HRYC
Sockalong 2018 - Knit all the socks!
Inspired by Kate's CAL, we've started a 6-month sock knitalong over in the Ravelry group. We're keeping it casual - it's just an opportunity to knit some socks, and show them off to those who appreciate them! You don't have to knit a pair every month or even a pair IN a month. If you've got questions about techniques, yarns, or patterns, the Rav thread will be a great place to ask.
Each month I'll post several sock patterns, based on a loose theme (such as 'cables'), to choose from. There will be standard patterns, that should be good for newbies, or if you wanting something that just rocks along easily, and also some more adventure patterns, for a bit of challenge perhaps. I'll also suggest which yarns at the shop will work best for each pattern. But it's up to you - you're very welcome to find your own patterns, and dig into your sock yarn stash.
July's themes are 'getting started' (beginner patterns for anyone who hasn't knit socks before), and 'texture'. You'll find more information about the patterns, and yarns, on the Sockalong thread on Ravelry
Getting Started:
these are all free patterns
Vanilla Sock with Gusset & Choice of Heel
Textured Socks - standard
Paid pattern:
Free Patterns:
Textured Socks - Adventurous
Paid pattern:
Free patterns:
Hope you join us! - Rachael
2018 Crochet Blanket CAL: August squares
Month 8 (August 2018)
Our prize for August is a tote bag plus two 50g skeins of Knitsch sock! 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 8 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
On the Street Where You Live by Polly Plum (free; video tutorial)
Bringing in the Sheaves 9" and 12" Afghan by Margaret MacInnis (PAID)
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
It Had to Be You by Polly Plum (PAID; video tutorial)
Challenge Multi-Colour
2018 Crochet Blanket CAL: July squares
Month 7 (July 2018)
Our prize for July is a 400m skein of Knitsch Sock, 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 7 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
La Mer by Polly Plum (free; video tutorial)
Autumn Sun Afghan Square by Maria Bittner (free; photo tutorial)
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
Challenge Multi-Color
Sweater Weather: Gothic
It really needed it's own blog post, this new yarn from Outlaw is so lush and oozing with inspiration.
Etranger by Rie Vive has classic Japanese styling, which would be complemented beautifully by the heathered tones of Outlaw Bohemia Gothic. You'd probably get a smidge more drape than the pictured project, but I think that would help the fabric movement as you go about your day.
It would made for an utterly fantastic Willard fair isle pullover - you could mix and match with Bohemia Worsted and Muse colours for even more options.
For a bit of cable and texture lushness, there's Hannah Fettig's West End Cardigan. Featured in the wonderful book Texture, which we also have on the shelf at the moment!
If you fancy a big, warm, polwarth alpaca and possum hug this winter, Larch by Pam Allen fits the bill perfectly. I can just imagine walking around in the bitter Wellington wind and still feel as snug as a bug in this one.
Carrie Bostick Hodge's Forest Cardigan would pair wonderfully with jeans, a long sleeve tee and Bohemia Gothic. Simple enough for the most part, with the cables enough to keep the knitting interesting.
Finally, if you were one of the many people who purchased issue 4 of Laine from us (thank you!), Gothic would translate beautifully into Morginn. The combination of polwarth, alpaca and possum plus fisherman's rib will make for the most squishy, cosy and cuddly cardigan I can think of.
I'm off to daydream and swatch and drool over the colours just a bit more...
Sweater Weather: kids
On my search for patterns that fit the knit gap in my wardrobe this winter, I found plenty that would also work for the kids. Simple, functional and fast (seeing as i've left it all a bit late!).
Greyson is a true kid classic, thanks to local Julia. I know she put an enormous amount of time into this pattern, and it covers the full range of yarn weights from 8ply up to 12ply. It would be hard wearing in Ashford Tekapo 8 or 12ply, and even though it isn't a machine washable yarn, still is soft enough to be next to skin and safely chucked in the wool wash in your machine.
I'm in love with the pattern detail on the sleeves of Lisa Chemery's Sagano, the reverse stocking stitch making that woven texture really shine. For cheap and cheerful Vintage will work for this one, or for a bit more stitch definition, Brooklyn Tweed Arbor will work, too.
The Bluebell Pullover by Kate Gagnon Osborn has the added bonus of the envelope neckline - making for easy putting on and pulling off! You could have loads of fun with colour combos, using up odds and ends or make your life easier with just one shade.
Last but absolutely not least, is my always-return-to favourite that is Flax. Free! Effortlessly simple, and a great vehicle for adding your own cable panel in the middle or other details if you get bored.
Do you have any favourite simple kids patterns? I'd love to add them to my queue!
