Our Next KAL | 100 Diamonds.

If you follow me on Instagram, I hope you weren't too unhappy with me when I posted this teaser photo yesterday afternoon.

In my defense, I figured a pile of pretty yarn would brighten anyone's day! I had a wonderful time pulling the yarns and posing the skeins just so. (and of course that whole effort resulted in a few balls disappearing from my pile - and the shelves - the Findley is really popular!) I understand; it's the yarn I've chosen myself to knit 100 Diamonds. Don't miss this - yes, our next KAL is 100 Diamonds and we're going to cast on November 1 (which sounds like it should be months away, but is really just two weeks from tomorrow - yikes!)

This pattern came across my radar a few months back when the designer posted photos of a slightly modified version of the shawl.

photo copyright knittimo on Ravelry

I loved that it could be modified...and that the resulting pieces could look so different from the original...and that every one of them is gorgeous! But I hadn't thought about it for a knit-along until Saturday, when I awoke to a text from Becca suggesting it. Really, it's perfect for a KAL - the pattern isn't all that complicated for anyone who's worked a lace chart, it's customizable (I love "knit your own adventure" patterns for knit-alongs), and it's a fair amount of knitting which always goes better with company, right?! And for those of us who have knit innumerable a few lace shawls, this one uses a different construction - it starts at the bottom point and knits up.

The designer hosted a KAL on Ravelry last month so we have a few dozen FOs (and a good bit of experience) to help us . Based on the projects/photos I've seen, I am loving the design in the pattern-suggested laceweight and (despite my personal yarn choice - driven by two past frogged KALs - which I am only admitting to y'all) a winter neutral. With Theresa's help, we've gathered eight yarn suggestions*.

Please note that the pattern suggests 630 yards of a laceweight yarn at a blocked gauge of 18 st/4 inches to create a finished shawl 68" wide by 34" deep.

Shibui Silk Cloud (pattern suggestion) :: 60% mohair/40% silk; 330 yds/25 g; suggest 2 skeins

Shibui Cima :: 70% alpaca/30% silk; 328 yds/50 g; suggest 2 skeins

Shibui Pebble :: 48% recycled silk/36% merino/16% cashmere; 224 yds/25 g; suggest 3 skeins

Juniper Moon Farm Findley :: 50% silk/50% merino; 798 yds/100 gr; suggest 1 skein

Fibre Co Meadow :: 40% merino/25% baby llama/20% silk/15% linen; 545 yds/100 g; suggest 1 skein (and modifying to make slightly smaller - like the designer modifications I linked above)
Swans Island Laceweight :: 50% merino/50% tussah silk; 530 yds/50 g; suggest 1-2 skeins (1 skein would mean modifications; 2 skeins would allow you to follow the pattern as written)

Habu Tsumugi Silk :: 100% silk; 450 yd/48g; suggest 2 cones

Malabrigo Silkpaca :: 70% alpaca/30% silk; 420 yds/50 g; suggest 2 skeins

*of course we have more laceweight yarns in the shop; we also have plenty of other lovely yarns that would make gorgeous shawls - these are just the eight we pulled to highlight here.

The pattern also suggests beads, but I'm not planning to use them. Although if I were knitting this with the suggested Silk Cloud...I would definitely consider it, if only to add a bit of weight to keep the shawl in place. We do have beads at the shop and they are not hard to incorporate.

I emailed Theresa on Tuesday that the only bad news I'd encountered about the project was size 3 needles. I knew the pattern suggested them, but I was hoping, especially after Boxy, we'd have a project on at least size 6s or 7s, alas no. I think the pattern suggested size 3 needle works best. I tried 4s and 3s and really like the fabric better on the 3s:

Of course if you use a thinner/thicker yarn or you're a looser/tighter knitter, you might need to go down (!!) or up. The best way to tell is to swatch! really!! these two swatches took me about an hour - and I'm pretty sure the finished shawl is going to be worth that little investment up front. (please note I did not wet-block these swatches - I merely pinned them like I plan to pin my wet-blocked finished piece)

The pattern is available online only. The instructions are clear and easy-to-follow. I am planning to knit my piece as written, without beads. If I had less yarn OR if I were using a heavier weight, I would work fewer repeats of chart B (and maybe of chart D) to make fewer diamonds. The cool thing about the construction is that we can easily get an idea how big the finished piece will be while it's still on the needles. That can all come later - for now, all you need to think about is your yarn choice, your needle (work a swatch with chart A - it's quick and easy!) and the cast-on date: November 1.

