Wooly News ⎮#23

Patterns

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Harrisville_Designs_Jurek_Pullover_007_small2.JPG
© Jurek Pullover by Ainur Berkimbayeva

One Youtube subscriber, Linda, reminded me of a patterns I had in my favorites, the Astragal Sweater by Ainur Berkimbayeva. I looked at Ainur’s patterns and they are all so beautiful (I admit I have not precisely looked at the kids patterns). The Jurek pullover caught my eye because it looks like a hybrid between the Fishbone Chunky Sweater by Nerunga Ruke and Perennial by Norah Gaughan in the Worsted Book by Aimée Gille from La Bien Aimée. Nice ribbing with elongated sides

Free Patterns Highlights

© Seeing Spots Vest by Afifa Sayeed
© Seeing Spots Vest by Afifa Sayeed

For some time now, vests have been trendy. You can find many new patterns and a whole set of free ones. The Seeing Spots Vest by Afifa Sayeed is a newer good basis, as many other ones you will tell me. Not only for being very size inclusive, for having a dotted colour work that is quite trendy too, and also for being a good graded basic pattern that can be used to adjust for gauge, yarn, other colour work, ie customisation.

The steven west 2022 shawl mkal

© Twists & Turns: Westknits MKAL 2022 by Stephen West

Steven West’s yearly MKAL has gained iconic and trend status, at least into my own little book. I’m not joining as I usually have not enough time this time of year and I have other projects on my needles. I could have organised, I know, and be ready for this KAL. That would not have given me the time though. Maybe some other time in the future if it is still a thing 🙂

I’m not going to ruin it for you if you have not seen pics of the first clue (the only one out as I write) or if you have not started it yet. I have to say I like what I have seen so far ! It may end up in my shawl collection if I continue to like what I see, the same way Slipstravaganza made it almost two years later ^^

Yarn Companies and Stores

De rerum Natura

De Rerum Natura just turn 10, and present over 28,600 projects using their yarn in Ravelry. This success is well deserved and understandable, considering the quality of their yarns. Some of their greens and pinkish, more autumn feeling, colour ways are back in stock, on most of their bases.

Books, Magazines, Articles And Creators

Amirisu COSMOLOGY DARUMA Collection 2022

© Amirisu COSMOLOGY DARUMA Collection
© Amirisu COSMOLOGY DARUMA Collection

I’m waiting for it for sure and I’ll get it once it hits resellers in France. This collection is to dream for, in particular that sweater with different numbers of mohair strands and transparency factor. Had you already seen that ? The beret, the cowl that can wrap around you as a shawl, the hooded sweater, this issue is full of inventively and originality. I already have one Amirisu book I still need to knit the patterns from .. Anyway, I like books, and I cannot pass on this one, even given I’m in a no-buy and have already bought patterns this month 😺

Meret Buetzberger

Do you remember my beautiful s’Krägli (the Collar) that I probdly wear each time possible ? Well, Meret is granting me a wish : she is working on a sweater with this amazing yoke ! Waiting on her next release then, I was almost going to knit one at some point. Once you have the collar, it should not be too difficult to knit down a body and sleeves. Better if you have a written pattern where the designer has done the math for you 😻

Famous Events

Many events this season :

  • PEI Fiber Festival Sept 23-25, 2022, was cancelled due to the hurricane Fiona
  • Knit Eat in Lyon, was on Oct 1-2, 2022
  • Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, Oct. 15-16, 2022
  • Many more in Canada that Canadian YouTubers report on

Who Am I Knitting With ?

Supernatural : A TV Series I Had never Heard Of !

And I am quite hooked on .. I do not have a TV. When kids were at home we had one for the Xbox, and that’s it. I do not watch TV, mainly because I cannot stand commercials and do not want my brain and eyes polluted with violent images or useless adds. I watch a bit of public TV on my computer, and listen to public radio so that I am in the loop of the main news, but that’s it. I read newspapers I can trust, and follow them on social media.

So I had totally missed the Supernatural series that started in 2005, until Amazon Prime recommended it to me. My rule (as on YouTube) is to add things on my watch list for later. On Prime, I select shows or movies that have an IMDB rating over 6. I can drop top 5 if my watchlist is empty, or listen to music rather than watching poor quality (imho) content.

