HRYC
2018 Crochet Blanket CAL: June squares
Month 6 (June 2018)
Our prize for June is a Rose Marlow project bag, but all you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 6 blanket CAL options. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
Cabled Blooms Afghan Square by Jennifer Pionk (free)
Someone to Watch Over Me by Polly Plum (free; video tutorial)
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
Challenge Multi-Colour
Sweater Weather
After talking with my friend Jess about all the things she wanted her next project to be, I thought about what my list currently looks like. When I go to my wardrobe, what do I want to reach for, but isn't there?
A relaxed fit, extra squishy, mid-weight jersey (or jumper or sweater or pullover, whichever term you prefer). I have a lot of cardigans, but only two garments that meet this criteria. And one is currently covered in pasta sauce, desperately needing a wash.
You really can't go past Ysolda's modern classic Blank Canvas, knit with 8ply yarn. Well thought out and carefully constructed to fit well. It would do nicely in Brooklyn Tweed Arbor, which works up with wonderful handle in stocking stitch.
Lionheart by Jane Richmond not only has the cosiness factor, but the feel-good factor in that every purchase of the pattern is a donation to the Against Malaria Foundation. Knit in Quince & Co Phoebe, a squishy and bouncy and oh-so-cosy hand dyed merino. It also comes in kid sizes!
Alicia Plummer's Campside Pullover has been on my knit list ever since it was published. Simple, with enough detail to keep it interesting to knit but not too busy if you're looking for an understated look to go with everything. Those eyelets would shine in both Outlaw Yarn Nyx (for a bit of shine) or Vanitas (for a bit of that alpaca snuggle).
For a bit more interest, how about Keera by Isabell Kraemer? I love the back feature - a nice surprise after a plain front. For great stitch definition to really bring out those cables, Cascade 220 would be just right (and make for a reasonably priced sweater).
Another one from Isabell Kreamer, Humulus is a good starting point if you'd like to try your hand a colour work. Again a great one for Cascade 220, or you could go for Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in order to get a tweedier look.
On my hunt i've come across a stack of kid patterns with the same ideas in mind - coming up next!
Cardis for cuddling
As the leaves fall off the trees, our minds turn to snuggling up in warm clothes that feel like cuddles. Or, in my case, a friend, on her birthday, tells me about the kind of cardigan she'd like to knit for herself.
This one's for you, Jess!
No Frills cardigan by Petite Knits - made with 4ply and a strand of silk mohair, this is one cosy cardi. We're on the hunt for a great silk mohair to stock, so let me know your faves!
Midtown Cardigan by Stephanie Jessica Lau. You could get almost exactly this colour in Ashford Tekapo 8ply, and it would lend itself perfectly to the garter stitch. Or for a bit more drape and extra squish, go for Outlaw Vanitas in Brass.
Or Libby's brand new pattern, Piper, featuring the most perfect cable detailing. Again would be fantastic in Ashford Tekapo DK for a nice strong structure and stitch definition. To add some luxury, there's also Quince & Co Phoebe in bouncy, squishy merino.
For more cables, Joji's Citadel ticks all Jess' boxes - pockets, cosy, long. In a nice worsted / 10ply such as Cascade 220, this would knit up super quick, too.
Back to mustard, in this case our favourite of all time, Hayloft in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter. Ronan by Andrea Mowry looks perfect for slouching around at home in and heading out the pub for a beer and some knitting on a relaxed weekend.
We also have a new shipment of Quince & Co Owl about to arrive, in case you've been eyeing up Morginn from Laine issue 4.
Here's to warm, cuddly, cosy cardis to look forward to winter with!
2018 Crochet Blanket CAL: May squares
Month 5 (May 2018)
Our prize for May is a $50 voucher to HRYC - hooray! All you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 5 blanket CAL options. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
Challenge Multi-Colour
Scrap yarn taking over your life? Mine too!
If you're anything like me, you have loads of little (and medium and big) balls of leftover yarn floating around your house. Stuffed in bags, hidden away in a drawer, kicked under the couch.
I can't bear to just throw them away, and they deserve a better end than that. So here's a few ideas for using them up super quickly!
Brand new from Stephen West is the Scraptastic Triangle: loops! Yarn held double! Crazy texture! All the madness we've come to expect!
Marley by Tincan Knits could be made using any combination of yarn weights held together (as long as you keep it consistent). If you have lots of DK / 8ply leftovers this would be so wonderful and huge and squishy!
For something a little more lightweight, you could go for either a crochet or knit scrappy blanket:
The giant square scrap blanket by Laura Peters is free (hooray!)
or the Scraptastic Granny Blanket by bobwilson123 (also free, with a tutorial):
Or you could always go with the tried and true, and make some scrappy Super Simple Sockettes (also free, and by me!):
Do you have any great ways to use up leftovers? We'd love to hear them!