If you have any questions/comments/etc, please leave a comment here or in our Ravelry forum.

ready to go! (my yarn is Findley Dappled in the Woodland colorway and those are size 3 needles :-)

I do hope you'll join us!

Why Do We Knit?

Whoa. It's been a while since there's been anything new here. I apologize for the long absence, but Life Outside Knitting (yeah, I know, it does exist even for me!) has been consuming me and it's honestly going to be a few more weeks before I'm really back.

I've missed weeks of posting on my personal blog as well, but Carole's Ten on Tuesday topic was about knitting, specifically "Why I Knit", and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my list. Of course y'all - the Cast-on Cottage Community, both in person and virtual - are a huge part of it and I want to first, say thank you...and then, ask why do you knit?

the Yellow Table on a Friday afternoon, blogged here.

Please share your feedback here in the comments, or on Facebook or Ravelry. Let's keep the Community strong!

And quickly - I hinted about a new KAL in our Ravelry forum. Yes, we are going to knit the Churchmouse Linen Stitch scarf, likely starting in early June. I hope to write a proper post with yarn suggestions, etc., but in the meantime, you might want to check out the project page on Ravelry , and specifically the recently published addenda to use Claudia Handpaints Linen or Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. We have a great selection of both yarns, as well as the traditional Claudia Handpaints fingering, in stock. (really, who needs a blog post, right?!)

Happy Knitting!!

Pendulum | Tips and Suggested Modifications.

Word around the shop is that we have quite a few knitters joining us for the Pendulum KAL. And if you're on the fence about joining us or maybe just haven't decided which yarn to use, we just shelved a big order of Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 (including a few of the "one of a kind" color ways). This yarn is a merino/cashmere/nylon blend with 400 yards per skein.  Two skeins would make a lovely Pendulum!  ...but I already bought my yarn. Yep, I went with the Panama in blue and cream!

the blue is my main color and the cream is my contrast

As promised, I've reviewed the completed projects on Ravelry to gather up tips and suggested modifications.

The good news is that many have knit the project as written, with stunning results. So if you simply want to follow Amy's instructions, you are good to go! Please note that I found a lot of variation in yardage and needle sizes (many knitters used 400 yards plus of the main color...on size 5, 6 and 7 needles). If you are close to the specified 340/230 yards, you should definitely swatch. You'll be adding two stitches on every row... so the shawl grows quickly and the last few repeats will be on several hundred stitches (which means those rows use a lot of yarn!)

However, many knitters have made modifications. Most of these are to the cast-on and edge treatment to help block the edge straight, so you can wear the piece more like a scarf than a shawl (similar to Color Affection). Before I dive into more detail on those modifications, I thought it might help to see what the cast-on and first bit of edge looks like...as written.  Honestly, I'd be fine with it!

as written, after working seven increase rows

But I've knit both my Color Affections by starting the increases on the very first row and with an added YO at the beginning of each row (which I dropped on the subsequent row to create loose edge stitches, but no additional holes); I was planning similar modifications for Pendulum, but then I read what Knitloon did with hers. She added YO's at both ends (K1, YO, M1L, .... , M1R, YO, K1) and then used those YOs on the next row as the basis for her M1s. Pretty great idea. Here's what it looks like after a few rows. The edge is flat and stretchy; I'm going to use this method.

working increase rows right away (I did not knit the plain row after the cast-on) and YOs at both ends

...and in case you'd like to use it too, here's what it looks like in more detail (you should be able to click the photos to see them bigger).