Supernatural has all the good stuff for me, and mostly references to music or movies from the 70’s to 90’s and I really like these little nudges that you may miss if you do not know. I love them, even if I miss a lot. I love the name the two brothers use when they come from musicians or groups from the 70’s and 80’s. I love the quotes from lyrics. I love the individual episodes titles from rock albums. And I love the story, not too gory (but if you avoid certain images or feeling, you may prefer not to check on it), not too frightening, with a storytelling that makes me want to see more and know what happens. I like some little standalone episodes, borrowing from many different styles and inspirations, the bigger main story, the side stories, the recurring characters, the time stories, the families stories, the links with books and most of all, the way the relationship between the two brothers evolve.

I currently am on Season 5, ep 18, and have access to the whole 15 seasons shebang. The series ended in 2020, I am not reading about it because I do not want to ruin my experience with spoilers, so I won’t give you any !

Please have a look for yourself if it is available to you and tell me what you think 😺

Talking a bout good 70’s music, if you do like it, please give an ear or two to The Sheepdogs, a Canadian blues band. A very good one. You may even go see them as they are touring and their live performances are really good. Even better than studio albums imho, but I am biased, I like live music. Please listen to Live at Lee’s, I do on a regular basis. Not too agressive, not too mellow, the perfect level when you need your mood to be lifted up, to ride you car on a long lonesome road trip.. But I digress 😀

Please, once again, tell me what you think !

Companion YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/edLAMXvPzRk

My Yarn No Buy Year – September 2022 Check-in

I thought I would not buy much in September, thus making my average per month expenses a bit better and more in line with what I had anticipated. I did spend a log in July and August, mostly on beautiful yarn I am so happy to have with me.

Patterns

For a few days in September, Meret Buretzbergerbutszeria about everywhere, had a 20% discount on all of her patterns because she needed new glasses ! I had two of her patterns in my favorites, two beautiful tee-shirts, that I bought :

© Rheinfall Tee by Meret Buetzberger
© Verkehrt Pulli by Meret Buetzberger

The Verkehrt Pulli is a very interesting tee-shirt construction that you can wear right side up or upside down for a different effect. I anticipate it will be as fun to knit as it will be to wear. The Rheinfall Tee is a bit more classical with a waterfall type of collar, reminding Meret of one of her favorite places. The sample is in hemp, a fibre I am quite interested in trying. I may use some of the cotton I have in stash too 🙂

© Manhattan Hat by Tori Yu
© Borough Hood by Tori Yu

When Tori Yu released her Borough Hood, I immediately liked it, and recalled I already had the Manhattan Hat in my favourites. So I got both ! I’ve been wanting to knit a hood for about a year, when the ladies over at Cady Jax Knits made one. I do agree that every sweater should have their detachable hood. I still am planning for that project without having made any.. So yes, hoping a beautiful pattern will get live at some point. The Manhattan Hat is my next Christmas present cast on !

Yarn

Yes I am on a yarn no-buy project, no I have not paid for or planned to buy any. My second son was home a week ago, coming back from a conference in Glasgow. “Bring me yarn for my Bday” had I said to him as a joke, and he did ! He sent a picture from the shop and I sorta guided him by yarn composition (no acrylic if possible) and weight (DK) and he delivered ! He brought this Marriner 100% Superwash Merino in grey and white that caught my eye in the picture, and a couple additional colours of his choice, a true red, a bright gold and a cobalt blue.

Now to find a pattern to use all of them. They are not quite in my own colour realm.. What would you think of a Vertice Unite by Stephen West ? Too clingy ? I’m quite undecided, to be continued then !

So this September was quite quiet for spending, only €31,69, adding up to €1122,81 for this year, and €124,76 per month. Kinda making up for the summer frenzy 😺

Companion YouTube video : https://youtu.be/xp-ntr55JJU

Finished Object : s’Krägli (the Collar)

This one is a beauty that will uplift any outfit, from one of my dark blue dresses to a jean jacket. A pattern that was easy to follow and well written. Meret Buetzberger has included written instructions which I prefer over charts. There is no particular difficulty or complicated technique in this project. The only thing you have to be aware of is that it is a mindful knit. A mind full full knit. I could not do other things while knitting other than listening to music or missing any discussions, talks or events in the shows I am watching.

A perfect project if you want to have your thoughts focused on you hands and not wandering left and right.

The collar is a bit heavy as I used an old cotton yarn from my stash on 3.5 mm needles, and the stitch definition is beautiful. A perfect piece for transition weather I am sure I will enjoy much !

