HRYC

January has brought a whole bundle of brand new babies to the worlds of my friends. As a rule I don't knit for other people, but babies...well, they're an exception. 

After quick, simple, cute baby cardigan patterns, here's my picks.

Bluebell Cardigan by Schneckenstrick (image by nadia1981 on Rav) 

Garter Yoke Baby Cardi by Jennifer Hoel

Garter Tee by Justine Turner (we'll have this pattern booklet in store shortly!)

All three of these patterns are knit in 5 ply yarn - so quicker to work up than 4ply patterns, and have a little bit more weight to them. We have loads of 5ply options in store - and can't wait to re-open tomorrow so you can see all our new treats that have arrived over the break!

xx Tash

 Way back a year ago, I started the Queue Project. The idea was to limit my knitting attention to things I really, really wanted to knit. I have this tendency to flail around after finishing big garments and get distracted with silly little play around things of no consequence. Which is fine, except it leaves me feeling as if i've achieved a sum total of nothing.

Of the two updates I did last year, one covered some actual finished objects and the other wandered down a dangerous path of getting distracted.  Really, I should have two queues: Shop knitting (as in, samples for the shop) and Me knitting (as in, stuff I really desperately want for my own out of yarn we don't stock).

Looking back, I didn't do too badly:

The last project on that top row of pics, Marlene, was frogged as it was too small! Boo! But I put it there anyway. 6 of 12 projects from the queue done in amongst all the distractions and shop knitting and designing...and now i'm determined to knock some more off so fresh patterns can be added. 

This month must see Jared Flood's Hemlock Ring blanket started and finished, as it was promised to friends as a one year wedding anniversary gift. However, there is the small problem in that I don' t have the yarn for it yet. Oops. 

Seeing as I've got yarn for the Hooray Cardigan, i'm going to wind that up and get started. 

So, after that random slightly stream-of-consciousness New Year post, what are your knitting goals for the year? Do you plan ahead and try to be organised so that you achieve lots of productive knitting?

 I love short rows. Crazy about them. I adore how they add 3-dimensionality to something that would otherwise remain flat. 

What i'm not such a great fan of though, is how they can look if you don't work the wraps in well enough to keep them hidden. 

As I was knitting the first of several Aviatrix hats in anticipation of Justine of Just Jussi's visit, I started thinking. Surely there are some good resources around that give you some options for better short rows. 

And of course, the ever amazing Alice of Socktopus comes to the rescue. I could have spent hours working my own way through lots of instructions, taking lots of photos, and she's done it all already. Alice's shadow wraps technique is my favourite - as long as I remember to use it. 

(image from Alice)

See the picked up wraps? No? That's because this is such a super awesome technique. I'm a pretty big fan of not having to pick up the wrapped stitch on the way back, which I find annoying and slows things down. I suspect it'll be one of those things like Kitchener Stitch - for the first twenty or so times you work it, you need to look up the instructions. An entire Aviatrix using shadow wraps will have you a Grand Master at the technique, i'm sure!

Seeing as this Aviatrix hat knit up super fast...I think I may need to cast on another and see if I can finish two in one night.

Happy knitting, and wrapping and turning!

 On my usual little meander through the top Ravelry patterns, I came across this beauty:

Holy wow. I'm in love. Well and truly.

It's the Teasdale shawl by Corrina Ferguson. Would like to cast on Right. Now. 

And here's another that would be perfect to throw on of a late summer evening (or make a wonderful Christmas gift)

Shibui Linane by Anna Kuduja

And lastly for now:

Lonely Tree Shawl by Sylvia Bo Bilvia (isn't it great to see a smile? And that hair! LOVE!)

Happy knitting!

 A picture says a thousand words...or draws a thousand gasps of delight? 

I'm going to leave these ones to speak for themselves - new Fyberspates colours have just been launched and we lept super fast to get them on the shelves as soon as we possibly could. They are seriously worth lusting after.

Fyberspates Lace (l-r) Primrose (new!), Gold, Treacle Toffee

Fyberspates Lace (l-r) Eau de Nil (new!), Slate, Wine Gum

Fyberspates Sport (l-r) Magenta (new!), Flying Saucer, Jen's Green (new!), Charcoal (new!)

Seeing as we're heading into the season of doing nice things for other people, Fyberspates is the perfect gift yarn. The lace skeins have a whopping 1000m and the sport 365m - so you just need one to make something really special. And Fyberspates is pretty gosh darn irresistible. I'd like one of each, thanks very much!