We do love our gadgets. And when they’re as good looking as they are useful – bonus! Take the measure of your stitches at a moment’s notice with these clever key fobs and comfortable leather Wrist Ruler bracelets.
Our new shipment of Katrinkles Mini Tools and Needle Gauges has just arrived. These handy wooden tags save so much time: the ins and outs of the Kitchener stitch can be at your fingertips, your needles sized, your yarns identified by weight, and increases and short rows de-mystified.
There’s a new class coming in March: Daybreak* is Stephen West’s shawl that features M1L and M1R increases in both knit and purl. You’ll master these and learn a foolproof garter tab cast-on and a pretty way to carry yarns up the side of the shawl. Below is Brigid’s serene blue and white Daybreak. This will be a two session class, Saturday, March 14 & April 4; 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino had a “soft opening” at GYI before the holidays, and it’s time to make some noise about this wonderful washable sport weight yarn. Kathy’s BABY Tea Leaves* is our newest shop sample. The pattern is the smallest size of Melissa LeBarre’s Tea Leaves* adult cardigan, with the TINY Tea Leaves* for children 2 and up.
I’ve been able to collect photos of some amazing customer finished projects since the last post. First up, Tina’s cozy Weekend Walking Mitts*, designed by Dianna Walla, were knit in rustic 100% wool DK Trendsetter New York.
Steven chose easy-care Berroco Vintage for his reversible double knit cowl. The pattern is Malvolio’s Cowl by Celia Cobodevilla.
A double thick cowl is the perfect accessory for blustery winter days, and seeing Steven, modeling his handsome Malvolio’s Cowl himself, makes me wish I had one, too!
Bonnie knit these color-blocked worsted weight socks in Berroco Ultra Wool for her son. She followed a pattern for a traditional gusset and heel flap sock created by Shelly, another of our customers.
Unfortunately, Bonnie recently found out what happens when bad dogs happen to good yarn:
What would you do with so many short pieces of yarn? (I suggested something with tassels.)
Kristen kindly shared photos of her cute Little Greystone* cardigan made from Sarah Cooke’s pattern and knit with Berroco Ultra Alpaca.
The Clara* dress by Karin Vestergaard Mathiesen is legendary, with 2000+ projects on Ravelry and no small amount of controversy over its sizing. Kathy sailed though her version in Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock, making a few modifications to improve the fit. The printed pattern is not easy to find, but we have it!
Shannon made her version of Jason’s Cashmere Hat from Melissa Thomson in Tosh DK Twist. What a beautiful, classic cabled hat.
I can’t think of anything more challenging than knitting the ten fingers of a pair of gloves. Marcia shows she has what it takes with her Dimorphous Mittens*. She’s making Miriam Felton’s pattern for mitten/gloves with Urth Uneek Fingering.
I took the easy way out by making two pairs of fingerless gloves last month with the Churchmouse Welted Fingerless Gloves* pattern. Both were knit with vintage GYI yarns (as in, ones no longer in stock) from my deep stash.
I am pretty proud of having figured out a way to eliminate the gap at the top of the thumb gusset that the original directions will make.
Finally, I’m knitting a sweater right now. The Creek* pullover from the Berroco Design Team is an incredibly easy and enjoyable knit. Designed to be worn with 4-6″ positive ease, it fits a range of bust measurements from 40 to 68″ and looks great on everyone. I’m using and loving Kelbourne Woolens Scout, a DK weight wool.
Have you ever knit a sweater? If not, what’s holding you back? Finding a wearable pattern? Figuring out what size to make? Worried about getting gauge? I’m starting the (free) GYI Sweater Club to crowd-source the answers to your sweater questions and make sweater knitting simple, make it fun, and make it routine.
Sweater Club kicks off March 21st at noon. The plan is to keep meeting on the third Saturday of each month. Bring your knitting if you’re already working on a sweater project or bring the sweater patterns you’re considering or just bring your questions about how to get started!
Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Gosh Yarn It!