To note, I omitted the picot edge as I am not quite team picot yet 😺

Companion YouTube Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM33lzFccqM

New Cast On : s’Krägli (the Collar)

© Meret Buetzberger
© Meret Buetzberger

When Meret Buetzberger first posted about this amazing collar on her Instagram feed, I got in love at first sight ! She finally released it on March 30 and I bought it right away without using the early bird discount as I like to support her work.

I decided to use the untouched remaining cotton balls from a sweater I unravelled because I did not like the final look and fit. I am using the frogged cotton ball for both washcloths and a tee-shirt inspired from one I knitted over 30 years ago and still wear.

The frogged cotton is very wavy even after washing it. The unused one is very smooth and shiny. I have three balls of the yellow colour and I decided to use it for the collar.

It will be a summer piece, rather than the more wintery and warmer cowl Meret designed and the testers showed.

A spectacular project I am enjoying every minute of knitting. So far, the stitch techniques used are not difficult. What is difficult is to follow the instructions, I prefer written ones over charts. A mindful knit I enjoy very much.

My Yarn No Buy Year – March 2022 Check-in

This month I made a few discoveries as I continue to explore my feelings related to my no-buy year.

First I did not buy any books, mostly because I bought a lot of patterns. I am quite happy with these as they were in an operation from Sari Nordlund towards the situation in Ukraine. I had either spotted the upcoming pattern and was waiting for it to come out (the Marzipan pullover) or had them all in my favorites and wishlist (Pas, Poet, Poetria and Seleste Tee).

© Meret Buetzberger

On March 30, 2022, Meret Buetzberger released a pattern I was so looking forward to, s’Krägli (the Collar). An amazing piece I had fallen in love with at first sight. I bought it and casted it on a few days later, changing all my plans for my next projects ! I am so pleased with it 😻

Even though I feel satisfied, I am missing the books I still have on my wishlist, the ones from Norah Gaughan (Knit Fold Pleat Repeat: Simple Knits) and from MejuKP (Contrasts). The other book that I am interested in, Traditions Revisited – Modern Estonian Knits by Aleks Byrd, will be on pre-order on April 21st on the Laine Magazine website, phew ! That last one I did not have to deal with in March 😺

My book wishlist fills up more quickly than there are months in a year, so I may not be able to continue with my current guideline of one book only per month. What to do ? I do not know. My expenses already are over what I was envisioning when I decided for this year long project. That’s the first thing I discovered and need to be reflecting on.

Second, I bought one skein of yarn and I am so pleased with it.

© La Bien Aimée

The Merino Single from La Bien Aimée in Storm is to complete my fade on my upcoming Sorrel sweater. It will replace Fiori which I thought was too light. I got helped by Julia at LBA, she agreed with me and offered a few alternatives. Choosing from a website on a computer screen is a bit tricky and I should have asked before placing my order the first time around. Now I know ! And I have a future project that I will live knitting and wearing. Good.

I also bought the Musselburgh Hat pattern to knit with the Fiori skein. Another upcoming pleasant project. I will also use the Musselburgh pattern to knit hats with the mostly acrylic yarn I brought back from my mother’s when she decided to declutter it and give it to me. She is not knitting any longer and appreciate my knits.

All in all, I did spend a lot of money this month, almost 100€ with 96.09€. The grand total for these first three months of 2022 is 216.89€ which is above the 50€ per month I had in mind as it ends up being 72.29€ per month.

So now what ? Do I stop buying anything for the upcoming month ? How will I handle my frustrations if any ? Am I so addicted to buying things ? I do not know and once again need to ponder and take time to reflect on all these feelings. I can knit from my stash and do not feel much frustration not buying yarn. I am being very frustrated not to be buying more books. I have a whole series of shelves filled up with SciFi and cooking books and I was quite pleased to continue filling it up with knitting ones.

