LADY MUSKOKA KNITTING CRUISE RECAP

AHOY KNITTING MATES!


"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fun-filled knitting trip
That started from this Bracebridge port...
Aboard this tiny ship.

The knitters were mighty sailors,
The skipper brave and sure.
A crew of happy passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, …. a three hour tour."


Hope you can join us next year!

SHAWL Foliage

Cosy Knits

Mrs. Howell Kept Us In Stitches

Our Stowaway 'CHUCK CANUCK'

Ginger and The Professor

Summer Road Trippers Celebrating The End of Our MKAL

CONGRATULATIONS To Our Door Prize Winner- ANNETTE!!

SUMMER ROAD TRIP MKAL

Big news for fans of the Yours Truly, Summer MKAL..... the sequel is due out on July 1st!!
This time we are taking a S U M M E R   R O A D   T R I P  across
C A N A D A  starting at the Pacific Coast and ending at the Atlantic Coast.

Kick back and relax..... breath in the fresh air... enjoy the view as we wind our way from coast to coast taking in four thousand miles of stunning scenery in celebration of
C A N A D A  150

This crescent-shaped shawl will be knit with the wonderful yarns of Rhichard Devrieze, and depending on your preference may or may not be color specific.  Five colors are required for this project, one skein of each in Peppino fingering weight merino. There will be at least 10g remaining after completion of each CLUE.

We will host an in store Knit A Long on Friday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm throughout the summer!  Please feel to join in or follow along at home.  There are many colors to choose from at the shop or through mail order.  Please contact us by phone or email and we are more than happy to help customize your color selection.

Suggested colors (shown above)-
Seabreeze (blue variegated)
Honey On The Go (gold stippled)
O Canada (red solid)
When I Think Of You (green stippled)
Twyla Brae (multi-color stippled)

Step outside the box when choosing your colors, as stipples, variegated and solids will all work well together.  If you prefer to swap out some of your colors along the way.... go for it!  Its your road trip!

ONE clue will be released every TWO weeks for a total of FIVE clues.  The FIRST clue will be FREE in honor of Canada's big day on July 1st!  Following clues will be 1.50 each.

Clue 1 - July 1st
Clue 2 - July 15th
Clue 3 - July 29th
Clue 4 - August 12th
Clue 5 - August 26th

Hop on and enjoy the ride!

I LOVE YARN DAY

It happens once a year, and this time around we are celebrating I LOVE YARN DAY with our favorite 'to dye for' yarn artist - Rhichard Devrieze.  Yes, you read it right......The Creator Of Colour will be here in Bracebridge from 10 to 3 pm on Saturday October 15th to celebrate all things warm and woolly with us!

We have some fun things planned for this special day including a pop up trunk show featuring the fabulous N E W  yarn collection from The Yarns Of Rhichard Devrieze accompanied by an inspiring array of knitwear designs to get your needles clicking.....

   

CLUE TWO

Mystery Knit A Long
CLUE TWO


Continue in Firefly Pattern with A as follows-
Row 1(RS): K1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2(WS): K to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 = 92 sts.
Row 3: K1, kfb, k1, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5], rep [to] until 9 sts remain, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1.
Row 4: Work as Row 2 = 93 sts.
Row 5: Work as Row 1.
Row 6: Work as Row 2 = 94 sts.
Row 7: K1, kfb, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5], rep [to] until 12 sts remain, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1.
Row 8: Work as Row 2 = 95 sts.
Row 9: Work as Row 1.
Row 10: Work as Row 2 = 96 sts.
Row 11: K1, kfb, k9, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5], rep [to] until 5 sts remain, k2, k2tog, k1.
Row 12: Work as Row 2 = 97 sts.
Row 13: Work as Row 1.
Row 14: Work as Row 2 = 98 sts.
Row 15: K1, kfb, k8, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5], rep [to] until 8 sts remain, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, k1.
Row 16: Work as Row 2 = 99 sts.
Row 17: Work as Row 1.
Row 18: Work as Row 2 = 100 sts.
Row 19: K1, kfb, k7, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5], rep [to] until 11 sts remain, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1.
Row 20: Work as Row 2 = 101 sts.
Row 21: Work as Row 1.
Row 22: Work as Row 2 = 102 sts.
Row 23: K1, kfb, k6, [k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5], rep [to] until 4 sts remain, k1, k2tog, k1.
Row 24: Work as Row 2 =103 sts.
Row 25: Work as Row 1.
Row 26: K to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 = 104 sts. 
Continue in Ticking Stripe Pattern as in CLUE ONE, alternating first B and then A every two rows until there are 137 sts on needle (ending with B).  Cut A. 


