heater cranked up and have spent the afternoon adding some delicious new yarns to my store.  I'm very excited to have a few more yarns by Manos del Uruguay in selected colours.

Manos del Uruguay Lace is a wonderful and luxurious blend of baby alpaca, silk and cashmere. It is light but warm, and is extremely soft to touch. It would be perfect for a few of my favourite patterns: Rock Island, Gradiente and Color Affection.




If you love Manos del Uruguay's Silk Blend then you will also love Fino.  It has the same merino wool and silk blend but is a sport weight for the more refined and elegant projects. Made with a new dyeing process, they come in subtle and tonal colours which are beautiful and different to the strong colours we have been used to seeing from Manos. I personally love soft, pastel colours and have fallen in love with this range of yarn. I also can't wait to knit up these: Fino Circle Scarf, Eternidad Scarf and Martine Hat.


A yarn that has beautiful drape for summer garments is the Manos del Uruguay Serena. It is made up of baby alpaca and prima cotton and has a very versatile gauge. They are coloured using the new kettle-dyeing process which gives the yarn a heathered, stonewashed look. Some suggestions for this yarn and also some of my favourite patterns are: Chiton Pullover, Serena Shadow Shawl, Rayures, Wharton and Sofia.

We have more colours in Lace and Serena arriving soon so be sure to keep an eye out for them!

Joan xo

Yarn With Heart

One of the things that we aim to do at Wool & Flax is to support brands that have socially and environmentally friendly products.  We have a large range of yarns by Manos del Uruguay who are a part of the World Fair Trade Organization, and we are now pleased to introduce yet another brand of yarn which supports community development in economically depressed regions in South Africa, Be Sweet.

Be Sweet was created by Nadine Curtis in 2003 while living in Cape Town, South Africa.  The company gives local artisans the confidence and means to support themselves and their families through job creation programs.  Their mission is to bring socially and environmentally friendly products to fashionable consumers and help support community development around the world.  They also donate a portion of their profits to educational development programs in South Africa.

We are proud to be a stockist for them and to have some gorgeous colours from their Cotton Candy range on our shelves.

 

The Sunkissed Scarf

I have been busy sourcing yarn for my store and stumbled upon the lovely Spud and Chloe. Unfortunately they do not supply to online-only stores but I still love their collection nonetheless. I'm sure you'd agree with me if you've ever had the chance to work with it!

I picked out this Outer, Super Bulky yarn for Amber and thought it would make a cosy, warm scarf just in time for winter.  It is made up of superwash 65% wool and 35% organic cotton, perfect for littlies as it is not at all scratchy. This size would probably fit any 3 to 5 year old.  Here is the simple single-ribbed pattern I came up with which you could probably complete within just a couple of evenings, or if you're really quick, just a few hours!

Materials:
1 skein x 100g Spud and Chloe Outer, Super Bulky in Sunkissed colour (7206)
1 pair of 10mm single-pointed needles

Pattern:
CO 9 stitches.
Row 1: K1, *(P1, K1), repeat * till end of row.
Row 2: P1, *(K1, P1), repeat * till end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 till skein is almost finished, leaving enough yarn at the end for tassels if desired.
(I measured out my tassels before I finished the knitting just so I knew I absolutely had enough yarn.)
Weave in ends. Add tassels.

And there you have it, a lovely, simple scarf for your special little someone! :)