Whew! That little shot of cool weather must have snapped everyone out of their summer torpor and made them realize fall is on the way – fast! The shop was hopping all last week, people signing up for classes, wanting a new project, pulling out the old ones they dropped for the summer. “I don’t know where I am in this pattern.” “I don’t know what size I’m making.” and worst of all “I don’t know what pattern I’m making.” (!!!) I know how easy it is, on those first few warm bright days, to think, well, I’ll get back to this tomorrow, and then all of a sudden knitting seems irrelevant. BUT! Make notes. Circle the size. Note the needle sizes you’re using. Highlight where you’re going to start. Keep everything together in a basket or bag.
Oh, of course you agree, but what will happen next spring when the little birdies are tweeting in the trees and the outside is calling you? Stuff the knitting behind the sofa and forget about it for 3 months, that’s what! However, those of us who are all-year-round knitters have wonderful things to wear when the weather cools down, and I’m going to show you two that I finished when the temperature outside was 90 degrees.
First is a little shawl called “Blissful.”
I can’t tell you how much I loved making this adorable little design. It was a perfect combination of yarn and pattern and I was sad when I was getting close to the end, something that rarely happens to me since I love finished projects. I made it with Swan’s Island Merino Fingering, which is made in Maine of organic merino wool, dyed with natural dyes, and just may be the best wool on earth. It feels real, knits like a dream, has a lovely spring to it, and comes together brilliantly when it’s blocked. I had a terrible time deciding on the color since all the shades are beautiful. I very well may repeat it (another thing that rarely happens) with the natural shade, a creamy white. Too beautiful!
The shawl design itself is charming without being fussy. It begins at one of the top corners and spreads out asymmetrically from there, the lines of leaves also moving apart as you go. You can see that the subtle color shifts in the yarn don’t interfere with the design.
The top of the shawl curves naturally around you. The size is just right to throw over your shoulders to keep a chill away indoors, to wrap over a light coat when you need another layer or add a splash of color, or to wrap closely around your neck as a scarf when it gets really cold. Modern, useful, and interesting to make.
Next I want to show you “Hitch,” a design from Brooklyn Tweed that combines a couple of fashionable design elements with a great classic yarn. This sweater has dolman sleeves, meaning that they grow by increases and cast-on stitches from the sides of the sweater. The armholes are roomy and comfortable, as you can see below:
The front is cabled while the back is plain. The cables lie flat enough that you don’t feel encrusted with stiff fabric. The neckline allows you to wear it on a warm-ish fall day, then layer over a crewneck tee or turtlemeck when it gets cold. The silhouette is somewhat loose-fitting which allows the sweater to drape nicely. I think it would look equally good worn with jewelry and pencil skirt for work or with jeans and boots.
The yarn is a lovely tweed called Donegal, and guess what? It’s actually made in Ireland, so it has earned the name! A delight to knit with, it may feel bit scratchy in the ball, especially if you have been using merino, but after it has been knit and blocked, it softens and blooms beautifully. This has been one of my favorite yarns for years and never really gets out of the stock room because I love it so much. How ridiculous is it for a yarn store owner to feel that way about a yarn – love it too much to sell it? This year I’m sharing.
I want to mention that Panevino restaurant is having another Women’s Wine Dinner on November 10. Last time, we had enough people sign up to enjoy dinner in their wine room. Once again we’re making a list of interested people. Reservations require a $20 non-refundable deposit, so check your calendars and come in to see the menu. Hope you can join us!
