APRIL SHOWERS KAL

The birds are chirping, and the first blooms of Spring are starting to appear!  But there are still a few rainy spells to get through before we can finally get outside and enjoy the outdoors.  You know what that means.... time for another Knit A Long!

Are you looking for a new project, something you can really sink your needles into? Why not join our
APRIL SHOWERS KAL!

Our project of choice is B L Y - a long and lean cardigan knit from the top down (yay! no seams).  A  great everyday style, this design is casual and comfortable, yet not too heavy, not too light, just the right choice for every season.  The simplicity of the pattern will give you an opportunity to add your own design elements, change the length, and try new techniques.    

This design features three quarter sleeves, a flattering V neck front with button closure, and side vents.  Choose from a variety of worsted weight yarns in cotton or merino (10% discount applied on any yarn purchased for this KAL).   Pattern is available to download here for free on Ravelry.

Join our Saturday KAL group in the shop from 1- 2:30 pm during the month of April or follow along at home.  Submit a photo of your finished project by the end of April and you will receive an entry ballot for our KAL draw.    

FEBRUARY LADY UPDATE THREE

With the Polar Vortex swooshing down on us it is definitely a weekend to seek warmth, and stay i-n-d-o-o-r-s!!  Hopefully your fridge and your yarn cupboard are both fully-stocked and what better time to curl up in a big comfy chair (with a big box of chocolates) and knit away on your February Lady.

 
Here are a few helpful tips to get you going on the first sleeve-

1. Use a sixteen inch circular or double pointed needles (whichever you prefer) as the sleeves are seamless.

2. If you have a slimmer arm, you may choose to work with a smaller needle (4.50 mm) which we did on the sample above.  Remember this is a bell-shaped sleeve designed without any decreases, so whatever width you measure at the top of the sleeve you will also end up with at the bottom.

3. Alternate two skeins on the sleeves if you have hand-dyed yarn, as you did on the body.  Every two rows is sufficient.

4. Choose your desired sleeve length as you knit, above the elbow, three quarter, or full length.  The choice is up to you and of course how much yarn you have left at this point.  The beauty of this design is that you can try it on as you go, take time to slip it over your shoulder, wiggle your arm through and see what length fits your style best.  For a three quarter sleeve we did eighteen repeats of the gull pattern followed by the garter stitch border.

5. If you prefer the sleeve border to have less of a flare, decrease anywhere from six to ten stitches across the first row of the garter stitch section.  Our sample has six decreases on each sleeve. 

Happy knitting and stay warm!  

FEBRUARY LADY UPDATE TWO

We are all merrily knitting along on our FEBRUARY LADY, and it is so exciting to see the colours that everyone has picked.  Stay tuned for some progress pics over the weekend.  So by now you are making your way to the armholes or for those who have ignored their snow shovel for the past week, you may already be at the transition point.  There will be four rows of the Gull Lace Pattern to finish before separating for the armholes and body.

Here are some helpful tips to get you through this next step-

1. Remember to place markers on your needle to designate the front borders, these stitches will remain in garter stitch throughout the body. 

2. The pattern calls for seven stitches to be cast on for the underarms, this will add a fair bit of width to the sleeve.  If you have very narrow arms (skinny minny) then you may choose to only cast on a few stitches and decrease these extra sts over the first few rows of the sleeve (this will make a small gusset at the underarm).  Don't worry about this until later, just mull it over while knitting the body.  Both the body and sleeves are worked over a seven stitch repeat so whatever you add or take away has to ultimately equal a multiple of seven stitches.

3. If you have chosen a handpainted yarn to work with, i.e. Malabrigo Merino Worsted or Rhichard Devrieze Merino Worsted, it is advisable to work invisible stripes starting at the top of the body section.  This means working with two skeins at one time (to evenly blend dyes) by knitting to the first marker (front border) then joining a second skein, work two rows in the pattern, then bring the first skein up to continue the next row (a small strand will be formed on the inside of the front border).

4. Remember to cast off with a larger needle on your last row of garter stitch (bottom border).  This is important to create more swing in your cardigan. 

Happy Knitting!    

FEBRUARY KNIT A LONG

Its the middle of winter, and here in Muskoka all we can see for miles is a thick lumpy white blanket of snow.  These days we seem to be spending more time with our snow shovel than our knitting needles.  What if we had a new knitting project, something to brighten up the dull days and keep you busy for the whole month of February?  Now what if we turned it into a Knit A Long and added a few incentives to make it even more fun and rewarding? 

FEBRUARY LADY

KNIT A LONG 

 

 

Whether you are close by or faraway, cast on and join us for a knitting adventure.  You may even learn a few new techniques along the way.

 

Step One: Print off the pattern here (or we can print it for you in-store).

Step Two: Choose a worsted weight yarn and dust off your 5 mm circular needles.

Step Three: Sign up for the KAL (call, msg or drop in, we just need your first name and yarn details).

Step Four: Cast on February 1st (or a day early in our KAL group)!!!

 

Now here is the fun stuff-



We chose this cardigan for its versatility, easy breezy style and great design elements, oh yes........ and the name might have had something to do with it.  It is knit from the top down, (yay, no seams) and is a 'fit while you knit' design which allows you to make changes as you go to the width and length.  The yoke is worked in garter stitch, and the body is worked in a pretty gull wing pattern that has a very simple four row repeat. 

 

There are also various options in choosing the right yarn from cotton to merino, to wool blends and for changing up the design elements and ample opportunities to try a few new techniques along the way. 

Starting on January 31st to February 28th, we will be holding an in-store KAL on Saturday afternoons from 1-3 pm.  Feel free (and it is free) to bring your coffee or tea and join in the fun as we cast on together and hopefully cast off together.  Just call or msg so we know you are coming. 

 

Now for the incentives.........there are four weeks in February so it seems reasonable to also have four goals.  Its just for fun, really, no pressure!!  As you reach each target goal, you will be awarded with a ticket, four in all, one for getting to the armholes, one for casting off at the hemline, one for casting off the first sleeve and then the second. 

 

The more tickets you can accumulate will ultimately give you more opportunities to enter the final draw with three prizes to be won (all valued at over a hundred dollars). 

KAL updates will be posted here on the blog and also here during the month of February!  Come in and see our store sample knit in gorgeous Malabrigo Merino Worsted, the colour is so vibrant it will make you swoon.        

 

Here are a just a few versions for colour and style inspiration, there are more than thirteen thousand on Ravelry (Yes, really!!  More than thirteen thousand people have knit this design so you will be in good company).