Hello knitters! It’s been another action packed week here, enjoying a little Holiday cheer and preparing for vacation. We leave on the 17th. Laura’s excited but travel really makes me feel anxious. I’m a happy, easy-going traveler once I get going and I enjoy myself once I’m there but left to my own devices I probably would never leave home. I need a big ol’ nudge. So swim suit shopping took place (depressing!) The less said on that the better.
I’ve really been enjoying my new True North Hat & Mitts pattern that has reached the sample knit stage. It makes me so happy to look at those little marching trees and I’m delighted with the way the tweed yarn makes it look as though it’s snowing! This is Knit Picks City Tweed DK. I’ve chosen the Romance and Snowshoe colorways to express a retro vibe that I think is central to this simple little set (think A Christmas Story). The hat is a classic toque shape and the mittens are very traditional too. They’re easy and quick to make and the perfect first-time color work project. I’m hoping to release True North toward the end of the month.
On a similar note, the new Sackets Harbor Hat is ready to go and will be released this Friday! I’m so thrilled with this new pattern. It is so comfortable and easy to wear! It covers bare ears with ease, staying close around the head but without the “hat head” that a lot of hats with deeply ribbed brims can cause. The Sackets Harbor Hat was designed to coordinate with the matching Sackets Harbor Mittens that have been very popular since their release back in October of 2016. These are easy fair isle projects worked in worsted weight yarn that knit up super quickly. This set would make a great gift in any two colors. Watch for the release this Friday!
I’m to have a sexy new sock pattern included in an upcoming book! I’m pretty excited about that and have spent quite a few hours experimenting with the concept and the yarn. Something that I’ve wondered about and tussled with in the past has been the idea of turning charts upside down. Sometimes, I really want to use a top-down stitch pattern in a project that I’d prefer to knit bottom up. Likewise, I often want to reverse shaping. Since I’m in the beta stage with this project, I did a little testing this week. Really, when it comes to top down stitch patterns I have to say it just doesn’t work. I have managed to reverse cables before, but when it comes to eyelet and directional stitches, nah. It just looks mushy for some reason. I did have some success this week with turning the Fleegle heel on its head, transforming it into what is known as the Strong Heel, and I’m very happy with the results! You can see here that I’ve replaced the standard “M1” increase with a yarn over for a lacier effect. You can’t really see the heel turn, but trust me it really works!
Other than that, it’s your standard “Early Holiday” period around here. We’re hosting our Christmas Dinner party tomorrow night. We’re hoping to eat on the patio. Look at these super pretty bowls that Laura found! I just love them and I think they’ll look gorgeous on the patio table.
Believe it or not, I’m still making snowflakes. So addictive! I plan to jump out of bed early on Friday morning so I can get to the Artisan to hang this big pile over the bar before the bartender gets there.
I’m having tons of fun and hope you are too! Til next time, happy knitting!