I've worked K1, YO and the next stitch is the YO from the row before.

then....

Note that we could be elegant and do the first YO on each row backwards...which would eliminate having to re-position the bar before we work the M1R...but that just seems like a lot to remember and this project is supposed to be social knitting. 

Many knitters also substituted a garter tab cast-on. Frankly, I don't see the point since there is no garter edge on the shawl (and Color Affection doesn't use one either and it turns out beautifully). But if you want to try it, here's a great tutorial from Stephen West.

The important thing to remember is that this is YOUR project and YOU get to decide what - if any - modifications you make.

Our group cast-on is tomorrow afternoon at the shop (2pm-ish on Friday, April 5); hope you're planning to join us in person or virtually in our Ravelry thread!

Pendulum.

No, I haven't finished the Color Affection shawl I'm knitting for our Redux KAL. But that never stops a knitter from planning the next project and it almost never stops a knitter from casting on a next project. #amIright?!

pattern pictured with a combo of Shibui Staccato

And that brings me to the next project we're planning to cast on. It's Pendulum, designed by Amy Wright. Because we are loving stripes and fingering weight scarf-like shawls for spring and summer. This piece is knit from the top-down (meaning you start with just a few stitches at the top edge and increase toward the bottom edge) in garter stitch and the stripes are shaped with short rows so the main color stripes are "fat" at one end and the contrast color stripes are "fat" at the other end.

The pattern calls for approximately 340 yards of the main color and 230 yards of the contrast, knit on a size 6 needle (swatching isn't critical, but a looser gauge will use more yarn, and a tighter gauge will result in a smaller piece - you decide how much risk you're willing to take!). We had a quick run on the pattern a few weeks ago, but they are back in stock and of course we have plenty of options for the yarn. Here are a few of my favorites:

First, Shibui Staccato - a blend of superwash merino and silk. At 191 yards per skein, you'll need two of each color.

yes that's black, but doesn't it POP the light pink?... and garter stitch wouldn't be too hard to see.

Then Rowan Panama - a blend of viscose, linen and cotton, that you can wash (on delicate) and dry (low heat until it's just damp, then dried flat) - this is one of my favorite spring/summer yarns. Rowan has added new colors this season and we have a great selection. I'm loving the neutrals...but that blue would be stunning with either one, too.

And if you think you might want to make two - how about the lovely Swan's Island Fingering. It's 100% organic merino and the colors are gorgeous. Each skein has 525 yards, so you'll have a good bit of yarn left over...but if you had a third skein, you could easily make a second shawl.

Other options not pictured include Spud&Chloe Fine, a superwash wool/silk blend that gives 248 hards per skein. If you're close on gauge, you should be able to get by with only one skein of the contrast color, but you'll still need two of the main color. And Canopy Fingering, a blend of alpaca, wool and bamboo that comes in 200 yard skeins.

We are going to cast on next Friday, April 5 at 2pm. I'm still reviewing the projects in Ravelry for helpful tips; I'll be back next week with suggested modifications and a quick tutorial on short rows in garter stitch (I promise - they're really easy!) If you have any other questions about the project or the Knit Along, please leave a comment here or on our Ravelry forum.

Redux!

I love this word. It's fun to say...and in the context of a KAL, it's very fun to contemplate the possibilities.

If you follow our forum on Ravelry (and if you don't, you should), you might've seen this post from Wednesday, when I informally announced our next knit-along:

this time, we’re going to offer the opportunity to revisit all the previous KALs. we’re calling it Redux. 

along the lines of “which KAL did you skip and wish you hadn’t, or which KAL project did you love so much you want to do again, or which KAL project(s - yes, I have multiple of them!) is still languishing unfinished…. this is your chance to make it up”. 

I’ll share more ideas on the blog this week - along with a summary of all the KALs (can you believe we’ve been doing this for three years now…around a dozen different projects).

