Welcome back to Wooly News ! After some complicated life events, I decided not to place too much writing, filming and editing weight on myself and place the Wooly News series on hold. I think I can manage to plan an episode a month, would that be okay with you all ? So for today, here is what has caught my eyes and attention in the wool and fibre community.
Patterns
We are still in Summer with warmer weather (although much less warm than during the previous weeks), we are still in tee-shirt weather. Nonetheless, I start to look at more Fall or wintery sweater patterns, even though my queue on that subject is well filled. The Erdene Sweater by Valentina Bogdanova has an interesting stitch pattern at positions where you usually knit plain stockinette.
The effect is very interesting, with beautiful lace on the shoulders, the sleeves and the sides. The sample is knitted with sport weight yarn, perfect for my new acquisition from Laines À l’Ouest !
Free Patterns Highlights
Not one pattern in particular, but a whole series ! Estelle Yarns has loads of free patterns of their own to choose from, mostly accessories. You can find a few sweater patterns though. Of course, being a yarn store in Canada, they feature yarn from their area, but not only. Have a look at their free patterns pages as they also list other creators and producers (this is how I found them).
Trends
People have been on a small scarfs trend. Several YouTube Channels have mentioned them, knitted them, or published patterns for them. Two main examples come to mind :
Cady Jax Knit are all about the Sophie Scarf by PetiteKnit in a recent video, and started a hashtag on Instagram #howdoyouascot :
Pia from Fiftyfabulous Strik just released a small scarf pattern, the HeatWave Scarf. She published it a bit earlier than anticipated because Caitlin and Jackie started the trend. Her pattern is a bit different and reminiscent of the scarves she was using during her childhood, with a hole to slip one end in and make it hold in place without bulk :
To be honest, I had a couple patterns in my library that I had sorta planned to use to finish some left overs of mohair.
Hold Me Tight by Ariel Kim which is paid for, such as the Sophie and the HeatWave Scarves that I would have knitted plain, without the coulourwork.
MissMarple Scarf by SusanneS-vV, Sweet Li’l Scarfette by Ambah O’Brien and Friday by Vyvyan Neel which are all free.
I did go with Pia’s pattern to knit trendy little scarves with mohair I had in my stash. Airy, light warm and perfect to cover my chest ! With a little dent into my stash, which is always good.
I also started knitting Christmas presents for the young ladies in my life, my beloved SIL, my son’s and nephew’s girlfriends. I used some of this huge white sports weight and somewhat hairy ball of yarn my mother gave me. No fuss for them to take care of as it is 88% acrylic and 12% wool. A spin in the washer and go ! I used Pia’s pattern for the one on the left but do not like the end result with that yarn (I love it with lace mohair as recommended in the pattern). I already have two Sweet Li’l Scarfette by Ambah O’Brien.
Had a break with the other patterns as I had ideas of my own and am currently testing them out. More to come with a complete creation, stay tuned !
Funny how trends go round and round, some of these free patterns are over 10 years old and I have had such a silk scarf in my closet for over 30 years 😺
Stephen West 2022 MKAL
That is such a big event ! Each year, can I say thousands of people gather to follow the now set in stone Stephen West MKAL. An institution all by itself. A pattern that perfectly matches Stephen and Penelope yarn, a huge following, a success example in the industry. This year’s theme is Twists & Turns, not completely new to SW’s patterns, but a bit newer for the big 3-colour yearly one 😺
I won’t play along, as I won’t have enough time to keep up, as I am into projects I love, and as I prefer to see what the Twist & Turn theme will deliver. I think I’ll like it. We’ll see !
Yarn Companies and Stores
hedgehog fibers recycle program
You know I love La bien Aimée’s Corrie Confetti made from recycling yarn from her studios on her worsted Corrie base. If you live in the US, Hedgehog Fibres also has a recycling program that works a bit differently. They will recycle all the yarn you send them and will produce the Tweedy DK line. You’ll get a discount depending on the amount of yarn you send to recycle : 10% for 200g or more, 20% for 500g or more and 30% for 1kg or more.
For now there are two main colours, Tweedy and Tweedy Noir. There also is a limites edition in collaboration with Madelinetosh, Dreaming in Light and Future Reflections. A nice initiative I would also dream for if I was on there American continent !
On that note, La Bien Aimée will release Corrie Confetti in Ochre, third edition, on September 9th at 4pm (Paris time). Plenty to buy from on each sides of the big ponds !
Yarn Advent calendars
Once again I’ll pass. I’m not much into advent calendars now that my sons have grown and I do not buy the chocolate ones any longer. You most probably have seen the first ones popping up this summer, a trend and excitation I feel far away from. I kinda think of my leftovers as mini skeins I do not need to buy. The influence of my yarn no-buy year may be ?
Books
a Bien Aimée – New Book in the works
I have not pics to show, La Bien Aimée is going to publish a second book with Laine Publishing, I will most probably buy it, as I enjoy her first one so much. This should be an “eclectic collection”, whatever that means !
Who Am I Knitting With ?
A channel I enjoy all of their uploads is Knits n Pieces : https://www.youtube.com/c/KnitsnPieces
I usually cannot make it for their live sessions and watch afterwards, while I knit ! They are very productive, do a lot of test knits and samples for other creators and stores, including the Little Red Mitten yarn shop that also has a YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/c/LittleRedMitten.
Lots of good ideas, a bit too much yarn for me as I easily get tempted, friendly talks and visits, family news, a bit of butta, all the good stuff !
funky music
I love happy music that gives me bright feelings, as far as feelings can have colours or visual tones.
I love them so much I have 5 CDs ! The Bamboos is an Australian funk group from Melbourne. I like all of their productions I have listen to. Knitting in the morning, in the evening, driving the car to go to work, uplifting vibes and mood. Give them a try 💛
Companion YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/gFeNkDxFPO4
Knit Now 
Pingback: Wooly News ⎮#25 | Knit Now