Do you remember chasing fireflies at twilight, and being captivated by their luminescent glow? 


To be continued............


Yours Truly,
Summer

T R I P L E B E R R Y Beret

For days when it proves to be a difficult task choosing only one colour out of the crayon box............ pick three!  Katharine Hepburn said it well, "if you obey all the rules you miss all the fun." This design is inspired by summer's mouth-watering tradition of triple berry shakes, pies, muffins, ice cream, and delicious crisps loaded with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. 

The T R I P L E  B E R R Y Beret takes three luscious shades from the brilliant spectrum of merino worsted wool hand painted by Rhichard Devrieze and combines them in a simple and relaxed lace pattern.

T R I P L E  B E R R Y

BERET

Finished Size: 30.5 cm/12 ins diameter
Needles: 5.00 mm- 60 cm circular, 5.50 mm- 60 cm circular, 5.50 mm double pointed set
Yarn: 1 80g skein each of Merino Worsted Superwash by The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze
MC: Garnet
A: Mulberry
B: Deeply
Tension: 16 sts and 20 rows = 10 cm/4 ins over st st

Cast on 88 sts with smaller circular needle and MC.  Join in round and place a marker on 1st st.  Work in k1/p1 ribbing for 10 rounds.  Change to larger circular needle and k 1 rnd inc 22 sts evenly spaced = 110 sts.  Continue in Lace Pattern with MC as follows-
Rnd 1- [Yo, k3, sl1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, p1], rep [to]
Rnd 2- K
Rnd 3- [K1, yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1, p1] rep [to]
Rnd 4- K
Rnd 5- [K2, yo, k1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k2, p1] rep [to]
Rnd 6- K
Rnd 7- [K3, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3, p1] rep [to]
Rnd 8- K
Rep Rnds 1-8 once more in MC.  Cut MC.
Rep Rnds 1-8 twice in A.  Cut A.
Rep Rnds 1-6 in B.
Switch to double pointed needles and cont with B as follows-
Next Rnd- [K2tog] rep = 55 sts.
Next Rnd- K
Next Rnd- [K2tog] rep, end with, k1 = 28 sts.
Next Rnd- [K2tog] rep = 14 sts.
Next Rnd- [K2tog] rep = 7 sts. 
Cut yarn and thread through rem sts, tighten and secure. 
Soak in Eucalan Woolwash for twenty minutes, dry flat to block overnight.   

Design by: Michele Meadows

My BFF Hat

The holidays are the perfect time of year to show off your knitting skills and gift someone special with a small token of appreciation.  This hat represents friendship, in all its wonderful various forms, with a cosy comfortable fit................... just like you and your bestie.

Knit in gorgeous hand painted merino worsted superwash by Ontario artist, Rhichard Devrieze, in Eaton Street, My BFF (Best Friends Forever) Hat takes only one skein and is sized to fit children, teens or adult. 

My BFF Hat

Finished Width- 53 cm/21 ins
Finished Length- 23 cm/9 ins
Needles: 4.50 mm/US 7
Yarn: 80 g Merino Worsted Superwash by Rhichard Devrieze
Tension: 20 sts and 24 sts = 10 cm/4 ins over st st

Cast on 94 sts.
Row 1- [K2, p2], rep, end, k2
Row 2- [P2, k2], rep, end, p2
Row 3- as Row 1
Row 4- [P2, TW2 (K 2nd st at front of needle, k 1st st, slide both sts off tog)], rep, end, p2
Rep these 4 rows for Pattern.
When work measures 20 cm/8 ins, ending with Row 3-
Shape Top:
Next Row- [P2, k2tog] rep, end, p2
Next Row- [K2, p1], rep, end, k2
Next Row- [P2tog, k1], rep, end, p2tog
Next Row- [K1, p1], rep, end, k1
Next Row- [K2tog], rep, end, p1
Next Row- P
Next Row- [K2tog], rep = 12 sts.
Cut yarn and thread through rem sts, tighten and secure end.
Sew seam.

Design by: Michele Meadows
 

After The Trunk Show

It was a fabulous day on Saturday September 7th at Muskoka Yarn Connection!  It may have been drizzling outside but inside it was sunshine-filled with bright vibrant skeins of merino wool.  How often does one get to spend time with a charming artistic fellow who is full of inspiration and entertaining stories plus just happens to be a master dyer too?  RHICHARD DEVRIEZE was all ours for the day as he unpacked his trunk show and dazzled us with his brilliant handpainted merino colourways. 