So this is that promised blog post, and I've spent the past 30 minutes looking back over three years of blog posts... and TWENTY ONE!!!! knit-alongs. Yes, friends, we've shared 21 projects since we starting knitting along back in March 2010. Here's the whole list, complete with Ravelry pattern links and (of course!) my thoughts on the good, the bad, and the ... frogged.

1. Traveling Woman, March 2010 .  One of my favorite lace shawls. ever. especially now that Liz Abinante (the designer) has released a for-pay pattern that includes detailed charts, stitch counts and tips for four yarn weights (from lace to worsted) and more than a dozen different sizes.
2. Selbu Modern, April 2010 . A beret with stranded colorwork. We suggested Fresco for the main color and a skein of Koigu's KPPPM for the contrast. Now we carry the Canopy Fingering that the pattern calls for and I think that's an even better suggestion.
3. Springtime Bandit, May 2010 . Another free pattern from Kelbourne Woolens. It's a triangular shawl with all-over patterning and a very pretty lace border. I've knit this twice and enjoyed the knitting...and the FO's.
4. Annis, June 2010 . I think this is one of Susannah IC's first patterns and it was the first time I'd tried a "bottom-up" shawl. It starts with the lace edge (yes, that's a lot of stitches to cast on!) and then there are short-rows in the stockinette portion to create the crescent shape. We knit this with Madelinetosh and Malabrigo sock...all lovely. And now I'd also suggest Canopy Fingering, Shibui's Cima (lace-weight) or Staccato (fingering), Swans Island Lace or Fingering and Juniper Moon Farm's Findlay (lace-weight).
5. Double Eyelet Rib Socks, August 2010 . Our first attempt at socks, and not a huge success (mine got frogged...and I'm not sure I recall a single finished sock, let alone a pair). Sally has since started a "sock club" that meets on the third Sunday of each month. It's a lot more fun!
6. Susie's Reading Mitts, October 2010 . Pretty fingerless mitts with an eyelet edge at the cuff and finger edge. The pattern calls for a worsted weight yarn, so they knit up quickly (great for gifts). Also, we found the perfect matching hat pattern . Mitt number one is still on my needles (and I have extra yarn to make the matching hat...someday).
7. Turkish Bed Socks, November 2010 . These aren't a traditional toe-up or cuff down sock, but the construction is pretty cool and of course very well explained since it's a Churchmouse pattern. And yep, sock #1 is still on my needles, waiting to have the toe kitchenered.
8. Colchicaceae, February 2011 . Another bottom-up shawl, but in a DK or worsted weight. We had some lovely FOs from this one and I'd highly recommend Venezia Worsted for a spring/summer look.
9. Clapotis, March 2011 (apparently the button doesn't work to show 20,000+ projects!). Whoa, I saw on Twitter this week that the pattern just passed the 20,000 project mark. I've contributed three to that count and would knit it again in a heartbeat. It's fun, and very wearable.
10. Summer Flies, May 2011 . Yes, 2011 was the Summer of Summer Flies. I'm guessing this is probably our most popular KAL ever. The pattern is fun and goes fast and you can use just about any yarn. It's especially fun to mix and match the Claudia Handpaints (you'll need three skeins) for the different sections.
11. Nantucket Vest, September 2011 . Not many of us participated, but those that did...we have a great layering piece. A few of us used Maggiknits Maggie's Linen and it works beautifully if the suggested Tahki Ripple doesn't appeal.
12. Creature Comforts Cardi, September 2011 . Not so much a cardi as a shrug (it's a big rectangle that you fold in half and seam to make armholes)...and not so much a knit-along as "here are some helpful hints if you decide to knit it". I knit mine out of Cascade Eco Cloud and it's like a warm hug. Definitely check out our tips if you decide to knit it.
13. Rustling Leaves Beret, November 2011 . Our first of three KALs from the lovely Coastal Knits book. This is a quick project and makes a great gift. One skein of Spud&Chloe fine makes one, and a skein of Madelinetosh or Malabrigo sock would make two.
14. Ella Coat, January 2012 . Noni herself picked up on what we doing and started a nation-wide KAL on her blog and on Ravelry; it was a lot of fun to be knitting along with the designer. Most of us used Stonehedge Mill's Shepherd's Worsted for the coat body and we chose all different yarns for the ruffled trim. For a coat, the knitting goes pretty fast and the finishing is minimal. ...I think I'm going to wear mine today!
15. Panoramic Stole, January 2012 . Our 2nd Coastal Knits project and my favorite FO for 2012. It's an epic knit (just about 1,000 yards of fingering weight) but not hard so it goes great with friends and conversation.
16. Rill Scarf, February 2012 . We chose this to show off the gorgeous Findlay Dappled yarn that arrived in the shop last winter. I didn't get very far with it, but the few that I saw finished are so pretty. (I'm going to repurpose my Findlay Dappled to make another Panoramic Stole).
17. Sand and Sea Shawlette, May 2012 . Our 3rd Coastal Knits project and a very wearable scarf-y shawl. Most of us knit a solid background and used a variegated yarn for the lace edge, but it also looks great in two solids...and two variegated.
18. Bandit, June 2012 . LOTS and LOTS of straight stockinette, first knit flat, and then in the round. This project cries out for conversation! Most of us used Euroflax Linen (either solid or tonal) and it works great.
19. Color Affection, July 2012 . Not quite the summer runaway we had with Summer Flies, but close. Choosing the colors is really the only hard part. After that, it's a lot of garter stitch (knit flat...so...just knitting!) and a little bit of paying attention to changing colors. Last summer, most of us chose Madelinetosh Sock and Tosh Merino Light and Malabrigo Sock. For Redux, a few of us are using Habu Tsumugi Silk. This project is my Redux!
20. Measure for Measure, August 2012 . The brioche stitch is a challenge, but the two FOs I've seen are stunning. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but boy is there payoff. (I briefly started with that Findlay Dappled but decided I didn't have the patience...frogged!)
21. and last but certainly not least, Mix No. 9, January 2013 . Inspired by the Shibui trunk show last fall, and the rich colors and fibers of the Shibui Staccato and Silk Cloud. I know two of these have been finished, but I have yet to see them. and I'm knitting like mad on mine to finish it...