I know I have this tendency to accumulate. For what ? Why ? Accumulate things, backups for groceries that go bad before I get to cooking them, food in my mouth and my body , books, yarn 🙂 That is a lot and enough for today 💛

Companion YouTube Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N5VMazpU4o

Wooly News ⎮#17

Patterns

s‘KrÄgli by Meret Buetzberger (butzeria) – an upcoming lace cowl

© Meret Buetzberger

I have already talked about this upcoming pattern (it is not released yet) by Meret Buetzberger. Any pictures she posts about it have me being in aw and my eye being all amazed. What a beautiful cowl, I am waiting for the pattern. More lace, and I can already imagine wearing it. In the mean time, please follow the #skragli hashtag on Instagram, there are already several finished objects to be drooling over, in different colours and textures. Meret keeps adding more. She kindly gave me an explanation for the name :

© Meret Buetzberger

So a cute small collar that it ! I kinda think I will use this golden cotton I still have three balls left untouched, depending on the gauge that she’s been working at. One additional dream project 🙂

Olga Buraya-Kefelian (olgajazzyknits) new upcoming slip stiches PLUS shawl

© Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Another beautiful colour work pattern, that will most probably be quite easy as it is uses the slip stitches technique. The Plus shawl from Olga Buraya-Kefelian has caught my eyes once I saw it coming across my feed page. Olga’s colours are stunning, and I think you can have much fun with colours and the pattern if you ever decide to knit it when it comes out. I can even envision using a self long colour changing yarn, would not that be so beautiful ? Another pattern from Olga that is most probably become a favorite.

espace tricot’s incredible Folly Skirt

© Espace Tricot

This is not my style and I probably will never knit it. But can we just stop here for a minute and admire this so beautiful Folly Skirt pattern from Espace Tricot ? A busy traditional Fair Isle colour work knitted in La Bien Aimée Corrie Worsted, that should at least grow a bit faster than knitting with fingering ! They presented it in their last YouTube Episode if you want to see it in action. Definitely a spectacular piece.

Free Patterns Highlights

Mindful knit : Spring Twists by Denise Bartels

© Denise Bartels

All of Denise Bartels patterns have this aerial and light look due to her use of lace yarns and lace patterns (as much as I have looked into a random sample of her patterns). And they are free ! Most certainly one pattern you should cast on if you want something to prevent your mind from wandering. It does not look difficult, but will require attention.

With warmers days coming to the Northern Hemisphere, a lighter weight shawl could be a good idea. Sorry to our friends on the other side of the Equator, Olga’s shawl may fit you better for your upcoming winter. Please have a look at Denise’s other patterns, they are all beautiful 😻

mindless knit : Boneyard Shawl by stephen west

© Stephen West

The Bonneyard Shawl I have knitted and can recommend, for any yarn weight and any gauge. The pattern is very easy, the one you can work on doing other things, such as watching my videos ! A simple triangle construction, a simple garter row in between stockinette rows, increases in the middle and at the ends, you can choose the one technique you prefer.

A perfect pattern to improvise with colours, yarn weight, length and even stitch patterns in between the garter rows. I used the Bonneyard Shawl construction for my Mother’s present last Christmas.

Yarn Companies and Stores

la Bien Aimée new Corrie confetti colour

© La BienAimée

Oh, that one is my favorite so far. I did like the yellow (Ochre) and the grey (Greybow) Corrie Confetti editions, but blue being my black, I really am drawn towards the Nightfall edition, a dark blue base with all the speckles from yarns that would otherwise go to waste. It is based on the Winterfell colour way, I have mohair in this colour for my upcoming Sorrel Sweater. A deep blue with lighter subtle hues, so lovely to my eyes. Each batch is different, even if they do second editions for the same base colour. A way to contribute to sustainability and reduce wastes.

This is my first yarn buying temptation since I started my yarn no-buy year. Would I have bought a skein or two or a sweater quantity ? Most probably not because the cost is high and that would be a special treat, not a casual buy. If it is still available around Christmas, or a second batch gets released later on, I may save for a sweater quantity. A very appealing creation, well done, as always. I will be following the beautiful creations that La Bien Aimée comes up with or posts on her Instagram feed.

treliz new studio and youtube video

Lise has recently posted about her new studio on her YouTube channel. If you are not subscribed, please have a look at this episode :

Her code for moving (15% off) was up until the end of March, I hope you could take advantage of it. She shows the Fresh and Peonies yarn releases (the yarns from her Birthday Mystery Box that I knitted last year) and other yarns she sells, a nice and pleasant episode full of colours !

Books, Magazines, Articles And Creators

making stories issue 7 is out – de rerum natura swatches

Another YouTube video you can watch if you are not subscribed to the Making Stories mailing list. This episode is all about showing the samples knitted for issue number 7, and it is so pleasant to have a look at the pieces other than on a flat picture that does not always serves the finished piece.

