I’ve been having a lot of fun this summer knitting small items (along with one or two sweaters that I didn’t get to last summer). I finished another couple this last week (hey, it was hot, hot, hot outside for several days – I got a lot of knitting done!). These are quick projects that are from free Ravelry patterns and take a couple of dedicated evenings from start to finish.
First is Familiar by Ann Miner, a small cowl that’s fun to make and adds a pop of color whenever you want it. This color of Feeling (merino, silk, cashmere- how can you go wrong?) was calling to me from the shelf. “Trish, oh Trish, wouldn’t you love to look at this beautiful vibrant blue for a couple of evenings? See how pretty I am?” It feels as lovely as it looks:
The stitch patterns are simple to do but change enough to keep you going. It was a very enjoyable project!
I ordered a bunch of colors of Kelbourne Woolens’ new wool called Scout for fall, as I mentioned last week. I had a bit on hand that I had swatched, and I love how it blocks and the colors are just lovely classic heathers. So I made a hat from another free pattern called The Leafy Beanie, another very good free pattern, although I changed it a bit. I had plenty of yarn, so I doubled the amount of ribbing so I could fold the brim, but then only did part of the chart because I didn’t want it too slouchy. Showing it unblocked here:
Thanks to all the designers who put up such nice free patterns on Ravelry!
Now, I said a new class and I mean a new class, darn it, but I had to show off my little projects first. I’ve just started Slip Knit Love, a wonderful shawl from Lisa Hannes that uses three colors of fingering weight and the mosaic technique. It was a mystery shawl earlier in the year, and I absolutely loved the look of the finished shawl when it was revealed.
I love how the garter stitch is broken up by bands of graphic mosaic and the colors are nicely distributed. I’m reversing her use of dark and light, using two heathery grays in Herriott Fine, and my accent is a gorgeous colorway of Jilly from Dream in Color:
Obviously I’m just getting started, but am in love with how it’s going, so if you’d like to try it, I’ll be starting a class on Sundays, 1 – 3 pm, beginning July 29 and running through September 9 (with the exception of the 2nd of September, which is Labor Day weekend.) The class fee is $55, and there will be an email going out next weekend about the class, but because I appreciate so much that you follow the blog, anyone who signs up this week (through 7/14) will get 10% off the class fee and materials, and yes, you can use a full Frequent Buyer Card for another 10% off!
Let’s have some fun and get through the heat of summer together!