...by next Friday, March 1, when we are going to Redux!  We hope you'll join us...and share what you're going to Redux. And if you're on Ravelry, please tag your project cottageredux2013 so we can follow along.

and in case you're interested, here's how those 21 projects played out for me:
In progress - one (Mix No. 9)
Finished - fourteen (Wow!!), including nine scarves/shawls, one beret, one coat, one vest, one shrug and one bandit
Frogged - four (Selbu Modern, Double Eyelet Socks, Rill Scarf, Measure for Measure)
Languishing - two (Susie's Reading Mitts, Turkish Bed Socks)

Announcing our Next KAL.

photo (c) shibui

Yes, it's official. We are going to knit Shibui Mix No. 9 for our next Knit-along. It's an infinity scarf, knit length-wise and then joined - after a single twist - with a 3-needle bind-off. The pattern stitch is a variation of seed stitch, which, in my book is the perfect social project. Really, it's the kind of project that demands company and conversation!

Listening to that cold north wind howl outside my kitchen window, reminds me this is also the perfect project to wear. ...long and loose, or doubled around your neck, or pulled up to create a hood.

The pattern suggests Shibui Staccato and Silk Cloud - one strand of each held together. You'll need 5 skeins of Staccato and 3 of Silk Cloud (or 1,000 yards of any DK-weight yarn).  One of the nice things about Shibui is that the different yarns come in the same colorways.

How about pink?

colorway nude

or green?

colorway apple

or teal?

colorway fjord

We'll be casting on (with a provisional cast-on - here's my favorite) two weeks from today. That's Friday, January 4, 2013 around 2pm.

Hope you'll join us!

I'm ready...once I spend some time with the ball-winder!