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

Fingerless Stripes

Here is another simple pattern for you...some fingerless gloves I made for my friend over at Loysh Photography. They are super easy and take no time at all to complete.

Here's what you will need...

Yarn: Any 2 colours of yarn with a tension of 12st x 16rows (10x10cm).  I used Lincraft's Veronica Yarn.

Needles: 5mm double-pointed needles

 

Cast on 27 stitches (9 stitches per 3 needles) in colour A.
(Note: you will be knitting in the round.)
Knit 10 rows in colour A.
Knit 8 rows in colour B.
Knit 8 rows in colour A.
Knit 6 rows in colour B.
Knit 2 rows in colour A.
Stay in colour A for following 2 rows to make thumb hole:
1. Knit until last 5 stitches. Cast off 4 sts, knit last stitch.
2. Knit until thumb hole, turn work around, cast on 4 stitches, turn work around again and knit last stitch.
Knit 4 rows in colour B.
Knit 2 rows in colour A.
Knit 2 rows in colour B.
Cast off in colour B, sew in ends.
Your right handed fingerless glove is complete.

For left handed glove, repeat pattern but for thumb hole, cast off 4 stitches from 2nd till 5th stitch of the row instead.

If you need the thumbhole to be a bit bigger then simply cast off more than just 4 stitches.  If you want the glove to come up higher on your arm then add more rows of knitting before you add your thumb hole.  If you need the whole glove to be wider then add more stitches when casting on but you will have to measure your tension to figure out how many more stitches to add.

Another important thing to note for this project is that when swapping colours, knit the first stitch of the new colour with BOTH colours. That way you will avoid creating a hole between each interchange.

Let me know if you decide to attempt this little project.  I'd love to see the finished product too so you can send pics to info@woolandflaxyarns.com.au if you don't mind me sharing them on the blog. I'm also fairly new at writing up patterns so your feedback will be welcomed.  Happy knitting! xo

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! :)

 

A Manly Mossy Cowl

Here's a moss stitch cowl I have just finished knitting for my husband and I thought I'd share my simple pattern with you. A perfect little piece to keep you snug and warm over winter!

Materials:
- 3 x 50g Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (I picked the dark green for him to match his green eyes although I think this colour has been discontinued.  Don't quote me on that though!)
- 5.5mm straight needles
- wool needle






Pattern:
Cast On: 60 stitches.
Row 1: *(Knit 1, Purl 1), repeat * till end of row.
Row 2: *(Purl 1, Knit 1), repeat * till end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 till yarn is almost finished.
Cast Off: In knit stitch, leaving enough yarn to sew seam.
Finish: Lay piece flat and twist one end over so there is a bend in the center of the cowl, creating a Mobius strip. Then sew ends of cowl together with remaining yarn while maintaining Mobius twist. Weave in ends.