For one day, knitters had the opportunity to see Rhichard's extensive range of variegated and stippled wools along with some of his handknit and woven sample garments.  To go along with the candy theme we had a 'Count the Candies' contest to win a Rhichard Devrieze knit kit. 

The lucky winner was Nancy Heath of Bracebridge
who guessed 525 and came closest to the actual amount of 555 

Congratulations and happy knitting!!

Setting up the colours in Worsted Merino, Peppino Merino and Alpaca Boucle

We even had a bowl full of eye candy in the window!

Rhichard showing all his colourful creations!

Laurie and Arden trying to make a decision on which colours to try

Sandy assisting Carol in that 'oh......... its so hard to choose' moment

Who Wants Candy?

Eye candy that is.......the non-fattening, visually enticing kind loaded with rich vibrant colour that makes your heart skip a beat and doesn't melt in your hands.  Meet Rhichard Devrieze, (a.k.a) 'The Candyman', a master dyer with a finely honed creative vision and the ability to razzle dazzle knitters with his imaginative colour combinations that transform skeins of wool into visual artistry.

Drop by and meet Rhichard in Muskoka as he unveils his Trunk Show on Saturday September 7th from 10 to 3 pm.

A Chat With Rhichard-

MM:  Hi Rhichard, thanks for stopping by to chat today.  Your yarns have quite literally exploded onto the North American knitting scene.  What was the creative path in life that led you to the art of dyeing?

RD:  Decades ago, I got a couple of 'pet sheep' and that got me into hand-spinning, and that led me to setting up a small company that imported foreign fleeces and fibres.  That led me to getting interested in handweaving, and from there I got into producing one-of-a-kind handwoven coats, jackets, vests, scarves, and twice-woven rugs, plus attending arts and crafts shows and participating in studio tours.  That led me to working for a number of years for a well-known yarn company, where I became the principal dyer and that led my partner, Robert, to persuading me to set up The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze.

MM:  Where is your home base and do you have a separate work space set up?

RD:  Currently, 'home base' is exactly that!  TYORD operates out of our home and several outbuildings on our property near Markdale, Ontario.  Though, as the business grows and takes over more and more space...we are looking for another property, or to build on our existing property.  Pretty much all of the ground floor of our three-storey home is dedicated to business.  There's a separate building for my dye studio and my much-loved weaving studio is now pretty much our stock and shipping room. 

MM:  Is your dyeing schedule like a regular 9 to 5 work day or do you work as the orders come in?

RD:  As most people who start up their own business know, there's no such thing as a regular 9 to 5 day, but for me, I've never been a 9 to 5 person.  I raise and show French Bulldogs, so there are times when I want to be away for shows, and I'm keen on getting into 'trunk shows' at stores that carry our yarns.

MM:  Have you ever jumped out of bed in the middle of the night totally inspired and just had to try out a new colour recipe?

RD:  What?  Are you driving by in the middle of the night and seeing the lights on in the dye studio?  Of course this happens!  It wouldn't be and it couldn't be 'art' if it was just a matter of process at a given time.  There would be no passion in that.  Not for me anyway.

Rhichard in the dye studio

MM:  Knitters love to know the story behind a yarn and you have such wonderful descriptive monikers for each of your colourways?  They really seem like old friends.  Can you tell us-which comes first.....is it the colour combination or the name?

RD:  Our colourways are all very important to us.  Just like our friends, the individuals who represent our wholesale accounts and the always awesome knitters.  It's our way of engaging with them, and it's a reflection of the passion for the process- whether it is the dyeing or the knitting.  What's always so fascinating is how the colourway in the dyed hank changes when the hank is reeled into skeins and then when the skeins are knitted into...whatever.  For the most part the colour and the name happen together, because I'm thinking of a person, place or thing and I am wanting to capture the essence of that, and then the appropriate name just presents itself.  I'm delighted the lyrical descriptions we have delight people.

Peppino- a fingering weight merino

MM:  If you could pick only one of your colourways, which would be a good description of your frame of mind right now?

RD:  If you were asked to pick your favorite child and describe why, would you?  Each colourway is special and each 'speaks' to some aspect  of my life experience, positively.  My frame of mind right now is.......new colourways!  Though some people have suggested that I stop.  Not sure that would be possible.

MM:  I have heard that knitters as far away as Tasmania are discovering the beauty of your yarns and placing orders.  That's fourteen time zones away from us!  What sort of feedback fuels your inspiration process the most in this business?

RD:  The stimulus and the passion comes from the people with whom I have the pleasure to engage.  For those who follow Ravelry, you'll see that.  And if you could monitor all of the communications we have with our clients, you'd see that. 

MM:  If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring with you?

RD:  I've got four French Bulldogs!