Along the way, you will have a look at vey beautiful swatches with De Rerum Natura Gilliatt for the Sakae pattern from Marianne Munier that is features in this issue. A reason good enough all by itself to get the issue.

Making Stories will be hosting a KAL between April 1st and May 31st with the hashtag #MakingStoriesJoyKAL on Instagram. All you have to do is knit a pattern from Issue 7 and they will draw prizes Avery other week for participating.

altrea come micro creations

© Althea Crome

These are just amazing – and so is their price tag… Not discussing as hand made artwork is not made out of thin air and free time, but totally out of my reach ! You can browse through here : https://www.altheacrome.com/shop

As a knitter, colour work and cables on such a tiny scale are totally out of this world and just incredible realisations. An awesome artist you can follow on Instagram for more original pictures on your timeline.

Events

fifityfabulous 24h knitathlon

© Fiftyfabulous Strick

24h of knitting seems to be the new trend, this event could also have fitted into the trend section. I personally watched Kutovakika, Annijuuti Knits and of course Pia’s first edition at FiftyFabulous Strick. She just hosted a Spring edition last Saturday, and I could attend two of her lives. She placed all the videos in a dedicated playlist easy to browse through. Some of the videos are in Danish (along with other people hosting the 24h challenge with her). What a fun way to change seasons, entering Spring for the Northern Hemisphere. I did knit along and had a good time watching the lives when I could, but should I admit I slept the whole night and missed the night shift ?

I any case, a pleasant series I was looking forward to. I hope she will host another one next Equinoxe (or may be each Equinoxe in March and September ?), that could be an idea.

She also is a fabulous (ahah) designer and yarn dyer, you can browse her creations on her website or on Ravelry.

Companion YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/IwpsZyMUYNY

Wooly News ⎮#11

Patterns

Marie-Amelie Designs

© Marie-Amelie Designs
© Marie-Amelie Designs

Marie-Amlie, maremelade on Instagram and Ravelry, has unexpectedly to me announced she was stoping her designer work due to health and burn out (she was open about that on her last Instagram post, in French). As a consequence, she decided to make all of her patterns free ! Please have a look at her portfolio, she has amazing very feminine designs.

I have knitted several of her patterns, the Galane Sweater, the Silata Scarves, and will get to the Zenzi Pullover at some point.

© Marie-Amelie Designs
© Marie-Amelie Designs

I have two of her books, on print and ebook when it was available. So sad to see a designer go, and of course, respecting her choices and decisions. I will miss her soft and kind eye that are present everywhere in her patterns. All the best for your new life 💛

Jennifer Steingass new pattern : The Storyteller

© Jennifer Steingass

Jennifer Steingass is Knit.Love.Woll on both Instagram and Ravelry. She has amazing designs and I have the previous release (Avena) in my queue and will get to knit it this year from my stash (please have a look at my Yarn No Buy Year project).

The Storyteller is another beautiful, botanical inspired, sweater. Not sure I will knit it, and at the same time, please have a look at all the beautiful test knits, colour fades or combinations, so appealing !

Meret Buetzberger has a cowl pattern on instagram

© Meret Buetzberger

You can find the pattern here in her Instagram post, swipe to pic 4 and 5 for the pattern. Quite an interesting way to release a pattern, an innovating stitch pattern and an interesting stash buster 😺

Tincanknits free mittens pattern

© Tin Can Knits

Another interesting stash buster are The World’s Simplest Mittens from Alexa Ludeman and Emily Wessel (Tincanknits on Instagram and Ravelry). A free pattern, many sizes from toddler to adult, either as a colour block or with simple colour work you can make up or find online. They popped the pattern on their Instagram account a few days back and I have places it in my queue to knit from my stash.

Tutorials

For a Japanese braiding tutorial From Espace Tricot on their Instagram account (once again !), please see : https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXyp_2CAqX7/ – Once again, a new technique to me and a nice way to use your left overs or your stash 🙂

Books, Magazines and Articles

Laine magazine is having a sale

Now is the time if you want to stock on past issues of Laine Magazine. They are offering 20% off their stocked previous issues until the end of January. Per their words in their newsletter :

We decided to make some space in our warehouse

You may also consider subscribing to their mailing list once on their site 🙂

Companion YouTube Podcast : https://youtu.be/j4xMaJmQU_0